First, the text explains why Peter told the congregation about baptizing Gentiles like Cornelius. Second, we discussed the beginning of the Gospel’s widespread proclamation among the Gentiles. Third, we examined Barnabas’ search for Saul and the person Agabus, observing how Paul truly disregarded his own life, standing with God in his decisions. Fourth, we addressed King Herod’s killing of James and Peter’s imprisonment. Fifth, we observed how an angel rescued Peter from prison and explored how the Triune God’s perspective on death differs profoundly from human’s. Finally, we examined that Herod punished by God and eaten by worms.

1. Peter explains why he baptized Gentiles like Cornelius

“Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those who were circumcised took issue with him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” But Peter began speaking and proceeded to explain to them in orderly sequence, saying, “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from the sky; and it came right down to me, and when I had fixed my gaze on it and was observing it I saw the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and the crawling creatures and the birds of the air. I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ But a voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.’ This happened three times, and everything was drawn back up into the sky. And behold, at that moment three men appeared at the house in which we were staying, having been sent to me from Caesarea. The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man’s house. And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here; and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.””(Acts 11:1-18)

We have already discussed in detail in chapter 10, “1178 God baptizes Cornelius and others with Holy Spirit and water – Acts(10)1-48”, the matter of Peter and the Gentile Cornelius. Since these verses and chapter 10 are based on the same facts, we must take their union—that is, we must reconcile the narratives in both places. What we see here is Peter saying, “And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”(Acts 11:16-17) When they heard this, they had nothing more to say. Instead, they praised God, saying, “…Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”(Acts 11:18)

As we mentioned before, Christians can only understand how God works in their lives by looking back—this is a prime example of such reflection. Additionally, I need to correct a mistake from last week: it should be: “I was …in a trance I saw a vision, an object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from the sky; and it came right down to me, and when I had fixed my gaze on it and was observing it I saw the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and the crawling creatures and the birds of the air.”(Acts 11:6) Here, clean and unclean animals were mixed together,  not just unclean ones. I won’t elaborate on other similar points.

2. The beginning of the Gospel’s spread among the Gentiles

“So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.”(Acts 11:19-24)

As we mentioned earlier, persecution may seem like a bad thing to human eyes, yet it actually led to the spread of the gospel. God’s ways are truly wonderful and surpass our imagination. These scattered disciples primarily preached to the Jews, “But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.”(Acts 11:20) Here we see another example of “what God tells us through Bible is consistent.” Why?

At the first Pentecost after the Lord’s resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended. The text states: “And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language.”(Acts 2:6) It then lists in detail the people present, including “Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes.”(Acts 2:10) Next comes Peter’s sermon: “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?””(Acts 2:37) “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.”(Acts 2:41) Therefore, the approximately three thousand people must include those listed; otherwise, the Scriptures would not have needed to detail each group but could have simply mentioned them in passing. This passage confirms that Cyrenians believed in the Lord. Before the incident with Cornelius, this was the only occasion when Gentiles had the opportunity to hear the gospel. Cornelius’s story merely formally opened the door for preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. We know that both men of Cyprus and Cyrene were Gentiles, which explains why, upon arriving in Antioch, they also preached about the Lord Jesus to the Gentile Greeks.

The church in Jerusalem, observing the Lord’s work, sent Barnabas to Antioch to encourage the believers. Barnabas remained there. As Scripture records: “And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”(Acts 11:25-26) Thus the disciples were called Christians for the first time, not by the church in Jerusalem.

We are truly glad it was arranged this way, for it shows us Gentiles that we absolutely have the opportunity to be conformed to the image of Jesus (cf. Romans 8:29). We see that in the Jerusalem church at that time, indeed, some were not conformed to Jesus’ image—they thought that circumcisionis necessary. Therefore, after this, the first Jerusalem Council would be held (see Acts 15:1-29).

The same holds true today, as few Israelites have come to faith. This is why Paul declared, “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery⁠—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation⁠—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; …”(Romans 11:25-26)

The Scriptures also make it clear that through the Lord’s work, there were already believers who had come to faith. But when Barnabas, filled with the Holy Spirit, joined them, many more came to the Lord. Therefore, do not underestimate the influence of a person who lives life as an example.

3. Barnabas seeks Saul, and the man Agabus

“And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.”(Acts 11:25-30)

Barnabas was “Son of Encouragement”, so he sought out Saul. The people trusted them and entrusted the offerings to them to deliver to the elders in Jerusalem. Here we must mention Agabus, the prophet with the gift of prophecy. This man is mentioned only twice in the New Testament, the other instance being in this passage: “As we were staying there (Philip’s home) for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’””(Acts 21:10-11) Note that Agabus only told Paul what the Holy Spirit said would happen; he did not say the Holy Spirit didn’t wanted Paul to go to Jerusalem. Paul decided to go anyway, so it cannot be said he was disobedient to God.

Let us examine how he made his decision. Previously, when I read this passage: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.”(Philippians 1:21-24) I used to think he was torn between the two because he feared death. Now I truly understand that finishing his course and fulfilling the ministry he received from the Lord Jesus was more important. This is what Paul said, “And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.”(Acts 20:22-24) We see that he truly did not regard his life as precious, standing on God’s side in his decisions. To stand forever on God’s side is also what we ought to do.

4. King Herod kills James and imprisons Peter

“Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread. When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people. So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison.”(Acts 12:1-6)

Here we see Herod killing James and imprisoning Peter. The text clearly describes Peter’s plight—under strict guard and facing imminent execution—yet “…prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.”(Acts 12:5) hoping God would rescue him. God did indeed save him in an unexpected miraculous way, and we will now see how God rescued him.

5. An angel rescues Peter from prison

“And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. When he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, “It is his angel.” But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things to James and the brethren.” Then he left and went to another place. Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to what could have become of Peter. When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there.”(Acts 12:7-19)

The angel’s appearance was accompanied by light. The scripture clearly describes how the Lord rescued Peter—through supernatural means. We see that when God deems it necessary, He actively intervenes. We also observe that while the church earnestly prayed to God for him, they scarcely dared to believe God would deliver him in such a manner. Finally, we witness Herod’s reaction—the indiscriminate slaughter of the innocent. Please read the passage for yourselves; we shall not dwell on it further.

We have said that God views death very differently from humans. In the same incident involving Herod, He allowed James to be martyred while saving Peter. This signifies that He had the power to save James but chose not to, making him the first young apostle to be martyred. This shows James had completed his earthly journey, for in heaven he is like what “…Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”(Matthew 19:28) Moreover, in the New Jerusalem, “And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”(Revelation 21:14) His name is written above. Thus, we see that the Triune God views death very differently from humans.

6. Herod punished by God and eaten by worms

“Now he was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and with one accord they came to him, and having won over Blastus the king’s chamberlain, they were asking for peace, because their country was fed by the king’s country. On an appointed day Herod, having put on his royal apparel, took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to them. The people kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.”(Acts 12:20-25)

This is the second mention in the Book of Acts about John, called Mark, whom Barnabas and Saul brought back from Jerusalem after completing their mission. The Gospel of Mark was written by this Mark. When Peter said, “…so does my son, Mark.”(1 Peter 5:13), he was also referring to this Mark. We will speak more about him later; we will not elaborate further here.

This passage describes Herod’s punishment by God and his death by being eaten by worms. Some might say, “Wasn’t it petty of the Lord to send an angel to punish Herod immediately just because he failed to give glory to God?” No, God is a God of mercy and grace. In the Old Testament, “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.” …Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.”(Genesis 15:1-16) God gave the Amorites over four hundred years, yet they did not repent. How hardened the human heart can be! Only after their iniquity was complete did the Israelites enter the land of Canaan.

In the New Testament, “…God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”(1 Timothy 2:4) We know that ““For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”(John 3:16-18) In His plan of salvation, He has given every person an opportunity to be saved.

From the Scriptures, we see that the Gentiles of Tyre and Sidon came with one accord to seek peace. They were truly skilled in speech, even going so far as to falsely claim that Herod’s words were the voice of God. This point can be seen from “what God tells through Bible is consistent,” for Gentiles at that time could not possibly discern God’s voice. Sometimes even Jews might not hear it—as when Paul was struck by the light: “And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me.”(Acts 22:9) 

If I recall correctly, the New Testament records only two instances of immediate death. The other occurred because of deceiving the Holy Spirit (see Acts 5:1-10). This time, it was not because God was petty and sent an angel to punish him instantly, but because he had committed too many evil deeds—such as the indiscriminate slaughter of innocents mentioned earlier—and with this final act, his iniquity was complete. When God acted, he was devoured by worms.  

Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (2/15/26) topicwise Bible study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. Past articles referenced can be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, under ‘On spiritual understanding about life.’

    首先，我们看到神不偏待人，祂主动的向意大利营的虔诚人哥尼流显现，他顺服神而立刻去邀请彼得到家里来。第二，我们说到彼得在异象中看见天开了，和三次告诉他神所洁净的，他不可当作俗物。第三是说到彼得顺服圣灵的带领，去见外邦人哥尼流。第四是说到哥尼流在众人面前，向彼得说明主是如何向他显现，并他的回应。第五是经文说到了，彼得向哥尼流等人的有效宣道，在他还说这话的时候，圣灵就降在一切听道的人身上。最后我们说到彼得为受灵洗的哥尼流等外邦人施水洗。                   

1. 外邦人哥尼流在异象中见到了神的使者          

    「在凯撒利亚有一个人，名叫哥尼流，是意大利营的百夫长。他是个虔诚人，他和全家都敬畏神，多多赒济百姓，常常祷告神。有一天，约在申初，他在异象中明明看见神的一个使者进去，到他那里，说：「哥尼流。」哥尼流定睛看他，惊怕说：「主啊，甚么事呢？」 天使说：「你的祷告和你的赒济达到神面前，已蒙记念了。现在你当打发人往约帕去，请那称呼彼得的西门来。他住在海边一个硝皮匠西门的家里，房子在海边上。」向他说话的天使去后，哥尼流叫了两个家人和常伺候他的一个虔诚兵来，把这事都述说给他们听，就打发他们往约帕去。」(使徒行传 10:1-8)      

    哥尼流是意大利营的，绝对是外邦人，所以外邦人中也有虔诚的人，哥尼流和全家都敬畏神，旧约中说得很清楚，三位一体的神对他们是一视同仁。譬如在守逾越节上，「若有外人寄居在你们中间，愿向耶和华守逾越节，他所有的男子务要受割礼，然后才容他前来遵守，他也就像本地人一样；但未受割礼的，都不可吃这羊羔。本地人和寄居在你们中间的外人同归一例。」(出埃及记 12:48-49) 也就是新约说了好几次的，「因为神不偏待人。」(罗马书 2:11)          

    我们看到，这次祂是主动的，在异象中派遣使者告诉哥尼流去找彼得，而他一但知道是神的旨意，就「立刻」行动，顺服神，这也是我们应该做的。在这里我们也看到了物以类聚，常伺候他的兵也是虔诚的。我们上周解释了那称呼彼得的西门住在海边一个硝皮匠西门的家里，是要说明神的幽默性，就不多说了。    

2. 彼得在异象中所看到的天开及讯息          

    「第二天，他们行路将近那城，彼得约在午正上房顶去祷告。觉得饿了，想要吃。那家的人正预备饭的时候，彼得魂游象外(G1611, trance)，看见天开了，有一物降下，好像一块大布，系著四角，缒在地上。里面有地上各样四足的走兽和昆虫，并天上的飞鸟。又有声音向他说：「彼得，起来，宰了吃！」彼得却说：「主啊，这是不可的！凡俗物和不洁净的物，我从来没有吃过。」第二次有声音向他说：「神所洁净的，你不可当作俗物。」这样一连三次，那物随即收回天上去了。」(使徒行传 10:9-16)      

    请注意，魂游象外在原文就是异象。这段主要是在讲「…神所洁净的，你不可当作俗物。」(使徒行传 10:15) 我以前以为看到发生过三次的事就一定是神的工作，其实不然，神有绝对的主权，在这些事上，衪决定，我们要做的是分辩。这是因为看到神常用看似乎是恰合的事引导人，如路得记，但并不所有恰合的事都是神在引导人。要记得神有绝对的主权，也不要忘记神用的是回授策略 (参以西结书 33:1-20)，即使圣灵没有带领我们而要我们踏出去第一步时，我们仍要永远的站在神那边去做决定 (参使徒行传 16:6-12)。    

3.  彼得顺服圣灵的带领去见哥尼流          

    「彼得心里正在猜疑之间，不知所看见的异象是甚么意思。哥尼流所差来的人已经访问到西门的家，站在门外，喊著问：「有称呼彼得的西门住在这里没有？」彼得还思想那异象的时候，圣灵向他说：「有三个人来找你。起来，下去，和他们同往，不要疑惑！因为是我差他们来的。」于是彼得下去见那些人，说：「我就是你们所找的人。你们来是为甚么缘故？」他们说：「百夫长哥尼流是个义人，敬畏神，为犹太通国所称赞。他蒙一位圣天使指示，叫他请你到他家里去，听你的话。」彼得就请他们进去，住了一宿。 次日起身和他们同去，还有约帕的几个弟兄同著他去。」(使徒行传 10:17-23)        

    彼得看见异象却不知是甚么意思，正好哥尼流差遣的三个人到了，看起来是巧合，却不是，是神在作工，因为真正差他们来的是圣灵，是透过哥尼流看见的异象而来的。这里是说到彼得如何的顺服神，接待了三个是外邦人的访客，这是非常不容易的，尤其是当时的犹太人把外邦人看做低下的狗，耶稣的话就反应出当时的这习俗。经文是这样说的，「有一个迦南妇人从那地方出来，喊著说：「主啊，大道卫的子孙，可怜我！我女儿被鬼附得甚苦。」耶稣却一言不答。门徒进前来，求他说：「这妇人在我们后头喊叫，请打发她走吧！」耶稣说：「我奉差遣，不过是到以色列家迷失的羊那里去。」那妇人来拜他，说：「主啊，帮助我！」他回答说：「不好拿儿女的饼丢给狗吃。」妇人说：「主啊，不错！但是狗也吃牠主人桌子上掉下来的碎渣儿。」耶稣说：「妇人，你的信心是大的，照你所要的，给你成全了吧！」从那时候，她女儿就好了。」(马太福音 15:22-28) 你看，三位一体的神真不偏待人，祂看到的是信心。        

    我们刚才说过，接待外邦人对彼得是不容易的，因他「…说：「主啊，这是不可的！凡俗物和不洁净的物，我从来没有吃过。」」(使徒行传 10:14) 而主是要他看见，「…神所洁净的，你不可当作俗物。」(使徒行传 10:15) 对彼得来说，顺服神比跟著习俗走更重要的。如果我们有一个启示录对七个教会所说的一句话，「圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！」(启示录 3:6) 不论是圣灵直接告诉我们的，如彼得的这次，或是借著别人告诉我们的，如彼得告诉众人「…说：「你们各人要悔改，奉耶稣基督的名受洗，叫你们的罪得赦，就必领受所赐的圣灵。」」(使徒行传 2:38) 也就是要有一个能听的耳，才能做到保罗所说的，「不要消灭圣灵的感动。」(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:19)    

4. 哥尼流在众人面前向彼得说明主是如何向他显现        

    「又次日，他们进入凯撒利亚。哥尼流已经请了他的亲属、密友等候他们。彼得一进去，哥尼流就迎接他，俯伏在他脚前拜他。彼得却拉他说：「你起来，我也是人。」彼得和他说著话进去，见有好些人在那里聚集，就对他们说：「你们知道，犹太人和别国的人亲近来往，本是不合例的，但神已经指示我，无论甚么人都不可看作俗而不洁净的。所以我被请的时候，就不推辞而来。现在请问：你们叫我来有甚么意思呢？」哥尼流说：「前四天这个时候，我在家中守著申初的祷告，忽然有一个人穿著光明的衣裳，站在我面前，说：『哥尼流，你的祷告已蒙垂听，你的赒济达到神面前，已蒙记念了。你当打发人往约帕去，请那称呼彼得的西门来，他住在海边一个硝皮匠西门的家里。』所以我立时打发人去请你。你来了很好，现今我们都在神面前，要听主所吩咐你的一切话。」」(使徒行传 10:24-33)          

    这里的众人包括哥尼流和他的亲属、密友，及约帕的几个弟兄， 我们也看到哥尼流看到彼得后，有人的正常反应，就俯伏在他脚前拜他，但彼得很清楚自己只是人，他该尊荣的是主。彼得知道照那时的习俗，犹太人和别国的人亲近来往是不合例的，但他顺服神就不推辞而来，知道现今哥尼流等人都在神面前，要听主所吩咐他的一切话。    

