第23章 扫罗悔改
§1
第23章 扫罗悔改
§2
Chapter 23- Conversion of Saul.
§3
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。{3SP 305.2}[1]
§4
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 impostor, 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. {3SP 305.2}[1]
§5
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。{3SP 306.1}[2]
§6
Saul was about to journey to Damascus upon 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 by messengers to Jerusalem, there to be tried and punished. He set out upon his way, full of strength and vigor of manhood, and the fire of a mistaken zeal. {3SP 306.1}[2]
§7
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）。{3SP 306.2}[3]
§8
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. {3SP 306.2}[3]
§9
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。{3SP 307.1}[4]
§10
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. {3SP 307.1}[4]
§11
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。{3SP 307.2}[5]
§12
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; and he knew that the dying saint had looked upon the kingdom of Glory. {3SP 307.2}[5]
§13
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。{3SP 308.1}[6]
§14
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. {3SP 308.1}[6]
§15
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。这位在世上曾用比喻教训听众的耶稣，现在也用人所熟悉的事物来说明祂的意思。祂把扫罗迫害基督门徒的工作比作“踢刺”。这是一句有力的话，说明任何人都不可能阻止基督真理的传播。真理将胜利前进，任何人反对祂，都将是搬起石头砸自己的脚。迫害者到头来会遭受比被迫害者大千倍的损失。他的心迟早会定他的罪，他会发现他实际上是在用脚踢刺。{3SP 308.2}[7]
§16
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. And now this Jesus, who had, while teaching upon earth, spoken in parables to his hearers, using familiar objects to illustrate his meaning, likened the work of Saul, in persecuting the followers of Christ, to kicking against the pricks. Those forcible words illustrated the fact that it would be impossible for any man to stay the onward progress of the truth of Christ. It would march on to triumph and victory, while every effort to stay it would result in injury to the opposer. The persecutor, in the end, would suffer a thousand-fold more than those whom he had persecuted. Sooner or later his own mind and heart would condemn him; he would find that he had, indeed, been kicking against the pricks. {3SP 308.2}[7]
§17
救主曾藉着司提反以圣经中无可辩驳的论据向扫罗说话。这个饱学的犹太人曾看见那殉道者脸上反射着基督荣耀的光辉，好像天使的面貌。他曾看到司提反对于他仇敌的容忍和饶恕。他也曾看到耶稣其他的信徒在忍受逼迫残害时所表现的那种刚毅不屈，乐天知命的精神。他们中一些人欣然为信仰的缘故牺牲了自己的生命。{3SP 309.1}[8]
§18
The Saviour had spoken to Saul through Stephen, whose clear reasoning from the Scriptures could not be controverted. The learned Jew had seen the face of the martyr reflecting the light of Christs glory, and looking like the face of an angel. He had witnessed his forbearance toward his enemies, and his forgiveness of them. He had further witnessed the fortitude and cheerful resignation of other believers in Jesus while tormented and afflicted, some of whom had yielded up their lives with rejoicing for their faiths sake. {3SP 309.1}[8]
§19
这一切的见证都曾高声向扫罗发出呼请，使他信服。但是他所受的教育和偏见，他对于祭司和长官的尊重，和他的虚荣心，使他违背自己的良心而拒绝上帝的恩典。他曾几次整夜挣扎，为要排除这种感悟，结果他总是再下决心不信耶稣是弥赛亚，而是一个骗子，并视祂的门徒为一班受骗的狂热之徒。{3SP 309.2}[9]
§20
All this testimony had appealed loudly to Saul, and thrust conviction upon his mind; but his education and prejudices, his respect for priests and rulers, and his pride of popularity, braced him to rebel against the voice of conscience, and the grace of God. He had struggled entire nights against conviction, and had always ended the matter by avowing his belief that Jesus was not the Messiah, that he was an impostor, and his followers were deluded fanatics. {3SP 309.2}[9]
§21
