读经：徒一14，结一5~14，士五15~16，31
Scripture Reading: Acts 1:14, Ezek. 1:5-14, Judg. 5:15-16, 31
Scripture Reading: Acts 1:14, Ezek. 1:5-14, Judg. 5:15-16, 31
肆
使徒的工作与长老的工作之间的区别，是身体生活极重要的原则：
The distinction between the work of the apostles and the work of the elders is a vital principle of the Body life:
The distinction between the work of the apostles and the work of the elders is a vital principle of the Body life:
一
在神的计划里，祂定意使徒们该负责“各地”的工作，而长老们则要在“一地”背负责任；使徒的特点是“去”，长老的特点是“留”─徒十三1~4，十六1~4，腓二19~24。
In God's plan He purposed that apostles should be responsible for the work in different places, while elders were to bear responsibility in one place; the characteristic of an apostle is going; the characteristic of an elder is staying— Acts 13:1-4; 16:1-4; Phil. 2:19-24.
In God's plan He purposed that apostles should be responsible for the work in different places, while elders were to bear responsibility in one place; the characteristic of an apostle is going; the characteristic of an elder is staying— Acts 13:1-4; 16:1-4; Phil. 2:19-24.
二
象彼得和约翰那样的弟兄，是同时作长老和使徒的，（彼前五1，约贰1，约叁1，）因为他们不只负责各地方的工作，也负责自己当地的召会。
Brothers such as Peter and John were elders as well as apostles (1 Pet, 5:1; 2 John 1; 3 John 1) because they were responsible not only for the work in different places but also for the church in their own place.
Brothers such as Peter and John were elders as well as apostles (1 Pet, 5:1; 2 John 1; 3 John 1) because they were responsible not only for the work in different places but also for the church in their own place.
三
只有那些不是那么多出外尽职的使徒，能在自己当地作召会的长老。（见“工作的再思”，八五至九二页。）
Only such apostles as are not traveling much could be elders of the church in their own locality (see The Normal Christian Church Life, pp. 41-46).
Only such apostles as are not traveling much could be elders of the church in their own locality (see The Normal Christian Church Life, pp. 41-46).
伍
为要作身体生活的模型，长老们（作监督的）该每周聚集祷告、交通，好照顾神的群羊─徒二十28，参十五6，22：
In order to be a model of the Body life, the elders, the overseers, should meet every week for prayer and fellowship to care for the flock of God— Acts 20:28; cf. 15:6, 22:
In order to be a model of the Body life, the elders, the overseers, should meet every week for prayer and fellowship to care for the flock of God— Acts 20:28; cf. 15:6, 22:
一
这个聚会是全召会的守望台；我们该学习每天戴着胸牌，这样我们就会每天学习发现神子民当中的事情─出二八15~30：
This meeting is the watchtower of the whole church; we should learn to bear the breastplate every day, and then we will learn to discover something among God's people every day— Exo. 28:15-30:
This meeting is the watchtower of the whole church; we should learn to bear the breastplate every day, and then we will learn to discover something among God's people every day— Exo. 28:15-30:
１
如果召会有难处，长老们需要来看召会该如何往前，他们就要去到神面前有许多祷告；他们需要将自己祷告到神里面，也需要将神祷告到自己里面。
If the church has a problem and the elders need to see how the church should go on, they should go to God with much prayer; they need to pray themselves into God, and they need to pray God into themselves.
If the church has a problem and the elders need to see how the church should go on, they should go to God with much prayer; they need to pray themselves into God, and they need to pray God into themselves.
２
长老们借着祷告来到主面前，就能读胸牌宝石上的字母，就是读召会所有的肢体。
In the presence of the Lord through prayer, they can read the letters on the stones of the breastplate, which is to read all the members of the church.
In the presence of the Lord through prayer, they can read the letters on the stones of the breastplate, which is to read all the members of the church.
３
借着读召会的肢体，把肢体当作神圣打字机上的字母，神的说话就会临到长老，告诉他们要作什么并怎样去作─参徒一14，六4，十三1~4。
By reading the members of the church, taking the members as the letters of a divine typewriter, God's speaking will come to the elders, telling them what to do and how to do it— cf. Acts 1:14; 6:4; 13:1-4.
