讀經： 使徒行傳六章1至8節 1那時，門徒增多，有說希利尼話的猶太人向希伯來人發怨言，因為在天天的供給上忽略了他們的寡婦。 2十二使徒叫眾門徒來，對他們說：我們撇下神的道去管理飯食，原是不合宜的。 3所以弟兄們，當從你們中間選出七個有好名聲、被聖靈充滿、智慧充足的人，我們就派他們管理這事。 4但我們要專心以祈禱、傳道為事。 5大眾都喜悅這話，就揀選了司提反，乃是大有信心、聖靈充滿的人，又揀選腓利、伯羅哥羅、尼迦挪、提門、巴米拿，並進猶太教的安提阿人尼哥拉， 6叫他們站在使徒面前。使徒禱告了，就按手在他們頭上。 7神的道興旺起來；在耶路撒冷門徒數目加增的甚多，也有許多祭司信從了這道。 8司提反滿得恩惠、能力，在民間行了大奇事和神蹟。 |
| 發展中的教會總會出現一些新的問題，需要正視和作出決策去處理。初信的基督徒在成長的過程中，亦需要不少的幫助和教導。沒有教會是完美的，因為組成教會的人本身還未是完美。 初期教會不久亦出現了一個小問題。部分信徒認為自己遭到忽略，認為使徒關心另一群信徒勝於關心他們。我們無從知道事實是否正如他們所說，抑或只是他們心存妒忌。在教會的相交生活中，許多紛爭都是源出於妒忌。 那麼，使徒如何處理這個問題呢？首先，他們召集全體信徒一起去面對問題，他們說：「我們必須正視問題，想辦法去處理它，不能任由情況繼續下去。」於是，他們建議教會選出七位信徒來負責每天膳食的分配安排。結果，教會經由選舉，選出七位有美好榜樣的信徒來擔任這項工作。請留意第3節，他們對被選出來的人有甚麼品格要求呢？ 被教會選出來負責某項工作的信徒，都要全心全意地把工作做好，因為他是為基督而作。許多基督徒都沒有好好履行自己的責任，經常要別人敦促才勉強完成工作。又或當他們完成了工作之後，受到稱讚或取得功勞的卻是別人，他們便很容易產生妒忌，與其他信徒出現不和，因而損害了教會的事奉。 你在教會承擔甚麼事奉崗位？你有否盡忠職守，全心全意地把工作做好？你是用事奉基督的心態來作，抑或憑自己的喜好而作？你知道神在地上如何賞賜忠心為祂作工的人嗎？就是讓他有更多事奉的機會！當神曉得祂可以信任你，祂就會讓你有更多服侍祂的機會。然後，到我們將來上天堂，祂就會對我們說：「你這個又良善，又忠心的僕人，做得好！現在可進入我的家來享受快樂了！」 |
Bible Reading: Acts 6: 1 – 8 1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. |
| There are always problems in a growing church. There are always new decisions that have to be faced. Often there are some new Christians who need to grow and who need a lot of help and instruction. No church is perfect, because it is made up of men and women who are not yet perfect themselves. A problem arose in the early church over a very small matter. Some people thought someone else was getting more help from the apostles than they were. We have no way of knowing whether this was actually so or whether they were just jealous. So many times jealousy is the real reason behind other differences in a church fellowship. How did the apostles handle this problem? First of all they called the church together and said, 'We must face this matter and do something about it. We can't let it go on as it is.' They then suggested that the church appoint seven men to look after the giving out of the food day by day. The church voted, and seven fine men were chosen for this work. Did you notice verse 3 which tells us what kind of men they were to be? Any person appointed to do a particular work in a church has a very real duty to do that work in the best way he can and to do it as unto Christ. Too often Christians do not do what they are asked and then do not like to be reminded about it. Or if others are praised or thanked for what they have done, then it is so easy to allow jealousy to come into the heart and mind and spoil our Christian service. What is your special service in your church? Are you doing it faithfully and in the best possible away? Are you doing it as unto Christ? Or are you doing it when you feel like it? Remember the reward God gives here on earth for faithful service for Christ, is more work! When he finds he can trust he gives you other opportunities to serve him. Then when we get home to heaven, he adds these words, 'Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into my job here in my wonderful home.' |
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