the acts of the apostles-第53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！
possible from the instruction which each minister may give them from the
word of God。 The truths that the servants of God bring are to be accepted
and appreciated in the meekness of humility； but no minister is to be
idolized。
Through the grace of Christ； God's ministers are made messengers of light
and blessing。 As by earnest； persevering prayer they obtain the endowment of
the Holy Spirit and go forth weighted with the burden of soulsaving； their
hearts filled with zeal to extend the triumphs of the cross； they will see
fruit of their labors。 Resolutely refusing to display human wisdom or to
exalt self； they will accomplish a work that will withstand the assaults of
Satan。 Many souls will be turned from darkness to light； and many churches
will be established。 Men will be converted； not to the human
instrumentality； but to Christ。 Self will be kept in the background； Jesus
only； the Man of Calvary； will appear。
Those who are working for Christ today may reveal the same distinguishing
excellencies revealed by those who in the apostolic age proclaimed the
gospel。 God is just as ready to give power to His servants today as He was
to give power to Paul and Apollos； to Silas and Timothy； to Peter； James；
and John。
In the apostles' day there were some misguided souls who claimed to believe
in Christ； yet refused to show respect to His ambassadors。 They declared
that they followed no
279
human teacher； but were taught directly by Christ without the aid of the
ministers of the gospel。 They were independent in spirit and unwilling to
submit to the voice of the church。 Such men were in grave danger of being
deceived。
God has placed in the church； as His appointed helpers； men of varied
talents； that through the combined wisdom of many the mind of the Spirit may
be met。 Men who move in accordance with their own strong traits of
character； refusing to yoke up with others who have had a long experience in
the work of God； will become blinded by self…confidence； unable to discern
between the false and the true。 It is not safe for such ones to be chosen as
leaders in the church； for they would follow their own judgment and plans；
regardless of the judgment of their brethren。 It is easy for the enemy to
work through those who； themselves needing counsel at every step； undertake
the guardianship of souls in their own strength； without having learned the
lowliness of Christ。
Impressions alone are not a safe guide to duty。 The enemy often persuades
men to believe that it is God who is guiding them； when in reality they are
following only human impulse。 But if we watch carefully； and take counsel
with our brethren； we shall be given an understanding of the Lord's will；
for the promise is； 〃The meek will He guide in judgment： and the meek will
He teach His way。〃 Psalm 25：9。
In the early Christian church there were some who refused to recognize
either Paul or Apollos； but held that Peter was their leader。 They affirmed
that Peter had been
280
most intimate with Christ when the Master was upon the earth； while Paul had
been a persecutor of the believers。 Their views and feelings were bound
about by prejudice。 They did not show the liberality； the generosity； the
tenderness； which reveals that Christ is abiding in the heart。
There was danger that this party spirit would result in great evil to the
Christian church； and Paul was instructed by the Lord to utter words of
earnest admonition and solemn protest。 Of those who were saying； 〃I am of
Paul； and I of Apollos； and I of Cephas； and I of Christ；〃 the apostle
inquired； 〃Is Christ divided？ was Paul crucified for you？ or were ye
baptized in the name of Paul？〃 〃Let no man glory in men；〃 he pleaded。 〃For
all things are yours； whether Paul； or Apollos； or Cephas； or the world； or
life； or death； or things present； or things to come； all are yours； and ye
are Christ's； and Christ is God's。〃 1 Corinthians 1：12； 13； 3：21…23。
Paul and Apollos were in perfect harmony。 The latter was disappointed and
grieved because of the dissension in the church at Corinth； he took no
advantage of the preference shown to himself； nor did he encourage it； but
hastily left the field of strife。 When Paul afterward urged him to revisit
Corinth； he declined and did not again labor there until long afterward when
the church had reached a better spiritual state。
（281）
Chapter 27
Ephesus
While Apollos was preaching at Corinth； Paul fulfilled his promise to return
to Ephesus。 He had made a brief visit to Jerusalem and had spent some time
at Antioch； the scene of his early labors。 Thence he traveled through Asia
Minor； 〃over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia〃 （Acts 18：23）； visiting
the churches which he himself had established； and strengthening the faith
of the believers。
In the time of the apostles the western portion of Asia Minor was known as
the Roman province of Asia。 Ephesus； the capital； was a great commercial
center。 Its harbor was crowded with shipping； and its streets were thronged
with people from every country。 Like Corinth； it presented a promising field
for missionary effort。
The Jews； now widely dispersed in all civilized lands； were generally
expecting the advent of the Messiah。 When John
282
the Baptist was preaching； many； in their visits to Jerusalem at the annual
feasts； had gone out to the banks of the Jordan to listen to him。 There they
had heard Jesus proclaimed as the Promised One； and they had carried the
tidings to all parts of the world。 Thus had Providence prepared the way for
the labors of the apostles。
On his arrival at Ephesus； Paul found twelve brethren； who； like Apollos；
had been disciples of John the Baptist； and like him had gained some
knowledge of the mission of Christ。 They had not the ability of Apollos； but
with the same sincerity and faith they were seeking to spread abroad the
knowledge they had received。
These brethren knew nothing of the mission of the Holy Spirit。 When asked by
Paul if they had received the Holy Ghost； they answered； 〃We have not so
much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost。〃 〃Unto what then were ye
baptized？〃 Paul inquired； and they said； 〃Unto John's baptism。〃
Then the apostle set before them the great truths that are the foundation of
the Christian's hope。 He told them of Christ's life on this earth and of His
cruel death of shame。 He told them how the Lord of life had broken the
barriers of the tomb and risen triumphant over death。 He repeated the
Saviour's commission to His disciples： 〃All power is given unto Me in heaven
and in earth。 Go ye therefore； and teach all nations； baptizing them in the
name of the Father； and of the Son； and of the Holy Ghost。〃 Matthew 28：18；
19。 He told them also of Christ's promise to send the Comforter； through
whose power mighty signs and
283
wonders would be wrought； and he described how gloriously this promise had
been fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost。
With deep interest and grateful； wondering joy the brethren listened to
Paul's words。 By faith they grasped the wonderful truth of Christ's atoning
sacrifice and received Him as their Redeemer。 They were then baptized in the
name of Jesus； and as Paul 〃laid his hands upon them；〃 they received also
the baptism of the Holy Spirit； by which they were enabled to speak the
languages of other nations and to prophesy。 Thus they were qualified to
labor as missionaries in Ephesus and its vicinity and also to go forth to
proclaim the gospel in Asia Minor。
It was by cherishing a humble； teachable spirit that these men gained the
experience that enabled them to go out as workers into the harvest field。
Their example presents to Christians a lesson of great value。 There are many
who make but little progress in the divine life because they are too
self…sufficient to occupy the position of learners。 They are content with a
superficial knowledge of Go
