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經文字級：

1-5節--教會領袖

彼得前書 第5章

我們若參照現代的聖經譯本，將發現有不少都在第1節用上「所以」這個連接詞(參呂振中譯本)，將這段經文與上一章連接起來。換言之，信徒由於要經歷各種試煉，所以，教會的長老便特別需要去負起餵養及關顧信徒靈命的責任。

這裡所指的長老是甚麼人呢？他們是初期教會特別按立的教會領袖。保羅在他的第一次宣教旅程中，便在每間新成立的教會按立長老。耶路撒冷教會也有本身的長老。使徒行傳記述保羅宣講的其中一篇感人信息，便是向以弗所的眾長老宣講的(參徒二十17-35)。當時的教會採取精簡的管理制度，對於有關的長老制度，聖經沒有詳論。

至於作長老的資格，我們可以在提摩太前後書及提多書見到。我們今天選讀的這幾節經文，簡略提及他們的職責，是要牧養神的群羊。換言之，他們要在屬靈方面供應信徒的一切所需。他們還要管理教會；但彼得強調這不是出於勉強，而是出於樂意，因為他們只是按照神的心意來服事教會。

此外，他們還要成為信徒的榜樣(3節)。今天的教會領袖也要符合這項要求。「榜樣」一詞，原意是「要讓人學效的模範」。

教會領袖雖然要承擔一定的責任，但他們也獲得特別的賞賜。在彼得的時代，在競賽或爭戰中獲勝的人，可獲得一個冠冕作為?賞；同樣地，基督也會將一個永不衰殘的冠冕，賜給忠心事主的信徒。當接過這冠冕的那一刻，所有為主工作的人，一定會覺得以往的一切勞苦都是值得的了。

禱告：

主啊，求你使我能夠敏銳地察覺群羊的需要，並使我靠著你的能力去牧養他們。

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CHURCH LEADERS

The word therefore appears at the beginning of verse 1 in most modern versions of this chapter. That would connect these verses with what has gone before. Because of the trials the Christians were facing, the elders had a particular responsibility to feed and care for them spiritually.

Who were the elders? They were the ordained leaders of the early churches. On Pauls first missionary journey, he ordained elders in every church. There were elders in the church at Jerusalem. One of the greatest messages in the book of Acts is Pauls message to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17-35). It was a simple form of church government and there is no reference in any way to an elaborate carefully worked out priesthood.

The qualifications of elders are found in the epistles to Timothy and Titus. Some of their duties are given in these verses. They were to feed the flock of God. The word feed means to shepherd or to tend. In other words they were to help meet every need of the church members. They were also to take the oversight of the church, not because they had to but because they wanted to; because they believed it to be Gods will that they should serve in this way.

They must also be an example to the church. This is just as true and as necessary today. The word example in verse 3 could be translated a pattern to be copied.

There is a special reward also for Christian workers. A crown in Peters day was a reward for winning a race or a battle. The crown which Christ will give to faithful Christian workers is one that will last for ever. Doesnt that make our work worthwhile?


A PRAYER:

Lord help me to be sensitive to the needs of your flock and help me to meet those needs always.

返回彼得前書第5章

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