第24章 保罗开始传道
§1
第24章 保罗开始传道
§2
Chapter 24 - Paul Commences His Ministry.
§3
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。 {3SP 317.1}[1]
§4
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. {3SP 317.1}[1]
§5
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。{3SP 317.2}[2]
§6
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. {3SP 317.2}[2]
§7
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。{3SP 318.1}[3]
§8
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. {3SP 318.1}[3]
§9
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。{3SP 318.2}[4]
§10
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. {3SP 318.2}[4]
§11
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。{3SP 318.3}[5]
§12
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 in close connection with Heaven, and Jesus communed with him, and established him in his faith, bestowing upon him his wisdom and grace. {3SP 318.3}[5]
§13
保罗回到大马士革，奉耶稣的名放胆传道。犹太人无法抵挡他论据中的智慧，就商议要用武力来止息他的声音，作为挽救他们行将失败之事业的仅存的手段。他们决定杀害保罗。使徒知道他们的目的。他们昼夜把守城门，断绝他的逃脱之路。门徒们焦急地求告上帝，通夜不眠，想方设法帮助上帝所拣选的使徒逃脱。最后他们想出了一个办法，在夜间，用筐子通过窗户把他从城墙上缒下去。保罗以这种屈辱的方式逃出了大马士革。{3SP 319.1}[6]
§14
Paul now returned to Damascus, and preached boldly in the name of Jesus. The Jews could not withstand the wisdom of his arguments, and they therefore counseled together to silence his voice by force--the only argument left to a sinking cause. They decided to assassinate him. The apostle was made acquainted with their purpose. The gates of the city were vigilantly guarded, day and night, to cut off his escape. The anxiety of the disciples drew them to God in prayer; there was little sleeping among them, as they were busy in devising ways and means for the escape of the chosen apostle. Finally they conceived a plan by which he was let down from a window, and lowered over the wall in a basket at night. In this humiliating manner Paul made his escape from Damascus. {3SP 319.1}[6]
§15
他前往耶路撒冷，希望与众使徒，特别是彼得结交。他急于会见那些加利利的渔夫，因为基督在世时他们曾与主一起生活，祷告和交谈过。他切望会见这位使徒之首。当保罗走过耶路撒冷时，他以新的眼光看待这座城和圣殿。他现在确知上帝的报应即将临到。{3SP 319.2}[7]
§16
He now proceeded to Jerusalem, wishing to become acquainted with the apostles there, and especially with Peter. He was very anxious to meet the Galilean fishermen who had lived, and prayed, and conversed with Christ upon earth. It was with a yearning heart that he desired to meet the chief of apostles. As Paul entered Jerusalem, he regarded with changed views the city and temple. He now knew that the retributive judgment of God was hanging over them. {3SP 319.2}[7]
§17
犹太人因保罗的悔改而极为难过愤怒。但保罗坚如磐石，自以为在向朋友们叙说自己的奇妙经历后，他们也会像他一样改变信仰，相信耶稣。他曾真心实意地反对基督和祂的门徒，当他受到主的阻止并认识到自己的罪以后，他马上放弃了自己的罪恶行径，而承认相信耶稣。他完全相信，当他的朋友和以前的同事听到他神奇的悔改经过，看见他不再是一个傲慢的法利赛人，逼迫和杀害那些信耶稣为上帝儿子的人，他们一定会认识到自己的错误，而加入信徒的行列。{3SP 320.1}[8]
§18
