使徒行述-第50章
第50章 被定死罪
使徒行述-第50章
Chap. 50 - Condemned to Die
使徒行述-第50章
当保罗在尼罗面前最后受审的时候,皇帝曾深受使徒言语的感动,甚至迟迟不予判决,既不释放,又不对这个被告的上帝的仆人予以判决。可是不久皇帝对于保罗的毒恨重新发作了。他因自己不能遏止基督教的扩展,甚至延及皇帝家里的人,就大为震怒,决定只要能找到一点可信的借口,就要将使徒置诸死地。不久之后,尼罗就宣判保罗死刑,以致他必须为道殉身。只因他是一个罗马公民,按律不能施以酷刑,所以判处斩首。[1]{AA 509.1 }
使徒行述-第50章
During Paul's final trial before Nero, the emperor had been so strongly impressed with the force of the apostle's words that he deferred the decision of the case, neither acquitting nor condemning the accused servant of God. But the emperor's malice against Paul soon returned. Exasperated by his inability to check the spread of the Christian religion, even in the imperial household, he determined that as soon as a plausible pretext could be found, the apostle should be put to death. Not long afterward Nero pronounced the decision that condemned Paul to a martyr's death. Inasmuch as a Roman citizen could not be subjected to torture, he was sentenced to be beheaded. {AA 509.1 }[1]
使徒行述-第50章
保罗被秘密地解往刑场。只有少数观众获准在场,因为那逼迫他的人慑于影响的广泛,唯恐有人见他从容就义的情景因而皈依基督教。可是连那些解押他、听过他言语的无情兵士,看到他临死时所表显愉快甚至喜乐的神情,也感到惊异不置。对于一些看见他殉道的人,他那饶恕杀害他之人的精神,和始终倚靠基督而毫不动摇的信心,就成了叫人活的活的香气。当时接受保罗所宣讲之救主的并不止一人,而且不久之后,他们也大无畏地以自己的鲜血印证了所信的道。[2]{AA 509.2 }
使徒行述-第50章
Paul was taken in a private manner to the place of execution. Few spectators were allowed to be present; for his persecutors, alarmed at the extent of his influence, feared that converts might be won to Christianity by the scenes of his death. But even the hardened soldiers who attended him listened to his words and with amazement saw him cheerful and even joyous in the prospect of death. To some who witnessed his martyrdom, his spirit of forgiveness toward his murderers and his unwavering confidence in Christ till the last, proved a savor of life unto life. More than one accepted the Saviour whom Paul preached, and erelong fearlessly sealed their faith with their blood. {AA 509.2 }[2]
使徒行述-第50章
保罗的一生,直到最后一刻,还在见证他过去向哥林多人所讲的道乃是真理:“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)他的自足自信并不是在于自己,乃是由于那充满他内心之圣灵的同在及作用,使他所有的心意都顺服基督的旨意。先知说:“坚心倚赖你的,你必保守他十分平安,因为他倚靠你。”(赛26:3)在保罗面容上所表显的天赐平安吸引了许多人信从福音。[3]{AA 510.1 }
使徒行述-第50章
Until his latest hour the life of Paul testified to the truth of his words to the Corinthians: "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 prophet declares, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3. The heaven-born peace expressed on Paul's countenance won many a soul to the gospel. {AA 510.1 }[3]
使徒行述-第50章
保罗常带着上天的气氛。凡与他接近的人都感受到他那与基督联合的影响。他自己的生活已证明他所传的真理这一事实,使他所传讲的道具有感服人心的能力。真理的能力就在于此。那圣洁生活所具有的自然而然,不知不觉的感化力,乃是所能作有利于基督教的最令人折服的说教。辩论即使令人无言可答,可能仅惹起人的反对;但一个敬虔的榜样却具有一种不可能完全抗拒的力量。[4]{AA 510.2 }
使徒行述-第50章
Paul carried with him the atmosphere of heaven. All who associated with him felt the influence of his union with Christ. The fact that his own life exemplified the truth he proclaimed, gave convincing power to his preaching. Here lies the power of 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 that it is impossible wholly to resist. {AA 510.2 }[4]
使徒行述-第50章
使徒对于那些他将要离别而仍留下对抗偏见、仇恨、和逼迫的人所有的关怀,使他忘了自己行将遭受的苦难。他再三述说那赐与凡为义受逼迫之人的应许,借以尽力坚强并鼓励那几个陪他到刑场的基督徒。他断言主所说一切有关他受苦而忠心之儿女的话,没有一句会落空的。他们或许一时因百般的试探而致心情沉重,他们或许缺乏属世的安慰;但他们能够因上帝信实的保证而心中鼓舞起来,说:“因为知道我所信的是谁,也深信他能保全我所交付他的,直到那日。”(提后1:12)不久,试炼和痛苦的黑夜必要终止,和平快乐的曙光和正午的辉煌将要来到。[5]{AA 511.1 }
使徒行述-第50章
The apostle lost sight of his own approaching sufferings in his solicitude for those whom he was about to leave to cope with prejudice, hatred, and persecution. The few Christians who accompanied him to the place of execution he endeavored to strengthen and encourage by repeating the promises given for those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. He assured them that nothing would fail of all that the Lord had spoken concerning His tried and faithful children. For a little season they might be in heaviness through manifold temptations; they might be destitute of earthly comforts; but they could encourage their hearts with the assurance of God's faithfulness, saying, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him." 2 Timothy 1:12. Soon the night of trial and suffering would end, and then would dawn the glad morning of peace and perfect day. {AA 511.1 }[5]
