第37章 扫罗悔改
§1
第37章 扫罗悔改
§2
Chap. 37 - The Conversion of Saul
§3
（本章根据徒9:1-21）
§4
司提反英勇殉身曾使扫罗心中深为不安。他的偏见受到了动摇。但祭司和官长们的意见终于使他相信司提反是一个亵渎上帝的人，他所宣讲的耶稣基督是一个骗子，而那些担任圣职的人总是不会错的。扫罗是思想果断，意志坚强的人，所以他一旦完全认定祭司和文士的看法观点是正确的，就竭力反对基督教。他的热心驱使他自愿从事迫害信徒的工作。他使许多圣徒被拉到审判厅，有一些被判处监禁，甚至被定死罪，而他们唯一的罪名就是他们相信耶稣。出于同样性质但目的不同的热心，雅各和约翰曾希望有火从天上降下烧灭那些藐视侮辱他们夫子的人。{SR 268.1}[1]
§5
THE mind of Saul was greatly stirred by the triumphant death of Stephen. He was shaken in his prejudice; but the opinions and arguments of the priests and rulers finally convinced him that Stephen was a blasphemer; that Jesus Christ whom he preached was an imposter, and that those ministering in holy offices must be right. Being a man of decided mind and strong purpose, he became very bitter in his opposition to Christianity, after having once entirely settled in his mind that the views of the priests and scribes were right. His zeal led him to voluntarily engage in persecuting the believers. He caused holy men to be dragged before the councils, and to be imprisoned or condemned to death without evidence of any offense, save their faith in Jesus. Of a similar character, though in a different direction, was the zeal of James and John when they would have called down fire from heaven to consume those who slighted and scorned their Master. {SR 268.1}[1]
§6
扫罗有事要到大马士革去，但他此去决心达成另一个目的，就是搜捕基督的信徒，为此，他从大祭司那里领了几封公函，准备在各个会堂宣读。这些公函授权他逮捕一切被怀疑是耶稣信徒的人，由专人押往耶路撒冷受审判罪。他被一种错误的热心所鼓舞，以大丈夫的气概和活力出发了。{SR 268.2}[2]
§7
Saul was about to journey to Damascus on his own business; but he was determined to accomplish a double purpose, by searching out, as he went, all the believers in Christ. For this purpose he obtained letters from the high priest to read in the synagogues, which authorized him to seize all those who were suspected of being believers in Jesus, and to send them by messengersto Jerusalem, there to be tried and punished. He set out on his way, full of the strength and vigor of manhood and the fire of a mistaken zeal. {SR 268.2}[2]
§8
当这一队旅途劳顿的人将到大马士革的时候，扫罗以欢乐的心情望着肥沃的田地，美丽的园囿，丰饶的果园，以及在绿色灌木中间涌流的潺潺清泉。在他们长途跋涉于荒野之后，当前的景象确是令人心旷神怡。当扫罗和他的同伴正在欣赏景色时，忽然“从天发光，比日头还亮，四面照着”扫罗，“他就仆倒在地，听见有声音对他说，扫罗，扫罗，你为什么逼迫我？他说，主啊，你是谁？主说，我就是你所逼迫的耶稣；你用脚踢刺是难的”（徒9:3-5；26:14）。{SR 269.1}[3]
§9
As the weary travelers neared Damascus, the eyes of Saul rested with pleasure upon the fertile land, the beautiful gardens, the fruitful orchards, and the cool streams that ran murmuring amid the fresh green shrubbery. It was very refreshing to look upon such a scene after a long, wearisome journey over a desolate waste. While Saul, with his companions, was gazing and admiring, suddenly a light above the brightness of the sun shone round about him, and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? And he said, Who art Thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. {SR 269.1}[3]
§10
【基督的异象】
§11
当时的情形非常混乱。扫罗的同伴惊恐万状，几乎因那强烈的光而失明。他们只听见一个声音，却看不见人。对于他们来说，一切都是不可思议的。扫罗仆倒在地上，却明白那向他所说的话，并清楚地看出在他前面的就是上帝的儿子。一睹救主的荣颜，祂的形像便永远印刻在这个被击打的犹太人心中。救主的话具有惊人的力量，深深地打动了他的心。在他黑暗的心窍中倾降了耀眼的光明，显出他过去生活的无知和错谬。他看出自己迫害基督的门徒，自以为是热心事奉上帝，实际上是作了撒但的工作。{SR 269.2}[4]
§12
【The Vision of Christ】
§13
