使徒行述(1911)E · 第38章保罗被囚

第38章保罗被囚

§1 第38章保罗被囚

§2 Chap. 38 - Paul a Prisoner

§3 （本章根据：徒21:17-23:35）

§4 “到了耶路撒冷，弟兄们欢欢喜喜的接待我们。第二天，保罗同我们去见雅各；长老们也都在那里。”[1]{AA 399.1 }

§5 When we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. {AA 399.1 }[1]

§6 保罗和他的同伴这一次将外邦教会捐助犹太穷苦弟兄们的款项，正式交给那些在耶路撒冷领导圣工的人。保罗和他的同工为了募集这些捐款，已经耗费不少光阴、心血，与劳力。这一笔款项已远超出耶路撒冷长老们所预料的，也代表了外邦信徒多方面的牺牲，甚至严格的刻苦精神。[2]{AA 399.2 }

§7 On this occasion, Paul and his companions formally presented to the leaders of the work at Jerusalem the contributions forwarded by the Gentile churches for the support of the poor among their Jewish brethren. The gathering of these contributions had cost the apostle and his fellow workers much time, anxious thought, and wearisome labor. The sum, which far exceeded the expectations of the elders at Jerusalem, represented many sacrifices and even severe privations on the part of the Gentile believers. {AA 399.2 }[2]

§8 这些乐意捐显示了外邦信徒对于上帝在全世界有组织之圣工所怀的忠诚，而理应为大众以感激领谢的心情接受；但保罗和他的同伴明显地看出，甚至连目前他们所会晤的这些人中，也有几个还不能赏识到那曾经促成此种捐献的弟兄友爱精神。[3]{AA 399.3 }

§9 These freewill offerings betokened the loyalty of the Gentile converts to the organized work of God throughout the world and should have been received by all with grateful acknowledgment, yet it was apparent to Paul and his companions that even among those before whom they now stood were some who were unable to appreciate the spirit of brotherly love that had prompted the gifts. {AA 399.3 }[3]

§10 当福音传到外邦的初期，在耶路撒冷领导圣工的弟兄有一些坚持过去的偏见和思想习惯的人，并未全心全意地与保罗和他的同伴合作。他们既然热衷于保留一些已经失去意义的形式和礼节，因此就忽略了那经由努力使各地圣工合一而必定临到他们与他们所爱护之工作的福气。他们虽然渴望维护基督教会的最大利益，但却未能随着上帝逐步的引领而前进，反而想凭自己人性的智慧，在其它工作人员身上加以种种不必要的限制。这样就产生了一班人，他们既没有亲身经验到遥远地区工作人员所处的不同环境和特殊需要，而又坚持自己有权指示这些地区的弟兄必须遵循一定的工作方法。他们觉得传福音的工作理应依照他们的意见去推进。[4]{AA 400.1 }

§11 In the earlier years of the gospel work among the Gentiles some of the leading brethren at Jerusalem, clinging to former prejudices and habits of thought, had not co-operated heartily with Paul and his associates. In their anxiety to preserve a few meaningless forms and ceremonies, they had lost sight of the blessing that would come to them and to the cause they loved, through an effort to unite in one all parts of the Lords work. Although desirous of safeguarding the best interests of the Christian church, they had failed to keep step with the advancing providences of God, and in their human wisdom attempted to throw about workers many unnecessary restrictions. Thus there arose a group of men who were unacquainted personally with the changing circumstances and peculiar needs met by laborers in distant fields, yet who insisted that they had the authority to direct their brethren in these fields to follow certain specified methods of labor. They felt as if the work of preaching the gospel should be carried forward in harmony with their opinions. {AA 400.1 }[4]

§12 若干年前，耶路撒冷的弟兄们曾会同来自其它主要教会的代表们，仔细考虑一些困难的问题，涉及向外邦人传道之人所遵循的方法。那次会议的结果是由弟兄们联合一致向各教会提出几项有关某些礼节和习惯的决议，包括割礼的问题在内。弟兄们联名向各教会推荐巴拿巴和保罗为配得每一信徒充分信任的工人，也是在那一次的会议上。[5]{AA 400.2 }

§13 Several years had passed since the brethren in Jerusalem, with representatives from other leading churches, gave careful consideration to the perplexing questions that had arisen over methods followed by those who were laboring for the Gentiles. As a result of this council, the brethren had united in making definite recommendations to the churches concerning certain rites and customs, including circumcision. It was at this general council that the brethren had also united in commending to the Christian churches Barnabas and Paul as laborers worthy of the full confidence of every believer. {AA 400.2 }[5]

§14 出席那次会议的人中，有一些曾经严厉地批评过那些负责传福音给外邦的使徒所采用的工作方法。但在会议期间，这些人对于上帝旨意的看法扩大了，他们便和弟兄们联合，一致通过了一些明智的决议，得使全体信徒从此团结起来。[6]{AA 401.1 }

§15 Among those present at this meeting, were some who had severely criticized the methods of labor followed by the apostles upon whom rested the chief burden of carrying the gospel to the Gentile world. But during the council their views of Gods purpose had broadened, and they had united with their brethren in making wise decisions which made possible the unification of the entire body of believers. {AA 401.1 }[6]

§16 后来，当外邦信徒显然迅速增多时，在耶路撒冷领导圣工的弟兄中，有几位又重新开始怀存他们先前对于保罗和他的同伴们所有的偏见。这些偏见随着年月的消逝而越发加深了，直到有些领导人决定传福音的工作今后必须按照他们自己的意见进行。如果保罗肯屈使他的方法迁就他们所提倡的某些规程，那么他们就愿意承认并支持他的工作；否则，他们就再不能加以赞同或予以援助了。[7]{AA 401.2 }