By reading the members of the church, taking the members as the letters of a divine typewriter, God's speaking will come to the elders, telling them what to do and how to do it— cf. Acts 1:14; 6:4; 13:1-4.
二
这一个聚会如果在神面前是刚强并严肃的，所有其它的聚会自然会被带高；这个聚会是一切的中心。
If this meeting is strong and solemn before God, all the other meetings will be spontaneously uplifted; this meeting is the center of everything.
If this meeting is strong and solemn before God, all the other meetings will be spontaneously uplifted; this meeting is the center of everything.
三
一切在监督聚会里所发生的事，没有一个人可以回家去告诉他的妻子；在这个聚会里，不能随便说话，不能走漏消息，也不该说不必要的话─箴十一13，二十18~19。
No one can go home and tell his wife anything that takes place in the meeting of the overseers; in this meeting we cannot speak lightly, we cannot leak out information, and we should not have unnecessary words— Prov. 11:13; 20:18-19.
No one can go home and tell his wife anything that takes place in the meeting of the overseers; in this meeting we cannot speak lightly, we cannot leak out information, and we should not have unnecessary words— Prov. 11:13; 20:18-19.
四
事情若不是大家同意可以公开的，就不应该告诉人。
Unless all agree that certain matters can be made public, they should not be told to others.
Unless all agree that certain matters can be made public, they should not be told to others.
五
要作到有一天，弟兄姊妹都尊敬监督的聚会；他们知道这一天，这半天，是负责的弟兄们到神面前去办事情。
We need to continue working until one day all the brothers and sisters respect the meeting of the overseers; they will know that this day or this half a day is the time the responsib1e brothers go before God to take care of things.
We need to continue working until one day all the brothers and sisters respect the meeting of the overseers; they will know that this day or this half a day is the time the responsib1e brothers go before God to take care of things.
陆
为要作身体生活的模型，长老们必须是配搭的模型和榜样；长老们必须配搭起来，因为没有一个人是全才：
In order to be a model of the Body life, the elders must be the model and example of coordination; the elders must be coordinated, because no person is capable in everything:
In order to be a model of the Body life, the elders must be the model and example of coordination; the elders must be coordinated, because no person is capable in everything:
一
长老们是在召会中和谐的根源；长老们一和谐，众弟兄姊妹中间就没有不和谐的；召会中的不和谐，完全是从长老们出来的─徒一14。
The elders are the source of harmony in the church; if the elders are in harmony, it is impossible for the brothers and sisters not to be in harmony; disharmony in the church is fully caused by the elders— Acts 1:14.
The elders are the source of harmony in the church; if the elders are in harmony, it is impossible for the brothers and sisters not to be in harmony; disharmony in the church is fully caused by the elders— Acts 1:14.
二
长老们配搭在一起，就是基督身体的一个缩影；主的工作是身体的工作，是借着身体、为着建造身体的工作；所以极其需要借着否认己、背起十字架、并丧失魂生命而有配搭─太十六18~26：
When the elders are together in coordination, they are a miniature of the Body of Christ; the Lord's work is a work of the Body and by the Body for the building up of the Body; therefore, coordination is desperately needed by denying the self, taking up the cross, and losing the soul-life— Matt. 16:18-26:
When the elders are together in coordination, they are a miniature of the Body of Christ; the Lord's work is a work of the Body and by the Body for the building up of the Body; therefore, coordination is desperately needed by denying the self, taking up the cross, and losing the soul-life— Matt. 16:18-26:
１
真实的配搭，意思就是你的分在这里，我的分在这里，其它每一个人的分也在这里。
The real coordination means that your portion is here, my portion is here, and everyone else's portion is here.
The real coordination means that your portion is here, my portion is here, and everyone else's portion is here.
