提摩太加入福音事工

16 保罗来到特庇,然后又到路司得。那里有个门徒名叫提摩太,母亲是信主的犹太人,父亲是希腊人。 路司得和以哥念的弟兄姊妹都称赞提摩太。 保罗打算带提摩太去传福音。因为当地的犹太人都知道提摩太的父亲是希腊人,保罗就给提摩太行了割礼。 他们走遍各城,把耶路撒冷的使徒和长老所定下的规条教导当地的门徒遵守。 这样,众教会在信仰上得到坚固,人数天天都在增加。

马其顿人的呼求

由于圣灵阻止他们到亚细亚传福音,他们便经过弗吕迦和加拉太地区, 来到每西亚的边界,正要进入庇推尼地区,耶稣的灵又加以拦阻。 他们就越过每西亚,下到特罗亚。 当天晚上,保罗在异象中看见一个马其顿人站在那里恳求他:“请到马其顿来帮助我们!”

10 保罗见了这个异象,确信是上帝呼召我们[a]到马其顿去传福音,就立刻准备动身。 11 我们从特罗亚启航,直接驶往撒摩特喇,第二天抵达尼亚坡里, 12 再从那里来到腓立比。腓立比是马其顿的主要城市,是罗马帝国的殖民地。我们在那里住了几天。 13 安息日那天,我们到城外的河边,知道那里有一个祷告的地方,就坐下来,向已经聚集的妇女讲道。 14 听众中有个卖紫色布匹的妇人名叫吕底亚,是推雅推喇城的人,向来敬拜上帝。上帝开启她的心,她便留心听保罗讲道。 15 吕底亚和家人接受洗礼之后,极力邀请我们,说:“如果你们认为我是真心信主的话,请来我家住。”于是强留我们住下。

保罗和西拉入狱

16 一天,我们又去河边那个祷告的地方,途中遇到一个被巫鬼附身的女奴。她用占卜为她的主人们赚了不少钱。 17 她跟着保罗和我们大喊大叫:“这些人是至高上帝的奴仆,是来向你们宣讲得救之道的。” 18 一连几天,她都这样喊叫。保罗不胜其烦,就转过身来斥责那鬼:“我奉耶稣基督的名命令你从她身上出来!”那鬼立刻从她身上出去了。

19 她的主人们眼见财路断绝了,就把保罗和西拉揪住,拖到广场去见官长。 20 他们在官长面前控告保罗和西拉,说:“这些是犹太人,竟扰乱我们的城市, 21 宣扬我们罗马人不可接受或实行的风俗。” 22 于是,大家都一起攻击他们,官长下令剥掉他们的衣服,杖打他们。 23 他们被毒打一顿,又被关进监狱,官长命狱卒严密看守。 24 狱卒接到命令后把他们关进内牢,双脚上了枷锁。

25 半夜,保罗和西拉祷告、唱诗赞美上帝,其他的囚犯都侧耳倾听。 26 突然间发生大地震,整座监狱的地基都摇动起来,牢门立刻全开了,囚犯的锁链也都松开了。 27 狱卒惊醒后,看见牢门尽开,以为囚犯已经逃走了,就想拔刀自杀。 28 保罗见状,大声喝止:“不要伤害自己,我们都在这里!”

29 狱卒叫人拿灯过来,冲进内牢,战战兢兢地俯伏在保罗和西拉面前。 30 狱卒领他们出来后问道:“两位先生,我该怎样做才能得救?”

31 他们说:“要信主耶稣,你和你一家就必定得救。” 32 于是保罗和西拉向狱卒和他全家传讲主的道。 33 当晚,狱卒把二人带去,为他们清洗伤口。他一家老小都接受了洗礼。 34 他请二人到家里吃饭,他和全家人充满了喜乐,因为都信了上帝。

35 第二天早上,官长派差役来,说:“把他们放了。” 36 狱卒转告保罗说:“官长下令释放你们,现在你们可以平安地走了。” 37 保罗却说:“我们是罗马公民,他们不经审讯就当众打我们,又把我们关进牢里,现在却想偷偷打发掉我们吗?这样不行,叫他们亲自来领我们出去!”

