the acts of the apostles-第99章
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The lesson applies to believers in every age。 〃By their fruits ye shall know
them。〃 Matthew 7：20。 The inward adorning of a meek and quiet spirit is
priceless。 In the life of the true Christian the outward adorning is always
in harmony with the inward peace and holiness。 〃If any man will come after
Me；〃 Christ said； 〃let him deny himself； and take up his cross； and follow
Me。〃 Matthew 16：24。 Self…denial and sacrifice will mark the Christian's
life。 Evidence that the taste is converted will be seen in the dress of all
who walk in the path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord。
It is right to love beauty and to desire it； but God desires us to love and
seek first the highest beauty； that which is imperishable。 No outward
adorning can compare in value or loveliness with that 〃meek and quiet
spirit；〃 the 〃fine
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linen； white and clean〃 （Revelation 19：14）； which all the holy ones of earth
will wear。 This apparel will make them beautiful and beloved here； and will
hereafter be their badge of admission to the palace of the King。 His promise
is； 〃They shall walk with Me in white： for they are worthy。〃 Revelation 3：4。
Looking forward with prophetic vision to the perilous times into which the
church of Christ was to enter； the apostle exhorted the believers to
steadfastness in the face of trial and suffering。 〃Beloved；〃 he wrote；
〃think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you。〃
Trial is part of the education given in the school of Christ； to purify
God's children from the dross of earthliness。 It is because God is leading
His children that trying experiences come to them。 Trials and obstacles are
His chosen methods of discipline； and His appointed conditions of success。
He who reads the hearts of men knows their weaknesses better than they
themselves can know them。 He sees that some have qualifications which； if
rightly directed； could be used in the advancement of His work。 In His
providence He brings these souls into different positions and varied
circumstances； that they may discover the defects that are concealed form
their own knowledge。 He gives them opportunity to overcome these defects and
to fit themselves for service。 Often He permits the fires of affliction to
burn； that they may be purified。
God's care for His heritage is unceasing。 He suffers no affliction to come
upon His children but such as is essential
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for their present and eternal good。 He will purify His church； even as
Christ purified the temple during His ministry on earth。 All that He brings
upon His people in test and trial comes that they may gain deeper piety and
greater strength to carry forward the triumphs of the cross。
There had been a time in Peter's experience when he was unwilling to see the
cross in the work of Christ。 When the Saviour made known to the disciples
His impending sufferings and death； Peter exclaimed； 〃Be it far from Thee；
Lord： this shall not be unto Thee。〃 Matthew 16：22。 Self…pity； which shrank
from fellowship with Christ in suffering； prompted Peter's remonstrance。 It
was to the disciple a bitter lesson； and one which he learned but slowly；
that the path of Christ on earth lay through agony and humiliation。 But in
the heat of the furnace fire he was to learn its lesson。 Now； when his once
active form was bowed with the burden of years and labors； he could write；
〃Beloved； think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try
you； as though some strange thing happened unto you： but rejoice； inasmuch
as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings； that； when His glory shall be
revealed； ye may be glad also with exceeding joy。〃
Addressing the church elders regarding their responsibilities as
undershepherds of Christ's flock； the apostle wrote： 〃Feed the flock of God
which is among you； taking the oversight thereof； not by constraint； but
willingly； not for filthy lucre； but of a ready mind； neither as being lords
over God's heritage； but being ensamples to the flock。 And
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when the Chief Shepherd shall appear； ye shall receive a crown of glory that
fadeth not away。〃
Those who occupy the position of undershepherds are to exercise a watchful
diligence over the Lord's flock。 This is not to be a dictatorial vigilance；
but one that tends to encourage and strengthen and uplift。 Ministry means
more than sermonizing； it means earnest； personal labor。 The church on earth
is composed of erring men and women； who need patient； painstaking effort
that they may be trained and disciplined to work with acceptance in this
life； and in the future life to be crowned with glory and immortality。
Pastors are neededfaithful shepherdswho will not flatter God's people；
nor treat them harshly； but who will feed them with the bread of lifemen
who in their lives feel daily the converting power of the Holy Spirit and
who cherish a strong； unselfish love toward those for whom they labor。
There is tactful work for the undershepherd to do as he is called to meet
alienation； bitterness； envy； and jealousy in the church； and he will need
to labor in the spirit of Christ to set things in order。 Faithful warnings
are to be given； sins rebuked； wrongs made right； not only by the minister's
work in the pulpit； but by personal labor。 The wayward heart may take
exception to the message； and the servant of God may be misjudged and
criticized。 Let him then remember that 〃the wisdom that is from above is
first pure； then peaceable； gentle； and easy to be entreated； full of mercy
and good fruits； without partiality； and without hypocrisy。
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And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace。〃
James 3：17； 18。
The work of the gospel minister is 〃to make all men see what is the
fellowship of the mystery； which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God。〃 Ephesians 3：9。 If one entering upon this work chooses the least
self…sacrificing part； contenting himself with preaching； and leaving the
work of personal ministry for someone else； his labors will not be
acceptable to God。 Souls for whom Christ died are perishing for want of
well…directed； personal labor； and he has mistaken his calling who； entering
upon the ministry； is unwilling to do the personal work that the care of the
flock demands。
The spirit of the true shepherd is one of self…forgetfulness。 He loses sight
of self in order that he may work the works of God。 By the preaching of the
word and by personal ministry in the homes of the people； he learns their
needs； their sorrows； their trials； and； co…operating with the great Burden
Bearer； he shares their afflictions； comforts their distresses； relieves
their soul hunger； and wins their hearts to God。 In this work the minister
is attended by the angels of heaven； and he himself is instructed and
enlightened in the truth that maketh wise unto salvation。
In connection with his instruction to those in positions of trust in the
church； the apostle outlined some general principles that were to be
followed by all who were associated in church fellowship。 The younger
members of the flock were urged to follow the example of their elders in the
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practice of Christlike humility： 〃Likewise； ye younger； submit yourselves
unto the elder。 Yea； all of you be subject one to another； and be clothed
with humility： for God resisteth the proud； and giveth grace to the humble。
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God； that He may exalt
you in due time： casting all your care upon Him； for He careth for you。 Be
sober； be vigilant； because your adversary the devil； as a roaring lion；
walketh about； seeking whom he may devour： whom resist steadfast in the
faith。〃
Thus Peter wrote to the believers at a time of peculiar trial to the church。
Many had already become partakers of Christ's sufferings； and soon the
church was to undergo a period of terrible persecution。 Within a few brief
years many those who had stood as teachers and leaders in the church were to
lay down their lives for the gospel。 Soon grievous wolves were to enter
