第09章 七位执事
§1
第09章 七位执事
§2
Chap. 9 - The Seven Deacons
§3
（本章根据：徒6:1-7）
§4
“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。”[1]{AA 87.1 }
§5
In those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. {AA 87.1 }[1]
§6
早期教会是由各阶层和各不同国籍的人所组成的。当五旬节圣灵沛降时，“有虔诚的犹太人，从天下各国来，住在耶路撒冷。”（徒2:5）在那些聚集在耶路撒冷的希伯来人中有一些普通称为希腊人的人，他们与住在巴勒斯坦的犹太人之间，长久存在着互不信任甚至彼此敌视的现象。[2]{AA 87.2 }
§7
The early church was made up of many classes of people, of various nationalities. At the time of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Acts 2:5. Among those of the Hebrew faith who were gathered at Jerusalem were some commonly known as Grecians, between whom and the Jews of Palestine there had long existed distrust and even antagonism. {AA 87.2 }[2]
§8
那些由于使徒的努力而悔改之人的心，都被基督的爱所软化并合而为一了。大家都捐弃前嫌，彼此和谐相处了。撒但深知只要有这种联合的状况存在，他就无法阻止福音真理的进展；所以他就设法利用他们以往的思想习惯，期望借此在教会中引起分裂。[3]{AA 87.3 }
§9
The hearts of those who had been converted under the labors of the apostles, were softened and united by Christian love. Despite former prejudices, all were in harmony with one another. Satan knew that so long as this union continued to exist, he would be powerless to check the progress of gospel truth; and he sought to take advantage of former habits of thought, in the hope that thereby he might be able to introduce into the church elements of disunion. {AA 87.3 }[3]
§10
当门徒增多起来的时候，事情就这样发生了；仇敌颇为顺利地使某些过去惯于嫉妒弟兄并在属灵领袖身上找错的人引起猜疑；因此“有说希腊话的犹太人，向希伯来人发怨言。”他们抱怨的原因，据说是在每日分配供养品的事上忽略了希腊人的寡妇。任何不平等的待遇原是与福音精神相反的，然而撒但却已在引起猜疑的事上成功了。这时，必须采取即时的措施来消除一切不满的借口，以免仇敌在信徒中间造成分裂局面的努力上获胜。[4]{AA 88.1 }
§11
Thus it came to pass that as disciples were multiplied, the enemy succeeded in arousing the suspicions of some who had formerly been in the habit of looking with jealousy on their brethren in the faith and of finding fault with their spiritual leaders, and so there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews. The cause of complaint was an alleged neglect of the Greek widows in the daily distribution of assistance. Any inequality would have been contrary to the spirit of the gospel, yet Satan had succeeded in arousing suspicion. Prompt measures must now be taken to remove all occasion for dissatisfaction, lest the enemy triumph in his effort to bring about a division among the believers. {AA 88.1 }[4]
§12
耶稣的门徒这时已临到他们经验上的一个危机。在众使徒贤明的领导之下，并由于他们靠着圣灵的能力同心地作工，那交托与福音使者的工作迅速地发展开来。教会不断地扩大，由于教友人数的增加，致使那些负责人的负担日见繁重。没有那一个人，甚或那一班人，能继续单独负起这些责任，而不致危及教会将来的兴盛。因此，那在教会初期由少数所竭忠担负的各种责任，实有重行分配的必要。这时使徒们必须采取一个重要的步骤，将他们自己过去所负的一些责任放在别人身上，使教会中合乎福音的秩序得以健全起来。[5]{AA 88.2 }
§13
The disciples of Jesus had reached a crisis in their experience. Under the wise leadership of the apostles, who labored unitedly in the power of the Holy Spirit, the work committed to the gospel messengers was developing rapidly. The church was continually enlarging, and this growth in membership brought increasingly heavy burdens upon those in charge. No one man, or even one set of men, could continue to bear these burdens alone, without imperiling the future prosperity of the church. There was necessity for a further distribution of the responsibilities which had been borne so faithfully by a few during the earlier days of the church. The apostles must now take an important step in the perfecting of gospel order in the church by laying upon others some of the burdens thus far borne by themselves. {AA 88.2 }[5]
§14
