五旬節聖潔會通訊 – 第三期

人年紀愈長，愈擔心腦袋不靈光，應該記得的操作細節，總是串連不起來；明明讀過的書，卻好像第一次接觸一樣。但只要不是腦退化，有一些人和事是終身都會不忘記的。保羅寫信給提摩太，說「我記得你無偽的信心。」信心這麼抽象，是怎樣被保羅記得的呢?潘耀倫牧師所做的詮釋是：他們的共同經歷。保羅念茲在茲的，就是他們持定基督信仰，破勢而立、逆勢而行地踐行福音使命所締造的往績。這些令人振奮的往事足以成為提摩太繼承保羅志業的基礎，也足以成為提摩太面對今天艱難處境時的力量來源。

保羅明確指出提摩太的信心其來有自，是從母親和外祖母那裏承傳下來的。無獨有偶，黃月英牧師談到記憶時，就提及信仰傳承的重要，指出猶太人在他們的孩子在牙牙學語時，就教導他們背誦聖言，為的是把神的話語自小就存記在孩子心中，成為屬神子民的集體記憶。

各位弟兄姊妹，你過去的經歷如何推動你有朝氣地走這條信心之旅呢?在你的信仰歷程中，誰是你的保羅—生命師傅?誰是你的提摩太—信仰傳承者?

It seems inevitable to see one’s memory deteriorating as one ages. Sometimes the full picture remains with details missing. We might also have come across a book that we read before but appears as a new book now. Yet the memory of some people and issues would stay forever as long as one does not suffer from dementia. Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, saying: “I am reminded of your sincere faith”. How would Paul remember such abstract idea as “faith”? According to the interpretation of Rev. Timothy Poon, it is due to the shared experience of Paul and Timothy. What stays in Paul’s heart and mind must be Christian faith, which was held firmly by both as they spread God’s word throughout a wide range of area. Their accomplishments in the past laid a strong foundation for Timothy to inherit Paul’s vision and kept offering strength to Timothy when he encountered tough times.

Apostle Paul pointed out clearly that the faith of Timothy was inherited from his mother and grandmother. Incidentally, Rev. Joanne Wong also mentioned the importance of the inheritance of faith when she talked about memory. She highlighted that the Jews used to teach their children to recite Bible verses when the kids just started to talk. The purpose is to keep God’s words in the heart and mind of their children, consequently forming a collective memory for the people of God.

Brothers and sisters, how do your past experience push you forward onto the path of faith? During your faith-seeking journey, who is your Paul, the mentor in your life? Who is your Timothy, to whom you can pass on the faith tradition?