Click Here for the English Translation
मसीही विश्वासी के गुण
पिछले लेखों में हमने परमेश्वर के वचन बाइबल की प्रेरितों के काम पुस्तक, जो प्रथम चर्च या मण्डली के आरंभ तथा गतिविधियों का संक्षिप्त इतिहास है, में से उस मण्डली के लोगों से संबंधित पाँच बातों को देखा, जिनमें वे “लौलीन” रहते थे। साथ ही हमने यह भी देखा कि जो मसीही विश्वासियों के लिए “लौलीन” रहने वाली बातें है, उन्हीं को मसीही या ईसाई धर्म का पालन करने वालों ने एक रीति या रस्म बना लिया है, और उन्हें उस गणित के समीकरण के समान देखते, सिखाते, और निभाते हैं, कि मसीही विश्वासी इन बातों का पालन करते हैं इसलिए इन बातों का पालन करने वाले भी स्वतः ही मसीही विश्वासी होंगे। इन धर्म-कर्म-रस्म का पालन करने में भरोसा रखने वालों ने उन बातों के निर्वाह के संबंध में अपने ही नियम और विधियाँ, जिनका बाइबल में कोई उल्लेख नहीं है, स्थापित कर के, इन बातों के निर्वाह करने को धर्म के निर्वाह के लिए एक अपेक्षित तथा वांछनीय औपचारिकता बना दिया है। किन्तु जैसे प्रभु यीशु मसीह ने अपने समय के धर्म के अगुवों से, उनके द्वारा मनुष्यों की बनाई हुई विधियों को परमेश्वर की बातें कहकर सिखाने को व्यर्थ उपासना करना कहा था, “और ये व्यर्थ मेरी उपासना करते हैं, क्योंकि मनुष्यों की विधियों को धर्मोपदेश कर के सिखाते हैं” (मत्ती 15:9), वैसे ही आज भी प्रभु की यही बात वर्तमान में भी मनुष्यों के गढ़े हुए विधि-विधानों पर उतनी ही लागू है, उनके विषय उतनी ही सत्य है जितनी तब थी। प्रभु ने उन बातों और उनके औपचारिक निर्वाह की शिक्षा देने वालों के लिए एक और बात भी कही थी, और वो भी आज के लिए उतनी ही महत्वपूर्ण है, “उसने उत्तर दिया, हर पौधा जो मेरे स्वर्गीय पिता ने नहीं लगाया, उखाड़ा जाएगा। उन को जाने दो; वे अन्धे मार्ग दिखाने वाले हैं: और अन्धा यदि अन्धे को मार्ग दिखाए, तो दोनों गड़हे में गिर पड़ेंगे” (मत्ती 15:13-14)।
प्रेरितों 2 अध्याय में, परमेश्वर पवित्र आत्मा के सामर्थ्य प्राप्त करने के तुरंत बाद यरूशलेम में संसार के विभिन्न भागों से पर्व मनाने के लिए एकत्रित “भक्त यहूदियों” को प्रेरित पतरस द्वारा किया गया प्रथम सुसमाचार प्रचार दर्ज है। पतरस द्वारा किए गए इस सुसमाचार प्रचार की प्रतिक्रिया में, लिखा है, “तब सुनने वालों के हृदय छिद गए, और वे पतरस और शेष प्रेरितों से पूछने लगे, कि हे भाइयो, हम क्या करें?” (प्रेरितों 2:37)। उनके इस प्रश्न का पतरस द्वारा दिया गया उत्तर था “पतरस ने उन से कहा, मन फिराओ, और तुम में से हर एक अपने अपने पापों की क्षमा के लिये यीशु मसीह के नाम से बपतिस्मा ले; तो तुम पवित्र आत्मा का दान पाओगे। क्योंकि यह प्रतिज्ञा तुम, और तुम्हारी सन्तानों, और उन सब दूर दूर के लोगों के लिये भी है जिन को प्रभु हमारा परमेश्वर अपने पास बुलाएगा। उसने बहुत और बातों में भी गवाही दे देकर समझाया कि अपने आप को इस टेढ़ी जाति से बचाओ” (प्रेरितों 2:38-40)। यहाँ हम पवित्र आत्मा की अगुवाई में पतरस द्वारा उन मसीही विश्वासियों के करने के लिए कही गई तीन बातों को देखते हैं: “मन फिराओ”, “बपतिस्मा लो”, और “अपने आप को इस टेढ़ी जाति से बचाओ”। दिए गए क्रम के अनुसार, मसीही विश्वासी, या प्रभु यीशु मसीह का अनुयायी हो जाने के लिए उठाया जाने वाला पहला कदम है व्यक्ति के द्वारा मन-फिराव, अर्थात पापों से पश्चाताप करके, पापी जीवन से मुँह मोड़ लेना, और उन बातों को छोड़ देना। फिर दूसरा कदम है अपने मन-फिराव के निर्णय को लोगों पर बपतिस्मा लेने के द्वारा प्रकट करना, और तब तीसरा कदम है अपने इस बदले हुए मन और जीवन के अनुसार अपनी संगति को सुधारना और उन लोगों से पृथक हो जाना जो वापस उन्हीं बुराइयों और सांसारिकता की बातों में ले जा सकते हैं - अपने आप को इस टेढ़ी जाति से बचाओ।
जो मसीही विश्वासी बन जाते हैं, फिर वे प्रेरितों 2:42 की चारों बातों में, जिन्हें हम देख चुके हैं, लौलीन रहते हैं। अर्थात, हमें यहाँ पर परमेश्वर पवित्र आत्मा ने पतरस के द्वारा मसीही विश्वासी हो जाने के सात चिह्न प्रदान किए हैं:
स्वेच्छा से मन-फिराव का निर्णय ले लेना
अपने बदले हुए जीवन की गवाही के लिए बपतिस्मा लेना
बदले हुए जीवन की सुरक्षा और अपनी आत्मिक उन्नति के लिए बुरी संगति और बातों से अपने आप को पृथक कर लेना
प्रभु परमेश्वर और व्यावहारिक मसीही जीवन को जानने, उसमें बढ़ने, और उसे जीने के लिए:
बाइबल की शिक्षा लेते रहना
अन्य मसीही विश्वासियों की संगति में बने रहना
