我们首先讲到圣灵充满的七个管理饭食的，不是执事，看到路加是外邦人，知道 在新约时代是不用行肉体的割礼。第二是说到司提反有圣灵的恩惠能力，且面貌像天使，看到了人心的刚硬。第三是说到司提反当众申诉的开始，他就借此机会传道，讲到亚伯拉罕的事情及其异梦，看到神是大有怜悯和恩典的，且知道预言的时间通常是大概的。最后是讲约瑟的苦难与雅各全家下埃及，看见神在约瑟心中的地位，他将性命交托在神手中，所以他是大有信心的人，这也正是神所喜悦的。          

1. 圣灵充满的七个管理饭食的          

    「那时，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。十二使徒叫众门徒来，对他们说：「我们撇下神的道去管理饭食，原是不合宜的。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。但我们要专心以祈祷传道为事。」大众都喜悦这话，就拣选了司提反，乃是大有信心、圣灵充满的人；又拣选腓利、伯罗哥罗、尼迦挪、提门、巴米拿，并进犹太教(G4339, proselyte)的安提阿人尼哥拉，叫他们站在使徒面前。使徒祷告了，就按手在他们头上。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。」(使徒行传 6:1-7)            

    从这些经文中，我们知道凡物公用的耶路撒冷的教会规模小时，使徒亲自管理饭食，现今门徒增多，他们必须要有别人做这件事，所以他们可以专注在祈祷和传道上。我们也看到了即使管理饭食的这等许多人以为的小事，也要被圣灵充满才行，才有可能有足够的智慧去做得恰当，于是选了七位去管理饭食。另外一次提到这七位是在这节经文，「第二天，我们(保罗和路加)离开那里，来到凯撒利亚，就进了传福音的腓利家里，和他同住。他是那七个(执事)里的一个。」(使徒行传 21:8) 在两个不同的原文本，都没有执事 (G1249, minister servant) 这字。          

    在这里的我们是指保罗和路加，为什么呢？我们就看新约如何提路加这个人，路加的名字只提到了三次，就是「独有路加在我这里。…」(提摩太后书 4:11) 和「与我同工的马可、亚里达古、底马、路加也都问你安。」(腓利门书 1:24) 及「所亲爱的医生路加和底马问你们安。」(歌罗西书 4:14) 我们知道路加是医生，和保罗同工。 因保罗说得很清楚，「我现在被浇奠，我离世的时候到了。」(提摩太后书 4:6) 所以路加 到保罗被浇奠前仍和保罗在一起。他原是外邦人，因为经文说，「有我亲爱的兄弟推基古要将我一切的事都告诉你们。他是忠心的执事，和我一同作主的仆人。…与我一同坐监的亚里达古问你们安。…耶数又称为犹士都，也问你们安。奉割礼的人中，只有这三个人是为神的国与我一同做工的，也是叫我心里得安慰的。」(歌罗西书 4:7-11) 路加 是没有奉割礼的外邦人，所以他是在新约时代信主的。关于路加何时成为保罗的同工，圣经没有明讲，当他在前所提的使徒行传 21:8 中用我们时，已是保罗的同工了，显然知道他何时和保罗同进出不是这么重要，尊重神，不必乱差。如果时间点是这么重要，祂会在圣经中告诉我们的。          

    我们看到这七人中包括了进犹太教的安提阿人尼哥拉，既然说了他进犹太教，可见得他本来是外邦人，也看到外邦人那时是可以归入为犹太人的。这在摩西的律法中讲得很清楚，「若有外人寄居在你们中间，愿向耶和华守逾越节，他所有的男子务要受割礼，然后才容他前来遵守，他也就像本地人一样；但未受割礼的，都不可吃这羊羔。本地人和寄居在你们中间的外人同归一例。」(出埃及记 12:48-49) 这也就是所罗门所说的，「论到不属你民以色列的外邦人，为你名从远方而来，（他们听人论说你的大名和大能的手，并伸出来的膀臂)向这殿祷告，求你在天上你的居所垂听，照著外邦人所祈求的而行，使天下万民都认识你的名，敬畏你像你的民以色列一样，又使他们知道我建造的这殿，是称为你名下的。」(列王纪上 8:41-43)          

    请注意，这里说的进犹太教是指在新约中的进犹太教，犹如这经文所说，「散会以后，犹太人和敬虔进犹太教(G4339)的人多有跟从保罗、巴拿巴的。二人对他们讲道，劝他们务要恒久在神的恩中。」(使徒行传 13:43) 新约时进犹太教是不必行割礼的，「我保罗告诉你们：若受割礼，基督就与你们无益了。我再指著凡受割礼的人确实地说，他是欠著行全律法的债。你们这要靠律法称义的，是与基督隔绝，从恩典中坠落了。我们靠著圣灵，凭著信心，等候所盼望的义。」(加拉太书 5:2-5)    

    如果是指旧约所提的犹太教，保罗是用不同的字，「你们听见我从前在犹太教中(G2454, the Jew’s religion)所行的事，怎样极力逼迫、残害神的教会；我又在犹太教(G2454)中，比我本国许多同岁的人更有长进，为我祖宗的遗传更加热心。」(加拉太书 1:13-14) 这字G2454 就只有出现这两次。至于G4339也只有出现四次，另一次在「散会以后，犹太人和敬虔进犹太教(G4339)的人多有跟从保罗、巴拿巴的。二人对他们讲道，劝他们务要恒久在神的恩中。」(使徒行传 13:43) 在使徒行传还有一次是在这经文，「弗吕家、旁非利亚、埃及的人，并靠近古利奈的利比亚一带地方的人，从罗马来的客旅中，或是犹太人，或是进犹太教(G4339)的人。」(使徒行传 2:10) 意义是相同的。    

    要注意的是最后一次的这经文，「你们这假冒为善的文士和法利赛人有祸了！因为你们走遍洋海陆地，勾引一个人入教，既入了教(G4339)，却使他作地狱之子，比你们还加倍。」(马太福音 23:15) 这里应该是指保罗在加拉太书 1:13-14 所讲的犹太教，马太福音祗用了这一次，虽然没有分别出来用G2454，但看上下文就很清楚它的意思了。

2. 司提反有圣灵的恩惠能力且面貌像天使       

    「司提反满得恩惠能力，在民间行了大奇事和神迹。当时有称利百地拿会堂的几个人，并有古利奈、亚历山太、基利家、亚西亚各处会堂的几个人，都起来和司提反辩论。司提反是以智慧和圣灵说话，众人敌挡不住，就买出人来说：「我们听见他说谤讟摩西和神的话。」他们又耸动了百姓、长老并文士，就忽然来捉拿他，把他带到公会去，设下假见证说：「这个人说话不住地糟践圣所和律法，我们曾听见他说，这拿撒勒人耶稣要毁坏此地，也要改变摩西所交给我们的规条。」在公会里坐著的人都定睛看他，见他的面貌好像天使的面貌。」(使徒行传 6:8-15)       

    不只是「主借使徒的手在民间行了许多神迹奇事。…」(使徒行传 5:12) 司提反是门徒，被圣灵充满时，照样也能成为神迹奇事的管道。今日也是如此，如果神允许，我们照样也能成为管道。       

    圣经明说了司提反是以智慧和圣灵说话，及和他辩论的人来自何处，有人知道保罗是来自基利家，因「保罗说：「我本是犹太人，生在基利家的大数，并不是无名小城的人。…」(使徒行传 21:39) 那人就以为保罗也应该在辩论的人里面，但圣经没有这样说。       

    众人敌挡不住，就买出人假见证，这和耶稣所面临的一样，这点经文说得很清楚，「祭司长和全公会寻找假见证控告耶稣，要治死他。虽有好些人来作假见证，总得不著实据。 …」(马太福音 26:59-60) 十诫明说，「不可作假见证陷害人。」(出埃及记 20:16) 为了尽可能避免作假见证，摩西的律法也规定了，「人无论犯甚么罪，作甚么恶，不可凭一个人的口作见证，总要凭两三个人的口作见证才可定案。」(申命记 19:15) 可「…是神造人原是正直，但他们寻出许多巧计。」(传道书 7:29) 即使「…公会里坐著的人都定睛看他，见他的面貌好像天使(G32, messenger)的面貌。」(使徒行传 6:15) 他们也不管这点，人的心会是何等刚硬啊 !

3. 司提反当众申诉的开始       

    「大祭司就说：「这些事果然有吗？」司提反说：「诸位父兄请听！当日我们的祖宗亚伯拉罕在美索不达米亚还未住哈兰的时候，荣耀的神向他显现，对他说：『你要离开本地和亲族，往我所要指示你的地方去。』「他就离开迦勒底人之地，住在哈兰。他父亲死了以后，神使他从那里搬到你们现在所住之地。在这地方神并没有给他产业，连立足之地也没有给他；但应许要将这地赐给他和他的后裔为业。那时他还没有儿子。神说：『他的后裔必寄居外邦，那里的人要叫他们作奴仆，苦待他们四百年。』神又说：『使他们作奴仆的那国，我要惩罚。以后他们要出来，在这地方事奉我。』神又赐他割礼的约。于是亚伯拉罕生了以撒，第八日给他行了割礼。以撒生雅各，雅各生十二位先祖。」(使徒行传 7:1-8)    

    当大祭司问这些事果然有时，这些都是虚假的见证，当然没有。司提反便借此机会传道，简洁地概述了旧约中发生的事迹，我们现在就来看看开头的部分。这是在讲亚伯拉罕的事情，他住在哈兰是因他的父亲，就如经文所说，「他拉带著他儿子亚伯兰(亚伯拉罕)和他孙子哈兰的儿子罗得，并他儿妇亚伯兰的妻子撒莱，出了迦勒底的吾珥，要往迦南地去。他们走到哈兰就住在那里。」(创世记 11:31) 我们看到亚伯拉罕是大有信心的人，「亚伯拉罕因著信，蒙召的时候，就遵命出去，往将来要得为业的地方去；出去的时候，还不知往哪里去。」(希伯来书 11:8)       

    接著记载亚伯拉罕做了一个异梦：「日头正落的时候，亚伯兰沉沉地睡了，忽然有惊人的大黑暗落在他身上。耶和华对亚伯兰说： 『你要确实知道，你的后裔必寄居别人的地，又服事那地的人，那地的人要苦待他们四百年。并且他们所要服事的那国，我要惩罚，后来他们必带著许多财物从那里出来。但你要享大寿数，平平安安地归到你列祖那里，被人埋葬。到了第四代，他们必回到此地，因为亚摩利人的罪孽还没有满盈。」（创世记 15:12-16） 在此我们看见神是满有怜悯恩典的神，祂给了亚摩利人至少四百年的机会，但他们并没有悔改。以色列人出埃及的确定时间是：「正满了四百三十年的那一天，耶和华的军队都从埃及地出来了。」（出埃及记 12:41）由此可见，预言的时间常常在述说大致的时程。     

    当以色列人进入迦南地时，神是这样说，「耶和华你神领你进入要得为业之地，从你面前赶出许多国民，就是赫人、革迦撒人、亚摩利人、迦南人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人，共七国的民，都比你强大。耶和华你神将他们交给你击杀，那时你要把他们灭绝净尽，不可与他们立约，也不可怜恤他们。」(申命记 7:1-2) 这是「免得他们教导你们学习一切可憎恶的事，就是他们向自己神所行的，以致你们得罪耶和华你们的神。」(申命记 20:18) 所以在耶利哥城，「…将城中所有的，不拘男女老少、牛羊和驴，都用刀杀尽。」(约书亚记 6:21)     

    因此有人会问，这包括了婴儿，而婴儿何罪，这不是很残酷吗？好像是，其实不然。想想这四百年有多少婴儿出生，在这样的环境中长大，最后成了犯罪而不肯悔改的人。神是全知的神，早就预先看到会是这种情况，这就像「耶和华对摩西说：「我要将亚玛力的名号从天下全然涂抹了，你要将这话写在书上作记念，又念给约书亚听。」」(出埃及记 17:14) 这是和野草除不尽，春风吹又生的道理相似，除罪本是应该除尽，犹如神对亚玛力人一样。有人可能会说，即使以色列人要将成人杀净，为什么不留下婴儿，给他们一条活路呢？那时亚摩利人已罪孽满盈，要以色列人带著别人的婴儿去争战，你自己判断合不合理吧 !  而且覆巢之下无完卵，这对婴儿来说可能是最好的选择。     

    但就像我们已说的，神是有怜悯有恩典的，在约拿记说到的尼尼微城，「…神察看他们的行为，见他们离开恶道，他就后悔，不把所说的灾祸降与他们了。」(约拿书 3:10) 因此约拿不高兴，但「耶和华说：「这蓖麻不是你栽种的，也不是你培养的，一夜发生，一夜干死，你尚且爱惜；何况这尼尼微大城，其中不能分辩左手右手的有十二万多人，并有许多牲畜，我岂能不爱惜呢？」」(约拿书 4:10-11) 事实上，在以色列人进迦南地时， 「…耶和华留下各族，不将他们速速赶出，也没有交付约书亚的手。」(士师记 2:23) 不是真正的全然灭绝。

4. 约瑟的苦难与雅各全家下埃及        

    「先祖嫉妒约瑟，把他卖到埃及去。神却与他同在，救他脱离一切苦难，又使他在埃及王法老面前得恩典，有智慧。法老就派他作埃及国的宰相兼管全家。「后来埃及和迦南全地遭遇饥荒，大受艰难，我们的祖宗就绝了粮。雅各听见在埃及有粮，就打发我们的祖宗初次往那里去。第二次约瑟与弟兄们相认，他的亲族也被法老知道了。约瑟就打发弟兄请父亲雅各和全家七十五个人都来。于是雅各下了埃及，后来他和我们的祖宗都死在那里；又被带到示剑，葬于亚伯拉罕在示剑用银子从哈抹子孙买来的坟墓里。」(使徒行传 7:9-16)    

    这一段所说的事情在创世记有详细的记载，请自己去看对应的经文，这里我们就只讨论这一段，「约瑟被带下埃及去。有一个埃及人，是法老的内臣，护卫长波提乏，从那些带下他来的以实玛利人手下买了他去。约瑟住在他主人埃及人的家中，耶和华与他同在，他就百事顺利。」(创世记 39:1-2) 「这事以后，约瑟主人的妻，以目送情给约瑟说：「你与我同寝吧！」约瑟不从，对他主人的妻说：「看哪！一切家务我主人都不知道，他把所有的都交在我手里。在这家里没有比我大的，并且他没有留下一样不交给我，只留下了你，因为你是他的妻子。我怎能作这大恶，得罪神呢？」」(创世记 39:7-9) 我们看见神在他心中的地位。       

    后来因约瑟主人的妻子，主人就「把约瑟下在监里，就是王的囚犯被囚的地方。于是约瑟在那里坐监。但耶和华与约瑟同在，向他施恩，使他在司狱的眼前蒙恩。」(创世记 39:20-21) 约瑟并不为自己辩解，完全将自己交在神手中，直到神动工，让他去为法老解梦。他说：「至于法老两回做梦，是因神命定这事，而且必速速成就。」(创世记 41:32) 因此「法老对约瑟说：「神既将这事都指示你，可见没有人像你这样有聪明有智慧。你可以掌管我的家，我的民都必听从你的话，惟独在宝座上我比你大。」」(创世记 41:39-40) 他确实是全然信靠神，因为解梦时事件情尚未发生，若未应验他将因此丧命。他将性命交托在神手中，所以他是大有信心的人，这也正是神所喜悦的。在新约的时代和旧约的时代都是同一位神，所以在新约的时代也是如此。

    请注意，这文章是基于周日(1/4/26)的专题查经，经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本，所引用过去的文章，在我们的网站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『对属灵生命的了解』，就可以找到。

          我們首先講到聖靈充滿的七個管理飯食的，不是執事，看到路加是外邦人，知道

在新約時代是不用行肉體的割禮。第二是說到司提反有聖靈的恩惠能力，且面貌像天使，看到了人心的剛硬。第三是說到司提反當衆申訴的開始，他就藉此機會傳道，講到亞伯拉罕的事情及其異夢，看到神是大有憐憫和恩典的，且知道預言的時間通常是大概的。最後是講約瑟的苦難與雅各全家下埃及，看見神在約瑟心中的地位，他將性命交託在神手中，所以他是大有信心的人，這也正是神所喜悅的。

1. 聖靈充滿的七個管理飯食的

          「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。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。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。但我們要專心以祈禱傳道為事。」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(G4339, proselyte)的安提阿人尼哥拉，叫他們站在使徒面前。使徒禱告了，就按手在他們頭上。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。」(使徒行傳 6:1-7)

          從這些經文中，我們知道凡物公用的耶路撒冷的教會規模小時，使徒親自管理飯食，現今門徒增多，他們必須要有別人做這件事，所以他們可以專注在祈禱和傳道上。我們也看到了即使管理飯食的這等許多人以為的小事，也要被聖靈充滿才行，才有可能有足夠的智慧去做得恰當，於是選了七位去管理飯食。另外一次提到這七位是在這節經文，「第二天，我們(保羅和路加)離開那裏，來到凱撒利亞，就進了傳福音的腓利家裏，和他同住。他是那七個(執事)裏的一個。」(使徒行傳 21:8) 在兩個不同的原文本，都沒有執事 (G1249, minister servant) 這字。

          在這裏的我們是指保羅和路加，為什麼呢？我們就看新約如何提路加這個人，路加的名字衹提到了三次，就是「獨有路加在我這裏。…」(提摩太後書 4:11) 和「與我同工的馬可、亞里達古、底馬、路加也都問你安。」(腓利門書 1:24) 及「所親愛的醫生路加和底馬問你們安。」(歌羅西書 4:14) 我們知道路加是醫生，和保羅同工。

因保羅說得很清楚，「我現在被澆奠，我離世的時候到了。」(提摩太後書 4:6) 所以路加

到保羅被澆奠前仍和保羅在一起。他原是外邦人，因為經文說，「有我親愛的兄弟推基古要將我一切的事都告訴你們。他是忠心的執事，和我一同作主的僕人。…與我一同坐監的亞里達古問你們安。…耶數又稱為猶士都，也問你們安。奉割禮的人中，只有這三個人是為神的國與我一同做工的，也是叫我心裏得安慰的。」(歌羅西書 4:7-11) 路加

是沒有奉割禮的外邦人，所以他是在新約時代信主的。關於路加何時成為保羅的同工，聖經沒有明講，當他在前所提的使徒行傳 21:8 中用我們時，已是保羅的同工了，顯然知道他何時和保羅同進出不是這麼重要，尊重神，不必亂差。如果時間點是這麼重要，祂會在聖經中告訴我們的。

          我們看到這七人中包括了進猶太教的安提阿人尼哥拉，旣然說了他進猶太教，可見得他本來是外邦人，也看到外邦人那時是可以歸入為猶太人的。這在摩西的律法中講得很清楚，「若有外人寄居在你們中間，願向耶和華守逾越節，他所有的男子務要受割禮，然後才容他前來遵守，他也就像本地人一樣；但未受割禮的，都不可吃這羊羔。本地人和寄居在你們中間的外人同歸一例。」(出埃及記 12:48-49) 這也就是所羅門所說的，「論到不屬你民以色列的外邦人，為你名從遠方而來，（他們聽人論說你的大名和大能的手，並伸出來的膀臂)向這殿禱告，求你在天上你的居所垂聽，照着外邦人所祈求的而行，使天下萬民都認識你的名，敬畏你像你的民以色列一樣，又使他們知道我建造的這殿，是稱為你名下的。」(列王紀上 8:41-43) 

          請注意，這裏說的進猶太教是指在新約中的進猶太教，猶如這經文所說，「散會以後，猶太人和敬虔進猶太教(G4339)的人多有跟從保羅、巴拿巴的。二人對他們講道，勸他們務要恆久在神的恩中。」(使徒行傳 13:43) 新約時進猶太教是不必行割禮的，「我保羅告訴你們：若受割禮，基督就與你們無益了。我再指着凡受割禮的人確實地說，他是欠着行全律法的債。你們這要靠律法稱義的，是與基督隔絕，從恩典中墜落了。我們靠着聖靈，憑着信心，等候所盼望的義。」(加拉太書 5:2-5)

    如果是指舊約所提的猶太教，保羅是用不同的字，「你們聽見我從前在猶太教中(G2454, the Jew’s religion)所行的事，怎樣極力逼迫、殘害神的教會；我又在猶太教(G2454)中，比我本國許多同歲的人更有長進，為我祖宗的遺傳更加熱心。」(加拉太書 1:13-14) 這字G2454 就衹有出現這兩次。至於G4339也衹有出現四次，另一次在「散會以後，猶太人和敬虔進猶太教(G4339)的人多有跟從保羅、巴拿巴的。二人對他們講道，勸他們務要恆久在神的恩中。」(使徒行傳 13:43) 在使徒行傳還有一次是在這經文，「弗呂家、旁非利亞、埃及的人，並靠近古利奈的利比亞一帶地方的人，從羅馬來的客旅中，或是猶太人，或是進猶太教(G4339)的人。」(使徒行傳 2:10) 意義是相同的。

    要注意的是最後一次的這經文，「你們這假冒為善的文士和法利賽人有禍了！因為你們走遍洋海陸地，勾引一個人入教，既入了教(G4339)，卻使他作地獄之子，比你們還加倍。」(馬太福音 23:15) 這裡應該是指保羅在加拉太書 1:13-14 所講的猶太教，馬太福音祗用了這一次，雖然沒有分別出來用G2454，但看上下文就很清楚它的意思了。

2. 司提反有聖靈的恩惠能力且面貌像天使

       「司提反滿得恩惠能力，在民間行了大奇事和神蹟。當時有稱利百地拿會堂的幾個人，並有古利奈、亞歷山太、基利家、亞西亞各處會堂的幾個人，都起來和司提反辯論。司提反是以智慧和聖靈說話，眾人敵擋不住，就買出人來說：「我們聽見他說謗讟摩西和神的話。」他們又聳動了百姓、長老並文士，就忽然來捉拿他，把他帶到公會去，設下假見證說：「這個人說話不住地糟踐聖所和律法，我們曾聽見他說，這拿撒勒人耶穌要毀壞此地，也要改變摩西所交給我們的規條。」在公會裏坐着的人都定睛看他，見他的面貌好像天使的面貌。」(使徒行傳 6:8-15)

       不衹是「主藉使徒的手在民間行了許多神蹟奇事。…」(使徒行傳 5:12) 司提反是門徒，被聖靈充滿時，照樣也能成為神蹟奇事的管道。今日也是如此，如果神允許，我們照樣也能成為管道。

       聖經明說了司提反是以智慧和聖靈說話，及和他辯論的人來自何處，有人知道保羅是來自基利家，因「保羅說：「我本是猶太人，生在基利家的大數，並不是無名小城的人。…」(使徒行傳 21:39) 那人就以為保羅也應該在辯論的人裡面，但聖經沒有這樣說。

       眾人敵擋不住，就買出人假見證，這和耶穌所面臨的一樣，這點經文說得很清楚，「祭司長和全公會尋找假見證控告耶穌，要治死他。雖有好些人來作假見證，總得不着實據。 …」(馬太福音 26:59-60) 十誡明說，「不可作假見證陷害人。」(出埃及記 20:16) 為了儘可能避免作假見證，摩西的律法也規定了，「人無論犯甚麼罪，作甚麼惡，不可憑一個人的口作見證，總要憑兩三個人的口作見證才可定案。」(申命記 19:15) 可「…是神造人原是正直，但他們尋出許多巧計。」(傳道書 7:29) 即使「…公會裏坐着的人都定睛看他，見他的面貌好像天使(G32, messenger)的面貌。」(使徒行傳 6:15) 他們也不管這點，人的心會是何等剛硬啊 ! 

