登陆注册
5201500000116

第116章

Paul a Prisoner.

When we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present."On this occasion, Paul and his companions formally presented to the leaders of the work at Jerusalem the contributions forwarded by the Gentile churches for the support of the poor among their Jewish brethren.The gathering of these contributions had cost the apostle and his fellow workers much time, anxious thought, and wearisome labor.The sum, which far exceeded the expectations of the elders at Jerusalem, represented many sacrifices and even severe privations on the part of the Gentile believers.

These freewill offerings betokened the loyalty of the Gentile converts to the organized work of God throughout the world and should have been received by all with grateful acknowledgment, yet it was apparent to Paul and his companions that even among those before whom they now stood were some who were unable to appreciate the spirit of brotherly love that had prompted the gifts.

In the earlier years of the gospel work among the Gentiles some of the leading brethren at Jerusalem, clinging to former prejudices and habits of thought, had not co-operated heartily with Paul and his associates.In their anxiety to preserve a few meaningless forms and ceremonies, they had lost sight of the blessing that would come to them and to the cause they loved, through an effort to unite in one all parts of the Lord's work.Although desirous of safeguarding the best interests of the Christian church, they had failed to keep step with the advancing providences of God, and in their human wisdom attempted to throw about workers many unnecessary restrictions.

Thus there arose a group of men who were unacquainted personally with the changing circumstances and peculiar needs met by laborers in distant fields, yet who insisted that they had the authority to direct their brethren in these fields to follow certain specified methods of labor.They felt as if the work of preaching the gospel should be carried forward in harmony with their opinions.

Several years had passed since the brethren in Jerusalem, with representatives from other leading churches, gave careful consideration to the perplexing questions that had arisen over methods followed by those who were laboring for the Gentiles.As a result of this council, the brethren had united in making definite recommendations to the churches concerning certain rites and customs, including circumcision.It was at this general council that the brethren had also united in commending to the Christian churches Barnabas and Paul as laborers worthy of the full confidence of every believer.

Among those present at this meeting, were some who had severely criticized the methods of labor followed by the apostles upon whom rested the chief burden of carrying the gospel to the Gentile world.But during the council their views of God's purpose had broadened, and they had united with their brethren in making wise decisions which made possible the unification of the entire body of believers.

Afterward, when it became apparent that the converts among the Gentiles were increasing rapidly, there were a few of the leading brethren at Jerusalem who began to cherish anew their former prejudices against the methods of Paul and his associates.These prejudices strengthened with the passing of the years, until some of the leaders determined that the work of preaching the gospel must henceforth be conducted in accordance with their own ideas.

If Paul would conform his methods to certain policies which they advocated they would acknowledge and sustain his work; otherwise they could no longer look upon it with favor or grant it their support.

These men had lost sight of the fact that God is the teacher of His people;that every worker in His cause is to obtain an individual experience in following the divine Leader, not looking to man for direct guidance; that His workers are to be molded and fashioned, not after man's ideas, but after the similitude of the divine.

In his ministry the apostle Paul had taught the people "not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." The truths that he proclaimed had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, "for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God....Which things," declared Paul, "we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." 1 Corinthians 2:4, 10-13.

Throughout his ministry, Paul had looked to God for direct guidance.At the same time, he had been very careful to labor in harmony with the decisions of the general council at Jerusalem, and as a result the churches were "established in the faith, and increased in number daily." Acts 16:5.And now, notwithstanding the lack of sympathy shown him by some, he found comfort in the consciousness that he had done his duty in encouraging in his converts a spirit of loyalty, generosity, and brotherly love, as revealed on this occasion in the liberal contributions which he was enabled to place before the Jewish elders.

After the presentation of the gifts, Paul "declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry." This recital of facts brought to the hearts of all, even of those who had been doubting, the conviction that the blessing of heaven had accompanied his labors."When they heard it, they glorified the Lord." They felt that the methods of labor pursued by the apostle bore the signet of Heaven.

同类推荐
  • 招杨之罘

    招杨之罘

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 朝野佥载

    朝野佥载

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • The Home Book of Verse

    The Home Book of Verse

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • THE TWO DESTINIES

    THE TWO DESTINIES

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说四十二章经

    佛说四十二章经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 棺爷

    棺爷

    干爹离奇死亡,尸体被切割成两千多块。下葬之后,八爷收我为徒!棺爷由我传承!
  • 契约娇妻:豪门闪婚慢慢爱

    契约娇妻:豪门闪婚慢慢爱

    你不是问我怎么样才肯放过你吗?”他附着在她耳边,轻轻呼着气,用一种蛊惑人心的声音,“为我生一个孩子,我就放你自由。”他冷血无情,她却不由自主沦陷于他一瞬间的温柔中。她坚强隐忍,他却选择忽略真实的情感冷漠以对。在这场名为婚姻的交易里面,她从来都别无选择,却没有想到,最后不仅身子给了他,心也输了!--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 洪水、跳蚤

