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巴拿巴和掃羅奉差遣

13 安提阿教會中,有幾位先知和教師,就是巴拿巴、名叫尼結的西面、古利奈人路求、與分封王希律一同長大的馬念,和掃羅。 他們事奉主,並且禁食的時候,聖靈說:“要為我把巴拿巴和掃羅分別出來,去作我呼召他們作的工。” 於是他們禁食禱告,為兩人按手,就派他們去了。

第一次宣教旅程

他們既然奉聖靈差遣,就下到西流基,從那裡坐船往塞浦路斯。 他們到了撒拉米,就在猶太人的各會堂裡宣講 神的道,還有約翰作他們的助手。 他們走遍全島,到了帕弗,遇見一個猶太人,名叫巴.耶穌,是個術士,又是個假先知。 他常常和省長士求.保羅在一起;省長是個聰明人,他請了巴拿巴和掃羅來,要聽聽 神的道。 但術士以呂馬(以呂馬就是“術士”的意思)與使徒作對,要使省長轉離真道。 掃羅,也就是保羅,卻被聖靈充滿,定睛看著他, 10 說:“你這充滿各樣詭詐和各樣奸惡的人,魔鬼的兒子,公義的仇敵!你歪曲了主的正路,還不停止嗎? 11 你看,現在主的手臨到你,你要瞎了眼睛,暫時看不見陽光。”他就立刻被霧和黑暗籠罩著,周圍找人牽他的手,給他領路。 12 那時,省長看見了所發生的事,就信了,因為他驚奇主的教訓。

在彼西底的安提阿

13 保羅和同伴從帕弗開船,來到旁非利亞的別加,約翰卻離開他們,回耶路撒冷去了。 14 他們從別加往前走,到了彼西底的安提阿,在安息日進了會堂,就坐下來。 15 宣讀了律法和先知書以後,會堂的理事們派人到他們那裡來,說:“弟兄們,如果有甚麼勸勉眾人的話,請說吧!” 16 保羅就站起來,作了一個手勢,說:

“以色列人和敬畏 神的人,請聽! 17 以色列民的 神,揀選了我們的祖先;當他們在埃及地寄居的時候, 神抬舉這民,用大能(“大能”原文作“高”)的膀臂,把他們從那地領出來; 18 又在曠野容忍(“容忍”有些抄本作“養育”)他們,約有四十年之久; 19 滅了迦南地的七族之後,就把那地分給他們為業; 20 這一切歷時約四百五十年。後來 神賜給他們士師,直到撒母耳先知為止。 21 那時,他們要求立一個王, 神就把便雅憫支派中一個人,基士的兒子掃羅,賜給他們作王,共四十年之久。 22 廢去掃羅之後,又為他們興起大衛作王,並且為他作證說:‘我找到耶西的兒子大衛,他是合我心意的人,必遵行我的一切旨意。’ 23  神照著應許,已經從這人的後裔中,給以色列帶來了一位救主,就是耶穌。 24 在他來臨之前,約翰早已向以色列全民宣講悔改的洗禮。 25 約翰快要跑完他的路程的時候,說:‘你們以為我是誰?我不是基督。他是在我以後來的,我就是給他解腳上的鞋帶也不配。’

26 “弟兄們,亞伯拉罕的子孫,和你們中間敬畏 神的人哪,這救恩之道是傳給我們的。 27 住在耶路撒冷的人和他們的官長,因為不認識基督,也不明白每逢安息日所讀的先知的話,就把他定了罪,正好應驗了先知的話。 28 他們雖然找不出該死的罪狀,還是要求彼拉多殺害他。 29 他們把所記載一切關於他的事作成了,就把他從木頭上取下來,放在墳墓裡。 30 但 神卻使他從死人中復活了。 31 有許多日子,他向那些跟他一同從加利利上耶路撒冷的人顯現,現在這些人在民眾面前作了他的見證人, 32 我們報好信息給你們: 神給列祖的應許, 33 藉著耶穌的復活,向我們這些作子孫的應驗了。就如詩篇第二篇所記的:

‘你是我的兒子,

我今日生了你。’

34 至於 神使他從死人中復活,不再歸於朽壞,他曾這樣說:

‘我必把應許大衛的、神聖可靠的恩福賜給你們。’

35 所以他在另一篇說:

‘你必不容你的聖者見朽壞。’

36 “大衛在他自己的世代裡,遵行了 神的計劃,就睡了,歸回他列祖那裡,見了朽壞。 37 唯獨 神所復活的那一位,沒有見過朽壞。 38 所以弟兄們,你們當知道,赦罪之道是由這位耶穌傳給你們的。在你們靠摩西律法不能稱義的一切事上, 39 信靠他的人就得稱義了。 40 你們要小心,免得先知書上所說的臨到你們:

41 ‘傲慢的人哪!

