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第十五章

7 辯論已經多了，彼得就起來，說：「諸位弟兄，你們知道　神早已在你們中間揀選了我，叫外邦人從我口中得聽福音之道，而且相信。 8 知道人心的　神也為他們作了見證，賜聖靈給他們，正如給我們一樣； 9 又藉著信潔淨了他們的心，並不分他們我們。 10 現在為甚麼試探　神，要把我們祖宗和我們所不能負的軛放在門徒的頸項上呢？ 11 我們得救乃是因主耶穌的恩，和他們一樣，這是我們所信的。」

12 眾人都默默無聲，聽巴拿巴和保羅述說　神藉他們在外邦人中所行的神蹟奇事。13 他們住了聲，雅各就說：「諸位弟兄，請聽我的話。 14 方才西門述說　神當初怎樣眷顧外邦人，從他們中間選取百姓歸於自己的名下； 15 眾先知的話也與這意思相合。

 

默想

1. 耶路撒冷會議是處理教會內紛爭的好榜樣：正視問題，聽取各方面的論點，不可偏私，要由靈命成熟的領袖帶領討論，作出明智決定；並且決定一出，人人都樂意遵守。
2. 在我們教會中，是否曾出現過問題紛爭？當時是怎樣處理的？與耶路撒冷會議的處理方式相比，我們有什麼可以學習的？
3. 目前我的小組中，有沒有什麼問題？我應當如何作？如何處理？

 

禱告與筆錄：

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

 

Chapter 15

⁷After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. ⁸God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. ⁹He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. ¹⁰Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? ¹¹No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”  ¹²The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. ¹³When they finished, James spoke up: “Brothers, listen to me. ¹⁴Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. ¹⁵The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

 

Meditation

1. The Jerusalem council is a good model of handling conflicts within a church: to face the problem, listen to all sides, try to show no partiality, appoint spiritually mature leaders to lead the discussion, to make wise decision, and when the decision is made that the community will obey.
2. In our church’s brief history, has there been any problem or conflict?  How was it handled?  Compare it with the Jerusalem Council, what can we learn from them?
3. Is there any problem in my cell?  What should I do or how to handle it?

 

 

Prayer & Journaling:

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

第十四章

20 門徒正圍著他，他就起來，走進城去。第二天，同巴拿巴往特庇去。

21 對那城裡的人傳了福音，使好些人作門徒；就回路司得、以哥念、安提阿去， 22 堅固門徒的心，勸他們恆守所信的道，又說：“我們進入　神的國，必須經歷許多艱難。”

23 二人在各教會中選立了長老，又禁食禱告，就把他們交託所信的主。

 

 

默想

1. 對保羅來說，事奉的目的就是要「堅固」信徒（22節），「成全聖徒」，裝備他們（弗4:12-13）。主不但吩咐我們領人作祂的門徒，且要教訓他們遵守主一切的命令。今天許多教會都忽略了大使命中的這個部分，成為我們「大使命中的一大疏忽」(Great Omission from the Great Commission)。
2. 我是否知道，目前教會中有那些裝備的事工，供信徒投入參與學習？
3. 信主以來，我接受了多少「裝備」？我是否願接受更多的靈命成長和事奉的裝備？
4. 「與主有約260」，就是一個裝備的機會。為這個學習的機會感謝神，也求主幫助自己能堅持完成這個學習。

 

禱告與筆錄：

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

 

Chapter 14

²⁰But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. ²¹They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, ²²strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. ²³Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

 

Meditation

Paul believed that the purpose of ministry was to “strengthen believers’ souls” (v22) and “equip the saints” (Eph 4:12-13).  We are commanded by Jesus not only to make disciples, but also to teach them to obey everything that Jesus commanded.  This is the “Great Omission from the Great Commission” in many churches.

How much do I know of the various Equipping opportunities at my church?  What have I been committed in?

Recalling my own Christian journey, how much equipping have I received?  Am I willing to receive training for spiritual growth and ministry preparation?