प्रभु-भोज में नियमित भाग लेते रहना
प्रार्थना में लगे रहना
उपरोक्त सभी बातों से स्पष्ट है कि बाइबल के अनुसार मसीही विश्वास का जीवन किसी धर्म के निर्वाह का जीवन नहीं है, वरन प्रभु यीशु की शिष्यता और आज्ञाकारिता का जीवन है। साथ ही मसीही विश्वासी या प्रभु यीशु के अनुयायी होने के लिए किसी धर्म परिवर्तन की नहीं, वरन मन परिवर्तन की, और परिवर्तित जीवन का निर्वाह करने की आवश्यकता है। इसलिए यदि आपने अभी तक अपने आप को प्रभु यीशु मसीह की शिष्यता में समर्पित नहीं किया है, और आप अभी भी अपने एक परिवार विशेष में जन्म अथवा उस परिवार और अपने जन्म से संबंधित धर्म तथा उसकी रीतियों के पालन के आधार पर अपने आप को प्रभु का जन समझ रहे हैं, तो आपको भी अपनी इस गलतफहमी से बाहर निकलकर परमेश्वर के वचन बाइबल की सच्चाई को स्वीकार करने और उसका पालन करने की आवश्यकता है।
आज और अभी आपके पास अपनी अनन्तकाल की स्थिति को सुधारने का अवसर है; प्रभु यीशु से अपने पापों के लिए क्षमा माँगकर, स्वेच्छा से तथा सच्चे मन से अपने आप को उसकी अधीनता में समर्पित कर दीजिए - उद्धार और स्वर्गीय जीवन का यही एकमात्र मार्ग है। आपको स्वेच्छा और सच्चे मन से प्रभु यीशु मसीह से केवल एक छोटी प्रार्थना करनी है, और साथ ही अपना जीवन उसे पूर्णतः समर्पित करना है। आप यह प्रार्थना और समर्पण कुछ इस प्रकार से भी कर सकते हैं, “प्रभु यीशु मैं आपका धन्यवाद करता हूँ कि आपने मेरे पापों की क्षमा और समाधान के लिए उन पापों को अपने ऊपर लिया, उनके कारण मेरे स्थान पर क्रूस की मृत्यु सही, गाड़े गए, और मेरे उद्धार के लिए आप तीसरे दिन जी भी उठे, और आज जीवित प्रभु परमेश्वर हैं। कृपया मेरे पापों को क्षमा करें, मुझे अपनी शरण में लें, और मुझे अपना शिष्य बना लें। मैं अपना जीवन आप के हाथों में समर्पित करता हूँ।” सच्चे और समर्पित मन से की गई आपकी एक प्रार्थना आपके वर्तमान तथा भविष्य को, इस लोक के और परलोक के जीवन को, अनन्तकाल के लिए स्वर्गीय एवं आशीषित बना देगी।
एक साल में बाइबल पढ़ें:
अय्यूब 14-16
प्रेरितों 9:22-43
अय्यूब 14-16
प्रेरितों 9:22-43
*********************************************************************
The Characteristics of a Christian Believer
In the previous articles we have seen five things from the Book of Acts, the historical account of the activities of the first Church of the Bible, in which the saved, or Born-Again initial Christian Believers, continued steadfastly. We also saw that the things in which the Christian Believers continued steadfastly, have been turned into a formality, a ritual by the followers and adherents of the Christian religion, and have been taken, taught, and used like a mathematical equation, i.e., since Christian Believers do these things, therefore those who do these things will be considered as Christian Believers. The followers of this concept of having righteousness through religion-works-rituals, have created and added their own rules and ceremonies to these things, which have no support or affirmation from God’s Word. They have turned these five essential characteristics of a Christian Believer into religious formalities, expected and desirable in “Christians” instead of retaining them in their initial form of commandments of the Lord to be observed steadfastly, as was being done by the early Christian Believers. But just as the Lord Jesus, during His time of Ministry on earth, had said to the then religious leaders about their teaching and enforcing such man-made rules, regulations and rituals being a “vain worship”, “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9), similarly, what the Lord had said at that time, is equally true and applicable to the current man-made rules, regulations, and traditions rampant today in Christendom. The Lord has said another thing about those who teach and preach and believe in these man-made rules, regulations, and traditions, and that too is equally applicable and important even today: “But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch” (Matthew 15:13-14).
