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使徒行传生命读经 · 第51篇

藉著保罗一班同工的职事，在外邦地的繁殖 ( 十七 )

The Propagation in Asia Minor and Europe through the Ministry of Paul’s Company (17)
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1Scripture Reading: Acts 19:21-22
PURPOSING IN SPIRIT
TO GO TO JERUSALEM AND ROME
2读经：使徒行传19:21-22灵里定意要去耶路撒冷和罗马在行传十九章二十一、二十二节，保罗定意要去耶路撒冷和罗马。
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3在行传十九章二十一、二十二节，保罗定意要去耶路撒冷和罗马。『这些事过后，保罗灵里定意，要经过马其顿、亚该亚，往耶路撒冷去，又说，我到了那里以后，也必须去罗马看看。于是从服事他的人中，打发提摩太和以拉都二人，往马其顿去，自己暂时留在亚西亚。』以拉都是哥林多城的高级司库，（罗十六23，参提后四20，）他应当是保罗在哥林多传福音之时悔改信主的，(参徒十八8，）并且成了服事保罗的人。根据二十二节，保罗打发提摩太和以拉都往马其顿去以后，自己暂时留在亚西亚。使徒这时在以弗所给16:3-在哥林多的召会写了第一封书信。（林前十六3～10，19，四17，参
3In 19:21 and 22 Paul purposed to go to Jerusalem and Rome. “And when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in his spirit, having passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, after I have been there, I must also see Rome. And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a time.” Erastus was a city treasurer of Corinth (Rom. 16:23; cf. 2 Tim. 4:20) of a high rank. He must have been converted by Paul’sp reaching in Corinth (cf. Acts 18:8) and became an attendant to Paul. According to 19:22, after Paul sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, he stayed in Asia for a time. It was at this time in Ephesus that the apostle wrote his first Epistle to the church in Corinth (1 Cor. 10, 19; 4:17; cf. Acts 19:20-23, 8-10, 17; 20:1).
4徒十九20～23，8～10，17，二十1。）
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5保罗在二十一节的定意，是要完成他对耶路撒冷贫乏圣徒之需要的爱心关切。这时保罗是在以弗所，正在他第三次出外尽职的旅程中，背著重的负担，在亚西亚（林前十六8～9）和马其顿并亚该亚（林前十六5～7，徒二十1～3）执行他的职事。然而，他还是有负担拨出一部分时间，顾到耶路撒冷有需要的圣徒。当他到了哥林多，就写信给在罗马的圣徒，表露他此行的目的，请求他们就著这目的为他祷告。（罗十五25～31。）虽然神把保罗分别出来，作外邦人的使徒，（徒二二21，加二8，）他仍然关切主在犹太人中间的权益。保罗最关切的，不仅是他在外邦人中那一分新约的职事，更是基督宇宙的身体。此外，他这时上耶路撒冷的目的，或许也是为著犹太教对耶路撒冷召会的影响，与雅各以及其他使徒和长老交通。在行传十五章，使徒和长老曾开会解决割礼的难处，但按照保罗在加拉太书和罗马书的教训，他对那次会议所下的断案，应当不会完全满意。因他关切神新约的经纶是要建造基督的身体，这事必定使他为难。及至他到了耶路撒冷，(徒二一17～18，）雅各在二十一章二十至二十二节说的一段话，和他题议保罗去有分于四个犹太信徒拿细耳人的愿，（徒二一23～24，）似乎证实这观点。
5Paul’s purpose in 19:21 was to carry out his loving concern for the need of the poor saints in Jerusalem. At this time he was at Ephesus on his third ministry journey, busy with a heavy burden to carry out his ministry in Asia (1 Cor. 16:8-9) and in Macedonia and Achaia (1 Cor. 16:5-7; Acts 20:1-3). Nonetheless, he still had a burden to spare a part of his time for the needy saints in Jerusalem. When he came to Corinth and wrote his Epistle to the saints in Rome, he expressed his purpose in this concern and begged them to pray for him concerning this purpose (Rom. 15:25-31). Although Paul was an apostle set apart by God for the Gentiles (Acts 22:21; Gal. 2:8), he was still concerned for the Lord’s interest among the Jews. His primary concern was for the Body of Christ universally, not merely for his part of the New Testament ministry among the Gentiles. Besides this, Paul’s purpose in going to Jerusalem at this juncture might also have been to fellowship with James and the other apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning the Judaic influence upon the church there. The decision made by the conference of the apostles and elders in chapter fifteen to resolve the problem concerning circumcision should not have been fully satisfactory to Paul according to his teachings in the Epistles to the Galatians and the Romans. This should have troubled him because of his concern for God’s New Testament economy to build up the Body of Christ. After Paul arrived at Jerusalem (21:17-18), James’ word in 21:20-22 and his proposal to him to participate in the four Jewish believers’ Nazarite vow (21:23-24) seem to confirm this view.
