使徒行传生命读经 · 第19篇

藉著彼得一班同工的职事，在犹太地的繁殖（十四）

The Propagation in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria through the Ministry of Peter’s Company (14)

1读经：使徒行传六章一至七节。在本篇信息中，我们要来看行传六章一至七节。在六章一至六节，有七位执事的选立；在七节，我们看见神话语的扩长与门徒的繁增。

1Scripture Reading: Acts 6:1-7 In this message we shall consider 6:1-7. In 6:1-6 we have the appointment of seven serving ones, and in verse 7 we see the growth of the word of God and the multiplication of the disciples

七位执事的选立召会生活的一个难处

THE APPOINTMENT OF SEVEN SERVING ONES A Problem in the Church Life

2六章一节说，『那些日子，门徒繁增，有说希利尼话的犹太人，埋怨希伯来人，因为在每天的供给上，忽略了他们的寡妇。』希伯来人就是说希伯来话的犹太人。召会生活在最初实行的时候，不同的语言曾造成难处；妥善的照顾解决了这难处。召会生活中当有难处。这些难处不是由外人引起的。而是由召会中的人引起的。使徒行传记载的第一个难处，是由一对有野心且不诚实的夫妇，亚拿尼亚与撒非喇所引起的。神主宰的审判解决了那难处。由此可见，我们对召会中的某些难处不需要作得太多，因为主主宰的权柄会照管那些难处。然而，在行传六章有另一种难处－语言或种族的难处。表面看来，在耶路撒冷召会的难处，是那些说希伯来话和说希腊话的圣徒之间语言的难处；实际上，这主要的不是语言的难处，而是种族的难处。

2Acts 6:1 says, “But in these days, when the disciples were multiplying, there was a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were overlooked in the daily dispensing.” The Hellenists were Jews who spoke Greek, and the Hebrews were Jews who spoke Hebrew. At the very beginning of the practice of the church life, there was trouble caused by different languages. Proper care was taken to solve this problem. Often there are problems in the church life. These problems are not caused by outsiders but by those in the church. The first problem recorded in Acts was caused by a couple, Ananias and Sapphira, who were ambitious and dishonest. That problem was solved by God’ss ove reign judgment. From this we see that we may not need to do much about certain problems in the church, for those problems are taken care of by the Lord’s sovereignty. However, in chapter six of Acts we have another kind of problem—the problem of language or of race. Apparently the problem in the church at Jerusalem was a problem of language related to those who spoke Hebrew and those who spoke Greek. Actually, this was a problem not mainly of language but of race

3我们从行传二章知道，犹太人从他们散居之地来到耶路撒冷守五旬节。那些散居别族的人，逐渐说起别族的语言。因此，他们来耶路撒冷庆祝五旬节的时候，不会说希伯来话，只会说他们的本地话。特别是希利尼人说希利尼话。语言的不同成了难处。事实上，难处的源头不是语言，乃是种族。全人类若是出于一个种族，可能就只有一种语言。不同的语言是不同种族的结果。根据创世记十一章，这难处的源头乃是巴别。

3We know from Acts 2 that Jews had come from their dispersion to Jerusalem to keep the feast of Pentecost. Those who had been dispersed among other races gradually came to speak the languages of those races. Thus, when they came to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Pentecost, they were not able to speak Hebrew but spoke their native languages. In particular, the Hellenists spoke Greek. The difference of language became a problem. Actually, the source of the trouble was not language but race. I fall of mankind were of one race, there would probably be just one language. Different languages are the result of different races. According to Genesis 11, the source of this problem was Babel.