5. 彼得向哥尼流等人的有效宣道          

    「彼得就开口说：「我真看出神是不偏待人。原来各国中，那敬畏主、行义的人都为主所悦纳。神借著耶稣基督（他是万有的主）传和平的福音，将这道赐给以色列人。这话在约翰宣传洗礼以后，从加利利起，传遍了犹太。神怎样以圣灵和能力膏拿撒勒人耶稣，这都是你们知道的。他周流四方，行善事，医好凡被魔鬼压制的人，因为神与他同在。「他在犹太人之地并耶路撒冷所行的一切事，有我们作见证。他们竟把他挂在木头上杀了。第三日，神叫他复活，显现出来；不是显现给众人看，乃是显现给神预先所拣选为他作见证的人看，就是我们这些在他从死里复活以后，和他同吃同喝的人。他吩咐我们传道给众人，证明他是神所立定的，要作审判活人死人的主。众先知也为他作见证，说：『凡信他的人，必因他的名得蒙赦罪。』」彼得还说这话的时候，圣灵降在一切听道的人身上。」(使徒行传 10:34-44)          

    彼得的宣教非常简洁，看经文就知道他把教恩中重要的真理说出来，从神不偏待人到大使命 (参马太福音 28:18-20)，及说到「众先知也为他作见证，说：『凡信他的人，必因他的名得蒙赦罪。』」(使徒行传 10:43) 请自己看一下经文，我们就不解释了。这是简短而有效的讲道，因为「彼得还说这话的时候，圣灵降在一切听道的人身上。」(使徒行传 10:44) 这是在耶稣复活后，外邦人的第一次的灵洗，是借著彼得完成的。这也就是保罗所说的，「我不以福音为耻，这福音本是神的大能，要救一切相信的，先是犹太人，后是希腊人。」(罗马书 1:16) 救恩的计划是有一个秩序的。也就是，「弟兄们，我不愿意你们不知道这奥秘（恐怕你们自以为聪明）：就是以色列人有几分是硬心的，等到外邦人的数目添满了，于是以色列全家都要得救。如经上所记：「必有一位救主从锡安出来，要消除雅各家的一切罪恶。」」(罗马书 11:25-26)    

6. 彼得为受灵洗的哥尼流等外邦人施洗          

    「那些奉割礼和彼得同来的信徒，见圣灵的恩赐也浇在外邦人身上，就都希奇，因听见他们说方言，称赞神为大。于是彼得说：「这些人既受了圣灵，与我们一样，谁能禁止用水给他们施洗呢？」就吩咐奉耶稣基督的名给他们施洗。他们又请彼得住了几天。」(使徒行传 10:45-48)      

    在这里，我们看到了彼得来这里该做的第二件重要的事，就是奉耶稣基督的名给外邦人哥尼流等众人施洗。我们这里也看到，在大使命的受洗，是要奉耶稣基督的名，归于父子圣灵的名。下章我们就看到了彼得为这件事申辩，也看到了为什么要这六位弟兄同去，因为他们可以为这件事做有效的见证 (参使徒行传 11:12-18)。我们注意到那些同来的弟兄是奉割礼的，难怪以后会有耶路撒冷的第一次会议 (参使徒行传 15:1-29)。

    请注意，这文章是基于周日(2/8/26)的专题查经，经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本，所引用过去的文章，在我们的网站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『对属灵生命的了解』。    

         首先，我們看到神不偏待人，祂主動的向意大利營的虔誠人哥尼流顯現，他順服神而立刻去邀請彼得到家裡來。第二，我們說到彼得在異象中看見天開了，和三次告訴他神所潔淨的，他不可當作俗物。第三是說到彼得順服聖靈的帶領，去見外邦人哥尼流。第四是說到哥尼流在衆人面前，向彼得說明主是如何向他顯現，並他的回應。第五是經文說到了，彼得向哥尼流等人的有效宣道，在他還說這話的時候，聖靈就降在一切聽道的人身上。最後我們說到彼得為受靈洗的哥尼流等外邦人施水洗。 

1. 外邦人哥尼流在異象中見到了神的使者

       「在凱撒利亞有一個人，名叫哥尼流，是意大利營的百夫長。他是個虔誠人，他和全家都敬畏神，多多賙濟百姓，常常禱告神。有一天，約在申初，他在異象中明明看見神的一個使者進去，到他那裏，說：「哥尼流。」哥尼流定睛看他，驚怕說：「主啊，甚麼事呢？」 天使說：「你的禱告和你的賙濟達到神面前，已蒙記念了。現在你當打發人往約帕去，請那稱呼彼得的西門來。他住在海邊一個硝皮匠西門的家裏，房子在海邊上。」向他說話的天使去後，哥尼流叫了兩個家人和常伺候他的一個虔誠兵來，把這事都述說給他們聽，就打發他們往約帕去。」(使徒行傳 10:1-8)

    哥尼流是意大利營的，絕對是外邦人，所以外邦人中也有虔誠的人，哥尼流和全家都敬畏神，舊約中說得很清楚，三位一體的神對他們是一視同仁。譬如在守逾越節上，「若有外人寄居在你們中間，願向耶和華守逾越節，他所有的男子務要受割禮，然後才容他前來遵守，他也就像本地人一樣；但未受割禮的，都不可吃這羊羔。本地人和寄居在你們中間的外人同歸一例。」(出埃及記 12:48-49) 也就是新約說了好幾次的，「因為神不偏待人。」(羅馬書 2:11)

        我們看到，這次祂是主動的，在異象中派遣使者告訴哥尼流去找彼得，而他一但知道是神的旨意，就「立刻」行動，順服神，這也是我們應該做的。在這裏我們也看到了物以類聚，常伺候他的兵也是虔誠的。我們上週解釋了那稱呼彼得的西門住在海邊一個硝皮匠西門的家裏，是要說明神的幽默性，就不多說了。

2. 彼得在異象中所看到的天開及訊息

       「第二天，他們行路將近那城，彼得約在午正上房頂去禱告。覺得餓了，想要吃。那家的人正預備飯的時候，彼得魂遊象外(G1611, trance)，看見天開了，有一物降下，好像一塊大布，繫着四角，縋在地上。裏面有地上各樣四足的走獸和昆蟲，並天上的飛鳥。又有聲音向他說：「彼得，起來，宰了吃！」彼得卻說：「主啊，這是不可的！凡俗物和不潔淨的物，我從來沒有吃過。」第二次有聲音向他說：「神所潔淨的，你不可當作俗物。」這樣一連三次，那物隨即收回天上去了。」(使徒行傳 10:9-16)

    請注意，魂遊象外在原文就是異象。這段主要是在講「…神所潔淨的，你不可當作俗物。」(使徒行傳 10:15) 我以前以為看到發生過三次的事就一定是神的工作，其實不然，神有絕對的主權，在這些事上，衪決定，我們要做的是分辨。這是因為看到神常用看似乎是恰合的事引導人，如路得記，但並不所有恰合的事都是神在引導人。要記得神有絕對的主權，也不要忘記神用的是回授策略 (參以西結書 33:1-20)，即使聖靈沒有帶領我們而要我們踏出去第一步時，我們仍要永遠的站在神那邊去做決定 (參使徒行傳 16:6-12)。

3.  彼得順服聖靈的帶領去見哥尼流

       「彼得心裏正在猜疑之間，不知所看見的異象是甚麼意思。哥尼流所差來的人已經訪問到西門的家，站在門外，喊着問：「有稱呼彼得的西門住在這裏沒有？」彼得還思想那異象的時候，聖靈向他說：「有三個人來找你。起來，下去，和他們同往，不要疑惑！因為是我差他們來的。」於是彼得下去見那些人，說：「我就是你們所找的人。你們來是為甚麼緣故？」他們說：「百夫長哥尼流是個義人，敬畏神，為猶太通國所稱讚。他蒙一位聖天使指示，叫他請你到他家裏去，聽你的話。」彼得就請他們進去，住了一宿。 次日起身和他們同去，還有約帕的幾個弟兄同着他去。」(使徒行傳 10:17-23)