In Acts chapter 2, we have the record of the first sermon preached by the apostle Peter to the “devout Jews” gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate their feasts and festivals, immediately after receiving and being empowered by God the Holy Spirit. In response to this sermon, it is written that, “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). And then Peter had replied, “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation” (Acts 2:38-40). Here we see three things that Peter, under the guidance of the Holt Spirit, tells them to do: “Repent”, “be baptized”, “Be saved from this perverse generation”. In accordance with the sequence given here, to become a disciple of the Lord Jesus, or a Christian Believer, the first step is that the person should repent of his sins, i.e., confess his sins and turn away from them, leave those things behind. This is followed by the next step, to express this change by witnessing through baptism, and then is the practical demonstration of this changed life by separating from the people who can pull back into the evils and systems of the world, to change one’s fellowship as well - Be saved from this perverse generation.
Those who become Christian Believers, they continue steadfastly in the four things of Acts 2:42, which we have already seen. So, from this passage, we have seven characteristics of a saved, Born-Again Christian Believer:
1. Decides to repent of his sins voluntarily and willingly.
2. Witnesses about his changed life through water Baptism.
3. Changes his fellowship and company for his spiritual growth and security, i.e., separates himself from his former fellowship and company which can pull him back into evil.
Then, for his growth in his spiritual and Christian life, in nearness to the Lord God, he,
4. Continually keeps learning God’s Word
5. Continues in fellowship with Christian Believers
6. Regularly participates in the Lord’s Table or Holy Communion in the way given in God’s Word.
7. Leads a life of prayer.
From the above it is evident that the life of Christian faith is not a life of following a religion, i.e., of fulfilling religious formalities, but of accepting and living a life of being an obedient and committed disciple of Christ Jesus. Also, being a Christian Believer or a disciple of Lord Jesus is not a matter of converting from one religion to another, but of converting the heart and mind and practically living out this changed life. If you are still thinking of yourself as being a Christian, because of being born in a particular family and having fulfilled the religious rites and rituals prescribed under your religion or denomination since your childhood, then you too need to come out of your misunderstanding of Biblical facts and start understanding and living according to what the Word of God says, instead of what any denominational creed says or teaches.
If you are still not Born Again, have not obtained salvation, or have not asked the Lord Jesus for forgiveness for your sins, then you have the opportunity to do so right now. A short prayer said voluntarily with a sincere heart, with heartfelt repentance for your sins, and a fully submissive attitude, “Lord Jesus, I confess that I have disobeyed You, and have knowingly or unknowingly, in mind, in thought, in attitude, and in deeds, committed sins. I believe that you have fully borne the punishment of my sins by your sacrifice on the cross, and have paid the full price of those sins for all eternity. Please forgive my sins, change my heart and mind towards you, and make me your disciple, take me with you." God longs for your company and wants to see you blessed, but to make this possible, is your personal decision. Will you not say this prayer now, while you have the time and opportunity to do so - the decision is yours.