38 差役回报官长。官长得知保罗和西拉都是罗马公民,非常害怕, 39 连忙到狱中向他们道歉,领他们出监,又央求他们离开腓立比。 40 二人离开监狱,来到吕底亚家中,见了弟兄姊妹,劝勉一番之后,便离开了那里。

Footnotes

  1. 16:10 本书作者路加此时加入保罗的行列,故改用第一人称复数“我们”。

提摩太加入福音事工

16 保羅來到特庇,然後又到路司得。那裡有個門徒名叫提摩太,母親是信主的猶太人,父親是希臘人。 路司得和以哥念的弟兄姊妹都稱讚提摩太。 保羅打算帶提摩太去傳福音。因為當地的猶太人都知道提摩太的父親是希臘人,保羅就給提摩太行了割禮。 他們走遍各城,把耶路撒冷的使徒和長老所定下的規條教導當地的門徒遵守。 這樣,眾教會在信仰上得到堅固,人數天天都在增加。

馬其頓人的呼求

由於聖靈阻止他們到亞細亞傳福音,他們便經過弗呂迦和加拉太地區, 來到每西亞的邊界,正要進入庇推尼地區,耶穌的靈又加以攔阻。 他們就越過每西亞,下到特羅亞。 當天晚上,保羅在異象中看見一個馬其頓人站在那裡懇求他:「請到馬其頓來幫助我們!」

10 保羅見了這個異象,確信是上帝呼召我們[a]到馬其頓去傳福音,就立刻準備動身。 11 我們從特羅亞啟航,直接駛往撒摩特喇,第二天抵達尼亞坡里, 12 再從那裡來到腓立比。腓立比是馬其頓的主要城市,是羅馬帝國的殖民地。我們在那裡住了幾天。 13 安息日那天,我們到城外的河邊,知道那裡有一個禱告的地方,就坐下來,向已經聚集的婦女講道。 14 聽眾中有個賣紫色布匹的婦人名叫呂底亞,是推雅推喇城的人,向來敬拜上帝。上帝開啟她的心,她便留心聽保羅講道。 15 呂底亞和家人接受洗禮之後,極力邀請我們,說:「如果你們認為我是真心信主的話,請來我家住。」於是強留我們住下。

保羅和西拉入獄

16 一天,我們又去河邊那個禱告的地方,途中遇到一個被巫鬼附身的女奴。她用占卜為她的主人們賺了不少錢。 17 她跟著保羅和我們大喊大叫:「這些人是至高上帝的奴僕,是來向你們宣講得救之道的。」 18 一連幾天,她都這樣喊叫。保羅不勝其煩,就轉過身來斥責那鬼:「我奉耶穌基督的名命令你從她身上出來!」那鬼立刻從她身上出去了。

19 她的主人們眼見財路斷絕了,就把保羅和西拉揪住,拖到廣場去見官長。 20 他們在官長面前控告保羅和西拉,說:「這些是猶太人,竟擾亂我們的城市, 21 宣揚我們羅馬人不可接受或實行的風俗。」 22 於是,大家都一起攻擊他們,官長下令剝掉他們的衣服,杖打他們。 23 他們被毒打一頓,又被關進監獄,官長命獄卒嚴密看守。 24 獄卒接到命令後把他們關進內牢,雙腳上了枷鎖。

25 半夜,保羅和西拉禱告、唱詩讚美上帝,其他的囚犯都側耳傾聽。 26 突然間發生大地震,整座監獄的地基都搖動起來,牢門立刻全開了,囚犯的鎖鏈也都鬆開了。 27 獄卒驚醒後,看見牢門盡開,以為囚犯已經逃走了,就想拔刀自殺。 28 保羅見狀,大聲喝止:「不要傷害自己,我們都在這裡!」