§17 Afterward, when it became apparent that the converts among the Gentiles were increasing rapidly, there were a few of the leading brethren at Jerusalem who began to cherish anew their former prejudices against the methods of Paul and his associates. These prejudices strengthened with the passing of the years, until some of the leaders determined that the work of preaching the gospel must henceforth be conducted in accordance with their own ideas. If Paul would conform his methods to certain policies which they advocated they would acknowledge and sustain his work; otherwise they could no longer look upon it with favor or grant it their support. {AA 401.2 }[7]

§18 这些人忽略了下列事实，那就是：上帝乃是他百姓的教师；每一参加圣工的人均应亲自获得服从神圣领导者的经验，而不可一味仰赖人的直接指挥；为上帝作工的人不应受人的见解，而应受神的形象的陶冶与塑造。[8]{AA 401.3 }

§19 These men had lost sight of the fact that God is the teacher of His people; that every worker in His cause is to obtain an individual experience in following the divine Leader, not looking to man for direct guidance; that His workers are to be molded and fashioned, not after mans ideas, but after the similitude of the divine. {AA 401.3 }[8]

§20 使徒保罗传道的时候，他教训人“不是用智慧委婉的言语，乃是用圣灵和大能的明证。”他所宣讲的真理乃是圣灵所启示给他的；“因为圣灵参透万事，就是上帝深奥的事也参透了。除了在人里头的灵，谁知道人的事？像这样，除了上帝的灵，也没有人知道上帝的事。”保罗宣称：“我们讲说这些事，不是用人的智慧所指教的言语，乃是用圣灵所指教的言语；将属灵的话解释属灵的事。”（林前2:4,10-13）[9]{AA 402.1 }

§21 In his ministry the apostle Paul had taught the people not with enticing words of mans wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. The truths that he proclaimed had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. . . . Which things, declared Paul, we speak, not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:4, 10-13. {AA 402.1 }[9]

§22 保罗在他传道的工作中，自始至终一直仰赖上帝直接的引领。同时，他也非常审慎地依照耶路撒冷会议所作的决议而从事圣工。结果众“教会信心越发坚固，人数天天增加。”（徒16:5）如今虽然有一些人对他不表同情，但他却深知自己业已尽到本分而问心无愧，因他已在他所引领悔改的人心中激起了忠贞、慷慨和友爱的精神，这都表现在他这一次所能摆在犹太长老面前的慷慨捐献上。[10]{AA 402.2 }

§23 Throughout his ministry, Paul had looked to God for direct guidance. At the same time, he had been very careful to labor in harmony with the decisions of the general council at Jerusalem, and as a result the churches were established in the faith, and increased in number daily. Acts 16:5. And now, notwithstanding the lack of sympathy shown him by some, he found comfort in the consciousness that he had done his duty in encouraging in his converts a spirit of loyalty, generosity, and brotherly love, as revealed on this occasion in the liberal contributions which he was enabled to place before the Jewish elders. {AA 402.2 }[10]

§24 保罗献上了这些捐款之后，就“将上帝用他传教，在外邦人中间所行之事，一一地述说了。”这一番事实的述说使众人，连那些曾经怀疑的人在内，都由衷地相信他的工作确已蒙受上天的福惠。“他们听见，就归荣耀与上帝。”他们觉得使徒所实施的工作方法，确实带有上天的印记。那摆在他们面前的大量捐款，也加强了使徒为外邦新成立之教会的忠心所作的见证。在耶路撒冷负责领导圣工的人中，有些曾经主张采取独断措施的人对保罗的传道工作也有了新的认识，并觉悟到他们自己过去的作风是错了；他们曾受犹太教的风俗和遗传所束缚；更由于他们没有认明那横阻在犹太人和外邦人之间的隔断的墙，已经因基督的死而拆毁了，以致大大地阻碍了福音的工作。[11]{AA 402.3 }

§25 After the presentation of the gifts, Paul declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. This recital of facts brought to the hearts of all, even of those who had been doubting, the conviction that the blessing of heaven had accompanied his labors. When they heard it, they glorified the Lord. They felt that the methods of labor pursued by the apostle bore the signet of Heaven. The liberal contributions lying before them added weight to the testimony of the apostle concerning the faithfulness of the new churches established among the Gentiles. The men who, while numbered among those who were in charge of the work at Jerusalem, had urged that arbitrary measures of control be adopted, saw Pauls ministry in a new light and were convinced that their own course had been wrong, that they had been held in bondage by Jewish customs and traditions, and that the work of the gospel had been greatly hindered by their failure to recognize that the wall of partition between Jew and Gentile had been broken down by the death of Christ. {AA 402.3 }[11]

§26 这正是一个绝好的机会，得由所有担任领袖的弟兄们坦白地承认上帝确已借着保罗施行大事，并承认他们过去因听信他仇敌的谗言而生出嫉妒和偏见是做错了。可惜他们非但没有联合一致地致力于为这位曾受亏待者剖白雪冤，反而向他提出劝告，表明他们仍旧感到保罗应为众人对他所存的偏见负大部分的责任。他们没有仗义执言地为他辩护，没有指出那些不满之人的错误，反而劝他作一件事借以委曲求全，在他们的意下以为这样作就必消除一切引起误解的原因。[12]{AA 403.1 }

§27 This was the golden opportunity for all the leading brethren to confess frankly that God had wrought through Paul, and that at times they had erred in permitting the reports of his enemies to arouse their jealousy and prejudice. But instead of uniting in an effort to do justice to the one who had been injured, they gave him counsel which showed that they still cherished a feeling that Paul should be held largely responsible for the existing prejudice. They did not stand nobly in his defense, endeavoring to show the disaffected ones where they were wrong, but sought to effect a compromise by counseling him to pursue a course which in their opinion would remove all cause for misapprehension. {AA 403.1 }[12]

