第43章 保罗和彼得殉道
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第43章 保罗和彼得殉道
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Chap. 43 - Martyrdom of Paul and Peter
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保罗和彼得这两位使徒多年以来在工作上关山远隔。保罗的工作是向外邦人传扬福音，而彼得则主要为犹太人作工。但是由于上帝的引导，他们要在欧西世界的中心都市为基督作见证，在那里流出鲜血作为后代许多圣徒与殉道者广大“庄稼”的“种子”。 {SR 315.1}[1]
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THE apostles Paul and Peter were for many years widely separated in their labors, it being the work of Paul to carry the gospel to the Gentiles, while Peter labored especially for the Jews. But in the providence of God, both were to bear witness for Christ in the worlds metropolis, and upon its soil both were to shed their blood as the seed of a vast harvest of saints and martyrs. {SR 315.1}[1]
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约在保罗第二次被捕的同时，彼得也被逮捕监禁起来了。彼得的热心和他成功揭露行邪术西门的骗术，挫败其阴谋，曾引起了当局特别的反感。西门跟踪他来到罗马，反对和阻碍福音的工作。尼禄是信奉邪术的，他庇护了西门，非常恼恨彼得，就下令逮捕他。{SR 315.2}[2]
§6
About the time of Pauls second arrest Peter also was apprehended and thrust into prison. He had made himself especially obnoxious to the authorities by his zeal and success in exposing the deceptions and defeating the plots of Simon Magus, the sorcerer, who had followed him to Rome to oppose and hinder the work of the gospel. Nero was a believer in magic, and had patronized Simon. He was therefore greatly incensed against the apostle, and was thus prompted to order his arrest. {SR 315.2}[2]
§7
皇帝对保罗的仇恨加深了，因在他第一次被囚期间有皇帝家里的人以及其他知名人士悔改接受了基督教。所以他第二次囚禁保罗，要比第一次严厉得多，不许保罗有传福音的机会。他决心只要找到一个似乎可信的借口，就把保罗处死。保罗在最后一次受审的时候，皇帝深受他的言语所感动，以致迟迟不予判决，既不开释，又不判罪。但这只不过是缓刑而已。不久之后，尼禄宣判保罗死刑，以致他必须为道殉身。只因他是一个罗马公民，按律不得施以酷刑，所以判处斩首。{SR 315.3}[3]
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The emperors malice against Paul was heightened by the fact that members of the imperial household, and also other persons of distinction, had been converted to Christianity during his first imprisonment. For this reason he made the second imprisonment much more severe than the first, granting him little opportunity to preach the gospel; and he determined to cut short his life as soon as a plausible pretext couldbe found for so doing. Neros mind was so impressed with the force of the apostles words at his last trial that he deferred the decision of the case, neither acquitting nor condemning him. But the sentence was only deferred. It was not long before the decision was pronounced which consigned Paul to a martyrs grave. Being a Roman citizen, he could not be subjected to torture, and was therefore sentenced to be beheaded. {SR 315.3}[3]
§9
彼得是罗马人所视为“外籍”的犹太人，故被判鞭打，并被钉十字架。彼得一想到这种可怕的死，就回忆起自己在耶稣受审时所犯否认基督的大罪，而他惟一的想法就是，他不配享有像夫子一样钉死这么大的尊荣。彼得固然已经真诚悔改，并蒙基督给予他喂养群羊的崇高使命，表明主已经原谅了他，但他总不能原谅自己。就是当前可怕的境遇所使他想起的惨痛死刑，也不足以减轻他为罪忧伤悔恨的苦楚，他向执死刑的人提出最后的要求，让他倒钉十字架。他们批准了他的这个要求。这个伟大的使徒就这样牺牲了。{SR 316.1}[4]
§10
Peter, as a Jew and a foreigner, was condemned to be scourged and crucified. In prospect of this fearful death, the apostle remembered his great sin in denying Jesus in the hour of trial, and his only thought was that he was unworthy of so great an honor as to die in the same manner as did his Master. Peter had sincerely repented of that sin, and had been forgiven by Christ, as is shown by the high commission given him to feed the sheep and lambs of the flock. But he could never forgive himself. Not even the thought of the agonies of the last terrible scene could lessen the bitterness of his sorrow and repentance. As a last favor he entreated his executioners that he might be nailed to the cross with his head downward. The request was granted, and in this manner died the great apostle Peter. {SR 316.1}[4]