6我们在十九章二十一节看见，保罗乃是在他的灵里定意往耶路撒冷去。因8:10-著主灵住在保罗的灵里，（提后四22，罗八10～11，）他必定是照主灵的引导来定意。保罗人的灵（亚十二1，伯三二8，箴二十27）乃是由神的灵重生，（约三6，）有主的灵内住，（提后四22，罗八10～11，）且与那灵同证，（罗八16，）保罗就在这灵里敬拜事奉神。（约四24，罗一9。）保罗定意往耶路撒冷去，也想去罗马看看。这心愿都实现了。保罗的确去了耶路撒冷，（徒二一17，）也到了罗马。（徒二八14，16。）主藉著保罗向该撒上诉，把他带到罗马，实现了
6In 19:21 we see that it was in his spirit that Paul purposed to go to Jerusalem. Because the Lord the Spirit dwelt in Paul’s spirit (2 Tim. 4:22; Rom. 11), he must have purposed according to the leading of the Lord the Spirit. Paul’s human spirit (Zech. 12:1; Job 32:8; Prov. 20:27) was regenerated by the Spirit of God (John 3:6) and indwelt by the Lord the Spirit. Paul’s spirit witnessed with the Spirit (Rom. 8:16), and in his spirit he worshipped God and served Him (John 4:24; Rom. 1:9). Paul’s purpose to go to Jerusalem and his desire to see Rome were fulfilled. Paul did go to Jerusalem (21:17), and he did see Rome (28:14, 16). Paul’s desire to see Rome was fulfilled by the Lord bringing him to Rome through his appealing to Caesar (23:11; 25:11).
7他这心愿。（徒二三11，二五11。）
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保罗紧要的时刻
A CRUCIAL TIME FOR PAUL
8十九章二十一节的时刻，对保罗既是艰难的时刻，也是绝佳的时刻。这是艰难的时刻，因为犹太人反对他，甚至想要杀他；但这也是绝佳的时刻，因为门为保罗开了，可以为主得著许多人。保罗论这时刻说，『我要仍旧住在以弗所，直到五旬节，因为有宽大又有功效的门为我开了，并且反对的人也多。』（林前十六8～9。）这一段对哥林多召会所说的话写于以弗所。使徒第三次出外尽职时，在那里留了三年。因此，二十一节的时刻是紧要的，是遭反对的时刻，也是为主完成有果效之工作的大好机会。保罗灵里定意往耶路撒冷去，这事实指明他绝对为著基督的身体。因为他为著基督的身体，所以他非常关切耶路撒冷。由此我们看见，保罗实在是个彀资格背负神新约经纶之见证的器皿。他背负这见证的方式是合乎时宜的。
8The time of 19:21 was both a difficult time and an excellent time for Paul. It was a difficult time because the Jews were opposing him and even seeking to kill him. But it was an excellent time in that the door had been opened for Paul to gain many for the Lord. Concerning this time, Paul says, “I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; for a door is opened to me, great and operative, and many are opposing” (1 Cor. 16:8-9). These words to the church in Corinth were written in Ephesus, where Paul stayed for three years on the third journey of his ministry. Therefore, the time of 19:21 was crucial; it was both a time of opposition and of great opportunity to carry out a fruitful work for the Lord. The fact that Paul purposed in his spirit to go to Jerusalem indicates that he was absolutely for the Body of Christ. Because he was for the Body, he was very concerned about Jerusalem. From this we see that Paul certainly was a qualified vessel to bear the testimony of God’s New Testament economy. Paul bore this testimony in an up-to-date way.