§28 他们回答他的见证，说：“兄台！你看犹太人中信主的有多少万，并且都为律法热心。他们听见人说，你教训一切在外邦的犹太人离弃摩西，对他们说，不要给孩子行割礼，也不要遵行条规。众人必听见你来了，这可怎么办呢？你就照着我们的话行吧。我们这里有四个人，都有愿在身。你带他们去，与他们一同行洁净的礼，替他们拿出规费，叫他们得以剃头。这样，众人就可知道，先前所听见你的事都是虚的；并可知道，你自己为人，循规蹈矩，遵行律法。至于信主的外邦人，我们已经写信拟定，叫他们谨忌那祭偶像之物，和血，并勒死的牲畜，与奸淫。”[13]{AA 403.2 }

§29 Thou seest, brother, they said, in response to his testimony, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: and they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. {AA 403.2 }[13]

§30 弟兄们本来希望保罗遵照他们的建议，可以给那有关他的谣言一个明确的驳斥。他们向他声明，前次会议对于外邦信徒与仪文律法所作的决定依然是有效的。其实他们现在所提供的意见并不符合那一次的决议。上帝的灵并没有提示这一番教训，这乃是出于怯懦的结果。耶路撒冷教会的领袖们知道：如果基督徒不遵守仪文律法，就必招致犹太人的愤恨，而使自己受到逼迫。那时犹太公会正在竭力阻止福音的进展。这个团体选派专人追踪使徒，尤其是保罗，并尽可能地反对他们的工作。如果相信基督的人得以在公会面前被定为是破坏律法的，他们就必被当作犹太教的叛徒而迅速遭受严厉的刑罚。[14]{AA 404.1 }

§31 The brethren hoped that Paul, by following the course suggested, might give a decisive contradiction to the false reports concerning him. They assured him that the decision of the former council concerning the Gentile converts and the ceremonial law, still held good. But the advice now given was not consistent with that decision. The Spirit of God did not prompt this instruction; it was the fruit of cowardice. The leaders of the church in Jerusalem knew that by non-conformity to the ceremonial law, Christians would bring upon themselves the hatred of the Jews and expose themselves to persecution. The Sanhedrin was doing its utmost to hinder the progress of the gospel. Men were chosen by this body to follow up the apostles, especially Paul, and in every possible way to oppose their work. Should the believers in Christ be condemned before the Sanhedrin as breakers of the law, they would suffer swift and severe punishment as apostates from the Jewish faith. {AA 404.1 }[14]

§32 这时许多已经接受福音的犹太人依然尊重仪文律法，所以很愿意在这一方面作下策的让步，希望借此可以博得自己同胞的信任，消除他们的偏见，并争取他们来相信基督为世界的救赎主。保罗深知只要耶路撒冷教会的许多领导人仍然继续对他怀有偏见，他们就必一直要尽力破除他的影响。他感觉到如果他能借着合理的让步赢得他们来归顺真理，他就必在其它地区为福音的成功排除一个很大的障碍了。但上帝并没有授权给他作他们所要求的那么大的让步。[15]{AA 405.1 }

§33 Many of the Jews who had accepted the gospel still cherished a regard for the ceremonial law and were only too willing to make unwise concessions, hoping thus to gain the confidence of their countrymen, to remove their prejudice, and to win them to faith in Christ as the worlds Redeemer. Paul realized that so long as many of the leading members of the church at Jerusalem should continue to cherish prejudice against him, they would work constantly to counteract his influence. He felt that if by any reasonable concession he could win them to the truth he would remove a great obstacle to the success of the gospel in other places. But he was not authorized of God to concede as much as they asked. {AA 405.1 }[15]

§34 每当我们想到保罗极其愿意与弟兄和谐，他温柔地对待信心软弱的人，他尊敬那些曾经跟过基督的使徒和主的弟兄雅各，以及他尽可能在不牺牲原则下向什么样的人就作什么样的人的宗旨，当我们想到这一切时，也就不会稀奇他为什么迫不得已而偏离他过去所一向遵循的坚定方针了。可惜他这一求和的努力非但没有达到他所指望的目的，反而突然引起了危机，催促了他那预言要受的苦难，而结果竟使他与弟兄们分离，以致教会丧失了一根最坚固的柱石，并使各地基督徒的心因而感到伤痛。[16]{AA 405.2 }

§35 When we think of Pauls great desire to be in harmony with his brethren, his tenderness toward the weak in the faith, his reverence for the apostles who had been with Christ, and for James, the brother of the Lord, and his purpose to become all things to all men so far as he could without sacrificing principle--when we think of all this, it is less surprising that he was constrained to deviate from the firm, decided course that he had hitherto followed. But instead of accomplishing the desired object, his efforts for conciliation only precipitated the crisis, hastened his predicted sufferings, and resulted in separating him from his brethren, depriving the church of one of its strongest pillars, and bringing sorrow to Christian hearts in every land. {AA 405.2 }[16]

§36 保罗第二天就开始实行长老们的忠告。他带着那四个有愿在身而行将届满的拿细耳人（参见民6:）进了圣殿，“报明洁净的日期满足；只等祭司为他们各人献祭。”这时为洁净礼的一些相当贵重的祭物尚待奉献。[17]{AA 406.1 }

§37 On the following day Paul began to carry out the counsel of the elders. The four men who were under the Nazarite vow (Numbers 6), the term of which had nearly expired, were taken by Paul into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them. Certain costly sacrifices for purification were yet to be offered. {AA 406.1 }[17]

