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イエスを信じる者になるサウロ

サウロは再びエルサレムで神を信じる仲間たちを怖がらせ、彼らを殺してやるとまで言っていた。サウロは大祭司のところへ行くと、 都市ダマスコにあるいくつかのユダヤ集会所シナゴグ宛に手紙を書いてほしいとお願いした。サウロは大祭司から、王であるイエスの道に従うダマスコにいる人たちを探し当てる権限が欲しかったのだ。その地域にいる信じる者たちを見つけたら男女問わず拘束こうそくし、エルサレムに連れ戻そうとしていたのだ。 そのためサウロはダマスコに向かった。ダマスコまであと少しというところで・・・突然・・・天からのものすごいまぶしい光が彼の周りを照らした。 彼が地面に倒れ込むと、語りかけてくる声が聞こえた。「サウロ、サウロ・・・なぜ、わたしを迫害するのか?」

サウロは言った。「しゅ、主よ!あなたは誰ですか?」

その声が答えた。「わたしはお前が迫害しているイエスだ。 起き上がって、街に行くんだ。そこにいるある者が、お前にするべきことを伝えてくれる」

サウロのそばには男たちも一緒にいたが、彼らは何も話すことができなかった。サウロの耳に声は聞こえていたが、そこには誰も見えなかった。 サウロは地面から立ち上がり、目を開けた。しかし、彼の目はなにも見ることが出来なくなっていた。そこで、男たちはサウロの手を引いてダマスコまで連れて行った。 3日間、サウロは見ることが出来なかった。そしてその期間、食べたり飲んだりすることもしなかった。

10 ダマスコにはアナニヤという、王であるイエスを信じる者がいた。ビジョンの中で神が彼に語った。「アナニヤ!」

アナニヤは答えた。「王よ、私はここにおります」

11 神は彼に言った。「起き上がって『まっすぐの道』と呼ばれる通りに行きなさい。そこでユダ【使徒のユダではない】の家を見つけ、タルソ出身のサウロという男がいるかと尋ねなさい。彼は今そこにいて、祈っている。 12 彼はアナニヤという名前の男が自分のもとにやって来て、その男の手が自分に置かれると、また目が見えるようになるというビジョンを見ている」

13 だが、アナニヤは答えた。「王よ、たくさんの人からこの男について聞いております。あなたの聖なる国民であるエルサレムの人々に対して行ってきた、多くの悪い話を聞いております。 14 そして今、彼はこのダマスコの地を訪れています。そして祭司長たちは、彼に権限を与えたのです。あなたを信頼する全ての人を捕まえる権限です」

15 だが神はアナニヤに言った。「行くのだ!わたしは重要な働きのためにサウロを選んだ。わたしは彼に、わたしのことについて、他の国々に、支配者に、イスラエルの人々に語ってほしいのだ。 16 わたしは彼にそれを全て示す・・・彼がわたしのために苦しまなければならないということを・・・」

17 そこで、アナニヤはその場を離れてユダの家に向かった。彼はサウロに手を置いて言った。「兄弟サウロよ、王であるイエスは私をつかわした。あなたがここに来る途中に見た、そのお方です。あなたがもう一度見えるようになるために、また聖霊ホーリースピリットによって満たされるように、イエスは私をつかわした!」 18 すると、すぐに、魚のウロコのようなものがサウロの目から落ちた。彼は見えるようになったのだ!それからサウロは起き上がり、そのまま洗礼を受けた。 19 サウロが食事を済ますと、再び強さがみなぎり始めた。

イエスについて人々に伝え始めるサウロ

サウロはイエスの弟子たちと一緒に、数日間ダマスコで過ごした。 20 その後すぐに彼はユダヤ集会所シナゴグに行き、イエスについて人々に話し始めた。彼は人々に、「イエスは神の子だ!」と伝えたのだ。

21 サウロの口からそのことを聞いた全ての人は驚いた。彼らはこう尋ねた。「この人は、エルサレムにいた、あのイエスを信頼する人々を滅ぼそうとしていた人と同じ人じゃないですか?それこそ、彼がここに来た理由ですよね?彼はイエスの弟子たちを逮捕し、彼らを祭司長たちのもとへ連れ戻そうとしていたはずでは・・・!」

22 しかし、サウロはイエスが救い主メシヤであることを証明することで、ますます力強く語った。彼の証言はとてもパワフルだったので、ダマスコに住んでいたユダヤ人たちは彼に反論することができなかった。

ユダヤ人から逃げていくサウロ

23 数日後・・・何人かのユダヤ人がサウロを殺す計画を立てた。 24 彼らユダヤ人は昼も夜も、街の門を見張っていた。サウロを殺そうとしていたが、サウロは彼らの思惑を理解していたのだ。 25 ある日の夜・・・サウロが教えを伝えた人たちが彼を街から逃げられるようにと手助けをした。彼らはサウロをかごに入れ、城壁の穴を通して吊り降ろした。

