the acts of the apostles-第52章
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would separate him from his earthly idols。 Paul saw that the character of
Christ must be understood before men could love Him or view the cross with
the eye of faith。 Here must begin that study which shall be the science and
the song of the redeemed through all eternity。 In the light of the cross
alone can the true value of the human soul be estimated。
The refining influence of the grace of God changes the natural disposition
of man。 Heaven would not be desirable to the carnal…minded； their natural；
unsanctified hearts would feel no attraction toward that pure and holy
place； and if it were possible for them to enter； they would find there
nothing congenial。 The propensities that control the natural heart must be
subdued by the grace of Christ before fallen man is fitted to enter heaven
and enjoy the society of the pure； holy angels。 When man dies to sin and is
quickened to new life in Christ； divine love fills his heart； his
understanding is sanctified； he drinks from an inexhaustible fountain of joy
and knowledge； and the light of an eternal day shines upon his path； for
with him continually is the Light of life。
Paul had sought to impress upon the minds of his Corinthian brethren the
fact that he and the ministers associated with him were but men commissioned
by God to teach the
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truth； that they were all engaged in the same work； and that they were alike
dependent upon God for success in their labors。 The discussion that had
arisen in the church regarding the relative merits of different ministers
was not in the order of God； but was the result of cherishing the attributes
of the natural heart。 〃While one saith； I am of Paul； and another； I am of
Apollos； are ye not carnal？ Who then is Paul； and who is Apollos； but
ministers by whom ye believed； even as the Lord gave to every man？ I have
planted； Apollos watered； but God gave the increase。 So then neither is he
that planteth anything； neither he that watereth； but God that giveth the
increase。〃 1 Corinthians 3：4…7。
It was Paul who had first preached the gospel in Corinth； and who had
organized the church there。 This was the work that the Lord had assigned
him。 Later； by God's direction； other workers were brought in； to stand in
their lot and place。 The seed sown must be watered； and this Apollos was to
do。 He followed Paul in his work； to give further instruction； and to help
the seed sown to develop。 He won his way to the hearts of the people； but it
was God who gave the increase。 It is not human； but divine power； that works
transformation of character。 Those who plant and those who water do not
cause the growth of the seed； they work under God； as His appointed
agencies； co…operating with Him in His work。 To the Master Worker belongs
the honor and glory that comes with success。
God's servants do not all possess the same gifts； but they are all His
workmen。 Each is to learn of the Great Teacher；
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and is then to communicate what he has learned。 God has given to each of His
messengers an individual work。 There is a diversity of gifts； but all the
workers are to blend in harmony； controlled by the sanctifying influence of
the Holy Spirit。 As they make known the gospel of salvation； many will be
convicted and converted by the power of God。 The human instrumentality is
hid with Christ in God； and Christ appears as the chiefest among ten
thousand； the One altogether lovely。
〃Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one： and every man shall
receive his own reward according to his own labor。 For we are laborers
together with God： ye are God's husbandry； ye are God's building。〃 Verses 8；
9。 In this scripture the apostle compares the church to a cultivated field；
in which the husbandmen labor； caring for the vines of the Lord's planting；
and also to a building； which is to grow into a holy temple for the Lord。
God is the Master Worker； and He has appointed to each man his work。 All are
to labor under His supervision； letting Him work for and through His
workmen。 He gives them tact and skill； and if they heed His instruction；
crowns their efforts with success。
God's servants are to work together； blending in kindly； courteous order；
〃in honor preferring one another。〃 Romans 12：10。 There is to be no unkind
criticism； no pulling to pieces of another's work； and there are to be no
separate parties。 Every man to whom the Lord has entrusted a message has his
specific work。 Each one has an individuality of his own； which he is not to
sink in that of any other man。 Yet each
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is to work in harmony with his brethren。 In their service God's workers are
to be essentially one。 No one is to set himself up as a criterion； speaking
disrespectfully of his fellow workers or treating them as inferior。 Under
God each is to do his appointed work； respected； loved； and encouraged by
the other laborers。 Together they are to carry the work forward to
completion。
These principles are dwelt upon at length in Paul's first letter to the
Corinthian church。 The apostle refers to 〃the ministers of Christ〃 as
〃stewards of the mysteries of God；〃 and of their work he declares： 〃It is
required in stewards； that a man be found faithful。 But with me it is a very
small thing that I should be judged of you； or of man's judgment： yea； I
judge not mine own self。 For I know nothing by myself； yet I am not hereby
justified： but He that judgeth me is the Lord。 Therefore judge nothing
before the time； until the Lord come； who both will bring to light the
hidden things of darkness； and will make manifest the counsels of the
hearts： and then shall every man have praise of God。〃
1 Corinthians 4：1…5。
It is not given to any human being to judge between the different servants
of God。 The Lord alone is the judge of man's work； and He will give to each
his just reward。
The apostle； continuing； referred directly to the comparisons that had been
made between his labors and those of Apollos： 〃These things； brethren； I
have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes； that
ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is
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written； that no one of you be puffed up for one against another。 For who
maketh thee to differ from another？ and what hast thou that thou didst not
receive？ now if thou didst receive it； why dost thou glory； as if thou hadst
not received it？〃 Verses 6； 7。
Paul plainly set before the church the perils and the hardships that he and
his associates had patiently endured in their service for Christ。 〃Even unto
this present hour；〃 he declared； 〃we both hunger； and thirst； and are naked；
and are buffeted； and have no certain dwelling place； and labor； working
with our own hands： being reviled； we bless； being persecuted； we suffer it：
being defamed； we entreat： we are made as the filth of the world； and are
the offscouring of all things unto this day。 I write not these things to
shame you； but as my beloved sons I warn you。 For though ye have ten
thousand instructors in Christ； yet have ye not many fathers： for in Christ
Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel。〃 Verses 11…15。
He who sends forth gospel workers as His ambassadors is dishonored when
there is manifested among the hearers so strong an attachment to some
favorite minister that there is an unwillingness to accept the labors of
some other teacher。 The Lord sends help to His people； not always as they
may choose； but as they need； for men are shortsighted and cannot discern
what is for their highest good。 It is seldom that one minister has all the
qualifications necessary to perfect a church in all the requirements of
Christianity； therefore God often sends to them other ministers； each
possessing
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some qualifications in which the others were deficient。
The church should gratefully accept these servants of Christ； even as they
would accept the Master Himself。 They should seek to derive all the benefit
possible from the instruction which each minister may give them from the
word of God。 The truths that the servants of G