§38 那些劝保罗采取此一步骤的人并未充分考虑到他所必然遭受的危险。在这个时节，耶路撒冷住满了从各地来的朝拜者。保罗在履行上帝所给他的使命将福音传到外邦时，他曾访问当时世界许多最大的城市，所以在那些从外地到耶路撒冷来过节的人中，有成千上万的人是认识他的。这些人中又有许多是满心痛恨他的；所以要保罗在公众节日进入圣殿，乃是冒着生命的危险。头几天他参杂在朝拜的人们中间进出圣殿，似乎没有引起注意；但在所指定的期限届满之前，当他正和一个祭司商谈献祭的问题时，他就被几个来自亚西亚的犹太人认出来了。[18]{AA 406.2 }

§39 Those who advised Paul to take this step had not fully considered the great peril to which he would thus be exposed. At this season, Jerusalem was filled with worshipers from many lands. As, in fulfillment of the commission given him by God, Paul had borne the gospel to the Gentiles, he had visited many of the worlds largest cities, and he was well known to thousands who from foreign parts had come to Jerusalem to attend the feast. Among these were men whose hearts were filled with bitter hatred for Paul, and for him to enter the temple on a public occasion was to risk his life. For several days he passed in and out among the worshipers, apparently unnoticed; but before the close of the specified period, as he was talking with a priest concerning the sacrifices to be offered, he was recognized by some of the Jews from Asia. {AA 406.2 }[18]

§40 他们以鬼魔般的狂怒向他冲来，喊叫说：“以色列人，来帮助！这就是在各处教训众人践踏我们百姓和律法，并这地方的。”当众人响应这呼助的号召时，另一个罪名又加上了，“他又带着希腊人进殿，污秽了这圣地。”[19]{AA 406.3 }

§41 With the fury of demons they rushed upon him, crying, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place. And as the people responded to the call for help, another accusation was added--and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. {AA 406.3 }[19]

§42 根据犹太人的律法，一个未受割礼的人如果进入这神圣殿堂的内院，那就犯了该判死刑的罪，有人曾看见保罗与以弗所人特罗非摩同在城里，便推测保罗也把他带进了圣殿。其实他并没有这样作；而他自己既是犹太人，则他进入圣殿的行为并不是违法的。虽然控告的话完全是虚构的，但终于引起了公愤。当众人将这喊叫的话传遍了圣殿院内时，聚在那里的群众就激怒如狂。这消息迅速地传遍了耶路撒冷，于是“合城都震动，百姓一起跑来。”[20]{AA 407.1 }

§43 By the Jewish law it was a crime punishable with death for an uncircumcised person to enter the inner courts of the sacred edifice. Paul had been seen in the city in company with Trophimus, an Ephesian, and it was conjectured that he had brought him into the temple. This he had not done; and being himself a Jew, his act in entering the temple was no violation of the law. But though the charge was wholly false, it served to arouse the popular prejudice. As the cry was taken up and borne through the temple courts, the throngs gathered there were thrown into wild excitement. The news quickly spread through Jerusalem, and all the city was moved, and the people ran together. {AA 407.1 }[20]

§44 一个以色列的叛徒竟敢趁千万人从世界各地前来朝拜的时候污秽圣殿，这就激起了群众最猛烈的情绪。他们就“拿住保罗，拉他出殿，殿门立刻都关了。”[21]{AA 407.2 }

§45 That an apostate from Israel should presume to profane the temple at the very time when thousands had come there from all parts of the world to worship, excited the fiercest passions of the mob. They took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. {AA 407.2 }[21]

§46 “他们正想要杀他，有人报信给营里的千夫长说，耶路撒冷合城都乱了。”千夫长革老丢·吕西亚熟知他所必须应付的这种疯狂的暴乱，于是他“立时带着兵丁和几个百夫长，跑下去到他们那里；他们见了千夫长和兵丁，就止住不打保罗。”这罗马的千夫长虽不知道骚乱的原因，但见群众的愤怒都集中在保罗身上，就断定保罗必是他所听说，而过去一直漏网在逃的某一个埃及籍的叛徒。因此他“上前拿住他，吩咐用两条铁链捆锁；又问他是什么人，做的是什么事。”立时有许多人大声愤怒地控告他，“众人有喊叫这个的，有喊叫那个的；千夫长因为这样乱嚷，得不着实情，就吩咐人将保罗带进营楼去。到了台阶上，众人挤得凶猛，兵丁只得将保罗抬起来。众人跟在后面，喊着说：‘除掉他！’”[22]{AA 407.3 }

§47 As they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. Claudius Lysias well knew the turbulent elements with which he had to deal, and he immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. Ignorant of the cause of the tumult, but seeing that the rage of the multitude was directed against Paul, the Roman captain concluded that he must be a certain Egyptian rebel of whom he had heard, who had thus far escaped capture. He therefore took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done. At once many voices were raised in loud and angry accusation; some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him. {AA 407.3 }[22]

§48 保罗在这次暴动中依然是镇静而泰然自若。他坚心依赖上帝，并且深知有天使在他的周围。他颇不愿在没有致力向自己同胞宣讲真理之前就离开圣殿。所以当他将要被带进营楼的时候，他对千夫长说：“我对你说句话，可以不可以？”吕西亚回答说：“你懂得希腊话么？你莫非是从前作乱，带领四千凶徒，往旷野去的那埃及人吗？”保罗回答说：“我本是犹太人，生在基利家的大数，并不是无名小城的人，求你准我对百姓说话。”[23]{AA 408.1 }

§49 In the midst of the tumult the apostle was calm and self-possessed. His mind was stayed upon God, and he knew that angels of heaven were about him. He felt unwilling to leave the temple without making an effort to set the truth before his countrymen. As he was about to be led into the castle he said to the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Lysias responded, Canst thou speak Greek? Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers? In reply Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people. {AA 408.1 }[23]

