使徒行传Acts 6:1-9；7:2；51-60

彼得前书2:2-10

约翰福音14:1-14

愿恩惠、怜悯和平安归于你们蒙神拣选、呼召出黑暗入光明并且时常为神作见证的人。阿们。

感谢赞美主，上周主日我们讲使徒行传教会生活的模样，也可以说我们所有信徒都应该竭力追求去过的教会生活。今天我们继续讲使徒行传的经文。“那时，门徒增多”，人多了当然是好事，因为是主借着教会宣扬祂使人悔改得救的道，把得救的人数不断地加添给教会，这是多么美好的事情，就像今天我们中间所见证的圣洗礼一样。这洗礼不是属人的仪式，而是神亲自在我们中间，在我们心中做工，在这洗礼的水中做工，将属天的救恩和重生的生命，神的灵，以及作神儿女的特权与身份赐给受洗的人。感谢上帝。「我告诉你们，一个罪人悔改，在天上也要这样为他欢喜，较比为九十九个不用悔改的义人欢喜更大。」（路15:7）「我告诉你们，一个罪人悔改，在神的使者面前也是这样为他欢喜。」（路15:10）

但就在大家欢欢喜喜一起吃饭，赞美，擘饼聚会的教会生活中，问题出现了，而且不止一个问题。前面使徒行传第五章有亚拿尼亚夫妇欺哄圣灵、欺哄教会而当场死亡的事。而第六章，就是今天的经文记载了教会中两个不同族群之间的不公平对待、或者说歧视问题。人一多都是事儿，我们基督徒根据圣经是非常清楚，因为罪无处不侵、无孔不入，就像蛇总是找空隙钻。我们基督徒虽然重生了，得救了，有圣灵的引领和主在我们身上掌权，但我们仍然活在肉体当中，我们需要对付的这肉体就是老亚当，老我，时常凭血气行事为人，也是时常抵挡圣灵的工作，就是保罗所说，我们心中有两个相争的律：一个是圣灵的律，一个是肉体的律（邪情私欲）。我们受洗之后，蒙了圣灵的膏抹，就意味着一生要对付这肉体和邪情私欲，不让老我再次作王，而是唯独让主基督在我们身上作王，真正当家做主。

门徒们增多，我们看出了什么歧视问题呢？当时啊，教会主要有两个族群的人，或者说两个讲不同语言、方言的犹太人。最初的教会成员大部分是犹太人来着。“门徒增多，有说希腊话的犹太人向希伯来人发怨言，因为在天天的供给上忽略了他们的寡妇。”（徒6:1）也就是说，一群是土生土长的犹太地的犹太人，另一群是旅居海外，不会说本族语言希伯来语（亚兰语）的，只能说当时的通用语言希腊语。就好像我们的第二代如果只说英语，那如果回国内学校读书，会不会被同学们嘲笑，歧视，类似这种情况，打个比方。很遗憾，虽然大家都信主了，而且教会已经从自愿的「凡物公用」生活中稳定下来，这个时候至少他们还有一项照顾寡妇的慈惠工作。本来是爱心的善事，但因为有歧视的问题，造成了不公平，说希腊话的犹太人寡妇被忽略了，没有照顾好。

那么教会怎么解决这个问题呢？他们没有不管不问，因为罪所引起的问题，尤其是在教会生活当中，不能不面对，我们华人朋友可能习惯了将就，得过且过，睁一只眼闭一只眼，甚至会劝勉被歧视的人多担待，用爱心包容。但神的话语和吩咐不允许这样，有问题了就要面对，就要公开地解决，其中有个最重要的原则，就是神「不偏待人、总是扶助贫穷软弱的人」的属性，我们也不可偏待人，凡事要规规矩矩，按照神的心意去做。

那么，谁有权柄来处理这个事情呢？首先是十二使徒，就是主耶稣亲自选召的十二门徒，当然其中一位卖主的犹大被马提亚替换了，这个在使徒行传第一章末尾有记载。十二门徒是神亲自选召要为主耶稣作见证的，这是他们的职分所在：「必须从那常与我们作伴的人中立一位与我们同作耶稣复活的见证。」（徒1:22）使徒们的职分定义很关键，因为教会大了，会有很多很多问题需要处理，开会商讨，如何决定等等。我们人数少可能感受不到，而且说实在的，感谢主，我们需要操心的好多少事，都由英文堂帮我们做了，什么财务、物业、维修、水电等等，一样不用我们操心。