29 獄卒叫人拿燈過來,衝進內牢,戰戰兢兢地俯伏在保羅和西拉面前。 30 獄卒領他們出來後問道:「兩位先生,我該怎樣做才能得救?」

31 他們說:「要信主耶穌,你和你一家就必定得救。」 32 於是保羅和西拉向獄卒和他全家傳講主的道。 33 當晚,獄卒把二人帶去,為他們清洗傷口。他一家老小都接受了洗禮。 34 他請二人到家裡吃飯,他和全家人充滿了喜樂,因為都信了上帝。

35 第二天早上,官長派差役來,說:「把他們放了。」 36 獄卒轉告保羅說:「官長下令釋放你們,現在你們可以平安地走了。」 37 保羅卻說:「我們是羅馬公民,他們不經審訊就當眾打我們,又把我們關進牢裡,現在卻想偷偷打發掉我們嗎?這樣不行,叫他們親自來領我們出去!」

38 差役回報官長。官長得知保羅和西拉都是羅馬公民,非常害怕, 39 連忙到獄中向他們道歉,領他們出監,又央求他們離開腓立比。 40 二人離開監獄,來到呂底亞家中,見了弟兄姊妹,勸勉一番之後,便離開了那裡。

Footnotes

  1. 16·10 本書作者路加此時加入保羅的行列,故改用第一人稱複數「我們」。

16 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.

36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

The Macedonian Vision

16 Now Paul also came to (A)Derbe and to (B)Lystra. And a disciple was there, named (C)Timothy, the son of a (D)Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, and he was well spoken of by (E)the brothers and sisters who were in (F)Lystra and (G)Iconium. Paul wanted this man to leave with him; and he (H)took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering (I)the ordinances for them to follow which had been determined by (J)the apostles and (K)elders in Jerusalem. So (L)the churches were being strengthened [a]in the faith, and were (M)increasing in number daily.

They passed through the [b](N)Phrygian and (O)Galatian region, after being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in [c](P)Asia; and after they came to (Q)Mysia, they were trying to go into (R)Bithynia, and the (S)Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; and passing by (T)Mysia, they went down to (U)Troas. (V)And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of (W)Macedonia was standing and pleading with him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 When he had seen (X)the vision, (Y)we immediately sought to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to (Z)preach the gospel to them.

11 So after setting sail from (AA)Troas, we ran (AB)a straight course to Samothrace, and on the following day to Neapolis; 12 and from there to (AC)Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of (AD)Macedonia, (AE)a Roman colony; and we were spending some days in this city. 13 And on (AF)the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were thinking that there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.

First Convert in Europe

14 A woman named Lydia was listening; she was a seller of purple fabrics from the city of (AG)Thyatira, and (AH)a worshiper of God. [d]The Lord (AI)opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. 15 Now when she and (AJ)her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

16 It happened that as we were going to (AK)the place of prayer, a slave woman who had (AL)a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing great profit to her masters by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us and cried out repeatedly, saying, “These men are bond-servants of (AM)the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you a way of salvation.” 18 Now she continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and he turned and said to the spirit, “I command you (AN)in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very [e]moment.

19 But when her masters saw that their hope of (AO)profit was suddenly gone, they seized (AP)Paul and Silas and (AQ)dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities, 20 and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men, Jews as they are, are causing our city trouble, 21 and they (AR)are proclaiming customs that are not lawful for us to accept or to practice, since we are (AS)Romans.”

Paul and Silas Imprisoned

22 The crowd joined in an attack against them, and the chief magistrates tore their [f]robes off them and proceeded to order [g]them to be (AT)beaten with rods. 23 When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding (AU)the jailer to guard them securely; 24 [h]and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in (AV)the [i]stocks.