3. 司提反當衆申訴的開始

       「大祭司就說：「這些事果然有嗎？」司提反說：「諸位父兄請聽！當日我們的祖宗亞伯拉罕在美索不達米亞還未住哈蘭的時候，榮耀的神向他顯現，對他說：『你要離開本地和親族，往我所要指示你的地方去。』「他就離開迦勒底人之地，住在哈蘭。他父親死了以後，神使他從那裏搬到你們現在所住之地。在這地方神並沒有給他產業，連立足之地也沒有給他；但應許要將這地賜給他和他的後裔為業。那時他還沒有兒子。神說：『他的後裔必寄居外邦，那裏的人要叫他們作奴僕，苦待他們四百年。』神又說：『使他們作奴僕的那國，我要懲罰。以後他們要出來，在這地方事奉我。』神又賜他割禮的約。於是亞伯拉罕生了以撒，第八日給他行了割禮。以撒生雅各，雅各生十二位先祖。」(使徒行傳 7:1-8)

    當大祭司問這些事果然有時，這些都是虛假的見證，當然沒有。司提反便藉此機會傳道，簡潔地概述了舊約中發生的事蹟，我們現在就來看看開頭的部分。這是在講亞伯拉罕的事情，他住在哈蘭是因他的父親，就如經文所說，「他拉帶着他兒子亞伯蘭(亞伯拉罕)和他孫子哈蘭的兒子羅得，並他兒婦亞伯蘭的妻子撒萊，出了迦勒底的吾珥，要往迦南地去。他們走到哈蘭就住在那裏。」(創世記 11:31) 我们看到亞伯拉罕是大有信心的人，「亞伯拉罕因着信，蒙召的時候，就遵命出去，往將來要得為業的地方去；出去的時候，還不知往哪裏去。」(希伯來書 11:8)

       接著記載亞伯拉罕做了一個異夢：「日頭正落的時候，亞伯蘭沉沉地睡了，忽然有驚人的大黑暗落在他身上。耶和華對亞伯蘭說： 『你要確實知道，你的後裔必寄居別人的地，又服事那地的人，那地的人要苦待他們四百年。並且他們所要服事的那國，我要懲罰，後來他們必帶著許多財物從那裡出來。但你要享大壽數，平平安安地歸到你列祖那裏，被人埋葬。到了第四代，他們必回到此地，因為亞摩利人的罪孽還沒有滿盈。」（創世記 15:12-16） 在此我們看見神是滿有憐憫恩典的神，祂給了亞摩利人至少四百年的機會，但他們並沒有悔改。以色列人出埃及的確定時間是：「正滿了四百三十年的那一天，耶和華的軍隊都從埃及地出來了。」（出埃及記 12:41）由此可見，預言的時間常常在述說大致的時程。

     當以色列人進入迦南地時，神是這樣說，「耶和華你神領你進入要得為業之地，從你面前趕出許多國民，就是赫人、革迦撒人、亞摩利人、迦南人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人，共七國的民，都比你強大。耶和華你神將他們交給你擊殺，那時你要把他們滅絕淨盡，不可與他們立約，也不可憐恤他們。」(申命記 7:1-2) 這是「免得他們教導你們學習一切可憎惡的事，就是他們向自己神所行的，以致你們得罪耶和華你們的神。」(申命記 20:18) 所以在耶利哥城，「…將城中所有的，不拘男女老少、牛羊和驢，都用刀殺盡。」(約書亞記 6:21) 

     因此有人會問，這包括了嬰兒，而嬰兒何罪，這不是很殘酷嗎？好像是，其實不然。想想這四百年有多少嬰兒出生，在這樣的環境中長大，最後成了犯罪而不肯悔改的人。神是全知的神，早就預先看到會是這種情況，這就像「耶和華對摩西說：「我要將亞瑪力的名號從天下全然塗抹了，你要將這話寫在書上作記念，又念給約書亞聽。」」(出埃及記 17:14) 這是和野草除不盡，春風吹又生的道理相似，除罪本是應該除盡，猶如神對亞瑪力人一樣。有人可能會說，即使以色列人要將成人殺淨，為什麼不留下嬰兒，給他們一條活路呢？那時亞摩利人已罪孽滿盈，要以色列人帶著別人的嬰兒去爭戰，你自己判斷合不合理吧 !  而且覆巢之下無完卵，這對嬰兒來說可能是最好的選擇。

     但就像我們已說的，神是有憐憫有恩典的，在約拿記說到的尼尼微城，「…神察看他們的行為，見他們離開惡道，他就後悔，不把所說的災禍降與他們了。」(約拿書 3:10) 因此約拿不高興，但「耶和華說：「這蓖麻不是你栽種的，也不是你培養的，一夜發生，一夜乾死，你尚且愛惜；何況這尼尼微大城，其中不能分辨左手右手的有十二萬多人，並有許多牲畜，我豈能不愛惜呢？」」(約拿書 4:10-11) 事實上，在以色列人進迦南地時， 「…耶和華留下各族，不將他們速速趕出，也沒有交付約書亞的手。」(士師記 2:23) 不是真正的全然滅絕。

4. 約瑟的苦難與雅各全家下埃及

        「先祖嫉妒約瑟，把他賣到埃及去。神卻與他同在，救他脫離一切苦難，又使他在埃及王法老面前得恩典，有智慧。法老就派他作埃及國的宰相兼管全家。「後來埃及和迦南全地遭遇饑荒，大受艱難，我們的祖宗就絕了糧。雅各聽見在埃及有糧，就打發我們的祖宗初次往那裏去。第二次約瑟與弟兄們相認，他的親族也被法老知道了。約瑟就打發弟兄請父親雅各和全家七十五個人都來。於是雅各下了埃及，後來他和我們的祖宗都死在那裏；又被帶到示劍，葬於亞伯拉罕在示劍用銀子從哈抹子孫買來的墳墓裏。」(使徒行傳 7:9-16)

    這一段所說的事情在創世記有詳細的記載，請自己去看對應的經文，這裏我們就衹討論這一段，「約瑟被帶下埃及去。有一個埃及人，是法老的內臣，護衞長波提乏，從那些帶下他來的以實瑪利人手下買了他去。約瑟住在他主人埃及人的家中，耶和華與他同在，他就百事順利。」(創世記 39:1-2) 「這事以後，約瑟主人的妻，以目送情給約瑟說：「你與我同寢吧！」約瑟不從，對他主人的妻說：「看哪！一切家務我主人都不知道，他把所有的都交在我手裏。在這家裏沒有比我大的，並且他沒有留下一樣不交給我，只留下了你，因為你是他的妻子。我怎能作這大惡，得罪神呢？」」(創世記 39:7-9) 我們看見神在他心中的地位。

       後來因約瑟主人的妻子，主人就「把約瑟下在監裏，就是王的囚犯被囚的地方。於是約瑟在那裏坐監。但耶和華與約瑟同在，向他施恩，使他在司獄的眼前蒙恩。」(創世記 39:20-21) 約瑟並不為自己辯解，完全將自己交在神手中，直到神動工，讓他去為法老解夢。他說：「至於法老兩回做夢，是因神命定這事，而且必速速成就。」(創世記 41:32) 因此「法老對約瑟說：「神既將這事都指示你，可見沒有人像你這樣有聰明有智慧。你可以掌管我的家，我的民都必聽從你的話，惟獨在寶座上我比你大。」」(創世記 41:39-40) 他確實是全然信靠神，因為解夢時事件情尚未發生，若未應驗他將因此喪命。他將性命交託在神手中，所以他是大有信心的人，這也正是神所喜悅的。在新約的時代和舊約的時代都是同一位神，所以在新約的時代也是如此。

          請注意，這文章是基於週日(1/4/26)的專題查經，經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本，所引用過去的文章，在我們的網站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，就可以找到。

First, we see the seven people was filled with the Holy Spirit and chosen to manage the distribution of food. We realize that Luke was a Gentile, and understand that physical circumcision was no longer required in the New Testament era. Second, we see Stephen, endowed with the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, whose face shone like an angel’s, confronting the hardness of human hearts. Third, we witness the beginning of Stephen’s public defense, where he seized the opportunity to preach, recounting the story of Abraham and his prophetic dreams. This reveals God’s great mercy and grace, and shows that prophetic timelines are often approximate in this event. Finally, it recounts Joseph’s sufferings and Jacob’s family’s descent into Egypt, revealing God’s place in Joseph’s heart. He entrusted his life into God’s hands, thus becoming a man of great faith—precisely what God delights in.

1. The seven men filled with the Holy Spirit who managed the distribution of food

“Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.”(Acts 6:1-7)

From these scriptures, we learn that when the Jerusalem church was small and shared everything in common, the apostles themselves managed the distribution of food. Now that the number of disciples had increased, they needed others to handle this task so they could focus on prayer and preaching. We also see that even for what many might consider a minor task like managing meals, one must be filled with the Holy Spirit to have sufficient wisdom to perform it properly. Thus, seven men were chosen for this responsibility. Another mention of these seven occurs in this verse: “On the next day we (Paul and Luke) left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.”(Acts 21:8) In Chinese Union Version, it translates that Philip as “deacon (G1249, minister servant).” But neither of the two original texts contains the word “deacon.”

Here, “we” refers to Paul and Luke. Why? Let us examine how the New Testament mentions Luke. His name appears only three times: “Only Luke is with me. …”(2 Timothy 4:11),” “Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. (Colossians 4:14),” and “as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.”(Philemon 1:24) We know Luke was a physician who worked alongside Paul. Since Paul said clearly, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.”(2 Timothy 4:6), Luke remained with Paul until his final sacrifice. He was originally a Gentile, as Scripture states: “As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. …Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.”(Colossians 4:7-11) Luke was uncircumcised, so he became a believer in the New Testament era. The Bible does not explicitly state when Luke became Paul’s co-worker. When he used the plural “we” in Acts 21:8 mentioned earlier, he was already Paul’s co-worker. Clearly, it was not considered crucial to pinpoint exactly when he began accompanying Paul, out of respect for God and to avoid unnecessary confusion. If the exact timing were so crucial, He would have told us in Scripture.

We see that among these seven men was Nicolas of Antioch, who had been converted to Judaism. Since it states he had been converted to Judaism, it is clear he was originally a Gentile. We also see that Gentiles could be converted to Judaism at that time. This is clearly stated in the Law of Moses: “But if a stranger sojourns with you, and celebrates the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near to celebrate it; and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person may eat of it. The same law shall apply to the native as to the stranger who sojourns among you.”(Exodus 12:48-49) This is what Solomon said: “Also concerning the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel, when he comes from a far country for Your name’s sake (for they will hear of Your great name and Your mighty hand, and of Your outstretched arm); when he comes and prays toward this house, hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, to fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by Your name.”(1 Kings 8:41-43) 

Note that the conversion to Judaism mentioned here refers to conversion in the New Testament context, as this passage states: “Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes (G4339) followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.”(Acts 13:43) In the New Testament era, conversion to Judaism did not require circumcision:”Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.”(Galatians 5:2-5) 

If referring to the Judaism of the Old Testament, Paul uses different words: “For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism (G2454), how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism (G2454) beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.”(Galatians 1:13-14) This word G2454 appears only these two times. 

As for G4339, it appears only four times, another instance being: “Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes (G4339) followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.”(Acts 13:43) Another instance in the Book of Acts is found in this passage: “Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes (G4339).”(Acts 2:10) The meaning is the same. Note the final instance of this verse: ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte (G4339); and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.”(Matthew 23:15) This refers to the Judaism Paul addressed in Galatians 1:13-14 by using a different word in the English translation. Though the Book of Matthew uses this term only once here using the same term and thus without explicit distinction in Chinese Union Version, the context makes its meaning clear.

2. Stephen was filled with grace and power of Holy Spirit, whose face shone like an angel’s

“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.”(Acts 6:8-15)

Not only did “At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; …”(Acts 5:12), but Stephen, as a disciple filled with the Holy Spirit, likewise became a channel for miracles and wonders. The same holds true today—if God permits, we too can become such channels.

The Bible clearly states that Stephen spoke with wisdom and the Holy Spirit, and those who debated him came from. Some knew Paul was from Cilicia because “…Paul said, “I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; …”(Acts 21:39) They assumed Paul must be among those debating, but Scripture does not state this.

Unable to refute him, the crowd resorted to buying false testimony—just as Jesus faced. Scripture makes this clear: “Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. …”(Matthew 26:59-60)

The Ten Commandments plainly state, ““You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”(Exodus 20:16) To minimize false testimony, the Law of Moses also stipulated: “A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.”(Deuteronomy 19:15) Yet “…God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.”(Ecclesiastes 7:29) Even when “…all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel (G32, messenger),”(Acts 6:15) they disregarded this. How hardened the human heart can be! 

3. Beginning of Stephen’s public defense

“The high priest said, “Are these things so?” And he said, “Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Leave your country and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you.’ Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living. But He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground, and yet, even when he had no child, He promised that He would give it to him as a possession, and to his descendants after him. But God spoke to this effect, that his descendants would be aliens in a foreign land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years. ‘And whatever nation to which they will be in bondage I Myself will judge,’ said God, ‘and after that they will come out and serve Me in this place.’ And He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.”(Acts 7:1-8)

When the high priest said, “Are these things so?”, these are false testimonies, of course not so. Stephen seized this opportunity to preach, concisely outlining the events recorded in the Old Testament. Let us now examine the opening portion. This concerns Abraham, who lived in Haran because of his father, as the scripture states: “Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans in order to enter the land of Canaan; and they went as far as Haran, and settled there.”(Genesis 11:31) We see Abraham as a man of great faith: “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.”(Hebrews 11:8)

Then it is said that Abraham had a strange dream: “Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions. As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age. Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.””(Genesis 15:12-16) Here we see that God is a God of mercy and grace, granting the Amorites at least four hundred years of opportunity. But they didn’t repent. The precise time of Israel’s exodus from Egypt is recorded: “And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, to the very day, all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.”(Exodus 12:41) From this we see that prophetic timelines often seem to indicate approximate periods.

When the Israelites entered the land of Canaan, God said this: ““When the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than you, and when the LORD your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them.”(Deuteronomy 7:1-2) This was “so that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so that you would sin against the LORD your God.”(Deuteronomy 20:18) Therefore, at the city of Jericho, “They utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.”(Joshua 6:21)

Some might ask: Does this include infants? What sin have infants committed? Isn’t this cruel? It may seem so, but it is not. Consider how many infants were born during those four hundred years, raised in such an environment, and ultimately became people who committed crimes and refused to repent. God is an all-knowing God who foresaw this outcome long ago. This is like when “…the LORD said to Moses, “Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.””(Exodus 17:14) This principle parallels the stubborn persistence of weeds that spring up again with the spring breeze. Sin must be utterly eradicated, just as God did with the Amalekites. Some might ask: even if Israel was commanded to kill all adults, why not spare the infants and give them a chance at life? At that time, the Amorites had reached the full measure of their sin. To ask Israel to carry the infants of others into battle—you decide for yourself if that is reasonable! Moreover, when the nest is destroyed, no egg remains intact. For the infants, this might have been the best choice.

Yet as we have stated, God is merciful and gracious. Consider Nineveh in the Book of Jonah: “When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.”(Jonah 3:10) This displeased Jonah, but “…the LORD said, “You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?””(Jonah 4:10-11) In fact, when the Israelites entered the land of Canaan, “…the LORD allowed those nations to remain, not driving them out quickly; and He did not give them into the hand of Joshua.”(Judges 2:23) It was not a complete annihilation.

4. Joseph’s trials and Jacob’s family’s journey to Egypt

““The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him, and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household. “Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it, and our fathers could find no food. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family was disclosed to Pharaoh. Then Joseph sent word and invited Jacob his father and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five persons in all. And Jacob went down to Egypt and there he and our fathers died. From there they were removed to Shechem and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.”(Acts 7:9-16) “Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian.”(Genesis 39:1-2) “It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?””(Genesis 39:7-9) We see God’s place in his heart.

The events described in this passage are detailed in the Book of Genesis. Please refer to the corresponding scripture passages yourself. Here, we will only discuss this passage. Because of Joseph’s master’s wife, “…Joseph’s master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined; and he was there in the jail. But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.”(Genesis 39:20-21) Notice he did not plead his own case, but fully entrusted himself to God until God worked to enable him to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. He declared, “Now as for the repeating of the dream to Pharaoh twice, it means that the matter is determined by God, and God will quickly bring it about.”(Genesis 41:32) “So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.””(Genesis 41:39-40) He truly trusted God completely, for when he interpreted the dreams, the events had not yet occurred. If they did not come to pass, he would lose his life. He placed his very life in God’s hands, proving himself a man of great faith—and this is what pleased God. The same God who existed in the Old Testament era also existed in the New Testament era, and thus remains the same in the New Testament era.

Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (1/4/26) topicwise Bible study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. Past articles referenced can be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, under ‘On spiritual understanding about life.’

    我们首先讲到亚拿尼亚夫妇因欺哄圣灵立刻仆倒而死，引出了以前圣灵是三位一体的神中一位的讨论，其中说到了为什么从神和人两者的角度来看，都正好是三。第二是说到因神迹奇事归主的人越发增添，点出神迹奇事的目的是要证明祂的恩道，我们要追求的是基督耶稣自己。第三讨论彼得和众使徒的被捕和主的使者领他们出监去宣道，及他们因顺服神而再被捕。 第四说到彼得和众使徒顺从神, 在公会前见证主的复活，也引用了以前两篇文章，其中详细讨论过相关顺服神的经文，和明说了要给犹太人一个回转的机会。最后要看的是迦玛列这个人，和他的建议及动机，以及其对彼得和众使徒的影响，强调看到「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」。          

1. 亚拿尼亚夫妇因欺哄圣灵立刻仆倒而死       

    「有一个人，名叫亚拿尼亚，同他的妻子撒非喇卖了田产，把价银私自留下几分，他的妻子也知道，其余的几分拿来放在使徒脚前。彼得说：「亚拿尼亚，为甚么撒但充满了你的心，叫你欺哄圣灵，把田地的价银私自留下几分呢？田地还没有卖，不是你自己的吗？既卖了，价银不是你作主吗？你怎么心里起这意念呢？你不是欺哄人，是欺哄神了！」亚拿尼亚听见这话，就仆倒，断了气。听见的人都甚惧怕。有些少年人起来，把他包裹，抬出去埋葬了。约过了三小时，他的妻子进来，还不知道这事。彼得对她说：「你告诉我，你们卖田地的价银就是这些吗？」 她说：「就是这些。」彼得说：「你们为甚么同心试探主的灵呢？埋葬你丈夫之人的脚已到门口，他们也要把你抬出去。」妇人立刻仆倒在彼得脚前，断了气。那些少年人进来，见她已经死了，就抬出去，埋在她丈夫旁边。全教会和听见这事的人都甚惧怕。」(使徒行传 5:1-11)     

    关于亚拿尼亚夫妇因欺哄圣灵立刻仆倒而死，经文将其过程写得很清楚，所以请自己看这些经文，就不多讲。以前在「3148 惩罚、救恩、逻辑、和三位一体真谛 – 创(3)14-24」中的「3. 神是三位一体的神的含意及圣经根据」，一开始就说，「耶和华(H3068, 单数)神(H430, 复数)这个辞重复的出现，因为神只有一位，所以是单数，而神又是三位，就是父神、耶稣基督、和圣灵，所以又是复数，也就是说父神是神，耶稣基督是神，圣灵也是神，这就是三位一体。」其中谈到了圣经的根据，关于圣灵是神，就是引用了这里的使徒行传 5:1-4。其中也说到了为什么从神和人两者的角度来看，都正好是三。圣经虽然没有明用三位一体这个辞，但绝对有这概念，详情请看这篇文章。   

    如果你看新约，会发觉除了亚拿尼亚夫妇因欺哄圣灵而死外，没有记录了一个人因欺哄三位一体的神中的圣灵而死。我们看到「全教会和听见这事的人都甚惧怕。」(使徒行传 5:11) 所以有人说，那时的教会的确有这需要，因惧怕而不敢欺哄圣灵。既然是只有这一次，是不是今日就可以欺哄圣灵呢？绝对不行。在新约圣经中，的确是因耶稣的上十字架而死，符合了神的公义要求，但这只给每个人一个得永生的机会，路还是要自己进窄门去走，到耶稣再来才会有白色大宝座前的审判。我们知道，「（看哪！我来像贼一样。那警醒、看守衣服、免得赤身而行叫人见他羞耻的有福了！）」(启示录 16:15) 不是祂迟延不来，而是因神是有怜悯有恩典的神，「他愿意万人得救，明白真道。」(提摩太前书 2:4) 所以给了我们更多的时间。  

2. 因神迹奇事归主的人越发增添    

    「主借使徒的手在民间行了许多神迹奇事。（他们都同心合意地在所罗门的廊下；其余的人没有一个敢贴近他们，百姓却尊重他们。信而归主的人越发增添，连男带女很多。）甚至有人将病人抬到街上，放在床上或褥子上，指望彼得过来的时候，或者得他的影儿照在甚么人身上。还有许多人带著病人和被污鬼缠磨的，从耶路撒冷四围的城邑来，全都得了医治。」(使徒行传 5:12-16)      

    我们看到许多人因使徒行神迹奇事，因而信而归主，可见神迹奇事的确是非常重要，所以「耶稣就对他(迦百农的大臣)说：「若不看见神迹奇事，你们总是不信。」」(约翰福音 4:48) 神迹奇事的确是开了信主的门，因为「我们既因信称义，就借著我们的主耶稣基督得与神相和。」(罗马书 5:1) 这只是称义而不是成义，是进了门而有了一个机会。     

    再看一节经文，「所以耶稣又对他们说：「我实实在在地告诉你们：我就是羊的门。凡在我以先来的，都是贼，是强盗，羊却不听他们。我就是门，凡从我进来的，必然得救，并且出入得草吃。盗贼来，无非要偷窃、杀害、毁坏；我来了，是要叫羊得生命，并且得的更丰盛。」(约翰福音 10:7-10) 我们分享过，这里只是说有草吃，如人因有自由意志而不肯吃给他的草，一定要吃下去才有用。所以因看到神迹奇事而入对了门是好的，但不祇是进门而已，耶稣说得很清楚，「你们要进窄门。因为引到灭亡，那门是宽的，路是大的，进去的人也多；引到永生，那门是窄的，路是小的，找著的人也少。」(马太福音 7:13-14)

    圣经常会用不同的方式去叙述同一件事情，这里说的窄门，就是以前在「3161 进神国, 少年官, 耶稣的左右, 服事人和医瞎子 – 可(10)13-52」中的「1. 要回转像小孩子才能进神国」所讲的，那篇文章说到「那小孩是全部依赖父母的年龄，就像基督徒应该谦卑的，全部事情都仰望三位一体的神，顺服神，不要靠自己，「…知道在我里头，就是我肉体之中，没有良善。因为立志为善由得我，只是行出来由不得我。」(罗马书 7:18)」一个人如果能「让圣灵带领查经」，会让他意识到「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」。   

    我们从这些经文中又看到我们以前所讨论过的，彼得的确是领头的。在使徒行传 4:29-30 的祷告，基本上是有三样，这里很清楚的看到有胆量去宣道和有神迹奇事，关于医治疾病的祷告，也是真实的，因这里说，全都得了医治，难怪病人指望彼得会过来。但请注意，这里并没有像有人相信的，说是彼得的影儿可以治病。       

    不要忘记，神迹奇事的目的是要证明他的恩道，如这节经文所说，「二人(保罗和巴拿巴)在那里(以哥念)住了多日，倚靠主放胆讲道，主借他们的手施行神迹奇事，证明他的恩道。」(使徒行传 14:3) 不要因为不是常见神迹奇事后就不能相信了，不要本末倒置，我们要追求的是基督耶稣自己。所以保罗会说，「弟兄们，我不是以为自己已经得著了，我只有一件事，就是忘记背后，努力面前的，向著标竿直跑，要得神在基督耶稣里从上面召我来得的奖赏。」(腓立比书 3:13-14) 他当然不会以为自己已得著一切，因他知道神是无限，而人是有限，神随时随地可开我们的眼睛，让我们看到更多。难怪他会向著标竿直跑，也会说，「若有人以为自己知道甚么，按他所当知道的，他仍是不知道。」(哥林多前书 8:2) 记得，信主以后不是没有苦难，而是「…在世上你们有苦难，但你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界。」(约翰福音 16:33)

3. 彼得和众使徒的被捕，及主的使者领他们出监去宣道和再被捕     

    「大祭司和他的一切同人，就是撒都该教门的人，都起来，满心忌恨，就下手拿住使徒，收在外监。但主的使者夜间开了监门，领他们出来，说：「你们去站在殿里，把这生命的道都讲给百姓听。」使徒听了这话，天将亮的时候就进殿里去教训人。 大祭司和他的同人来了，叫齐公会的人和以色列族的众长老，就差人到监里去，要把使徒提出来。但差役到了，不见他们在监里，就回来禀报说：「我们看见监牢关得极妥当，看守的人也站在门外，及至开了门，里面一个人都不见！」守殿官和祭司长听见这话，心里犯难，不知这事将来如何。有一个人来禀报说：「你们收在监里的人，现在站在殿里教训百姓。」于是守殿官和差役去带使徒来，并没有用强暴，因为怕百姓用石头打他们。」(使徒行传 5:17-26)       