This “260 Appointments with God” is an Equipping opportunity.  Thank the Lord for this exercise, and pray that God will help me persevere to the finish line.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

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

第十三章

1 在安提阿的教會中有幾位先知和教師，就是巴拿巴和稱呼尼結的西面、古利奈人路求，與分封之王希律同養的馬念，並掃羅。

2 他們事奉主，禁食的時候，聖靈說：“要為我分派巴拿巴和掃羅，去做我召他們所做的工。”

3 於是禁食禱告，按手在他們頭上，就打發他們去了。

 

默想

1. 在揀選、按立巴拿巴和掃羅為宣教士的過程中，敬拜、禱告和禁食缺一不可。今天一般的教會，在按立牧師、差派宣教士的典禮中，敬拜和禱告都是不可缺少的，禁食卻不常見到，為什麼呢？是否可以建議教會下一次按牧或差傳聚會中，或是在下次舉行全教會性有關將來計劃的會議時，將禁食加在聚會程序中？
2. 仔細重覆地閱讀下列定義，直到有更清楚的了解。並在本週內找機會來操練其中一項。

禁食：為了專注屬靈的事，自願禁戒某些正常的活動，最常見的例子是不進食；或是不上網，不看電視，球賽，不吃最愛的食物等。

禱告：與神對話，交流彼此的想法，討論共同合作的事情。因此，有我說，也有神說，我就安靜不語，聆聽神。

敬拜：用言語、音樂、禮儀和靜默的崇敬，來表述神的偉大和美善，並藉著這些方式進入神奇妙的榮耀中。

 

禱告與筆錄：

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

 

Chapter 13

¹In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. ²While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Meditation

1.        In this passage, worship, prayer and fasting are integrated into the selection and installation of Barnabas and Saul as missionaries.  Today worship and prayer are common in the ordination of pastors and installation of missionaries, but fasting is not.  Why has fasting been dropped from the preparation for these times of consecration?  How possible would it be to suggest that fasting be part of the next ordination or installation service in our church?  Or for the next church-wide meeting regarding future planning?

2.        Read carefully and repeatedly the definition of these three elements until a better understanding is gained.  Find ways to implement one of these this week.  (Source: Spiritual Formation Bible)

Fasting: The voluntary abstention from an otherwise normal function – most often eating – for the sake of intense spiritual activity. Other examples include websurfing, TV, favourite food, sports, etc .

Prayer: Interactive conversation with God about what we and God are thinking and doing together. Therefore, there is talking and also the silently listening.

Worship: Expressing in words, music, rituals, and silent adoration the greatness, beauty, and goodness of God, by means of which we enter the supernatural reality of the glory, of God.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

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

 

第十二章

4 希律拿了彼得，收在監裡，交付四班兵丁看守，每班四個人，意思要在逾越節後把他提出來，當著百姓辦他。 5 於是彼得被囚在監裡；教會卻為他切切的禱告神。

6 希律將要提他出來的前一夜，彼得被兩條鐵鍊鎖著，睡在兩個兵丁當中；看守的人也在門外看守。 7 忽然，有主的一個使者站在旁邊，屋裡有光照耀，天使拍彼得的肋旁，拍醒了他，說：快快起來！那鐵鍊就從他手上脫落下來。

8 天使對他說：束上帶子，穿上鞋。他就那樣做。天使又說：披上外衣，跟著我來。 9 彼得就出來跟著他，不知道天使所做是真的，只當見了異象。 10 過了第一層第二層監牢，就來到臨街的鐵門，那門自己開了。他們出來，走過一條街，天使便離開他去了。

11 彼得醒悟過來，說：我現在真知道主差遣他的使者，救我脫離希律的手和猶太百姓一切所盼望的。 12 想了一想，就往那稱呼馬可的約翰、他母親馬利亞家去，在那裡有好些人聚集禱告。 13 彼得敲外門，有一個使女，名叫羅大，出來探聽， 14 聽得是彼得的聲音，就歡喜的顧不得開門，跑進去告訴眾人說：彼得站在門外。

15 他們說：你是瘋了！使女極力的說：真是他！他們說：必是他的天使！ 16 彼得不住的敲門。他們開了門，看見他，就甚驚奇。 17 彼得擺手，不要他們作聲，就告訴他們主怎樣領他出監；又說：你們把這事告訴雅各和眾弟兄。於是出去，往別處去了。

 

默想

是否必須有堅強的信心，禱告才蒙應允？當教會聚集齊心禱告時，他們當然希望神會拯救彼得。但當彼得站在門外敲門時，他們根本不信！

我是否經常向神祈求，但當神真的工作時，我卻非常震驚或不信？這表明我的禱告是帶著怎樣的信心？

我對神有什麼祈求——並且全心地相信祂會應允？今天開始放膽地以信心及盼望來禱告，知道神是大能的，且會聽我的禱告。

 

禱告與筆錄：

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

 

Chapter 12

⁴After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.  ⁵So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.  ⁶The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. ⁷Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.  ⁸Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. ⁹Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.  ¹¹Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.”   ¹²When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. ¹³Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. ¹⁴When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” ¹⁵“You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”  ¹⁶But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. ¹⁷Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the brothers about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.