保罗对耶路撒冷的负担
PAUL’S BURDEN FOR JERUSALEM
9当保罗处境非常艰难，同时又有绝佳的机会完成神新约经纶的时候，他灵里定意往耶路撒冷去。虽然他忙于在以弗所的工作，他的灵却对耶路撒冷有负担。我们若是读罗马十五章二十五至三十一节，就会看见保罗有负担将马其顿和亚该亚众召会财物的帮助，带给犹太贫穷的圣徒。保罗在林后八章也题到这事，指明奉献财物完全是一件恩典的事。因此，保罗去耶路撒冷的目的，表面看来是去供给有需要的圣徒。实际上，保罗灵里定意往耶路撒冷去，有更深的理由。我相信保罗从行传十五章起，对于耶路撒冷的光景就没有平安。我们若研读使徒行传以及保罗所有的书信，就会清楚看见主在祂新约经纶里在地上的行动。主的行动从耶路撒冷开始，最终达到安提阿。主行动的『流』从耶路撒冷到安提阿，又从安提阿转向外邦世界。但是这流在耶路撒冷的源头『中毒』了。既然源头中了毒，毒素就会被这流带到所流之处。这是保罗对耶路撒冷的光景无法安心的原因。保罗可能有负担帮助彼得和雅各改进或调整在耶路撒冷的召会的光景。那里的光景是一种混杂－神新约经纶与旧约安排之事物的混杂。我们已经看见，这混杂在十五章十三至二十一节雅各的交通中很明显。我们将会看见，神新约经纶与旧安排的混杂，到了行传二十一章更是非常明显。这种混杂非常得罪主。保罗知道这难处还存在耶路撒冷，所以他对那里的召会不放心。
9At a time when Paul was in a very difficult situation and also had an excellent opportunity to carry out God’s New Testament economy, he purposed in his spirit to go to Jerusalem. Although he was very much occupied with his work in Ephesus, his spirit was burdened for Jerusalem. If we read Romans 15:25-31, we shall see that Paul was burdened to bring financial help from the churches in Macedonia and Achaia to the poor saints in Judea. Paul also refers to this in 2 Corinthians 8, where he indicates that the giving of material things is altogether a matter of grace. Therefore, Paul’s purpose in going to Jerusalem was apparently to minister to the needy saints. Actually, Paul had a deeper reason for purposing in spirit to go to Jerusalem. I believe that from the time of Acts 15 Paul did not have peace concerning the situation in Jerusalem. If we study the book of Acts and all of Paul’s Epistles, we shall have a clear view of the Lord’s move on earth in His New Testament economy. The Lord’s move started from Jerusalem and eventually reached Antioch. The “flow” of the Lord’s move went from Jerusalem to Antioch, and turned from Antioch to the Gentile world. However, the source, the “spring,” of this flow in Jerusalem had been “poisoned.” Since the source was poisoned, the poison would be carried by the flow wherever it went. This was the reason Paul could not be at peace concerning the situation in Jerusalem. It is likely that Paul had the burden to help Peter and James to improve or adjust the situation in the church at Jerusalem. The situation there was one of mixture— a mixture of God’s New Testament economy with the things of the Old Testament dispensation. As we have seen, this mixture is evident in James’ fellowship in 15:13-21. As we shall see, the mixture of God’s New Testament economy with the old dispensation is very obvious in chapter twenty-one of Acts. This mixture was very offensive to the Lord. Realizing that the problem still existed in Jerusalem, Paul was not at peace about the church there
10我们已经看见，保罗在他第二次出外尽职的行程结束时，上耶路撒冷去问候召会。（徒十八22。）他这次去耶路撒冷是因为他总是竭力维持基督身体的一，并保持他和耶路撒冷圣徒之间美好的感觉。由此我们看见，每当有机会，保罗就去耶路撒冷看望召会，为要保守他与召会之间美好的关系，并尽力对那里的光景给与帮助。因为保罗关切耶路撒冷，所以虽然所处的环境很艰难，又很有前途，他还是灵里定意往耶路撒冷去。
10We have seen that at the end of his second journey of ministry Paul went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church there (18:22). He made this trip to Jerusalem because he always endeavored to maintain the oneness of the Body and to keep a pleasant feeling between him and the saints in Jerusalem. From this we see that whenever there was an opportunity Paul would go to Jerusalem to visit the church in order to keep a pleasant relationship between him and the church and also to seek to render some help to the situation there. Because Paul was concerned for Jerusalem, he purposed in spirit, in spite of the difficult and promising situation he was in, to go to Jerusalem.