The scene was one of the greatest confusion. The companions of Saul were stricken with terror, and almost blinded by the intensity of the light. They heard the voice, but saw no one, and to them all was unintelligible and mysterious. But Saul, lying prostrate upon the ground, understood the words that were spoken, and saw clearly before him the Son of God. One look upon that glorious Being imprinted his image forever upon the soul of the stricken Jew. The words struck home to his heart with appalling force. A flood of light poured in upon the darkened chambers of his mind, revealing his ignorance and error. He saw that, while imagining himself to be zealously serving God in persecuting the followers of Christ, he had in reality been doing the work of Satan. {SR 269.2}[4]
§14
他看出自己愚蠢地把信仰建立在祭司和官长的见解上。他们所担任的圣职在他心中发挥很大的影响力，使他相信复活的故事乃是耶稣门徒狡猾的虚构。如今基督亲自向他显现，司提反的讲道就深深打动了他的心。祭司们所宣称为亵渎的话，现在都显为真实可信的了。在这奇妙启示的时刻，他心中不禁百感交集。他追溯预言的历史，认明耶稣之被犹太人拒绝，被钉，复活和升天，都已由众先知预言过了，足以证明这是所应许的弥赛亚。他想起了司提反所说的话：“我看见天开了，人子站在上帝的右边。”他知道这位垂死的圣徒真的看见了荣耀的国。{SR 269.3}[5]
§15
He saw his folly in resting his faith upon the assurances of the priests and rulers, whose sacred office had given them great influence over his mind and caused him to believe that the story of the resurrection was an artful fabrication of the disciples of Jesus. Now that Christ was revealed to Saul, the sermon of Stephen was brought forcibly to his mind. Those words which the priests had pronounced blasphemy, now appeared to him as truth and verity. In that time of wonderful illumination his mind acted with remarkable rapidity. He traced down through prophetic history and saw that the rejection of Jesus by the Jews, His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension had been foretold by the prophets, and proved Him to be the promised Messiah. He remembered the words of Stephen: I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:56), and he knew that the dying saint had looked upon the kingdom of glory. {SR 269.3}[5]
§16
对于这个迫害信徒的人，这一种是何等的启示啊！清晰而令人畏惧的光照在他的心间。他确知基督曾到地上履行祂的使命，并被祂所要拯救的人拒绝，辱骂，定罪，钉死了。他也知道救主已从死里复活，并已升到天上。在这可怕的时刻，他不禁想起自己曾同意打死司提反，后来又有许多忠实的门徒也是因他的协助而受残酷的逼迫以至于死。{SR 270.1}[6]
§17
What a revelation was all this to the persecutor of the believers. Clear but terrible light had broken in upon his soul. Christ was revealed to him as having come to earth in fulfillment of His mission, being rejected, abused, condemned, and crucified by those whom He came to save, and as having risen from the dead and ascended into the heavens. In that terrible moment he remembered that the holy Stephen had been sacrificed by his consent, and that through his instrumentality many worthy saints had met their death by cruel persecution. {SR 270.1}[6]
§18
他惊奇战栗地问道：“主啊，祢要我作什么？”主说：“起来，进城去，你所当作的事，必有人告诉你”（徒9:6）。保罗心中一点也没有怀疑这对他说话的一位，就是拿撒勒人耶稣，就是以色列人长久仰望的弥赛亚，安慰者和救赎主。{SR 270.2}[7]
§19
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. No doubt entered the mind of Saul that this was the veritable Jesus of Nazareth who spoke to him, and that He was indeed the long-looked-for Messiah, the Consolation and Redeemer of Israel. {SR 270.2}[7]
§20
荣光消逝之后，扫罗从地上起来，却发现自己完全失明了。基督荣耀的光辉过于强烈，不是他的肉眼所能当的。及至荣光退去之后，便有深夜的黑暗遮掩他的视觉。他相信这次失明乃是上帝因他迫害耶稣的门徒而给他的刑罚。他在非常黑暗的状况中四围摸索，他的同伴惊奇害怕地拉着他的手，领他进了大马士革。{SR 271.1}[8]
§21