4我们从经历知道，在召会生活里圣徒中间不同语言所引起的难处。譬如，我们在台湾岛传福音带得救的人中，有许多是说不同语言的，包括说地方方言的。我们确实遭受到不同语言所引起的难处。我们初来美国的时候，没有在说华语的人中间作工。然而，因著有许多说华语的人可以移民美国，就有必要在说华语的人中间作工。主非当祝福这工作。感谢主，虽然我们中间有不同的语言和种族，但我们没有语言或种族的难处。我们为著主的怜悯，并已过在这事上所学习的一切，感谢主。我们赞美祂，种族和语言不再是难处。

4From experience we know the problems that are caused by the different languages among those in the church life. For example, among those saved through our gospel preaching on the island of Taiwan were those who spoke a number of different languages, including the local dialect. We certainly suffered from the problems caused by different languages. When we first came to the United States, we did not carry out a work among the Chinese-speaking people. However, because it became possible for so many Chinese-speaking people to emigrate to this country, it became necessary to have a work among the Chinese- speaking ones. The Lord has blessed this work very much. We thank the Lord that although we have among us those of different languages and races, we do not have a problem concerning language or race. We are thankful to the Lord for His mercy and for all that we have learned in the past related to this. We praise Him that race and language are no longer a problem

七个满有那灵的人

Seven Men Full of the Holy Spirit

5在六章使徒遭遇语言和种族的难处。他们运用智慧解决难处，并照顾所有不同的圣徒。六章二节说，『于是十二使徒召众门徒来，说，我们撇下神的话去服事饭食，原是不相宜的。』这里我们看见在召会生活中，有些事是主要的，有些事是次要的。尽话语的职事并祷告是主要的，服事饭食是次要的。

5In Acts 6 the apostles encountered a problem related to language and race. They exercised their wisdom to solve the problem and to take care of all the different saints. Acts 6:2 says, “And the twelve, having called the multitude of the disciples to them, said, It is not fitting for us to leave the word of God to serve tables.” Here we see that in the church life some things are major and others are minor. To minister the word and pray are major matters, but to serve tables is a minor matter

6在三至四节使徒接著说，『所以弟兄们，当从你们中间拣选七个有好见证，满有那灵和智慧的人，我们就派他们管理这事。但我们要坚定持续的祷告，并尽话语的职事。』在三节，『满有』的希腊文是pleres，浦利瑞斯，按使徒行传在这里和六章五节，七章五十五节，十一章二十四节，路加四章一节的用法，乃是pleroo，浦利路，的形容词。满有那灵，乃是行传十三章五十二节所题，在里面和素质一面被那灵充满之后的光景。这是生命的一面，不是工作的一面。六章三节的『智慧』一辞也指明满有那灵是为著生命，如路加二章五十二节者。

6In verses 3 and 4 the apostles went on to say, “Now brothers, select seven well-attested men from among you, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we shall appoint over this need. But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.” The Greek word for “full” in verse 3 is pleres, an adjective form of pleroo, according to the usage here and in 6:5; 7:55; 11:24; and Luke 4:1. Full of the Spirit is one’s condition after being filled with the Spirit inwardly and essentially, as mentioned in 13:52. This refers to life, not to work. The word “wisdom” in 6:3 also indicates that in this verse to be full of the Spirit is for life, as in Luke 2:52

7在四节使徒说，他们要持续的祷告，并尽话语的职事。祷告不仅是恳求主为著祂的行动作事，也是使我们的灵得著操练并加强。因此，祷告该在话语职事之前，正如使徒所行的。没有这样的祷告，话语的职事就不能得著活力并加强。

7In verse 4 the apostles said that they would continue in prayer and in the ministry of the word. To pray is not only to entreat the Lord to do things for His move, but also to cause our spirit to be exercised and to be strengthened. Hence, prayer should precede the word just as the apostles practiced. Without such prayer, the ministry may not be enlivened and empowered.

8使徒告诉众门徒从他们中间拣选七个有好见证的人，派他们管理所需要的。五、六节说，『这话使众人都喜悦，他们就拣选了司提反，乃是满有信心和圣灵的人，又有腓利、伯罗哥罗、尼迦挪、提门、巴米拿，并入犹太教的安提阿人尼哥拉，叫他们站在使徒面前；使徒祷告了，就按手在他们身上。』这七人既蒙拣选服事饭食，就可看为执事，如保罗和他的同工后来在众召会中所指派的。（罗十六1，腓一1，提前三8。）按照六节，使徒按手在七位服事的人身上。在圣经里，按手有两种功用：一是联合，如利未记一1章四节者；一是分赐，如提前四章十四节者。

8The apostles told the multitude to select seven well- attested men from among them to be appointed over the need. Verses 5 and 6 say, “And the word pleased all the multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and having prayed, they laid their hands on them.” Since these seven were chosen to serve tables, they may be considered deacons, just as those whom Paul and his co-workers appointed later in the churches (Rom. 16:1; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8). According to verse 6 the apostles laid their hands on the seven serving ones. In the Bible laying on of hands has two functions: one for identification, as in Leviticus 1:4; and the other for impartation, as in Timothy 4:14.

