第六章

1那時，門徒增多，有說希臘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。

 

默想

1. 當我看到初期教會的生活中充滿神蹟、慷慨分享、信徒相交時，可能也會很希望自己成為這「完美」教會的一分子。事實上，初期教會也和現今的教會一樣，也是有問題的；沒有教會是完美的，惟有等到基督再來與信徒聯合，教會才會成為完美、毫無瑕疵的。
2. 若我經常會為自己教會的缺點而苦惱，我是否願意花同樣的精力來為教會及傳道人禱告？
3. 現在就花些時間為教會，牧者，其他信徒，及事工禱告。

 

禱告與筆錄：

繼續安靜在神面前，與神對話，並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想（心得），或是與神的禱告，記錄在“靈程筆記”簿上面。

 

Chapter 6

¹In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. ²So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. ³Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ⁴and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”  ⁵This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.  ⁷So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

 

Meditation

1. The life of Early Church was full of miracles, sharing, and fellowship.  How wonderful it would have been to be a member of this “Perfect” church.  In fact, the Early Church also had problems just like today.  There is no perfect church until the coming of Christ in union with believers.
2. If I have been frustrated with my church, am I willing to spend the same amount of energy to pray for my church and pastors?
3. Spend a few minutes to pray for my church, pastors, ministries and other believers.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.