25 Now about midnight (AW)Paul and Silas were praying and (AX)singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26 and suddenly (AY)there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately (AZ)all the doors were opened, and everyone’s (BA)chains were unfastened. 27 When (BB)the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about (BC)to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!” 29 And the jailer asked for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear, he fell down before (BD)Paul and Silas; 30 and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, (BE)what must I do to be saved?”

The Jailer Converted

31 They said, “(BF)Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and (BG)your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of God to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them (BH)that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34 And he brought them into his house and set [j]food before them, and was [k]overjoyed, since he had become a believer in God together with (BI)his whole household.

35 Now when day came, the chief magistrates sent their officers, saying, “Release those men.” 36 And (BJ)the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The chief magistrates have sent word that you be released. So come out now and go (BK)in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “After beating us in public without due process—(BL)men who are Romans—they threw us into prison; and now they are releasing us secretly? No indeed! On the contrary, let them come [l]in person and lead us out.” 38 The officers reported these words to the chief magistrates. (BM)And they became fearful when they heard that they were Romans, 39 and they came and pleaded with them, and when they had led them out, they repeatedly asked them (BN)to leave the city. 40 They left the prison and entered the house of (BO)Lydia, and when they saw (BP)the brothers and sisters, they [m]encouraged them and departed.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 16:5 Or in faith
  2. Acts 16:6 Or Phrygia and the Galatian region
  3. Acts 16:6 I.e., west coast province of Asia Minor
  4. Acts 16:14 Lit Whose heart the Lord opened
  5. Acts 16:18 Lit hour
  6. Acts 16:22 Or outer garments
  7. Acts 16:22 Lit to beat with rods
  8. Acts 16:24 Lit who
  9. Acts 16:24 Lit wood
  10. Acts 16:34 Lit a table
  11. Acts 16:34 Or overjoyed together with his whole household, since...God
  12. Acts 16:37 Lit themselves
  13. Acts 16:40 Or exhorted

Timoteo se une a Pablo y a Silas

16 Llegó Pablo a Derbe y después a Listra, donde se encontró con un discípulo llamado Timoteo, hijo de una mujer judía creyente, pero de padre griego. Los hermanos en Listra y en Iconio hablaban bien de Timoteo, así que Pablo decidió llevárselo. Por causa de los judíos que vivían en aquella región, lo circuncidó, pues todos sabían que su padre era griego. Al pasar por las ciudades, entregaban los acuerdos tomados por los apóstoles y los líderes religiosos de Jerusalén, para que los pusieran en práctica. Y así las iglesias se fortalecían en la fe y crecían en número día tras día.

La visión de Pablo del hombre macedonio

Atravesaron la región de Frigia y Galacia, ya que el Espíritu Santo había impedido que predicaran la palabra en la provincia de Asia. Cuando llegaron cerca de Misia, intentaron pasar a Bitinia, pero el Espíritu de Jesús no se lo permitió. Entonces, pasando de largo por Misia, bajaron a Troas. Durante la noche Pablo tuvo una visión en la que un hombre de Macedonia, puesto de pie, rogaba: «Pasa a Macedonia y ayúdanos». 10 Después de que Pablo tuvo la visión, enseguida nos preparamos para partir hacia Macedonia, convencidos de que Dios nos había llamado a anunciar las buenas noticias a los macedonios.

Conversión de Lidia en Filipos

11 Zarpando de Troas, navegamos directamente a Samotracia y al día siguiente a Neápolis. 12 De allí fuimos a Filipos, que es una colonia romana y la ciudad principal de ese distrito de Macedonia. En esa ciudad nos quedamos varios días.

13 El sábado salimos a las afueras de la ciudad y fuimos por la orilla del río, donde esperábamos encontrar un lugar de oración. Nos sentamos y nos pusimos a conversar con las mujeres que se habían reunido. 14 Una de ellas, que se llamaba Lidia, adoraba a Dios. Era de la ciudad de Tiatira y vendía telas de color púrpura. Mientras escuchaba, el Señor le abrió el corazón para que respondiera al mensaje de Pablo. 15 Cuando fue bautizada con su familia, nos hizo la siguiente invitación: «Si ustedes me consideran creyente en el Señor, vengan a hospedarse en mi casa». Y nos persuadió.