    如经文所说，公会因忌恨而逮捕了使徒，这里的使徒是指彼得和众使徒，因为经文是说，「彼得和众使徒回答说：「顺从神，不顺从人，是应当的！」(使徒行传 5:29) 但主的使者夜间开监释放了他们，并告诉他们去宣道。公会差人到监里要提出使徒时，却发觉他们不在监里而在宣道，可见主的使者是大有能力的，可以开监释放他们而人却不知。因为使徒是在宣道，就再次的逮捕了他们，说是这次没有用强暴，暗指以前用过，其实他们跟本不必用强暴，基督徒在顺服神的情况下是不会暴力反抗的。过程在经文中写得很清楚，请自己去看这过程就可以知道了。

4. 彼得和众使徒顺从神, 在公会前见证主的复活       

    「带到了，便叫使徒站在公会前。大祭司问他们说：「我们不是严严地禁止你们，不可奉这名教训人吗？你们倒把你们的道理充满了耶路撒冷，想要叫这人的血归到我们身上。」彼得和众使徒回答说：「顺从神，不顺从人，是应当的！你们挂在木头上杀害的耶稣，我们祖宗的神已经叫他复活。神且用右手将他高举，叫他作君王、作救主，将悔改的心和赦罪的恩赐给以色列人。我们为这事作见证，神赐给顺从之人的圣灵也为这事作见证。」」(使徒行传 5:27-32)    

    公会的确是严严地禁止你他们过如经文所说，「官长为百姓的缘故，想不出法子刑罚他们，又恐吓一番，把他们释放了。…」(使徒行传 4:21) 在上周「3172 彼得及约翰被捕和释放，别无拯救和被圣灵充满 – 徒(4)1-37」中的「1. 彼得和约翰的被捕及信的男丁数目约到五千」，彼得和约翰是因见证耶稣复活而被捕，这次彼得和众使徒也是如此。在「3172」中的「3. 公会因无话可驳和因百姓就释放了他们」，他们的回应和这次基本上是相同的，都是说要顺服神，我们那时已详细的讨论过他们的回应，这次就不重复讨论了，请找到那篇文章。     

    这里我们提到了，「神且用右手将他(耶稣)高举，叫他作君王、作救主，将悔改的心和赦罪的恩赐给以色列人。」(使徒行传 5:31) 在「3171 彼得医治瘸腿, 见证要信耶稣，及进窄门 – 徒(3)1-26」中的「3. 彼得见证要信耶稣，因而我们需要走窄门」，其中说的，「神既兴起他的仆人，就先差他到你们这里来，赐福给你们，叫你们各人回转，离开罪恶。」(使徒行传 3:26) 这里的意思不是基本上和刚才说的使徒行传 5:31 相同吗？就是明说要给犹太人一个回转的机会。我们在那已详细的讨论过这话题，就不重复了，请找到那篇文章。

5. 迦玛列这个人和他的建议及动机       

    「公会的人听见就极其恼怒，想要杀他们。但有一个法利赛人，名叫迦玛列，是众百姓所敬重的教法师，在公会中站起来，吩咐人把使徒暂且带到外面去，就对众人说：「以色列人哪，论到这些人，你们应当小心怎样办理。从前丢大起来，自夸为大，附从他的人约有四百；他被杀后，附从他的全都散了，归于无有。此后，报名上册的时候，又有加利利的犹大起来，引诱些百姓跟从他；他也灭亡，附从他的人也都四散了。现在，我劝你们不要管这些人，任凭他们吧！他们所谋的、所行的，若是出于人，必要败坏；若是出于神，你们就不能败坏他们，恐怕你们倒是攻击神了。」公会的人听从了他，便叫使徒来，把他们打了，又吩咐他们不可奉耶稣的名讲道，就把他们释放了。他们离开公会，心里欢喜，因被算是配为这名受辱。他们就每日在殿里、在家里不住地教训人，传耶稣是基督。」(使徒行传 5:33-42)        

    迦玛列这名字只在新约中出现两次，另一次是在这经文，「保罗说：「我原是犹太人，生在基利家的大数，长在这城里，在迦玛列门下，按著我们祖宗严紧的律法受教，热心事奉神，像你们众人今日一样。」」(使徒行传 22:3) 所以我们知道保罗原在他的门下，很显然的，他没有完全看懂旧约，最后是如保罗所说的，「因为我不是从人领受的，也不是人教导我的，乃是从耶稣基督启示来的。」(加拉太书 1:12) 他的建议和动机在经文中写得很清楚，他的确是众百姓所敬重的教法师，公会的人原先想要杀他们，但他的建议被采纳了，因此祗是把他们打了，并警告他们不能再宣道，就释放了他们。     

    他们反而心里欢喜，因被算是配为这名受辱，这就彰显了保罗所说的，「要常常喜乐。」(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:16) 他说得很清楚他力量的来源，「你们要靠主常常喜乐！我再说，你们要喜乐！」(腓立比书 4:4) 他不只是说说而已，而是自己力行，所以他能在监狱中的「约在半夜，保罗和西拉祷告唱诗赞美神，众囚犯也侧耳而听。」(使徒行传 16:25)    

    然后是利用每日机会传耶稣是基督，这就是保罗所说的，「务要传道！无论得时不得时，总要专心，并用百般的忍耐，各样的教训，责备人，警戒人，劝勉人。」(提摩太后书 4:2) 因为「…信道是从听道来的，听道是从基督的话来的。」(罗马书 10:17) 自己的生命相当成熟，才能有百般的忍耐。这也是大使命所说的，「所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，给他们施洗，归于父、子、圣灵的名。」(马太福音 28:19, 和合本中的另译) 只有以身作则才能使万民作耶稣的门徒。人有自由意志，如果自己没有生命而强迫人信主，这是做不到的，有时甚至会造成反感，所以不是保罗要我们把他，务要传道的话当律法来守，要守的是它的真谛。这就像耶稣的榜样一样，祂守的是安息日的真谛，而不是律法上的时间。    

    最后要提的是，和合本对大使命的翻译为，「所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗。」(马太福音 28:19) 但「彼得说：「你们各人要悔改，奉耶稣基督的名受洗，叫你们的罪得赦，就必领受所赐的圣灵。」(使徒行传 2:38) 所以另译是对的。有人说这不重要，那么这人就不会在这一点上看到，「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」。

    请注意，这文章是基于周日(12/21/25)的专题查经，经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本，所引用过去的文章，在我们的网站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『对属灵生命的了解』，就可以找到。

          我們首先講到亞拿尼亞夫婦因欺哄聖靈立刻仆倒而死，引出了以前聖靈是三位一體的神中一位的討論，其中說到了為什麼從神和人兩者的角度來看，都正好是三。第二是說到因神蹟奇事歸主的人越發增添，點出神蹟奇事的目的是要證明祂的恩道，我們要追求的是基督耶穌自己。第三討論彼得和衆使徒的被捕和主的使者領他們出監去宣道，及他們因順服神而再被捕。 第四說到彼得和眾使徒順從神, 在公會前見證主的復活，也引用了以前兩篇文章，其中詳細討論過相關順服神的經文，和明說了要給猶太人一個回轉的機會。最後要看的是迦瑪列這個人，和他的建議及動機，以及其對彼得和眾使徒的影響，強調看到「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」。

1. 亞拿尼亞夫婦因欺哄聖靈立刻仆倒而死

       「有一個人，名叫亞拿尼亞，同他的妻子撒非喇賣了田產，把價銀私自留下幾分，他的妻子也知道，其餘的幾分拿來放在使徒腳前。彼得說：「亞拿尼亞，為甚麼撒但充滿了你的心，叫你欺哄聖靈，把田地的價銀私自留下幾分呢？田地還沒有賣，不是你自己的嗎？既賣了，價銀不是你作主嗎？你怎麼心裏起這意念呢？你不是欺哄人，是欺哄神了！」亞拿尼亞聽見這話，就仆倒，斷了氣。聽見的人都甚懼怕。有些少年人起來，把他包裹，抬出去埋葬了。約過了三小時，他的妻子進來，還不知道這事。彼得對她說：「你告訴我，你們賣田地的價銀就是這些嗎？」 她說：「就是這些。」彼得說：「你們為甚麼同心試探主的靈呢？埋葬你丈夫之人的腳已到門口，他們也要把你抬出去。」婦人立刻仆倒在彼得腳前，斷了氣。那些少年人進來，見她已經死了，就抬出去，埋在她丈夫旁邊。全教會和聽見這事的人都甚懼怕。」(使徒行傳 5:1-11)

     關於亞拿尼亞夫婦因欺哄聖靈立刻仆倒而死，經文將其過程寫得很清楚，所以請自己看這些經文，就不多講。以前在「2148 懲罰、救恩、邏輯、和三位一體真諦 – 創(3)14-24」中的「3. 神是三位一體的神的含意及聖經根據」，一開始就說，「耶和華(H3068, 單數)神(H430, 複數)這個辭重複的出現，因為神只有一位，所以是單數，而神又是三位，就是父神、耶穌基督、和聖靈，所以又是複數，也就是說父神是神，耶穌基督是神，聖靈也是神，這就是三位一體。」其中談到了聖經的根據，關於聖靈是神，就是引用了這裡的使徒行傳 5:1-4。其中也說到了為什麼從神和人兩者的角度來看，都正好是三。聖經雖然沒有明用三位一體這個辭，但絕對有這概念，詳情請看這篇文章。

     如果你看新約，會發覺除了亞拿尼亞夫婦因欺哄聖靈而死外，沒有記錄了一個人因欺哄三位一體的神中的聖靈而死。我們看到「全教會和聽見這事的人都甚懼怕。」(使徒行傳 5:11) 所以有人說，那時的教會的確有這需要，因懼怕而不敢欺哄聖靈。既然是衹有這一次，是不是今日就可以欺哄聖靈呢？絕對不行。在新約聖經中，的確是因耶穌的上十字架而死，符合了神的公義要求，但這衹給每個人一個得永生的機會，路還是要自己進窄門去走，到耶穌再來才會有白色大寶座前的審判。我們知道，「（看哪！我來像賊一樣。那警醒、看守衣服、免得赤身而行叫人見他羞恥的有福了！）」(啓示錄 16:15) 不是祂遲延不來，而是因神是有憐憫有恩典的神，「他願意萬人得救，明白真道。」(提摩太前書 2:4) 所以給了我們更多的時間。

2. 因神蹟奇事歸主的人越發增添

       「主藉使徒的手在民間行了許多神蹟奇事。（他們都同心合意地在所羅門的廊下；其餘的人沒有一個敢貼近他們，百姓卻尊重他們。信而歸主的人越發增添，連男帶女很多。）甚至有人將病人抬到街上，放在牀上或褥子上，指望彼得過來的時候，或者得他的影兒照在甚麼人身上。還有許多人帶着病人和被污鬼纏磨的，從耶路撒冷四圍的城邑來，全都得了醫治。」(使徒行傳 5:12-16)

       我們看到許多人因使徒行神蹟奇事，因而信而歸主，可見神蹟奇事的確是非常重要，所以「耶穌就對他(迦百農的大臣)說：「若不看見神蹟奇事，你們總是不信。」」(約翰福音 4:48) 神蹟奇事的確是開了信主的門，因為「我們既因信稱義，就藉着我們的主耶穌基督得與神相和。」(羅馬書 5:1) 這衹是稱義而不是成義，是進了門而有了一個機會。

     再看一節經文，「所以耶穌又對他們說：「我實實在在地告訴你們：我就是羊的門。凡在我以先來的，都是賊，是強盜，羊卻不聽他們。我就是門，凡從我進來的，必然得救，並且出入得草吃。盜賊來，無非要偷竊、殺害、毀壞；我來了，是要叫羊得生命，並且得的更豐盛。」(約翰福音 10:7-10) 我們分享過，這裡衹是說有草吃，如人因有自由意志而不肯吃給他的草，一定要吃下去才有用。所以因看到神蹟奇事而入對了門是好的，但不祇是進門而已，耶穌說得很清楚，「你們要進窄門。因為引到滅亡，那門是寬的，路是大的，進去的人也多；引到永生，那門是窄的，路是小的，找着的人也少。」(馬太福音 7:13-14) 

     聖經常會用不同的方式去敍述同一件事情，這裡說的窄門，就是以前在「2161 進神國, 少年官, 耶穌的左右, 服事人和醫瞎子 – 可(10)13-52」中的「1. 要回轉像小孩子才能進神國」所講的，那篇文章說到「那小孩是全部依賴父母的年齡，就像基督徒應該謙卑的，全部事情都仰望三位一體的神，順服神，不要靠自己，「…知道在我裏頭，就是我肉體之中，沒有良善。因為立志為善由得我，只是行出來由不得我。」(羅馬書 7:18)」一個人如果能「讓聖靈帶領查經」，會讓他意識到「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」。

        我們從這些經文中又看到我們以前所討論過的，彼得的確是領頭的。在使徒行傳 4:29-30 的禱告，基本上是有三樣，這裡很清楚的看到有膽量去宣道和有神蹟奇事，關於醫治疾病的禱告，也是真實的，因這裡說，全都得了醫治，難怪病人指望彼得會過來。但請注意，這裡並沒有像有人相信的，說是彼得的影兒可以治病。 

       不要忘記，神蹟奇事的目的是要證明他的恩道，如這節經文所說，「二人(保羅和巴拿巴)在那裏(以哥念)住了多日，倚靠主放膽講道，主藉他們的手施行神蹟奇事，證明他的恩道。」(使徒行傳 14:3) 不要因為不是常見神蹟奇事後就不能相信了，不要本末倒置，我們要追求的是基督耶穌自己。所以保羅會說，「弟兄們，我不是以為自己已經得着了，我只有一件事，就是忘記背後，努力面前的，向着標竿直跑，要得神在基督耶穌裏從上面召我來得的獎賞。」(腓立比書 3:13-14) 他當然不會以為自己已得著一切，因他知道神是無限，而人是有限，神隨時隨地可開我們的眼睛，讓我們看到更多。難怪他會向着標竿直跑，也會說，「若有人以為自己知道甚麼，按他所當知道的，他仍是不知道。」(哥林多前書 8:2) 記得，信主以後不是沒有苦難，而是「…在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。」(約翰福音 16:33)

3. 彼得和衆使徒的被捕，及主的使者領他們出監去宣道和再被捕 

       「大祭司和他的一切同人，就是撒都該教門的人，都起來，滿心忌恨，就下手拿住使徒，收在外監。但主的使者夜間開了監門，領他們出來，說：「你們去站在殿裏，把這生命的道都講給百姓聽。」使徒聽了這話，天將亮的時候就進殿裏去教訓人。 大祭司和他的同人來了，叫齊公會的人和以色列族的眾長老，就差人到監裏去，要把使徒提出來。但差役到了，不見他們在監裏，就回來稟報說：「我們看見監牢關得極妥當，看守的人也站在門外，及至開了門，裏面一個人都不見！」守殿官和祭司長聽見這話，心裏犯難，不知這事將來如何。有一個人來稟報說：「你們收在監裏的人，現在站在殿裏教訓百姓。」於是守殿官和差役去帶使徒來，並沒有用強暴，因為怕百姓用石頭打他們。」(使徒行傳 5:17-26)

       如經文所說，公會因忌恨而逮捕了使徒，這裡的使徒是指彼得和衆使徒，因為經文是說，「彼得和眾使徒回答說：「順從神，不順從人，是應當的！」(使徒行傳 5:29) 但主的使者夜間開監釋放了他們，並告訴他們去宣道。公會差人到監裏要提出使徒時，卻發覺他們不在監裏而在宣道，可見主的使者是大有能力的，可以開監釋放他們而人卻不知。因為使徒是在宣道，就再次的逮捕了他們，說是這次沒有用強暴，暗指以前用過，其實他們跟本不必用强暴，基督徒在順服神的情況下是不會暴力反抗的。過程在經文中寫得很清楚，請自己去看這過程就可以知道了。

4. 彼得和眾使徒順從神, 在公會前見證主的復活

       「帶到了，便叫使徒站在公會前。大祭司問他們說：「我們不是嚴嚴地禁止你們，不可奉這名教訓人嗎？你們倒把你們的道理充滿了耶路撒冷，想要叫這人的血歸到我們身上。」彼得和眾使徒回答說：「順從神，不順從人，是應當的！你們掛在木頭上殺害的耶穌，我們祖宗的神已經叫他復活。神且用右手將他高舉，叫他作君王、作救主，將悔改的心和赦罪的恩賜給以色列人。我們為這事作見證，神賜給順從之人的聖靈也為這事作見證。」」(使徒行傳 5:27-32)

    公會的確是嚴嚴地禁止你他們過如經文所說，「官長為百姓的緣故，想不出法子刑罰他們，又恐嚇一番，把他們釋放了。…」(使徒行傳 4:21) 在上週「2172 彼得及約翰被捕和釋放，別無拯救和被聖靈充滿 – 徒(4)1-37」中的「1. 彼得和約翰的被捕及信的男丁數目約到五千」，彼得和約翰是因見証耶穌復活而被捕，這次彼得和眾使徒也是如此。在「2172」中的「3. 公會因無話可駁和因百姓就釋放了他們」，他們的回應和這次基本上是相同的，都是說要順服神，我們那時已詳細的討論過他們的回應，這次就不重複討論了，請找到那篇文章。

     這裡我們提到了，「神且用右手將他(耶穌)高舉，叫他作君王、作救主，將悔改的心和赦罪的恩賜給以色列人。」(使徒行傳 5:31) 在「2171 彼得醫治瘸腿, 見證要信耶穌，及進窄門 – 徒(3)1-26」中的「3. 彼得見證要信耶穌，因而我們需要走窄門」，其中說的，「神既興起他的僕人，就先差他到你們這裏來，賜福給你們，叫你們各人回轉，離開罪惡。」(使徒行傳 3:26) 這裡的意思不是基本上和剛才說的使徒行傳 5:31 相同嗎？就是明說要給猶太人一個回轉的機會。我們在那已詳細的討論過這話題，就不重複了，請找到那篇文章。 

5. 迦瑪列這個人和他的建議及動機

       「公會的人聽見就極其惱怒，想要殺他們。但有一個法利賽人，名叫迦瑪列，是眾百姓所敬重的教法師，在公會中站起來，吩咐人把使徒暫且帶到外面去，就對眾人說：「以色列人哪，論到這些人，你們應當小心怎樣辦理。從前丟大起來，自誇為大，附從他的人約有四百；他被殺後，附從他的全都散了，歸於無有。此後，報名上冊的時候，又有加利利的猶大起來，引誘些百姓跟從他；他也滅亡，附從他的人也都四散了。現在，我勸你們不要管這些人，任憑他們吧！他們所謀的、所行的，若是出於人，必要敗壞；若是出於神，你們就不能敗壞他們，恐怕你們倒是攻擊神了。」公會的人聽從了他，便叫使徒來，把他們打了，又吩咐他們不可奉耶穌的名講道，就把他們釋放了。他們離開公會，心裏歡喜，因被算是配為這名受辱。他們就每日在殿裏、在家裏不住地教訓人，傳耶穌是基督。」(使徒行傳 5:33-42)

        迦瑪列這名字衹在新約中出現兩次，另一次是在這經文，「保羅說：「我原是猶太人，生在基利家的大數，長在這城裏，在迦瑪列門下，按着我們祖宗嚴緊的律法受教，熱心事奉神，像你們眾人今日一樣。」」(使徒行傳 22:3) 所以我們知道保羅原在他的門下，很顯然的，他沒有完全看懂舊約，最後是如保羅所說的，「因為我不是從人領受的，也不是人教導我的，乃是從耶穌基督啓示來的。」(加拉太書 1:12) 他的建議和動機在經文中寫得很清楚，他的確是眾百姓所敬重的教法師，公會的人原先想要殺他們，但他的建議被採納了，因此祗是把他們打了，並警告他們不能再宣道，就釋放了他們。

     他們反而心裏歡喜，因被算是配為這名受辱，這就彰顯了保羅所說的，「要常常喜樂。」(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16) 他說得很清楚他力量的來源，「你們要靠主常常喜樂！我再說，你們要喜樂！」(腓立比書 4:4) 他不衹是說說而已，而是自己力行，所以他能在監獄中的「約在半夜，保羅和西拉禱告唱詩讚美神，眾囚犯也側耳而聽。」(使徒行傳 16:25)

     然後是利用每日機會傳耶穌是基督，這就是保羅所說的，「務要傳道！無論得時不得時，總要專心，並用百般的忍耐，各樣的教訓，責備人，警戒人，勸勉人。」(提摩太後書 4:2) 因為「…信道是從聽道來的，聽道是從基督的話來的。」(羅馬書 10:17) 自己的生命相當成熟，才能有百般的忍耐。這也是大使命所說的，「所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，給他們施洗，歸於父、子、聖靈的名。」(馬太福音 28:19, 和合本中的另譯) 衹有以身作則才能使萬民作耶穌的門徒。人有自由意志，如果自己沒有生命而强迫人信主，這是做不到的，有時甚至會造成反感，所以不是保羅要我們把他，務要傳道的話當律法來守，要守的是它的真諦。這就像耶穌的榜樣一樣，祂守的是安息日的真諦，而不是律法上的時間。

    最後要提的是，和合本對大使命的翻譯為，「所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗。」(馬太福音 28:19) 但「彼得說：「你們各人要悔改，奉耶穌基督的名受洗，叫你們的罪得赦，就必領受所賜的聖靈。」(使徒行傳 2:38) 所以另譯是對的。有人說這不重要，那麼這人就不會在這一點上看到，「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」。

          請注意，這文章是基於週日(12/21/25)的專題查經，經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本，所引用過去的文章，在我們的網站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，就可以找到。

We first discussed how Ananias and his wife fell dead immediately for deceiving the Holy Spirit, which led to an earlier discussion about the Holy Spirit being one of the three persons of the Trinity. This discussion addressed why, from both God’s and humanity’s perspectives, the number three is precisely fitting. Second, we discussed how the number of those who believed in the Lord increased through signs (miracles) and wonders, emphasizing that miracles serve to testify to the word of His grace—our pursuit should be Christ Jesus Himself. Third, we examined the arrest of Peter and the apostles, the Lord leading them out of prison to preach, and their subsequent re-arrest due to obedience to God. The fourth part addresses Peter and the apostles’ obedience to God in testifying to the Lord’s resurrection before the Sanhedrin. It references two previous articles that thoroughly examined scriptures on obedience to God and explicitly stated the need to give the Jews an opportunity to repent. Finally, we examine the figure of Gamaliel, his counsel and motives, and his influence on Peter and the apostles, emphasizing that “what God tells us through Bible is consistent.”

1. Ananias and Sapphira immediately fell dead for deceiving the Holy Spirit

“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him. Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.”(Acts 5:1-11)

Regarding Ananias and Sapphira’s immediate death after deceiving the Holy Spirit, the scripture details the process clearly. Please read these verses yourself; I won’t elaborate further. Previously, in “1148 Punishment, Salvation, Logic, and the Truth of the Trinity – Genesis(3)14-24,” under “3. The meaning of God being a Trinity and its biblical basis,” it was stated at the outset: “The word ‘LORD (H3068, singular) God (H430, plural)’ appears repeatedly because there is only one God, so it is singular, and God is three, namely, God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, so it is plural, that is, God the Father is God, Jesus Christ is God, and the Holy Spirit is also God, this is the Trinity.” It discusses the biblical basis for the Holy Spirit being God, citing Acts 5:1-4. It also explains why, from both God’s and humanity’s perspectives, the number three is precisely appropriate. Though the Bible does not explicitly use the term “Trinity,” it absolutely contains this concept. For details, please refer to this article.