§50 要求获得了允准，于是“保罗就站在台阶上，向百姓摆手。”这种举动引起了众人的注意，同时他的风度也博得了众人的尊重。“他们都静默无声，保罗便用希伯来话对他们说：“诸位父兄请听！我现在对你们分诉。”众人听到熟悉的希伯来话，“就更加安静了；”在这普遍的静默中，保罗继续说：[24]{AA 408.2 }

§51 The request was granted, and Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. The gesture attracted their attention, while his bearing commanded respect. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying, Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defense which I make now unto you. At the sound of the familiar Hebrew words, they kept the more silence, and in the universal hush he continued: {AA 408.2 }[24]

§52 “我原是犹太人，生在基利家的大数，长在这城里，在迦玛列门下，按着我们祖宗严紧的律法受教，热心侍奉上帝，像你们众人今日一样。”没有人能反驳保罗的这一番话，因为他所提到的事实是许多当时住在耶路撒冷的人所熟知的。于是他讲到自己过去热心逼迫基督的门徒，甚至将他们治死；然后他述说自己悔改的情形，告诉听众他那颗自己骄傲的心，是如何终于向钉十字架的拿撒勒人耶稣屈服了。如果他企图与反对他的众人辩论，他们就必顽强地不肯听他的话；但他所讲述的经验带有令人感服的能力，似乎一时软化并折服了他们的心。[25]{AA 409.1 }

§53 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. None could deny the apostles statements, as the facts that he referred to were well known to many who were still living in Jerusalem. He then spoke of his former zeal in persecuting the disciples of Christ, even unto death; and he narrated the circumstances of his conversion, telling his hearers how his own proud heart had been led to bow to the crucified Nazarene. Had he attempted to enter into argument with his opponents, they would have stubbornly refused to listen to his words; but the relation of his experience was attended with a convincing power that for the time seemed to soften and subdue their hearts. {AA 409.1 }[25]

§54 随即他就尽力说明他在外邦人中的工作不是出于自己的选择。他原来希望为自己的同胞作工；但上帝的声音曾在那圣殿里在异象中向他说话，指示他要“远远的往外邦人那里去。”[26]{AA 409.2 }

§55 He then endeavored to show that his work among the Gentiles had not been entered upon from choice. He had desired to labor for his own nation; but in that very temple the voice of God had spoken to him in holy vision, directing his course far hence unto the Gentiles. {AA 409.2 }[26]

§56 众人直到此时都在凝神倾听，但保罗一讲到他已奉命在外邦人中作基督的使徒时，他们的愤怒就重新发作了。他们素来以自己为天之骄子，所以不愿容许那些被轻视的外邦人分享他们所一向看为自己独有的特权。于是他们扬声压倒说话人的声音，喊叫说：“这样的人，从世上除掉他吧！他是不当活着的。”[27]{AA 409.3 }

§57 Hitherto the people had listened with close attention, but when Paul reached the point in his history where he was appointed Christs ambassador to the Gentiles, their fury broke forth anew. Accustomed to look upon themselves as the only people favored by God, they were unwilling to permit the despised Gentiles to share the privileges which had hitherto been regarded as exclusively their own. Lifting their voices above the voice of the speaker, they cried, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. {AA 409.3 }[27]

§58 “众人喧嚷，摔掉衣裳，把尘土向空中扬起来。千夫长就吩咐将保罗带进营楼去，叫人用鞭子拷问他，要知道他们向他这样喧嚷，是为什么缘故。”[28]{AA 410.1 }

§59 As they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, the chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him. {AA 410.1 }[28]

§60 “刚用皮条捆上，保罗对旁边站着的百夫长说：人是罗马人，又没有定罪，你们就鞭打他，有这个例么？百夫长听见这话，就去见千夫长，告诉他说：你要作什么？这人是罗马人。千夫长就来问保罗说：你告诉我，你是罗马人么？保罗说：是。千夫长说：我用了许多银子，才入了罗马的民籍。保罗说：我生来就是。于是那些要拷问保罗的人就离开他去了。千夫长既知道他是罗马人，又因为捆绑了他，也害怕了。”[29]{AA 410.2 }

§61 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman. Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea. And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was freeborn. Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. {AA 410.2 }[29]

§62 “第二天，千夫长为要知道犹太人控告保罗的实情，便解开他，吩咐祭司长和全公会的人，都聚集，将保罗带下来，叫他站在他们面前。”[30]{AA 410.3 }

§63 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them. {AA 410.3 }[30]

§64 这时那准备审问保罗的，正是使徒在悔改之前身为其中一员的公会。他站立在犹太的官长面前，泰然自若，脸上显出基督的平安。他“定睛看着公会的人，说：弟兄们！我在上帝面前行事为人，都是凭着良心，直到今日。”他们一听这话，便怒火重燃；“大祭司亚拿尼亚，就吩咐旁边站着的人打他的嘴。”保罗一听到这样无人性的吩咐，便高声说：“你这粉饰的墙！上帝要打你；你坐堂为的是按律法审问我，你竟违背律法，吩咐人打我么？”“站在旁边的人说：你辱骂上帝的大祭司吗？”保罗凭他一贯的礼貌回答说：“弟兄们！我不晓得他是大祭司；经上记着说：‘不可毁谤你百姓的官长。’”[31]{AA 410.4 }

§65 The apostle was now to be tried by the same tribunal of which he himself had been a member before his conversion. As he stood before the Jewish rulers, his bearing was calm, and his countenance revealed the peace of Christ. Earnestly beholding the council, he said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. Upon hearing these words, their hatred was kindled afresh; and the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. At this inhuman command, Paul exclaimed, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? They that stood by said, Revilest thou Gods high priest? With his usual courtesy Paul answered, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. {AA 410.4 }[31]