所以，当这个照顾寡妇和分饭食的问题摆在使徒们面前的时候，他们的第一个反应是，是的，这件事很重要，——是的，打饭也是一项很重要的服侍——但他们说：「我们撇下神的道去管理饭食，原是不合宜的。」（徒6:3）他们的主要呼召是什么呢？

我们每个基督徒都由自己各自的呼召，无论是在家中，做父母还是儿女，父母要好好照顾儿女，教养他们走在神的道路上，而儿女呢？要孝敬父母，养育亲恩。我们在工作中也有自己的呼召，在社区当中也有，在社会和国家中也有，作为一个公民有自己的责任等等。当然，一个人可能身兼数职，有许多个呼召，而且呼召也可能随着时间和境况改变。

那使徒们的角色，或者说今天牧师的角色是什么呢？十二使徒说：「我们要专心以祈祷、传道为事。」（徒6:3）也就是说，如果弟兄姐妹们要从牧师这里期待他们做什么，首先应该是祈祷和传道（或者说教导、讲解圣经）。这是教会生活、也是教会中圣职的最重要一点，这一点后面我们也看得出来，第七节说：「神的道兴旺起来，在耶路撒冷门徒数目加增的甚多，也有许多祭司信从了这道。」上周我们已经提过这一点，他们聚会首先是「遵守使徒的教训」，然后是擘饼和祈祷，或者说这些都是教会生活的一个整体，不可分割的。

弟兄姐妹们，这不是一个借口好像他们不管似的，不，我们教会所有人都应该以这个「道」为我们教会生活的中心。该传道的按着神的圣言去讲，该听道的要好好听，而且都要好好去「行道」。不能光听不去行。好，但使徒们并没有不管，对不对？他们怎么说，给出了什么方案呢？「所以弟兄们，当从你们中间选出七个有好名声、被圣灵充满、智慧充足的人，我们就派他们管理这事。」（徒6:3）这里有个很好的秩序和办事的标准。谁差派？使徒们，代表主耶稣自己，差派；谁来选呢？教会的所有人，当然不是漫无目的，好像今天的民主投票那样，人人都按着自己的喜好去投票。不是的，他们要选谁，都有标准。这个标准有三个方面：1）好名声； 2 ）被圣灵充满； 3）智慧充足 。

大家会说，就是管个饭食，有必要这么严格吗？预备饭食、分饭食，这可不是一个小事情啊，不就是吃饱饭的问题，而是影响教会合一，影响为主做见证的问题。也可以说，我们在教会中做的任何一件事都不是小事，都是为了让主的道能够顺利地传扬出去，让更多的人因明白真理而得救。另外，我们想一下，没有好名声，那岂不是会亏损主的道的宣扬。如果没有圣灵充满——事实上，我们每一个基督徒都应该寻求圣灵的充满，就是竭力顺从圣灵的工作和感动，而不是顺从人的情欲和私欲。保罗在以弗所书劝勉所有信徒说：「不要醉酒，酒能使人放荡；乃要被圣灵充满，当用诗章、颂词、灵歌彼此对说，口唱心和地赞美主。」（弗5:18-19）。这个圣灵充满，可不是神神叨叨地说一些谁都听不懂的话——灵恩派所谓的方言，不是的，被圣灵充满就是被主的话语充满，说神的话，宣扬主的名，称颂主的名。为什么要智慧充足？这个很容易理解，没有智慧很难把事情办好了，不是说人的智慧聪明，而是从神而来的智慧，明白神的心意，凡事尊主为大。

大家听了十二使徒的话，很可能是彼得代表十二使徒说的，就都喜悦，然后拣选了七个人，其中一位就是今天的主要人物，也是新约教会第一位殉道者，司提反。他们个个都是「大有信心、圣灵充满的人……叫他们站在使徒面前。使徒祷告了，就按手在他们头上。」然后，结果是什么呢？路加告诉我们，教会生活的中心、也是一切目的，让「神的道兴旺起来」。

弟兄姐妹们，我们每个基督徒都应该有这样的心志和目标，要知道我们作为教会在地上的使命。今天的书信经文不是给我们一幅非常形象的画面吗？彼得说，你们「要爱慕那纯洁的灵奶，像才生的婴孩爱慕奶一样。叫你们因此渐长，以致得救。」（彼前2:2）首先，我们要保护和谨慎分别自己所学习所聆听的教导，是不是纯净的，这就好比，给婴儿喂得奶粉有没有三聚氰胺那样严肃。我们不能自以为什么道都可以听，而是要分辨，是不是符合圣经。你看，那三鹿不就是放了一点三聚氰胺吗？他们的奶大部分成分跟其他的厂商不都一样吗？不是这样说的，因为只要一点假的，都会祸害人。我们听道、学习圣经也是一样，也应该有追求纯正教义的心志，而不是怎么样都可以，大差小不差就行了。当然，这个才生的婴孩，不只是刚受洗的时候，而是一生都要这样谨慎，分辨。其次，我们作为一个教会整体，来到主面前，怎么样？「就像活石，被建造成为灵宫，作圣洁的祭司。……是蒙拣选的族类，是有尊君的祭司，是圣洁的国度，是属神的子民。」（彼前2:5，9）