    洪水、跳蚤

    陈集益,70后重要作家。曾就读于鲁迅文学院第七届中青年作家高级研讨班。浙江省作协签约作家。在《十月》《人民文学》《中国作家》《钟山》《天涯》等大型文学期刊发表小说六十万字。2009年获《十月》新锐人物奖。2010年获浙江省青年文学之星奖。
  • 回家

    回家

    温亚军,现为北京武警总部某文学杂志主编。著有长篇小说伪生活等六部,小说集硬雪、驮水的日子等七部。获第三届鲁迅文学奖,第十一届庄重文文学奖,《小说选刊》《中国作家》和《上海文学》等刊物奖,入选中国小说学会排行榜。中国作家协会会员。
  • 少年林阳

    少年林阳

    何为武道?何为侠义?莫不是真侠士,敢救济天下苍生,又怎叫人扬眉于权贵,真真正正地做到赏善罚恶呢?浑浑噩噩,竟是个医生;明明白白,又确实是个糊涂蛋,林阳,可谓:怪哉!
  • 斗战仙穹

    斗战仙穹

    新书《我在诸天尽头摆渡》这里是一个仙力主宰的世界,科技文明只能作为辅助。一个不一样的地球,曾经的四大古都,在这里被列为禁地,古老的城池漂浮在空中,无人敢靠近。那些在曾经的地球上的名胜古迹,全都笼罩上了神话的色彩。这里是平行时空?还是古老的神话世界?姜灵空被迫崛起于这样一个神话世界,一剑在手,断宿命,斩神话,一人当镇压星河。完本作品《万古独尊》、《大圣道》。读者兄弟群377252282
  • 神豪之灿烂人生

    神豪之灿烂人生

    如果带着神豪系统回到走进大学前一天,是弥补遗憾,还是开始新的人生?且看一位都市普通青年在系统的帮助下在灿烂人生道路上越走越远的故事。(前面写的略平淡,后面会骚起来。)群号:159810321
  • 前妻有喜,总裁请淡定!

    前妻有喜,总裁请淡定!

    【简介】:新婚之夜,黎洛妩媚地将一张价目单递给丈夫,“先看看价格吧,乔大少,我们银货两讫才最好!”在成为让人艳羡的乔家少奶奶之后,她却开始了上房揭瓦的全新人生。为了实现离婚的终极梦想,她费尽心机,不遗余力地给丈夫各种添堵——清晨刚刚和他吻别,傍晚她便领了一个孕妇回家,指着对方的大肚子对他道,“乔司南,这是你的种。我验过DNA了。”……他们的人生,自绑在一起,便硝烟四起,她不遗余力地挑起各种战争,最终却只换来他狠然一笑,“等着我把你宠坏,看谁还敢要你?!”她的心跳,便毫无预兆地漏了一拍……原本以为自己的婚姻生活会因此渐渐步入正轨,却不想……他一朝失势,她却将腹中胎儿打掉,决然离婚——乔司南将那张流产报告捏碎,眼底盛怒,将她狠狠抵在墙角,痛苦嘶吼,“黎洛,你有没有心?!”黎洛牵唇一笑,满眼骄傲,“你,不配让我生孩子!”他一怔,抓住那张报告,起身,疯了一样笑着离开……可三年后,在他的婚礼上,看他拥着娇妻稚子,再度功成名就;她却只能痛苦地蜷缩成一团,冷汗涔涔地抚着自己的肚子——多可笑,在他再婚的这一天,她发现自己又怀孕了……【片段】:乔司南追了她一条街,把她堵在死胡同里,凤眸眯成危险的弧度:“你又怀孕了?!”黎洛轻轻哂笑:“我只是你前妻,孩子不是你的,请你淡定一点。”他怒目圆睁:“我能淡定吗?!你没听说过前妻也是妻吗?!”
  • 狂野八戒

    狂野八戒

    “我是谁”“你是我佛教的净坛使者”“不,你不是你是我妖族的新一代妖师”“肥猪,阿月姐死了阿月姐死了你快回来,你快想起一切吧”“我是谁,我到底是谁……啊~~~~~~”感谢阅文书评团提供书评支持
  • hello,龙先森!

    hello,龙先森!

    冯天莉到处跟人说钱私语眼光一天比一天差。上个月是中国财富榜中游的青年才俊,最近这个虽说纨绔了点,好歹是个潇洒富二代。现在……她居然看上个社科院里挖土掘坟的小小科员!私语想了想,决定还是不把自己男票,会飞,会瞬间转移,会N种封印的金手指以及无原则宠妻的本质暴露出来。这年头,低调是福。