使徒们召集众信徒举行会议，由于圣灵的指引而拟订一个计划，以使教会所有的工作人员得有更良好的组织。使徒们说明时候已到，监督教会的属灵领袖理应摆脱供应穷人以及类似的责任，以便无所牵挂地进行传扬福音的工作。他们说：“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。”这个意见被采纳了，于是借着祷告和按手，将当选的七个人分别出来担任执事的职分。[6]{AA 89.1 }
§15
Summoning a meeting of the believers, the apostles were led by the Holy Spirit to outline a plan for the better organization of all the working forces of the church. The time had come, the apostles stated, when the spiritual leaders having the oversight of the church should be relieved from the task of distributing to the poor and from similar burdens, so that they might be free to carry forward the work of preaching the gospel. Wherefore, brethren, they said, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. This advice was followed, and by prayer and the laying on of hands, seven chosen men were solemnly set apart for their duties as deacons. {AA 89.1 }[6]
§16
这七个人的受派管理特别工作，经证明对教会大有惠益。这些职员对于个人的需要以及教会的一般经济收益，无不予以细心的照料；而且由于他们审慎的管理和敬虔的榜样，他们就在使教会各部工作得以联合统一起来的事上，成了他们同工的重要助手。[7]{AA 89.2 }
§17
The appointment of the seven to take the oversight of special lines of work, proved a great blessing to the church. These officers gave careful consideration to individual needs as well as to the general financial interests of the church, and by their prudent management and their godly example they were an important aid to their fellow officers in binding together the various interests of the church into a united whole. {AA 89.2 }[7]
§18
这个步骤确是出于上帝的命令，因为在采取这一措施之后，紧接着就看出良好的成效。“上帝的道兴旺起来；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。”这次救灵的收获，一方面是因为使徒们获得了更大的自由自在，一方面也是因为七位执事所表显的热心和能力。事实上这几位弟兄虽被派专任照顾穷人需要的工作，但这并没有排斥他们，不让他们传道。相反地，他们有充分的资格将真理教训人，而且他们也以极大的热忱来从事这一工作，并获得了很大的成功。[8]{AA 89.3 }
§19
That this step was in the order of God, is revealed in the immediate results for good that were seen. The word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. This ingathering of souls was due both to the greater freedom secured by the apostles and to the zeal and power shown by the seven deacons. The fact that these brethren had been ordained for the special work of looking after the needs of the poor, did not exclude them from teaching the faith. On the contrary, they were fully qualified to instruct others in the truth, and they engaged in the work with great earnestness and success. {AA 89.3 }[8]
§20
早期教会已受托从事不断扩大的工作，——那就是无论何处只要有真诚的人愿意献身为基督服务，那里就要建立传布真光和福惠的中心。福音的传扬，其范围原是普及全世界的，因此，十字架的信使若不保持基督徒团结合一的精神，借此向世人显明他们在上帝里与基督合而为一，他们就无从希望完成他们重要的使命。他们神圣的领袖岂没有为他们向天父祈求：“求你因所赐给我的名保守他们，叫他们合而为一，像我们一样”吗？论到他的门徒，他岂没有说：“世界又恨他们，因为他们不属世界”吗？他岂没有向天父恳求，使他们“完完全全的合而为一，”“叫世人可以信你差了我来”吗？（约17:11；14:23,21）他们属灵的生命和能力，乃在乎他们与那委派他们传福音的主有密切的联络。[9]{AA 90.1 }
§21
To the early church had been entrusted a constantly enlarging work--that of establishing centers of light and blessing wherever there were honest souls willing to give themselves to the service of Christ. The proclamation of the gospel was to be world-wide in its extent, and the messengers of the cross could not hope to fulfill their important mission unless they should remain united in the bonds of Christian unity, and thus reveal to the world that they were one with Christ in God. Had not their divine Leader prayed to the Father, Keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are? And had He not declared of His disciples, The world hath hated them, because they are not of the world? Had He not pleaded with the Father that they might be made perfect in one, that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me? John 17:11, 14, 23, 21. Their spiritual life and power was dependent on a close connection with the One by whom they had been commissioned to preach the gospel. {AA 90.1 }[9]