Meditation

Does getting an answer to prayer depend on firm belief?  The gathered church certainly hoped that God would save Peter but they didn’t even believe it when Peter stood outside knocking!

How often do I pray for God to work and, when he does, react with shock or disbelief? What does this reveal about my faith?

What can I pray that God will do – and wholeheartedly believe that he will answer? Pray for that today, and continue to do so, with bold confidence and hope, knowing that God is powerful and is listening to my prayer.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

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

 

第十一章

19 那些因司提反的事遭患難四散的門徒直走到腓尼基和塞浦路斯，並安提阿；他們不向別人講道，只向猶太人講。 20 但內中有塞浦路斯和古利奈人，他們到了安提阿也向希臘人傳講主耶穌（有古卷作：也向說希臘話的猶太人傳講主耶穌）。 21 主與他們同在，信而歸主的人就很多了。 22 這風聲傳到耶路撒冷教會人的耳中，他們就打發巴拿巴出去，走到安提阿為止。 23 他到了那裡，看見神所賜的恩就歡喜，勸勉眾人，立定心志，恆久靠主。 24 這巴拿巴原是個好人，被聖靈充滿，大有信心。於是有許多人歸服了主。 25 他又往大數去找掃羅， 26 找著了，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。

 

默想

1. 巴拿巴似乎在保羅影下是一個無足輕重的配角，他將賣了田地的錢交給使徒做慈善之用（4：37）；又鼓勵耶路撒冷信徒接納曾迫害基督徒的保羅（9：27）；他與保羅一同旅行佈道、教導關顧各處的信徒。這裡，巴拿巴被稱為「是個好人，被聖靈充滿，大有信心」。在使徒行傳中，巴拿巴靜悄悄地出現又消失，卻使我們想到耶穌的話，「你們中間誰願為大，就必作你們的用人」（太20：26）。
2. 回想一下，誰在我生命中留下最深刻的烙印？是誰像巴拿巴一樣，在我最需要時，信任我、支持我、堅固我的心、勸我恆守所信的道？
3. 巴拿巴可被譽為施予者——捨棄自己的金錢、時間、精力、權位，而施予他人。這些對我來說，哪一樣是最難捨棄的？此時此刻，神希望我捨棄什麼？施予什麼？
4. 我如何學效巴拿巴，對他人給予鼓勵、看見他們的潛力，激發他們熱心傳揚基督福音？

 

禱告與筆錄：

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

 

Chapter 11

¹⁹Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. ²⁰Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. ²¹The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.  ²²News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. ²⁴He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.  ²⁵Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Meditation

Barnabas appears as a minor character taking a backseat to Paul.  His name means “son of encouragement.”  He brought the money, having sold a field, to the apostles for charity use (4:37).  Later he encouraged the believers to accept Paul(9:27).  Paul and Barnabas began an itinerary ministry, teaching, caring and evangelizing.  Barnabas is described as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (11:24).  The last time they minister together, they had a fierce disagreement and they separated (Ch 15).  Though Barnabas enters and disappears in Acts quietly, we hear echoes of Jesus: “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant” (Matt 20:26).

Who in my life has impacted me most deeply?  Who was like Barnabas that has believed in me, supported me when I sorely needed it? Who, as Barnabas did, “strengthened (my) souls… and encouraged (me) to continue in the faith” (14:22)?

Barnabas could be characterized as a giver – he gave of his money, time, energy, and position.  Which of these types of giving is most difficult for me?  In what way might God be asking me to give right now?

