第22章 保罗上诉于凯撒
§1
第22章 保罗上诉于凯撒
§2
Chapter 22—Paul Appeals to Caesar
§3
接替腓力斯的巡抚叫非斯都，人品要高尚得多，有高度的责任感，不肯接受贿赂，尽量秉公行事。他到任三天，就从凯撒利亚上耶路撒冷去。在这里他很快受到犹太人的纠缠。他们不失时机地控告保罗。保罗的长期监禁，并没有减少他们恶毒的仇恨，动摇他们要置他于死地的决心。他们要求把保罗交由犹太公会审判，立即提到耶路撒冷来。他们的要求似乎合情合理，却隐藏着一个阴谋。他们决意不等公会的判决就在路上把他杀死，从而干净利落地了结这个案子。{LP 246.3}[1]
§4
The governor appointed in the place of Felix, was Porcius Festus, a far more honorable ruler. He had a higher sense of the responsibility of his position, and, refusing to accept bribes, he?endeavored to administer justice. Three days after his arrival at Caesarea, Festus went up to Jerusalem. Here he was speedily importuned by the Jews, who lost no time in presenting their accusations against Paul. The long imprisonment of Paul had not softened their malignant hatred, nor shaken their determination to take his life. They urged that he should be tried by the Sanhedrim, and requested that he be immediately sent to Jerusalem. Although this request was so plausible, it concealed a deep-laid plot. They were resolved not to leave him even to the decision of the Sanhedrim council, but to summarily dispose of the case by murdering him on the way.?{LP 246.3}[1]
§5
在凯撒利亚，非斯都曾听到反对保罗的呼声，但在耶路撒冷，要求判他死罪的不只是暴徒的叫嚷。由城里最尊贵的人组成一个代表团，在大祭司的率领下正式提出有关保罗的要求。无疑这个没有经验的新官会高兴地受他们所影响。为得他们欢心，他必同意他们的一切要求。{LP 247.1}[2]
§6
At Caesarea, Festus had already met the popular clamor against Paul, but at Jerusalem the demand for his death was not merely the cry of the mob. A deputation of the most honorable personages of the city, headed by the high priest, formally presented the request concerning Paul, not doubting that this new and inexperienced official could be molded at pleasure, and that to gain their favor he would readily grant all that they desired.?{LP 247.1}[2]
§7
但是非斯都不是一个为了讨众人欢心而牺牲正义的人。犹太人不久就发现他们是在与一个更像迦流而不像腓力斯的人打交道。他敏锐的洞察了他们提出要求的动机，婉言谢绝了把保罗提来。他说，自己快要到凯撒利亚去了，在那里他要给他们一个公正的机会指控保罗。{LP 247.2}[3]
§8
But Festus was not a man who would sacrifice justice to gain popularity. The Jews soon found that they were dealing with one who more resembled a Gallio than a Felix. With keen insight he penetrated the motive that prompted their request, and courteously declined to send for Paul. He stated, however, that he himself would soon return to Caesarea, and that he would there give them a fair opportunity to prefer their charges against him.?{LP 247.2}[3]
§9
这不是犹太人所要的。他们还没有忘记上一次的失败。他们深知保罗沉着的风度和有力的辩证同他们恶毒的精神和没有根据的控告对照之下，必要显明他们的卑劣。所以他们再度要求把保罗提到耶路撒冷来受审。但非斯都坚决地回答说，单单为迎合指控者的愿望而牺牲任何人的性命，这无论如何也不合罗马人的条例。应当让被告和原告在公正的证人面前对质，给被告为自己辩护的机会。上帝的美意掌管了非斯都的决定，使保罗的性命得以保全。{LP 247.3}[4]
§10
This was not what they wanted. Their former?defeat was not forgotten. They well knew that in contrast with the calm bearing and forcible arguments of the apostle, their own malignant spirit and baseless accusations would appear in the worst possible light. Again they urged that Paul be brought to Jerusalem for trial. But Festus answered decidedly that whatever their practice might be, it was not the custom of the Romans to sacrifice any man’s life merely to gratify his accusers, but to bring the accused face to face with his accusers before impartial witnesses, and to give him an opportunity to defend himself. God in his providence controlled the decision of Festus, that the life of the apostle might be preserved.?{LP 247.3}[4]