过去犹太人的圣殿辉煌吗？相当辉煌，主耶稣那时的圣殿是用了四十六年建造的，你今天去以色列，看那仅剩的墙根，就是「哭墙」，你就明白圣殿有多壮阔。但主耶稣要建造的新的殿、新的城就是基督的教会，就是你们。以弗所书2:19-22

「19这样，你们不再作外人和客旅，是与圣徒同国，是神家里的人了；20并且被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶稣自己为房角石，21各房靠他联络得合式，渐渐成为主的圣殿。22你们也靠他同被建造，成为神借着圣灵居住的所在。」

弟兄姐妹们，我们的身份和使命是多么尊贵啊。教会就是地上灭世大洪水到来之前的「挪亚方舟」啊。教会就是神的家，是「真理的柱石」、「山上的城」、「桌上的明灯」啊。教会就是那漂泊不定、汹涌澎湃的海面上渔船所能看见的灯塔，能够带领他们脱离黑暗危险的希望。如果教会不能宣扬真理，那么世上的人还能在哪里寻找到真理呢？

教会里面是有职分的不同，有专心传道的、有怜悯人的、有教导的、有传福音的等等，但是我们都一同为着神的道做工。司提反殉道了，因为什么呢？当然不是因为管理饭食，而是因为传福音。他是蒙召要管理饭食，让教会更好地运作起来，教会生活更加和谐美好，但是，但是，他就像所有其他基督徒一样，蒙召要为主做见证。传福音是我们每一个基督徒的责任和义务，再说，我们得了这么大的天国宝贝，怎么会藏着掖着而不分享给其他人呢？

司提反不愧是圣灵充满的人，他在犹太人面前讲了一篇超级长的「福音布道」，看起来甚至比彼得带领三千人悔改信主的道更长，无论怎样，他出于神对罪人的爱，勇敢地见证主耶稣的道，他的死和复活。

讲完了之后，众人是咬牙切齿，极其恼怒，然后用石头将他打死。而司提反在这逼迫当中，面对死亡的时候，仍然是祈祷，朝向天国，并且传道，传悔改赦免的道。司提反最后的遗言，也是最后的祷告：「求主耶稣接收我的灵魂！主啊，不要将这罪归于他们！」弟兄姐妹们，这就是我们基督徒的祈祷，也是教会的祈祷，一边是求主怜悯悦纳我们，一边是为世人代求。天开了，司提反在最后的时刻，「看见神的荣耀，又看见耶稣站在神的右边。」我们忠心服事主的所有基督徒，到离世的那一刻，因为我们在地上的美好见证，主耶稣也要亲自迎接我们，因为祂复活后，去父那里，就是为我们预备地方。约翰记载说，「我若去为你们预备地方，就必再来接你们到我那里去，我在哪里，叫你们也在那里。……我就是道路、真理、生命；若不借着我，没有人能到父那里去。」（约14:2-6）。奉圣父、圣子、圣灵的名。阿们。

● Acts 6:1-9; 7:2, 51-60

● 1 Peter 2:2-10

● John 14:1-14

May grace, mercy, and peace be unto you—you who are chosen by God, called out of darkness into His marvelous light, and who constantly bear witness for Him. Amen.

Thanks and praise be to the Lord. Last Sunday, we spoke about the appearance of church life in the Book of Acts—the kind of life that all believers should strive to pursue. Today, we continue with the text of Acts. “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number.” An increase in number is certainly a good thing. It is through the Church that the Lord proclaims His Word of repentance and salvation, continually adding to the Church those who are being saved. What a beautiful thing this is, much like the Holy Baptism we witnessed among us today. This baptism is not a human ritual; rather, God Himself is at work in our midst and in our hearts, working through the water of baptism to bestow heavenly salvation, reborn life, the Holy Spirit, and the privilege and identity of being children of God upon the one being baptized. Thanks be to God. "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance" (Luke 15:7). "Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10).