如今，基督已亲口向扫罗讲话说：“扫罗，扫罗，你为什么逼迫我？”这同一个声音又回答他“主啊，你是谁？”的问题说：“我就是你所逼迫的耶稣。”这一句话表明基督与祂的子民是连为一体的。扫罗迫害耶稣的门徒就是直接打击了天上的主。耶稣宣布，扫罗苦害祂在地上的弟兄，就是攻击他们在天上的元首和代表。他诬告妄证他们，就是诬告妄证世界的救主。从这里可以清楚地看出，基督是与祂的圣徒同受苦难的。 {3SP 309.3}[10]
§22
Now Christ had spoken to Saul with his own voice: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And the question, Who art thou, Lord? was answered by the same voice, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest. Here Christ identifies himself with his suffering people. Saul, in persecuting the followers of Jesus, had struck directly against the Lord of Heaven. Jesus declares that in afflicting his brethren upon earth, Saul had struck against their Head and Representative in Heaven. In falsely accusing and testifying against them, he had falsely accused and testified against the Saviour of the world. Here it is plainly seen that Christ suffers in the person of his saints. {3SP 309.3}[10]
§23
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。{3SP 310.1}[11]
§24
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. {3SP 310.1}[11]
§25
扫罗进大马士革城的时候，情形与他所预期的是何等不同啊！一路上他曾踌躇满志走近大马士革，希望会因大祭司对他的信任，以及在搜捕信徒，把他们押往耶路撒冷判罪和无情处罚的事上所表现出来的热心和精明，而在到达时受到热烈的欢迎。他曾下决心使自己的大马士革之行大获成功。他的勇气和坚持不懈的精神使他在追求自己的目标时，不怕任何困难和危险。他曾决心不让任何基督徒躲开他的防范。他要审讯男女老幼有关他们的信仰，并要他们供出有关人员；他要闯入人家里，强行抓走里面的人押往耶路撒冷。{3SP 310.2}[12]
§26
How different from what he had anticipated was his entrance into that city! In proud satisfaction he had neared Damascus, expecting on his arrival to be greeted with ostentation and applause because of the honor conferred upon him by the high priest, and the great zeal and penetration he had manifested in searching out the believers, to carry them as captives to Jerusalem, there to be condemned, and punished without mercy. He had determined that his journey should be crowned with success; and his courageous and persevering spirit quailed at no difficulties nor dangers in the pursuance of his object. He had determined that no Christian should escape his vigilance; he would inquire of men, women, and children concerning their faith, and that of those with whom they were connected; he would enter houses, with power to seize their inmates, and to send them as prisoners to Jerusalem. {3SP 310.2}[12]
§27
但现在的情形与他所期望的真有天壤之别。他非但不能行使权力，享受尊荣，实际上反而像一个囚犯一样，双目失明，靠同伴牵路。他一筹莫展，心中悔恨，觉得自己如同判了死刑的人，不知道上帝还有什么刑罚要临到他。{3SP 311.1}[13]
§28
But how changed was the scene from that which he had anticipated! Instead of wielding power, and receiving honor, he was himself virtually a prisoner, being deprived of sight, and dependent upon the guidance of his companions. Helpless, and tortured by remorse, he felt himself to be under sentence of death, and knew not what farther disposition the Lord would make of him. {3SP 311.1}[13]
§29
他被带到门徒犹大的家里，在那里，他孤独寂寞，思考着那打破他所有的计划，改变了他整个人生方向的奇异启示。在完全的失明中他度过了三天光阴。在这段可怕的时期中，他反省，悔恨，诚恳地祈祷，不吃也不喝。他痛心疾首地回想起司提反，以及司提反所显出的证据，那证据表明支撑他殉道的能力高过属世的能力。他惊恐地想起自己的罪，就是自己为祭司和官长们的恶毒和偏见所支配，闭眼不看，掩耳不听那些最显著的凭据，并怎样作了急先锋，残酷无情地迫害基督的信徒。{3SP 311.2}[14]
§30
He was taken to the house of the disciple Judas, and there he remained, solitary and alone, studying upon the strange revelation, that had broken up all his plans, and changed the entire current of his life. He passed three days in perfect blindness, occupying that terrible time with reflection, repentance, and earnest prayer, neither eating nor drinking during that entire period. With bitterness he remembered Stephen, and the evidence he had given of being sustained in his martyrdom, by a power higher than that of earth. He thought with horror of his own guilt in being carried away by the malice and prejudice of the priests and rulers, closing his eyes and ears against the most striking evidence, and relentlessly leading the van in the persecution of the believers in Christ. {3SP 311.2}[14]
