使徒行传 15
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
耶路撒冷会议
15 有几个从犹太下来的人教导弟兄们说：“你们若不照着摩西的规条接受割礼，就不能得救。” 2 保罗和巴拿巴为这件事与他们激烈地辩论，最后大家决定派保罗、巴拿巴和几个当地的信徒上耶路撒冷去跟使徒和长老讨论这件事。
3 于是教会为他们送行。他们经过腓尼基和撒玛利亚，沿途报告外族人悔改信主的消息，弟兄姊妹都大受鼓舞。 4 他们到了耶路撒冷，受到教会、使徒和长老的接待，并详述了上帝借他们所做的一切事。 5 有几个信了主的法利赛人站起来说：“外族的信徒必须接受割礼，而且还要遵守摩西的律法。”
6 使徒和长老们聚集商议这个问题。 7 经过许多辩论之后，彼得站起来对大家说：“弟兄们，你们都知道，上帝早已在你们当中拣选我去向外族人传道，让他们也可以听到福音并信主。 8 洞悉人心的上帝把圣灵赐给他们，正如赐给我们一样，以表明祂也接纳外族人。 9 上帝对他们和我们一视同仁，祂因他们的信心而洁净了他们的心灵。 10 现在你们为什么要试探上帝，把我们祖先和我们不能负的重担强加在这些门徒身上？ 11 我们相信，他们和我们一样都是靠主耶稣的恩典得救。”
12 众人都沉默不语，继续听巴拿巴和保罗叙述上帝借着他们在外族人中所行的神迹奇事。 13 他们报告完了，雅各站起来说：“弟兄们，请听我说。 14 刚才西门讲述了上帝当初如何眷顾外族人，从他们当中拣选人归在祂的名下。 15 这完全与众先知的话相符，正如圣经上说，
16 “‘此后，我要回来重建已倾覆的大卫王朝，
将它从废墟中重建、恢复，
17 好叫其余的百姓，
就是凡归在我名下的外族人都寻求主。’
这是上帝说的， 18 祂从亘古就显明了这事。
19 “所以，我认为不应该为难那些信上帝的外族人。 20 我们只须写信吩咐他们远避被偶像玷污之物，不可淫乱，不可吃血和勒死的牲畜。 21 因为自古以来，在各城都有人宣讲摩西的律法，每逢安息日，都有人在会堂里诵读。”
给外族信徒的信
22 最后，使徒、长老和全教会都决定从他们当中选派代表，随保罗和巴拿巴去安提阿。他们选了别号巴撒巴的犹大和西拉，这两位都是教会的领袖。 23 他们带去的书信这样说：“安提阿、叙利亚和基利迦的外族弟兄姊妹，你们的弟兄——众使徒和长老向你们问安！
24 “听说有几个人从我们这里去了你们那里，教导你们必须接受割礼并遵守摩西的律法[a]。他们的言论使你们大感困惑。其实我们从来没有授权他们这样做。 25 所以我们一致决定选派代表，随我们敬爱的巴拿巴和保罗去你们那里。 26 他们二人为我们主耶稣基督的缘故已将生死置之度外。 27 我们选派犹大和西拉两位代表跟他们一起去，向你们报告我们的决定。 28 因为圣灵和我们都认为不应把重担加在你们身上。但请务必注意以下几件事， 29 要远避祭拜偶像的事，不可吃血，不可吃勒死的牲畜，不可淫乱。你们一一遵守这些事就好了。祝平安！”
30 他们奉命下到安提阿，召集众人，交付书信。 31 众人读过这封信之后，都因信中劝勉的话而欢喜。 32 犹大和西拉也是先知，他们讲了许多勉励、坚立弟兄姊妹的话。 33 住了些日子后，安提阿的弟兄姊妹以平安的祝福为他们送行，让他们回耶路撒冷复命。 34 但西拉决定留在那里。[b] 35 保罗和巴拿巴则继续留在安提阿，与许多人一起教导、传扬上帝的道。
保罗与巴拿巴分手
36 过了一些日子，保罗对巴拿巴说：“我们回到曾传过福音的各城镇去探望弟兄姊妹吧，好知道他们的情况。” 37 巴拿巴想要带约翰·马可同去， 38 但保罗坚持不带他同行，因为他在旁非利亚离开了他们，没有和他们一起做工。
39 二人激烈地争执起来，僵持不下，只好分道扬镳。巴拿巴和约翰·马可一同乘船去塞浦路斯。 40 保罗则选了西拉同行，弟兄姊妹把他们交托在主的恩典中。 41 保罗走遍了叙利亚和基利迦，巩固当地的各教会。
使徒行传 15
Chinese Union Version Modern Punctuation (Simplified)
争论外邦门徒该守摩西的律法
15 有几个人从犹太下来，教训弟兄们说：“你们若不按摩西的规条受割礼，不能得救。” 2 保罗、巴拿巴与他们大大地纷争辩论，众门徒就定规，叫保罗、巴拿巴和本会中几个人为所辩论的，上耶路撒冷去见使徒和长老。 3 于是教会送他们起行。他们经过腓尼基、撒马利亚，随处传说外邦人归主的事，叫众弟兄都甚欢喜。 4 到了耶路撒冷，教会和使徒并长老都接待他们，他们就述说神同他们所行的一切事。 5 唯有几个信徒是法利赛教门的人起来，说：“必须给外邦人行割礼，吩咐他们遵守摩西的律法。”
6 使徒和长老聚会商议这事。 7 辩论已经多了，彼得就起来说：“诸位弟兄，你们知道神早已在你们中间拣选了我，叫外邦人从我口中得听福音之道，而且相信。 8 知道人心的神也为他们作了见证，赐圣灵给他们，正如给我们一样； 9 又借着信洁净了他们的心，并不分他们我们。 10 现在为什么试探神，要把我们祖宗和我们所不能负的轭放在门徒的颈项上呢？ 11 我们得救乃是因主耶稣的恩，和他们一样，这是我们所信的。”
巴拿巴和保罗述说在外邦人中所行之事
