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the acts of the apostles-第60章

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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 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

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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

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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
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