§31
他在孤独隐僻之处，没有与教会交通，因为耶路撒冷的信徒已经把扫罗此次大马士革之行的目的警告他们。他们认为保罗是在装腔作势，以便更好地执行迫害他们的计划。扫罗又无意去求助于那些尚未悔改的犹太人，因为他知道他们是根本不肯听他所讲之话的。这样，他在人际方面似乎断绝了一切同情，他反省着，以忧伤痛悔的心祈祷。{3SP 311.3}[15]
§32
He was in lonely seclusion; he had no communication with the church, for they had been warned of the purpose of his journey to Damascus by the believers in Jerusalem; and they believed that he was acting a part the better to carry out his design of persecuting them. He had no desire to appeal to the unconverted Jews; for he knew they would not listen to or heed his statements. He seemed to be utterly shut out from human sympathy; and he reflected, and prayed with a thoroughly broken and repentant spirit. {3SP 311.3}[15]
§33
对于这个双目失明，悔恨交加的犹太人来说，三天时间就像三年一样。他对圣经并不陌生，在黑暗和孤独之中，他回忆起有关弥赛亚的经文。他仔细追溯预言，他的记忆力，因心中的感悟而灵敏起来。他很惊奇自己的悟性以前为什么那样迟钝，一般犹太人为什么那样盲目，竟拒绝耶稣为上帝所应许的弥赛亚。如今一切都豁然开朗了。他知道自己从前的偏见和不信曾经蒙蔽自己属灵的见解，并使自己不能辨识拿撒勒的耶稣为预言所提示的弥赛亚。{3SP 312.1}[16]
§34
Those three days were like three years to the blind and conscience-smitten Jew. He was no novice in the Scriptures, and in his darkness and solitude he recalled the passages which referred to the Messiah, and traced down the prophecies, with a memory sharpened by the conviction that had taken possession of his mind. He became astonished at his former blindness of understanding, and at the blindness of the Jews in general, in rejecting Jesus as the promised Messiah. All now seemed plain to him, and he knew that it was prejudice and unbelief which had clouded his perceptions, and prevented him from discerning in Jesus of Nazareth the Messiah of prophecy. {3SP 312.1}[16]
§35
扫罗的神奇悔改乃是一个明显的凭据，证明基督使人知罪的奇妙能力。扫罗以前真的认为，相信耶稣，实质上就是否认上帝的律法和献祭的制度。他认为耶稣抹煞了上帝的律法，并教训祂的门徒说，“律法已经失效了”。他觉得自己有责任要竭尽全力消灭这种以耶稣为生命之君的可怕道理，并怀着由衷的热情顽固地迫害基督的教会。{3SP 312.2}[17]
§36
This wonderful conversion of Saul demonstrates in a startling manner the miraculous power of Christ in convicting the mind and heart of man. Saul had verily believed that to have faith in Jesus was virtually to repudiate the law of God, and the service of sacrificial offerings. He had believed that Jesus had himself disregarded the law, and had taught his disciples that it was now of no effect. He believed it to be his duty to strive with his utmost power to exterminate the alarming doctrine that Jesus was the Prince of life; and with conscientious zeal he had become a persevering persecutor of the church of Christ. {3SP 312.2}[17]
§37
但是扫罗所最仇恨最藐视的耶稣竟向他显示了自己，以便制止他疯狂的工作，使这个最没有希望的人，成为传福音给外邦人的器皿。扫罗深深感服主的显示，认识到自己反对拿撒勒人耶稣，就是反对世界的救赎主。他无限悔恨自己的罪，就问“主啊，祢要我作什么”？耶稣没有立时将所派给他的工作告诉他，而叫他到他所苦苦迫害的门徒那里接受指示。{3SP 312.3}[18]
§38
But Jesus, whose name of all others he most hated and despised, had revealed himself to Saul, for the purpose of arresting him in his mad career, and of making, from this most unpromising subject, an instrument by which to bear the gospel to the Gentiles. Saul was overwhelmed by this revelation, and perceived that in opposing Jesus of Nazareth, he had arrayed himself against the Redeemer of the world. Overcome by a sense of his guilt he cried out, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Jesus did not then and there inform him of the work he had assigned him, but sent him for instruction to the very disciples whom he had so bitterly persecuted. {3SP 312.3}[18]
§39
照亮扫罗黑暗的奇妙光明乃是主的工作，但也有一番工作是基督的门徒所要为他作的。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。{3SP 313.1}[19]
§40
