the acts of the apostles-第97章
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him up at the last day。〃 John 6：40。 His thoughts and hopes are centered on
the second coming of his Lord。 And as the sword of the executioner descends
and the shadows of death gather about the martyr； his latest thought springs
forward； as will his earliest in the great awakening； to meet the
Life…giver； who shall welcome him to the joy of the blest。
Well…nigh a score of centuries have passed since Paul the aged poured out
his blood as a witness for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus
Christ。 No faithful hand recorded for the generations to come the last
scenes in the life of this holy man； but Inspiration has preserved for us
his dying testimony。 Like a trumpet peal his voice has rung out through all
the ages since； nerving with his own courage thousands of witnesses for
Christ and wakening in thousands of sorrow…stricken hearts the echo of his
own triumphant joy： 〃I am now ready to be offered； and the time of my
departure is at hand。 I have fought a good fight； I have finished my course；
I have kept the faith： henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness； which the Lord； the righteous Judge； shall give me at that
day： and not to me only； but unto all them also that love His appearing。〃
2 Timothy 4：6…8。
（514）
Chapter 51
A Faithful Undershepherd
Little mention is made in the book of Acts of the later work of the apostle
Peter。 During the busy years of ministry that followed the outpouring of the
Spirit on the Day of Pentecost； he was among those who put forth untiring
efforts to reach the Jews who came to Jerusalem to worship at the time of
the annual festivals。
As the number of believers multiplied in Jerusalem and in other places
visited by the messengers of the cross； the talents possessed by Peter
proved of untold value to the early Christian church。 The influence of his
testimony concerning Jesus of Nazareth extended far and wide。 Upon him had
been laid a double responsibility。 He bore positive witness concerning the
Messiah before unbelievers； laboring earnestly for their conversion； and at
the same time he did a special work for believers； strengthening them in the
faith of Christ。
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It was after Peter had been led to self…renunciation and entire reliance
upon divine power； that he received his call to act as an undershepherd。
Christ had said to Peter； before his denial of Him； 〃When thou art
converted； strengthen thy brethren。〃 Luke 22：32。 These words were
significant of the wide and effectual work which this apostle was to do in
the future for those who should come to the faith。 For this work； Peter's
own experience of sin and suffering and repentance had prepared him。 Not
until he had learned his weakness； could he know the believer's need of
dependence on Christ。 Amid the storm of temptation he had come to understand
that man can walk safely only as in utter self…distrust he relies upon the
Saviour。
At the last meeting of Christ with His disciples by the sea； Peter； tested
by the thrice…repeated question； 〃Lovest thou Me？〃 （John 21：15…17）； had been
restored to his place among the Twelve。 His work had been appointed him； he
was to feed the Lord's flock。 Now； converted and accepted； he was not only
to seek to save those without the fold； but was to be a shepherd of the
sheep。
Christ mentioned to Peter only one condition of service 〃Lovest thou Me？〃
This is the essential qualification。 Though Peter might possess every other；
yet without the love of Christ he could not be a faithful shepherd over the
flock of God。 Knowledge； benevolence； eloquence； zeal all are essential in
the good work； but without the love of Christ in the heart； the work of the
Christian minister is a failure。
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The love of Christ is not a fitful feeling； but a living principle； which is
to be made manifest as an abiding power in the heart。 If the character and
deportment of the shepherd is an exemplification of the truth he advocates；
the Lord will set the seal of His approval to the work。 The shepherd and the
flock will become one； united by their common hope in Christ。
The Saviour's manner of dealing with Peter had a lesson for him and his
brethren。 Although Peter had denied his Lord； the love which Jesus bore him
had never faltered。 And as the apostle should take up the work of
ministering the word to others； he was to meet the transgressor with
patience； sympathy； and forgiving love。 Remembering his own weakness and
failure； he was to deal with the sheep and lambs committed to his care as
tenderly as Christ had dealt with him。
Human beings； themselves given to evil； are prone to deal untenderly with
the tempted and the erring。 They cannot read the heart； they know not its
struggle and its pain。 Of the rebuke that is love； of the blow that wounds
to heal； of the warning that speaks hope； they have need to learn。
Throughout his ministry； Peter faithfully watched over the flock entrusted
to his care； and thus proved himself worthy of the charge and responsibility
given him by the Saviour。 Ever he exalted Jesus of Nazareth as the Hope of
Israel； the Saviour of mankind。 He brought his own life under the discipline
of the Master Worker。 By every means within his power he sought to educate
the believers for active service。 His godly example and untiring activity
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inspired many young men of promise to give themselves wholly to the work of
the ministry。 As time went on； the apostle's influence as an educator and
leader increased； and while he never lost his burden to labor especially for
the Jews； yet he bore his testimony in many lands and strengthened the faith
of multitudes in the gospel。
In the later years of his ministry； Peter was inspired to write to the
believers 〃scattered throughout Pontus； Galatia； Cappadocia； Asia； and
Bithynia。〃 His letters were the means of reviving the courage and
strengthening the faith of those who were enduring trial and affliction； and
of renewing to good works those who through manifold temptations were in
danger of losing their hold upon God。 These letters bear the impress of
having been written by one in whom the sufferings of Christ and also His
consolation had been made to abound； one whose entire being had been
transformed by grace； and whose hope of eternal life was sure and steadfast。
At the very beginning of his first letter the aged servant of God ascribed
to his Lord a tribute of praise and thanksgiving。 〃Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ；〃 he exclaimed； 〃which according to His
abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead； to an inheritance incorruptible； and
undefiled； and that fadeth not away； reserved in heaven for you； who are
kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed
in the last time。〃
In this hope of a sure inheritance in the earth made new；
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the early Christians rejoiced； even in times of severe trial and affliction。
〃Ye greatly rejoice；〃 Peter wrote； 〃though now for a season； if need be； ye
are in heaviness through manifold temptations： that the trial of your faith；
being much more precious than of gold that perisheth； though it be tried
with fire； might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing
of Jesus Christ： whom having not seen； ye love； in whom； though now ye see
Him not； 。 。 。 ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory： receiving
the end of your faith； even the salvation of your souls。〃
The apostle's words were written for the instruction of believers in every
age； and they have a special significance for those who live at the time
when 〃the end of all things is at hand。〃 His exhortations and warnings； and
his words of faith and courage； are needed by every soul who would maintain
his faith 〃steadfast unto the end。〃 Hebrews 3：14。
The apostle sought to teach the believers how important it is to keep the
mind from wandering to forbidden themes or from spending i