The grief and anger of the Jews because of the conversion of Paul knew no bounds. But he was firm as a rock, and flattered himself that when he related his wonderful experience to his friends, they would change their faith as he had done, and believe on Jesus. He had been strictly conscientious in his opposition of Christ and his followers, and when he was arrested and convicted of his sin, he immediately forsook his evil ways, and professed the faith of Jesus. He now fully believed that when his friends and former associates heard the circumstances of his marvelous conversion, and saw how changed he was from the proud Pharisee who persecuted and delivered unto death those who believed in Jesus as the Son of God, they would also become convicted of their error, and join the ranks of the believers. {3SP 320.1}[8]
§19
他希望与他的弟兄们——就是门徒们相会。当他发现他们不愿意接受他为他们的一分子时，他深感悲伤和失望。他们想起他以前迫害信徒的事，怀疑他是在玩弄手段以便欺骗和消灭他们。他们的确听说过保罗神奇悔改的事，但他后来退隐到阿拉伯，杳无音讯了，所以他们还不能深信有关他大改变的传说。{3SP 320.2}[9]
§20
He attempted to join himself to his brethren, the disciples; but great was his grief and disappointment when he found that they would not receive him as one of their number. They remembered his former persecutions, and suspected him of acting a part to deceive and destroy them. True, they had heard of his wonderful conversion, but as he had immediately retired into Arabia, and they had heard nothing definite of him farther, they had not credited the rumor of his great change. {3SP 320.2}[9]
§21
巴拿巴曾慷慨地用自己的财产支持基督的事业，补助穷人的需要。过去保罗反对信徒时他就曾认识保罗。现在他出来重新结识保罗，听他见证自己的神奇悔改，以及以后的经历。巴拿巴完全相信并接受了保罗，他握住保罗的手带他去见使徒。他叙说自己刚刚听到的事——耶稣怎样在大马士革的路上亲自向保罗显现，与他说话，并听了亚拿尼亚的祷告，使保罗重见光明，以及保罗后来在大马士革的会堂里见证耶稣是上帝的儿子。{3SP 320.3}[10]
§22
Barnabas, who had liberally contributed his money to sustain the cause of Christ, and to relieve the necessities of the poor, had been acquainted with Paul when he opposed the believers. He now came forward and renewed that acquaintance, heard the testimony of Paul in regard to his miraculous conversion, and his experience from that time. He fully believed and received Paul, took him by the hand and led him into the presence of the apostles. He related his experience which he had just heard-- that Jesus had personally appeared to Paul while on his way to Damascus; that he had talked with him; that Paul had recovered his sight in answer to the prayers of Ananias, and had afterward maintained that Jesus was the Son of God in the synagogues of the city. {3SP 320.3}[10]
§23
使徒们不再犹疑了，他们不能阻挡上帝。当时在耶路撒冷的使徒，只有彼得和雅各，他们就伸出右手与这位过去残酷迫害他们信仰的人行相交之礼。过去人们怕他，躲他，现在却爱他敬他了。新信仰的两位重要人物在这里相会了。彼得是基督在世时蒙拣选伴随基督的，法利赛人扫罗则是基督升天以后与祂面对面讲话，并曾在异象中看见祂和祂在天上工作的性质。{3SP 321.1}[11]
§24
The apostles no longer hesitated; they could not withstand God. Peter and James, who at that time were the only apostles in Jerusalem, gave the right hand of fellowship to the once fierce persecutor of their faith; and he was now as much beloved and respected as he had formerly been feared and avoided. Here the two grand characters of the new faith met--Peter, one of the chosen companions of Christ while he was upon earth, and Paul, a Pharisee, who, since the ascension of Jesus, had met him face to face, and had talked with him, and had also seen him in vision, and the nature of his work in Heaven. {3SP 321.1}[11]
§25
这第一次的会面对两位使徒双方都有很大的作用。可惜见面的时间不长，因为保罗急欲为主作工。过不久，那曾经热心驳斥司提反的声音却在同一个会堂里无畏地宣布耶稣为上帝的儿子——在那里倡导司提反用自己的性命所维护的同一事业。他述说了他那奇妙的经历，并以关怀他同胞和以前同事的满腔热忱，从预言中提出凭据，证明钉十字架的基督就是上帝的儿子，正像司提反过去所做的一样。{3SP 321.2}[12]
§26
