彰显主基督_十一月二十四日保罗与西拉在苦难中歌唱

十一月二十四日保罗与西拉在苦难中歌唱

Though Suffering, Paul and Silas Sing, November 24

“约在半夜，保罗与西拉，祷告唱诗赞美上帝，众囚犯也侧耳而听，忽然地大震动，甚至监牢的地基都摇动了。监门立刻全开，众囚犯的锁链也都松开了”（徒16:25）。{RC342.1}

At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. Acts 16:25, 26. {RC 342.1}

当十字架的使者出去教训人时，有一个被巫鬼附着的妇人跟随他们，喊着说：“这些人是至高上帝的仆人，对你们传说救人的道。她一连多日这样喊叫。”……{RC342.2}

As the messengers of the cross went about their work of teaching, a woman possessed of a spirit of divination followed them, crying, “These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days.” ... {RC 342.2}

使徒一时忍耐了这种反对；后来保罗在圣灵的感动之下吩咐邪灵离开那妇人。……那妇人脱离了邪灵的管辖并恢复了理智，就愿意作基督的门徒。于是她的主人们就为自己的职业惊慌起来了。他们看出藉着这妇人的法术和占卜得利的一切指望都没有了，而且如果让使徒继续宣传福音，则他们发财的门路不久必要完全断绝。……{RC342.3}

Under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost Paul commanded the evil spirit to leave the woman.... Restored to her right mind, the woman chose to become a follower of Christ. Then her masters were alarmed for their craft. They saw that all hope of receiving money from her divinations and soothsayings was at an end and that their source of income would soon be entirely cut off.... {RC 342.3}

众人被一种疯狂的情绪所鼓动，一同起来攻击门徒。一种暴乱的精神得了势，官长也默许他们，并吩咐剥下使徒的外衣，“用棍打。打了许多棍，便将他们下在监里，嘱咐禁卒严紧看守。禁卒领了这样的命，就把他们下在监里，两脚上了木狗。”……{RC342.4}

Stirred by a frenzy of excitement, the multitude rose against the disciples. A mob spirit prevailed and was sanctioned by the authorities, who tore the outer garments from the apostles and commanded that they should be scourged. “And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely.” ... {RC 342.4}

其他囚犯听见从内监发出来的祷告和唱诗的声音，不禁大为惊异。他们在夜深人静的时候听惯了尖叫，呻吟，咒诅和谩骂，从来没有从那凄惨的囚室中听到祷告和赞美的声音。……正当世人表现残酷复仇的精神，或忽略自己严肃的责任时，上帝却没有忘记恩待祂的仆人。全天庭都注意那为基督的缘故受苦的人；有天使奉命到监牢中来了。他们一到，地就震动起来。紧紧闩着的监门也自行开启；囚犯的手铐和脚镣都脱落了，并有灿烂的光辉充满着监狱。{RC342.5}

With astonishment the other prisoners heard the sound of prayer and singing issuing from the inner prison. They had been accustomed to hear shrieks and moans, cursing and swearing, breaking the silence of the night.... {RC 342.5}

禁卒曾惊异地听到被禁闭在牢狱里的使徒祷告和唱诗的声音。……这些声音正在他耳中时，他便睡着了，以后就被地震和监狱墙壁的摇动所惊醒。{RC342.6}

But while men were cruel and vindictive, or criminally negligent of the solemn responsibilities devolving upon them, God had not forgotten to be gracious to His servants. All heaven was interested in the men who were suffering for Christ’s sake, and angels were sent to visit the prison. At their tread the earth trembled. The heavily bolted prison doors were thrown open; the chains and fetters fell from the hands and feet of the prisoners; and a bright light flooded the prison.... The jailer had fallen into a sleep from which he was awakened by the earthquake and the shaking of the prison walls. {RC 342.6}

禁卒心惊胆寒地醒过来，只见监门全开，便惊慌失措，以为囚犯都已逃走。他记得上级曾如何叮嘱他留心看管保罗和西拉，所以这时他确知自己这一次的失职一定会受死刑的处分。他在悲苦之中觉得不如自杀，以免遭受可耻的刑罚。在他正要拔刀自刎时，却听见保罗安慰的话：“不要伤害自己，我们都在这里。”上帝的能力藉着一个囚犯禁止了一切的人，使他们都留在原处，没有乱动。{AA215.3}{RC342.7}

Starting up in alarm, he saw with dismay that all the prison doors were open, and the fear flashed upon him that the prisoners had escaped.... Drawing his sword, he was about to kill himself, when Paul’s voice was heard in the words of cheer, “Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.” Every man was in his place, restrained by the power of God exerted through one fellow prisoner.... {RC 342.7}

禁卒放下他的刀。……领他们到外院，问他们说：“二位先生，我当怎样行才可以得救?”（AA.212-216）{RC342.8}

The jailer dropped his sword.... Then, bringing them out into the open court, he inquired, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”—The Acts of the Apostles, 212-216. {RC 342.8}