How can I imitate Barnabas as an encourager of others, seeing their potential, and spurring them on in proclaiming the good news of Jesus?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

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

 

第十章

9 第二天，他們行路將近那城。彼得約在午正，上房頂去禱告， 10 覺得餓了，想要吃。那家的人正預備飯的時候，彼得魂遊象外， 11 看見天開了，有一物降下，好像一塊大布，繫著四角，縋在地上， 12 裡面有地上各樣四足的走獸和昆蟲，並天上的飛鳥； 13 又有聲音向他說：彼得，起來，宰了吃！ 14 彼得卻說：主啊，這是不可的！凡俗物和不潔淨的物，我從來沒有吃過。 15 第二次有聲音向他說：神所潔淨的，你不可當作俗物。 16 這樣一連三次，那物隨即收回天上去了。 17 彼得心裡正在猜疑之間，不知所看見的異象是甚麼意思。哥尼流所差來的人已經訪問到西門的家，站在門外， 18 喊著問：有稱呼彼得的西門住在這裡沒有？ 19 彼得還思想那異象的時候，聖靈向他說：有三個人來找你。

27 彼得和他說著話進去，見有好些人在那裡聚集， 28 就對他們說：你們知道，猶太人和別國的人親近來往本是不合例的，但神已經指示我，無論甚麼人都不可看作俗而不潔淨的。

 

默想

我的信仰生活中，是否有些因文化、背景、風俗、教育、習慣、興趣等的因素，阻礙或限制了我與他人的密切相交，或與人分享福音？

當我向朋友傳福音時，需要克服那些社會上或文化上的障礙？

反省一下我的禱告生活，神是否曾經透過禱告，幫助我突破在靈命和生活上的盲點、或固執持守的習慣？並更深經歷神的大能和引領？

 

禱告與筆錄：

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

 

 

Chapter 10

⁹About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. ¹⁰He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. ¹²It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. ¹³Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”  ¹⁴“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”  ¹⁵The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”  ¹⁶This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.  ¹⁷While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. ¹⁸They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.  ¹⁹While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.

²⁷Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. ²⁸He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.

 

Meditation

Is there anything (of culture, background, custom, habits, education, interest) that have limited or prohibited me of true fellowship or reaching out to others?

Reflect on my prayer experiences.  In what areas have I experienced God’s guidance in prayer?

What are some of the social and cultural barriers that I need to break through as I seek to reach out to my friends for the gospel?

 

Prayer & Journaling:

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

 

第九章

1掃羅仍然向主的門徒口吐威嚇兇殺的話，去見大祭司， 2 求文書給大馬士革的各會堂，若是找著信奉這道的人，無論男女，都准他捆綁帶到耶路撒冷。 3 掃羅行路，將到大馬士革，忽然從天上發光，四面照著他； 4 他就仆倒在地，聽見有聲音對他說：掃羅！掃羅！你為甚麼逼迫我？

5 他說：主啊！你是誰？主說：我就是你所逼迫的耶穌。 6 起來！進城去，你所當做的事，必有人告訴你。

7 同行的人站在那裡，說不出話來，聽見聲音，卻看不見人。 8 掃羅從地上起來，睜開眼睛，竟不能看見甚麼。有人拉他的手，領他進了大馬士革； 9 三日不能看見，也不吃也不喝。

 

默想

1. 這是掃羅在基督裡新生命的開始，這奇妙經歷的中心就是耶穌基督。掃羅不單看見異象，而且親自遇見復活的基督（4-5節）。掃羅認耶穌為主，承認自己的罪，將生命交給耶穌，並決心順服。真正的悔改始於與耶穌的相遇，並與耶穌建立關係，而開始的新生命。
2. 再次回想當初我與主相遇的情景：怎樣認耶穌為主，承認自己的罪，將生命交給耶穌，並決心順服，與耶穌建立個人關係，開始我的新生命。
3. 為我得救的每一個環節，每一個經歷感謝神，並再次將自己奉獻給神，立志為主過順服的生活。

 

禱告與筆錄：

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

 

Chapter 9

¹Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ²and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”  ⁵“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. ⁸Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

 

Meditation

1. This is the beginning of Saul’s new life in Christ.  The focus of this marvelous experience is Jesus Christ.  Saul not only saw a vision, he personally met the risen Christ (vv4-5). He recognized that Jesus was the Son of God and changed the direction of his life. True repentance came through a personal encounter with Jesus, when a relationship with Jesus was established and new life began.
2. Recall my encounter with Jesus: how I acknowledged Jesus as my Lord, repent my sin, gave my life to Jesus, determined to live an obedient life, established a personal relationship with Jesus and began a new life.
3. Thank God for my conversion experience.  And dedicate myself to God once again to live an obedient life for God.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

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