唯一的救主

彼得和約翰向百姓講道的時候,祭司、聖殿護衛長和撒都該人趕來了。 因為彼得和約翰宣講藉著耶穌死人可以復活,他們非常惱怒, 下令拘捕二人,因天色已晚,就把他們扣押了一夜。 但有許多聽道的人信了,男人的數目約有五千人。

第二天,官長、長老和律法教師都聚集在耶路撒冷, 大祭司亞那,以及該亞法、約翰、亞歷山大和大祭司的許多親族都在場。 他們令使徒站在當中,質問道:「你們憑什麼權柄、以誰的名義這樣做?」

那時彼得被聖靈充滿,對他們說:「各位百姓的官長和長老啊, 如果因為那殘疾的乞丐得到醫治這件善事,你們今天來查問我們他是如何痊癒的, 10 那麼,你們和所有以色列人都應當知道,他能健康地站在你們面前,全是靠拿撒勒人耶穌基督的名!你們把祂釘在十字架上,但上帝使祂從死裡復活了。

11 『祂是你們工匠丟棄的石頭,
已成了房角石。』

12 除祂以外,別無救主,因為普天之下沒有賜下別的名我們可以靠著得救!」

13 在場的人看到彼得和約翰的膽量,又知道他們原是沒有學問的平民百姓,都很驚奇。他們認出這些人跟隨過耶穌, 14 又見那被醫好的瘸子站在他們旁邊,便無話可說, 15 只好暫時把他們押下去,然後彼此商量說: 16 「我們該怎樣處置這兩個人呢?整個耶路撒冷的居民都知道他們行了一個神蹟,我們無法否認。 17 為了避免這件事傳得更廣,我們必須警告他們以後不許再對任何人傳講耶穌的事。」

18 於是,他們又把使徒傳來,嚴令他們不許再奉耶穌的名講論或傳道。 19 但彼得和約翰答道:「要我們聽從你們而不聽從上帝,這在上帝看來合理嗎?你們自己想想吧。 20 我們耳聞目睹的,不能不說!」 21 官長實在不知道如何懲治使徒,只好再三恐嚇之後把他們放了,因為百姓都為這個神蹟讚美上帝。 22 在這次神蹟中蒙上帝醫治的那個人已經四十多歲了。

同心禱告

23 彼得和約翰被釋放之後,就去找其他信徒,把祭司長和長老的話都告訴大家。 24 大家聽後,一同高聲向上帝禱告說:「主啊,你創造了天地、海洋和其中的萬物。 25 你藉著聖靈感動你的僕人——我們的祖先大衛說,

『列國為何咆哮?
萬民為何枉費心機?
26 世上的君王一同行動,官長聚集起來,
要抵擋主和祂所膏立的王。』

27 「果然如此,希律和本丟·彼拉多、外族人和以色列人都聚集在這城裡,要對抗你膏立的聖子[a]耶穌, 28 然而他們所做的只不過是你憑自己的能力和旨意所預定的。 29 主啊,你看他們這樣恐嚇我們,求你幫助你的奴僕們坦然無懼地傳你的道。 30 求你伸出手醫治疾病,藉著你聖子耶穌的名行神蹟奇事。」

31 禱告完後,聚會的地方震動起來,他們都被聖靈充滿,放膽傳揚上帝的道。

共用一切

32 當時所有信徒都同心合意,共用所有的東西,沒有人說他的財物只屬於自己。 33 使徒充滿能力,繼續為主耶穌復活的事做見證,上帝也賜下極大的恩典給眾人。 34 信徒都一無所缺,因為大家賣掉房屋田產,把所得的錢交給使徒, 35 照各人的需要分配給各人。

36 有個生在塞浦路斯的利未人名叫約瑟,使徒叫他巴拿巴,意思是勸慰者。 37 他賣掉自己的一塊田,把賣得的錢交給了使徒。

Footnotes

  1. 4·27 聖子」或譯「聖僕」。

彼得約翰在公議會受審

使徒們正對群眾講話的時候,祭司、聖殿的守衛長,和撒都該人來到他們那裡。 因為使徒教訓群眾,並且傳揚耶穌從死人中復活,他們就非常惱怒, 於是下手拿住使徒。那時天已經晚了,就把他們拘留到第二天。 然而有許多聽道的人信了,男人的數目,約有五千。

第二天,猶太人的官長、長老、經學家,都聚集在耶路撒冷, 還有大祭司亞那和該亞法、約翰、亞歷山大,以及大祭司的家人,所有的人都在那裡。 他們叫使徒都站在當中,查問說:“你們憑甚麼能力,奉誰的名作這事?” 當時彼得被聖靈充滿,對他們說:“民眾的領袖和長老啊! 我們今天受審,如果是為了在那殘疾人身上所行的善事,就是這個人怎麼會好的, 10 那麼,你們各位和以色列全民都應當知道,站在你們面前這人好了,是因拿撒勒人耶穌基督的名。這位耶穌基督,你們把他釘死在十字架上, 神卻使他從死人中復活。 11 這耶穌是你們

