【双语灵修】彼得原则THE PETER PRINCIPLE
使徒行传 1:15-26 8月20日
那时，有许多人聚会，约有一百二十名，彼得就在弟兄中间站起来， 说：“弟兄们，圣灵藉大卫的口在圣经上预言领人捉拿耶稣的犹大，这话是必须应验的。 他本来列在我们数中，并且在使徒的职任上得了一份。 这人用他作恶的工价买了一块田，以后身子仆倒，肚腹崩裂，肠子都流出来。 住在耶路撒冷的众人都知道这事，所以按着他们那里的话给那块田起名叫亚革大马，就是‘血田’的意思。 因为诗篇上写着说：‘愿他的住处变为荒场，无人在内居住’，又说：‘愿别人得他的职分。’
“所以主耶稣在我们中间始终出入的时候， 就是从约翰施洗起，直到主离开我们被接上升的日子为止，必须从那常与我们做伴的人中立一位与我们同作耶稣复活的见证。” 于是选举两个人，就是那叫做巴撒巴、又称呼犹士都的约瑟和马提亚。 众人就祷告说：“主啊，你知道万人的心，求你从这两个人中指明你所拣选的是谁，叫他得这使徒的位分。这位分犹大已经丢弃，往自己的地方去了。” 于是众人为他们摇签，摇出马提亚来，他就和十一个使徒同列。
彼得原则
“那时，有许多人聚会，约有一百二十名，彼得就在弟兄中间站起来……” -徒 1:15
你听说过“彼得原则”吗？这是劳伦斯·彼得(Laurence J. Peter)提出的一种管理理论，认为员工会晋升到自己不能胜任的职级。简单来说，就是人可能被提拔到自己根本无法胜任的岗位，所以很多高层其实并不适合待在那个位置。
《圣经》中的彼得呢？他适合早期教会领袖的位置吗？
虽然彼得的心意经常是对的，但他容易大起大落，从大胆宣告耶稣是“神的儿子”，到否认认识他的主。但在耶稣升天前，耶稣托付彼得看顾他的羊。
因此，在《使徒行传》的开篇，我们看到彼得以门徒和其他在耶路撒冷耶稣的跟随者的领袖身份发言。他主导了选举马提亚取代犹大的过程，就是将耶稣出卖给宗教领袖的犹大。自此，彼得成为创立早期教会和促进其成长的核心领袖。
彼得适合这个位置吗？事实上，并非如此。然而，他虽有软弱与过失，主仍托付喂养初代教会的重任给他。
我们适合服侍耶稣吗？事实上，并不适合。但如果我们听从他，他必会使用我们。
祷告
主耶稣，我们都亏缺了祢的荣耀。感谢祢爱我们，并呼召我们得享在祢里面的生命。请帮助我们忠诚地服侍祢，尊荣祢。阿们。
Acts 1:15-26
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20
THE PETER PRINCIPLE
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty). . . . —Acts 1:15
Have you heard of the “Peter Principle”? It’s a management theory by Laurence J. Peter suggesting that employees will rise to the level of their incompetence. In other words, people can be promoted into roles for which they don’t even have the necessary skills. And people at the top are often not the best suited to fill those top positions.
What about Peter in the Bible? Was he suited for his position at the head of the early church?
Though Peter’s heart was often in the right place, he was prone to extreme ups and downs, from boldly proclaiming Jesus as the “Son of God” to denying that he even knew his Lord. But before Jesus ascended to heaven, Jesus gave Peter the charge to take care of his sheep.
So in the opening chapter of Acts, we see Peter speaking as the leader of the disciples and Jesus’ other followers in Jerusalem. He leads the process of selecting Matthias to replace Judas, who had betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders. From this time on, Peter stands at the head of the founding and growth of the church in its early days.
Was Peter suited for this role? In truth, no. Nevertheless, Jesus chose him, despite his flaws and failings, for a pivotal role in nurturing the early church.
Are we suited for serving Jesus? In truth, no—but he will use us, if we listen to him.
Before you, Jesus, we all fall short. Thank you for loving us and calling us to enjoy life in you. Help us to honor and serve you faithfully. Amen.