When the effulgent glory was withdrawn, and Saul arose from the earth, he found himself totally deprived of sight. The brightness of Christs glory had been too intense for his mortal sight, and when it was removed, the blackness of night settled upon his vision. He believed that his blindness was the punishment of God for his cruel persecution of the followers of Jesus. He groped about in terrible darkness, and his companions, in fear and amazement, led him by the hand into Damascus. {SR 271.1}[8]
§22
【被领至教会】
§23
主回答扫罗说：“起来，进城去，你所当作的事必有人告诉你。”耶稣叫这个求问的犹太人与祂的教会联络，使他可以知道上帝对于他的旨意。基督已经成就了向他启示和使他觉悟的工作，如今这个悔改的人可以从上帝所委派的人那里学习真理。这样，耶稣尊重了自己所组织之教会的权威，使扫罗与祂所指定地上的代理人接触。天上的荣光夺走了扫罗的视力，但大医师耶稣并不马上使他重见光明。一切福惠都是从基督那里流出来的，但祂有一个教会在地上作祂的代表。教会的工作乃是将生命之道指引悔改的罪人。扫罗过去所定意要消灭的人，将要指导他认识他所藐视所迫害的宗教。{SR 271.2}[9]
§24
【Directed to the Church】
§25
The answer to Sauls question is, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Jesus sends the inquiring Jew to His church, to obtain from them a knowledge of his duty. Christ performed the work of revelation and conviction; and now the penitent was in a condition to learn of those whom God had ordained to teach His truth. Thus Jesus gave sanction to the authority of His organized church, and placed Saul in connection with His representatives on earth. The light of heavenly illumination deprived Saul of sight, but Jesus, the great Healer, did not at once restore it. All blessings flow from Christ, but He had now established a church as His representative on earth, and to it belonged the work of directing the repentant sinner in the way of life. The very men whom Saul had purposed to destroy were to be his instructors in the religion he had despised and persecuted. {SR 271.2}[9]
§26
扫罗的信心在大马士革犹大家禁食祷告的三天时间里受到了严峻的考验。他双目失明，茫然不知所措。他奉命到大马士革去，那里会有人告诉他该怎么办。他在不安和痛苦之中恳求上帝。“当下，在大马士革有一个门徒，名叫亚拿尼亚，主在异象中对他说：‘亚拿尼亚，’他说：‘主，我在这里，’主对他说：‘起来！往直街去，在犹大的家里，访向一个大数人，名叫扫罗。他在祷告，又看见一个人，名叫亚拿尼亚，进来按手在他身上，叫他能看见’”（徒9:10-12）。{SR 271.3}[10]
§27
The faith of Saul was severely tested during the three days of fasting and prayer at the house of Judas, in Damascus. He was totally blind, and in utter darkness of mind as to what was required of him. He had been directed to go to Damascus, where it would be told him what he was to do. In his uncertainty and distress he cried earnestly to God. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of one Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen a vision of a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. {SR 271.3}[10]
§28
亚拿尼亚对于天使的话难以置信，因为扫罗苦害耶路撒冷圣徒的消息已经传到远近各处。所以他擅自提出劝诫说：“主啊，我听见许多人说，这人怎样在耶路撒冷多多苦害祢的圣徒，并且他在这里有从祭司长得来的权柄捆绑一切求告祢名的人”（徒9:13,14）。但给亚拿尼亚的命令是带着权威的，“你只管去。他是我所拣选的器皿，要在外邦人和君王并以色列人面前宣扬我的名”（徒9:15）。{SR 272.1}[11]
§29
Ananias could hardly credit the words of the angel messenger, for Sauls bitter persecution of the saints at Jerusalem had spread far and near. He presumed to expostulate; said he, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to Thy saints at Jerusalem. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on Thy name. But the command to Ananias was imperative: Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. {SR 272.1}[11]
§30
