第10章 第一个殉道者
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第10章 第一个殉道者
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Chap. 10 - The First Christian Martyr
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（本章根据：徒6:5-15；7:）
§4
七执事之首司提反是一个极其虔诚而富有信心的人。他虽然生来是犹太人，但能操希腊语，并熟悉希腊人的风俗习惯。因此他常有机会到说希腊话的犹太人的会堂里宣讲福音。他在基督的圣工上非常活跃，并大胆传讲自己所信仰的道。富有学识的拉比与教法师起来和他公开辩论，总以为能容易致胜。但“司提反是以智慧和圣灵说话，众人敌挡不住。”他不但以圣灵的能力说话，而且很明白地显出他是研究预言、精通律法的。他有力地为自己所拥护的真理申辩，并彻底击败了他的对手。对他来说，以下的应许已经实现了：“所以你们当立定心意，不要预先思想怎样分诉，因为我必赐你们口才智慧，是你们一切敌人所敌不住，驳不倒的。”（路21:14-15）[1]{AA 97.1 }
§5
Stephen, the foremost of the seven deacons, was a man of deep piety and broad faith. Though a Jew by birth, he spoke the Greek language and was familiar with the customs and manners of the Greeks. He therefore found opportunity to preach the gospel in the synagogues of the Greek Jews. He was very active in the cause of Christ and boldly proclaimed his faith. Learned rabbis and doctors of the law engaged in public discussion with him, confidently expecting an easy victory. But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Not only did he speak in the power of the Holy Spirit, but it was plain that he was a student of the prophecies and learned in all matters of the law. He ably defended the truths that he advocated and utterly defeated his opponents. To him was the promise fulfilled, Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Luke 21:14, 15. {AA 97.1 }[1]
§6
当祭司和官长们看出司提反的讲论所发挥的能力时，他们就满心毒恨。他们非但不信服他所提出的凭据，反而决意要治死他，借以止息他的声音。他们过去曾在好几次案件上贿通罗马当局，未加过问而任凭犹太人不依法律自行处理，按照他们本国的习惯审问、判决，并执行囚犯的死刑。司提反的仇敌深信他们能再度地如法炮制，而不致危及自己。他们决定冒险而不计后果，因此便捉拿司提反，将他带到公会前去受审。[2]{AA 98.1 }
§7
As the priests and rulers saw the power that attended the preaching of Stephen, they were filled with bitter hatred. Instead of yielding to the evidence that he presented, they determined to silence his voice by putting him to death. On several occasions they had bribed the Roman authorities to pass over without comment instances where the Jews had taken the law into their own hands and had tried, condemned, and executed prisoners in accordance with their national custom. The enemies of Stephen did not doubt that they could again pursue such a course without danger to themselves. They determined to risk the consequences and therefore seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin council for trial. {AA 98.1 }[2]
§8
有学问的犹太人从周围各地应召而来，目的在驳倒这个囚犯的议论。大数城的扫罗也来出席，在反对司提反的事上充当要角。他想用雄辩的力量和拉比的理论来左右这一案件，使听众相信司提反所宣讲的是迷惑人的旁门左道；但他在司提反身上，却遇到了一个在广传福音给其它各国的事上充分明了上帝旨意的人。[3]{AA 98.2 }
§9
Learned Jews from the surrounding countries were summoned for the purpose of refuting the arguments of the prisoner. Saul of Tarsus was present and took a leading part against Stephen. He brought the weight of eloquence and the logic of the rabbis to bear upon the case, to convince the people that Stephen was preaching delusive and dangerous doctrines; but in Stephen he met one who had a full understanding of the purpose of God in the spreading of the gospel to other nations. {AA 98.2 }[3]
§10
只因祭司和官长们无法胜过司提反那明晰而稳健的智慧，他们就决定拿他来杀一儆百；一方面既能这样发泻了他们的复仇之恨，同时又能使他人有所畏惧，而不敢接受他的信仰。于是便贿买证人作假见证，诬控他说话践踏圣殿和律法。这些证人说：“我们曾听见他说，这拿撒勒人耶稣要毁坏此地，也要改变摩西所交给我们的规条。”[4]{AA 98.3 }
§11
Because the priests and rulers could not prevail against the clear, calm wisdom of Stephen, they determined to make an example of him; and while thus satisfying their revengeful hatred, they would prevent others, through fear, from adopting his belief. Witnesses were hired to bear false testimony that they had heard him speak blasphemous words against the temple and the law. We have heard him say, these witnesses declared, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. {AA 98.3 }[4]