エルサレムでのサウロ

26 サウロがエルサレムに行った時、そこで彼は弟子たちのグループに加わろうとした。しかし、彼らはみんなサウロを恐れていた。サウロが本当にイエスを信じる者になったのか信じきれなかったのだ。 27 だが、バルナバはサウロを受け入れ、彼を使徒たちのところへ連れていってくれた。バルナバはサウロが道でイエスを見た事やイエスがサウロに語ったことを使徒たちに伝えた。それから、サウロが都市ダマスコでイエスについてどれだけ大胆に語ったのかを説明したのだ。

28 こうしてサウロは信じる仲間たちと共にエルサレム中を周り、神のために大胆に語った。 29 サウロはよくギリシャ語を話すユダヤ人と口論をしていた。こうして、彼らユダヤ人たちは、サウロを殺す計画を立て始めたのだ。 30 信じる仲間たちがその計画を知った時、彼らはサウロを港湾こうわん都市カイザリヤに連れていき、そこから港のみやこタルソに彼を送った。

31 ユダヤ、ガリラヤ、サマリアの全ての教会に平和な時が訪れた・・・そして、聖霊ホーリースピリットの助けと共に、この信じる仲間たちの信仰はさらに強くなり、彼らは王であるイエスへの深い敬意を彼らの生き方で示すようになっていったのだ。こうして、そこら中の教会に人が増えていったのだ。

ルダの町と港町ヨッパにいるペテロ

32 ペテロは、これらの地域にある全ての場所を旅しながら、ルダの町に住む信じる仲間たちのもとを訪れていた。 33 ペテロはそこで、体の麻痺まひが理由で8年間寝たきりだったアイネヤという男に出会った。 34 ペテロは彼に言った。「アイネヤ!イエス・キリストがあなたをいやす。起き上がって、布団ふとんを片付けるんだ!」彼はすぐに起き上がった。 35 ルダの町とサロン平原の人たちはみんな、アイネヤの姿を見て、王であるイエスに従うことを決意した。

36 ヨッパの町にはタビタという信じる女性がいた。彼女のギリシャ語の名前はドルカスと言い、その意味は鹿しかであった。彼女はいつも人々に良いことをし、貧しい人にはお金を与えていた。 37 しかし、ペテロがルダの町にいる間、タビタは病気になって亡くなってしまったのだ。彼らは彼女の体を丁寧に洗い、2階に安置していた。 38 港町ヨッパの信じる仲間たちは、ルダの町にペテロがいることを聞いた。その場所はそこまで遠くはない所だった。そこで彼らは2人の男をつかわし、ペテロにお願いした。「頼む、急いでくれ、早く来てほしいんだ!」

39 ペテロは支度を整え、一緒に出かけて行った。彼が到着すると、彼らはペテロを2階の部屋に連れて行った。すると、全ての未亡人が彼の周りに立つと、彼女たちは泣きながら、タビタが一緒にいた間に作った上着や服などをペテロに見せた。 40 ペテロは全員を部屋から出すと、彼はひざまずいて祈った。それから彼はタビタの体の向きを変えて言った。「タビタ、起きなさい!」すると、彼女は目を開けた。彼女はペテロを見ると、起き上がったのだ。 41 ペテロは彼女の手を取って、立ち上がらせた。その後、ペテロは信じる仲間たちと未亡人たちを部屋に集めた。ペテロは彼らにタビタを見せた。タビタが生きていたのだ!

42 この出来事はヨッパのいたるところで広まり、たくさんの人が王であるイエスを信じたのだ。 43 ペテロは港町ヨッパのかわ職人・シモンという男のところにしばらく滞在することにした。

Saul’s Conversion(A)

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.(B) He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,(C) so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,(D) whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.(E) He fell to the ground and heard a voice(F) say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”(G)

The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound(H) but did not see anyone.(I) Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.(J) So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,(K) “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus(L) named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on(M) him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people(N) in Jerusalem.(O) 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests(P) to arrest all who call on your name.”(Q)

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument(R) to proclaim my name to the Gentiles(S) and their kings(T) and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”(U)

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on(V) Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”(W) 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,(X) 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples(Y) in Damascus.(Z) 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues(AA) that Jesus is the Son of God.(AB) 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?(AC) And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”(AD) 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.(AE)

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,(AF) 24 but Saul learned of their plan.(AG) Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.(AH)

26 When he came to Jerusalem,(AI) he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas(AJ) took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him,(AK) and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.(AL) 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a](AM) but they tried to kill him.(AN) 30 When the believers(AO) learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea(AP) and sent him off to Tarsus.(AQ)

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria(AR) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.(AS)

Aeneas and Dorcas

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people(AT) who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you.(AU) Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon(AV) saw him and turned to the Lord.(AW)

36 In Joppa(AX) there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good(AY) and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.(AZ) 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples(BA) heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows(BB) stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room;(BC) then he got down on his knees(BD) and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.”(BE) She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.(BF) 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.(BG)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:29 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.