§66 “保罗看出大众一半是撒都该人，一半是法利赛人，就在公会中大声说：弟兄们！我是法利赛人，也是法利赛人的子孙。我现在受审问，是为盼望死人复活。”[32]{AA 411.1 }

§67 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. {AA 411.1 }[32]

§68 “说了这话，法利赛人和撒都该人就争论起来，会众分为两党。因为撒都该人说没有复活，也没有天使和鬼魂；法利赛人却说两样都有。”于是这两个党派开始自相争执，这样一来，他们对付保罗的力量就分散了。“有几个法利赛党的文士站起来，争辩说：‘我们看不出这人有什么恶处。倘若有鬼魂，或是天使，对他说过话，怎么样呢？’”[33]{AA 411.2 }

§69 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. The two parties began to dispute between themselves, and thus the strength of their opposition against Paul was broken. The scribes that were of the Pharisees part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. {AA 411.2 }[33]

§70 在接着发生的骚乱中，撒都该人竭力想把使徒夺过来，以便置诸死地；然而法利赛人却竭力要保护他。“千夫长恐怕保罗被他们扯碎了，就吩咐兵丁下去，把他从众人当中抢出来，带进营楼去。”[34]{AA 412.1 }

§71 In the confusion that followed, the Sadducees were eagerly striving to gain possession of the apostle, that they might put him to death; and the Pharisees were as eager in striving to protect him. The chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. {AA 412.1 }[34]

§72 后来，当保罗回顾这一天痛苦的经验时，他开始担心自己的行为或许不能蒙上帝的喜悦。难道他到耶路撒冷来访问，竟是犯了错误吗？难道他追求与弟兄团结的热望，反而招致这样不幸的后果吗？[35]{AA 412.2 }

§73 Later, while reflecting on the trying experiences of the day, Paul began to fear that his course might not have been pleasing to God. Could it be that he had made a mistake after all in visiting Jerusalem? Had his great desire to be in union with his brethren led to this disastrous result? {AA 412.2 }[35]

§74 犹太人以上帝所承认的子民身分在不信的世人面前所有的表现，令使徒深感痛心。那些异教的军官们对于他们持有怎样的看法呢？他们既然自称是敬拜耶和华的人，并且负有圣职，却仍为盲目而毫无理性的狂怒所控制，甚至企图杀害那些在信仰上敢于持不同意见的弟兄，结果竟使自己最严肃的议会变成混乱和纷争的场所。保罗深觉他上帝的圣名实在已经在外邦人的眼中受到羞辱了。[36]{AA 412.3 }

§75 The position which the Jews as Gods professed people occupied before an unbelieving world, caused the apostle intense anguish of spirit. How would those heathen officers look upon them?--claiming to be worshipers of Jehovah, and assuming sacred office, yet giving themselves up to the control of blind, unreasoning anger, seeking to destroy even their brethren who dared to differ with them in religious faith, and turning their most solemn deliberative council into a scene of strife and wild confusion. Paul felt that the name of his God had suffered reproach in the eyes of the heathen. {AA 412.3 }[36]

§76 现在他已经被下在监里了，而且他明知他的仇敌在极度恼恨之余，必要不择手段将他置诸死地。难道他为众教会所作的工作便就此结束了，而现在就任凭凶暴的豺狼进入吗？基督的圣工原是保罗所最关心而念念不忘的，因此他以深切的焦虑想念到各地教会面临的危险，他们也要遭受到他在公会面前所遇见的这一等人的逼迫。于是他在苦闷与灰心之余只得痛哭祈祷。[37]{AA 412.4 }

§77 And now he was in prison, and he knew that his enemies, in their desperate malice, would resort to any means to put him to death. Could it be that his work for the churches was ended and that ravening wolves were to enter in now? The cause of Christ was very near to Pauls heart, and with deep anxiety he thought of the perils of the scattered churches, exposed as they were to the persecutions of just such men as he had encountered in the Sanhedrin council. In distress and discouragement he wept and prayed. {AA 412.4 }[37]

§78 主在这黯淡的时辰并没有不注意他的仆人。在圣殿院子里，他曾护卫着他脱离暴徒的手；在公会前，他曾与他同在；在营楼里，他也和他在一起；现在他更向他忠心的见证人亲自显现，以答应使徒恳求指导的祈祷。“当夜，主站在保罗旁边说：放心吧！你怎样在耶路撒冷为我作见证，也必怎样在罗马为我作见证。”[38]{AA 413.1 }

§79 In this dark hour the Lord was not unmindful of His servant. He had guarded him from the murderous throng in the temple courts; He had been with him before the Sanhedrin council; He was with him in the fortress; and He revealed Himself to His faithful witness in response to the earnest prayers of the apostle for guidance. The night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of Me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. {AA 413.1 }[38]

§80 保罗已长久指望去访问罗马，他极愿在那里为基督作见证，但他却感到自己的计划过去一直被犹太人的仇恨所破坏了。即使现在，他也没想到自己终于竟以囚犯的身分往罗马去。[39]{AA 413.2 }

§81 Paul had long looked forward to visiting Rome; he greatly desired to witness for Christ there, but had felt that his purposes were frustrated by the enmity of the Jews. He little thought, even now, that it would be as a prisoner that he would go. {AA 413.2 }[39]

§82 正当主鼓励他仆人的时候，保罗的敌人却正在热烈地设计要杀害他。“到了天亮，犹太人同谋起誓，说：若不先杀保罗，就不吃不喝。这样同心起誓的，有四十多人。”这正是主借以赛亚所谴责的一种禁食，一种“互相争竞，以凶恶的拳头打人”的禁食。（赛58:4）[40]{AA 413.3 }