Pablo y Silas en la cárcel

16 Una vez, cuando íbamos al lugar de oración, nos salió al encuentro una joven esclava que tenía un espíritu de adivinación. Con sus poderes ganaba mucho dinero para sus amos. 17 Nos seguía a Pablo y a nosotros, gritando:

—Estos hombres son siervos del Dios Altísimo y les anuncian el camino de salvación.

18 Así continuó durante muchos días. Por fin Pablo se molestó tanto que se volvió y reprendió al espíritu:

—¡En el nombre de Jesucristo, te ordeno que salgas de ella!

Y en aquel mismo momento el espíritu la dejó.

19 Cuando los amos de la joven se dieron cuenta de que se les había esfumado la esperanza de ganar dinero, echaron mano a Pablo y a Silas y los arrastraron a la plaza, ante las autoridades. 20 Los presentaron ante los magistrados y dijeron:

—Estos hombres son judíos y están alborotando nuestra ciudad, 21 enseñan costumbres que a los romanos se nos prohíbe admitir o practicar.

22 Entonces la multitud se amotinó contra Pablo y Silas. Luego los magistrados mandaron que arrancaran sus ropas y los azotaran. 23 Después de darles muchos golpes, los echaron en la cárcel y ordenaron al carcelero que los custodiara con la mayor seguridad. 24 Al recibir tal orden, este los metió en el calabozo interior y les sujetó los pies en el cepo.

25 A eso de la medianoche, Pablo y Silas se pusieron a orar y a cantar himnos a Dios, y los otros presos los escuchaban. 26 De repente se produjo un terremoto tan fuerte que la cárcel se estremeció hasta sus cimientos. Al instante se abrieron todas las puertas y a los presos se les soltaron las cadenas. 27 El carcelero despertó y, al ver las puertas de la cárcel de par en par, sacó la espada y estuvo a punto de matarse, porque pensaba que los presos se habían escapado. 28 Pero Pablo le gritó:

—¡No te hagas ningún daño! ¡Todos estamos aquí!

29 El carcelero pidió luz, entró precipitadamente y se echó temblando a los pies de Pablo y de Silas. 30 Luego los sacó y les preguntó:

—Señores, ¿qué tengo que hacer para ser salvo?

31 —Cree en el Señor Jesús; así tú y tu familia serán salvos —contestaron.

32 Luego expusieron la palabra del Señor a él y a todos los demás que estaban en su casa. 33 A esas horas de la noche, el carcelero se los llevó y lavó las heridas; enseguida fueron bautizados él y toda su familia. 34 El carcelero los llevó a su casa, les sirvió comida y se alegró mucho junto con toda su familia por haber creído en Dios.

35 Al amanecer, los magistrados mandaron a unos guardias al carcelero con esta orden: «Suelta a esos hombres». 36 El carcelero, entonces, informó a Pablo:

—Los magistrados han ordenado que los suelte. Así que pueden irse. Vayan en paz.

37 Pero Pablo respondió a los guardias:

—¿Cómo? A nosotros, que somos ciudadanos romanos, que nos han azotado públicamente y sin proceso alguno, y nos han echado en la cárcel, ¿ahora quieren expulsarnos a escondidas? ¡Nada de eso! Que vengan ellos personalmente a escoltarnos hasta la salida.

38 Los guardias comunicaron la respuesta a los magistrados. Estos se asustaron cuando oyeron que Pablo y Silas eran ciudadanos romanos, 39 así que fueron a presentarles sus disculpas. Los escoltaron desde la cárcel, pidiéndoles que se fueran de la ciudad. 40 Al salir de la cárcel, Pablo y Silas se dirigieron a la casa de Lidia, donde se vieron con los hermanos y los animaron. Después se fueron.