the acts of the apostles-第4章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
These experiences helped the disciples to understand that among those whom
many regarded
20
as unworthy of salvation； there were souls hungering for the light of truth。
Thus Christ sought to teach the disciples the truth that in God's kingdom
there are no territorial lines； no caste； no aristocracy； that they must go
to all nations； bearing to them the message of a Saviour's love。 But not
until later did they realize in all its fullness that God 〃hath made of one
blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth； and hath
determined the times before appointed； and the bounds of their habitation；
that they should seek the Lord； if haply they might feel after Him； and find
Him； though He be not far from every one of us。〃 Acts 17：26； 27。
In these first disciples was presented marked diversity。 They were to be the
world's teachers； and they represented widely varied types of character。 In
order successfully to carry forward the work to which they had been called；
these men； differing in natural characteristics and in habits of life；
needed to come into unity of feeling； thought； and action。 This unity it was
Christ's object to secure。 To this end He sought to bring them into unity
with Himself。 The burden of His labor for them is expressed in His prayer to
His Father； 〃That they all may be one； as Thou； Father； art in Me； and I in
Thee； that they also may be one in Us；〃 〃that the world may know that Thou
has sent Me； and hast loved them； as Thou hast loved Me。〃 John 17：21； 23。
His constant prayer for them was that they might be sanctified through the
truth； and He prayed with assurance； knowing that an Almighty decree had
been given before the world was
21
made。 He knew that the gospel of the kingdom would be preached to all
nations for a witness； He knew that truth armed with the omnipotence of the
Holy Spirit； would conquer in the battle with evil； and that the
bloodstained banner would one day wave triumphantly over His followers。
As Christ's earthly ministry drew to a close； and He realized that He must
soon leave His disciples to carry on the work without His personal
supervision； He sought to encourage them and to prepare them for the future。
He did not deceive them with false hopes。 As an open book He read what was
to be。 He knew He was about to be separated from them； to leave them as
sheep among wolves。 He knew that they would suffer persecution； that they
would be cast out of the synagogues； and would be thrown into prison。 He
knew that for witnessing to Him as the Messiah； some of them would suffer
death。 And something of this He told them。 In speaking of their future； He
was plain and definite； that in their coming trial they might remember His
words and be strengthened to believe in Him as the Redeemer。
He spoke to them also words of hope and courage。 〃Let not your heart be
troubled；〃 He said； 〃ye believe in God； believe also in Me。 In My Father's
house are many mansions： if it were not so； I would have told you。 I go to
prepare a place for you。 And if I go and prepare a place for you； I will
come again； and receive you unto Myself； that where I am； there ye may be
also。 And whither I go ye know； and the way ye know。〃 John 14：1…4。 For your
sake I came into the world； for you I have been working。
22
When I go away I shall still work earnestly for you。 I came to the world to
reveal Myself to you； that you might believe。 I go to My Father and yours to
co…operate with Him in your behalf。
〃Verily； verily； I say unto you； He that believeth on Me； the works that I
do shall he do also； and greater works than these shall he do； because I go
unto My Father。〃 John 14：12。 By this； Christ did not mean that the disciples
would make more exalted exertions than He had made； but that their work
would have greater magnitude。 He did not refer merely to miracle working；
but to all that would take place under the agency of the Holy Spirit。 〃When
the Comforter is come；〃 He said； 〃whom I will send unto you from the Father；
even the Spirit of truth； which proceedeth from the Father； He shall testify
of Me： and ye also shall bear witness； because ye have been with Me from the
beginning。〃 John 15：26； 27。
Wonderfully were these words fulfilled。 After the descent of the Holy
Spirit； the disciples were so filled with love for Him and for those for
whom He died； that hearts were melted by the words they spoke and the
prayers they offered。 They spoke in the power of the Spirit； and under the
influence of that power； thousands were converted。
As Christ's representatives the apostles were to make a decided impression
on the world。 The fact that they were humble men would not diminish their
influence； but increase it； for the minds of their hearers would be carried
from them to the Saviour； who； though unseen； was still working with them。
The wonderful teaching of the apostles； their
23
words of courage and trust； would assure all that it was not in their own
power that they worked； but in the power of Christ。 Humbling themselves；
they would declare that He whom the Jews had crucified was the Prince of
life； the Son of the living God； and that in His name they did the works
that He had done。
In His parting conversation with His disciples on the night before the
crucifixion the Saviour made no reference to the suffering that He had
endured and must yet endure。 He did not speak of the humiliation that was
before Him； but sought to bring to their minds that which would strengthen
their faith； leading them to look forward to the joys that await the
overcomer。 He rejoiced in the consciousness that He could and would do more
for His followers than He had promised； that from Him would flow forth love
and compassion； cleansing the soul temple； and making men like Him in
character； that His truth； armed with the power of the Spirit； would go
forth conquering and to conquer。
〃These things I have spoken unto you；〃 He said； 〃that in Me ye might have
peace。 In the world ye shall have tribulation： but be of good cheer； I have
overcome the world。〃 John 16：33。 Christ did not fail； neither was He
discouraged； and the disciples were to show a faith of the same enduring
nature。 They were to work as He had worked； depending on Him for strength。
Though their way would be obstructed by apparent impossibilities； yet by His
grace they were to go forward； despairing of nothing and hoping for
everything。
24
Christ had finished the work that was given Him to do。 He had gathered out
those who were to continue His work among men。 And He said： 〃I am glorified
in them。 And now I am no more in the world； but these are in the world； and
I come to Thee。 Holy Father； keep through Thine own name those whom Thou
hast given Me； that they may be one； as We are。〃 〃Neither pray I for these
alone； but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word； that
they all may be one； 。 。 。 I in them and Thou in Me； that they may be made
perfect in one； and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me； and hast
loved them； as Thou hast loved Me。〃 John 17：10； 11； 20…23。
（25）
Chapter 3
The Great Commission
After the death of Christ the disciples were well…nigh overcome by
discouragement。 Their Master had been rejected； condemned； and crucified。
The priests and rulers had declared scornfully； 〃He saved others； Himself He
cannot save。 If He be the King of Israel； let Him now come down from the
cross； and we will believe Him。〃 Matthew 27：42。 The sun of the disciples'
hope had set； and night settled down upon their hearts。 Often they repeated
the words； 〃We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed
Israel。〃 Luke 24：21。 Lonely and sick at heart； they remembered His words；
〃If they do these things in a green tree； what shall be done in the dry？〃
Luke 23：31。
Jesus had several times attempted to open the future to His disciples； but
they