你們要看、要驚奇、要滅亡,

因為在你們的日子,我要作一件事,

就算有人告訴你們,你們總是不信。’”

42 保羅和巴拿巴出來的時候,眾人請求他們下一個安息日再對他們講這些話。 43 散會以後,許多猶太人和歸信猶太教的虔誠人,跟從了保羅和巴拿巴。兩人對他們談話,勉勵他們要恆久住在 神的恩典中。

44 下一個安息日,幾乎全城的人都聚了來,要聽主的道。 45 猶太人看見這麼多人,就滿心嫉妒,反駁保羅所講的,並且毀謗他們。 46 保羅和巴拿巴卻放膽說:“ 神的道,先講給你們聽,是應該的。但因為你們棄絕這道,斷定自己不配得永生,所以我們現在就轉向外族人去了。 47 因為主曾這樣吩咐我們說:

‘我已立你作外族人的光,

使你把救恩帶到地極去。’”

48 外族人聽見了就歡喜,讚美主的道,凡指定得永生的都信了。 49 於是主的道傳遍那地。 50 但猶太人唆使虔誠尊貴的婦女和城內的顯要,煽動大家迫害保羅和巴拿巴,把他們驅逐出境。 51 兩人當眾跺掉腳上的塵土,往以哥念去了。 52 門徒滿有喜樂,又被聖靈充滿。

巴拿巴和扫罗接受差遣

13 安提阿教会中有几位先知和教师,就是巴拿巴、绰号“黑人”的希缅、古利奈人路求、与分封王希律一同长大的马念以及扫罗。 一天,他们正在敬拜主、禁食的时候,圣灵对他们说:“要为我把巴拿巴和扫罗分别出来,好让他们做我呼召他们去做的事。” 于是,他们禁食祷告并把手按在巴拿巴和扫罗身上,然后差遣他们出去。

二人受圣灵差遣,下到西流基,从那里乘船去塞浦路斯。 他们到了撒拉米,就在当地的犹太会堂传讲上帝的道。约翰·马可做他们的助手。

他们走遍全岛,远至帕弗,在那里遇见一个冒充先知的犹太术士巴·耶稣。 这人和当地的士求·保罗总督常有来往。士求·保罗是个聪明人,他邀请了巴拿巴和扫罗来,要听上帝的道。 但希腊名字叫以吕马的那个术士反对使徒,试图拦阻总督信主。 又名扫罗的保罗被圣灵充满,盯着他说: 10 “你这魔鬼的儿子,充满了诡诈和邪恶,是一切正义之敌,到现在还想歪曲主的正道吗? 11 现在主要亲手惩罚你,使你瞎眼,暂时不见天日!”

他顿觉眼前一片漆黑,只好四处摸索,求人领他走路。 12 总督看见所发生的事,对主的道感到惊奇,就信了。

保罗传扬基督

13 保罗和同伴从帕弗乘船到旁非利亚的别加。约翰·马可在那里离开他们回耶路撒冷去了。 14 他们由别加继续前行,来到彼西底区的安提阿。在安息日那天,他们进了会堂坐下来。 15 读完律法书和先知书后,会堂主管派人告诉他们:“弟兄们,如果你们有什么劝勉众人的话,请讲。”

16 保罗站起来向大家挥手示意,说:“各位以色列同胞和各位敬畏上帝的外族朋友们,请听我说。 17 以色列的上帝拣选了我们的祖先,让他们在埃及寄居期间人丁兴旺成为大族,后来祂伸出臂膀带领他们离开埃及。 18 他们在旷野漂泊的那四十年间,上帝一直照顾、容忍他们。 19 后来上帝又灭了迦南境内的七族,把土地分给他们作产业。 20 前后历时约四百五十年。之后,上帝又为他们设立士师,直到撒母耳先知的时代。

21 “后来,他们求上帝为他们立一位王,上帝就选立便雅悯支派中基士的儿子扫罗为王,执政四十年。 22 之后,上帝废掉扫罗,选立大卫做王,并为他作证说,‘我找到了耶西的儿子大卫,他是合我心意的人,他必遵行我一切的旨意。’ 23 上帝照自己的应许,从大卫的后裔中为以色列人立了一位救主,就是耶稣。 24 在耶稣还未公开露面以前,约翰已经劝告以色列人要悔改,接受洗礼。 25 约翰在工作快要完成的时候说,‘你们以为我是谁?我不是基督。在我之后来的那位,我连给祂解鞋带也不配。’