If you examine the New Testament, you will find that apart from Ananias and Sapphira, who died for deceiving the Holy Spirit, there is no record of anyone else dying for deceiving the Holy Spirit who is within the Triune God. We see that “And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.”(Acts 5:11) Some interpret this to mean that the early church genuinely needed such fear to deter deceiving the Holy Spirit. Since this occurred only once, does that imply it is permissible today? Absolutely not. In the New Testament, it is true that Jesus’ death on the cross fulfilled God’s righteous demands, but this merely provides each person with an opportunity for eternal life. The path must still be walked through the narrow gate, and the judgment before the great white throne will only occur when Jesus returns. We know, “(“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”)”(Revelation 16:15) It is not that He delays His coming, but because God is a God of mercy and grace, “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”(1 Timothy 2:4) Therefore, He has given us more time until that unknown day.

2. More and more people are turning to the Lord through signs and wonders

“At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.”(Acts 5:12-16)

We see that many believed and turned to the Lord because of the miracles (signs) and wonders performed by the apostles. This shows that miracles and wonders are indeed very important. Therefore, “So Jesus said to him (a royal official at Capernaum), “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.””(John 4:48) Miracles and wonders truly open the door to faith, for “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”(Romans 5:1) This is justification, not sanctification—it is entering the door and gaining an opportunity.

Consider another passage: “So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”(John 10:7-10) We have shared that this passage only mentions having grass to eat. If a person, because of free will, refuses to eat the grass given to him, it is useless unless he actually eats it. Therefore, entering the right gate because of seeing miracles and wonders is good, but it is not enough to merely enter. Jesus made it very clear: ““Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”(Matthew 7:13-14) 

Scripture often describes the same truth in different ways. The narrow gate mentioned here corresponds to what was discussed in “1161 Kingdom of God, young ruler, sitting, serving, and healing – Mark(10)13-52” under “1. One must become like a little child to enter the Kingdom of God.” That article explained, “Therefore, the child is at an age when he or she is completely dependent on his or her parents, just as Christians should be humble, looking to the Triune God for all things, obeying Him, and not relying on themselves. “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.”(Romans 7:18)” If one allows the Holy Spirit to lead Bible study, it will make them realize “what God tells us through Bible is consistent.”

From these passages, we again see what we discussed earlier: Peter truly took the lead. The prayer in Acts 4:29-30 essentially asks for three things: boldness to preach and signs and wonders. The prayer for healing the sick was also genuine, for it says here that all were healed. No wonder the sick hoped Peter would come. But note that there is no mention here, as some believe, of Peter’s shadow being able to heal. 

Do not forget that the purpose of miracles and wonders is to testify to the word of His grace, as this verse states: “Therefore they (Paul and Barnabas) spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.”(Acts 14:3) Do not lose faith simply because you do not often witness miracles and wonders. Do not put the cart before the horse. What we pursue is Christ Jesus Himself. That is why Paul declared, “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 3:13-14) He certainly did not consider himself to have attained everything, for he knew that God is infinite while man is finite. God can open our eyes at any time to reveal more to us. No wonder he pressed on toward the goal, declaring, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.”(1 Corinthians 8:2) Remember, after believing in the Lord, suffering does not cease. Rather, “…In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33)

3. The arrest of Peter and the Apostles, and the Lord leading them out of prison to preach and their subsequent arrest 

“But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.” Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought. But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.” Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).”(Acts 5:17-26)

As the scripture states, the council arrested the apostles out of envy. Here, the apostles refer to Peter and the other apostles, for the text says, “But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.””(Acts 5:29) But the Lord’s angel opened the prison doors by night and set them free, instructing them to go and preach. When the council sent men to the prison to bring the apostles before them, they found them absent—preaching instead. This demonstrates the mighty power of the Lord’s angel, who could open the prison doors and set them free without human awareness. Since the apostles were preaching, they were arrested again. The text notes that this time they used no violence, implying previous use of force. Yet violence was unnecessary; Christians, in obedience to God, would not resist violently. The process is clearly recorded in Scripture; please read it for yourself to understand.

4. Peter and the apostles obey God, testifying to the Lord’s resurrection before the Sanhedrin

“When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.””(Acts 5:27-32)

The council did indeed forbid them strictly, as the scripture says, “When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened.”(Acts 4:21) In last week’s “1172 Arrest of Peter and John, no other salvation, and filled with Spirit – Acts(4)1-37,” under “1. The arrest of Peter and John and the number of believers about five thousand in this event,” Peter and John were arrested for testifying about Jesus’ resurrection. This time, Peter and the other apostles faced the same situation. In “1172,” under “3. The council found no fault in them and released them because of the people,” their response was essentially the same as this time—both times they said they must obey God. We discussed their response in detail then and will not repeat it here. Please refer to that article. 

Here we note, “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:31) In “1171 Peter heals lame, testifies to faith in Jesus, and thus entering narrow gate – Acts(3)1-26” under “3. Peter testifies we must believe in Jesus, and thus we must enter through the narrow gate,” it states: “For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”(Acts 3:26) Doesn’t this essentially convey the same meaning as Acts 5:31 mentioned earlier? It explicitly offers the Jews an opportunity to turn back. We have already discussed this topic in detail there, so we won’t repeat it here. Please refer to that article.

5. The man Gamaliel and His Advice and Motives

“But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.” 

They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”(Acts 5:33-42)

The name Gamaliel appears only twice in the New Testament, the other instance being in this passage: “I (Paul) am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.”(Acts 22:3) Thus we know Paul was originally his disciple. Evidently, he did not fully comprehend the Old Testament. Ultimately, as Paul stated, “For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”(Galatians 1:12) His counsel and motives are clearly recorded in Scripture. He was indeed a teacher of the Law respected by all the people. The council originally intended to kill them, but his advice was accepted. Therefore, they were merely beaten and warned not to preach again before being released.

Instead, they rejoiced in their hearts, considering it an honor to suffer for the name. This demonstrated what Paul said: “Rejoice always.”(1 Thessalonians 5:16) He made clear the source of his strength: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”(Philippians 4:4) He did not merely speak these words but lived them out himself. Thus, even in prison, “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”(Acts 16:25)

Then the church seized every daily opportunity to proclaim Jesus as the Christ. This is what Paul meant when he said, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”(2 Timothy 4:2) “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”(Romans 10:17) Only when one’s own life is sufficiently matured can one possess all patience. This is also what the Great Commission states: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them to belong to the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19, alternative translation in the Chinese Union Version) Only by setting an example can we make disciples of all nations. People have free will; if we lack spiritual life ourselves yet force others to believe, it is impossible—sometimes even causing resentment. Therefore, Paul does not want us to treat his command to preach the gospel as a Law to be kept; rather, we must uphold its true essence. This mirrors Jesus’ example: He observed the true essence of the Sabbath, not its legalistic timing.

Finally, note that the Chinese Union Version and the English version used here translate the Great Commission as: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”(Matthew 28:19) But Peter said clearly, “…Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”(Acts 2:38) A person is to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the alternative translation is correct. Some may say this is unimportant, but such individuals will fail to recognize that “what God tells us through Bible is consistent.”

Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (12/21/25) topicwise Bible study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. Past articles referenced can be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, under ‘On spiritual understanding about life.’

We first discussed the arrest of Peter and John, and how Peter’s preaching led to about five thousand men being added to the number of believers. Before that, we examined a sermon I happened to hear today, which revealed a misconception. This pastor, like many others, may not have sufficiently trusted the Scriptures, thereby misleading the congregation. Second, we address the truth that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ, who Himself is the cornerstone. Third, we mention how the Sanhedrin, finding no fault in them and seeing the people’s reaction, released them. Their clear response—that they must obey God rather than men—leads us to revisit a previous discussion, which includes a practical method for accurately interpreting Scripture whenever possible. Fourth, we examining an account of answered prayer. We can see the difference between the indwelling Holy Spirit and being filled with the Holy Spirit, citing New Testament examples of being filled. It emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is one person of the Triune God with absolute sovereignty, and there were people filled with the Holy Spirit before His descent in Pentecost. We also observed how the New Testament uses three distinct Greek terms to describe instances of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Finally, it mentions the Jerusalem church’s practice of sharing all things in common and why Barnabas was called the son of encouragement.

1. The arrest of Peter and John and the number of believers about five thousand in this event

Before delving into this subtopic, let us first discuss a sermon I happened to hear today, which highlighted a misconception. This indicates that the pastor, like many others, may not fully trust the words of Scripture, thereby misleading the congregation. Essentially, the pastor asked the congregation whether the Holy Spirit—one of the three persons of the Godhead—was present at every gathering. This reveals insufficient faith in Scripture, for the Bible clearly states, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”(Matthew 18:20) We know that “…He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God.”(Hebrews 10:12) And “…in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.”(Ephesians 1:20) Today, Jesus Christ is in heaven and is present with us through the Holy Spirit. Their gatherings are held in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is certainly present among them.

Another passage makes this truth even clearer: consider the matters concerning the church in Laodicea mentioned in the Book of Revelation (cf. Revelation 3:14-22). We know the Laodicean church shut Jesus out, for Scripture plainly states, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; …”(Revelation 3:20). Yet God is a God of grace and mercy. If only they would repent and open their hearts, He promises, “…if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”(Revelation 3:20) He does not merely sit at the table; He also promises to work, which is why He says, “He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”(Revelation 3:21) It does not specify when this work will occur, for the Holy Spirit holds absolute sovereignty. He chooses the best time to work, but He will certainly work.

Therefore, what we should teach is to believe the words of Scripture, truly knowing that the Holy Spirit is always present with us in the gathering. There is no need to question whether He is present. Thus, it is not merely a matter of verbal belief, but of faith in action. What we should ask and pray for is that He work every time when He is present. We must believe He will work—it is only a matter of time—and we must act in faith, knowing that sometimes we must indeed wait in faith. This is the correct perspective.

We must also mention the final words spoken to the church in Laodicea: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”(Revelation 3:22). This is a scripture addressed to all seven churches in the Book of Revelation. We know the Holy Spirit speaks sometimes directly, as when Paul was struck by a bright light (see Acts 9:3-7), and sometimes indirectly through others’ words, as when Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke (see Acts 4:8-12). We must have ears to hear.

Now let us return to the beginning of the Book of Acts, chapter 4: “As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?””(Acts 4:1-7)

Peter and John were arrested because they spoke a truth that was indeed as Jesus had said: “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”(Acts 1:8) After the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost, they gained the power to testify for Jesus, leading to about five thousand believers. The Bible does not record how they knew about five thousand had believed, for some who claimed to believe insisted they could avoid baptism when it was offered, refused to obey the Great Commission, and thus would not even listen to Jesus’ words—they were not truly believers. In contrast, Peter’s previous sermon led to “…those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.”(Acts 2:41) The Bible explicitly states that the addition of about three thousand could be counted by the number baptized.

The apostles plainly stated, “And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.”(Acts 3:16). Why the high priest and others still questioned them is unclear, but perhaps they needed to hear it directly to truly accept it.

2. Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus Christ

“Then Peter, filled (G4130) with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead⁠—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.””(Acts 4:8-12)

You see, it was the Holy Spirit speaking through Peter. This is what Jesus said: “When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.”(Mark 13:11) The Holy Spirit again had Peter speak on their behalf, bearing the same witness that though the Jews rejected Him, He is the cornerstone of salvation: “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”(1 Corinthians 3:11) And the Gentiles “…are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.”(Ephesians 2:19-20) Truly, there is no salvation apart from Him: “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”(John 3:18)

Peter also agrees, saying, “And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”(1 Peter 2:4-5) It is precisely because Christ Jesus Himself is the cornerstone that “in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord.”(Ephesians 2:21)

3. The council found no fault in them and released them because of the people

“Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.” And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.”(Acts 4:13-22)

Peter and John were fishermen by trade, naturally uneducated men. Their wisdom and boldness came from having followed Jesus. Seeing the man in his forties, whom God had miraculously healed, standing with them, the officials had no rebuttal—only threats. Apostles’ response was clear: “…Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”(Acts 4:19-20) How could they cease bearing witness? Only by obeying God could they avoid sin. The Bible makes it clear: Jesus “…has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15) How did He achieve this? By a lifetime of obedience to God, as He Himself declared: “…I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. …”(John 14:31) When Jesus became flesh, He did not act on mere command. Even when exercising the freedom God granted Him to make decisions, His choices aligned with God’s will. This is precisely what Paul meant. We have to “Do not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19) 

Previously, in “4. Examples of the Holy Spirit leading Bible study,” under “1168 Life and miracles: Indispensability of Holy Spirit’s leading in Bible study and examples,” we mentioned: “But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.””(Acts 4:19-20) It was stated there, “Though I know that I have not yet been conformed to the image of the Lord, sometimes I cannot help but speak, hoping that some may see the necessity of allowing the Holy Spirit to lead Bible study, unhindered by the old self, so that we may read Scripture correctly. The example we have chosen begins from this very point.” It also speaks of an absolutely feasible and biblically promised practical method: “Allowing the Holy Spirit lead your Bible study.” It depends on whether you are willing to walk this path, completely surrendering yourself to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you in your Bible study.

Another point worth mentioning is a passage I noticed earlier: “In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s officials from those who guarded the door, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. But the plot became known to Mordecai and he told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name. Now when the plot was investigated and found to be so, they were both hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the Book of the Chronicles in the king’s presence.”(Esther 2:21-23) Then we see that later that one night, “During that night the king could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. It was found written what Mordecai had reported concerning Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who were doorkeepers, that they had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. The king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” Then the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.””(Esther 6:1-3) Had Mordecai not spoken up, none of what followed would have occurred. Thus, there are indeed matters that simply must be spoken.

Of course, my life has not reached that level. I can only sense the Holy Spirit prompting me to speak of “1168,” though I cannot be one hundred percent certain it is truly a matter that must be spoken. If it is not, I would rather err by speaking than by remaining silent when I should have spoken. For God is a God of mercy and grace. The Bible clearly states, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9)

Please note: We recently shared that God is not a God who commands one action after another. Scripture clearly states He grants us freedom to decide certain matters. Thus, “allowing the Holy Spirit to lead Bible study” does not mean repeating everything the Spirit says verbatim—if that were the case, no errors would ever occur. In reality, corrections are sometimes needed when we misinterpret or make wrong decisions within that freedom. When correction is needed, as we mentioned earlier, the Holy Spirit may either speak directly to our minds or use others’ words to bring it to our attention.

4. An account of an answered prayer

“When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples devise futile things? ‘The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.”(Acts 4:23-31)

After Peter and John were released, they and the whole assembly prayed to God with one accord, quoting David’s words in Psalm 2:1-2, thus foretelling this event long ago. The Scripture also says, “to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.”(Acts 4:28) This further demonstrates that foreknowledge and predestination are two sides of the same coin. Their prayer is clearly recorded in Scripture and was answered—unlike the prayer for Matthias (see Acts 1:23-26), where no record of an answer is given. But this time, “And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.”(Acts 4:31)

We understand that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and being filled with the Holy Spirit are entirely distinct concepts. Every Christian has the indwelling Holy Spirit, as Scripture declares: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, …”(1 Corinthians 6:19) But not everyone is filled with the Holy Spirit; otherwise, there would be no need for “…brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full (G4134) of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this (managing food) task.”(Acts 6:3) We see that even for managing food—a task many might consider minor—one must be filled with the Holy Spirit. Yet being filled with the Holy Spirit necessarily entails having a good reputation among the brothers and being full of wisdom. Why emphasize this point? Perhaps it signifies that being filled with the Holy Spirit will naturally manifest these qualities. Stephen was one of these seven: “…a man full (G4134) of faith and of the Holy Spirit, …”(Acts 6:5) He was “…full (G4134) of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.”(Acts 6:8) Therefore, what we should pursue is a continual state of being filled with the Holy Spirit, not a one-time filling obtained through persistent prayer (cf. Luke 11:5-13).

We know that this time filling with the Holy Spirit was for the purpose of speaking the word of God, and the same was true at the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection when the Holy Spirit descended which uses the word (G4130) (cf. Acts 2:1-11). Some may ask, does every filling with the Holy Spirit necessarily involve speaking the word of God? Beyond what has already been stated, let us examine how the New Testament describes each instance of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

First, we must emphasize that the Holy Spirit is one of the three Persons of the Trinity, possessing absolute sovereignty. Even before His coming, people were filled with the Holy Spirit. Let us examine the following scriptures. The text states, “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled (G4130) with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”(Luke 1:41-42) She was speaking of the affairs of God’s kingdom, and the arrangement of salvation brought forth Mary’s words magnifying the Lord (cf. Luke 1:43-56). Similarly, “And his father Zacharias was filled (G4130) with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:”(Luke 1:67) This too was praise to God, speaking of salvation (cf. Luke 1:68-80). Then, “Jesus, full (G4134) of the Holy Spirit, …”(Luke 4:1).

We note that the original text uses two distinct words, G4130 and G4134. The former appears 27 times, while the latter occurs 17 times. Examining all the verses and their contexts confirms that “filled with the Holy Spirit” is the accurate translation in Chinese Union Version. Context is crucial, as some passages do not refer to being filled with the Holy Spirit. For example: “But they themselves were filled (G4130) with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.”(Luke 6:11)  The verse we just shared uses G4130 though: “Then Peter, filled (G4130) with the Holy Spirit, …”(Acts 4:8)

Now let’s examine some verses not mentioned earlier, starting with those related to the word used for being filled (G4130) with the Holy Spirit in this instance. After Paul saw the great light, “So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled (G4130) with the Holy Spirit.””(Acts 9:17) We also see, “But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled (G4130) with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him (Elima).”(Acts 13:9) This instance relates to evangelism, causing Elima to be temporarily blinded (cf. Acts 13:10-12).

Consider another instance of G4134 in Scripture: “But being full (G4134) of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”(Acts 7:55) Here, he beheld the glory of God, demonstrating a distinct reaction to being filled with the Holy Spirit and reaffirming the Spirit’s absolute sovereignty. Regarding Barnabas, Scripture states: “…a good man, and full (G4134) of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.”(Acts 11:24). This relates to the kingdom of God, demonstrating the effectiveness of preaching. Preaching is essential because “…faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”(Romans 10:17)

Regarding being filled with the Holy Spirit—as some say “full of the Holy Spirit”—Paul makes it clear: “…do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled (G4137, root G4134) with the Spirit.”(Ephesians 5:18) Here we encounter a new word, G4137, which derives from G4134. This word appears 95 times—far too many for me to examine every instance. In the sampled passages, “filled with the Holy Spirit” proves an excellent translation. For example, another instance in this passage: “And the disciples (Paul and Barnabas) were continually filled (G4137) with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”(Acts 13:52) It appears four times in the Book of Ephesians, and its meaning is also evident in this verse: “…the church, which is His body, the fullness (G4138, root G4137) of Him who fills (G4137) all in all.”(Ephesians 1:22-23) We have discussed three distinct original Greek words, and the Chinese Union Version renders them all well.

5. The Jerusalem Church shared all things in common and son of encouragement Barnabas

“And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need. Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”(Acts 4:32-37)

We previously discussed the practice of sharing all things in “1170 Descent of Holy Spirit, Peter’s leading to 3,000 baptisms, and sharing all – Acts 21-47,” specifically in section “4. The Jerusalem Church shared all things in common and broke bread in their homes,” where Barnabas was cited as an example.

“When he (Saul, Paul) came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.”(Acts 9:26-27) “And he (Barnabas) left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”(Acts 11:25-26) Barnabas was indeed the son of encouragement.

Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (12/14/25) topicwise Bible study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. Past articles referenced can be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, under ‘On spiritual understanding about life.’

    我们首先讲到，彼得和约翰的被捕，及彼得的宣道而使信的男丁数目约到五千。在这之前，我们先讨论我今天正好听到的一篇讲道，看到了一个误区，代表这牧者可能和相当多的牧者一样，不够相信圣经的话，误导了会众。第二说到除耶稣基督以外别无拯救，且耶稣基督自己为房角石。第三是提到公会因无话可驳和因百姓就释放了他们，及他们要顺服神不能不说的清楚回应，而因此引用了以前的讨论，其中提到了一个尽可能读对圣经的实际可行的方法。第四是在讨论被应允的祷告的一次记录，说到内住的圣灵和被圣灵充满的大不相同，和一些新约中被圣灵充满的的例子，强调圣灵是三位一体的神的一位，祂有绝对的主权，在祂降临前就有人被圣灵充满，我们也看了在新约中，用了三个不同的原文字，去说被圣灵充满的一些例子。最后提到了耶路撒冷教会东西大家公用，和为什么巴拿巴是劝慰子。       

1. 彼得和约翰的被捕及信的男丁数目约到五千     

    在进入这小题之前，我们先讨论一下我今天正好听到的一篇讲道，看到了一个误区，代表这牧者可能和相当多的牧者一样，不够相信圣经的话语，误导了会众。这基本上就是牧者问会众是否每一次聚会都有三位的神中一位圣灵的同在，这代表这位牧者不够相信圣经的话，因为圣经明说，「因为无论在哪里，有两三个人奉我的名聚会，那里就有我在他们中间。」(马太福音 18:20) 我们知道，「…基督献了一次永远的赎罪祭，就在神的右边坐下了。」(希伯来书 10:12) 也「就是照他(父神)在基督身上所运行的大能大力，使他从死里复活，叫他在天上坐在自己的右边。」(以弗所书 1:20) 今日耶稣基督是在天上而以圣灵的方式与我们同在，他们的聚会是因主耶稣基督聚在一起，圣灵一定会在他们中间。     

    我们再看另一处经文就更清楚事实的确是如此，就是来看在启示录提到的老底嘉教会的一些事情 (参启示录 3:14-22)。我们知道老底嘉教会把耶稣关在门外，因为圣经明说，「看哪，我站在门外叩门，…」(启示录 3:20) 但神是有恩典有怜悯的神，只要他们悔改打开心门，祂就「…要进到他那里去，我与他，他与我一同坐席。」(启示录 3:20) 祂不仅仅是坐席而已，也应许一定会工作，所以才会有「得胜的，我要赐他在我宝座上与我同坐，就如我得了胜，在我父的宝座上与他同坐一般。」(启示录 3:21) 这里没有说什么时间才作工，因为圣灵有绝对的主权，祂会选择最好的时间工作的，但祂一定会作工的。     

    所以该教导的是要相信圣经的话，真知道圣灵一定在聚会中与我们同在，根本不必问是否同在的问题，所以不只是要有口头上的相信，且要有信心的行为。要问要求的是请祂每次在同在时都作工，相信祂一定会作工，只是时间的问题，而且要有信心的行为，知道有时的确要在信心中等待，这才是正确的看法。   

    我们还要提到的是在老底嘉教会说的最后一句话，「圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！』」(启示录 3:22) 这也是对启示录中所有的七个教会都说的经文。我们知道圣灵说话有时是直接的，如保罗的见大光 (参使徒行传 9:3-7)，有时是间接的，透过别人的话而来，如彼得被圣灵充满而说话 (参使徒行传 4:8-12)，我们要有一个能听的耳。    

    现在我们回到使徒行传第四章的开始，就是「使徒对百姓说话的时候，祭司们和守殿官并撒都该人忽然来了。因他们教训百姓，本著耶稣，传说死人复活，就很烦恼，于是下手拿住他们。因为天已经晚了，就把他们押到第二天。但听道之人有许多信的，男丁数目约到五千。第二天，官府、长老和文士在耶路撒冷聚会，又有大祭司亚那和该亚法、约翰、亚历山大，并大祭司的亲族都在那里；叫使徒站在当中，就问他们说：「你们用甚么能力，奉谁的名做这事呢？」」(使徒行传 4:1-7)        

    彼得和约翰的被捕是因为他们说了一个事实，的确是如耶稣说的，「但圣灵降临在你们身上，你们就必得著能力；并要在耶路撒冷、犹太全地和撒马利亚，直到地极，作我的见证。」(使徒行传 1:8) 在五旬节的圣灵降临后，他们有能力为耶稣作见证，这次是使约五千人信了。这次圣经没有记录他们怎么知道是约五千人信了，因为有些人号称是信了，却坚持在可受洗时可以不受洗，不愿遵守大使命，通耶稣的话都不肯听，不会是真信。而上次彼得的宣道是使「…领受他话的人就受了洗。那一天，门徒约添了三千人。」(使徒行传 2:41) 圣经明说这约添了三千人是可以由受洗的人数算出来。    

    使徒明明是说，「我们因信他(耶稣基督)的名，他的名便叫你们所看见、所认识的这人健壮了。正是他所赐的信心，叫这人在你们众人面前全然好了。」(使徒行传 3:16) 不知大祭司等人为什么还需要问他们，大概是因为要亲自听到才真正算数。