But in the midst of a church life where everyone was joyfully eating together, praising God, and meeting for the breaking of bread, problems arose—and more than one. Earlier, in Acts chapter 5, we saw Ananias and Sapphira die on the spot for deceiving the Holy Spirit and the Church. And chapter 6, our text today, records a matter of unfair treatment or discrimination between two different groups within the Church. When numbers increase, troubles often follow. As Christians, we understand this clearly from the Bible because sin is pervasive; it creeps in everywhere, much like a snake seeking any crack to crawl through. Although we as Christians are reborn and saved, led by the Holy Spirit and under the Lord’s authority, we still live in the flesh. This flesh we must deal with is the "Old Adam," the old self, which often acts according to worldly impulses and resists the work of the Holy Spirit. As Paul says, there are two competing laws within our hearts: the law of the Spirit and the law of the flesh (with its passions and desires). After we are baptized and anointed by the Spirit, it means a lifetime of contending with this flesh and its desires, ensuring the old self no longer reigns, but letting Christ alone reign in us as our true Master.

As the disciples increased, what discrimination problem did we see? At that time, the Church consisted mainly of two groups, or rather, two groups of Jews speaking different languages. Most early members were Jewish. "Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution" (Acts 6:1). That is to say, one group consisted of native Jews from Judea, while the other group lived abroad and did not speak their ancestral Hebrew (Aramaic), speaking only Greek, the common language of the time. It’s like if our second generation only spoke English; if they went back to school in China, would they be mocked or discriminated against? It’s a similar situation. Sadly, even though they all believed in the Lord and the Church had moved from a voluntary "all things in common" lifestyle into a stable routine, they still had the charitable work of caring for widows. What was meant to be a deed of love became unfair due to discrimination; the Hellenistic Jewish widows were overlooked and not properly cared for.

How did the Church solve this? They did not ignore it. Problems caused by sin, especially within the life of the Church, must be faced. We Chinese friends might be used to compromising, muddling through, or turning a blind eye—even advising those discriminated against to just endure it and cover it with love. But God’s Word and commands do not allow this. When there is a problem, it must be faced and resolved publicly. One of the most important principles here is the attribute of God, who "shows no partiality and always helps the poor and weak." We also must not show partiality; everything must be done decently and in order, according to God’s will.

Who had the authority to handle this? First were the twelve apostles, the disciples personally chosen by the Lord Jesus (with Judas, the betrayer, replaced by Matthias, as recorded at the end of Acts 1). The Twelve were personally called by God to be witnesses for the Lord Jesus; this was their office: "So one of the men who have accompanied us... must become with us a witness to his resurrection" (Acts 1:21-22). The definition of the apostolic office is crucial. As a church grows, there will be many problems to handle, meetings to hold, and decisions to make. We might not feel this because our numbers are small, and frankly, thanks be to the Lord, many things we would otherwise worry about—finances, property, maintenance, utilities—are handled for us by the English congregation.

So, when the problem of caring for widows and distributing food was brought before the apostles, their first reaction was to acknowledge its importance—yes, serving food is a very important ministry—but they said: "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables" (Acts 6:2). What was their primary calling?

Every Christian has their own calling. Whether at home as parents or children—parents are to care for their children and raise them in the way of the Lord, while children are to honor their parents and repay their care. We have callings in our work, in our neighborhoods, and in our society and nation as citizens with responsibilities. Of course, one person may hold several roles and have many callings, and these callings may change with time and circumstance.

But what is the role of the apostles, or the role of a pastor today? The Twelve said: "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:4). That is to say, if brothers and sisters expect something from their pastor, it should primarily be prayer and the ministry of the word (teaching and explaining the Scriptures). This is the core of church life and the most important aspect of the holy ministry. We see this later in verse 7: "And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith." As we mentioned last week, their gatherings were first and foremost about "devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching," then breaking bread and prayer. These are an inseparable whole in church life.

Brothers and sisters, this was not an excuse to avoid responsibility. No, everyone in our church should make this "Word" the center of our church life. Those who preach should do so according to the oracles of God, those who hear should listen well, and all should "do the Word." We cannot merely listen without acting. But the apostles didn't just walk away, did they? What solution did they offer? "Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty" (Acts 6:3). Here is a good order and standard for action. Who appoints? The apostles, representing the Lord Jesus Himself. Who chooses? The whole church—not aimlessly, like a modern democratic vote where everyone votes based on personal preference. No, there were standards for whom they should choose. These standards had three parts: 1) Good repute; 2) Full of the Holy Spirit; 3) Full of wisdom.