亚拿尼亚服从天使的指示，去寻找那最近还向一切信奉耶稣圣名的人口吐威吓的人，并说：“兄弟扫罗，在你来的路上向你显现的主，就是耶稣，打发我来，叫你能看见，又被圣灵充满。扫罗的眼睛上，好像有鳞立刻掉下来，他就能看见，于是起来受了洗（徒9:17,18）。{SR 272.2}[12]
§31
The disciple, obedient to the direction of the angel, sought out the man who had but recently breathed out threatenings against all who believed on the name of Jesus. He addressed him: Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. {SR 272.2}[12]
§32
基督在这里为我们树立了有关祂救灵工作方法的一个范例。祂本来可以直接为扫罗成就这一切的事，但这不符合祂的计划。祂的福惠是通过祂所要派的代理人流出来的。扫罗有话要对那些他曾特意要消灭的人承认。上帝也有一番工作要祂所授权作祂代表的人去做。{SR 272.3}[13]
§33
Christ here gives an example of His manner of working for the salvation of men. He might have done all this work directly for Saul; but this was not in accordance with His plan. His blessings were to come through the agencies which He had ordained. Saul had something to do in the line of confession to those whose destruction he had meditated; and God had a responsible work for the men to do whom He had authorized to act in His stead. {SR 272.3}[13]
§34
扫罗向门徒虚心学习。在律法的光中，他看出自己是个罪人。他看出，那位他在无知中曾视为骗子的耶稣，乃是亚当的日子以来，上帝子民信仰的创始者和基础，是他如今蒙启迪已清楚认识之真道的成全者，是真理的维护者和预言的应验者。他过去以为耶稣废除了上帝的律法，但当上帝的手揭开他属灵的眼光时，他就明白了基督是整个犹太献祭制度的创始者，祂到世界上来的明显目的乃是维护祂父的律法。他看出耶稣在被钉死的时候，预表已经遇到了真体。在他自以为一直热心遵守的道德律法的光中，扫罗认识到自己是罪人中的罪魁。{SR 273.1}[14]
§35
Saul becomes a learner of the disciples. In the light of the law he sees himself a sinner. He sees that Jesus, whom in his ignorance he had considered an impostor, is the author and foundation of the religion of Gods people from the days of Adam, and the finisher of the faith now so clear to his enlightened vision; the vindicator of the truth, and the fulfiller of the prophecies. He had regarded Jesus as making of none effect the law of God; but when his spiritual vision was touched by the finger of God, he learned that Christ was the originator of the entire Jewish system of sacrifices; that He came into the world for the express purpose of vindicating His Fathers law; and that in His death the typical law had met its antitype. By the light of the moral law, which he had believed himself to be zealously keeping, Saul saw himself a sinner of sinners. {SR 273.1}[14]
§36
【从逼迫者变为使徒】
§37
保罗在大马士革的河里受了亚拿尼亚的洗，吃过饭，身体健壮起来，就马上向城里的信徒传讲耶稣。信徒原是他从耶路撒冷出来时所要捉拿的人。他还在各会堂里宣扬被钉死的耶稣确实是上帝的儿子。他从预言中找出来的论据是那么确凿，他的工作又是那么显然赋有上帝的能力，以致反对的犹太人惊惶失措，无法应付。保罗所受拉比和法利赛式的教育，现在反被利用来传扬福音，维护他曾千方百计想要摧毁的事业。{SR 273.2.}[15]
§38
【From Persecutor to Apostle】
§39
Paul was baptized by Ananias in the river of Damascus. He was then strengthened by food, and immediately began to preach Jesus to the believers in the city, the very ones whom he had set out from Jerusalem with the purpose of destroying. He also taught in the synagogues that Jesus who had been put to death was indeed the Son of God. His arguments from prophecy were so conclusive, and his efforts were so attended by the power of God, that the opposing Jews were confounded and unable to answer him. Pauls rabbinical and Pharisaic education was now to be used to good account in preaching the gospel and in sustaining the cause he had once used every effort to destroy. {SR 273.2}[15]
§40
保罗悔改的消息使犹太人大为惊异狼狈。他们原知道他在耶路撒冷的地位，也知道他到大马士革来的主要目的，是领了大祭司的权柄和命令，要捉拿信耶稣的人，并把他们作为囚犯解到耶路撒冷去。可是现在他们竟听到他宣传耶稣的福音，鼓励那些已经作门徒之人的勇气，并在不断引领人悔改相信他一度所竭力反对的真道。保罗向一切听他讲道的人宣称自己信仰的改变，并不是由于冲动或狂热，乃是由于压倒一切的证据。{SR 274.1}[16]