2. 除耶稣基督以外别无拯救       

    「那时，彼得被圣灵充满(G4130, filled)，对他们说：「治民的官府和长老啊，倘若今日因为在残疾人身上所行的善事，查问我们他是怎么得了痊愈，你们众人和以色列百姓都当知道，站在你们面前的这人得痊愈，是因你们所钉十字架、神叫他从死里复活的拿撒勒人耶稣基督的名。他是你们『匠人所弃的石头，已成了房角的头块石头。』除他以外，别无拯救，因为在天下人间，没有赐下别的名，我们可以靠著得救。」」(使徒行传 4:8-12)        

    你看，是圣灵在透过彼得说话，这就是耶稣说的，「人把你们拉去交官的时候，不要预先思虑说甚么，到那时候，赐给你们甚么话，你们就说甚么，因为说话的不是你们，乃是圣灵。」(马可福音 13:11) 圣灵又要彼得代表他们说话，作了同样的见证，说明了虽然犹太人弃绝衪，祂却是救恩的头块石头，「因为那已经立好的根基就是耶稣基督，此外没有人能立别的根基。」(哥林多前书 3:11) 而外邦人也「…不再作外人和客旅，是与圣徒同国，是神家里的人了。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。」(以弗所书 2:19-20) 真是除祂以外别无拯救，「信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。」(约翰福音 3:18

    彼得也一致的说，「因为经上说：「看哪，我把所拣选、所宝贵的房角石安放在锡安，信靠他的人必不至于羞愧。」所以，他在你们信的人就为宝贵，在那不信的人有话说：「匠人所弃的石头，已作了房角的头块石头。」又说：「作了绊脚的石头，跌人的磐石。」 他们既不顺从，就在道理上绊跌。他们这样绊跌，也是预定的。」(彼得前书 2:6-8) 他也很清楚的说，「主乃活石，固然是被人所弃的，却是被神所拣选、所宝贵的。你们来到主面前，也就像活石，被建造成为灵宫，作圣洁的祭司，借著耶稣基督奉献神所悦纳的灵祭。」(彼得前书 2:4-5) 就是因为有基督耶稣自己为房角石，才能「各房靠他联络得合式，渐渐成为主的圣殿。」(以弗所书 2:21)

3. 公会因无话可驳和因百姓就释放了他们      

    「他们见彼得、约翰的胆量，又看出他们原是没有学问的小民，就希奇，认明他们是跟过耶稣的。又看见那治好了的人和他们一同站著，就无话可驳。于是吩咐他们从公会出去，就彼此商议说：「我们当怎样办这两个人呢？因为他们诚然行了一件明显的神迹，凡住耶路撒冷的人都知道，我们也不能说没有。惟恐这事越发传扬在民间，我们必须恐吓他们，叫他们不再奉这名对人讲论。」于是叫了他们来，禁止他们，总不可奉耶稣的名讲论、教训人。彼得、约翰说：「听从你们，不听从神，这在神面前合理不合理，你们自己酌量吧！我们所看见、所听见的，不能不说。」官长为百姓的缘故，想不出法子刑罚他们，又恐吓一番，把他们释放了。这是因众人为所行的奇事，都归荣耀与神。原来借著神迹医好的那人有四十多岁了。」(使徒行传 4:13-22)        

    彼得和约翰本是打鱼的，当然原是没有学问的，他们的智慧和胆量是来自跟过耶稣，又看到神迹医好的四十多岁的人和他们一同站著，当然无话可驳，只能恐吓他们。他们两人的回应很清楚，「…听从你们，不听从神，这在神面前合理不合理，你们自己酌量吧！我们所看见、所听见的，不能不说。」(使徒行传 4:19-20) 他们怎能不再作见证呢？顺服神才会不犯罪。圣经说得很清楚，耶稣「…也曾凡事受过试探，与我们一样，只是他没有犯罪。」(希伯来书 4:15) 衪怎么能做到这一点呢？就是一生顺服神，如祂自己所说，「…父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。…」(约翰福音 14:31) 在主道成肉身时，神不是一个命令一个动作，祂在在神给的自由度做决定时，祂的决定也是站在神那边。现在也就是保罗所说的，我们要，「不要消灭圣灵的感动。」(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:19)     

    以前我们在「3168 生命和神迹: 圣灵带领查经的不可少和例子」中的「4. 圣灵带领查经的一些例子」，提到了「彼得、约翰说：「听从你们，不听从神，这在神面前合理不合理，你们自己酌量吧！我们所看见、所听见的，不能不说。」」(使徒行传 4:19-20) 其中是这样说的，「虽然明知自己没有模成主的形像，但有时是不能不说，希望有些人能看到让圣灵带领查经的不可少，不被老我牵制而能读对圣经。我们选择的例子，就是以这为出发点。」 也说到了一个绝对可行「让圣灵带领查经」，且是圣经应许的实际方法，看你愿不愿意走上这条路，完全把自己交给神，让圣灵带领你查经。    

    另外要提的就是以前注意到的经文，「当那时候，末底改坐在朝门，王的太监中有两个守门的辟探和提列，恼恨亚哈随鲁王，想要下手害他。末底改知道了，就告诉王后以斯帖。以斯帖奉末底改的名，报告于王。究察这事，果然是实，就把二人挂在木头上，将这事在王面前写于历史上。」(以斯帖记 2:21-23) 然后我们看到此后有一夜的「那夜，王睡不著觉，就吩咐人取历史来，念给他听。正遇见书上写著说，王的太监中有两个守门的辟探和提列，想要下手害亚哈随鲁王，末底改将这事告诉王后。王说：「末底改行了这事，赐他甚么尊荣爵位没有？」 伺候王的臣仆回答说：「没有赐他甚么。」」(以斯帖记 6:1-3) 如果末底改没有说这件事，就不会有然后发生的事，所以有些事真是不能不说。     

    当然我的生命不到那里，我只能觉得圣灵要我讲「2168」，但不能百分之百的确定确实是不能不说的事情。如果不是，我宁可犯下这样说的错误，而不是犯下该说却没有说的错误，因为神是有怜悯有恩典的神，圣经明说了，「我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义。」(约翰一书 1:9)

    请注意，我们刚分享过神不是一个命令一个动作的神，圣经说得很清楚，衪会给我们一些自由度去决定某些事情。所以「让圣灵带领查经」，不是说全部都说圣灵所说的话，如是这样，根本就不会有错误，事实上是有时还要更正错误，这是在自由度内看错了或作错了决定。当需要更正错误时，就像我们前先所说的，或是圣灵会在意念中直接告诉我们，或是经由别人的话使我们知道。  

4. 被应允的祷告的一次记录       

    「二人既被释放，就到会友那里去，把祭司长和长老所说的话都告诉他们。他们听见了，就同心合意地高声向神说：「主啊，你是造天、地、海和其中万物的，你曾借著圣灵托你仆人──我们祖宗大卫的口说：『外邦为甚么争闹？万民为甚么谋算虚妄的事？世上的君王一齐起来，臣宰也聚集，要敌挡主，并主的受膏者。』希律和本丢彼拉多、外邦人和以色列民果然在这城里聚集，要攻打你所膏的圣仆耶稣，成就你手和你意旨所预定必有的事。他们恐吓我们，现在求主鉴察。一面叫你仆人大放胆量，讲你的道；一面伸出你的手来医治疾病，并且使神迹奇事因著你圣仆耶稣的名行出来。」祷告完了，聚会的地方震动，他们就都被圣灵充满(G4130, filled)，放胆讲论神的道。」(使徒行传 4:23-31)       

    彼得和约翰被释放后，和会友就同心合意地高声向神祷告，引用大卫在诗篇 2:1-2 的话，所以老早就预知了这件事会发生。经文又说，「成就你手和你意旨所预定必有的事。」(使徒行传 4:28) 所以这又证明了预知和预定是一体的两面。他们的祷告清楚的写在经文中，看经文就知道他们的祷告，也看到了这是一个被应允的祷告，不像众人为马提亚的祷告(参使徒行传 1:23-26)，没有记载被应允。但这次「祷告完了，聚会的地方震动，他们就都被圣灵充满，放胆讲论神的道。」(使徒行传 4:31)        

    我们知道有内住的圣灵和被圣灵充满是完全不同的概念，每一个基督徒都有内住的圣灵，如经文所说，「岂不知你们的身子就是圣灵的殿吗？这圣灵是从神而来，住在你们里头的；…」(哥林多前书 6:19) 但不是每个人都会被圣灵充满，要不就不会有「…弟兄们，当从你们中间选出七个有好名声、被圣灵充满(G4134, full)、智慧充足的人，我们就派他们管理(饭食)这事。」(使徒行传 6:3) 我们看到即使管理饭食的这等许多人以为的小事，也要被圣灵充满才行。不过被圣灵充满，一定会在弟兄中有好名声，和智慧充足，不知道为什么要强调这点？大概是说被圣灵充满一定会有这些现象。司提反是这七位中的一位，「..乃是大有信心、圣灵充满(G4134)的人；…」(使徒行传 6:5) 他「…满得(G4134)恩惠能力，在民间行了大奇事和神迹。」(使徒行传 6:8) 所以我们要追求的是一直被圣灵充满，不是一次性因直求而得来的圣灵 (参路加福音 11:5-13)。      

    我们知道这次被圣灵充满是讲论神的道，而耶稣复活后的第一次五旬节，圣灵降临也是如此用的这字G4130 (参使徒行传 2:1-11)。有人就会问，是不是每次被圣灵充满，都会讲论神的道？除了已经说到的事情外，看看新约每次提到被圣灵充满时是怎么说的？    

    首先我们要强调的圣灵是三位一体的神的一位，祂有绝对的主权，在祂降临前就有人被圣灵充满，我们就来看下面这些经文。经文说，「伊利沙伯一听马利亚问安，所怀的胎就在腹里跳动。伊利沙伯且被圣灵充满(G4130)，高声喊著说：「你在妇女中是有福的！你所怀的胎也是有福的！」(路加福音 1:41-42) 她是在讲神国的事，救恩的安排带出了马利亚尊主为大的话语 (参路加福音 1:43-56) 又如，「他(施洗约翰)父亲撒迦利亚被圣灵充满(G4130)了，就预言说：」(路加福音 1:67) 也是赞美神，说到了救恩(参路加福音 1:68-80) 然后是「耶稣被圣灵充满(G4134)，…」(路加福音 4:1)。       

    我们注意到充满的原文是用了两个不同的字 G4130 和 G4134，前者出现了 27 次，而后者 17 次，如果你去看其包含的所有的经文及上下文，就知道被圣灵充满是对的翻译。要看上下文，因为有些经文不是在说圣灵充满的事，譬如 ，「他们就满心(G4130)大怒，彼此商议怎样处治耶稣。」(路加福音 6:11) 我们刚才分享的经文用的就是G4130，「那时，彼得被圣灵充满(G4130)，…」(使徒行传 4:8)       

    我们就来看一些没有提到的经文，先说和这次被圣灵充满(G4130)用的字有关的。在保罗见到大光后，「亚拿尼亚就去了，进入那家，把手按在扫罗身上说：「兄弟扫罗，在你来的路上向你显现的主，就是耶稣，打发我来，叫你能看见，又被圣灵充满(G4130)。」(使徒行传 9:17) 又看到「扫罗又名保罗，被圣灵充满(G4130)，定睛看他(以吕马)。」(使徒行传 13:9) 这次是和传福音有关，使以吕马暂时失明 (参使徒行传 13:10-12)。       

    再看在这经文中的另外一个字G4134，「但司提反被圣灵充满(G4134)，定睛望天，看见神的荣耀，又看见耶稣站在神的右边。」(使徒行传 7:55) 这次是看见了神的荣耀，所以被圣灵充满的反应是很不同的，再次看到了圣灵的绝对主权。这经文说到巴拿巴，「…原是个好人，被圣灵充满(G4134)，大有信心。于是，有许多人归服了主。」(使徒行传 11:24) 这和神国有关，看到了宣道的成效，而宣道是必须的，因为「…信道是从听道来的，听道是从基督的话来的。」(罗马书 10:17)       

    关于被圣灵充满是指有人说的满有圣灵，保罗讲得很清楚，「不要醉酒，酒能使人放荡，乃要被圣灵充满(G4137, filled, root G4134)。」(以弗所书 5:18) 这里有一个新字 G4137，但是这字是由G4134而来，这字出现了95 次，太多次了，所以我没有看完所有这字的经文，在取样的经文中，被圣灵充满是很好的翻译。譬如，另一次在这经文里，「门徒(保罗和巴拿巴)满心喜乐，又被圣灵充满(G4137)。」(使徒行传 13:52) 在以弗所书出现了4 次，其意义也可从这经文看到，「教会是他的身体，是那充满万有者所充满(G4137)的。」(以弗所书 1:23) 我们讲了三个不同的原文字，和合本的翻译都很好。

5. 耶路撒冷教会东西大家公用和劝慰子巴拿巴     

    「那许多信的人都是一心一意的，没有一人说他的东西有一样是自己的，都是大家公用。使徒大有能力，见证主耶稣复活，众人也都蒙大恩。内中也没有一个缺乏的，因为人人将田产房屋都卖了，把所卖的价银拿来，放在使徒脚前，照各人所需用的，分给各人。有一个利未人，生在塞浦路斯，名叫约瑟，使徒称他为巴拿巴（巴拿巴翻出来就是劝慰子）。他有田地也卖了，把价银拿来，放在使徒脚前。」(使徒行传 4:32-37)       

    我们以前在「3170 圣灵降临, 彼得讲道有三千人受洗, 和凡物公用 – 徒(2)1-47」中的「4. 耶路撒冷的教会凡物公用并在家中擘饼」，谈过一些关于凡物公用的事，其中也说到巴拿巴是这样的一个例子。       

    当「扫罗到了耶路撒冷，想与门徒结交。他们却都怕他，不信他是门徒。惟有巴拿巴接待他，领去见使徒，把他在路上怎么看见主，主怎么向他说话，他在大马士革怎么奉耶稣的名放胆传道，都述说出来。」(使徒行传 9:26-27) 「他又往大数去找扫罗，找著了，就带他到安提阿去。他们足有一年的工夫和教会一同聚集，教训了许多人。门徒称为基督徒是从安提阿起首。」(使徒行传 11:25-26) 他的确是劝慰子。

    请注意，这文章是基于周日(12/14/25)的专题查经，经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本，所引用过去的文章，在我们的网站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『对属灵生命的了解』，就可以找到。

       我們首先講到，彼得和約翰的被捕，及彼得的宣道而使信的男丁數目約到五千。在這之前，我們先討論我今天正好聽到的一篇講道，看到了一個誤區，代表這牧者可能和相當多的牧者一樣，不夠相信聖經的話，誤導了會衆。第二說到除耶穌基督以外別無拯救，且耶穌基督自己為房角石。第三是提到公會因無話可駁和因百姓就釋放了他們，及他們要順服神不能不說的清楚回應，而因此引用了以前的討論，其中提到了一個儘可能讀對聖經的實際可行的方法。第四是在討論被應允的禱告的一次記錄，說到內住的聖靈和被聖靈充滿的大不相同，和一些新約中被聖靈充滿的的例子，强調聖靈是三位一體的神的一位，祂有絕對的主權，在祂降臨前就有人被聖靈充滿，我們也看了在新約中，用了三個不同的原文字，去說被聖靈充滿的一些例子。最後提到了耶路撒冷教會東西大家公用，和為什麼巴拿巴是勸慰子。

1. 彼得和約翰的被捕及信的男丁數目約到五千

     在進入這小題之前，我們先討論一下我今天正好聽到的一篇講道，看到了一個誤區，代表這牧者可能和相當多的牧者一樣，不夠相信聖經的話語，誤導了會衆。這基本上就是牧者問會衆是否每一次聚會都有三位的神中一位聖靈的同在，這代表這位牧者不夠相信聖經的話，因為聖經明說，「因為無論在哪裏，有兩三個人奉我的名聚會，那裏就有我在他們中間。」(馬太福音 18:20) 我們知道，「…基督獻了一次永遠的贖罪祭，就在神的右邊坐下了。」(希伯來書 10:12) 也「就是照他(父神)在基督身上所運行的大能大力，使他從死裏復活，叫他在天上坐在自己的右邊。」(以弗所書 1:20) 今日耶穌基督是在天上而以聖靈的方式與我們同在，他們的聚會是因主耶穌基督聚在一起，聖靈一定會在他們中間。

     我們再看另一處經文就更清楚事實的確是如此，就是來看在啓示錄提到的老底嘉教會的一些事情 (參啓示錄 3:14-22)。我們知道老底嘉教會把耶穌關在門外，因為聖經明說，「看哪，我站在門外叩門，…」(啓示錄 3:20) 但神是有恩典有憐憫的神，衹要他們悔改打開心門，祂就「…要進到他那裏去，我與他，他與我一同坐席。」(啓示錄 3:20) 祂不僅僅是坐席而已，也應許一定會工作，所以才會有「得勝的，我要賜他在我寶座上與我同坐，就如我得了勝，在我父的寶座上與他同坐一般。」(啓示錄 3:21) 這裏沒有說什麼時間才作工，因為聖靈有絕對的主權，祂會選擇最好的時間工作的，但祂一定會作工的。

     所以該教導的是要相信聖經的話，真知道聖靈一定在聚會中與我們同在，根本不必問是否同在的問題，所以不衹是要有口頭上的相信，且要有信心的行為。要問要求的是請祂每次在同在時都作工，相信祂一定會作工，衹是時間的問題，而且要有信心的行為，知道有時的確要在信心中等待，這才是正確的看法。

     我們還要提到的是在老底嘉教會說的最後一句話，「聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽！』」(啓示錄 3:22) 這也是對啓示錄中所有的七個教會都說的經文。我們知道聖靈說話有時是直接的，如保羅的見大光 (參使徒行傳 9:3-7)，有時是間接的，透過別人的話而來，如彼得被聖靈充滿而說話 (參使徒行傳 4:8-12)，我們要有一個能聽的耳。

     現在我們回到使徒行傳第四章的開始，就是「使徒對百姓說話的時候，祭司們和守殿官並撒都該人忽然來了。因他們教訓百姓，本着耶穌，傳說死人復活，就很煩惱，於是下手拿住他們。因為天已經晚了，就把他們押到第二天。但聽道之人有許多信的，男丁數目約到五千。第二天，官府、長老和文士在耶路撒冷聚會，又有大祭司亞那和該亞法、約翰、亞歷山大，並大祭司的親族都在那裏；叫使徒站在當中，就問他們說：「你們用甚麼能力，奉誰的名做這事呢？」」(使徒行傳 4:1-7)

        彼得和約翰的被捕是因為他們說了一個事實，的確是如耶穌說的，「但聖靈降臨在你們身上，你們就必得着能力；並要在耶路撒冷、猶太全地和撒馬利亞，直到地極，作我的見證。」(使徒行傳 1:8) 在五旬節的聖靈降臨後，他們有能力為耶穌作見証，這次是使約五千人信了。這次聖經沒有記錄他們怎麼知道是約五千人信了，因為有些人號稱是信了，卻堅持在可受洗時可以不受洗，不願遵守大使命，通耶穌的話都不肯聽，不會是真信。而上次彼得的宣道是使「…領受他話的人就受了洗。那一天，門徒約添了三千人。」(使徒行傳 2:41) 聖經明說這約添了三千人是可以由受洗的人數算出來。

     使徒明明是說，「我們因信他(耶穌基督)的名，他的名便叫你們所看見、所認識的這人健壯了。正是他所賜的信心，叫這人在你們眾人面前全然好了。」(使徒行傳 3:16) 不知大祭司等人為什麼還需要問他們，大概是因為要親自聽到才真正算數。

2. 除耶穌基督以外別無拯救

       「那時，彼得被聖靈充滿(G4130, filled)，對他們說：「治民的官府和長老啊，倘若今日因為在殘疾人身上所行的善事，查問我們他是怎麼得了痊愈，你們眾人和以色列百姓都當知道，站在你們面前的這人得痊愈，是因你們所釘十字架、神叫他從死裏復活的拿撒勒人耶穌基督的名。他是你們『匠人所棄的石頭，已成了房角的頭塊石頭。』除他以外，別無拯救，因為在天下人間，沒有賜下別的名，我們可以靠着得救。」」(使徒行傳 4:8-12)

        你看，是聖靈在透過彼得説話，這就是耶穌說的，「人把你們拉去交官的時候，不要預先思慮說甚麼，到那時候，賜給你們甚麼話，你們就說甚麼，因為說話的不是你們，乃是聖靈。」(馬可福音 13:11) 聖靈又要彼得代表他們說話，作了同樣的見證，說明了雖然猶太人棄絕衪，祂卻是救恩的頭塊石頭，「因為那已經立好的根基就是耶穌基督，此外沒有人能立別的根基。」(哥林多前書 3:11) 而外邦人也「…不再作外人和客旅，是與聖徒同國，是神家裏的人了。並且被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶穌自己為房角石。」(以弗所書 2:19-20) 真是除祂以外別無拯救，「信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。」(約翰福音 3:18)

     彼得也一致的說，「因為經上說：「看哪，我把所揀選、所寶貴的房角石安放在錫安，信靠他的人必不至於羞愧。」所以，他在你們信的人就為寶貴，在那不信的人有話說：「匠人所棄的石頭，已作了房角的頭塊石頭。」又說：「作了絆腳的石頭，跌人的磐石。」 他們既不順從，就在道理上絆跌。他們這樣絆跌，也是預定的。」(彼得前書 2:6-8) 他也很清楚的說，「主乃活石，固然是被人所棄的，卻是被神所揀選、所寶貴的。你們來到主面前，也就像活石，被建造成為靈宮，作聖潔的祭司，藉着耶穌基督奉獻神所悅納的靈祭。」(彼得前書 2:4-5) 就是因為有基督耶穌自己為房角石，才能「各房靠他聯絡得合式，漸漸成為主的聖殿。」(以弗所書 2:21)

3. 公會因無話可駁和因百姓就釋放了他們

       「他們見彼得、約翰的膽量，又看出他們原是沒有學問的小民，就希奇，認明他們是跟過耶穌的。又看見那治好了的人和他們一同站着，就無話可駁。於是吩咐他們從公會出去，就彼此商議說：「我們當怎樣辦這兩個人呢？因為他們誠然行了一件明顯的神蹟，凡住耶路撒冷的人都知道，我們也不能說沒有。惟恐這事越發傳揚在民間，我們必須恐嚇他們，叫他們不再奉這名對人講論。」於是叫了他們來，禁止他們，總不可奉耶穌的名講論、教訓人。彼得、約翰說：「聽從你們，不聽從神，這在神面前合理不合理，你們自己酌量吧！我們所看見、所聽見的，不能不說。」官長為百姓的緣故，想不出法子刑罰他們，又恐嚇一番，把他們釋放了。這是因眾人為所行的奇事，都歸榮耀與神。原來藉着神蹟醫好的那人有四十多歲了。」(使徒行傳 4:13-22)

        彼得和約翰本是打魚的，當然原是沒有學問的，他們的智慧和膽量是來自跟過耶穌，又看到神蹟醫好的四十多歲的人和他們一同站著，當然無話可駁，衹能恐嚇他們。他們兩人的回應很清楚，「…聽從你們，不聽從神，這在神面前合理不合理，你們自己酌量吧！我們所看見、所聽見的，不能不說。」(使徒行傳 4:19-20) 他們怎能不再作見證呢？順服神才會不犯罪。聖經說得很清楚，耶穌「…也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。」(希伯來書 4:15) 衪怎麼能做到這一點呢？就是一生順服神，如祂自己所說，「…父怎樣吩咐我，我就怎樣行。…」(約翰福音 14:31) 在主道成肉身時，神不是一個命令一個動作，祂在在神給的自由度做決定時，祂的決定也是站在神那邊。現在也就是保羅所說的，我們要，「不要消滅聖靈的感動。」(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:19) 

     以前我們在「2168 生命和神蹟: 聖靈帶領查經的不可少和例子」中的「4. 聖靈帶領查經的一些例子」，提到了「彼得、約翰說：「聽從你們，不聽從神，這在神面前合理不合理，你們自己酌量吧！我們所看見、所聽見的，不能不說。」」(使徒行傳 4:19-20) 其中是這樣說的，「雖然明知自己沒有模成主的形像，但有時是不能不說，希望有些人能看到讓聖靈帶領查經的不可少，不被老我牽制而能讀對聖經。我們選擇的例子，就是以這為出發點。」 也說到了一個絕對可行「讓聖靈帶領查經」，且是聖經應許的實際方法，看你願不願意走上這條路，完全把自己交給神，讓聖靈帶領你查經。