       彼得看見異象卻不知是甚麼意思，正好哥尼流差遣的三個人到了，看起來是巧合，卻不是，是神在作工，因為真正差他們來的是聖靈，是透過哥尼流看見的異象而來的。這裡是說到彼得如何的順服神，接待了三個是外邦人的訪客，這是非常不容易的，尤其是當時的猶太人把外邦人看做低下的狗，耶穌的話就反應出當時的這習俗。經文是這樣說的，「有一個迦南婦人從那地方出來，喊着說：「主啊，大道衞的子孫，可憐我！我女兒被鬼附得甚苦。」耶穌卻一言不答。門徒進前來，求他說：「這婦人在我們後頭喊叫，請打發她走吧！」耶穌說：「我奉差遣，不過是到以色列家迷失的羊那裏去。」那婦人來拜他，說：「主啊，幫助我！」他回答說：「不好拿兒女的餅丟給狗吃。」婦人說：「主啊，不錯！但是狗也吃牠主人桌子上掉下來的碎渣兒。」耶穌說：「婦人，你的信心是大的，照你所要的，給你成全了吧！」從那時候，她女兒就好了。」(馬太福音 15:22-28) 你看，三位一體的神真不偏待人，祂看到的是信心。

       我們剛才說過，接待外邦人對彼得是不容易的，因他「…說：「主啊，這是不可的！凡俗物和不潔淨的物，我從來沒有吃過。」」(使徒行傳 10:14) 而主是要他看見，「…神所潔淨的，你不可當作俗物。」(使徒行傳 10:15) 對彼得來說，順服神比跟著習俗走更重要的。如果我們有一個啓示錄對七個教會所說的一句話，「聖靈向眾教會所說的話，凡有耳的，就應當聽！」(啓示錄 3:6) 不論是聖靈直接告訴我們的，如彼得的這次，或是藉著別人告訴我們的，如彼得告訴眾人「…說：「你們各人要悔改，奉耶穌基督的名受洗，叫你們的罪得赦，就必領受所賜的聖靈。」」(使徒行傳 2:38) 也就是要有一個能聽的耳，才能做到保羅所說的，「不要消滅聖靈的感動。」(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:19)

4. 哥尼流在衆人面前向彼得說明主是如何向他顯現

       「又次日，他們進入凱撒利亞。哥尼流已經請了他的親屬、密友等候他們。彼得一進去，哥尼流就迎接他，俯伏在他腳前拜他。彼得卻拉他說：「你起來，我也是人。」彼得和他說着話進去，見有好些人在那裏聚集，就對他們說：「你們知道，猶太人和別國的人親近來往，本是不合例的，但神已經指示我，無論甚麼人都不可看作俗而不潔淨的。所以我被請的時候，就不推辭而來。現在請問：你們叫我來有甚麼意思呢？」哥尼流說：「前四天這個時候，我在家中守着申初的禱告，忽然有一個人穿着光明的衣裳，站在我面前，說：『哥尼流，你的禱告已蒙垂聽，你的賙濟達到神面前，已蒙記念了。你當打發人往約帕去，請那稱呼彼得的西門來，他住在海邊一個硝皮匠西門的家裏。』所以我立時打發人去請你。你來了很好，現今我們都在神面前，要聽主所吩咐你的一切話。」」(使徒行傳 10:24-33)

       這裡的眾人包括哥尼流和他的親屬、密友，及約帕的幾個弟兄， 我們也看到哥尼流看到彼得後，有人的正常反應，就俯伏在他腳前拜他，但彼得很清楚自己衹是人，他該尊榮的是主。彼得知道照那時的習俗，猶太人和別國的人親近來往是不合例的，但他順服神就不推辭而來，知道現今哥尼流等人都在神面前，要聽主所吩咐他的一切話。

5. 彼得向哥尼流等人的有效宣道

       「彼得就開口說：「我真看出神是不偏待人。原來各國中，那敬畏主、行義的人都為主所悅納。神藉着耶穌基督（他是萬有的主）傳和平的福音，將這道賜給以色列人。這話在約翰宣傳洗禮以後，從加利利起，傳遍了猶太。神怎樣以聖靈和能力膏拿撒勒人耶穌，這都是你們知道的。他周流四方，行善事，醫好凡被魔鬼壓制的人，因為神與他同在。「他在猶太人之地並耶路撒冷所行的一切事，有我們作見證。他們竟把他掛在木頭上殺了。第三日，神叫他復活，顯現出來；不是顯現給眾人看，乃是顯現給神預先所揀選為他作見證的人看，就是我們這些在他從死裏復活以後，和他同吃同喝的人。他吩咐我們傳道給眾人，證明他是神所立定的，要作審判活人死人的主。眾先知也為他作見證，說：『凡信他的人，必因他的名得蒙赦罪。』」彼得還說這話的時候，聖靈降在一切聽道的人身上。」(使徒行傳 10:34-44)

       彼得的宣教非常簡潔，看經文就知道他把教恩中重要的真理說出來，從神不偏待人到大使命 (參馬太福音 28:18-20)，及說到「眾先知也為他作見證，說：『凡信他的人，必因他的名得蒙赦罪。』」(使徒行傳 10:43) 請自己看一下經文，我們就不解釋了。這是簡短而有效的講道，因為「彼得還說這話的時候，聖靈降在一切聽道的人身上。」(使徒行傳 10:44) 這是在耶穌復活後，外邦人的第一次的靈洗，是藉著彼得完成的。這也就是保羅所說的，「我不以福音為恥，這福音本是神的大能，要救一切相信的，先是猶太人，後是希臘人。」(羅馬書 1:16) 救恩的計劃是有一個秩序的。也就是，「弟兄們，我不願意你們不知道這奧秘（恐怕你們自以為聰明）：就是以色列人有幾分是硬心的，等到外邦人的數目添滿了，於是以色列全家都要得救。如經上所記：「必有一位救主從錫安出來，要消除雅各家的一切罪惡。」」(羅馬書 11:25-26)

6. 彼得為受靈洗的哥尼流等外邦人施洗

       「那些奉割禮和彼得同來的信徒，見聖靈的恩賜也澆在外邦人身上，就都希奇，因聽見他們說方言，稱讚神為大。於是彼得說：「這些人既受了聖靈，與我們一樣，誰能禁止用水給他們施洗呢？」就吩咐奉耶穌基督的名給他們施洗。他們又請彼得住了幾天。」(使徒行傳 10:45-48)

       在這裡，我們看到了彼得來這裏該做的第二件重要的事，就是奉耶穌基督的名給外邦人哥尼流等眾人施洗。我們這裡也看到，在大使命的受洗，是要奉耶穌基督的名，歸於父子聖靈的名。下章我們就看到了彼得為這件事申辯，也看到了為什麼要這六位弟兄同去，因為他們可以為這件事做有效的見証 (參使徒行傳 11:12-18)。我們注意到那些同來的弟兄是奉割禮的，難怪以後會有耶路撒冷的第一次會議 (參使徒行傳 15:1-29)。

                 請注意，這文章是基於週日(2/8/26)的專題查經，經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本，所引用過去的文章，在我們的網站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。

First, we see that God shows no partiality. He proactively revealed Himself to Cornelius, a devout man in the Italian cohort. Cornelius obeyed God and immediately invited Peter to his home. Second, we see Peter in a vision where he saw the heavens opened and was told three times that what God has cleansed, he must no longer consider unholy. Third, Peter obeyed the Holy Spirit’s leading to go to the Gentile Cornelius. Fourth, we see Cornelius explaining before everyone how the Lord had appeared to him and his response. Fifth, the text describes Peter’s effective preaching to Cornelius and the others. While he was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon all who heard the message. Finally, we see Peter baptizing Cornelius and the other Gentiles with water. 

1. The gentile Cornelius saw an angel of God in a vision.

“Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, “Cornelius!” And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; he is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who was speaking to him had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants, and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.”(Acts 10:1-8)

Cornelius belonged to the Italian cohort and was undoubtedly a Gentile. This demonstrates that there were devout individuals among the Gentiles. Cornelius and his entire household revered God. The Old Testament makes it clear that the triune God treats all equally. For example, concerning the observance of the Passover: “But if a stranger sojourns with you, and celebrates the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near to celebrate it; and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person may eat of it. The same law shall apply to the native as to the stranger who sojourns among you.”(Exodus 12:48-49) This echoes the New Testament’s repeated declaration: “For there is no partiality with God.”(Romans 2:11)

Here we see God taking the initiative, sending an angel in a vision to instruct Cornelius to seek Peter. Once Cornelius recognized this as God’s will, he acted “immediately” in obedience—exactly what we should do. We also observe that birds of a feather flock together: the soldier who served him was a devout man. Last week we explained that Simon Peter staying at the home of Simon the tanner by the sea was meant to illustrate God’s sense of humor, so we won’t dwell on that further.