Through the Bible in a Year:
Job 14-16
Acts 9:22-43
In the previous articles we have seen five things from the Book of Acts, the historical account of the activities of the first Church of the Bible, in which the saved, or Born-Again initial Christian Believers, continued steadfastly. We also saw that the things in which the Christian Believers continued steadfastly, have been turned into a formality, a ritual by the followers and adherents of the Christian religion, and have been taken, taught, and used like a mathematical equation, i.e., since Christian Believers do these things, therefore those who do these things will be considered as Christian Believers. The followers of this concept of having righteousness through religion-works-rituals, have created and added their own rules and ceremonies to these things, which have no support or affirmation from God’s Word. They have turned these five essential characteristics of a Christian Believer into religious formalities, expected and desirable in “Christians” instead of retaining them in their initial form of commandments of the Lord to be observed steadfastly, as was being done by the early Christian Believers. But just as the Lord Jesus, during His time of Ministry on earth, had said to the then religious leaders about their teaching and enforcing such man-made rules, regulations and rituals being a “vain worship”, “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9), similarly, what the Lord had said at that time, is equally true and applicable to the current man-made rules, regulations, and traditions rampant today in Christendom. The Lord has said another thing about those who teach and preach and believe in these man-made rules, regulations, and traditions, and that too is equally applicable and important even today: “But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch” (Matthew 15:13-14).
In Acts chapter 2, we have the record of the first sermon preached by the apostle Peter to the “devout Jews” gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate their feasts and festivals, immediately after receiving and being empowered by God the Holy Spirit. In response to this sermon, it is written that, “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). And then Peter had replied, “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation” (Acts 2:38-40). Here we see three things that Peter, under the guidance of the Holt Spirit, tells them to do: “Repent”, “be baptized”, “Be saved from this perverse generation”. In accordance with the sequence given here, to become a disciple of the Lord Jesus, or a Christian Believer, the first step is that the person should repent of his sins, i.e., confess his sins and turn away from them, leave those things behind. This is followed by the next step, to express this change by witnessing through baptism, and then is the practical demonstration of this changed life by separating from the people who can pull back into the evils and systems of the world, to change one’s fellowship as well - Be saved from this perverse generation.
Those who become Christian Believers, they continue steadfastly in the four things of Acts 2:42, which we have already seen. So, from this passage, we have seven characteristics of a saved, Born-Again Christian Believer:
1. Decides to repent of his sins voluntarily and willingly.
2. Witnesses about his changed life through water Baptism.
3. Changes his fellowship and company for his spiritual growth and security, i.e., separates himself from his former fellowship and company which can pull him back into evil.
Then, for his growth in his spiritual and Christian life, in nearness to the Lord God, he,
4. Continually keeps learning God’s Word
5. Continues in fellowship with Christian Believers
6. Regularly participates in the Lord’s Table or Holy Communion in the way given in God’s Word.
7. Leads a life of prayer.
From the above it is evident that the life of Christian faith is not a life of following a religion, i.e., of fulfilling religious formalities, but of accepting and living a life of being an obedient and committed disciple of Christ Jesus. Also, being a Christian Believer or a disciple of Lord Jesus is not a matter of converting from one religion to another, but of converting the heart and mind and practically living out this changed life. If you are still thinking of yourself as being a Christian, because of being born in a particular family and having fulfilled the religious rites and rituals prescribed under your religion or denomination since your childhood, then you too need to come out of your misunderstanding of Biblical facts and start understanding and living according to what the Word of God says, instead of what any denominational creed says or teaches.
If you are still not Born Again, have not obtained salvation, or have not asked the Lord Jesus for forgiveness for your sins, then you have the opportunity to do so right now. A short prayer said voluntarily with a sincere heart, with heartfelt repentance for your sins, and a fully submissive attitude, “Lord Jesus, I confess that I have disobeyed You, and have knowingly or unknowingly, in mind, in thought, in attitude, and in deeds, committed sins. I believe that you have fully borne the punishment of my sins by your sacrifice on the cross, and have paid the full price of those sins for all eternity. Please forgive my sins, change my heart and mind towards you, and make me your disciple, take me with you." God longs for your company and wants to see you blessed, but to make this possible, is your personal decision. Will you not say this prayer now, while you have the time and opportunity to do so - the decision is yours.
Through the Bible in a Year:
Job 14-16
Acts 9:22-43
कोई टिप्पणी नहीं:
एक टिप्पणी भेजें