the acts of the apostles-第13章
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While Peter and John were prisoners； the other disciples； knowing the
malignity of the Jews； had prayed unceasingly for their brethren； fearing
that the cruelty shown to Christ might be repeated。 As soon as the apostles
were released； they sought the rest of the disciples and reported to them
the result of the examination。 Great was the joy of the believers。 〃They
lifted up their voice to God with one accord； and said； Lord； Thou art God；
which hast made heaven； and earth； and the sea； and all that in them is： who
by the mouth of Thy servant David hast said； Why did the heathen rage； and
the people imagine vain things？ The kings of the earth stood up； and the
rulers were gathered together against the Lord； and against His Christ。 For
of a truth against Thy Holy Child Jesus； whom Thou hast anointed； both
Herod； and Pontius Pilate； with the Gentiles； and the people of Israel； were
gathered together； for to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined
before to be done。
〃And now； Lord； behold their threatenings： and grant unto Thy servants； that
with all boldness they may speak Thy word； by stretching forth Thine hand to
heal； and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Thy Holy Child
Jesus。〃
The disciples prayed that greater strength might be imparted to them in the
work of the ministry； for they saw
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that they would meet the same determined opposition that Christ had
encountered when upon the earth。 While their united prayers were ascending
in faith to heaven； the answer came。 The place where they were assembled was
shaken； and they were endowed anew with the Holy Spirit。 Their hearts filled
with courage； they again went forth to proclaim the word of God in
Jerusalem。 〃With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus；〃 and God marvelously blessed their efforts。
The principle for which the disciples stood so fearlessly when； in answer to
the command not to speak any more in the name of Jesus； they declared；
〃Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto
God； judge ye；〃 is the same that the adherents of the gospel struggled to
maintain in the days of the Reformation。 When in 1529 the German princes
assembled at the Diet of Spires； there was presented the emperor's decree
restricting religious liberty； and prohibiting all further dissemination of
the reformed doctrines。 It seemed that the hope of the world was about to be
crushed out。 Would the princes accept the decree？ Should the light of the
gospel be shut out from the multitudes still in darkness？ Mighty issues for
the world were at stake。 Those who had accepted the reformed faith met
together； and their unanimous decision was； 〃Let us reject this decree。 In
matters of conscience the majority has no power。〃Merle d'Aubigne； History
of the Reformation； b。 13； ch。 5。
This principle we in our day are firmly to maintain。 The banner of truth and
religious liberty held aloft by the founders
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of the gospel church and by God's witnesses during the centuries that have
passed since then； has； in this last conflict； been committed to our hands。
The responsibility for this great gift rests with those whom God has blessed
with a knowledge of His word。 We are to receive this word as supreme
authority。 We are to recognize human government as an ordinance of divine
appointment； and teach obedience to it as a sacred duty； within its
legitimate sphere。 But when its claims conflict with the claims of God； we
must obey God rather than men。 God's word must be recognized as above all
human legislation。 A 〃Thus saith the Lord〃 is not to be set aside for a
〃Thus saith the church〃 or a 〃Thus saith the state。〃 The crown of Christ is
to be lifted above the diadems of earthly potentates。
We are not required to defy authorities。 Our words； whether spoken or
written； should be carefully considered； lest we place ourselves on record
as uttering that which would make us appear antagonistic to law and order。
We are not to say or do anything that would unnecessarily close up our way。
We are to go forward in Christ's name； advocating the truths committed to
us。 If we are forbidden by men to do this work； then we may say； as did the
apostles； 〃Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more
than unto God； judge ye。 For we cannot but speak the things which we have
seen and heard。〃
（70）
Chapter 7
A Warning Against Hypocrisy
As The disciples proclaimed the truths of the gospel in Jerusalem； God bore
witness to their word； and a multitude believed。 Many of these early
believers were immediately cut off from family and friends by the zealous
bigotry of the Jews； and it was necessary to provide them with food and
shelter。
The record declares； 〃Neither was there any among them that lacked；〃 and it
tells how the need was filled。 Those among the believers who had money and
possessions cheerfully sacrificed them to meet the emergency。 Selling their
houses or their lands； they brought the money and laid it at the apostles'
feet； 〃and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need。〃
This liberality on the part of the believers was the result of the
outpouring of the Spirit。 The converts to the gospel were 〃of one heart and
of one soul。〃 One common interest controlled themthe success of the
mission entrusted to
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them； and covetousness had no place in their lives。 Their love for their
brethren and the cause they had espoused； was greater than their love of
money and possessions。 Their works testified that they accounted the souls
of men of higher value them earthly wealth。
Thus it will ever be when the Spirit of God takes possession of the life。
Those whose hearts are filled with the love of Christ； will follow the
example of Him who for our sake became poor； that through His poverty we
might be made rich。 Money； time； influenceall the gifts they have received
from God's hand； they will value only as a means of advancing the work of
the gospel。 Thus it was in the early church； and when in the church of today
it is seen that by the power of the Spirit the members have taken their
affections from the things of the world； and that they are willing to make
sacrifices in order that their fellow men may hear the gospel； the truths
proclaimed will have a powerful influence upon the hearers。
In sharp contrast to the example of benevolence shown by the believers； was
the conduct of Ananias and Sapphira； whose experience； traced by the pen of
Inspiration； has left a dark stain upon the history of the early church。
With others； these professed disciples had shared the privilege of hearing
the gospel preached by the apostles。 They had been present with other
believers when； after the apostles had prayed； 〃the place was shaken where
they were assembled together； and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost。〃
Acts 4：31。 Deep conviction had rested upon all present； and under the direct
influence of the Spirit of God；
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Ananias and Sapphira had made a pledge to give to the Lord the proceeds from
the sale of certain property。
Afterward； Ananias and Sapphira grieved the Holy Spirit by yielding to
feelings of covetousness。 They began to regret their promise and soon lost
the sweet influence of the blessing that had warmed their hearts with a
desire to do large things in behalf of the cause of Christ。 They thought
they had been too hasty； that they ought to reconsider their decision。 They
talked the matter over； and decided not to fulfill their pledge。 They saw；
however； that those who parted with their possessions to supply the needs of
their poorer brethren； were held in high esteem among the believers； and
ashamed to have their brethren know that their selfish souls grudged that
which they had solemnly dedicated to God； they deliberately decided to sell
their property and pretend to give all the proceeds into the general fund；
but really to keep a large share for themselv