２
我们也许来在一起，而没有许多相调，因为每个人都留在自己里面；每个人都害怕得罪别人与犯错，所以保持安静；这是照着肉体之人的样子。
We may come together without much blending because everyone stays in themselves; they are afraid to offend others and make mistakes, so they keep quiet; this is the manner of man according to the flesh.
We may come together without much blending because everyone stays in themselves; they are afraid to offend others and make mistakes, so they keep quiet; this is the manner of man according to the flesh.
３
相调的意思是，你被别人摸着，你也摸着别人，但你该以相调的方式摸着别人（经过十字架，凭着那灵，为着身体的缘故将基督分赐到彼此里面）。
To be blended means that you are touched by others and that you are touching others, but you should touch others in a blending way (through the cross and by the Spirit to dispense Christ into one another for the sake of the Body).
To be blended means that you are touched by others and that you are touching others, but you should touch others in a blending way (through the cross and by the Spirit to dispense Christ into one another for the sake of the Body).
４
若没有交通和配搭，没有一个长老该单独的说话并行事，因为这样作就废除了长老们是复数的这个事实。
Without fellowship and coordination, no one elder should speak and act independently, for to do so would annul the fact that the elders are plural in number.
Without fellowship and coordination, no one elder should speak and act independently, for to do so would annul the fact that the elders are plural in number.
５
召会中的行政既不是民主，也不是专制；神的同在，就是复活，乃是权柄─民十七1~8。
The administration in the church is neither a democracy nor an autocracy; God's presence as resurrection is the authority— Num. 17:1-8.
The administration in the church is neither a democracy nor an autocracy; God's presence as resurrection is the authority— Num. 17:1-8.
三
长老们彼此交通时，需要在神圣生命里并凭着那灵，在说话上受限制─约六63，徒六10：
In their fellowship with one another, the elders need to be restricted in the divine life and by the Spirit in their speaking— John 6:63; Acts 6:10:
In their fellowship with one another, the elders need to be restricted in the divine life and by the Spirit in their speaking— John 6:63; Acts 6:10:
１
遮盖别人的罪、缺点、短处的人，有所得着并接受祝福；揭露却带进咒诅─箴十12，雅五19~20，创九21~27。
Those who cover others' sins, defects, and shortcomings enjoy gain and receive blessing, but uncovering brings in a curse— Prov. 10;12; James 5:19-20; Gen. 9:21-27.
Those who cover others' sins, defects, and shortcomings enjoy gain and receive blessing, but uncovering brings in a curse— Prov. 10;12; James 5:19-20; Gen. 9:21-27.
２
作长老的必须知道，他们在牧养时，必须遮盖别人的罪，也不可计算别人的恶─林前十三4~7。
The elders need to realize that in their shepherding, they have to cover others' sins and not take account of others' evil— 1 Cor. 13:4-7.
The elders need to realize that in their shepherding, they have to cover others' sins and not take account of others' evil— 1 Cor. 13:4-7.
３
爱遮盖一切，不仅遮盖好事，也遮盖坏事；凡揭露召会中肢体的缺点、短处和罪恶的，就没有资格作长老─参太二四49。
Love covers all things, not only the good things but also the bad things; whoever uncovers the defects, shortcomings, and sins of the members of the church is disqualified from the eldership— cf Matt. 24:49.
Love covers all things, not only the good things but also the bad things; whoever uncovers the defects, shortcomings, and sins of the members of the church is disqualified from the eldership— cf Matt. 24:49.
４
长老不该说毁谤的话（毁谤就是严厉或辱骂的责备或批评，用恶言攻击人）；听毁谤的话，与说毁谤的话一样要负责任；如果召会要维持合一，弟兄姊妹就需要抵挡毁谤的话语─林前六10，参民六6，利五3。
The elders should not speak reviling words (to revile is to rebuke or criticize harshly or abusively; to assail with abusive language); those who take in reviling words bear the same responsibility as those who speak reviling words; in order for the church to maintain the oneness, the brothers and sisters must withstand reviling words— 1 Cor. 6:10; cf. Num. 6:6; Lev. 5:3.