You might ask: "It’s just serving food; is such strictness necessary?" Preparing and distributing food is no small matter. It’s not just about filling stomachs; it affects the unity of the Church and its witness for the Lord. In fact, nothing we do in the Church is a "small matter." Everything is done so that the Lord’s Word can be spread smoothly and more people can be saved through the truth. Furthermore, consider this: without a good reputation, would one not harm the proclamation of the Lord’s Word? If not full of the Spirit—and indeed, every Christian should seek the fullness of the Spirit, striving to obey His work rather than human passions. Paul exhorts all believers in Ephesians: "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart" (Eph 5:18-19). This being "filled with the Spirit" is not about babbling incomprehensible words—what Charismatics call tongues. No, being filled with the Spirit is being filled with the Lord’s Word, speaking God’s Word, and proclaiming and praising the Lord’s name. Why full of wisdom? That is easy to understand; without wisdom, it is hard to manage affairs well. This isn't human cleverness, but wisdom from God, understanding His heart and honoring the Lord as supreme in all things.

When the people heard the words of the Twelve (likely spoken by Peter), they were pleased and chose seven men. One of them is our main figure today and the first martyr of the New Testament church: Stephen. They were all men "full of faith and of the Holy Spirit... These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them." And what was the result? Luke tells us that the center and goal of church life was achieved: "the word of God continued to increase."

Brothers and sisters, every Christian should have this mind and goal, knowing our mission as the Church on earth. Doesn’t today’s Epistle give us a very vivid picture? Peter says, "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation" (1 Peter 2:2). First, we must protect and carefully distinguish what we learn and listen to. Is the teaching pure? It’s as serious as checking if an infant's formula is tainted with melamine. We cannot assume any "word" is fine to hear; we must discern whether it accords with Scripture. Look at the Sanlu milk scandal—they only added a little melamine, right? Wasn't most of their milk the same as other brands? We don't say that, because just a little falsehood ruins the whole. It’s the same with hearing the Word and studying the Bible; we should strive for sound doctrine rather than thinking "close enough" is fine. And this "newborn infant" state isn't just for the newly baptized; we must remain this vigilant and discerning throughout our lives. Secondly, as a church body, how do we come before the Lord? "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood... You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession" (1 Pet 2:5, 9).

Was the Jewish temple of old glorious? Extremely. The temple of Jesus’ day took forty-six years to build. If you visit Israel today and see the remaining foundation—the Wailing Wall—you realize how magnificent it was. But the new temple, the new city the Lord Jesus builds, is the Church of Christ—it is you. Ephesians 2:19-22 says:

"19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

Brothers and sisters, how noble is our identity and mission! The Church is the "Noah's Ark" on earth before the great flood of the world’s end arrives. The Church is the household of God, the "pillar of truth," the "city on a hill," and the "lamp on the stand." The Church is the lighthouse seen by fishing boats on the restless, surging sea, a hope that can lead them out of darkness and danger. If the Church cannot proclaim the truth, where else can the people of the world find it?

There are different offices in the Church—some devote themselves to preaching, some to mercy, some to teaching, some to evangelism—but we all work together for the Word of God. Stephen was martyred. Why? Certainly not for distributing food, but for preaching the Gospel. He was called to manage food so the Church could function better and church life would be more harmonious, but—but—like all other Christians, he was called to bear witness for the Lord. Preaching the Gospel is the responsibility and duty of every Christian. Besides, having received such a great treasure of the kingdom of heaven, how could we hide it and not share it with others?

Stephen truly was full of the Holy Spirit. He preached a very long "evangelistic sermon" before the Jews, seemingly even longer than the one by which Peter led three thousand to repentance. Regardless, out of God’s love for sinners, he bravely witnessed to the Word of the Lord Jesus, His death, and His resurrection.

When he finished, the people ground their teeth and were enraged; then they stoned him to death. Yet in this persecution and facing death, Stephen continued to pray, looking toward the kingdom of heaven, and preaching the Word—the Word of repentance and forgiveness. Stephen’s last words were his final prayer: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit... Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Brothers and sisters, this is our prayer as Christians and the prayer of the Church: on one hand, asking the Lord for mercy and acceptance, and on the other, interceding for the world. Heaven opened, and in his final moment, Stephen "gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." For all of us Christians who faithfully serve the Lord, at the moment we depart this life, because of our good witness on earth, the Lord Jesus Himself will welcome us. For after His resurrection, He went to the Father to prepare a place for us. John records: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also... I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:3, 6). In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.