§22
门徒唯有与基督合而为一，才能希望得到圣灵能力的同在和天使的合作。他们既有这些神圣机能的帮助，便可在世人面前组成一条联合阵线，也必在他们与黑暗势力所必须不断进行的争战上得胜。当他们联合一致地继续工作时，天上的使者就要行在他们的前面开路；人心就必预备妥当接受真理，许多人也必因而归服基督了。只要他们保持合一的精神，教会就必前进，“美丽如月亮，皎洁如日头，威武如展开旌旗军队的。”（歌6:10）任何事物都不能拦阻她的向前进展。教会必要前进，胜了又胜，光荣地完成她传福音给世人的神圣使命。[10]{AA 90.2 }
§23
Only as they were united with Christ could the disciples hope to have the accompanying power of the Holy Spirit and the co-operation of angels of heaven. With the help of these divine agencies they would present before the world a united front and would be victorious in the conflict they were compelled to wage unceasingly against the powers of darkness. As they should continue to labor unitedly, heavenly messengers would go before them, opening the way; hearts would be prepared for the reception of truth, and many would be won to Christ. So long as they remained united, the church would go forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. Song of Solomon 6:10. Nothing could withstand her onward progress. The church would advance from victory to victory, gloriously fulfilling her divine mission of proclaiming the gospel to the world. {AA 90.2 }[10]
§24
真理的使者无论在任何地方引人相信福音，均应以耶路撒冷教会的组织作为教会组织的范例。那些奉命负责监督教会的人，决不可以上帝产业的主管人自居，而是要作聪明的牧者，“牧养……上帝的群羊，……作群羊的榜样。”（彼前5:2-3）执事也必须是“有好名声，被圣灵充满，智慧充足的人。”这些人要联合一致地在正义方面站稳立场，维护正义，坚定不移。这样，他们就必在整个羊群中发挥一种团结一致的感化力。[11]{AA 91.1 }
§25
The organization of the church at Jerusalem was to serve as a model for the organization of churches in every other place where messengers of truth should win converts to the gospel. Those to whom was given the responsibility of the general oversight of the church were not to lord it over Gods heritage, but, as wise shepherds, were to feed the flock of God, . . . being ensamples to the flock (1 Peter 5:2, 3); and the deacons were to be men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. These men were to take their position unitedly on the side of right and to maintain it with firmness and decision. Thus they would have a uniting influence upon the entire flock. {AA 91.1 }[11]
§26
后来在早期教会的历史中，当世界各地许多信徒团体纷纷成立教会时，教会的组织就更日臻完善，因而得以保持秩序和一致的行动。每一个信徒都受到督促，要克尽一己的本分。每一个人都要善用所托付与他的才能。有些人蒙圣灵赋予特别的恩赐，——“第一是使徒，第二是先知，第三是教师，其次是行异能的，再次是得恩赐医病的、帮助人的、治理事的，说方言的。”（林前12:28）但所有这些不同的工作人员，都必须步调一致地从事工作。[12]{AA 91.2 }
§27
Later in the history of the early church, when in various parts of the world many groups of believers had been formed into churches, the organization of the church was further perfected, so that order and harmonious action might be maintained. Every member was exhorted to act well his part. Each was to make a wise use of the talents entrusted to him. Some were endowed by the Holy Spirit with special gifts--first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28. But all these classes of workers were to labor in harmony. {AA 91.2 }[12]
§28
“恩赐原有分别，圣灵却是一位。职事也有分别，主却是一位。功用也有分别，上帝却是一位，在众人里面运行一切的事。圣灵显在各人身上，是叫人得益处。这人蒙圣灵赐他智慧的言语；那人也蒙这位圣灵赐他知识的言语；又有一人蒙这位圣灵赐他信心；还有一人蒙这位圣灵赐他医病的恩赐；又叫一人能行异能；又叫一人能作先知；又叫一人能辨别诸灵；又叫一人能说方言；又叫一人能翻方言。这一切都是这位圣灵所运行，随已意分给各人的。就如身子是一个，却有许多肢体；而且肢体虽多，仍是一个身子；基督也是这样。”（林前12:4-12）[13]{AA 92.1 }
§29
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:4-12. {AA 92.1 }[13]