作我们今日的榜样

A Pattern for Us Today

9因著彼得和别的使徒负责尽话语的职事，他们把饭食服事分配给其他圣徒。这是我们今日需要跟从的榜样。按照这榜样，我们不该将一切责任都担在自己肩上，乃该将责任分配给所有的圣徒。这是重要的原则。我们从使徒行传的榜样学了许多，五十多年来，我们在召会生活中一直跟从这榜样。容我见证我把责任分配给别人的经历。有些人也许认为我很能干，能作许多事。事实上，通常我并不能干。然而，我学会将责任分配给别的圣徒。譬如，主祝福烟台的工作。但是当我要离开那城市的时候非常轻松，不需要对弟兄们说到工作、召会服事和别的事，因为我已学会不把事情留在自己手中。多年来，在那城市关于召会和工作的事已经分配给圣徒，他们也一直为这些事负责。所以，到了我要离开的时候，我就简单的离开了。

9Because Peter and the other apostles bore the responsibility of ministering the word, they distributed the serving of tables to other saints. This is a pattern we need to follow today. According to this pattern, we should not keep all the responsibilities on our own shoulders, but distribute the responsibilities to all the saints. This is an important principle. We have learned much from the pattern in Acts, and we have been following this pattern in the church life for more than fifty years. Allow me to testify concerning my experience of distributing responsibilities to others. Some may think that I am capable and able to do many things. Actually, I am not unusually capable. However, I have learned to distribute responsibility to other saints. For example, the Lord blessed the work in Chefoo. When it was time for me to leave that city, it was very easy to do so. There was no need to talk to the brothers about the work, the church service, and other things, because I had learned not to keep matters in my hands. For years, the things concerning the church and the work had been distributed to the saints, and they were bearing the responsibility for these things. Therefore, when the time came for me to leave, I simply left

10我在上海召会也有同样的经历。有些人以为召会中许多有关的事都在我手中。事实上，完全不是这种情形。我接受倪弟兄的话要离开大陆的时候，我几天之内就离开了。因为召会中的事早已分配给弟兄们了。

10I had a similar experience in the church in Shanghai. Some had the concept that many things related to the church were in my hands. Actually, that was not the situation at all. When I received word from Brother Nee that I should leave Mainland China, I left within a couple of days. The things in the church had been distributed to the brothers.

11这也是我在美国召会生活里的作法。你若问那些知道我们中间历史的弟兄，他们能告诉你，我没有把召会的事保留给自己。我再次把责任分配给别人。为这缘故，关于地方召会的许多事我并不知道。你若问我这些事，我会请你去问长老或召会的值班室。我这里所要指出的是，因著主的怜悯，我们学会了将责任分配给别人。照著我们的人性，我们对事若不是完全不管，就是把一切都放在自己『口袋』里。起初我们的口袋可能是『扁的，』但至终会装满了我们为自己保留的东西。所以，我要强调，我们需要学习将责任分配给别人。我们先将某一责任交给某位弟兄，再将另一责任交给另一位弟兄。这样分配责任，是主见证的开展所需要的。有些人以为我特别能干，在全世界经营伟大的工作，我要对这些人说，『请不要认为我这么能干。我只作了一点点。你们需要信任所有的圣徒，他们作了许多事，也担了许多责任。我只作了我的一分。』但愿我们像使徒行传里的使徒一样，都学习作自己的一分，而将其他的责任分配给所有的圣徒。