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【保罗最后的见证】
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保罗被秘密地解往刑场，因为迫害他的人慑于他广泛的影响，唯恐有人看见他从容就义而皈依基督教。因此只允许很少的观众在场。可是连那些押解他的无情兵士，听到他的言语，看到他临死时所表显愉快甚至喜乐的神情也感到不胜惊异。对于一些看见他殉道的人，他那饶恕杀害他之人的精神和始终依靠基督而毫不动摇的信心就成了“活的香气”叫他们活。当时接受保罗所宣讲之救主的还不止一人，而且不久之后，他们也无畏地用鲜血印证了自己所信的道。{SR 316.2}[5]
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【Pauls Final Witness】
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Paul was led in a private manner to the place of execution. His persecutors, alarmed at the extent of his influence, feared that converts might be won to Christianity even by the scene of his death. Hence few spectators were allowed to be present. But the hardened soldiers appointed to attend him listened to his words, and with amazement saw him cheerful and even joyous in prospect of such a death. His spirit of forgiveness toward his murderers and unwavering confidence in Christ to the very last proved a savor of life unto life to some who witnessed his martyrdom. More than one erelong accepted the Saviour whom Paul preached, and fearlessly sealed their faith with their blood. {SR 316.2}[5]
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保罗的一生直到最后一刻还在见证他在《哥林多后书》中所讲的道乃是真理：“那吩咐光从黑暗里照出来的上帝，已经照在我们心里，叫我们得知上帝荣耀的光显在耶稣基督的面上。我们有这宝贝放在瓦器里，要显明这莫大的能力是出于上帝，不是出于我们。我们四面受敌，却不被困住；心里作难，却不至失望；遭逼迫，却不被丢弃；打倒了，却不至死亡。身上常带着耶稣的死，使耶稣的生也显明在我们身上”（林后4:6-10）。他所以能经得起这些事，并不是在于自己，乃是由于圣灵充满他的心，与他同在，使他所有的心意都顺服基督的旨意。他自己的生活为他所传扬的真理作见证，这就使他所传的道和所做的事具有感服人心的能力。先知说：“坚心依赖祢的，祢必保守他十分平安，因为他依靠祢”（赛26:3）。保罗脸上所表显的这种天赐平安吸引了许多人信从福音。{SR 317.1}[6]
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The life of Paul, to its very latest hour, testified to the truth of his words in the second epistle to the Corinthians: For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:6-10. His sufficiency was not in himself but in the presence and agency of the divine Spirit that filled his soul and brought every thought into subjection to the will of Christ. The fact that his own life exemplified the truth he proclaimed gave convincing power to both his preaching and his deportment. Says the prophet, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3. It was this heaven-born peace, expressed upon the countenance, that won many a soul to the gospel. {SR 317.1}[6]
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这时，保罗仰望着那伟大的将来，没有一点犹疑，也没有一点畏惧，只有喜乐的盼望和热切的期待。当他站在殉道的地点时，他没有看刽子手的刀，也没有看那即将吸收他鲜血的绿地，他却抬头从夏天蔚蓝的天空看到永生上帝的宝座。他心里所说的话是：主啊，祢是我的安慰和我的分，我什么时候能够拥抱祢，什么时候能够毫无隔膜地亲眼见到祢？{SR 317.2}[7]
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The apostle was looking into the great beyond, not with uncertainty or in dread, but with joyful hope and longing expectation. As he stood at the place of martyrdom he saw not the gleaming sword of the executioner or the green earth so soon to receive his blood; he looked up through the calm blue heaven of that summers day to the throne of the Eternal. His language was, O Lord, Thou art my comfort and my portion. When shall I embrace Thee? When shall I behold Thee for myself, without a dimming veil between? {SR 317.2}[7]
§19
保罗在地上的一生身上常带着上天的气氛。凡与他接近的人都感受到他那与基督联合，与天使交往的影响。真理的力量就在这里。圣洁的生活自然而然，不知不觉地发出影响，乃是为基督教所能作最有力的证道。辩论纵然极其有理，甚至叫人无言可答，却只能惹起人的反对，而一个敬虔的榜样却有一种不能抵抗的力量。{SR 318.1}[8]
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Paul carried with him through his life on earth the very atmosphere of heaven. All who associated with him felt the influence of his connection with Christ and companionship with angels. Here lies the power of the truth. The unstudied, unconscious influence of a holy life is the most convincing sermon that can be given in favor of Christianity. Argument, even when unanswerable, may provoke only opposition; but a godly example has a power which it is impossible to wholly resist. {SR 318.1}[8]