    另外要提的就是以前注意到的經文，「當那時候，末底改坐在朝門，王的太監中有兩個守門的辟探和提列，惱恨亞哈隨魯王，想要下手害他。末底改知道了，就告訴王后以斯帖。以斯帖奉末底改的名，報告於王。究察這事，果然是實，就把二人掛在木頭上，將這事在王面前寫於歷史上。」(以斯帖記 2:21-23) 然後我們看到此後有一夜的「那夜，王睡不着覺，就吩咐人取歷史來，念給他聽。正遇見書上寫着說，王的太監中有兩個守門的辟探和提列，想要下手害亞哈隨魯王，末底改將這事告訴王后。王說：「末底改行了這事，賜他甚麼尊榮爵位沒有？」 伺候王的臣僕回答說：「沒有賜他甚麼。」」(以斯帖記 6:1-3) 如果末底改沒有說這件事，就不會有然後發生的事，所以有些事真是不能不說。

     當然我的生命不到那裡，我衹能覺得聖靈要我講「2168」，但不能百分之百的確定確實是不能不說的事情。如果不是，我寧可犯下這樣說的錯誤，而不是犯下該說卻沒有說的錯誤，因為神是有憐憫有恩典的神，聖經明說了，「我們若認自己的罪，神是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義。」(約翰一書 1:9)

    請注意，我們剛分享過神不是一個命令一個動作的神，聖經說得很清楚，衪會給我們一些自由度去決定某些事情。所以「讓聖靈帶領查經」，不是說全部都說聖靈所說的話，如是這樣，根本就不會有錯誤，事實上是有時還要更正錯誤，這是在自由度內看錯了或作錯了決定。當需要更正錯誤時，就像我們前先所說的，或是聖靈會在意念中直接告訴我們，或是經由別人的話使我們知道。

4. 被應允的禱告的一次記錄

       「二人既被釋放，就到會友那裏去，把祭司長和長老所說的話都告訴他們。他們聽見了，就同心合意地高聲向神說：「主啊，你是造天、地、海和其中萬物的，你曾藉着聖靈託你僕人──我們祖宗大衞的口說：『外邦為甚麼爭鬧？萬民為甚麼謀算虛妄的事？世上的君王一齊起來，臣宰也聚集，要敵擋主，並主的受膏者。』希律和本丟彼拉多、外邦人和以色列民果然在這城裏聚集，要攻打你所膏的聖僕耶穌，成就你手和你意旨所預定必有的事。他們恐嚇我們，現在求主鑒察。一面叫你僕人大放膽量，講你的道；一面伸出你的手來醫治疾病，並且使神蹟奇事因着你聖僕耶穌的名行出來。」禱告完了，聚會的地方震動，他們就都被聖靈充滿(G4130, filled)，放膽講論神的道。」(使徒行傳 4:23-31)

       彼得和約翰被釋放後，和會友就同心合意地高聲向神禱告，引用大衞在詩篇 2:1-2 的話，所以老早就預知了這件事會發生。經文又說，「成就你手和你意旨所預定必有的事。」(使徒行傳 4:28) 所以這又證明了預知和預定是一體的兩面。他們的禱告清楚的寫在經文中，看經文就知道他們的禱告，也看到了這是一個被應允的禱告，不像衆人為馬提亞的禱告(參使徒行傳 1:23-26)，沒有記載被應允。但這次「禱告完了，聚會的地方震動，他們就都被聖靈充滿，放膽講論神的道。」(使徒行傳 4:31)

        我們知道有內住的聖靈和被聖靈充滿是完全不同的概念，每一個基督徒都有內住的聖靈，如經文所說，「豈不知你們的身子就是聖靈的殿嗎？這聖靈是從神而來，住在你們裏頭的；…」(哥林多前書 6:19) 但不是每個人都會被聖靈充滿，要不就不會有「…弟兄們，當從你們中間選出七個有好名聲、被聖靈充滿(G4134, full)、智慧充足的人，我們就派他們管理(飯食)這事。」(使徒行傳 6:3) 我們看到即使管理飯食的這等許多人以為的小事，也要被聖靈充滿才行。不過被聖靈充滿，一定會在弟兄中有好名聲，和智慧充足，不知道為什麼要强調這點？大概是說被聖靈充滿一定會有這些現象。司提反是這七位中的一位，「..乃是大有信心、聖靈充滿(G4134)的人；…」(使徒行傳 6:5) 他「…滿得(G4134)恩惠能力，在民間行了大奇事和神蹟。」(使徒行傳 6:8) 所以我們要追求的是一直被聖靈充滿，不是一次性因直求而得來的聖靈 (參路加福音 11:5-13)。

        我們知道這次被聖靈充滿是講論神的道，而耶穌復活後的第一次五旬節，聖靈降臨也是如此用的這字G4130 (參使徒行傳 2:1-11)。有人就會問，是不是每次被聖靈充滿，都會講論神的道？除了已經說到的事情外，看看新約每次提到被聖靈充滿時是怎麼說的？

       首先我們要强調的聖靈是三位一體的神的一位，祂有絕對的主權，在祂降臨前就有人被聖靈充滿，我們就來看下面這些經文。經文說，「伊利沙伯一聽馬利亞問安，所懷的胎就在腹裏跳動。伊利沙伯且被聖靈充滿(G4130)，高聲喊着說：「你在婦女中是有福的！你所懷的胎也是有福的！」(路加福音 1:41-42) 她是在講神國的事，救恩的安排帶出了馬利亞尊主為大的話語 (參路加福音 1:43-56) 又如，「他(施洗約翰)父親撒迦利亞被聖靈充滿(G4130)了，就預言說：」(路加福音 1:67) 也是讚美神，說到了救恩(參路加福音 1:68-80) 然後是「耶穌被聖靈充滿(G4134)，…」(路加福音 4:1)。

       我們注意到充滿的原文是用了兩個不同的字 G4130 和 G4134，前者出現了 27 次，而後者 17 次，如果你去看其包含的所有的經文及上下文，就知道被聖靈充滿是對的翻譯。要看上下文，因為有些經文不是在説聖靈充滿的事，譬如 ，「他們就滿心(G4130)大怒，彼此商議怎樣處治耶穌。」(路加福音 6:11) 我們剛才分享的經文用的就是G4130，「那時，彼得被聖靈充滿(G4130)，…」(使徒行傳 4:8) 

       我們就來看一些沒有提到的經文，先說和這次被聖靈充滿(G4130)用的字有關的。在保羅見到大光後，「亞拿尼亞就去了，進入那家，把手按在掃羅身上說：「兄弟掃羅，在你來的路上向你顯現的主，就是耶穌，打發我來，叫你能看見，又被聖靈充滿(G4130)。」(使徒行傳 9:17) 又看到「掃羅又名保羅，被聖靈充滿(G4130)，定睛看他(以呂馬)。」(使徒行傳 13:9) 這次是和傳福音有關，使以呂馬暫時失明 (參使徒行傳 13:10-12)。

        再看在這經文中的另外一個字G4134，「但司提反被聖靈充滿(G4134)，定睛望天，看見神的榮耀，又看見耶穌站在神的右邊。」(使徒行傳 7:55) 這次是看見了神的榮耀，所以被聖靈充滿的反應是很不同的，再次看到了聖靈的絕對主權。這經文說到巴拿巴，「…原是個好人，被聖靈充滿(G4134)，大有信心。於是，有許多人歸服了主。」(使徒行傳 11:24) 這和神國有關，看到了宣道的成效，而宣道是必須的，因為「…信道是從聽道來的，聽道是從基督的話來的。」(羅馬書 10:17)

        關於被聖靈充滿是指有人說的滿有聖靈，保羅講得很清楚，「不要醉酒，酒能使人放蕩，乃要被聖靈充滿(G4137, filled, root G4134)。」(以弗所書 5:18) 這裡有一個新字 G4137，但是這字是由G4134而來，這字出現了95 次，太多次了，所以我沒有看完所有這字的經文，在取樣的經文中，被聖靈充滿是很好的翻譯。譬如，另一次在這經文裡，「門徒(保羅和巴拿巴)滿心喜樂，又被聖靈充滿(G4137)。」(使徒行傳 13:52) 在以弗所書出現了4 次，其意義也可從這經文看到，「教會是他的身體，是那充滿萬有者所充滿(G4137)的。」(以弗所書 1:23) 我們講了三個不同的原文字，和合本的翻譯都很好。

5. 耶路撒冷教會東西大家公用和勸慰子巴拿巴

       「那許多信的人都是一心一意的，沒有一人說他的東西有一樣是自己的，都是大家公用。使徒大有能力，見證主耶穌復活，眾人也都蒙大恩。內中也沒有一個缺乏的，因為人人將田產房屋都賣了，把所賣的價銀拿來，放在使徒腳前，照各人所需用的，分給各人。有一個利未人，生在塞浦路斯，名叫約瑟，使徒稱他為巴拿巴（巴拿巴翻出來就是勸慰子）。他有田地也賣了，把價銀拿來，放在使徒腳前。」(使徒行傳 4:32-37)

       我們以前在「2170 聖靈降臨, 彼得講道有三千人受洗, 和凡物公用 – 徒(2)1-47」中的「4. 耶路撒冷的教會凡物公用並在家中擘餅」，談過一些關於凡物公用的事，其中也說到巴拿巴是這樣的一個例子。

        當「掃羅到了耶路撒冷，想與門徒結交。他們卻都怕他，不信他是門徒。惟有巴拿巴接待他，領去見使徒，把他在路上怎麼看見主，主怎麼向他說話，他在大馬士革怎麼奉耶穌的名放膽傳道，都述說出來。」(使徒行傳 9:26-27) 「他又往大數去找掃羅，找着了，就帶他到安提阿去。他們足有一年的工夫和教會一同聚集，教訓了許多人。門徒稱為基督徒是從安提阿起首。」(使徒行傳 11:25-26) 他的確是勸慰子。

        請注意，這文章是基於週日(12/14/25)的專題查經，經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本，所引用過去的文章，在我們的網站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，就可以找到。

    首先前言谈到我们现在进入了另一个阶段，复习专题查经的基础，讲到「让圣灵带领查经」，和不要说谎而认撒但为父。第二，我们看看彼得奉耶稣基督的名医治瘸腿的神迹，经文将过程写得很清楚，过程请看经文，我们就简短的提除过程外的其他注意点，其中包括注意到这里是说赞美神，而不是赞美行神迹的彼得。最后说到彼得见证要信耶稣，并劝众人悔改，其中谈到了要进到窄门里，也引用了以前讨论过的圣灵带领查经的不可少和例子，当中说到一个绝对可行圣经应许的实际方法。      

1. 前言        

    可能你们会注意到，我们现在进入了另一个阶段。我们已看完基于路加福音的「信」，启示录的「望」，约翰福音的「爱」，因为基督徒是要在信望爱的生活中，而除了马太福音在相关的经文中常提到外，我们又看完了马可福音，所以四福音书我们大致看完了，以后只要补上马太福音中没提到的就可以了，其实我们是不可能完全的看完所有的圣经，因为神是无限而人是有限，祂随时随地都可以开我们的眼睛，让我们看到更多的，所以保罗会说，「若有人以为自己知道甚么，按他所当知道的，他仍是不知道。」(哥林多前书 8:2)   

    现在是进入另一个阶段的新约教会的早期历史。而在这一阶段中，通常会在专题查经聚会后的文章中有些扩展，这些扩展可能是你们没有注意到的知识，就如周日(11/30/25)的专题查经后的扩展文章一样，请你们去我们的网站看这扩展的文章，如你们在网站上看文章后，发觉有逻辑上的问题，请告诉我，网站上有我的联络地址。谢谢。        

    关于专题查经，我们是基于基督徒相信的，「新旧约都是神所默示的」。相信三位一体的神不是模棱两可的神，就知道「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」，也因此会「不把圣经的话打折扣」。基于这两者，当我们读对圣经后，就会发觉圣经是多么符合逻辑，而要读对圣经，非要「让圣灵带领查经」不可。        

    因为神不是一个命令一个动作的神，在让圣灵带领查经中，祂会给我们一些自由度让我们自己决定一些事情，当我们在自由度中看错了或是决定错了，还是需要更正的。一个很清楚的例子在「3123 更正: 神用客观的、给别人看的客观事实显现祂的存在」，有时祂甚至会在一个话题上，一步一步的带领我们，直到我们看到对的圣经所讲的为止，如同在「3142 十一奉献的真谛和不要认撒但为父」中一样。     

    我们要强调的一点是，神是无限，而人是有限，祂能随时随地开我们的眼睛，所以我只能以我目前有限的经历，证明以上说的是对的。简单的说，就是当我觉得圣经有矛盾或是犯了错误时，圣灵会开我的眼睛，让我看到自己的错误在那里。当然祂有绝对的主权，大概不是每一次都会如此，但于我而言，常常是如此。        

    我们知道圣经中确实有默示明显矛盾的时候，当我们看到明显矛盾时，要问的该是神默示这明显矛盾是要我们注意到什么，而不是说谎骗自己，没有明显的矛盾，这会是认撒但为父，因为圣经明说，「…魔鬼(撒但)…说谎是出于自己，因他本来是说谎的，也是说谎之人的父。」(约翰福音 8:44) 我们有时宁可受委屈而选择不说话，也不要说谎，要知道「亲爱的弟兄，不要自己伸冤，宁可让步，听凭主怒。因为经上记著：「主说：『伸冤在我，我必报应。』」所以，「你的仇敌若饿了，就给他吃；若渴了，就给他喝。因为你这样行，就是把炭火堆在他的头上。」你不可为恶所胜，反要以善胜恶。」(罗马书 12:19-21) 不是为了把炭火堆在他的头上就这样做了，不要讶异这样表面上做了而没有成就，动机完全不对不会成就的，这样做本是要以善胜恶。

2. 彼得奉耶稣基督的名医治瘸腿的神迹         

    「申初祷告的时候，彼得、约翰上圣殿去。有一个人，生来是瘸腿的，天天被人抬来，放在殿的一个门口（那门名叫美门），要求进殿的人赒济。他看见彼得、约翰将要进殿，就求他们赒济。彼得、约翰定睛(G816)看他。彼得说：「你看我们！」那人就留意看他们，指望得著甚么。彼得说：「金银我都没有，只把我所有的给你。我奉拿撒勒人耶稣基督的名，叫你起来行走！」于是拉著他的右手，扶他起来。他的脚和踝子骨立刻健壮了，就跳起来，站著，又行走；同他们进了殿，走著，跳著，赞美神。百姓都看见他行走，赞美神，认得他是那素常坐在殿的美门口求赒济的，就因他所遇著的事，满心希奇惊讶。」(使徒行传 3:1-10)        

    申初是在犹太传统中的第三次献晚祭祷告的固定时刻，为15:00-17:00，这神迹是在这时发生的。经文将发生的事情说得很清楚，就请看经文所叙述的过程，我们就简短的提一下除过程外的其他注意点。        

    这字定睛(G816)出现了15次，当我们看见这字时，就知道大事会要发生了。譬如，当耶稣来到拿撒勒念先知以赛亚的书时，祂「…把书卷起来，交还执事，就坐下。会堂里的人都定睛看他。耶稣对他们说：「今天这经应验在你们耳中了。」」(路加福音 4:20-21) 这是指这经文，「主耶和华的灵在我身上，因为耶和华用膏膏我，叫我传好信息给谦卑的人，差遣我医好伤心的人，报告被掳的得释放，被囚的出监牢；报告耶和华的恩年，…」(以赛亚书 61:1-2) 但没有说，「…和我们神报仇的日子；…」(以赛亚书 61:2) 所以耶稣告诉我们一件大事，祂的到来是指救恩时代恩典的到临，到衪再来时绝对是神报仇的日子，这和诗篇说的是一致的，「公义和公平，是你宝座的根基；慈爱和诚实，行在你前面。」(诗篇 89:14)    

    又如，「路司得城里坐著一个两脚无力的人，生来是瘸腿的，从来没有走过。他听保罗讲道，保罗定睛看他，见他有信心，可得痊愈，就大声说：「你起来，两脚站直！」那人就跳起来，而且行走。」(使徒行传 14:8-10) 神迹不是件小事。不过那次的神迹和这次不同，那次是因瘸腿的有信心，这次跟本没提到瘸腿的信心，是彼得主动的以主耶稣的名行了神迹，也看见主耶稣的名是大有能力的。在这里要提到一点是，「名」在犹太人的观念中代表整个人，所以「信祂名」就是接受主耶稣基督自己。        

    请注意，这里是说赞美神，而不是赞美行神迹的彼得，这情况就和耶稣治愈瞎子一样。经文说，「耶稣说：「你可以看见！你的信救了你了。」瞎子立刻看见了，就跟随耶稣，一路归荣耀与神。众人看见这事，也赞美神。」(路加福音 18:42-43) 因为这是犹太人的暸解就像这例子说的一样，「这人(尼哥底母)夜里来见耶稣，说：「拉比，我们知道你是由神那里来作师傅的，因为你所行的神迹，若没有神同在，无人能行。」」(约翰福音 3:2) 所以他们赞美神。

3. 彼得见证要信耶稣，因而我们需要走窄门          

    「那人正在称为所罗门的廊下，拉著彼得、约翰，众百姓一齐跑到他们那里，很觉希奇。彼得看见，就对百姓说：「以色列人哪，为甚么把这事当作希奇呢？为甚么定睛(G816)看我们，以为我们凭自己的能力和虔诚使这人行走呢？亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各的神，就是我们列祖的神，已经荣耀了他的仆人耶稣，你们却把他交付彼拉多。彼拉多定意要释放他，你们竟在彼拉多面前弃绝了他。你们弃绝了那圣洁公义者，反求著释放一个凶手给你们。你们杀了那生命的主，神却叫他从死里复活了，我们都是为这事作见证。我们因信他的名，他的名便叫你们所看见、所认识的这人健壮了。正是他所赐的信心，叫这人在你们众人面前全然好了。「弟兄们，我晓得你们做这事是出于不知，你们的官长也是如此。但神曾借众先知的口，预言基督将要受害，就这样应验了。所以你们当悔改归正，使你们的罪得以涂抹；这样，那安舒的日子就必从主面前来到，主也必差遣所预定给你们的基督耶稣降临。天必留他，等到万物复兴的时候，就是神从创世以来，借著圣先知的口所说的。摩西曾说：『主神要从你们弟兄中间给你们兴起一位先知像我，凡他向你们所说的，你们都要听从。凡不听从那先知的，必要从民中全然灭绝。』「从撒母耳以来的众先知，凡说预言的，也都说到这些日子。你们是先知的子孙，也承受神与你们祖宗所立的约，就是对亚伯拉罕说：『地上万族都要因你的后裔得福。』神既兴起他的仆人，就先差他到你们这里来，赐福给你们，叫你们各人回转，离开罪恶。」」(使徒行传 3:11-26)      

    虽然是彼得讲话，显然约翰和彼得是一齐的，百姓定睛看的也是他们，彼得是带头的，就代表他们说了话，他的宣道很清楚的记在经文中，就像以前一样，请看经文所叙述的宣道，我们就只简短的提一下。      

    他为耶稣的死里复活，为我们作了见证，祂是三位一体神中的一位，是因祂的名行的神迹。当他说到应验时，就是耶稣稣复活后自己所说的，「于是从摩西和众先知起，凡经上所指著自己的话都给他们(去以马忤斯的二门徒)讲解明白了。」(路加福音 24:27) 一个人如果只是明白，最多祇是开始而已，所以才有「耶稣对他们(包括去以马忤斯的二门徒)说：「这就是我从前与你们同在之时所告诉你们的话说：摩西的律法、先知的书和诗篇上所记的，凡指著我的话都必须应验。」于是耶稣开他们的心窍 (G3563, 原文是nous, 英文是understanding, mind)，使他们能明白圣经。」(路加福音 24:44-45) 他们一定要被耶稣开心窍，才能明白圣经。在这之前，他们虽读，却是没读懂，今日也是会如此。请注意这经文，「惟独长大成人的，才能吃干粮，他们的心窍(G415, sense)习练得通达，就能分辩好歹了。」(希伯来书 5:14)   虽然合和本同样用心窍这辞，但原文是用不同的字，这字只出现过这一次。            

    这字G3563出现24次，它的意义可以从这些经文看出来，就是: 「谁知道主的心(G3563, mind)？谁作过他的谋士呢？」(罗马书 11:34) 和「不要效法这个世界，只要心意(G3563, mind)更新而变化，叫你们察验何为神的善良、纯全、可喜悦的旨意。」(罗马书 12:2) 及「在这里有智慧(G3563, understanding)。凡有聪明的，可以算计兽的数目；因为这是人的数目，他的数目是六百六十六。」(启示录 13:18) 从这里我们可以看到，和合本的翻译有时和原文相差很多，会误导人。          

    我们知道那时有耶稣开他们的心窍(nous)，现今耶稣是以圣灵的形式住在我们心里，所以现在能开我们心窍的只有圣灵，非「让圣灵带领查经」不可。以前我们在「2168 生命和神迹: 圣灵带领查经的不可少和例子」中看到了一个，绝对可行圣经应许的实际方法，看你愿不愿意花这样的时间，把自己交在神手里，不只是说说而已，而是采取了信心的实际行动，这也就是为什么在白色大宝座的审判时，会看基督徒是否有信心行为 (参启示录 20:11-13) 。       

    我们注意到这句话，「神既兴起他的仆人，就先差他到你们这里来，…」(使徒行传 3:26) 有一个原文版本的确是这样写的，但和合本这里有一个注解说仆人或作儿子，这就和汇编(Strong’s Concordance)的原文一致，汇编是说「他的儿子耶稣(his G846 Son G3816 Jesus, G2424)」，从「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」来看，这仆人就是指耶稣。          

    当他说到摩西曾说时，是引用了这经文，「耶和华你的神要从你们弟兄中间给你兴起一位先知像我，你们要听从他。…谁不听他奉我名所说的话，我必讨谁的罪。」(申命记 18:15-19) 这就是新约所讲的，「信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。」(约翰福音 3:18) 所以这人是指耶稣基督。的确是，「从撒母耳以来的众先知，凡说预言的，也都说到这些日子。」(使徒行传 3:24) 难怪「撒母耳长大了，耶和华与他同在，使他所说的话，一句都不落空。从但到别是巴所有的以色列人，都知道耶和华立撒母耳为先知。」(撒母耳记上 3:19-20)       

    当他说，「你们是先知的子孙，也承受神与你们祖宗所立的约，就是对亚伯拉罕说：『地上万族都要因你的后裔得福。』」(使徒行传 3:25) 这不是指肉体的子孙，而是指属灵的子孙，保罗说得很清楚，「因为外面作犹太人的，不是真犹太人；外面肉身的割礼，也不是真割礼。惟有里面作的，才是真犹太人；真割礼也是心里的，在乎灵，不在乎仪文。这人的称赞不是从人来的，乃是从神来的。」(罗马书 2:28-29) 接著是说，「神既兴起他的仆人，就先差他到你们这里来，赐福给你们，叫你们各人回转，离开罪恶。」(使徒行传 3:26) 这不是明说要给犹太人一个回转的机会吗？是的，这是因为「神爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生。」(约翰福音 3:16) 但是即使是现在，也有许多犹太人不肯悔改而认耶稣为基督，这就犹如「在我敌人面前，你为我摆设筵席；…」(诗篇 23:5) 筵席是摆在桌前了，如果只坐在那里而不肯吃，别人又能如何？只能劝说而已。        

    新约也说，「我(耶稣)就是门，凡从我进来的，必然得救，并且出入得草吃。」(约翰福音 10:9) 凡从门进来的，就因信称义，就是经文所说，「我们既因信称义，就借著我们的主耶稣基督得与神相和。」(罗马书 5:1) 我们进对了门就有草吃，只是有草吃，如果不吃草，别人又能如何？经文明说，「你们要进窄门。因为引到灭亡，那门是宽的，路是大的，进去的人也多；引到永生，那门是窄的，路是小的，找著的人也少。」(马太福音 7:13-14) 有多少人进门后真正的进到窄门里，把自己完全的让圣灵带领？这不就是保罗说的，「你们若顺从肉体活著，必要死；若靠著圣灵治死身体的恶行，必要活著。因为凡被神的灵引导的，都是神的儿子。」(罗马书 8:13-14) 真的，要「让圣灵带领查经」。