11This has also been my practice in the church life in this country. If you inquire of the brothers who know the history among us, they will be able to tell you that I have not kept the matters of the church to myself. Once again, I have had the practice of distributing the responsibility to others. For this reason, there are many things concerning the local churches that I do not know. If you ask me about these things, I would refer you to the elders or to the church service office. My point here is that by the Lord’s mercy we have learned to distribute responsibility to others. According to our human nature, we either do not care at all to do certain things, or we want to do those things in such a way that all the matters related to them are in our “pocket.” At first, our pocket may be “flat.” But eventually it will become filled with things that we reserved for ourselves. Therefore, I would emphasize the need for us to learn to distribute responsibility to others. First, we may give a responsibility to a certain brother. Then we shall give a different responsibility to another brother. This distribution of responsibility is needed for the spread of the Lord’s testimony. To those who think that I am especially capable and have carried on a great work throughout the world I would say this: “Please do not think that I am so capable. I have only done a little. You need to give credit to all the saints, who have done many things and carried much responsibility. I have only done my portion.” Like the apostles in Acts, may we all learn to do our portion and to distribute the responsibility for other things to all the saints

12我们需要看见凡使徒行传所记载的，都是我们跟从的榜样。在召会生活的开始，我们有分配责任给别人的榜样。选立七位执事照管特殊的需要，是非常好的榜样，我们需要在今日的召会生活中跟从这榜样。

12We need to see that whatever is recorded in Acts is a pattern for us to follow. In the initiation of the church life we have the pattern of distributing responsibilities to others. The appointing of the seven serving ones to care for the particular need is a very good pattern, and we need to follow it in the church life today

两位有独特恩赐的弟兄

Two Brothers with Particular Gifts

13被拣选作执事的七人中，有两位－司提反和腓利－有独特的恩赐。从司提反在行传七章的讲论中，我们能看见他是伟大的教师。他长篇的讲说指明他在神的话上知识丰富。他确实彀资格教导圣经。司提反的教导丰富、有能力、且满了意义。他的确是优秀的教师。腓利也有独特的恩赐，他至终显明是伟大的传福音者。

13Of the seven who were selected as deacons, two — Stephen and Philip — had particular gifts. From Stephen’s speaking in chapters even we can realize that he was a great teacher. His long speech indicates that he was knowledgeable in God’sWord. He surely was qualified to teach the Scriptures. Stephen’s teaching was rich, powerful, and full of significance. He certainly was an excellent teacher. Philip also had a particular gift, and he was eventually manifested to be a great evangelist.

14司提反与腓利虽然有独特的恩赐，但他们被拣选服事饭食时却甘心的服事。这里有一个好榜样。有独特恩赐的人，可能不愿意服事饭食。譬如，某弟兄是优秀的教师，他若被拣选作执事，也许会不高兴，说，『你们难道不知道我是神话语的教师么？你们为甚么要我作执事？』另一位有传福音恩赐的弟兄同样会说，『你们需要知道我是传福音者，我有传福音的恩赐。你们要我服事饭食是小看了我。』但从司提反和腓利的例子，我们看见无论我们有那一种独特的恩赐，我们若被拣选服事饭食，都该甘心服事。人要求我们服事，即便是扫厕所，我们也该甘心服事。照著六章的榜样，司提反和腓利被要求服事饭食时，并没有发怨言。司提反没有说，『我是伟大的教师，你们怎能要求我作执事？』同样的，腓利也没有说，『我是杰出的传福音者，你们为甚么要求我服事饭食？』司提反和腓利没有发怨言，反而在服事饭食上作得很好。

14Although Stephen and Philip had particular gifts, when they were selected to serve tables, they willingly served. Here we have a good example. Some who have particular gifts may not be willing to serve tables. For example, suppose a certain brother is an excellent teacher. If he is selected to serve as a deacon, he may be unhappy and say, “Don’ty ou realize that I am a teacher of the Word? Why do you ask me to serve as a deacon?” Another brother, one who is gifted in preaching the gospel, likewise may say, “You need to realize that I am an evangelist, that I have the gift to preach the gospel. You belittle me when you ask me to serve tables.” But from the example of Stephen and Philip we see that no matter what kind of particular gift we may have, if we are selected to serve tables, we should be willing to serve. When we are asked to serve, even if it is to clean the restroom, we should serve willingly. According to the pattern in Acts 6, Stephen and Philip did not murmur when they were asked to serve tables. Stephen did not say, “I am a great teacher. How can you ask me to be a deacon?” Likewise, Philip did not say, “I am an outstanding evangelist. Why do you ask me to serve tables?” Instead of murmuring, Stephen and Philip did a good job in serving tables