26 “弟兄们,各位亚伯拉罕的子孙和敬畏上帝的外族人啊,这救恩之道原是传给我们的。 27 可是耶路撒冷的人和他们的官长不知道耶稣是基督,虽然每个安息日都诵读先知的信息,却把基督判死罪。这正应验了先知们的话。 28 他们虽然找不到判祂死罪的理由,却强求彼拉多将祂处死。 29 祂受死的记载全部应验之后,有人把祂从十字架上取下来,安放在石墓里。 30 但上帝却使祂从死里复活。 31 之后有许多天,那些从加利利跟随祂上耶路撒冷的人都看见过祂,他们如今在百姓中都是祂的见证人。 32 我们要报给你们一个好消息,上帝给我们祖先的应许, 33 祂借着使耶稣复活已为我们做子孙的成就了。正如诗篇第二篇所说,

“‘你是我的儿子,
我今日成为你父亲。’

34 圣经曾这样记载上帝使祂从死里复活、永不朽坏的事,

“‘我必将应许大卫的圣洁、
可靠的恩福赐给你们。’

35 又在诗篇上说,

“‘你必不让你的圣者身体朽坏。’

36 “大卫在世时遵行上帝的旨意,最后死了,葬在他祖先那里,肉身也朽坏了。 37 然而,上帝使之复活的那位却没有朽坏。 38 所以,弟兄们,你们应该知道,赦罪的信息是借着耶稣传给你们的。 39 你们靠遵行摩西律法不能被称为义人,只有信靠耶稣才能被称为义人。 40 你们要当心,免得先知说的话应验在你们身上,

41 “‘藐视真理的人啊,看吧!
你们要在惊惧中灭亡,
因为我要在你们的时代行一件事,
即使有人告诉你们,
你们也不会信。’”

42 保罗和巴拿巴离开会堂时,会堂里的人请求他们下一个安息日再来讲道。 43 许多犹太人和诚心改信犹太教的外族人都跟随保罗和巴拿巴,二人就与他们谈论,劝勉他们要坚定不移地信靠上帝的恩典。

44 到了下一个安息日,几乎全城的人都聚集起来,要听上帝的道。 45 犹太人看见那么多人聚集,充满嫉妒,便反驳保罗所讲的,诽谤他。 46 保罗和巴拿巴毫不畏惧地说:“上帝的道本该先传给你们,你们既然拒绝接受,认为自己不配得永生,我们现在就把这道传给外族人。 47 因为主这样吩咐我们,

“‘我已使你成为外族人的光,
好把救恩带到地极。’”

48 外族人听后,非常欢喜,颂赞主的道。凡被选定得永生的人都信了主。 49 主的道传遍了那个地方。

50 但犹太人煽动虔诚的贵妇和城中显要迫害保罗和巴拿巴,将二人赶出城去。 51 保罗和巴拿巴便当众跺掉脚上的尘土[a],去了以哥念。 52 门徒满心喜乐,被圣灵充满。

Footnotes

  1. 13:51 表示两不相干,参见马太福音10:14

Barnabas, Saul, and Doctor Know-It-All

13 1-2 The congregation in Antioch was blessed with a number of prophet-preachers and teachers:

Barnabas,

Simon, nicknamed Niger,

Lucius the Cyrenian,

Manaen, an advisor to the ruler Herod,

Saul.

One day as they were worshiping God—they were also fasting as they waited for guidance—the Holy Spirit spoke: “Take Barnabas and Saul and commission them for the work I have called them to do.”

So they commissioned them. In that circle of intensity and obedience, of fasting and praying, they laid hands on their heads and sent them off.

4-5 Sent off on their new assignment by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul went down to Seleucia and caught a ship for Cyprus. The first thing they did when they put in at Salamis was preach God’s Word in the Jewish meeting places. They had John along to help out as needed.

6-7 They traveled the length of the island, and at Paphos came upon a Jewish wizard who had worked himself into the confidence of the governor, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man not easily taken in by charlatans. The wizard’s name was Bar-Jesus. He was as crooked as a corkscrew.

7-11 The governor invited Barnabas and Saul in, wanting to hear God’s Word firsthand from them. But Dr. Know-It-All (that’s the wizard’s name in plain English) stirred up a ruckus, trying to divert the governor from becoming a believer. But Saul (or Paul), full of the Holy Spirit and looking him straight in the eye, said, “You bag of wind, you parody of a devil—why, you stay up nights inventing schemes to cheat people out of God. But now you’ve come up against God himself, and your game is up. You’re about to go blind—no sunlight for you for a good long stretch.” He was plunged immediately into a shadowy mist and stumbled around, begging people to take his hand and show him the way.

12 When the governor saw what happened, he became a believer, full of enthusiasm over what they were saying about the Master.