12 众人都默默无声，听巴拿巴和保罗述说神借他们在外邦人中所行的神迹奇事。 13 他们住了声，雅各就说：“诸位弟兄，请听我的话！ 14 方才西门述说神当初怎样眷顾外邦人，从他们中间选取百姓归于自己的名下。 15 众先知的话也与这意思相合， 16 正如经上所写的：‘此后我要回来，重新修造大卫倒塌的帐幕，把那破坏的重新修造建立起来， 17 叫余剩的人，就是凡称为我名下的外邦人，都寻求主。 18 这话是从创世以来显明这事的主说的。’
雅各定断此事
19 “所以据我的意见，不可难为那归服神的外邦人， 20 只要写信吩咐他们禁戒偶像的污秽和奸淫，并勒死的牲畜和血。 21 因为从古以来，摩西的书在各城有人传讲，每逢安息日在会堂里诵读。”
差人送信到安提阿
22 那时，使徒和长老并全教会定意从他们中间拣选人，差他们和保罗、巴拿巴同往安提阿去。所拣选的就是称呼巴撒巴的犹大和西拉，这两个人在弟兄中是做首领的。 23 于是写信交付他们，内中说：“使徒和做长老的弟兄们问安提阿、叙利亚、基利家外邦众弟兄的安！ 24 我们听说有几个人从我们这里出去，用言语搅扰你们，惑乱你们的心。[a]其实我们并没有吩咐他们。 25 所以，我们同心定意拣选几个人，差他们同我们所亲爱的巴拿巴和保罗往你们那里去。 26 这二人是为我主耶稣基督的名不顾性命的。 27 我们就差了犹大和西拉，他们也要亲口诉说这些事。 28 因为圣灵和我们定意不将别的重担放在你们身上，唯有几件事是不可少的， 29 就是禁戒祭偶像的物和血，并勒死的牲畜和奸淫。这几件你们若能自己禁戒不犯就好了。愿你们平安！”
众人接信便得安慰
30 他们既奉了差遣，就下安提阿去，聚集众人，交付书信。 31 众人念了，因为信上安慰的话就欢喜了。 32 犹大和西拉也是先知，就用许多话劝勉弟兄，坚固他们。 33 住了些日子，弟兄们打发他们平平安安地回到差遣他们的人那里去。[b] 35 但保罗和巴拿巴仍住在安提阿，和许多别人一同教训人，传主的道。
保罗巴拿巴为马可分开
36 过了些日子，保罗对巴拿巴说：“我们可以回到从前宣传主道的各城，看望弟兄们景况如何。” 37 巴拿巴有意要带称呼马可的约翰同去， 38 但保罗因为马可从前在旁非利亚离开他们，不和他们同去做工，就以为不可带他去。 39 于是二人起了争论，甚至彼此分开。巴拿巴带着马可，坐船往塞浦路斯去； 40 保罗拣选了西拉，也出去，蒙弟兄们把他交于主的恩中。 41 他就走遍叙利亚、基利家，坚固众教会。
Footnotes
- 使徒行传 15:24 有古卷在此有：你们必须受割礼，守摩西的律法。
- 使徒行传 15:33 有古卷在此有：34唯有西拉定意仍住在那里。
Acts 15
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 15
Council of Jerusalem. 1 [a]Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,(A) “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,(B) you cannot be saved.”[b] 2 Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and presbyters about this question. 3 They were sent on their journey by the church, and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the presbyters, and they reported what God had done with them. 5 But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the Mosaic law.”
6 [c]The apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter. 7 [d]After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to them, “My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe.(C) 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us.(D) 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts.(E) 10 Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?(F) 11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus,(G) in the same way as they.”[e] 12 The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them.