§30
那些交托与蒙召在地上上帝教会中作领袖之人身上的责任是严肃的。在神权时代，当摩西试图独自担负非常繁重的责任，以致他在重负之下迅即筋疲力尽时，叶忒罗就劝谏他计划将责任作一明智的分配。叶忒罗建议说：“你要替百姓到上帝面前，将案件奏告上帝，又要将律例和法度教训他们，指示他们当行的道，当作的事。”叶忒罗更建议要指派人作“千夫长、百夫长、五十夫长、十夫长。”这些人必须是“有才能的人，就是敬畏上帝、诚实无妄、恨不义之财的人。”他们要“随时审判百姓，”这样，既免除了交由这些献身助手足能聪慧地处理的许多小事，就减轻了摩西繁重的负担。[14]{AA 92.2 }
§31
Solemn are the responsibilities resting upon those who are called to act as leaders in the church of God on earth. In the days of the theocracy, when Moses was endeavoring to carry alone burdens so heavy that he would soon have worn away under them, he was counseled by Jethro to plan for a wise distribution of responsibilities. Be thou for the people to Godward, Jethro advised, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: and thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Jethro further advised that men be appointed to act as rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. These were to be able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness. They were to judge the people at all seasons, thus relieving Moses of the wearing responsibility of giving consideration to many minor matters that could be dealt with wisely by consecrated helpers. {AA 92.2 }[14]
§32
那些由于上帝的安排而在教会中担负领导地位之人的光阴和精力，应当用在那需要特别智慧与宽大心怀的比较重大的事上。依照上帝的规定，凡别人所足够资格办理的小事，不应上诉到这样的人那里去受理。叶忒罗向摩西建议说：“大事都要呈到你这里，小事他们自己可以审判；这样，你就轻省些，他们也可以同当此任。你若这样行，上帝也这样吩咐你，你就能受得住，这百姓也都平平安安归回他们的住处。”[15]{AA 93.1 }
§33
The time and strength of those who in the providence of God have been placed in leading positions of responsibility in the church, should be spent in dealing with the weightier matters demanding special wisdom and largeness of heart. It is not in the order of God that such men should be appealed to for the adjustment of minor matters that others are well qualified to handle. Every great matter they shall bring unto thee, Jethro proposed to Moses, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. {AA 93.1 }[15]
§34
摩西依照这个计划，“从以色列人中拣选了有才能的人，立他们为百姓的首领，作千夫长、百夫长、五十夫长、十夫长。他们随时审判百姓，有难断的案件，就呈到摩西那里，但各样小事他们自己审判。”（见出18:19-26）[16]{AA 93.2 }
§35
In harmony with this plan, Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. Exodus 18:19-26. {AA 93.2 }[16]
§36
后来，当摩西拣选七十个长老与他同负领袖责任时，他谨慎地拣选那些具有尊严、明断、与经验的人作他的助手。在他选立这些长老向他们致辞的时候，他说明了一个在教会中作聪明管理的人所应具有的某些资格。摩西说：“你们听讼，无论是弟兄彼此争讼，是与同居的外人争讼，都要按公义判断。审判的时候，不可看人的外貌；听讼不可分贵贱；不可惧怕人；因为审判是属乎上帝。”（申1:16-17）[17]{AA 94.1 }
§37
Later, when choosing seventy elders to share with him the responsibilities of leadership, Moses was careful to select, as his helpers, men possessing dignity, sound judgment, and experience. In his charge to these elders at the time of their ordination, he outlined some of the qualifications that fit a man to be a wise ruler in the church. Hear the causes between your brethren, said Moses, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is Gods. Deuteronomy 1:16, 17. {AA 94.1 }[17]
§38
大卫王在他作王的末期，曾向他当日那些在上帝工作上担负责任的人发出一番严肃的训谕。他“招聚以色列各支派的首领和轮班服侍王的军长，与千夫长、百夫长、掌管王和王子产业牲畜的、并太监，以及大能的勇士，都到耶路撒冷来。”这位年迈的王郑重地嘱咐他们说：“现今在耶和华的会中，以色列众人眼前所说的，我们的上帝也听见了。你们应当寻求耶和华你们上帝的一切诫命。”（代上28:1,8）[18]{AA 94.2 }
§39
King David, toward the close of his reign, delivered a solemn charge to those bearing the burden of the work of God in his day. Summoning to Jerusalem all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, the aged king solemnly charged them, in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the Lord, and in the audience of our God, to keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God. 1 Chronicles 28:1, 8. {AA 94.2 }[18]