使徒行述-第50章
使徒仰望着那伟大的将来,没有一点犹疑或畏惧,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地;他却穿透那夏日静谧的蓝天,瞻望到永生上帝的宝座。[6]{AA 511.2 }
使徒行述-第50章
The apostle was looking into the great beyond, not with uncertainty or dread, but with joyous hope and longing expectation. As he stands at the place of martyrdom he sees not the sword of the executioner or the earth so soon to receive his blood; he looks up through the calm blue heaven of that summer day to the throne of the Eternal. {AA 511.2 }[6]
使徒行述-第50章
这个信心的英雄看到雅各异象中那代表基督的梯子,他已将地和天、也将有限的人和无限的上帝联接起来了。他回想到诸先祖和先知如何依靠那位他所赖以得到支持和安慰、也就是他即将为之殉身的主,他的信心就愈加坚强了。他从这些古圣先贤历代以来为自己信仰所作的见证中得到保证,证明上帝是信实的。那些与他同作使徒的人曾经为了传讲基督的福音,出去应付宗教的偏见与异教的迷信、逼迫和藐视;他们不以性命为念,也不看为宝贵,只在不信基督教的黑暗迷惑之中高举十字架的火炬,他听见这些人作见证,证明耶稣为上帝的儿子,为世界的救主。从拷问台、火刑柱与牢狱,从山洞和地穴中,有殉道者胜利的呼声传入他的耳中。这时,他听见那些坚贞之人的见证,他们虽然遭受穷困、苦难、折磨,但仍为信仰作无畏而严肃的见证,说:“因为知道我所信的是谁。”这些为信仰而舍弃生命的人向世界声明:他们所信靠的主乃是能拯救到底的。[7]{AA 512.1 }
使徒行述-第50章
This man of faith beholds the ladder of Jacob's vision, representing Christ, who has connected earth with heaven, and finite man with the infinite God. His faith is strengthened as he calls to mind how patriarchs and prophets have relied upon the One who is his support and consolation, and for whom he is giving his life. From these holy men who from century to century have borne testimony for their faith, he hears the assurance that God is true. His fellow apostles, who, to preach the gospel of Christ, went forth to meet religious bigotry and heathen superstition, persecution, and contempt, who counted not their lives dear unto themselves that they might bear aloft the light of the cross amidst the dark mazes of infidelity--these he hears witnessing to Jesus as the Son of God, the Saviour of the world. From the rack, the stake, the dungeon, from dens and caves of the earth, there falls upon his ear the martyr's shout of triumph. He hears the witness of steadfast souls, who, though destitute, afflicted, tormented, yet bear fearless, solemn testimony for the faith, declaring, "I know whom I have believed." These, yielding up their lives for the faith, declare to the world that He in whom they have trusted is able to save to the uttermost. {AA 512.1 }[7]
使徒行述-第50章
保罗既因基督的牺牲而得蒙救赎,既在他的宝血里得蒙洗净,并披上他的义,他本人就有把握知道自己的生命在救赎主的眼中看为宝贵。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全所交付他的。他的心紧握住救主的应许:“在末日我要叫他复活,”(约6:40)他的思想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的身上时,他最后的思想一跃而进到那伟大复活的清晨,去迎见赐生命的主,他必欢迎他进入那蒙福之人的喜乐。[8]{AA 512.2 }
使徒行述-第50章
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 Saviour's promise, "I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:40. His thoughts and hopes are centered on the second coming of his Lord. And as the sword of the executioner descends and the shadows of death gather about the martyr, his latest thought springs forward, as will his earliest in the great awakening, to meet the Life-giver, who shall welcome him to the joy of the blest. {AA 512.2 }[8]
使徒行述-第50章
自从年迈的保罗为上帝的道和耶稣基督的见证流出他的鲜血以来,约已过去二千年了。没有人为后来的世代据实记录这位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响声流传万世,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,也赐给凡爱慕他显现的人。”(提后4:6-8)[9]{AA 513.1 }
使徒行述-第50章
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 the testimony of Jesus 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 his voice has rung out through all the ages since, 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. {AA 513.1 }[9]
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