    请注意，这文章是基于周日(12/7/25)的专题查经，经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本，所引用过去的文章，在我们的网站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『对属灵生命的了解』，就可以找到。

       首先前言談到我們現在進入了另一個階段，複習專題查經的基礎，講到「讓聖靈帶領查經」，和不要說謊而認撒但為父。第二，我們看看彼得奉耶穌基督的名醫治瘸腿的神蹟，經文將過程寫得很清楚，過程請看經文，我們就簡短的提除過程外的其他注意點，其中包括注意到這裏是說讚美神，而不是讚美行神蹟的彼得。最後說到彼得見證要信耶穌，並勸衆人悔改，其中談到了要進到窄門裡，也引用了以前討論過的聖靈帶領查經的不可少和例子，當中說到一個絕對可行聖經應許的實際方法。

1. 前言

        可能你們會注意到，我們現在進入了另一個階段。我們已看完基於路加福音的「信」，啓示錄的「望」，約翰福音的「愛」，因為基督徒是要在信望愛的生活中，而除了馬太福音在相關的經文中常提到外，我們又看完了馬可福音，所以四福音書我們大致看完了，以後衹要補上馬太福音中沒提到的就可以了，其實我們是不可能完全的看完所有的聖經，因為神是無限而人是有限，祂隨時隨地都可以開我們的眼睛，讓我們看到更多的，所以保羅會說，「若有人以為自己知道甚麼，按他所當知道的，他仍是不知道。」(哥林多前書 8:2)

    現在是進入另一個階段的新約教會的早期歷史。而在這一階段中，通常會在專題查經聚會後的文章中有些擴展，這些擴展可能是你們沒有注意到的知識，就如週日(11/30/25)的專題查經後的擴展文章一樣，請你們去我們的網站看這擴展的文章，如你們在網站上看文章後，發覺有邏輯上的問題，請告訴我，網站上有我的聯絡地址。謝謝。

        關於專題查經，我們是基於基督徒相信的，「新舊約都是神所默示的」。相信三位一體的神不是模稜两可的神，就知道「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」，也因此會「不把聖經的話打折扣」。基於這兩者，當我們讀對聖經後，就會發覺聖經是多麼符合邏輯，而要讀對聖經，非要「讓聖靈帶領查經」不可。

        因為神不是一個命令一個動作的神，在讓聖靈帶領查經中，祂會給我們一些自由度讓我們自己決定一些事情，當我們在自由度中看錯了或是決定錯了，還是需要更正的。一個很清楚的例子在「2123 更正: 神用客觀的、給別人看的客觀事實顯現祂的存在」，有時祂甚至會在一個話題上，一步一步的帶領我們，直到我們看到對的聖經所講的為止，如同在「2142 十一奉獻的真諦和不要認撒但為父」中一樣。

     我們要强調的一點是，神是無限，而人是有限，祂能隨時隨地開我們的眼睛，所以我衹能以我目前有限的經歷，證明以上說的是對的。簡單的說，就是當我覺得聖經有矛盾或是犯了錯誤時，聖靈會開我的眼睛，讓我看到自己的錯誤在那裏。當然祂有絕對的主權，大概不是每一次都會如此，但於我而言，常常是如此。

        我們知道聖經中確實有默示明顯矛盾的時候，當我們看到明顯矛盾時，要問的該是神默示這明顯矛盾是要我們注意到什麼，而不是說謊騙自己，沒有明顯的矛盾，這會是認撒但為父，因為聖經明說，「…魔鬼(撒但)…說謊是出於自己，因他本來是說謊的，也是說謊之人的父。」(約翰福音 8:44) 我們有時寧可受委屈而選擇不說話，也不要說謊，要知道「親愛的弟兄，不要自己伸冤，寧可讓步，聽憑主怒。因為經上記着：「主說：『伸冤在我，我必報應。』」所以，「你的仇敵若餓了，就給他吃；若渴了，就給他喝。因為你這樣行，就是把炭火堆在他的頭上。」你不可為惡所勝，反要以善勝惡。」(羅馬書 12:19-21) 不是為了把炭火堆在他的頭上就這樣做了，不要訝異這樣表面上做了而沒有成就，動機完全不對不會成就的，這樣做本是要以善勝惡。

2. 彼得奉耶穌基督的名醫治瘸腿的神蹟

         「申初禱告的時候，彼得、約翰上聖殿去。有一個人，生來是瘸腿的，天天被人抬來，放在殿的一個門口（那門名叫美門），要求進殿的人賙濟。他看見彼得、約翰將要進殿，就求他們賙濟。彼得、約翰定睛(G816)看他。彼得說：「你看我們！」那人就留意看他們，指望得着甚麼。彼得說：「金銀我都沒有，只把我所有的給你。我奉拿撒勒人耶穌基督的名，叫你起來行走！」於是拉着他的右手，扶他起來。他的腳和踝子骨立刻健壯了，就跳起來，站着，又行走；同他們進了殿，走着，跳着，讚美神。百姓都看見他行走，讚美神，認得他是那素常坐在殿的美門口求賙濟的，就因他所遇着的事，滿心希奇驚訝。」(使徒行傳 3:1-10)

        申初是在猶太傳統中的第三次獻晚祭禱告的固定時刻，為15:00-17:00，這神蹟是在這時發生的。經文將發生的事情說得很清楚，就請看經文所敍述的過程，我們就簡短的提一下除過程外的其他注意點。

        這字定睛(G816)出現了15次，當我們看見這字時，就知道大事會要發生了。譬如，當耶穌來到拿撒勒念先知以賽亞的書時，祂「…把書捲起來，交還執事，就坐下。會堂裏的人都定睛看他。耶穌對他們說：「今天這經應驗在你們耳中了。」」(路加福音 4:20-21) 這是指這經文，「主耶和華的靈在我身上，因為耶和華用膏膏我，叫我傳好信息給謙卑的人，差遣我醫好傷心的人，報告被擄的得釋放，被囚的出監牢；報告耶和華的恩年，…」(以賽亞書 61:1-2) 但沒有說，「…和我們神報仇的日子；…」(以賽亞書 61:2) 所以耶穌告訴我們一件大事，祂的到來是指救恩時代恩典的到臨，到衪再來時絕對是神報仇的日子，這和詩篇說的是一致的，「公義和公平，是你寶座的根基；慈愛和誠實，行在你前面。」(詩篇 89:14)

    又如，「路司得城裏坐着一個兩腳無力的人，生來是瘸腿的，從來沒有走過。他聽保羅講道，保羅定睛看他，見他有信心，可得痊愈，就大聲說：「你起來，兩腳站直！」那人就跳起來，而且行走。」(使徒行傳 14:8-10) 神蹟不是件小事。不過那次的神蹟和這次不同，那次是因瘸腿的有信心，這次跟本沒提到瘸腿的信心，是彼得主動的以主耶穌的名行了神蹟，也看見主耶穌的名是大有能力的。在這裏要提到一點是，「名」在猶太人的觀念中代表整個人，所以「信祂名」就是接受主耶穌基督自己。

        請注意，這裏是說讚美神，而不是讚美行神蹟的彼得，這情況就和耶穌治癒瞎子一樣。經文說，「耶穌說：「你可以看見！你的信救了你了。」瞎子立刻看見了，就跟隨耶穌，一路歸榮耀與神。眾人看見這事，也讚美神。」(路加福音 18:42-43) 因為這是猶太人的暸解就像這例子說的一樣，「這人(尼哥底母)夜裏來見耶穌，說：「拉比，我們知道你是由神那裏來作師傅的，因為你所行的神蹟，若沒有神同在，無人能行。」」(約翰福音 3:2) 所以他們讚美神。

3. 彼得見證要信耶穌，因而我們需要走窄門

          「那人正在稱為所羅門的廊下，拉着彼得、約翰，眾百姓一齊跑到他們那裏，很覺希奇。彼得看見，就對百姓說：「以色列人哪，為甚麼把這事當作希奇呢？為甚麼定睛(G816)看我們，以為我們憑自己的能力和虔誠使這人行走呢？亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各的神，就是我們列祖的神，已經榮耀了他的僕人耶穌，你們卻把他交付彼拉多。彼拉多定意要釋放他，你們竟在彼拉多面前棄絕了他。你們棄絕了那聖潔公義者，反求着釋放一個兇手給你們。你們殺了那生命的主，神卻叫他從死裏復活了，我們都是為這事作見證。我們因信他的名，他的名便叫你們所看見、所認識的這人健壯了。正是他所賜的信心，叫這人在你們眾人面前全然好了。「弟兄們，我曉得你們做這事是出於不知，你們的官長也是如此。但神曾藉眾先知的口，預言基督將要受害，就這樣應驗了。所以你們當悔改歸正，使你們的罪得以塗抹；這樣，那安舒的日子就必從主面前來到，主也必差遣所預定給你們的基督耶穌降臨。天必留他，等到萬物復興的時候，就是神從創世以來，藉着聖先知的口所說的。摩西曾說：『主神要從你們弟兄中間給你們興起一位先知像我，凡他向你們所說的，你們都要聽從。凡不聽從那先知的，必要從民中全然滅絕。』「從撒母耳以來的眾先知，凡說預言的，也都說到這些日子。你們是先知的子孫，也承受神與你們祖宗所立的約，就是對亞伯拉罕說：『地上萬族都要因你的後裔得福。』神既興起他的僕人，就先差他到你們這裏來，賜福給你們，叫你們各人回轉，離開罪惡。」」(使徒行傳 3:11-26)

        雖然是彼得講話，顯然約翰和彼得是一齊的，百姓定睛看的也是他們，彼得是帶頭的，就代表他們說了話，他的宣道很清楚的記在經文中，就像以前一樣，請看經文所敍述的宣道，我們就衹簡短的提一下。

        他為耶穌的死裏復活，為我們作了見證，祂是三位一體神中的一位，是因祂的名行的神蹟。當他說到應驗時，就是耶穌穌復活後自己所說的，「於是從摩西和眾先知起，凡經上所指着自己的話都給他們(去以馬忤斯的二門徒)講解明白了。」(路加福音 24:27) 一個人如果衹是明白，最多祇是開始而已，所以才有「耶穌對他們(包括去以馬忤斯的二門徒)說：「這就是我從前與你們同在之時所告訴你們的話說：摩西的律法、先知的書和詩篇上所記的，凡指着我的話都必須應驗。」於是耶穌開他們的心竅 (G3563, 原文是nous, 英文是understanding, mind)，使他們能明白聖經。」(路加福音 24:44-45) 他們一定要被耶穌開心竅，才能明白聖經。在這之前，他們雖讀，卻是沒讀懂，今日也是會如此。請注意這經文，「惟獨長大成人的，才能吃乾糧，他們的心竅(G415, sense)習練得通達，就能分辨好歹了。」(希伯來書 5:14)   雖然合和本同樣用心竅這辭，但原文是用不同的字，這字衹出現過這一次。

          這字G3563出現24次，它的意義可以從這些經文看出來，就是: 「誰知道主的心(G3563, mind)？誰作過他的謀士呢？」(羅馬書 11:34) 和「不要效法這個世界，只要心意(G3563, mind)更新而變化，叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。」(羅馬書 12:2) 及「在這裏有智慧(G3563, understanding)。凡有聰明的，可以算計獸的數目；因為這是人的數目，他的數目是六百六十六。」(啓示錄 13:18) 從這裡我們可以看到，和合本的翻譯有時和原文相差很多，會誤導人。

          我們知道那時有耶穌開他們的心竅(nous)，現今耶穌是以聖靈的形式住在我們心裡，所以現在能開我們心竅的衹有聖靈，非「讓聖靈帶領查經」不可。以前我們在「2168 生命和神蹟: 聖靈帶領查經的不可少和例子」中看到了一個，絕對可行聖經應許的實際方法，看你願不願意花這樣的時間，把自己交在神手裡，不衹是說說而已，而是採取了信心的實際行動，這也就是為什麼在白色大寶座的審判時，會看基督徒是否有信心行為 (參啓示錄 20:11-13) 。

       我們注意到這句話，「神既興起他的僕人，就先差他到你們這裏來，…」(使徒行傳 3:26) 有一個原文版本的確是這樣寫的，但和合本這裡有一個註解說僕人或作兒子，這就和彙編(Strong’s Concordance)的原文一致，彙編是說「他的兒子耶穌(his G846 Son G3816 Jesus, G2424)」，從「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」來看，這僕人就是指耶穌。

        當他說到摩西曾說時，是引用了這經文，「耶和華你的神要從你們弟兄中間給你興起一位先知像我，你們要聽從他。…誰不聽他奉我名所說的話，我必討誰的罪。」(申命記 18:15-19) 這就是新約所講的，「信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已經定了，因為他不信神獨生子的名。」(約翰福音 3:18) 所以這人是指耶穌基督。的確是，「從撒母耳以來的眾先知，凡說預言的，也都說到這些日子。」(使徒行傳 3:24) 難怪「撒母耳長大了，耶和華與他同在，使他所說的話，一句都不落空。從但到別是巴所有的以色列人，都知道耶和華立撒母耳為先知。」(撒母耳記上 3:19-20)

       當他說，「你們是先知的子孫，也承受神與你們祖宗所立的約，就是對亞伯拉罕說：『地上萬族都要因你的後裔得福。』」(使徒行傳 3:25) 這不是指肉體的子孫，而是指屬靈的子孫，保羅説得很清楚，「因為外面作猶太人的，不是真猶太人；外面肉身的割禮，也不是真割禮。惟有裏面作的，才是真猶太人；真割禮也是心裏的，在乎靈，不在乎儀文。這人的稱讚不是從人來的，乃是從神來的。」(羅馬書 2:28-29) 接著是說，「神既興起他的僕人，就先差他到你們這裏來，賜福給你們，叫你們各人回轉，離開罪惡。」(使徒行傳 3:26) 這不是明說要給猶太人一個回轉的機會嗎？是的，這是因為「神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的，不至滅亡，反得永生。」(約翰福音 3:16) 但是即使是現在，也有許多猶太人不肯悔改而認耶穌為基督，這就猶如「在我敵人面前，你為我擺設筵席；…」(詩篇 23:5) 筵席是擺在桌前了，如果衹坐在那裏而不肯吃，別人又能如何？衹能勸說而已。

        新約也說，「我(耶穌)就是門，凡從我進來的，必然得救，並且出入得草吃。」(約翰福音 10:9) 凡從門進來的，就因信稱義，就是經文所說，「我們既因信稱義，就藉着我們的主耶穌基督得與神相和。」(羅馬書 5:1) 我們進對了門就有草吃，衹是有草吃，如果不吃草，別人又能如何？經文明說，「你們要進窄門。因為引到滅亡，那門是寬的，路是大的，進去的人也多；引到永生，那門是窄的，路是小的，找着的人也少。」(馬太福音 7:13-14) 有多少人進門後真正的進到窄門裡，把自己完全的讓聖靈帶領？這不就是保羅說的，「你們若順從肉體活着，必要死；若靠着聖靈治死身體的惡行，必要活着。因為凡被神的靈引導的，都是神的兒子。」(羅馬書 8:13-14) 真的，要「讓聖靈帶領查經」。

       請注意，這文章是基於週日(12/7/25)的專題查經，經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本，所引用過去的文章，在我們的網站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』，就可以找到。

First, the preface mentions that we have now entered another phase, reviewing the foundation of topicwise Bible study. It discusses “let the Holy Spirit to lead our Bible study” and not lying which acknowledges Satan as father. Second, we examine Peter’s miracle of healing a lame man in the name of Jesus Christ. The scripture clearly details the process—please refer to the text for that—while we briefly highlight other points beyond the sequence. These include noting that praise is directed toward God, not toward Peter who performed the miracle. Finally, Peter testified that people must believe in Jesus and urged them to repent. Scripture in other place spoke of entering through the narrow gate and referenced the previously discussed necessity of “let Holy Spirit lead our Bible study” and the corresponding examples. Among the previous discussions also presented an absolutely feasible and practical method. 

1. Preface

You may have noticed that we have now entered another phase. We have completed our study of “Faith” based on the Book of Luke, “Hope” from the Book of Revelation, and “Love” from the Book of John, for Christians are called to live in faith, hope, and love. Having also covered the Book of Mark. For the Book of Matthew, its relevant passages frequently cross-reference in the other three Gospels. Thus, we have now largely finished the four Gospels. Moving forward, we need only supplement what remains unaddressed in the Book of Matthew. Truthfully, we cannot possibly exhaust the entire Bible, for God is infinite while humans are finite. He can open our eyes at any moment to reveal more. This is why Paul declared, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.”(1 Corinthians 8:2).

We are now entering a new phase: the early history of the New Testament church. In this phase, articles following topicwise Bible study gatherings often include expansions. These expansions may contain knowledge you haven’t noticed, much like the expansion article after Sunday’s (11/30/25) topicwise Bible study. Please visit our website to read these expansion articles. If you encounter logical issues after reading them online, please let me know—my contact information is available on the site. Thank you.

Regarding the topicwise Bible study, we base it on the Christian belief that “both the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God.” Believing in the Triune God—not an ambiguous deity—means recognizing that “what God tells us through Bible is consistent.” Consequently, we “do not discount Bible’s words.” Grounded in these principles, when we interpret Scripture correctly, we discover its profound logical coherence. To interpret Scripture correctly, we must “allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in Bible study.”

For God is not a God who commands one action after another for every our actions. In allowing the Holy Spirit to lead our Bible study, He grants us some freedom to make our own decisions. When we misinterpret or make wrong decisions within this freedom, correction is still necessary. A clear example is found in “1123 Correction: God reveals His existence through objective facts that are visible to others.” Sometimes He leads us step by step on a topic until we see what Scripture truly teaches, as in “1142 True meaning of tithing and don’t acknowledge Satan as father.”

We must emphasize that God is infinite while humans are finite. He can open our eyes anytime, anywhere. Therefore, I can only attest to the truth of the above based on my currently limited experience. Simply put, when I perceive contradictions or errors in Scripture, the Holy Spirit opens my eyes to see where my own mistakes lie. Of course, He holds absolute sovereignty, and this may not occur every single time. Yet for me, it has often been the case.

We acknowledge that the Bible does indeed contain apparent contradictions in its inspired text. When we encounter such apparent contradictions, we should ask what God intends us to notice through this apparent contradiction in His inspiration. We must not deceive ourselves by claiming no apparent contradiction exists—for that would be acknowledging Satan as our father. The Bible clearly states: “…the devil (Satan) …Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”(John 8:44) Sometimes we would rather suffer injustice and remain silent than tell a lie. Remember, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”(Romans 12:19-21) Do not do this merely to heap burning coals on his head. Do not be surprised that such outward actions yield no results—motives that are entirely wrong will never bear fruit. The purpose of such actions is to overcome evil with good.

2. Peter’s miracle of healing a lame man in Jesus Christ’s name

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze (G816) on him and said, “Look at us!” And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene⁠—walk!” And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”(Acts 3:1-10)

The third hour of the afternoon was the fixed time for the third evening prayer offering in Jewish tradition, occurring between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. This miracle took place at that hour. The text describes the events clearly. You can examine the sequence of events as narrated in the passage. We now briefly note other points of interest beyond the sequence itself.

The word “fix his gaze” (G816) appears 15 times. When we see this word, we know something significant is about to happen. For example, when Jesus came to Nazareth and read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, “…He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed (G816) on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.””(Luke 4:20-21) This refers to the passage:  “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;

To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD …”(Isaiah 61:1-2) But it does not say, “…And the day of vengeance of our God; …”(Isaiah 61:2) Therefore, Jesus reveals a profound truth: His coming signifies the arrival of the age of grace and salvation. His second coming will undoubtedly be the day of God’s vengeance, consistent with the Psalmist’s declaration: “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.”(Psalm 89:14)

Similarly, “At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well, said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk.”(Acts 14:8-10) Miracles are no small matter. However, that miracle differed from this one. The latter occurred because the lame man had faith, while the former makes no mention of the lame man’s faith at all. Peter proactively performed the miracle in the name of the Lord Jesus, demonstrating that the name of the Lord Jesus is mighty. Here it is important to note that in Jewish thought, the “name” represents the entire person. Therefore, “believing in His name” means accepting the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

Note that here the praise is directed toward God, not toward Peter who performed the miracle. This parallels Jesus healing the blind man. The Scripture records, “And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.”(Luke 18:42-43) For this was the Jewish understanding, as illustrated in this example: “this man (Nicodemus) came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.””(John 3:2) Therefore they praised God.

3. Peter testifies we must believe in Jesus, and thus we must enter through the narrow gate

“While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement. But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze (G816) at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. “And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren; to Him you shall give heed to everything He says to you. And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days. It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.””(Acts 3:11-26)

Though Peter was speaking, it was clear that John and Peter were together, and the people were looking intently at them. Peter took the lead and spoke on their behalf. His preaching is clearly recorded in Scripture, just as before. Let us briefly mention what the Scripture describes of his preaching.

He testified to Jesus’ death and resurrection, who is one of the three persons of the Trinity, and that miracles are performed in His name. When he spoke of ‘fulfillment,’ he referred to what Jesus Himself said after His resurrection: “Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them (the two disciples on the road to Emmaus) the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”(Luke 24:27) Merely understanding is only the beginning, which is why Jesus said to them (including the two disciples on the road to Emmaus), “Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds (G3563, original Greek: nous, English: understanding, mind) to understand the Scriptures.”(Luke 24:44-45) They had to have their minds opened by Jesus to understand the Scriptures. Before that, though they read, they did not comprehend—and so it is today. 

This word G3563 appears 24 times, and its meaning can be seen in these passages: “For who has known the mind (G3563) of the Lord, or who became His counselor?”(Romans 11:34) and “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (G3563), so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”(Romans 12:2) and “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding (G3563) calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.”(Revelation 13:18) 

We know that at that time Jesus opened their minds (nous). Today, Jesus dwells within us through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, only the Holy Spirit can open our minds—it is essential to “let the Holy Spirit lead Bible study.” Previously, in “1168 Life and miracles: Indispensability of Holy Spirit’s leading in Bible study and examples,” we saw an absolutely feasible and practical method. It depends on whether you are willing to invest such time, placing yourself in God’s hands—not merely paying lip service, but taking concrete actions of faith. This is precisely why, at the White Throne Judgment, Christians will be judged by their deeds of faith (cf. Revelation 20:11-13).

We note this statement: “…God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you …”(Acts 3:26). One original text version indeed reads this way, but the Chinese Union Version here includes a footnote stating “servant or son,” which aligns with the original text in the Strong’s Concordance. The Concordance reads “his G846 Son G3816 Jesus, G2424).” Considering that “what God tells us through Bible is consistent,” this servant refers to Jesus.

When he said, ‘Moses said’, he quoted this scripture: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him. …I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him.”(Deuteronomy 18:15-19) This is what the New Testament speaks of: “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”(John 3:18) Therefore, this person is Jesus Christ. Indeed, “…all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days.”(Acts 3:24) No wonder, “Thus Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail. All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD.”(1 Samuel 3:19-20)

When he said, “It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’”(Acts 3:25) This does not refer to physical descendants, but to spiritual descendants. Paul makes it clear: “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”(Romans 2:28-29) Then it says, “For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.” (Acts 3:26) Isn’t this explicitly giving the Jews an opportunity to turn back? Yes, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”(John 3:16) Yet even now, many Jews refuse to repent and acknowledge Jesus as the Christ. This is like “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; …”(Psalm 23:5) The banquet is set before them. If they sit there and refuse to eat, what else can others do? Only try to persuade them.

The New Testament also says, “I (Jesus) am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”(John 10:9) Whoever enters through the door is justified by faith. This is what Scripture means when it says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”(Romans 5:1) When we enter the right door, we have pasture to eat. But if we refuse to eat it, what can others do? The Scripture plainly states, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”(Matthew 7:13-14) How many, after entering the gate, truly enter the narrow gate and allow themselves to be completely led by the Holy Spirit? Is this not what Paul meant when he said, “for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”(Romans 8:13-14)? Truly, we must “let the Holy Spirit lead our Bible study.”

Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (12/7/25) topicwise Bible study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. Past articles referenced can be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, under ‘On spiritual understanding about life.’

First, we discuss the scene of the Holy Spirit’s descent during the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection. We see that the indwelling Holy Spirit was initiated by Himself, and that the disciples already possessed the indwelling Holy Spirit at that time—it was only now being manifested. Second, we examine Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, where he expounded on the prophecies of Joel. This reveals that foreknowledge and predestination are two sides of the same coin. His words had two dimensions: one described David’s spiritual experience, while the other, as a prophet, foresaw Christ’s resurrection. Third, we see that Peter’s sermon, empowered by the Holy Spirit, led to the baptism of three thousand people, for their hearts were pierced. Finally, we observe that the Jerusalem church shared everything in common and their daily activities, witnessing how the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 

1. The descent of the Holy Spirit at the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. 

Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs⁠—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others were mocking and saying, “They are full of sweet wine.””(Acts 2:1-13)

This describes the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit, where tongues of fire appeared. The scene is depicted very clearly here, but it was not like this every time when someone was filled with the Holy Spirit. This refers only to the first time. Understand that the Holy Spirit has absolute sovereignty, just as with spiritual gifts: “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”(1 Corinthians 12:11) To unbelievers, it evokes only astonishment, suspicion, or mockery. This descent resembled a mighty wind, reminding us of Jesus’ words: “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.””(John 3:8)

While we might summarize this passage as people coming from various regions, the detailed account of specific individuals arriving here prevents us from overlooking the author’s intent—to confirm that people truly came from diverse places. The Bible sometimes employs this style to draw our attention to what matters. For instance, in the Old Testament, when the tabernacle was consecrated, “The leaders offered the dedication offering for the altar when it was anointed, so the leaders offered their offering before the altar. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Let them present their offering, one leader each day, for the dedication of the altar.””(Numbers 7:10-11) The offerings were identical; it would have sufficed to list the offerings and then describe the order of the tribes: Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, Dan, Asher, and Naphtali. But following the Old Testament’s style, we see that all the tribes are the same, and the order should not be mistaken. When “Now the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, “The sons of Israel shall camp, each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ households; they shall camp around the tent of meeting at a distance.””(Numbers 2:1-2), the sequence remains consistent. When “…they moved out for the first time according to the commandment of the LORD through Moses.”(Numbers 10:13), without considering the sacred objects associated with the tabernacle, their marching order followed this pattern too.

We have discussed how the disciples received power through the descent of the Holy Spirit for the purpose of bearing witness to the Lord Jesus. This fulfills His promise: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”(John 14:16-17) Here it is stated that we would have the indwelling Holy Spirit, and they indeed received the power to testify for Jesus. Yet when Jesus was arrested, the general situation was that “…all the disciples left Him and fled.”(Matthew 26:56) The exception was Peter, who did not flee but departed after denying the Lord three times (cf. Matthew 26:69-75). Only John remained at the cross.

The disciples’ gathering there demonstrated that they had faith, indicating they already possessed the indwelling Holy Spirit, awaiting the first manifestation of the Spirit. On this point, Scripture clearly states that believers have the indwelling Holy Spirit: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, …”(1 Corinthians 6:19) Yet experience shows us that not every professing believer has a manifest presence of the Holy Spirit. Pursuing the Holy Spirit is not primarily to obtain power, but to bear witness to Him—don’t put cart before horses.

After Jesus’ resurrection, this indwelling Holy Spirit was initiated by Himself. Scripture records: “So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”(John 20:21-22) He never made empty gestures. Though they already possessed the indwelling Holy Spirit at that time, it was not until Pentecost that it was manifested for the first time, as recorded.

2. Peter’s sermon at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit

 “But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:  ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams; Even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit And they shall prophesy. ‘And I will grant wonders in the sky above And signs on the earth below,

Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. ‘The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come. ‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know⁠— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge (G4268) of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. For David says of Him, ‘I saw the Lord always in my presence; For He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken. ‘Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover my flesh also will live in hope; Because You will not abandon my soul (G5590) to Hades, Nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. ‘You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of gladness with Your presence.’ “Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord (the Father) said to my Lord (Jesus), “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ⁠—this Jesus whom you crucified.””(Acts 2:14-36) Note that the original meaning of “miracle” refers to a sign. Miracles occur to convey specific messages. Do not merely focus on the surface-level miracle; understand the message it conveys.

We see that Peter was the first to speak, taking the lead with a lengthy address. Let us examine it section by section. First, it is clear from his words that it was not yet time for drinking wine—it was only about nine in the morning!  He essentially quoted the prophecy of the prophet Joel in Joel 2:28-32, which clearly addressed the Jews, calling upon the triune God. The scripture states, “And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD (H3068, Jehovah) Will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, As the LORD (H3068) has said, Even among the survivors whom the LORD (H3068) calls.”(Joel 2:32)

We see that this was not the last days. The descent of the Holy Spirit was merely the beginning of “I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind.” Subsequently, it speaks of events that will occur in the last days. The Scriptures clearly indicate that dreadful things will happen then. Please read the Scriptures for yourselves; we will not elaborate further here. But for Christians: “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”(Luke 21:27-28)

Then it speaks of the works done by Jesus of Nazareth, revealing God’s foreknowledge (G4268), knowing that “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”(John 10:17-18) 

A predetermined plan is the predestination. Thus, He was predestined to go to the cross as we see this in His answered prayer in Gethsemane (cf. Hebrews 5:7): “…yet not as I will, but as You will.”(Matthew 26:39) Thus, foreknowledge and predestination are two sides of the same coin, as the Book of Romans declares: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”(Romans 8:29)

Here it speaks only of being conformed to the Son’s image, not to His life. For no one can be conformed to His life—He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born without sin, while our lives begin with sin. At most, we can be conformed to His image. This point must be very clear. Among the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, the best was the church in Philadelphia, for the Scripture says, “…Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, …”(Revelation 3:8) From God’s perspective, “I know your deeds. …because you have a little power, …”(Revelation 3:8) Therefore, they were able to “…have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”(Revelation 3:8) This describes what humans can do from a human perspective. We must seek to please God from His perspective, just as the church in Philadelphia did.

Then comes “David says of Him,” referring on one hand to earthly matters, since it was talked about the tongue. On the other hand, it points to spiritual matters, for David died and was buried. To keep the soul (G5590) from being abandoned in Hades and not see corruption is possible only in spiritual matters. For in his time, God had shown him the path of life, knowing that seeing His face would bring perfect joy.

Then comes “The Lord said to my Lord,” quoting from the Book of Psalms: “A Psalm of David. The LORD (H3068, Jehovah says to my Lord (H113): ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool.”(Psalm 110:1) The New Testament echoes this, as in: For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord (Jehovah) said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.””(Luke 20:42-43) Therefore, David’s Lord is the Lord Jesus Christ. That is to say, “but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.”(Hebrews 10:12-13) 

These words have two aspects: one describes David’s spiritual experience, and the other, because he was a prophet, foresaw Christ’s resurrection. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ⁠—this Jesus whom you crucified.”(Acts 2:36) Jesus who is one of Holy Trinity was already the Christ; He did not become the Christ because He was crucified.

3. Peter preaches with the power of the Holy Spirit, leading three thousand to be baptized

“Now when they heard this, they were pierced (G2660) to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”(Acts 2:37-42)

As we stated at the outset, the disciples would receive power through the descent of the Holy Spirit, manifested in being pierced (G2660) through the heart, where the word (G2660) only appears once. Not everyone experienced this piercing, but “…that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”(Acts 2:41-42) The Holy Spirit Himself established Peter’s position of leadership.

Peter and Jesus were consistent in calling for repentance. Scripture says, “From that time (when John the Baptist was imprisoned) Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””(Matthew 4:17) Then they were to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, not “…baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” as stated in Matthew 28:19, from ‘what God tells us is consistent.’

Faith brings the indwelling Holy Spirit, which God grants to both the Jews He has called and the Gentiles from afar whom He has summoned. This does not refer to physical Jews, which is why Paul says, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”(Romans 2:28-29) It also speaks of that generation as crooked, but this is not only true then—it is true now as well.

4. The Jerusalem Church shared all things in common and broke bread in their homes

“Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe (G5401); and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”(Acts 2:43-47)

Let us examine the word awe (G5401), which appears 47 times. It denotes genuine fear, which may originate from people, as in “Yet no one was speaking openly of Him for fear (G5401) of the Jews.”(John 7:13) Or in this context: “And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear (G5401).” (Matthew 14:25-26) When people witnessed the apostles performing many wonders and miracles, it was natural for them to feel a sense of awe (G5401). Thus, the crowd’s fear was a natural expression of reverence toward God. This is similar to when Ananias and Sapphira deceived the Holy Spirit; as soon as it was known, they immediately died, and “And great fear (G5401) came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.”(Acts 5:11)

Finally, we observe the daily practices of the Jerusalem church—both in the physical temple and in private homes. Only the Jerusalem church shared everything in common; no other church is recorded to have done so. This reminds me of the kibbutz, which has a similar arrangement—translated into Chinese as ‘collective farm.’ Due to human nature, each such collective farm never has a large number of people. This is not communist collectivism where there is basically no freedom; under this arrangement, each person still retains some degree of freedom.

Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (11/30/25) topicwise Bible study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. Past articles referenced can be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, under ‘On spiritual understanding about life.’

    首先我们谈到，耶稣复活后的第一个五旬节，圣灵降临时的情景，并看到内住的圣灵是由祂自己开创的，且门徒那时已有内住的圣灵，这时才彰显出来。第二，说到彼得在圣灵降临时的讲道，阐述了其以在约珥书预言的内容，看到了预知和预定是一体的两面，也看到他讲的话有两方面，一方面是在说大卫的属灵的遭遇，另方面因他是先知，就预先看明基督复活的事。第三知道了，带著圣灵能力的彼得讲道使三千人受洗，因为那些人觉得扎心。最后我们注意到耶路撒冷的教会凡物公用，并他们天天做的事情，看到了主将得救的人天天加给他们。

1. 耶稣复活后第一个五旬节的圣灵降临    

    「五旬节到了，门徒都聚集在一处。忽然，从天上有响声下来，好像一阵大风吹过，充满了他们所坐的屋子；又有舌头如火焰显现出来，分开落在他们各人头上。他们就都被圣灵充满，按著圣灵所赐的口才说起别国的话来。那时，有虔诚的犹太人从天下各国来，住在耶路撒冷。这声音一响，众人都来聚集。各人听见门徒用众人的乡谈说话，就甚纳闷，都惊讶希奇说：「看哪，这说话的不都是加利利人吗？我们各人怎么听见他们说我们生来所用的乡谈呢？我们帕提亚人、玛代人、以拦人，和住在美索不达米亚、犹太、加帕多家、本都、亚西亚、弗吕家、旁非利亚、埃及的人，并靠近古利奈的利比亚一带地方的人，从罗马来的客旅中，或是犹太人，或是进犹太教的人，克里特和阿拉伯人，都听见他们用我们的乡谈，讲说神的大作为。」众人就都惊讶猜疑，彼此说：「这是甚么意思呢？」还有人讥诮说：「他们无非是新酒灌满了。」」(使徒行传 2:1-13)        

    这是第一次的圣灵降临，有舌头如火焰显现出来，情景在这里说得非常清楚，并不是每一次被圣灵充满都如此，这里说的只是第一次，要知道，圣灵有绝对的主权，就如恩赐一样，「这一切都是这位圣灵所运行、随己意分给各人的。」(哥林多前书 12:11) 对不信的人，只是惊讶猜疑或是讥诮。这次的降临，好像一阵大风吹过，这使我们想到耶稣的话，「风随著意思吹，你听见风的响声，却不晓得从哪里来，往哪里去；凡从圣灵生的，也是如此。」(约翰福音 3:8)     

    我们看到这里虽然可用概括的叙述，说是从各地来的人，但这里详细记载了来这里的一些人，这样我们就不会跳过作者的原意，要我们知道的确是有各地来的人。圣经有时会用这种写法，要我们注意到该注意的事。譬如在旧约中，当会幕「用膏抹坛的日子，首领都来行奉献坛的礼，众首领就在坛前献供物。耶和华对摩西说：「众首领为行奉献坛的礼，要每天一个首领来献供物。」」(民数记 7:10-11) 献的供物是一样的，大可把供物写出，然后叙述各支派的次序就可以了，就是犹大，以萨迦，西布伦，吕便，西缅，迦得，以法莲，玛拿西，便雅悯，但，亚设，和拿弗他利。但照旧约的写法，我们看到了各支派都是一样的，也应该不会把次序弄错，当「耶和华晓谕摩西、亚伦说：「以色列人要各归自己的纛下，在本族的旗号那里，对著会幕的四围安营。」」(民数记 2:1-2) 就是一样的次序。当「…他们照耶和华借摩西所吩咐的，初次往前行。」(民数记 10:13) 除了和会幕有关的圣物外，他们行军的次序也是这样的。.        

    我们讲过，门徒因圣灵的降临就得著能力，目的是为著为主耶稣作见证，这也就是祂所应许的，「我要求父，父就另外赐给你们一位保惠师，叫他永远与你们同在，就是真理的圣灵，乃世人不能接受的，因为不见他，也不认识他；你们却认识他，因他常与你们同在，也要在你们里面。」(约翰福音 14:16-17) 这里已经说了我们会有内住的圣灵，他们也的确得著为耶稣做见证的能力，当耶稣被捕时的一般情况是，「…当下，门徒都离开他逃走了。」(马太福音 26:56) 特例是彼得没有逃跑，但在三次不认主后离开了 (参马太福音 26:69-75)，在十字架前的只有约翰。        

    门徒在那里聚集，已显示他们在信心里面，所以他们那时已有内住的圣灵，等著那第一次的圣灵彰显。关于这点，圣经明讲，对信的人都有内住的圣灵，经文明说，「岂不知你们的身子就是圣灵的殿吗？这圣灵是从神而来，住在你们里头的；…」(哥林多前书 6:19) 但经验上我们知道，不是每一个说信的人都有圣灵的彰显，追求圣灵，不是要得著能力，目的是要能做祂的见证，不要本末倒置。   

    在耶稣复活后，这内住的圣灵是由祂自己开创的，经文是这样说，「耶稣又对他们说：「愿你们平安！父怎样差遣了我，我也照样差遣你们。」说了这话，就向他们吹一口气，说：「你们受圣灵。」(约翰福音 20:21-22) 祂从来都不做假动作，他们那时已有内住的圣灵，要到那个五旬节才会如所记的，第一次彰显出来。

2. 彼得在圣灵降临时的讲道       

    「彼得和十一个使徒站起，高声说：「犹太人和一切住在耶路撒冷的人哪，这件事你们当知道，也当侧耳听我的话。你们想这些人是醉了？其实不是醉了，因为时候刚到巳初。这正是先知约珥所说的：『神说：在末后的日子，我要将我的灵浇灌凡有血气的。你们的儿女要说预言(G4395)；你们的少年人要见异象(3706)；老年人要做异梦(G1798 G1797)。在那些日子，我要将我的灵浇灌我的仆人和使女，他们就要说预言。在天上我要显出奇事(G5059)，在地下我要显出神迹(G4592, signs)，有血，有火，有烟雾。日头要变为黑暗，月亮要变为血；这都在主大而明显的日子未到以前。到那时候，凡求告主名的，就必得救。』「以色列人哪，请听我的话：神借著拿撒勒人耶稣在你们中间施行异能(G1411)、奇事(G5059)、神迹(G4592)，将他证明出来，这是你们自己知道的。他既按著神的定旨(G3724 G1012)、先见(G4268, foreknowledge)被交与人，你们就借著无法之人的手，把他钉在十字架上杀了。神却将死的痛苦解释了，叫他复活，因为他原不能被死拘禁。大卫指著他说：『我看见主常在我眼前，他在我右边，叫我不至于摇动。所以我心里欢喜，我的灵(G1100, tongue, 舌头)快乐；并且我的肉身要安居在指望中。因你必不将我的(灵)魂(G5590)撇在阴间，也不叫你的圣者见朽坏。你已将生命的道路指示我，必叫我因见你的面，得著满足的快乐。』「弟兄们，先祖大卫的事，我可以明明地对你们说，他死了，也葬埋了，并且他的坟墓直到今日还在我们这里。大卫既是先知，又晓得神曾向他起誓，要从他的后裔中立一位坐在他的宝座上，就预先看明这事，讲论基督复活说：『他的(灵)魂(G5590)不撇在阴间，他的肉身也不见朽坏。』这耶稣，神已经叫他复活了，我们都为这事作见证。他既被神的右手高举，又从父受了所应许的圣灵，就把你们所看见、所听见的浇灌下来。大卫并没有升到天上，但自己说：『主(父神)对我主(耶稣)说：你坐在我的右边，等我使你仇敌作你的脚凳。』「故此，以色列全家当确实地知道，你们钉在十字架上的这位耶稣，神已经立他为主，为基督了。」」(使徒行传 2:14-36) 请注意，神迹的原文是做记号的意思，就是指神迹的发生都是要带出某些讯息的表记，不要只看表面的神迹，要知道那神迹带出来的讯息。        

    我们看到首先讲话的是彼得，他是带头的，讲的话语是相当长，我们就一段一段的看。首先从他的话语中，显然巳初不是喝酒的时间，才约早上九点呢 !  他基本上引用了先知约珥在约珥书 2:28-32 的预言，其中对犹太人很清楚的说，是在求那三位一体的神，经文说，「到那时候，凡求告耶和华名的就必得救；因为照耶和华所说的，在锡安山，耶路撒冷必有逃脱的人，在剩下的人中，必有耶和华所召的。」(约珥书 2:32)       

    我们看到那时并不是末后的日子，圣灵的降临祗是「我要将我的灵浇灌凡有血气的」的开始，其后则说到了末后的日子将会发生的事情，看经文就知道那时是会有些可怕的事将发生，请自己看经文，我们就不多说这些，但基督徒「那时，他们要看见人子有能力，有大荣耀驾云降临。一有这些事，你们就当挺身昂首，因为你们得赎的日子近了。」(路加福音 21:27-28)        

    然后说到了拿撒勒人耶稣所作的事，看到了神的预知(先见, G4268, foreknowledge)，知道「我父爱我，因我将命舍去，好再取回来。没有人夺我的命去，是我自己舍的。我有权柄舍了，也有权柄取回来，这是我从我父所受的命令。」(约翰福音 10:17-18) 所以衪是预定要上十字架的，我们可从祂在客西马尼园被应允的祷告(参希伯来书 5:7)中看到这点，「…然而，不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。」(马太福音 26:39) 所以预知和预定是一体的两面，如罗马书所说，「因为他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法(模成, be conformed)他儿子的模样(形像, image)，使他儿子在许多弟兄中作长子。」(罗马书 8:29)     

    这里只是说模成儿子的形像，而不是说模成儿子的生命，因为没有人会模成祂的生命，祂是圣灵感孕而生，从无罪开始，而我们的生命都是带著罪开始，最多只能模成祂的形像，这一点要非常清楚。在启示录中的七个教会中最好的是非拉铁非教会，因为经文说，「…看哪，我在你面前给你一个敞开的门，是无人能关的。」(启示录 3:8) 从神的角度看，「我知道你的行为，你略有一点力量，…」(启示录 3:8) 所以他们能「…也曾遵守我的道，没有弃绝我的名。…」(启示录 3:8) 这是从人的角度看人能够做的，我们是要从神的角度看讨神的喜悦，就像非拉铁非教会做的一样。      

    然后是「大卫指著祂说」，一方面是属世的事，因用的是舌头，不是灵。另方面这是指属灵的事，因为大卫死了也葬埋了，要能将魂(G5590)不撇在阴间，也不叫见朽坏，只有是在属灵的事上。因在他的时代，祂已将生命的道路指示他，知道必因见祂的面，得著满足的快乐。      

    接著为 「主对我主说」，是引用了诗篇的话，「耶和华(H3068, Jehovah)对我主(H113)说：「你坐在我的右边，等我使你仇敌作你的脚凳。」」(诗篇 110:1) 在新约也是一致的这样说，如「诗篇上大卫自己说：『主(耶和华)对我主说：你坐在我的右边，等我使你仇敌作你的脚凳。』」(路加福音 20:42-43) 所以大卫的主是主耶稣基督，也就是说，「但基督献了一次永远的赎罪祭，就在神的右边坐下了。从此等候他仇敌成了他的脚凳。」(希伯来书 10:12-13)        

    所以这些话有两个方面，一方面是在说大卫属灵的遭遇，另方面因他是先知，就预先看明基督复活的事。「故此，以色列全家当确实地知道，你们钉在十字架上的这位耶稣，神已经立他为主，为基督了。」(使徒行传 2:36) 祂本来就是基督，不是因为钉上十字架而变为基督。

3. 带著圣灵能力的彼得讲道使三千人受洗       

    「众人听见这话，觉得扎心(G2660)，就对彼得和其余的使徒说：「弟兄们，我们当怎样行？」彼得说：「你们各人要悔改(G3340)，奉耶稣基督的名受洗，叫你们的罪得赦，就必领受所赐的圣灵。因为这应许是给你们和你们的儿女，并一切在远方的人，就是主我们神所召来的。」彼得还用许多话作见证，劝勉他们说：「你们当救自己脱离这弯曲的世代。」于是，领受他话的人就受了洗。那一天，门徒约添了三千人，都恒心遵守使徒的教训，彼此交接，擘饼，祈祷。」(使徒行传 2:37-42)     

    我们一开始就讲过，门徒会因圣灵的降临得著能力，这在祇出现一次的扎心(G2660)中表现出来，并不是每一个人都会扎心，但「…那一天，门徒约添了三千人，都恒心遵守使徒的教训，彼此交接，擘饼，祈祷。」(使徒行传 2:41-42) 圣灵亲自奠定了彼得带领的地位。        

    彼得和耶稣是一致的说要悔改，经文说，「从那时候(施洗约翰下了监时)，耶稣就传起道来，说：「天国近了，你们应当悔改！」」(马太福音 4:17) 然后要奉耶稣基督的名受洗，不是「…奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗。」(马太福音 28:19) 信而会有内住的圣灵，这是神赐给召的犹太人和神召来的远方外邦人的，这不是指肉体上的犹太人，所以保罗会说，「因为外面作犹太人的，不是真犹太人；外面肉身的割礼，也不是真割礼。惟有里面作的，才是真犹太人；真割礼也是心里的，在乎灵，不在乎仪文。这人的称赞不是从人来的，乃是从神来的。」(罗马书 2:28-29) 也说到当时是弯曲的世代，但不只是在当时，现在也是如此。

4. 耶路撒冷的教会凡物公用并在家中擘饼       

    「众人都惧怕(G5401)。使徒又行了许多奇事、神迹。信的人都在一处，凡物公用；并且卖了田产、家业，照各人所需用的分给各人。他们天天同心合意恒切地在殿里，且在家中擘饼，存著欢喜、诚实的心用饭，赞美神，得众民的喜爱。主将得救的人天天加给他们。」(使徒行传 2:43-47)       

    我们来看惧怕(G5401)这字，这字出现 47 次，是真实的惧怕，可以由人而来，如「只是没有人明明地讲论他，因为怕(G5401)犹太人。」(约翰福音 7:13) 或是在这种的情况下，「夜里四更天，耶稣在海面上走，往门徒那里去。门徒看见他在海面上走，就惊慌了，说：「是个鬼怪！」便害怕(G5401)，喊叫起来。」(马太福音 14:25-26) 人们看到使徒行了许多奇事、神迹，难免有害怕(G5401)的反应，所以众人惧怕是自然的敬畏神的自然反应，这就犹如亚拿尼亚夫妇欺哄圣灵时，一知道就立刻断了气，「全教会和听见这事的人都甚惧怕(G5401)。」(使徒行传 5:11)        

    最后我们看到耶路撒冷教会，天天在有形的殿里和家中做的事。只有耶路撒冷的教会是凡物公用，没有听说过别的教会是这样做的。但这使我想到了基布兹(kibbutz)，有类似的安排，这就是中文翻译叫做集体农场的，因为人的本性，每一个这样的集体农场人数不会很多。这不是共产的集权主义，在这种安排下，每个人还是有些自由度的。

请注意，这文章是基于周日(11/30/25)的专题查经，经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本，所引用过去的文章，在我们的网站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『对属灵生命的了解』，就可以找到。