§41
The Jews were thoroughly surprised and confounded by the conversion of Paul. They were aware of his position at Jerusalem, and knew what was his principal errand to Damascus, and that he was armed with a commission from the high priest that authorized him to take the believers in Jesus and to send them as prisoners to Jerusalem; yet now they beheld him preaching the gospel of Jesus, strengthening those who were already its disciples and continually making new converts to the faith he had once so zealously opposed. Paul demonstrated to all who heard him that his change of faith was not from impulse nor fanaticism, but was brought about by overwhelming evidence. {SR 274.1}[16]
§42
当保罗在各会堂里工作的时候，他的信心越发坚强。面对犹太人的剧烈反对，他越发热心地宣扬耶稣是上帝的儿子。但他无法久留在大马士革，因为犹太人对他的神奇悔改和随后的工作所感到的惊讶消退以后，他们坚决不顾那有利于基督道理的压倒一切的证据。他们对于保罗悔改的惊奇竟变为强烈的仇恨，像他们过去对待耶稣一样。{SR 274.2}[17]
§43
As he labored in the synagogues his faith grew stronger; his zeal in maintaining that Jesus was the Son of God increased in the face of the fierce opposition of the Jews. He could not remain long in Damascus, for after the Jews had recovered from their surprise at his wonderful conversion and subsequent labors, they turned resolutely from the overwhelming evidence thus brought to bear in favor of the doctrine of Christ. Their astonishment at the conversion of Paul was changed into an intense hatred of him like unto that which they had manifested against Jesus. {SR 274.2}[17]
§44
【为工作做准备】
§45
保罗的生命处在危险之中。他奉上帝的指示暂时离开大马士革，往阿拉伯去。在这比较幽僻的地方，他有充分的机会与上帝交通，进行默想。他希望单独与上帝交往，省察自己的心，更深一步的悔改，藉着祈祷和研究准备自己从事在他看来太伟大、太重要，他承担不起的工作。他担任使徒，不是由人所拣选，而是上帝所拣选。上帝清楚地指出他的工作范围是在外邦人中间。{SR 274.3}[18]
§46
【Preparation for Service】
§47
Pauls life was in peril, and he received a commission from God to leave Damascus for a time. He went into Arabia; and there, in comparative solitude, he had ample opportunity for communion with God and for contemplation. He wished to be alone with God, to search his own heart, to deepen his repentance, and to prepare himself by prayer and study to engage in a work which appeared to him too great and too important for him to undertake. He was an apostle, not chosen of men, but chosen of God, and his work was plainly stated to be among the Gentiles. {SR 274.3}[18]
§48
保罗在阿拉伯期间没有与使徒们交往。他全心寻求上帝，非到确知自己的悔改蒙悦纳，自己的罪恶蒙赦免，决不罢休。他渴望能确知耶稣要在他未来的工作上与他同在。他希望在身体中，就是在他那曾因天上的光而失明的眼睛中常带着基督荣耀的标志，并得到基督不断施恩支持的保证。保罗与上天密切接触，耶稣与他交通，坚定了他的信心，并赐给他智慧和恩典。{SR 275.1}[19]
§49
While in Arabia he did not communicate with the apostles; he sought God earnestly with all his heart, determining not to rest till he knew for a certainty that his repentance was accepted and his great sin pardoned. He would not give up the conflict until he had the assurance that Jesus would be with him in his coming ministry. He was ever to carry about with him in the body the marks of Christs glory, in his eyes, which had been blinded by the heavenly light, and he desired also to bear with him constantly the assurance of Christs sustaining grace. Paul came into close connection with Heaven, and Jesus communed with him, and established him in his faith, bestowing upon him His wisdom and grace. {SR 275.1}[19]