This first interview was of great consequence to both these apostles, but it was of short duration, for Paul was eager to get about his Masters business. Soon the voice which had so earnestly disputed with Stephen was heard in the same synagogue fearlessly proclaiming that Jesus was the Son of God--advocating the same cause that Stephen had died to vindicate. He related his own wonderful experience, and with a heart filled with yearning for his brethren and former associates, presented the evidences from prophecy, as Stephen had done, that Jesus, who had been crucified, was the Son of God. {3SP 321.2}[12]
§27
可是保罗对于这些犹太弟兄的精神估计错了。从前发泄在司提反身上的愤怒这时落到了保罗身上。他看到自己必须与弟兄们分离，就满心忧伤。他情愿舍弃自己的性命，只要能藉此引一些人认识真理。犹太人下手布置阴谋要杀害他。门徒们催他离开耶路撒冷，但是他留恋不舍，很想再为他的犹太同胞工作一段时期。他曾积极参与杀害司提反的事，故此他决意维护司提反所为之舍命的真理，以洗除过去的污点。他觉得逃离耶路撒冷乃是一件怯懦的行为。
§28
But Paul had miscalculated the spirit of his Jewish brethren. The same fury that had burst forth upon Stephen was visited upon himself. He saw that he must separate from his brethren, and sorrow filled his heart. He would willingly have yielded up his life, if by that means they might have been brought to a knowledge of the truth. The Jews began to lay plans to take his life, and the disciples urged him to leave Jerusalem; but he lingered, unwilling to leave the place, and anxious to labor a little longer for his Jewish brethren. He had taken so active a part in the martyrdom of Stephen that he was deeply anxious to wipe out the stain by boldly vindicating the truth which had cost Stephen his life. It looked to him like cowardice to flee from Jerusalem. {3SP 322.1}[13]
§29
当保罗不顾一切后果到圣殿去恳切祷告上帝的时候，救主在异象中向他显现说：“你赶紧地离开耶路撒冷，不可迟延，因你为我作的见证，这里的人必不领受”（徒22:18）。保罗这时还是犹豫。在他使顽固的犹太人信服他所信的真理之前，他不愿离开耶路撒冷。他想，纵使为真理牺牲了性命，也只不过是偿了他在司提反的死上所欠下的债而已。他回答说：“主啊，他们知道我从前把信祢的人收在监里，又在各会堂里鞭打他们，并且祢的见证人司提反被害流血的时候，我也站在旁边欢喜，又看守害死他之人的衣裳”（徒22:19,20）。但主的回答比以前更加坚决：“你去吧！我要差你远远地往外邦人那里去”（徒22:21）。{3SP 322.2}[14]
§30
While Paul, braving all the consequences of such a step, was praying earnestly to God in the temple, the Saviour appeared to him in vision, saying, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. Paul even then hesitated to leave Jerusalem without convincing the obstinate Jews of the truth of his faith; he thought that, even if his life should be sacrificed for the truth, it would not more than settle the fearful account which he held against himself for the death of Stephen. He answered, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee. And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. But the reply was more decided than before: Depart; for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. {3SP 322.2}[14]
§31
弟兄们听说保罗所见的异象，以及上帝对他的指示，就更加为他担心了，因为他们认识到他确实是主所拣选的器皿，要把真理传给外邦人。他们赶紧帮助他秘密逃离耶路撒冷，唯恐犹太人杀害他。保罗的离开暂时止息了犹太人强烈的反对，教会一时有了平安，信徒的人数也增多了。{3SP 323.1}[15]
§32
When the brethren learned of the vision of Paul, and the care which God had over him, their anxiety on his behalf was increased; for they realized that he was indeed a chosen vessel of the Lord, to bear the truth to the Gentiles. They hastened his secret escape from Jerusalem, for fear of his assassination by the Jews. The departure of Paul suspended for a time the violent opposition of the Jews, and the church had a period of rest, in which many were added to the number of believers. {3SP 323.1}[15]