§11
犹大领袖们的毒计既不得逞，他们便立即下手组织阵容强大的代表团，准备在巡抚的法庭上控告保罗。非斯都在耶路撒冷逗留数日之后，便回到凯撒利亚。第二天他坐堂听案。这次犹太人没有聘请律师，故亲自提出控告。在审讯的过程中，原告方面只是无理地在狂呼乱叫，而保罗则冷静而坦率地戳穿了原告讼词的虚伪内容。{LP 248.1}[5]
§12
Finding their purposes defeated, the Jewish leaders at once organized a powerful deputation to present their accusations at the court of the procurator. After a stay of eight or ten days in Jerusalem, Festus returned to Caesarea, and the next day took his seat at the tribunal to hear the case. The Jews, on this occasion being without a lawyer, preferred their charges themselves. The trial was a scene of passionate, unreasoning clamor on the part of the accusers, while Paul with perfect calmness and candor clearly showed the falsity of their statements.?{LP 248.1}[5]
§13
犹太人一再提出异端、谋反、亵渎等指控的罪名，但没有一件是可以证实的。他们假装为凯撒的尊荣大发热心，以此来要挟非斯都，就像对待腓力斯一样。但非斯都精通罗马律法，没有被他们的喧闹所哄骗。他看出争讼的事完全与犹太人的教义有关。严格说来，纵然原告能证实他们所控告的事，也不足以定保罗什么该受监禁的罪，更不足以定他死罪。但非斯都也看出，如果不定保罗的罪，或不把他交给犹太人，就可能引起暴乱。{LP 248.2}[6]
§14
The Jews repeated their charges of heresy, treason, and sacrilege, but could bring no witnesses to sustain them. They endeavored to intimidate Festus as they had once intimidated Pilate by their pretended zeal for the honor of Caesar. But Festus had too thorough an understanding of the Roman law to be deceived by their clamor. He saw that the real question in dispute related wholly to Jewish doctrines,?and that, rightly understood, there was nothing in the charges against Paul, could they be proved, that would render him worthy of death, or even imprisonment. Yet he saw clearly the storm of rage that would be created if Paul were not to be condemned or delivered into their hands.?{LP 248.2}[6]
§15
他厌恶地看着面前的情景——犹太的祭司和官长们满面怒容，眼露凶光，忘记了自己职务的尊严，喋喋不休地重复他们的指控，声音越来越大，直到整个法庭响彻他们的叫喊。非斯都很想结束这一切。他转向在对手前镇定自若的保罗，问他是否愿意在他的保护下到耶路撒冷去受犹太公会的审问。{LP 249.1}[7]
§16
He looked with disgust upon the scene before him,—the Jewish priests and rulers, with scowling faces and gleaming eyes, forgetting the dignity of their office, eagerly reiterating their accusations, in tones that grew louder and louder until the tribunal rang with their cries of rage. Heartily desiring to end it all, he turned to Paul, who stood calm and self-possessed before his adversaries, and asked if he was willing to go to Jerusalem under his protection, to be tried by the Sanhedrim.?{LP 249.1}[7]
§17
这实际上是把事情从罗马人转到犹太人的权下。保罗知道他不能希望从那些因自己的罪而正招致上帝忿怒的人手中得到公正的审判。像先知以利亚一样，他在一班拒绝天赐的亮光而硬着心肠不听福音的人中，还不如在外邦人当中那么安全呢！当他的生命受到愤怒仇敌的威胁时，是外邦的官长救了他。迦流，吕西亚，甚至腓力斯都毫不犹疑地声称他是无罪的，而每一个犹太法庭则都定他有罪，尽管无法证实他的过错。{LP 249.2}[8]
§18
This would virtually transfer the matter from Roman to Jewish jurisdiction. Paul knew that he could not look for justice from that people who were by their crimes bringing down upon themselves the wrath of God. Like the prophet Elijah, he would be safer among the heathen than with those who had rejected the light from Heaven, and hardened their hearts against the truth. When his life had been imperiled by the wrath of his enemies, it was heathen magistrates that had been his deliverers. Gallio, Lysias, and even Felix, had not hesitated to proclaim his innocence, while every Jewish tribunal had condemned him, without proving his guilt.?{LP 249.2}[8]
§19
