the acts of the apostles-第112章
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〃And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying；
〃Behold； the tabernacle of God is with men；
And He will dwell with them；
And they shall be His people；
And God Himself shall be with them；
And be their God。〃 Revelation 21：3。
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Chapter 58
The Church Triumphant
More than eighteen centuries have passed since the apostles rested from
their labors； but the history of their toils and sacrifices for Christ's
sake is still among the most precious treasures of the church。 This history；
written under the direction of the Holy Spirit； was recorded in order that
by it the followers of Christ in every age might be impelled to greater zeal
and earnestness in the cause of the Saviour。
The commission that Christ gave to the disciples； they fulfilled。 As these
messengers of the cross went forth to proclaim the gospel； there was such a
revelation of the glory of God as had never before been witnessed by mortal
man。 By the co…operation of the divine Spirit； the apostles did a work that
shook the world。 To every nation was the gospel carried in a single
generation。
Glorious were the results that attended the ministry of the chosen apostles
of Christ。 At the beginning of their ministry some of them were unlearned
men； but their
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consecration to the cause of their Master was unreserved； and under His
instruction they gained a preparation for the great work committed to them。
Grace and truth reigned in their hearts； inspiring their motives and
controlling their actions。 Their lives were hid with Christ in God； and self
was lost sight of； submerged in the depths of infinite love。
The disciples were men who knew how to speak and pray sincerely； men who
could take hold of the might of the Strength of Israel。 How closely they
stood by the side of God； and bound their personal honor to His throne！
Jehovah was their God。 His honor was their honor。 His truth was their truth。
Any attack made upon the gospel was as if cutting deep into their souls； and
with every power of their being they battled for the cause of Christ。 They
could hold forth the word of life because they had received the heavenly
anointing。 They expected much； and therefore they attempted much。 Christ had
revealed Himself to them； and to Him they looked for guidance。 Their
understanding of truth and their power to withstand opposition were
proportionate to their conformity to God's will。 Jesus Christ； the wisdom
and power of God； was the theme of every discourse。 His namethe only name
given under heaven whereby men can be savedwas by them exalted。 As they
proclaimed the completeness of Christ； the risen Saviour； their words moved
hearts； and men and women were won to the gospel。 Multitudes who had reviled
the Saviour's name and despised His power now confessed themselves disciples
of the Crucified。
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Not in their own power did the apostles accomplish their mission； but in the
power of the living God。 Their work was not easy。 The opening labors of the
Christian church were attended by hardship and bitter grief。 In their work
the disciples constantly encountered privation； calumny； and persecution；
but they counted not their lives dear unto themselves and rejoiced that they
were called to suffer for Christ。 Irresolution； indecision； weakness of
purpose； found no place in their efforts。 They were willing to spend and be
spent。 The consciousness of the responsibility resting on them purified and
enriched their experience； and the grace of heaven was revealed in the
conquests they achieved for Christ。 With the might of omnipotence God worked
through them to make the gospel triumphant。
Upon the foundation that Christ Himself had laid； the apostles built the
church of God。 In the Scriptures the figure of the erection of a temple is
frequently used to illustrate the building of the church。 Zechariah refers
to Christ as the Branch that should build the temple of the Lord。 He speaks
of the Gentiles as helping in the work： 〃They that are far off shall come
and build in the temple of the Lord；〃 and Isaiah declares； 〃The sons of
strangers shall build up thy walls。〃 Zechariah 6：12； 15； Isaiah 60：10。
Writing of the building of this temple； Peter says； 〃To whom coming； as unto
a living stone； disallowed indeed of men； but chosen of God； and precious；
ye also； as lively stones； are built up a spiritual house； an holy
priesthood； to offer up spiritual sacrifices； acceptable to God by Jesus
Christ。〃 1 Peter 2：4； 5。
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In the quarry of the Jewish and the Gentile world the apostles labored；
bringing out stones to lay upon the foundation。 In his letter to the
believers at Ephesus； Paul said； 〃Now therefore ye are no more strangers and
foreigners； but fellow citizens with the saints； and of the household of
God； and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets； Jesus
Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone； in whom all the building fitly
framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord： in whom ye also are
builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit。〃 Ephesians
2：19…22。
And to the Corinthians he wrote： 〃According to the grace of God which is
given unto me； as a wise master builder； I have laid the foundation； and
another buildeth thereon。 But let every man take heed how he buildeth
thereupon。 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid； which is
Jesus Christ。 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold； silver；
precious stones； wood； hay； stubble； every man's work shall be made
manifest： for the day shall declare it； because it shall be revealed by
fire； and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is。〃
1 Corinthians 3：10…13。
The apostles built upon a sure foundation； even the Rock of Ages。 To this
foundation they brought the stones that they quarried from the world。 Not
without hindrance did the builders labor。 Their work was made exceedingly
difficult by the opposition of the enemies of Christ。 They had to contend
against the bigotry； prejudice； and hatred of those who were building upon a
false foundation。 Many
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who wrought as builders of the church could be likened to the builders of
the wall in Nehemiah's day； of whom it is written： 〃They which builded on
the wall； and they that bare burdens； with those that laded； everyone with
one of his hands wrought in the work； and with the other hand held a
weapon。〃 Nehemiah 4：17。
Kings and governors； priests and rulers； sought to destroy the temple of
God。 But in the face of imprisonment； torture； and death； faithful men
carried the work forward； and the structure grew； beautiful and symmetrical。
At times the workmen were almost blinded by the mists of superstition that
settled around them。 At times they were almost overpowered by the violence
of their opponents。 But with unfaltering faith and unfailing courage they
pressed on with the work。
One after another the foremost of the builders fell by the hand of the
enemy。 Stephen was stoned； James was slain by the sword； Paul was beheaded；
Peter was crucified； John was exiled。 Yet the church grew。 New workers took
the place of those who fell； and stone after stone was added to the
building。 Thus slowly ascended the temple of the church of God。
Centuries of fierce persecution followed the establishment of the Christian
church； but there were never wanting men who counted the work of building
God's temple dearer than life itself。 Of such it is written： 〃Others had
trial of cruel mockings and scourgings； yea； moreover of bonds and
imprisonment： they were stoned； they were sawn asunder； were tempted； were
slain with the sword： they wandered
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about in sheepskins and goatskins； being destitute； afflicted； tormented；
（of whom the world was not worthy：） they wandered in deserts； and in
mountains； and in dens and caves of the earth。〃 Hebrews 11：36…38。
The enemy of righteousne