§83 While the Lord encouraged His servant, Pauls enemies were eagerly plotting his destruction. And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. Here was a fast such as the Lord through Isaiah had condemned--a fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness. Isaiah 58:4. {AA 413.3 }[40]

§84 这些阴谋暗杀的人竟“来见祭司长和长老说：我们已经起了一个大誓，若不先杀保罗，就不吃什么。现在你们和公会要知会千夫长，叫他带下保罗到你们这里来，假作要详细察考他的事；我们已经预备好了，不等他来到跟前就杀他。”[41]{AA 413.4 }

§85 The conspirators came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you tomorrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. {AA 413.4 }[41]

§86 祭司和官长们非但没有责备这种残酷的毒计，反而热烈地予以赞同。保罗先前曾将亚拿尼亚比作粉饰的墙，实在不错。[42]{AA 414.1 }

§87 Instead of rebuking this cruel scheme, the priests and rulers eagerly agreed to it. Paul had spoken the truth when he compared Ananias to a whited sepulcher. {AA 414.1 }[42]

§88 但上帝却出面干涉，要拯救他仆人的性命。保罗的外甥听见了这些图谋暗杀的人“设下埋伏，就来到营楼里告诉保罗。保罗请一个百夫长来，说：你领这少年人去见千夫长，他有事告诉他。于是把他领去见千夫长说：被囚的保罗请我到他那里，求我领这少年人来见你；他有事告诉你。”[43]{AA 414.2 }

§89 But God interposed to save the life of His servant. Pauls sisters son, hearing of the lying in wait of the assassins, went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee. {AA 414.2 }[43]

§90 革老丢·吕西亚和蔼地接见了这个少年，“就拉着他的手走到一旁，私下问他说：你有什么事告诉我呢？他说：犹太人已经约定，要求你明天带下保罗到公会里去，假作要详细查问他的事。你切不要随从他们，因为他们有四十多人埋伏，已经起誓，说：若不先杀保罗，就不吃不喝；现在预备好了，只等你应允。”[44]{AA 414.3 }

§91 Claudius Lysias received the youth kindly, and taking him aside, asked, What is that thou hast to tell me? The youth replied: The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul tomorrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly. But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee. {AA 414.3 }[44]

§92 “于是千夫长打发少年人走，嘱咐他说：不要告诉人你将这事报给我了。”[45]{AA 414.4 }

§93 The chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast showed these things to me. {AA 414.4 }[45]

§94 吕西亚立即决定将保罗从他的辖下移交给巡抚腓力斯看管。当时的犹太民族因处于一种愤激的情形之下，因此时常发生骚乱。使徒若继续留在耶路撒冷，可能引起不良的后果，对于全城，甚至对于千夫长本人都有危险，因此“千夫长便叫了两个百夫长来，说：预备步兵二百，马兵七十，长枪手二百，今夜亥初往该撒利亚去；也要预备牲口叫保罗骑上，护送到巡抚腓力斯那里去。”[46]{AA 415.1 }

§95 Lysias at once decided to transfer Paul from his jurisdiction to that of Felix the procurator. As a people, the Jews were in a state of excitement and irritation, and tumults were of frequent occurrence. The continued presence of the apostle in Jerusalem might lead to consequences dangerous to the city and even to the commandant himself. He therefore called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; and provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. {AA 415.1 }[46]

§96 既要把保罗解走，就不可耽延片刻。“于是兵丁照所吩咐他们的，将保罗夜里带到安提帕底。”从那里，用马兵护送囚犯到该撒利亚，那四百步兵和长枪手则回到耶路撒冷去。[47]{AA 415.2 }

§97 No time was to be lost in sending Paul away. The soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. From that place the horsemen went on with the prisoner to Caesarea, while the four hundred soldiers returned to Jerusalem. {AA 415.2 }[47]

§98 领队的官长将囚犯交给腓力斯，同时递呈了千夫长所托交的文书：[48]{AA 415.3 }

§99 The officer in charge of the detachment delivered his prisoner to Felix, also presenting a letter with which he had been entrusted by the chief captain: {AA 415.3 }[48]

§100 “革老丢·吕西亚请巡抚腓力斯大人安！这人被犹太人拿住，将要杀害，我得知他是罗马人，就带兵丁下去救他出来。因要知道他们告他的缘故，我就带他下到他们的公会去；便查知他被告是因他们律法的辩论，并没有什么该死该绑的罪名。后来有人把要害他的计谋告诉我，我就立时解他到你那里去，又吩咐告他的人，在你面前告他。”[49]{AA 415.4 }

§101 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. {AA 415.4 }[49]

§102 腓力斯读了文书之后，便问囚犯是哪省的人，既晓得他是基利家人，就说：“等告你的人来到，我要细听你的事；便吩咐人把他看守在希律的衙门里。”[50]{AA 416.1 }

§103 After reading the communication, Felix inquired to what province the prisoner belonged, and being informed that he was of Cilicia, said: I will hear thee . . . when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herods judgment hall. {AA 416.1 }[50]

§104 上帝的仆人竟在外邦人中找到避难所，逃脱那些自称为耶和华子民之人的毒手，这样的事倒并不以保罗为第一个例子呢！犹太人由于愤恨保罗，就在自己民族的黑暗历史上又添上了一项罪行。他们既已更进一步地硬着心肠拒绝真理，便因此使自己的厄运更为确定了。[51]{AA 416.2 }

§105 The case of Paul was not the first in which a servant of God had found among the heathen an asylum from the malice of the professed people of Jehovah. In their rage against Paul the Jews had added another crime to the dark catalogue which marked the history of that people. They had still further hardened their hearts against the truth and had rendered their doom more certain. {AA 416.2 }[51]

