今天選讀的經文，讓我們知道新約其中一間最傑出教會的成立經過，它就是哥林多的教會。哥林多教會可能是當時最大的教會之一，也是蒙神賜予最多恩賜的一間教會；可是，它的問題卻似乎也是最多。有鑑於此，保羅在聖靈的默示下，寫了至少兩封書信給哥林多教會，除了提醒他們要如何活出信徒的樣式，也教導他們認識一些基本的福音真理。我們今天再次研讀書信的教導，必對我們大有俾益。在往後的兩個星期，我們將會先查考哥林多前書的頭六章，在稍後的時間再查考其餘的部分。

基督徒今天面對的其中一個基本問題，是我們如何在一個非基督教的世界中過基督徒的生活。我們在信主之前採用的準則，還可以繼續用嗎？我們是否只在頭腦上相信，或是刻意在日常生活中將信仰實踐出來？我們的信仰，究竟是不是我個人的信仰，或是只是人云亦云？我的信仰是否落實在生活中？以及它是否具有生命力的信仰？

哥林多前書清楚列出一些基督徒生活的明確準則。它是一卷發人深省和內容全面的書信，觸及基督徒生活的許多方面。例如，當中詳論教會的分門結黨、信徒該如何不沾染世俗、婚姻、說方言、愛、復活，以及基督的再來等主題。

這樣一卷內容豐富的書信，一定會引起你的閱讀興趣，而且，也必使你獲益良多。當中雖然有一些難解的問題，但相信仍無礙你從中獲益。

倘若你渴望知道如何在一個非基督教的世界中過基督徒生活，那麼，你一定期待一讀哥林多前書了。

Day 1

HOW CHURCH MEMBERS SHOULD BEHAVE

Acts 18:1-11

1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.

2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.

3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.

6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.

8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;

10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”

11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Message

Our reading today gives us the story of the beginning of one of the most remarkable churches in New Testament times. The church at Corinth was one of the most gifted churches; it could have been one of the largest. It also seems to have had the most problems. Because of all this, the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write at least twice to the Corinthian church, telling them how to behave as church members and also instructing them in some of the basic truths of the Gospel. It will help us to study again the teaching Paul gave. Over the next two weeks we will be reading the first six chapters of the epistle to the Corinthians. We will come back to it again later in the book.

One of the basic problems facing Christians today is this: How can we live as Christians in a Christless world? Do the old standards still apply? Is our faith only something we believe with our minds or does it work out in daily life? Is our Christian faith personal, practical, alive and vital?

The first epistle to the Corinthians clearly sets out some definite principles for Christian living. It is one of the most searching and one of the most thorough of all the epistles as it speaks to us on a number of subjects. For example, here you will find some of the longest passages on division in the church, on separation from the world, on marriage, on speaking in tongues, on love, on the resurrection and on the second coming of Christ.

It is a wonderful book. You will enjoy reading and studying it even if some of the problems raised still do not have easy solutions.

If you want to know how to live for Christ in a Christless world, you have some wonderful readings ahead of you.