保罗对于这种无休止的纠缠指控已经深感厌倦。控告一次次被驳倒，又一次次地重新提出来。他那好动的性情很难受得了一再拖延，令人厌烦的候审和监禁。每天和那些粗鲁懒惰，没有原则的士兵接触，听他们时常的吵闹声，又有犹太人和外邦人纷争流血的消息传过来，这是多么令人厌恶啊！从犹太的祭司和官长那里，他不能指望得到什么，但作为罗马公民，他可以上诉该撒，至少使他的仇敌暂时陷入困境。{LP 249.3}[9]
§20
Paul was weary of strife, weary of the fierce reiteration of charges, again and again refuted, and as often renewed. His active spirit could ill endure the repeated delays and wearing suspense of his trial and imprisonment. How repulsive to him had been the daily contact with?the coarse, idle, unprincipled soldiery, the frequent sounds of contention, and the rumors of strife and bloodshed between Jew and Gentile. He had nothing more to hope for from Jewish priests or rulers; but as a Roman citizen he had one special privilege, he could appeal to Caesar, and for a time, at least, his enemies would be kept at bay.?{LP 249.3}[9]
§21
保罗答复巡抚说：“我站在凯撒的堂前，我受审的地方应在这里，而不是犹太公会。”他转向巡抚，直接向他提出：“就是你非斯都也明知对我的指控没有一样是事实，我向犹太人并没有行过什么不义的事。如果我真的犯了什么罪，不是对他们，而是对皇帝。如果我被证明为有罪，就是死我也不辞。但他们对我的指控既不能证实，没有人可以把我交给他们作为人情。我要上告于凯撒。”{LP 250.1}[10]
§22
To the governor’s question, Paul made answer, I stand at Caesar’s tribunal. Here, and not before the Sanhedrim, I ought to be judged. Turning to the procurator, he appealed to him directly: Even you, Festus, are convinced that no charges have been sustained against me. I have never in any respect wronged the Jews. If I have committed any crime, it is not against them, but against the emperor; and if found guilty, I do not refuse to die. But if the accusations they bring against me cannot be proved, no one can give me into their power as a favor. I appeal unto Caesar.?{LP 250.1}[10]
§23
非斯都一点也不知道犹太人想要杀害保罗的阴谋，所以对他上告凯撒的事非常诧异。在他审理的案件中，本案将第一个提交上一级的当局，这对于罗马巡抚的自尊心来说，是一个不小的打击。但保罗既说了这几句话，就结束了法庭的审判程序。非斯都与议会简单地商量了一下，一致认为可以依法接受保罗的要求，于是他对保罗说：“你既上诉凯撒，可以往凯撒那里去”（徒25：12）。言下之意暗示保罗还不知道上诉于凯撒意味着什么。{LP 250.2}[11]
§24
Festus knew nothing of the conspiracies of the Jews to murder Paul, and he was surprised at this appeal to Caesar. It was not flattering to the pride of the Roman procurator, that the first case brought before him should be thus referred to higher authority. However, the words of the apostle put a stop to the proceedings of the court. Felix held a brief consultation with his counsel, and all agreeing that the appeal was legally admissible, he said to the prisoner: “Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.” This was said in a tone and manner which seemed to imply that Paul little knew what an appeal to Caesar meant.?{LP 250.2}[11]
§25
这样，上帝的仆人又一次因犹太人的偏见和自以为是所生的仇恨，而被迫向外邦的统治者请求保护。这同一种仇恨曾迫使先知以利亚逃到撒勒法的寡妇那里去藏身；后来也曾迫使福音的使者去向外邦人宣传福音的信息。生存在现代的上帝子民也必须应付这同样的精神。在即将临到的危机中，他们必要更充分地体验保罗的经历。在许多自称信从基督的人中存在着这同样的骄傲自大，形式主义和自私自利，以及压迫人的精神，与古时犹太人一样。在战争胜利以前，我们上帝的子民要经受与保罗一样的考验。我们必要遇到这同样刚硬的心肠，残酷的意志和无情的仇恨。{LP 250.3}[12]
§26
Once more the hatred born of Jewish bigotry and self-righteousness had driven the servant of?God to turn for protection to a heathen ruler. It was the same hatred that forced the prophet Elijah to flee for succor to the widow of Sarepta; that constrained the heralds of the gospel to proclaim their message to the Gentiles. It is the same spirit that the people of God in this age have yet to meet. In the great crisis through which they are soon to pass, they will become better acquainted with the experience of Paul. Among the professed followers of Christ, there is the same pride, formalism, vainglory, selfishness, and oppression, that existed in the Jewish nation. Before the warfare shall be ended and the victory won, we as a people are to experience trials similar to those of Paul. We shall encounter the same hardness of heart, the same cruel determination, the same unyielding hatred.?{LP 250.3}[12]