2. The opening of heaven and the message Peter saw in the vision

“On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. But he became hungry and was desiring to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance (G1611); and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air. A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” Again a voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into the sky.”(Acts 10:9-16)

This passage primarily addresses “…What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.”(Acts 10:15) I used to think that seeing something happen three times must be God’s work, but that’s not necessarily true. God has absolute sovereignty in these matters—He decides, and our role is to discern. This is because we often see God guiding people through seemingly coincidental events, like in the Book of Ruth. Yet not every coincidence signifies divine guidance. Remember God’s absolute sovereignty, and never forget that He employs feedback strategies (cf. Ezekiel 33:1-20). Even when the Holy Spirit does not lead us to take the first step, we must always stand on God’s side to make decisions (cf. Acts 16:6-12).

3.  Peter obeyed the Holy Spirit’s leading to visit Cornelius

“Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate; and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?” They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you.” So he invited them in and gave them lodging. And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.”(Acts 10:17-23)

Peter saw the vision but did not understand its meaning. Just then, the three men sent by Cornelius arrived. It seemed coincidental, but it was not—God was at work. For it was the Holy Spirit who truly sent them, guided by the vision Cornelius had seen. Here we see Peter’s obedience to God as he welcomed three Gentile visitors—a remarkable act, especially since Jews of that time regarded Gentiles as dogs beneath them. Jesus’ words reflect this custom: “And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, “Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.” But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.”(Matthew 15:22-28) You see, the triune God shows no partiality; He looks at faith.

As we mentioned earlier, welcoming Gentiles was difficult for Peter, for he said, “…By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.”(Acts 10:14) But the Lord wanted him to see, “…What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.”(Acts 10:15) For Peter, obeying God was more important than following custom.  We need to have the one phrase from the Book of Revelation addressed to the seven churches, it is this: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”(Revelation 3:6) Whether the Holy Spirit speaks directly to us, as in Peter’s case, or through others—as when Peter told the crowd, “…Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”(Acts 2:38), we must have ears to hear. Only then can we fulfill Paul’s instruction: “Do not quench the Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 5:19)

4. Cornelius explained to Peter before the crowd how the Lord had appeared to him

“On the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a man.” As he talked with him, he entered and found many people assembled. And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask for what reason you have sent for me.” Cornelius said, “Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining garments, and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.””(Acts 10:24-33)

The crowd here included Cornelius, his relatives, close friends, and several brothers from Joppa. We also see Cornelius’s natural human reaction upon seeing Peter—he fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter clearly understood he was only a man; the One worthy of honor was the Lord. Peter also knew that according to the customs of that time, it was improper for Jews to associate with people from other nations. Yet he obeyed God and came without hesitation, knowing that now Cornelius and his companions were all before God, ready to hear everything the Lord had commanded him to say.

5. Peter’s effective preaching to Cornelius and his household

“Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)⁠— you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.”(Acts 10:34-44)

Peter’s preaching was remarkably concise. As the text shows, he articulated the essential truths of the gospel—from God’s impartiality to the Great Commission (cf. Matthew 28:18-20)—culminating in the declaration: “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”(Acts 10:43) We will not elaborate further, but encourage you to read the passage yourself.

This was a brief yet effective sermon, for “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.”(Acts 10:44) This was the first baptism of the Holy Spirit among Gentiles after Jesus’ resurrection, accomplished through Peter. This is also what Paul said: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”(Romans 1:16) The plan of salvation follows an order. That is, “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery⁠—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation⁠—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.””(Romans 11:25-26)

6. Peter baptizes Cornelius and the Gentiles who had received the Holy Spirit

“All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.”(Acts 10:45-48)

Here we see the second important thing Peter was to do in this place: baptizing the Gentiles, including Cornelius and the whole household, in the name of Jesus Christ. We also see that baptism in the Great Commission is to be done in the name of Jesus Christ, and thus return to the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In the next chapter, we see Peter defending this action and why the six brothers accompanied him—so they could effectively testify to what had happened (see Acts 11:12-18). We note that these brothers who came with him were circumcised as usual, which explains why the first Jerusalem Council later took place (see Acts 15:1-29).

Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (2/8/26) topicwise Bible study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. Past articles referenced can be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, under ‘On spiritual understanding about life.’

    我们首先来看主基督向扫罗显现的这事，有三次的记载，我们就取其联集去符合了所有的叙述，还原了当时的情景。第二说到主在异象中要亚拿尼亚为扫罗受洗，并被圣灵充满，其中看到了主的幽默，也看到他带给在祷告中保罗的讯息，和保罗在大光中听到的部份讯息基本上是一样的。第三谈到保罗在见大光后，凭自己的能力去见证耶稣是基督，并其逃走的结局。第四说到了保罗去耶路撒冷的传道，然后到大数避难。最后是提到了彼得治愈瘫子以尼雅，和复活女徒多加的两个神迹。                

1. 主基督向扫罗显现的三次记载          

    「扫罗仍然向主的门徒口吐威吓凶杀的话，去见大祭司，求文书给大马士革的各会堂，若是找著信奉这道的人，无论男女，都准他捆绑带到耶路撒冷。扫罗行路，将到大马士革，忽然从天上发光，四面照著他。他就仆倒在地，听见有声音对他说：「扫罗，扫罗！你为甚么逼迫我？」他说：「主啊，你是谁？」 主说：「我就是你所逼迫的耶稣。起来！进城去，你所当做的事，必有人告诉你。」同行的人站在那里，说不出话来，听见声音，却看不见人。扫罗从地上起来，睁开眼睛，竟不能看见甚么。人拉他的手，领他进了大马士革。三日不能看见，也不吃，也不喝。」(使徒行传 9:1-9)          #####保罗(扫罗)将到大马士革见大光的这事，在使徒行传记载了三次，就是这里和使徒行传 22:6-11 及 26:12-18，因为听众不同，记载不会完全相同，但是基于同一个事实，必须符合所有经文，就是要取叙述的联集。以下就把其他两段经文列出来，然后取其联集，就知道事情发生的经过。      

    「我将到大马士革，正走的时候，约在晌午，忽然从天上发大光，四面照著我。我就仆倒在地，听见有声音对我说：『扫罗，扫罗！你为甚么逼迫我？』「我回答说：『主啊，你是谁？』 「他说：『我就是你所逼迫的拿撒勒人耶稣。』与我同行的人看见了那光，却没有听明那位对我说话的声音。「我说：『主啊，我当做甚么？』 「主说：『起来！进大马士革去，在那里，要将所派你做的一切事告诉你。』我因那光的荣耀不能看见，同行的人就拉著我手进了大马士革。」(使徒行传 22:6-11)          

    「那时，我领了祭司长的权柄和命令，往大马士革去。王啊，我在路上，晌午的时候，看见从天发光，比日头还亮，四面照著我并与我同行的人。我们都仆倒在地，我就听见有声音用希伯来话向我说：『扫罗，扫罗！为甚么逼迫我？你用脚踢刺是难的！「我说：『主啊，你是谁？』 「主说：『我就是你所逼迫的耶稣。你起来站著！我特意向你显现，要派你作执事，作见证，将你所看见的事和我将要指示你的事证明出来。我也要救你脱离百姓和外邦人的手。我差你到他们那里去，要叫他们的眼睛得开，从黑暗中归向光明，从撒但权下归向神；又因信我，得蒙赦罪，和一切成圣的人同得基业。』」(使徒行传 26:12-18)      

    从这些经文，我们看到那时的保罗的确是，「我又在犹太教中，比我本国许多同岁的人更有长进，为我祖宗的遗传更加热心。」(加拉太书 1:14) 所以他会迫害教会。他在晌午的时候将到大马士革，忽然有比日头还亮的大光，四面照著他和同行的人，大家都仆倒在地，其他人没有见人，也没有听明那位在大光中对他显现，且说话的声音。其实保罗在大光中也见到耶稣，因经文说，「我当日所领受又传给你们的，第一，就是基督照圣经所说，为我们的罪死了，而且埋葬了，又照圣经所说，第三天复活了，并且显给矶法看，然后显给十二使徒看，…末了，也显给我看，…」(哥林多前书 15:3-8) 他因那光的荣耀不能看见，同行的人没有受到同样的影响，就拉著他的手进了大马士革。          

    这声音是希伯来话，基本上是说那位是耶稣，逼迫教会就是逼迫祂，这样的逼迫是犹如用脚踢刺是难的！我们等下会提到亚拿尼亚，因亚拿尼亚将告诉他会将做的事，基本上就是做外邦人的使徒，在亚拿尼亚来前，他是三日不能看见，也不吃，也不喝。主是告诉他说，「你起来站著！我特意向你显现，要派你作执事，作见证，将你所看见的事和我将要指示你的事证明出来。我也要救你脱离百姓和外邦人的手。我差你到他们那里去，要叫他们的眼睛得开，从黑暗中归向光明，从撒但权下归向神；又因信我，得蒙赦罪，和一切成圣的人同得基业。」(使徒行传 26:16-18) 也就是亚拿尼亚基本上要告诉他的，去做外邦人的使徒。    