‘建築工人所棄的石頭,

成了房角的主要石頭。’

12 除了他以外,別無拯救,因為在天下人間,沒有賜下別的名,我們可以靠著得救。”

13 他們看見彼得和約翰的膽量,也知道這兩個人是沒有學問的平民,就很驚奇;同時認出他們是跟耶穌一夥的, 14 又看見那醫好了的人,和他們一同站著,就沒有話可辯駁。 15 於是吩咐他們到公議會外面去,彼此商議, 16 說:“對這些人我們應該怎麼辦呢?因為有一件人所共知的神蹟,藉著他們行了出來,所有住在耶路撒冷的人都知道,我們也無法否認。 17 為了避免這件事在民間越傳越廣,我們應該警告他們,不許再奉這名向任何人談道。” 18 於是叫了他們來,嚴禁他們再奉耶穌的名講論教導。 19 彼得和約翰回答:“聽從你們過於聽從 神,在 神面前對不對,你們自己說吧! 20 我們看見的聽見的,不能不說!” 21 眾人因著所發生的事,都頌讚 神,於是公議會為了群眾的緣故,也因為找不到藉口懲罰他們,就恐嚇一番,把他們放了。 22 原來藉著神蹟醫好的那人,有四十多歲了。

信徒同心祈禱

23 彼得和約翰被釋放了之後,回到自己的人那裡去,把祭司長和長老說的一切,都告訴他們。 24 他們聽了,就同心向 神高聲說:“主啊,你是那創造天地、海洋和其中萬物的主宰。 25 你曾以聖靈藉著你僕人我們祖先大衛的口說:

‘列國為甚麼騷動?

萬民為甚麼空謀妄想?

26 地上的君王都起來,

首領聚在一起,

敵對主和他的受膏者。’

27 希律和本丟.彼拉多,外族人和以色列民,真的在這城裡聚集,反對你所膏立的聖僕耶穌, 28 行了你手和你旨意所預定要成就的一切。 29 主啊,他們恐嚇我們,現在求你鑒察,也賜你僕人們大有膽量,傳講你的道。 30 求你伸手醫治,藉著你聖僕耶穌的名,大行神蹟奇事。” 31 他們禱告完了,聚會的地方震動起來,他們都被聖靈充滿,放膽傳講 神的道。

信徒凡物公用

32 全體信徒一心一意,沒有一個人說自己的財物是自己的,他們凡物公用。 33 使徒大有能力,為主耶穌的復活作見證,眾人都蒙了大恩。 34 他們中間沒有一個有缺乏的,因為凡有田產房屋的都賣了,把得到的錢拿來, 35 放在使徒腳前,照著各人的需要來分配。 36 有一個人名叫約瑟,使徒稱他為巴拿巴,就是“安慰者”的意思,他是個利未人,生在塞浦路斯。 37 他賣掉了自己的田地,把錢拿來,放在使徒的腳前。

1 Peter and John,  3 are taken and brought before the council, 7 and 19 They speak boldly in Christ’s cause. 24 The disciples pray unto God. 32 Many sell their possessions. 36 Of whom Barnabas is one.

And [a]as they spake unto the people, the Priests and the [b]Captain of the Temple, and the Sadducees came upon them.

Taking it grievously that they taught the people, and preached in Jesus’ Name the resurrection from the dead.

And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold, until the next day, for it was now eventide.

Howbeit many of them which heard the word, believed, and the [c]number of the men was about five thousand.

¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that their [d]rulers, and Elders, and Scribes, were gathered together at Jerusalem,

And Annas the chief Priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the [e]kindred of the high Priest.

[f]And when they had set them before them, they asked, By what power, or in what [g]Name have ye done this?

Then Peter full of the holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and Elders of Israel,

[h]For as much as we this day are examined, of the good deed done to the impotent man, to wit, by what means he is made whole,

10 [i]Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye have crucified, whom God raised again from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you, whole.

11 (A)This is the stone cast aside of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for among men there is [j]given none other [k]Name [l]under heaven, whereby we must be saved.

13 [m]Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were unlearned men and without [n]knowledge, they marveled, and knew them, that they had been with Jesus:

14 And beholding also the man which was healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against it.

15 Then they commanded them to go aside out of the Council, and [o]conferred among themselves,

16 [p]Saying, What shall we do to these men? for surely a manifest sign is done by them, and it is openly known to all them that dwell in Jerusalem: and we cannot deny it.

17 But that it be noised no farther among the people, let us threaten and charge them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this Name.

18 So they called them, and commanded them, that in no wise they should speak or teach in the Name of Jesus.

19 [q]But Peter and John answered unto them, and said, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you rather than God, judge ye.

20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21 [r]So they threatened them, and let them go, and found nothing how to punish them, because of the people: for all men praised God for that which was done.

22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.

23 [s]Then as soon as they were let go, they came to their fellows, and showed all that the high Priests and Elders had said unto them.