The marvelous light that illuminated the darkness of Saul was the work of the Lord; but there was also a work that was to be done for him by the disciples of Christ. 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. {3SP 313.1}[19]
§41
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）。{3SP 314.1}[20]
§42
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 inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus; for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. {3SP 314.1}[20]
§43
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）。{3SP 314.2}[21]
§44
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. {3SP 314.2}[21]
§45
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）。{3SP 314.3}[22]
§46
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. {3SP 314.3}[22]
§47
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。{3SP 315.1}[23]
§48
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. {3SP 315.1}[23]
§49
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。他悔改了，即，向罪死了，而变得顺从上帝的律法，相信耶稣基督为他个人的救主，受了洗，并且热忱地传扬他过去所指责的耶稣。{3SP 315.2}[24]
§50
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. He repented, that is, died to sin, became obedient to the law of God, had faith in Jesus Christ as his Saviour, was baptized, and preached Jesus as earnestly and zealously as he had once denounced him. {3SP 315.2}[24]
§51
世界的救赎主并不认可在宗教事务上不顾祂所组织所承认之教会的那些经验和行为。许多人认为他们只需为自己所看到的亮光和经验直接向基督负责，而不必顾及祂在地上所承认的信徒。但在扫罗悔改的记载中，上帝赐给我们许多重要的原则，是我们所应当永远牢记的。扫罗曾被直接带到基督面前。他是基督“所拣选的器皿”，要他担任一番最重要的工作，但主并没有亲自赐给他真理的教训，只是阻止了他的行程，使他觉悟自己的罪；但当扫罗问“祢要我做什么”的时候，救主叫他与祂的教会联系，让他们告诉他当作的事。{3SP 316.1}[25]
§52
The Redeemer of the world does not sanction experience and exercise in religious matters independent of his organized and acknowledged church. Many have an idea that they are responsible to Christ alone for their light and experience, independent of his recognized followers on earth. But in the history of the conversion of Saul, important principles are given us, which we should ever bear in mind. He was brought directly into the presence of Christ. He was one whom Christ intended for a most important work, one who was to be a chosen vessel unto him; yet he does not personally impart to him the lessons of truth. He arrests his course and convicts him; but when asked by him, What wilt thou have me to do? the Saviour places him in connection with his church, and lets them direct him what to do. {3SP 316.1}[25]
§53
耶稣是罪人的良友，祂体恤他们所受的灾祸，祂拥有天上地下所有的权柄，但祂也尊重祂所命定为人类得光照和蒙拯救的方法。祂指引罪人到祂教会中，这教会就是祂所设立作为传达真光给世人的一个媒介。{3SP 316.2}[26]
§54
Jesus is the Friend of sinners; his heart is touched by their woe; he has all power, both in Heaven and upon earth; but he respects the means which he has ordained for the enlightenment and salvation of men; he directs sinners to the church, which he has made a channel of light to the world. {3SP 316.2}[26]
§55
扫罗是以色列中一个有学问的教师，但当扫罗在盲目的错误和偏见之中见到他所逼迫之基督的显现时，主使他与世上的光——教会交通。在这件事上，亚拿尼亚代表基督，也代表基督在地上的使者，这些使者原是祂所指定作祂代表的。亚拿尼亚代表基督摸扫罗的眼睛，叫他能看见。他又代表基督按手在扫罗身上。当他奉基督的名祷告时，扫罗就领受了圣灵。一切都是奉基督的圣名并靠基督的权威而作的。但教会乃是交通的渠道。{3SP 316.3}[27]
§56
Saul was a learned teacher in Israel; but, while in the midst of his blind error and prejudice, Christ reveals himself to him, and then places him in communication with his church, which is the light of the world. In this case Ananias represents Christ, and also represents Christs ministers upon earth, who are appointed to act in his stead. In Christs stead, Ananias touches the eyes of Saul that they may receive sight. In Christs stead, he places his hands upon him, and, praying in Christs name, Saul receives the Holy Ghost. All is done in the name and by the authority of Christ; but the church is the channel of communication. {3SP 316.3}[27]