2. 主要亚拿尼亚为扫罗受洗并被圣灵充满          

    「当下，在大马士革有一个门徒，名叫亚拿尼亚。主在异象中对他说：「亚拿尼亚。」 他说：「主，我在这里。」主对他说：「起来！往直街去，在犹大的家里，访问一个大数人，名叫扫罗(保罗)，他正祷告；又看见了一个人，名叫亚拿尼亚，进来按手在他身上，叫他能看见。」亚拿尼亚回答说：「主啊，我听见许多人说，这人怎样在耶路撒冷多多苦害你的圣徒，并且他在这里有从祭司长得来的权柄，捆绑一切求告你名的人。」主对亚拿尼亚说：「你只管去。他是我所拣选的器皿，要在外邦人和君王并以色列人面前宣扬我的名。我也要指示他，为我的名必须受许多的苦难。」亚拿尼亚就去了，进入那家，把手按在扫罗身上说：「兄弟扫罗，在你来的路上向你显现的主，就是耶稣，打发我来，叫你能看见，又被圣灵充满。」扫罗的眼睛上好像有鳞立刻掉下来，他就能看见，于是起来受了洗，吃过饭就健壮了。 …」(使徒行传 9:10-19)          

    从这些经文中我们可以看到主是很幽默的，祂在异象中让亚拿尼亚看到了自己，祂大可只告诉他去，对保罗讲该说的事，却加上了这很好玩的一段，让我们注意到祂幽默的一面。我记得当有人指出这一段给我时，我那时不能从这些经文中感受到神的幽默性，如果我记得没错，后来我至少试了四个人，他们就像我起初一样，看不到神是幽默的这点，不知道他们以后有没有机会看到这一点。          

    我们已讲过，他带给在祷告中保罗的讯息，和保罗在大光中听到的基本上是一样的，所以保罗会相信，且愿意让陌生人把手按在自己身上，而因此更加相信他是主派来的，也看到了事实上能再度看见的证明，就受了洗。保罗被圣灵充满，当然受了灵洗，至于水洗也应该有的，因为「…彼得说：「这些人既受了圣灵，与我们一样，谁能禁止用水给他们施洗呢？」就吩咐奉耶稣基督的名给他们施洗。他们又请彼得住了几天。」(使徒行传 10:47-48) 至于两者何者为先，圣经没有明说，也不重要。保罗那时三天没有吃饭，现在吃过饭就健壮了。     

3. 扫罗凭自己的能力见证耶稣是基督并结局          

    「… 扫罗和大马士革的门徒同住了些日子，就在各会堂里宣传耶稣，说他是神的儿子。凡听见的人都惊奇说：「在耶路撒冷残害求告这名的，不是这人吗？并且他到这里来，特要捆绑他们，带到祭司长那里。」但扫罗越发有能力，驳倒住大马士革的犹太人，证明耶稣是基督。过了好些日子，犹太人商议要杀扫罗，但他们的计谋被扫罗知道了。他们又昼夜在城门守候，要杀他。他的门徒就在夜间用筐子把他从城墙上缒下去。」(使徒行传 9:19-25)          

    保罗见大光后知道耶稣是基督，就在大马士革凭著自己的知识证明的确如此，结局就是犹太人想要杀他，他也只好逃走了，一直到他得到启示的知识，才为神所用。就像他自己说的，「弟兄们，我告诉你们，我素来所传的福音，不是出于人的意思，因为我不是从人领受的，也不是人教导我的，乃是从耶稣基督启示来的。」(加拉太书 1:11-12)    

4. 扫罗到耶路撒冷然后去大数避难          

    「扫罗到了耶路撒冷，想与门徒结交。他们却都怕他，不信他是门徒。惟有巴拿巴接待他，领去见使徒，把他在路上怎么看见主，主怎么向他说话，他在大马士革怎么奉耶稣的名放胆传道，都述说出来。于是扫罗在耶路撒冷和门徒出入来往，奉主的名放胆传道，并与说希腊话的犹太人讲论辩驳。他们却想法子要杀他。弟兄们知道了，就送他下凯撒利亚，打发他往大数去。那时，犹太、加利利、撒马利亚各处的教会都得平安，被建立；凡事敬畏主，蒙圣灵的安慰，人数就增多了。」(使徒行传 9:26-31)        

    门徒起初不接受他是合理的，因他本是迫害教会的，但巴拿巴是劝慰子，他接待保罗，并在使徒前说明了他的现状，使保罗能奉主的名放胆传道。众人愿意听他，可见是相信他的话，因为「这巴拿巴原是个好人，被圣灵充满，大有信心。…」(使徒行传 11:24) 而被圣灵充满的人，怎么会说谎而认撒但为父呢？这又是「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」之一个例子。        

    最后是犹太人想要杀他，就使他辗转回到大数，因他是「…生在基利家的大数，长在这城里，在迦玛列门下，按著我们祖宗严紧的律法受教，热心事奉神，像你们众人今日一样。我也曾逼迫奉这道的人直到死地，无论男女都锁拿下监。」(使徒行传 22:3-4) 他真是「…在犹太教中，比我本国许多同岁的人更有长进，为我祖宗的遗传更加热心。」(加拉太书 1:14) 以致于迫害教会。新约没有记载别的人是如此的迫害教会，他见了大光后的大转变，就使「那时，犹太、加利利、撒马利亚各处的教会都得平安，被建立；凡事敬畏主，蒙圣灵的安慰，人数就增多了。」(使徒行传 9:31)    

5. 彼得治愈瘫子以尼雅和复活多加          

    「彼得周流四方的时候，也到了居住吕大的圣徒那里，遇见一个人，名叫以尼雅，得了瘫痪，在褥子上躺卧八年。彼得对他说：「以尼雅，耶稣基督医好你了！起来，收拾你的褥子！」他就立刻起来了。凡住吕大和沙仑的人都看见了他，就归服主。在约帕有一个女徒，名叫大比大，翻希腊话就是多加。她广行善事，多施赒济。当时，她患病而死，有人把她洗了，停在楼上。吕大原与约帕相近，门徒听见彼得在那里，就打发两个人去见他，央求他说：「快到我们那里去，不要耽延！」彼得就起身和他们同去。到了，便有人领他上楼。众寡妇都站在彼得旁边哭，拿多加与她们同在时所做的里衣外衣给他看。彼得叫她们都出去，就跪下祷告，转身对著死人说：「大比大，起来！」她就睁开眼睛，见了彼得，便坐起来。彼得伸手扶她起来，叫众圣徒和寡妇进去，把多加活活地交给他们。这事传遍了一约帕，就有许多人信了主。此后，彼得在约帕一个硝皮匠西门的家里住了多日。」(使徒行传 9:32-43)        

    经文详细的记载了彼得治愈瘫子以尼雅，和复活女徒多加的两件神迹，我们就不多讲了。要注意的是彼得是以基督行的神迹，他只是管道。我们也注意的是有些人也因此信了主，好玩的是，彼得又叫西门，正好住在西门家里。圣经好像没有必要加这一句，因为如果我们看硝皮匠(G1038)这字，就知道这字只出现三次，就能知道这一点。发现加这一句，就是要我们注意到神是幽默的，和前面说到的亚拿尼亚在异象中看到自己，有异曲同功之妙。记得问儿子有没有从圣经中看到神的幽默，他没有看到亚拿尼亚的事，却告诉我了硝皮匠的经文，那时我想，西门住在西门家有什么好笑的，一直到这次准备专题查经，我才知道圣经如果不是要说明神的幽默性，根本不需要这句话，他是对的。 

    请注意，这文章是基于周日(2/1/26)的专题查经，经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本，所引用过去的文章，在我们的网站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『对属灵生命的了解』。     

                我們首先來看主基督向掃羅顯現的這事，有三次的記載，我們就取其聯集去符合了所有的敍述，還原了當時的情景。第二說到主在異象中要亞拿尼亞為掃羅受洗，並被聖靈充滿，其中看到了主的幽默，也看到他帶給在禱告中保羅的訊息，和保羅在大光中聽到的部份訊息基本上是一樣的。第三談到保羅在見大光後，憑自己的能力去見證耶穌是基督，並其逃走的結局。第四說到了保羅去耶路撒冷的傳道，然後到大數避難。最後是提到了彼得治癒癱子以尼雅，和復活女徒多加的兩個神蹟。