§40
大卫又特别嘱咐那蒙召居于领导责任地位的所罗门说：“我儿所罗门哪！你当认识耶和华你父的上帝，诚心乐意的侍奉他；因为他鉴察众人的心，知道一切心思意念；你若寻求他，他必使你寻见；你若离弃他，他必永远丢弃你。你当谨慎；因耶和华拣选你。……你当刚强。”（代上28:9-10）[19]{AA 95.1 }
§41
To Solomon, as one called to occupy a position of leading responsibility, David gave a special charge: Thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off forever. Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee: . . . be strong. 1 Chronicles 28:9, 10. {AA 95.1 }[19]
§42
那些指导在摩西和大卫时代作上帝子民官长之人的敬虔和公义的原则，凡是在新约时代蒙召管理新近所组织之上帝教会的人也须遵循。使徒在为各教会将一切事项安排就绪、并选立合适人才担任职员的事上，都坚持旧约《圣经》中所列举的作领袖的崇高标准。他们主张：凡蒙召在教会中身负领导责任的人，“既是上帝的管家，必须无可指责；不任性、不暴躁、不因酒滋事、不打人、不贪无义之财；乐意接待远人、好善、庄重、公平、圣洁、自恃；坚守所教真实的道理，就能将纯正的教训劝化人，又能把争辩的人驳倒了。”（多1:7-9）[20]{AA 95.2 }
§43
The same principles of piety and justice that were to guide the rulers among Gods people in the time of Moses and of David, were also to be followed by those given the oversight of the newly organized church of God in the gospel dispensation. In the work of setting things in order in all the churches, and ordaining suitable men to act as officers, the apostles held to the high standards of leadership outlined in the Old Testament Scriptures. They maintained that he who is called to stand in a position of leading responsibility in the church must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Titus 1:7-9. {AA 95.2 }[20]
§44
早期的基督教会所保持的秩序，使会众能像一支纪律严明的军队，穿戴着上帝的军装，稳步前进。一队一队的信徒虽然分散在广大的地区，但全都是一个身体的肢体；大家行动一致，彼此谐和。如果一处地方教会内部发生分争，例如后来在安提阿和别处所发生的一般，当地的信徒既无法自行达成协议，就不可容让这类的事件引起分裂，而要提交全体信徒的大会，这个大会是由各处地方教会所指派的代表，以及担负领导责任的使徒与长老所组成的。这样，撒但攻击那些孤立远处之教会所作的努力，就能以全体一致的行动来应付；而仇敌分裂及摧毁教会的计谋也就受到挫折了。[21]{AA 95.3 }
§45
The order that was maintained in the early Christian church made it possible for them to move forward solidly as a well-disciplined army clad with the armor of God. The companies of believers, though scattered over a large territory, were all members of one body; all moved in concert and in harmony with one another. When dissension arose in a local church, as later it did arise in Antioch and elsewhere, and the believers were unable to come to an agreement among themselves, such matters were not permitted to create a division in the church, but were referred to a general council of the entire body of believers, made up of appointed delegates from the various local churches, with the apostles and elders in positions of leading responsibility. Thus the efforts of Satan to attack the church in isolated places were met by concerted action on the part of all, and the plans of the enemy to disrupt and destroy were thwarted. {AA 95.3 }[21]
§46
“上帝不是叫人混乱，乃是叫人安静。”（林前14:33）他要今日在办理教会的各项事务上正如古时一样，必须遵守秩序和规律。他希望他的工作得以缜密而正确地向前推进，以致得蒙他的嘉纳认可。基督徒与基督徒，教会与教会，都要联合一致，人的力量方法与神的能力方法合作，一切机能都驯服于圣灵之下，大家联合一致将上帝恩惠的佳音传给世人。[22]{AA 96.1 }
§47
God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:33. He requires that order and system be observed in the conduct of church affairs today no less than in the days of old. He desires His work to be carried forward with thoroughness and exactness so that He may place upon it the seal of His approval. Christian is to be united with Christian, church with church, the human instrumentality co-operating with the divine, every agency subordinate to the Holy Spirit, and all combined in giving to the world the good tidings of the grace of God. {AA 96.1 }[22]