Hey guys,
This week's sermon is about the Apostle's Creed. In case anyone forgot wad the Apostle's Creed is, it will be at the bottom of this post.
这个星期我们仔细看了使徒信经的第六句话：升天，坐在全能父上帝的右边；
我们首先讨论的问题是 为什么耶稣要升天？为什么他不留在世上继续行神迹？
在圣经里能找出答案。
(Just to note, I'll be stating the different translations so as to avoid confusion. Your Bible has no problem, I just used different translations to bring the points out more clearly.)
1. To prepare a place for us
ESV: John 14 :2-3 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
I think this is pretty much straight forward. As seen in the verses, Jesus' ascension to Heaven is to prepare a place for us.
2. To send the Holy Spirit
和合本: 约翰福音 16 :7-8 然 而 ， 我 将 真 情 告 诉 你 们 ， 我 去 是 与 你 们 冇 益 的 ； 我 若 不 去 ， 保 惠 师 就 不 到 你 们 这 里 来 ； 我 若 去 ， 就 差 他 来 . 他 既 来 了 ， 就 要 叫 世 人 为 罪 、 为 义 、 为 审 判 ， 自 己 责 备 自 己 。
In this verse we see that Jesus' ascension is to allow for the coming of the Holy Spirit. And the purpose of the Holy Spirit is 1. To give people a conscience. "叫 世 人 为 罪 、 为 义 、 为 审 判 ， 自 己 责 备 自 己 。" To make the people of the world rebuke themselves for sin. In other words the Holy Spirit tell us what is right and wrong, and makes us feel guilt. In case you were wondering, it's important that we feel bad for the sins we commit. Because if you don't feel bad doing something like cheating, most probably you'll cheat again and again.
ESV: Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
The second purpose of the Holy spirit is written in this verse. To empower disciples to spread the good news. Empowerment might not come in the form of miracles, and you most probably cannot command someone to get well. Well miracles still exist, but less. Empowerment can also be in the form of strength and courage and faith and all those good values etcetera.
3. To pray for us
NLT: Romans 8:34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Despite all good teachings and stuff, humans are still sinful in nature. As seen the verse, Jesus' ascension s also to plead for forgiveness from the Father - in our place.
4. To ascend to His rightful place
ESV: 1 Peter 3:22 [Jesus] who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
If you can remember, in the beginning, the word was God, and the word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1,14) Jesus IS God. His ascension to Heaven is him returning to His rightful place. It is also a symbol that He remains almighty and has authority over all.
Jesus' ascension has reasons to it, and as Christians we should be clear about what they are. That is the purpose of the Apostle's creed. Let us be clear in our faith, so that we can profess this faith without doubt.
The Apostle's creed:I believe in God, the Father Almighty,- maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,- who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
- and born of the virgin Mary,
- suffered under Pontius Pilate,
- was crucified, died and was buried.
- He descended into hell.
- On the third day He rose again from the dead.
- He ascended into heaven
- and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
- From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,- the holy Christian church,
- the communion of saints,
- the forgiveness of sins,
- the resurrection of the body,
- and the life everlasting. Amen
| 使徒信经 我信上帝，全能的父，创造天地的主； 我信我主耶稣基督，上帝独生的子； 因圣灵感孕，由童贞女马利亚所生； 在本丢彼拉多手下受难，被钉于十字架，受死，埋葬； 降在阴间，第三天从死人中复活；升天，坐在全能父上帝的右边； 将来必从那里降临，审判活人死人。我信圣灵； 我信圣而公之教会；我信圣徒相通； 我信罪得赦免；我信身体复活； 我信永生。阿们。 |
For reference:NLT: New Living Translation
ESV: English Standard Version
Labels: creed, sermon