Don’t Take This Lightly

13-14 From Paphos, Paul and company put out to sea, sailing on to Perga in Pamphylia. That’s where John called it quits and went back to Jerusalem. From Perga the rest of them traveled on to Antioch in Pisidia.

14-15 On the Sabbath they went to the meeting place and took their places. After the reading of the Scriptures—God’s Law and the Prophets—the president of the meeting asked them, “Friends, do you have anything you want to say? A word of encouragement, perhaps?”

16-20 Paul stood up, paused and took a deep breath, then said, “Fellow Israelites and friends of God, listen. God took a special interest in our ancestors, pulled our people who were beaten down in Egyptian exile to their feet, and led them out of there in grand style. He took good care of them for nearly forty years in that godforsaken wilderness and then, having wiped out seven enemies who stood in the way, gave them the land of Canaan for their very own—a span in all of about 450 years.

20-22 “Up to the time of Samuel the prophet, God provided judges to lead them. But then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul, son of Kish, out of the tribe of Benjamin. After Saul had ruled forty years, God removed him from office and put King David in his place, with this commendation: ‘I’ve searched the land and found this David, son of Jesse. He’s a man whose heart beats to my heart, a man who will do what I tell him.’

23-25 “From out of David’s descendants God produced a Savior for Israel, Jesus, exactly as he promised—but only after John had thoroughly alerted the people to his arrival by preparing them for a total life-change. As John was finishing up his work, he said, ‘Did you think I was the One? No, I’m not the One. But the One you’ve been waiting for all these years is just around the corner, about to appear. And I’m about to disappear.’

26-29 “Dear brothers and sisters, children of Abraham, and friends of God, this message of salvation has been precisely targeted to you. The citizens and rulers in Jerusalem didn’t recognize who he was and condemned him to death. They couldn’t find a good reason, but demanded that Pilate execute him anyway. They did just what the prophets said they would do, but had no idea they were following to the letter the script of the prophets, even though those same prophets are read every Sabbath in their meeting places.

29-31 “After they had done everything the prophets said they would do, they took him down from the cross and buried him. And then God raised him from death. There is no disputing that—he appeared over and over again many times and places to those who had known him well in the Galilean years, and these same people continue to give witness that he is alive.

32-35 “And we’re here today bringing you good news: the Message that what God promised the fathers has come true for the children—for us! He raised Jesus, exactly as described in the second Psalm:

My Son! My very own Son!
Today I celebrate you!

“When he raised him from the dead, he did it for good—no going back to that rot and decay for him. That’s why Isaiah said, ‘I’ll give to all of you David’s guaranteed blessings.’ So also the psalmist’s prayer: ‘You’ll never let your Holy One see death’s rot and decay.’

36-39 “David, of course, having completed the work God set out for him, has been in the grave, dust and ashes, a long time now. But the One God raised up—no dust and ashes for him! I want you to know, my very dear friends, that it is on account of this resurrected Jesus that the forgiveness of your sins can be promised. He accomplishes, in those who believe, everything that the Law of Moses could never make good on. But everyone who believes in this raised-up Jesus is declared good and right and whole before God.

40-41 “Don’t take this lightly. You don’t want the prophet’s revelation to describe you:

Watch out, cynics;
Look hard—watch your world fall to pieces.
I’m doing something right before your eyes
That you won’t believe, though it’s staring you in the face.”

42-43 When the service was over, Paul and Barnabas were invited back to preach again the next Sabbath. As the meeting broke up, a good many Jews and converts to Judaism went along with Paul and Barnabas, who urged them in long conversations to stick with what they’d started, this living in and by God’s grace.

44-45 When the next Sabbath came around, practically the whole city showed up to hear the Word of God. Some of the Jews, seeing the crowds, went wild with jealousy and tore into Paul, contradicting everything he was saying, making an ugly scene.

46-47 But Paul and Barnabas didn’t back down. Standing their ground they said, “It was required that God’s Word be spoken first of all to you, the Jews. But seeing that you want no part of it—you’ve made it quite clear that you have no taste or inclination for eternal life—the door is open to all the outsiders. And we’re on our way through it, following orders, doing what God commanded when he said,

I’ve set you up
    as light to all nations.
You’ll proclaim salvation
    to the four winds and seven seas!”

48-49 When the non-Jewish outsiders heard this, they could hardly believe their good fortune. All who were marked out for real life put their trust in God—they honored God’s Word by receiving that life. And this Message of salvation spread like wildfire all through the region.

50-52 Some of the Jews convinced the most respected women and leading men of the town that their precious way of life was about to be destroyed. Alarmed, they turned on Paul and Barnabas and forced them to leave. Paul and Barnabas shrugged their shoulders and went on to the next town, Iconium, brimming with joy and the Holy Spirit, two happy disciples.

* * *