James on Dietary Law. 13 [f]After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me. 14 Symeon[g] has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name. 15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:
16 ‘After this I shall return(H)
and rebuild the fallen hut of David;
from its ruins I shall rebuild it
and raise it up again,
17 so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord,
even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked.
Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things,
18 known from of old.’
19 (I)It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.(J) 21 For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”
Letter of the Apostles. 22 Then the apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. 23 This is the letter delivered by them: “The apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some of our number [who went out] without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, 25 we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: 28 (K)‘It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, 29 namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’”(L)
Delegates at Antioch. 30 And so they were sent on their journey. Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter. 31 When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation. 32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 After they had spent some time there, they were sent off with greetings of peace from the brothers to those who had commissioned them. [34 ][h] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming with many others the word of the Lord.
V. The Mission of Paul to the Ends of the Earth
Paul and Barnabas Separate. 36 [i]After some time, Paul said to Barnabas, “Come, let us make a return visit to see how the brothers are getting on in all the cities where we proclaimed the word of the Lord.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take with them also John, who was called Mark, 38 but Paul insisted that they should not take with them someone who had deserted them at Pamphylia and who had not continued with them in their work.(M) 39 So sharp was their disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and departed after being commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He traveled through Syria and Cilicia bringing strength to the churches.
Footnotes
- 15:1–35 The Jerusalem “Council” marks the official rejection of the rigid view that Gentile converts were obliged to observe the Mosaic law completely. From here to the end of Acts, Paul and the Gentile mission become the focus of Luke’s writing.
- 15:1–5 When some of the converted Pharisees of Jerusalem discover the results of the first missionary journey of Paul, they urge that the Gentiles be taught to follow the Mosaic law. Recognizing the authority of the Jerusalem church, Paul and Barnabas go there to settle the question of whether Gentiles can embrace a form of Christianity that does not include this obligation.
- 15:6–12 The gathering is possibly the same as that recalled by Paul in Gal 2:1–10. Note that in Acts 15:2 it is only the apostles and presbyters, a small group, with whom Paul and Barnabas are to meet. Here Luke gives the meeting a public character because he wishes to emphasize its doctrinal significance (see Acts 15:22).
- 15:7–11 Paul’s refusal to impose the Mosaic law on the Gentile Christians is supported by Peter on the ground that within his own experience God bestowed the holy Spirit upon Cornelius and his household without preconditions concerning the adoption of the Mosaic law (see Acts 10:44–47).
- 15:11 In support of Paul, Peter formulates the fundamental meaning of the gospel: that all are invited to be saved through faith in the power of Christ.
- 15:13–35 Some scholars think that this apostolic decree suggested by James, the immediate leader of the Jerusalem community, derives from another historical occasion than the meeting in question. This seems to be the case if the meeting is the same as the one related in Gal 2:1–10. According to that account, nothing was imposed upon Gentile Christians in respect to Mosaic law; whereas the decree instructs Gentile Christians of mixed communities to abstain from meats sacrificed to idols and from blood-meats, and to avoid marriage within forbidden degrees of consanguinity and affinity (Lv 18), all of which practices were especially abhorrent to Jews. Luke seems to have telescoped two originally independent incidents here: the first a Jerusalem “Council” that dealt with the question of circumcision, and the second a Jerusalem decree dealing mainly with Gentile observance of dietary laws (see Acts 21:25 where Paul seems to be learning of the decree for the first time).
- 15:14 Symeon: elsewhere in Acts he is called either Peter or Simon. The presence of the name Symeon here suggests that, in the source Luke is using for this part of the Jerusalem “Council” incident, the name may have originally referred to someone other than Peter (see Acts 13:1 where the Antiochene Symeon Niger is mentioned). As the text now stands, however, it is undoubtedly a reference to Simon Peter (Acts 15:7).
- 15:34 Some manuscripts add, in various wordings, “But Silas decided to remain there.”
- 15:36–18:22 This continuous narrative recounts Paul’s second missionary journey. On the internal evidence of the Lucan account, it lasted about three years. Paul first visited the communities he had established on his first journey (Acts 16:1–5), then pushed on into Macedonia, where he established communities at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Beroea (Acts 16:7–17:5). To escape the hostility of the Jews of Thessalonica, he left for Greece and while resident in Athens attempted, without success, to establish an effective Christian community there. From Athens he proceeded to Corinth and, after a stay of a year and a half, returned to Antioch by way of Ephesus and Jerusalem (Acts 17:16–18:22). Luke does not concern himself with the structure or statistics of the communities but aims to show the general progress of the gospel in the Gentile world as well as its continued failure to take root in the Jewish community.
Chinese Contemporary Bible Copyright © 1979, 2005, 2007, 2011 by Biblica® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Copyright © 2011 by Global Bible Initiative
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