§12
当司提反面对面站在审判官前为被控谤渎的罪申辩时，他的脸上发出圣洁的光辉，“在公会里坐着的人，都定睛看他，见他的面貌，好像天使的面貌。”许多人看见这光便不禁蒙上脸面，浑身发抖，但官长们的顽固不信和偏见却未动分毫。[5]{AA 99.1 }
§13
As Stephen stood face to face with his judges to answer to the charge of blasphemy, a holy radiance shone upon his countenance, and all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Many who beheld this light trembled and veiled their faces, but the stubborn unbelief and prejudice of the rulers did not waver. {AA 99.1 }[5]
§14
当司提反为被告的事实受审问时，他就以清晰动人而响彻会厅的声音开始为自己申辩。他以使全场凝神倾听的言辞继续申述上帝选民的历史。他表现了对于犹太制度及其因基督而显明之属灵意义的彻底通晓。他重述摩西预言弥赛亚的话说：“耶和华你的上帝要从你们弟兄中间，给你兴起一位先知像我；你们要听从他。”他显明了自己是忠于上帝和犹太人的信仰，同时他也指明犹太人所赖以得救的律法未能拯救以色列脱离拜偶像的罪。他将耶稣基督与犹太人的全部历史结合起来。他提到所罗门所建造的殿宇，并引用所罗门和以赛亚的话说：“其实至高者并不住人手所造的；就如先知所言，主说：‘天是我的座位，地是我的脚凳；你们要为我造何等的殿宇，那里是我安息的地方呢？这一切不都是我手所造的吗？’”[6]{AA 99.2 }
§15
When Stephen was questioned as to the truth of the charges against him, he began his defense in a clear, thrilling voice, which rang through the council hall. In words that held the assembly spellbound, he proceeded to rehearse the history of the chosen people of God. He showed a thorough knowledge of the Jewish economy and the spiritual interpretation of it now made manifest through Christ. He repeated the words of Moses that foretold of the Messiah: A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear. He made plain his own loyalty to God and to the Jewish faith, while he showed that the law in which the Jews trusted for salvation had not been able to save Israel from idolatry. He connected Jesus Christ with all the Jewish history. He referred to the building of the temple by Solomon, and to the words of both Solomon and Isaiah: Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool: what house will ye build Me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of My rest? Hath not My hand made all these things? {AA 99.2 }[6]
§16
当司提反讲到这一点时，民众中间就起了骚动。当他将基督结合到这些预言上，并说到有关圣殿的话时，大祭司就假装惊吓万状，撕裂了自己的衣服。在司提反看来，这一行动乃是一个信号，指明他的声音很快就要永远静止了。他看出他的话语所遭受到的抗拒，并且知道他是在作他最后一次的见证。这时他虽然仅讲了一半，也只好立即结束讲论。[7]{AA 100.1 }
§17
When Stephen reached this point, there was a tumult among the people. When he connected Christ with the prophecies and spoke as he did of the temple, the priest, pretending to be horror-stricken, rent his robe. To Stephen this act was a signal that his voice would soon be silenced forever. He saw the resistance that met his words and knew that he was giving his last testimony. Although in the midst of his sermon, he abruptly concluded it. {AA 100.1 }[7]
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于是他忽然中断了他正在讲述的历史顺序，转向那些愤怒的审判官说：“你们这硬着颈项，心与耳未受割礼的人，常时抗拒圣灵；你们的祖宗怎样，你们也怎样。那一个先知，不是你们祖宗逼迫呢？他们也把预先传说那义者要来的人杀了；如今你们又把那义者卖了，杀了。你们受了天使所传的律法，竟不遵守。”[8]{AA 100.2 }
§19
Suddenly breaking away from the train of history that he was following, and turning upon his infuriated judges, he cried: Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. {AA 100.2 }[8]
§20
祭司和官长们因此大怒如狂。他们采取行动不像有理性的人，却像猛兽一般，竟咬牙切齿，冲向司提反。这个囚犯从他周围凶狠的脸色上察觉了自己的命运；但他并未动摇。他视死如归，一无所惧。那愤怒的祭司和激昂的暴徒，在他并不可怕。他面前的景象一时从他眼中消逝了。天门向他敞开了，他向里望去，看到了上帝天庭的荣耀，又看见基督好像刚从宝座上站起来，准备支持他的仆人。司提反用夸胜的声音欢呼说：“我看见天开了，人子站在上帝的右边。”[9]{AA 100.3 }
§21