1. 主基督向掃羅顯現的三次記載

       「掃羅仍然向主的門徒口吐威嚇兇殺的話，去見大祭司，求文書給大馬士革的各會堂，若是找着信奉這道的人，無論男女，都准他捆綁帶到耶路撒冷。掃羅行路，將到大馬士革，忽然從天上發光，四面照着他。他就仆倒在地，聽見有聲音對他說：「掃羅，掃羅！你為甚麼逼迫我？」他說：「主啊，你是誰？」 主說：「我就是你所逼迫的耶穌。起來！進城去，你所當做的事，必有人告訴你。」同行的人站在那裏，說不出話來，聽見聲音，卻看不見人。掃羅從地上起來，睜開眼睛，竟不能看見甚麼。人拉他的手，領他進了大馬士革。三日不能看見，也不吃，也不喝。」(使徒行傳 9:1-9)

       保羅(掃羅)將到大馬士革見大光的這事，在使徒行傳記載了三次，就是這裡和使徒行傳 22:6-11 及 26:12-18，因為聽衆不同，記載不會完全相同，但是基於同一個事實，必須符合所有經文，就是要取敍述的聯集。以下就把其他兩段經文列出來，然後取其聯集，就知道事情發生的經過。

       「我將到大馬士革，正走的時候，約在晌午，忽然從天上發大光，四面照着我。我就仆倒在地，聽見有聲音對我說：『掃羅，掃羅！你為甚麼逼迫我？』「我回答說：『主啊，你是誰？』 「他說：『我就是你所逼迫的拿撒勒人耶穌。』與我同行的人看見了那光，卻沒有聽明那位對我說話的聲音。「我說：『主啊，我當做甚麼？』 「主說：『起來！進大馬士革去，在那裏，要將所派你做的一切事告訴你。』我因那光的榮耀不能看見，同行的人就拉着我手進了大馬士革。」(使徒行傳 22:6-11)

       「那時，我領了祭司長的權柄和命令，往大馬士革去。王啊，我在路上，晌午的時候，看見從天發光，比日頭還亮，四面照着我並與我同行的人。我們都仆倒在地，我就聽見有聲音用希伯來話向我說：『掃羅，掃羅！為甚麼逼迫我？你用腳踢刺是難的！「我說：『主啊，你是誰？』 「主說：『我就是你所逼迫的耶穌。你起來站着！我特意向你顯現，要派你作執事，作見證，將你所看見的事和我將要指示你的事證明出來。我也要救你脫離百姓和外邦人的手。我差你到他們那裏去，要叫他們的眼睛得開，從黑暗中歸向光明，從撒但權下歸向神；又因信我，得蒙赦罪，和一切成聖的人同得基業。』」(使徒行傳 26:12-18)

        從這些經文，我們看到那時的保羅的確是，「我又在猶太教中，比我本國許多同歲的人更有長進，為我祖宗的遺傳更加熱心。」(加拉太書 1:14) 所以他會迫害教會。他在晌午的時候將到大馬士革，忽然有比日頭還亮的大光，四面照著他和同行的人，大家都仆倒在地，其他人沒有見人，也沒有聽明那位在大光中對他顯現，且說話的聲音。其實保羅在大光中也見到耶穌，因經文說，「我當日所領受又傳給你們的，第一，就是基督照聖經所說，為我們的罪死了，而且埋葬了，又照聖經所說，第三天復活了，並且顯給磯法看，然後顯給十二使徒看，…末了，也顯給我看，…」(哥林多前書 15:3-8) 他因那光的榮耀不能看見，同行的人沒有受到同樣的影響，就拉著他的手進了大馬士革。

        這聲音是希伯來話，基本上是說那位是耶穌，逼迫教會就是逼迫祂，這樣的逼迫是猶如用腳踢刺是難的！我們等下會提到亞拿尼亞，因亞拿尼亞將告訴他會將做的事，基本上就是做外邦人的使徒，在亞拿尼亞來前，他是三日不能看見，也不吃，也不喝。主是告訴他說，「你起來站着！我特意向你顯現，要派你作執事，作見證，將你所看見的事和我將要指示你的事證明出來。我也要救你脫離百姓和外邦人的手。我差你到他們那裏去，要叫他們的眼睛得開，從黑暗中歸向光明，從撒但權下歸向神；又因信我，得蒙赦罪，和一切成聖的人同得基業。」(使徒行傳 26:16-18) 也就是亞拿尼亞基本上要告訴他的，去做外邦人的使徒。

2. 主要亞拿尼亞為掃羅受洗並被聖靈充滿

       「當下，在大馬士革有一個門徒，名叫亞拿尼亞。主在異象中對他說：「亞拿尼亞。」 他說：「主，我在這裏。」主對他說：「起來！往直街去，在猶大的家裏，訪問一個大數人，名叫掃羅(保羅)，他正禱告；又看見了一個人，名叫亞拿尼亞，進來按手在他身上，叫他能看見。」亞拿尼亞回答說：「主啊，我聽見許多人說，這人怎樣在耶路撒冷多多苦害你的聖徒，並且他在這裏有從祭司長得來的權柄，捆綁一切求告你名的人。」主對亞拿尼亞說：「你只管去。他是我所揀選的器皿，要在外邦人和君王並以色列人面前宣揚我的名。我也要指示他，為我的名必須受許多的苦難。」亞拿尼亞就去了，進入那家，把手按在掃羅身上說：「兄弟掃羅，在你來的路上向你顯現的主，就是耶穌，打發我來，叫你能看見，又被聖靈充滿。」掃羅的眼睛上好像有鱗立刻掉下來，他就能看見，於是起來受了洗，吃過飯就健壯了。 …」(使徒行傳 9:10-19)

        從這些經文中我們可以看到主是很幽默的，祂在異象中讓亞拿尼亞看到了自己，祂大可衹告訴他去，對保羅講該說的事，卻加上了這很好玩的一段，讓我們注意到祂幽默的一面。我記得當有人指出這一段給我時，我那時不能從這些經文中感受到神的幽默性，如果我記得沒錯，後來我至少試了四個人，他們就像我起初一樣，看不到神是幽默的這點，不知道他們以後有沒有機會看到這一點。

        我們已講過，他帶給在禱告中保羅的訊息，和保羅在大光中聽到的基本上是一樣的，所以保羅會相信，且願意讓陌生人把手按在自己身上，而因此更加相信他是主派來的，也看到了事實上能再度看見的証明，就受了洗。保羅被聖靈充滿，當然受了靈洗，至於水洗也應該有的，因為「…彼得說：「這些人既受了聖靈，與我們一樣，誰能禁止用水給他們施洗呢？」就吩咐奉耶穌基督的名給他們施洗。他們又請彼得住了幾天。」(使徒行傳 10:47-48) 至於兩者何者為先，聖經沒有明說，也不重要。保羅那時三天沒有吃飯，現在吃過飯就健壯了。 

3. 掃羅憑自己的能力見證耶穌是基督並結局

       「… 掃羅和大馬士革的門徒同住了些日子，就在各會堂裏宣傳耶穌，說他是神的兒子。凡聽見的人都驚奇說：「在耶路撒冷殘害求告這名的，不是這人嗎？並且他到這裏來，特要捆綁他們，帶到祭司長那裏。」但掃羅越發有能力，駁倒住大馬士革的猶太人，證明耶穌是基督。過了好些日子，猶太人商議要殺掃羅，但他們的計謀被掃羅知道了。他們又晝夜在城門守候，要殺他。他的門徒就在夜間用筐子把他從城牆上縋下去。」(使徒行傳 9:19-25)

       保羅見大光後知道耶穌是基督，就在大馬士革憑著自己的知識證明的確如此，結局就是猶太人想要殺他，他也衹好逃走了，一直到他得到啓示的知識，才為神所用。就像他自己說的，「弟兄們，我告訴你們，我素來所傳的福音，不是出於人的意思，因為我不是從人領受的，也不是人教導我的，乃是從耶穌基督啓示來的。」(加拉太書 1:11-12)