The elders should not speak reviling words (to revile is to rebuke or criticize harshly or abusively; to assail with abusive language); those who take in reviling words bear the same responsibility as those who speak reviling words; in order for the church to maintain the oneness, the brothers and sisters must withstand reviling words— 1 Cor. 6:10; cf. Num. 6:6; Lev. 5:3.
５
罪的感觉是由认识神而来的；照样，对于毁谤的话的感觉，乃是由认识身体而来的；毁谤的话乃是与身体的见证相反的─林前一10。
The consciousness of sin comes from knowing God; in the same way, the consciousness of reviling words comes from the knowledge of the Body; reviling words are opposed to the testimony of the Body— 1 Cor. 1:10.
The consciousness of sin comes from knowing God; in the same way, the consciousness of reviling words comes from the knowledge of the Body; reviling words are opposed to the testimony of the Body— 1 Cor. 1:10.
６
神绝不会将权柄交托那些天性喜欢批评别人的人─参弗四29~32。
God will never entrust authority to those who by nature like to criticize others— cf. Eph. 4:29-32.
God will never entrust authority to those who by nature like to criticize others— cf. Eph. 4:29-32.
７
一面，长老对人应当有清楚的眼光，极有鉴别力；另一面，长老应当在属灵上是瞎眼的─赛十一1~4上。
The elders, on the one hand, should have a clear sight over the people with much discernment, and on the other hand, they should be blind spiritually— Isa. 11:1-4a
The elders, on the one hand, should have a clear sight over the people with much discernment, and on the other hand, they should be blind spiritually— Isa. 11:1-4a
柒
以西结一章陈明一幅我们在召会生活中所需要之配搭的美丽图画，这是为着神的彰显、行动和行政─5~14节：
Ezekiel 1 presents a beautiful picture of the coordination we need in the church life for God's expression, move, and administration— vv. 5-l4:
Ezekiel 1 presents a beautiful picture of the coordination we need in the church life for God's expression, move, and administration— vv. 5-l4:
一
每个活物面对一个方向（分别面对北、南、东、西）；他们的两个翅膀展开，触及毗连之活物的翅膀，形成一个四方形─9~12节。
Each of the living creatures faces one direction (respectively facing north, south, east, and west), and two of their wings spread out and touch the adjacent creatures' wings, forming a square— vv. 9-12.
Each of the living creatures faces one direction (respectively facing north, south, east, and west), and two of their wings spread out and touch the adjacent creatures' wings, forming a square— vv. 9-12.
二
无论活物要往那个方向行动，任何一个活物都不需要转身；一个只要往前直行，一个就倒退而行，其它两个则旁行。
No matter in which direction the living creatures are moving, there is no need for any of them to turn; one simply goes straight forward; one returns, moving backward; and the other sides move sideways.
No matter in which direction the living creatures are moving, there is no need for any of them to turn; one simply goes straight forward; one returns, moving backward; and the other sides move sideways.
三
在召会的事奉中，我们每一个人不但需要学习怎样直往前行，也需要学习怎样退行和旁行：
In the church service we all need to learn not only how to walk straight forward but also how to walk backward and sideways:
In the church service we all need to learn not only how to walk straight forward but also how to walk backward and sideways:
１
在配搭里没有自由或方便，配搭保守我们不转身─参弗三18。
In coordination there is no freedom or convenience; coordination keeps us from making turns— cf. Eph. 3:18.
In coordination there is no freedom or convenience; coordination keeps us from making turns— cf. Eph. 3:18.
２
我们作任何事之前，都需要停下来，与那些和我们一同事奉的人交通并配搭。
Before doing anything, we need to stop to fellowship and coordinate with those who serve with us.
Before doing anything, we need to stop to fellowship and coordinate with those who serve with us.
３
交通使我们相调，交通调和、调整、调节我们，使我们和谐，使我们受限制、受保护，并且供应我们、祝福我们；基督的身体是在交通中─参四4，林后十三14。
Fellowship blends us, mingles us, adjusts us, tempers us, harmonizes us, limits us, protects us, supplies us, and blesses us; the Body is in the fellowship— cf. 4:4; 2 Cor. 13:14.