11宽广的心为著主的权益二十一节指明保罗有宽广的心为著主的权益。他在以弗所遭受攻击，同时尽他的职事时，仍然灵里定意往耶路撒冷去，从那里又急切要去罗马。关于这事，他说，『我…也必须去罗马看看。』你若去查地图，会看见以弗所在小亚细亚，就在耶路撒冷和罗马中间，往东是耶路撒冷，往西是罗马。保罗在以弗所劳苦作工且面对攻击的时候，他有心顾到耶路撒冷的光景，也要去罗马看看。他的心是何等广大！
11A BROADENED HEART FOR THE LORD’SIN TE REST Acts 19:21 indicates that Paul had a broadened heart for the Lord’sin te rest. As he was encountering attack at Ephesus and carrying on his ministry, he still purposed in his spirit to go to Jerusalem, and from there he was eager to go to Rome. Concerning this, he said, “I must also see Rome.” If you consult a map, you will see that Ephesus, in Asia Minor, was midway between Jerusalem to the east and Rome to the west. While Paul was laboring and facing attack at Ephesus, he had the heart to care for the situation in Jerusalem and also to see Rome. What largeness of heart Paul had
12我们很少人有这样广大的心。在某一地作工的人会说，『我在这里很忙，无心顾到别的地方。不仅如此，我正面临许多反对，我对别的地方怎会有负担？』保罗的态度非常不同，他在那样的处境里还在灵里定意去耶路撒冷，又表示想去罗马看看。我们已经指出，保罗至终去了耶路撒冷，又奇妙的在神的主宰下看到了罗马。按照加拉太二章八节，保罗新约职事的那一分乃是在外邦人中。虽然他的负担是为著外邦人中间的职事，他还是关切主普遍的权益。他主要的关切是为著基督的整个身体，不是单为著他新约职事的那一分。保罗知道，只要耶路撒冷宗教的混杂继续存留，基督的身体就很难完全建造起来。因为他对主新约的行动有清楚的看见，所以耶路撒冷的光景很叫他受搅扰，尤其是因为这关系到神建造基督身体的新约经纶。
12Not many of us have such a large heart. Rather, often those who are laboring in a certain place will say, “I am very busy here. I do not have the heart to care for any other place. Furthermore, I am facing much opposition. How can I have the burden for other places?” Paul’s attitude was very different. In the midst of his situation he could still purpose in his spirit to go to Jerusalem, and then express the desire to see Rome. As we have indicated, Paul eventually went to Jerusalem, and, in a marvelous and sovereign way, he did see Rome. According to Galatians 2:8, Paul’sp art of the New Testament ministry was among the Gentiles. Although his burden was for the ministry among the Gentiles, he was still concerned for the Lord’sin te rest universally. His primary concern was for the whole Body of Christ, not only for his part of the New Testament ministry. Paul realized that it would be very difficult for the Body of Christ to be built up fully as long as the religious mixture in Jerusalem was allowed to remain. Because he had a clear view concerning the Lord’s New Testament move, he was troubled by the situation in Jerusalem, especially as it related to God’s New Testament economy to build up the Body of Christ
神的经纶
GOD’SECON O MY
与主现今的行动
AND THE LORD’SUP-TO-DATE MOVE
13在使徒行传生命读经第四篇信息中，我们曾指出需要时代的转移，从旧的时代出来，转入神新约的经纶。我们研读使徒行传，重要的是要看见一切与这转移有关的紧要事项。如果我们清楚这些事，就会了解今天的光景，就会知道我们需要在那里，需要作甚么。我们不该停留在十八章亚波罗的光景里，却该往前跟从使徒保罗，那眼睛被开启，完全看见神新约经纶的一位。因此，我研读这卷书时，无心注意其他的事，我的负担乃是关切神新约的经纶。如果靠著主的怜悯，我们能彀得著帮助，看见神经纶紧要的转捩点，我就满足了。我渴望关于神新约经纶的光能透过我们全人。如果这光透过我们，我们就会看见主在祂的经纶里现今的行动。
13In the fourth message of this Life - study of Acts we pointed out the need for a dispensational transfer, a transfer out of the old dispensation into God’s New Testament economy. In studying the book of Acts it is important that we see all the crucial matters related to this transfer. If we are clear concerning these matters, then we shall understand today’s situation, and we shall know where we need to be and what we need to do. We should not remain where Apollos was in chapter eighteen, but go further to follow the apostle Paul, the one whose eyes were opened to see fully God’s New Testament economy. Therefore, in studying this book I do not have the heart for other matters. My burden concerns God’s New Testament economy. If by the Lord’s mercy we can be helped to see the crucial turning points of God’s dispensation, I shall be satisfied. My desire is that the light regarding God’s New Testament economy will penetrate our being. If this light penetrates us, then we shall see the Lord’sup-to-date move in His economy.