§106 基督在拿撒勒的会堂里宣布自己为“受膏者”时所讲的话，并没有多少人完全认明它的意义。那时他宣布他的使命是安慰、赐福，并拯救伤心和有罪的人；随后，他看出骄傲和不信控制着听众的心，就提醒他们说，上帝过去曾经因他选民的不信和悖逆而转离他们，反向那些未曾拒绝上天所赐亮光的外邦人显示他自己。撒勒法的寡妇和叙利亚国的乃缦，都曾遵照他们所得到的一切亮光而行；因此，他们倒要较比那些退后离开上帝，并为了便利和世俗尊荣而牺牲原则的上帝选民更算为义。[52]{AA 416.3 }

§107 Few realize the full meaning of the words that Christ spoke when, in the synagogue at Nazareth, He announced Himself as the Anointed One. He declared His mission to comfort, bless, and save the sorrowing and the sinful; and then, seeing that pride and unbelief controlled the hearts of His hearers, He reminded them that in time past God had turned away from His chosen people because of their unbelief and rebellion, and had manifested Himself to those in heathen lands who had not rejected the light of heaven. The widow of Sarepta and Naaman the Syrian had lived up to all the light they had; hence they were accounted more righteous than Gods chosen people who had backslidden from Him and had sacrificed principle to convenience and worldly honor. {AA 416.3 }[52]

§108 当基督宣称那位上帝忠心的使者（以利亚）在背道的以色列人中竟找不到一个安全的所在时，他就将一项可怕的真理告诉拿撒勒的犹太人了。那时他们既不愿认明他的价值，也不肯重视他的工作。犹太人的领袖们虽然自称是为上帝的尊荣和以色列的幸福大发热心，但实际上他们却是与此二者为敌的。他们在教训和榜样上正是率领百姓越来越远离顺从上帝，率领他们到达他再不能在艰难时日作他们保障的地步。[53]{AA 417.1 }

§109 Christ told the Jews at Nazareth a fearful truth when He declared that with backsliding Israel there was no safety for the faithful messenger of God. They would not know his worth or appreciate his labors. While the Jewish leaders professed to have great zeal for the honor of God and the good of Israel, they were enemies of both. By precept and example they were leading the people farther and farther from obedience to God--leading them where He could not be their defense in the day of trouble. {AA 417.1 }[53]

§110 在保罗的事件上，救主向拿撒勒人所讲谴责的话不仅可用在不信主的犹太人身上，也可用在他自己的同道弟兄们身上。如果教会的领袖们完全放弃他们对于保罗所怀的恶意，而接待他为一位特蒙上帝选召将福音传与外邦人的使者，主就必使他长留在他们中间。上帝并未规定保罗的工作如此迅速结束；但他也不施行神迹来消除耶路撒冷教会领袖们的作风所引起的一连串事件。[54]{AA 417.2 }

§111 The Saviours words of reproof to the men of Nazareth applied, in the case of Paul, not only to the unbelieving Jews, but to his own brethren in the faith. Had the leaders in the church fully surrendered their feeling of bitterness toward the apostle, and accepted him as one specially called of God to bear the gospel to the Gentiles, the Lord would have spared him to them. God had not ordained that Pauls labors should so soon end, but He did not work a miracle to counteract the train of circumstances to which the course of the leaders in the church at Jerusalem had given rise. {AA 417.2 }[54]

§112 这同样的精神现今依然导致相同的结果。教会已因既不重视也不善用出自神恩的供应，以致丧失了许多福惠。一个忠心传道人的操劳如果受到重视，主将会何等经常地延长他的工作。但如果教会容许众生之敌来淆乱心意，以致误传并曲解基督忠心仆人的言行；如果他们阻挡他的工作，又妨碍他的效用，主有时就会从他们收回他所赐的恩典。[55]{AA 417.3 }

§113 The same spirit is still leading to the same results. A neglect to appreciate and improve the provisions of divine grace has deprived the church of many a blessing. How often would the Lord have prolonged the work of some faithful minister, had his labors been appreciated! But if the church permits the enemy of souls to pervert the understanding, so that they misrepresent and misinterpret the words and acts of the servant of Christ; if they allow themselves to stand in his way and hinder his usefulness, the Lord sometimes removes from them the blessing which He gave. {AA 417.3 }[55]

§114 撒但经常利用他的爪牙，去折磨并摧残上帝所拣选来完成一番伟大善工的人。这些人虽然甘愿为推展基督的圣工而牺牲，甚至不惜牺牲性命，但那大骗子仍必唆使他们的弟兄猜疑他们。如果怀存了这种思想，那就实足以中伤那对他们品格完整的信任，并因此而削弱了他们的效用。他往往很成功地利用他们自己的弟兄使他们感到极其痛心，以致上帝不得不仁慈地加以干涉，使他受着迫害的仆人得到安息。及至这些仆人双手业已交叉放在那脉搏停止的胸膛上，警戒和勉励的声音业已静息时，那班顽固无情的人或许才醒悟过来，看出并重视他们所已弃绝的福惠。这些仆人的死亡或许能成就他们一生所未能成就的事。[56]{AA 418.1 }

§115 Satan is constantly working through his agents to dishearten and destroy those whom God has chosen to accomplish a great and good work. They may be ready to sacrifice even life itself for the advancement of the cause of Christ, yet the great deceiver will suggest to their brethren doubts concerning them which, if entertained, would undermine confidence in their integrity of character, and thus cripple their usefulness. Too often he succeeds in bringing upon them, through their own brethren, such sorrow of heart that God graciously interposes to give His persecuted servants rest. After the hands are folded upon the pulseless breast, when the voice of warning and encouragement is silent, then the obdurate may be aroused to see and prize the blessings they have cast from them. Their death may accomplish that which their life has failed to do. {AA 418.1 }[56]