Fellowship blends us, mingles us, adjusts us, tempers us, harmonizes us, limits us, protects us, supplies us, and blesses us; the Body is in the fellowship— cf. 4:4; 2 Cor. 13:14.
四
有不同功用的弟兄们若不知道怎样配搭，他们就会争竞，甚至彼此相争，结果可能带来分裂─参腓一17，二2，加五25~26：
If brothers with different functions do not know to coordinate, they will compete and even strive against each other, which could result in division— cf. Phil. 1:17; 2:2; Gal. 5:25-26:
If brothers with different functions do not know to coordinate, they will compete and even strive against each other, which could result in division— cf. Phil. 1:17; 2:2; Gal. 5:25-26:
１
对福音有负担的弟兄尽功用直往前行的时候，对牧养有负担的弟兄就该学习退行；其它的圣徒该跟从这二人旁行。
When a brother who is burdened for the gospel is functioning, moving straight forward, the brother who is burdened for shepherding should learn to walk backward; the other saints should follow these two, walking sideways.
When a brother who is burdened for the gospel is functioning, moving straight forward, the brother who is burdened for shepherding should learn to walk backward; the other saints should follow these two, walking sideways.
２
退行和旁行就是对别人的职事、功用、和负担说“阿们”─罗十二4，参林前十四29~31。
To walk backward and sideways is to say Amen to another's ministry, function, and burden— Rom. 12:4; cf. 1 Cor. 14:29-31.
To walk backward and sideways is to say Amen to another's ministry, function, and burden— Rom. 12:4; cf. 1 Cor. 14:29-31.
３
我们若只顾自己特别的事奉，没有这四种行走，至终我们会成为召会中的难处─参约叁9。
If we care only for our particular service and do not have these four kinds of walk, eventually we will become a problem in the church— cf. 3 John 9.
If we care only for our particular service and do not have these four kinds of walk, eventually we will become a problem in the church— cf. 3 John 9.
４
随从灵，主要是直往前行之人的责任─结一12，参徒十六6~10。
The one who is walking straight forward has a prime responsibility of following the Spirit— Ezek. 1:12; cf. Acts 16:6-10.
The one who is walking straight forward has a prime responsibility of following the Spirit— Ezek. 1:12; cf. Acts 16:6-10.
五
我们该将配搭这件事，不只应用在某个地方召会中，也要应用在众召会中间；这就是说，我们乃要跟从众召会─帖前二14。
We should apply this matter of coordination not only in a particular local church but also among the churches; this means that we are followers of the churches— 1 Thes. 2:14.
We should apply this matter of coordination not only in a particular local church but also among the churches; this means that we are followers of the churches— 1 Thes. 2:14.
六
活物配搭的结果，是他们成为烧着的火炭和烧着的火把；我们越配搭在一起，就越彼此焚烧─结一13。
The result of the coordination of the living creatures is that they become burning coals and burning torches; the more we coordinate together, the more we burn one another— Ezek. 1:13.
The result of the coordination of the living creatures is that they become burning coals and burning torches; the more we coordinate together, the more we burn one another— Ezek. 1:13.
七
借着我们与宝贵的主并尊高的圣徒在交通中配搭一起，我们该渴望成为得胜者，心中定大志（作一个决断，为着主终极的恢复献上一生），心中设大谋（定一个大的计划，为着主在祂恢复中终极的行动）─士五15~16，31，但十一32。
Through our coordination together in our fellowship with our precious Lord and the excellent saints, we should aspire to be the overcomers, having great resolutions of heart (making a firm decision to give our lives for the Lord's consummate recovery) and great searchings of heart (devising a great plan for the Lord's ultimate move in His recovery)— Judg. 5:15-16, 31; Dan.11:32.
Through our coordination together in our fellowship with our precious Lord and the excellent saints, we should aspire to be the overcomers, having great resolutions of heart (making a firm decision to give our lives for the Lord's consummate recovery) and great searchings of heart (devising a great plan for the Lord's ultimate move in His recovery)— Judg. 5:15-16, 31; Dan.11:32.