§27
自称是基督代表的人，将采取古时祭司官长们对待保罗一样的做法。凡欲凭良心无畏地事奉上帝的人，必须具有勇敢，坚毅和认识上帝，明白圣经的心，才能在那邪恶的日子站立得住。逼迫要再次临到忠于上帝的人，人必要诬蔑他们的动机，曲解他们最善良的行为，并破坏他们名誉。正如基督所预言的，到了一个时候，人要设法消灭忠心的人，还自以为是事奉上帝。撒但要尽他欺骗的本事。影响人的心志，混乱人的思想，称恶为善，称善为恶，然后他要藉着他的爪牙“显大神迹，大奇事，倘若能行连选民也就迷惑了”（太24：24）。{LP 251.1}[13]
§28
Men professing to be representatives of Christ will take a course similar to that taken by priests and rulers in their treatment of Paul. All who would fearlessly serve God according to the dictates of their own conscience, will need moral courage, firmness, and a knowledge of God and his word, to stand in that evil day. Persecution will again be kindled against those who are true to God; their motives will be impugned, their best efforts misinterpreted, their names cast out as evil. Then will it come to pass, as foretold by Christ, that whoever shall seek to destroy the faithful, will think that he is doing God service. Then Satan will work with all his fascinating power, to influence the heart and becloud the understanding, to make evil appear good, and good evil. Then it is that he is through his agents to “show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”?{LP 251.1}[13]
§29
上帝要祂的子民为那即将来临的危机做准备。到那时，不管他们已做准备，或未做准备，他们都必须应付这危机。只有那些已经在品格上符合上帝标准的人才能在考验的时候站立得住。当仇敌四面兴起，以恶眼敌视他们之时，天上的上帝却要以慈爱的心垂顾祂的宝石。当属世的领导．同宗教界的领袖们联合起来干涉人的信仰时，就必显明谁是真正敬畏上帝的人。在黑暗最为深浓的时候，一个像上帝的品格必要显得最为光辉灿烂。在一切其他的依靠都已失败之后，才能看出谁是坚心依赖上帝的。{LP 252.1}[14]
§30
God would have his people prepared for the soon-coming crisis. Prepared or unprepared, we must all meet it. Only those whose characters are thoroughly disciplined to meet the divine standard will be able to stand firm in that testing time. But when enemies shall be on every side, watching them for evil, the God of Heaven will be watching his precious jewels for good. When secular rulers unite with the ministers of religion to come between God and our conscience, then those who cherish the fear of God will be revealed. When the darkness is deepest, then the light of a noble, Godlike character will shine the brightest. When every other trust fails, then it will be seen who have an abiding trust in God.?{LP 252.1}[14]
§31
上帝子民的信仰越纯洁，越坚固，他们顺从上帝的决心越刚强，则撒但必要越猛烈地设法激起那些自以为义而同时践踏上帝律法之人的愤怒。在那即将来临的危机中，地上的统治者将不会为上帝的子民出面干涉。一切不顺从上帝律法的人都将同流合污。那时，什么人若要坚守那一次交付圣徒的真道，就必须具有最坚毅的信靠和最顽强的意志。{LP 252.2}[15]
§32
The stronger and purer the faith of God’s people, and the firmer their determination to obey him, the more will Satan stir up the rage of those who claim to be righteous, while they trample upon the law of God. In that coming emergency, rulers and magistrates will not interpose in behalf of God’s people. There will be a corrupt harmony with all who have not been obedient to the law of God. In that day, all time-servers, all who have not the genuine work of grace in the heart, will be found wanting. It will require the firmest trust, the most heroic purpose, to hold fast the faith once delivered to the saints.?{LP 252.2}[15]