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保罗对于那些仍要留在世上，应付偏见仇恨和迫害的门徒所有的深切关怀，使他忘了自己将要遭受的痛苦。他再三述说上帝对于为义受逼迫之人所发极其宝贵的应许，设法坚固并鼓励那几个陪他到刑场的基督徒。他断言，上帝所说一切有关祂受苦而忠心之儿女的话，没有一句会落空的。他们要兴起发光，因为耶和华的光将照到他们身上。当主的荣耀显现的时候，他们将穿上华美的衣袍。他们或许因百般的试探而暂时心情沉重，他们或许没有属世的安慰。但他们应当振作起来，说，我知道我所信的是谁，也深信祂能保全我所交付祂的。祂的责罚必要终结，而平安完全的快乐之晨必要来到。{SR 318.2}[9]
§22
While the apostle lost sight of his own near sufferings, he felt a deep solicitude for the disciples whom he was about to leave to cope with prejudice, hatred, and persecution. He endeavored to strengthen and encourage the few Christians who accompanied him to the place of execution, by repeating the exceeding precious promises given for those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. He assured them that nothing shall fail of all that the Lord hath spoken concerning His tried and faithful ones. They shall arise and shine; for the light of the Lord shall arise upon them. They shall put on their beautiful garments when the glory of the Lord shall be revealed. For a little season they may be in heaviness through manifold temptations, they may be destitute of earthly comfort; but they must encourage their hearts by saying, I know in whom I have believed. He is able to keep that which I have committed to His trust. His rebuke will come to an end, and the glad morning of peace and perfect day will come. {SR 318.2}[9]
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我们救恩的“元帅”已经预备祂的仆人参赴最后的斗争。保罗既被基督的牺牲所救赎，从基督的宝血得洁净，披上基督的公义，就有确实的把握，知道自己的生命在救赎主眼中看为宝贵。他的生命与基督一同藏在上帝里面。他深信那已经胜过死亡的主必能保守那交付祂的。他紧紧握住救主的应许：“在末日我要叫他复活”（约6:40）。他的思想和希望都集中在主的复临上。当刽子手手起刀落，死亡的阴影笼罩在这殉道者心上时，他最后的思想一跃而到复活的早晨，去迎见那赐生命的主，主必要欢迎他进入蒙福之人的喜乐。{SR 318.3}[10]
§24
The Captain of our salvation has prepared His servant for the last great conflict. Ransomed by the sacrifice of Christ, washed from sin in His blood, and clothed in His righteousness, Paul has the witness in himself that his soul is precious in the sight of his Redeemer. His life is hid with Christ in God, and he is persuaded that He who has conquered death is able to keep that which is committed to his trust. His mind grasps the Saviours promise, I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:40. His thoughts and hopes are centered in the second advent of his Lord. And as the sword of the executioner descends and the shadows of death gather about the martyrs soul, his latest thought springs forward, as will his earliest thought in the great awakening, to meet the Lifegiver who shall welcome him to the joy of the blest. {SR 318.3}[10]
§25
自从年迈的保罗为上帝的道和耶稣基督的见证流出鲜血以来，几乎两千年过去了。没有人为后来的世代据实记录这一个圣人最后的一段生活史。幸有圣经为我们保存他临死的见证。他的言语像嘹亮的号筒流传万世；他的勇气激励了千万为基督作见证的人；他那胜利喜乐的回声鼓舞了千万被忧伤所压倒的人，说：“我现在被浇奠，我离世的时候到了。那美好的仗我已经打过了，当跑的路我已经跑尽了，所信的道我已经守住了。从此以后，有公义的冠冕为我存留，就是按着公义审判的主到了那日要赐给我的；不但赐给我，也赐给凡爱慕祂显现的人”（提后4:6-8）。{SR 319.1}[11]
§26
Well-nigh a score of centuries have passed since Paul the aged poured out his blood as a witness for the Word of God and for the testimony of Christ. No faithful hand recorded for the generations to come the last scenes in the life of this holy man; but inspiration has preserved for us his dying testimony. Like a trumpet peal has his voice rung out through all the ages, nerving with his own courage thousands of witnesses for Christ, and wakening in thousands of sorrow-stricken hearts the echo of his own triumphant joy: I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8. {SR 319.1}[11]