15我们在召会生活里，是在主的恩典下，也是在祂的主宰下。所以，我们不该发怨言，乃该接受主的主宰，并祂所安排的环境。我们若这样作，并跟从行传六章的榜样，就会有快乐且令人喜悦的召会生活。司提反服事饭食，但至终他尽功用作了神话语伟大的教师。这指明我们在主里的所是不能隐藏，我们的所是迟早必显明。司提反是教师，但他被拣选服事饭食。然而，使徒行传的记载实际上很少说到他的饭食服事，却对他的教导说了很多。行传七章就是司提反教导的长篇记载。我们从司提反的例子看见，我们所能作的必不失去，我们所是的终必显明。圣灵迟早会使用我们的恩赐，正如使用司提反教导的恩赐一样。

15In the church life we are under the Lord’s grace and also under His sovereignty. Therefore, without murmuring we should accept the Lord’s sovereignty and the environment arranged by Him. If we do this and follow the pattern in Acts 6, we shall have a happy and pleasant church life. Stephen served tables, but eventually he functioned as a great teacher of the Word. This indicates that whatever we are in the Lord cannot be hidden. Sooner or later, what we are will be manifest. Stephen was a teacher, but he was selected to serve tables. However, the record in Acts actually says little about his serving of tables but much about his teaching. In chapter seven we have a lengthy record of Stephen’ste aching. From the example of Stephen we see that what we can do will not be lost, and what we are will eventually be manifest. Sooner or later the Holy Spirit will use our gift, even as the Spirit used Stephen’s gift of teaching

没有选立带头的

No Leader Appointed

16在选立七位执事的事上，有一点相当显著，值得注意，就是在七位执事中间，没有选立带头的。这指明阶级或地位都不受重视。所有的执事都是圣徒的仆人。这是我们学习和跟从的好榜样，叫我们避免在任何形式的阶级和地位上作带头的。

16In the appointment of the seven serving ones, one point is quite striking and remarkable. That is, among the seven serving ones, no leader was appointed. This indicates that no rank nor position was regarded. All the serving ones are the servants to the saints. This is a good pattern for us to learn and follow that we may avoid leadership in rank and position in any form

神话的扩长与门徒的繁增

the growth of the word and the multiplication of the disciples

17七节说，『神的话扩长起来，在耶路撒冷门徒的数目大为繁增，也有大群的祭司顺从了这信仰。』『扩长』指生命的长大，这指明神的话是生命的事，如同种子撒在人的心里而长大。（可四14。）七节说，许多祭司顺从了信仰。这里的『信仰』是客观的，指信徒所相信关于基督的各方面。新约关于基督的身位和祂救赎工作的全部启示，都是神新约经纶的信仰。（罗十六26。）所以，这里的信仰，就是神新约经纶之完全福音的内容，乃是客观的。这客观的信仰，就是提前一章十九节，二章七节，三章九节，四章一节、六节，五章八节，六章十节、十二节、二十一节，提后三章八节，四章七节，

17Acts 6:7 says, “And the word of God grew, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied exceedingly; and a large number of the priests obeyed the faith.” The word “grew” refers to growth in life. This indicates that the word of God is a matter of life that grows as a seed sown into man’she art (Mark. 4:14). Verse 7 says that many priests obeyed the faith. “Faith” here is the objective faith, referring to what the believers believe in concerning Christ. The entire revelation of the New Testament concerning Christ and His redemptive work is considered the faith of God’s New Testament economy (Rom. 16:26). Therefore, the faith here, as the content of the complete gospel of God’s New Testament economy, is objective. This objective faith is mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:19; 2:7; 3:9; 4:1, 6; 5:8; 6:10, 12, 21; 2 Timothy 2:18; 3:8; 4:7; and Titus 1:13.

18和提多一章十三节所说的。