At this, priests and rulers were beside themselves with anger. Acting more like beasts of prey than human beings, they rushed upon Stephen, gnashing their teeth. In the cruel faces about him the prisoner read his fate; but he did not waver. For him the fear of death was gone. For him the enraged priests and the excited mob had no terror. The scene before him faded from his vision. To him the gates of heaven were ajar, and, looking in, he saw the glory of the courts of God, and Christ, as if just risen from His throne, standing ready to sustain His servant. In words of triumph Stephen exclaimed, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. {AA 100.3 }[9]
§22
当他形容他所注视的光荣景象时，那逼迫他的群众再也忍不住了。他们捣着耳朵，不要听他的话，并大声喊叫，齐心拥上前去，“把他推到城外。”“他们正用石头打的时候，司提反呼吁主说：求主耶稣接收我的灵魂。又跪下大声喊着说：主啊！不要将这罪归于他们。说了这话，就睡了。”[10]{AA 101.1 }
§23
As he described the glorious scene upon which his eyes were gazing, it was more than his persecutors could endure. Stopping their ears, that they might not hear his words, and uttering loud cries, they ran furiously upon him with one accord and cast him out of the city. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. {AA 101.1 }[10]
§24
司提反并没有经过合法的判决，但罗马当局既受了大笔金钱的贿赂，也就没有追究这事。[11]{AA 101.2 }
§25
No legal sentence had been passed upon Stephen, but the Roman authorities were bribed by large sums of money to make no investigation into the case. {AA 101.2 }[11]
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司提反的殉道使一切目睹此事的人都留下了深刻的印象。对于他脸上所显示上帝印记的回忆；他那感动听众心灵的话语，无不使看见的人永志难忘，并证明他所传的乃是真理。他的死对于教会乃是一个痛苦的考验，但其结果却促成了扫罗的觉悟，扫罗对于这位殉道者的信心与节操，以及他脸上所显出的荣光，已经深铭脑海，无法抹杀。[12]{AA 101.3 }
§27
The martyrdom of Stephen made a deep impression upon all who witnessed it. The memory of the signet of God upon his face; his words, which touched the very souls of those who heard them, remained in the minds of the beholders, and testified to the truth of that which he had proclaimed. His death was a sore trial to the church, but it resulted in the conviction of Saul, who could not efface from his memory the faith and constancy of the martyr, and the glory that had rested on his countenance. {AA 101.3 }[12]
§28
扫罗在司提反受审受难的场合中，似乎感染了一种疯狂的热心。但后来他又深自怅恨，因他自己私下感悟到司提反在被人侮辱的时候，倒正为上帝所尊荣，扫罗继续逼迫上帝的教会，追索信徒，进各人的家捉拿他们，将他们交与祭司和官长们予以监禁或治死。他那进行逼迫的热情使耶路撒冷的教会大起恐慌。罗马当局并未作任何特别的努力来阻止这种残酷的工作，反而暗地里支持犹太人，为要讨好他们，博得他们的欢心。[13]{AA 101.4 }
§29
At the scene of Stephens trial and death, Saul had seemed to be imbued with a frenzied zeal. Afterward he was angered by his own secret conviction that Stephen had been honored by God at the very time when he was dishonored by men. Saul continued to persecute the church of God, hunting them down, seizing them in their houses, and delivering them up to the priests and rulers for imprisonment and death. His zeal in carrying forward this persecution brought terror to the Christians at Jerusalem. The Roman authorities made no special effort to stay the cruel work and secretly aided the Jews in order to conciliate them and to secure their favor. {AA 101.4 }[13]
§30
在司提反受死之后，扫罗被选为公会的议员，以奖励他在这次事件中所有的功绩。他一时成了撒但手中背叛上帝儿子的有力工具。但是不久，这个残酷无情的逼迫者却要被用来建立他这时所拆毁的教会。一位较比撒但更有能力的主已经拣选扫罗代替殉道者司提反的地位，来为他的名传道受苦，并将那靠他的血而得救的信息广传到遥远之处。[14]{AA 102.1 }
§31
After the death of Stephen, Saul was elected a member of the Sanhedrin council in consideration of the part he had acted on that occasion. For a time he was a mighty instrument in the hands of Satan to carry out his rebellion against the Son of God. But soon this relentless persecutor was to be employed in building up the church that he was now tearing down. A Mightier than Satan had chosen Saul to take the place of the martyred Stephen, to preach and suffer for His name, and to spread far and wide the tidings of salvation through His blood. {AA 102.1 }[14]