24 [t]And when they heard it, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou art the God which had made the heaven, and the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them.

25 Which by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, (B)Why did the Gentiles rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26 The kings of the earth assembled, and the rulers came together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27 For doubtless, against thine holy Son Jesus, whom thou hadst anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the [u]people of Israel gathered themselves together.

28 To [v]do whatsoever [w]thine hand, and thy counsel had determined before to be done.

29 And now, O Lord, behold their threatenings, and grant unto thy servants with all boldness to speak thy word,

30 So that thou stretch forth thine hand that healing, and signs, and wonders may be done by the Name of thine holy Son Jesus.

31 [x]And when as they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God boldly.

32 [y]And the multitude of them that believed, were of [z]one heart, and of one soul: neither any of them said, that anything of that which he possessed, was his own, but they had all things (C)common.

33 And with great power gave the Apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 [aa]Neither was there any among them, that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the price of the things that were sold,

35 And laid it down at the Apostles’ feet, and it was distributed unto every man, according as he had need.

36 Also Joses which was called of the Apostles, Barnabas (that is by interpretation, the son of consolation) being a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37 Where as he had land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it down at the Apostles’ feet.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:1 None are commonly more diligent or bolder enemies of the Church, than such as profess themselves to be head builders: but the more they rage, the more constantly the faithful servants of God do continue.
  2. Acts 4:1 The Jews had certain garrisons for the guard and safety of the Temple and holy things, Matt. 26:65. These garrisons had a Captain, such as Eleazarus Ananias, the high Priest’s son was, in the time of the war that was in Judea, being a very impudent and proud young man, Josephus, lib. 2, of the taking of Judea.
  3. Acts 4:4 While they thought to diminish the number, they increased them.
  4. Acts 4:5 These were they that made the Sanhedrin, which were all of the tribe of Judah, until Herod used that cruelty against David’s stock.
  5. Acts 4:6 Of whom the high Priests were wont to be chosen and made, the execution of the yearly office being now changed them.
  6. Acts 4:7 Against such as brag of a succession of persons, without a succession of doctrine, and by that means beat down the true ministers of the word, so far forth as they are able.
  7. Acts 4:7 By what authority.
  8. Acts 4:9 Wolves which succeed true pastors plead their own cause, and not God’s neither the Churches’.
  9. Acts 4:10 He is indeed a true Shepherd, that teacheth his sheep to hang upon Christ only, as upon one that is not dead, but hath conquered death, and hath all rule in his own hand.
  10. Acts 4:12 Of God.
  11. Acts 4:12 There is no other man, or no other power and authority whatsoever: which kind of speech being usual among the Jews, rose upon this, that when we are in danger, we call upon them at whose hands we look for help.
  12. Acts 4:12 Anywhere: and this setteth forth unto us the largeness of Christ’s kingdom.
  13. Acts 4:13 The good liberty and boldness of the servants of God doeth yet thus much good that such as lay hid under a vizard of zeal, do at length bewray themselves to be indeed wicked men.
  14. Acts 4:13 The word used here, is Idiot, which being spoken in comparison had to a Magistrate, betokeneth a private man, but when we speak of sciences and studies, it signifieth one that is unlearned: and in accompt of honor and estimation it importeth one of base degree, and no estimation.
  15. Acts 4:15 Laid their heads together.
  16. Acts 4:16 He that flattereth himself in ignorance, cometh at length to do open wickedness, and that against his own conscience.
  17. Acts 4:19 We must so obey men to whom we are subject, that especially and before all things we obey God.
  18. Acts 4:21 So far off are the wicked from doing what they list, that contrariwise God useth even that to the setting forth of his glory, which he giveth them leave to do.
  19. Acts 4:23 The Apostles communicate their troubles with the Congregation.
  20. Acts 4:24 We ought neither to be afraid of the threatenings of our enemies, neither yet foolishly condemn their rage and madness against us: but we have to set against their force and malice, an earnest thinking upon the power and good will of God (both which we do manifestly behold in Christ) and so flee to the aid and succor of our Father.
  21. Acts 4:27 Although the people of Israel was but one people, yet the plural number is here used, not so much for the twelve tribes, every one of which made a people, as for the great multitude of them, as though many nations had assembled themselves together, as Judg. 5:14.
  22. Acts 4:28 The wicked execute God’s counsel, though they think nothing of it, but they are not therefore without fault.
  23. Acts 4:28 Thou hadst determined of thine absolute authority and power.
  24. Acts 4:31 God witnesseth to his Church by a visible sign, that it is he that will establish it by shaking the powers both of heaven and earth.
  25. Acts 4:32 An example of the true Church, wherein there is consent as well in doctrine as in charity one towards another: And the Pastors deliver true doctrine both sincerely, and constantly.
  26. Acts 4:32 They agreed both in counsel, will, and purposes.
  27. Acts 4:34 True charity helpeth the necessity of the poor with its own loss: but so, that all things be done well and orderly.