14我相信这次研读使徒行传，在主的恢复里会对我们有帮助。我们需要看见，我们不是在作一般基督教的工作，我们在这里乃是在神新约经纶现今的行动中。因此，我们必须有神经纶的异象。如果我们有这异象，我们就会在正确的路上受这异象的指引往前。如果我们有这异象，不论今天的光景如何，我们就都不会受打岔。我们若有这异象，就会知道我们在那里，也知道我们正往那里去。我们清楚看见神在这时代的经纶，就会知道我们的目标是甚么。我们信我们的神还在行动，祂还在往前。因此，我们需要在祂现今的行动里。我们可以将使徒行传所陈明，神经纶的观点比作一幅拼图。把拼图的碎片放在一起，就得著全貌。同样的，在使徒行传各处有一幅完整『拼图』的许多『碎片。』我们将这些碎片正确的拼在一起，就会对神的经纶有清楚且完全的看见。我们到了这本生命读经的末了，必要的拼图碎片就都有了，我们把牠们都拼在一起，就会看见神新约经纶的全貌。我特别有负担，要青年人看见这卷书所陈明神经纶的观点。为著迎接主耶稣回来，祂的新妇需要豫备好。看看今天新妇的光景，当然还没有豫备好。新妇能彀豫备好，惟一的路乃是神新约经纶的路。我这样说是要我们都认识主在祂的恢复里所作的。如果我们认识主正在作的，就会知道我们在那里，也知道我们的目标该是甚么。但愿我们都藉著这本使徒行传生命读经得著帮助，完全跟上主现今的行动，以完成神新约的经纶。
14I believe that this study of Acts will be helpful to us in the Lord’s recovery. We need to see that we are not carrying out an ordinary Christian work. Rather, we are here in the up-to-date move of God’s New Testament economy. Therefore, we must have the vision of God’secon o my. If we have this vision, we shall be directed and carried on by it in the right way. If we have this vision, we shall not be distracted by today’s situation, no matter what it may be. If we have this vision, we shall know where we are and where we are going. Having a clear view concerning God’secon o my in this age, we shall know what our goal is. We believe that our God is still moving, that He is still going on. Therefore, we need to be in His up-to-date move. We may compare the view of God’secon o my presented in Acts to a jig-saw puzzle. When the pieces of a jig- saw puzzle are put together, we have a complete scene. In like manner, throughout the book of Acts we have various “pieces” of a complete “puzzle.” When we fit these pieces together properly, we shall see a clear and full view of God’secon o my. When we reach the end of this Life-study we shall have all the necessary pieces, we shall fit them all together, and we shall see the complete “scene” of the New Testament economy of God. I am especially burdened that the young people see the view of God’secon o my presented in this book. In order for the Lord Jesus to come back, His bride needs to be prepared. Consider the situation today in relation to the readiness of the bride. To be sure, the bride is not yet ready. The only way the bride can be prepared is the way of God’s New Testament economy. I say this so that we all may know what the Lord is doing here in His recovery. If we know what the Lord is doing, then we shall know where we are and what our goal should be. May we all be helped through this study of the book of Acts to be fully up-to-date in the Lord’s move for the carrying out of God’s New Testament economy