4. 掃羅到耶路撒冷然後去大數避難

       「掃羅到了耶路撒冷，想與門徒結交。他們卻都怕他，不信他是門徒。惟有巴拿巴接待他，領去見使徒，把他在路上怎麼看見主，主怎麼向他說話，他在大馬士革怎麼奉耶穌的名放膽傳道，都述說出來。於是掃羅在耶路撒冷和門徒出入來往，奉主的名放膽傳道，並與說希臘話的猶太人講論辯駁。他們卻想法子要殺他。弟兄們知道了，就送他下凱撒利亞，打發他往大數去。那時，猶太、加利利、撒馬利亞各處的教會都得平安，被建立；凡事敬畏主，蒙聖靈的安慰，人數就增多了。」(使徒行傳 9:26-31)

       門徒起初不接受他是合理的，因他本是迫害教會的，但巴拿巴是勸慰子，他接待保羅，並在使徒前說明了他的現狀，使保羅能奉主的名放膽傳道。眾人願意聽他，可見是相信他的話，因為「這巴拿巴原是個好人，被聖靈充滿，大有信心。…」(使徒行傳 11:24) 而被聖靈充滿的人，怎麼會說謊而認撒但為父呢？這又是「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」之一個例子。

     最後是猶太人想要殺他，就使他輾轉回到大數，因他是「…生在基利家的大數，長在這城裏，在迦瑪列門下，按着我們祖宗嚴緊的律法受教，熱心事奉神，像你們眾人今日一樣。我也曾逼迫奉這道的人直到死地，無論男女都鎖拿下監。」(使徒行傳 22:3-4) 他真是「…在猶太教中，比我本國許多同歲的人更有長進，為我祖宗的遺傳更加熱心。」(加拉太書 1:14) 以致於迫害教會。新約沒有記載別的人是如此的迫害教會，他見了大光後的大轉變，就使「那時，猶太、加利利、撒馬利亞各處的教會都得平安，被建立；凡事敬畏主，蒙聖靈的安慰，人數就增多了。」(使徒行傳 9:31)

5. 彼得治癒癱子以尼雅和復活多加

       「彼得周流四方的時候，也到了居住呂大的聖徒那裏，遇見一個人，名叫以尼雅，得了癱瘓，在褥子上躺臥八年。彼得對他說：「以尼雅，耶穌基督醫好你了！起來，收拾你的褥子！」他就立刻起來了。凡住呂大和沙崙的人都看見了他，就歸服主。在約帕有一個女徒，名叫大比大，翻希臘話就是多加。她廣行善事，多施賙濟。當時，她患病而死，有人把她洗了，停在樓上。呂大原與約帕相近，門徒聽見彼得在那裏，就打發兩個人去見他，央求他說：「快到我們那裏去，不要耽延！」彼得就起身和他們同去。到了，便有人領他上樓。眾寡婦都站在彼得旁邊哭，拿多加與她們同在時所做的裏衣外衣給他看。彼得叫她們都出去，就跪下禱告，轉身對着死人說：「大比大，起來！」她就睜開眼睛，見了彼得，便坐起來。彼得伸手扶她起來，叫眾聖徒和寡婦進去，把多加活活地交給他們。這事傳遍了一約帕，就有許多人信了主。此後，彼得在約帕一個硝皮匠西門的家裏住了多日。」(使徒行傳 9:32-43)

       經文詳細的記載了彼得治癒癱子以尼雅，和復活女徒多加的兩件神蹟，我們就不多講了。要注意的是彼得是以基督行的神蹟，他只是管道。我們也注意的是有些人也因此信了主，好玩的是，彼得又叫西門，正好住在西門家裏。聖經好像沒有必要加這一句，因為如果我們看硝皮匠(G1038)這字，就知道這字只出現三次，就能知道這一點。發現加這一句，就是要我們注意到神是幽默的，和前面說到的亞拿尼亞在異象中看到自己，有異曲同功之妙。記得問兒子有沒有從聖經中看到神的幽默，他沒有看到亞拿尼亞的事，卻告訴我了硝皮匠的經文，那時我想，西門住在西門家有什麼好笑的，一直到這次準備專題查經，我才知道聖經如果不是要說明神的幽默性，根本不需要這句話，他是對的。

                請注意，這文章是基於週日(2/1/26)的專題查經，經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本，所引用過去的文章，在我們的網站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。

First, let us examine the account of the Lord Jesus appearing to Saul. There are three separate records of this event. We have combined them to align with all the narratives, reconstructing the scene as it unfolded. Second, it describes the Lord instructing Ananias in a vision to baptize Saul and fill him with the Holy Spirit. Here we glimpse the Lord’s humor and observe the message He conveyed to Paul during prayer—essentially matching the partial revelation Paul received in the blinding light. Third, it details how Paul, after seeing the great light, proceeded to testify about Jesus as the Christ in his own strength, leading to his eventual fleeing. Fourthly, it describes Paul’s preaching in Jerusalem and his subsequent fleeing to Tarsus for refuge. Finally, it mentions two miracles: Peter healing the paralytic Aeneas and raising the disciple Tabitha from the dead.

1. The three accounts of Christ appearing to Saul

“Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”(Acts 9:1-9)

The account of Paul (Saul) seeing the great light on the road to Damascus is recorded three times in the Book of Acts: here, in Acts 22:6-11, and in Acts 26:12-18. Because the audiences differ, the accounts are not identical, but they are based on the same event and must be consistent with all the texts. Therefore, we must take the union of the narratives. Below are the other two passages, from which we can extract the union to understand the sequence of events.

“But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’ And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.’ But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus.”(Acts 22:6-11)

“While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’”(Acts 26:12-18)

From these scriptures, we see that Paul at that time was indeed, “and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.”(Galatians 1:14) Therefore, he persecuted the church. As he approached Damascus at noon, suddenly a light brighter than the sun flashed around him and his companions. They all fell to the ground, yet none of his companions saw the man who had appeared in the light or heard the voice that spoke to him. In truth, Paul also saw Jesus in the light, for Scripture says, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. …and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”(1 Corinthians 15:3-8) Because of the glory of that light, he could not see, but his companions, who were not similarly affected, took him by the hand and led him into Damascus.

This voice spoke in Hebrew, essentially declaring that this was Jesus, and that persecuting the church was persecuting Him—such persecution was like kicking against the goads, which is difficult! We will mention Ananias shortly, for Ananias will tell him what he must do—essentially, become an apostle to the Gentiles. Before Ananias arrived, he was unable to see, eat, or drink for three days. The Lord told him, “But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.”(Acts 26:16-18) In essence, Ananias was to tell him to become an apostle to the Gentiles.

2. The Lord instructs Ananias to baptize Saul and fill him with the Holy Spirit

“Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened. …”(Acts 9:10-19)

From these scriptures we can see that the Lord is quite humorous. In the vision, He allowed Ananias to see himself. He could have simply told him to go and tell Paul what to say, yet He added this amusing detail, drawing our attention to His humorous side. I recall when someone pointed this passage out to me, I couldn’t perceive God’s humor in these verses at the time. If I remember correctly, I later tried explaining it to at least four other people, and they were just like me initially—unable to see God’s humor in this. I wonder if they ever came to see it later.

As we’ve discussed, the message he brought to Paul in prayer was essentially the same as what Paul heard in the blinding light. Therefore, Paul believed and willingly allowed this stranger to lay hands on him. This further confirmed his conviction that the man was sent by the Lord. Seeing the tangible proof that his sight was restored, Paul was baptized. Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit and certainly received spiritual baptism. As for water baptism, it should have been administered as well, for Peter said in these verses,  “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.”(Acts 10:47-48) As for which came first, the Scriptures do not explicitly state it, nor is it important. Paul had not eaten for three days, but after eating, he regained his strength.

3. Saul testifies Jesus is the Christ by his Own Power and its outcome

“…Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ. When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.”(Acts 9:19-25)

After seeing the bright light, Paul came to know that Jesus was the Christ. In Damascus, he proved this to be true through his own knowledge. The result was that the Jews sought to kill him, and he had no choice but to flee. It was only after receiving revelatory knowledge that he became useful to God. As he himself stated, “For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”(Galatians 1:11-12)

4. Saul going to Jerusalem and then fleeing to Tarsus

“When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.”(Acts 9:26-31)

It was reasonable for the disciples not to accept him at first, since he had persecuted the church. But Barnabas, the son of encouragement, welcomed Paul and explained his current situation before the apostles, enabling Paul to preach boldly in the name of the Lord. The people were willing to listen to him, showing they believed his words, “for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. …”(Acts 11:24) How could one filled with the Holy Spirit lie and call Satan his father? He spoke the truth. This is yet another example of “what God tells us through Bible is consistent. “

Finally, when the Jews sought to kill him, he fled to Tarsus, for he was “…born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons.”(Acts 22:3-4) He truly “…was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.”(Galatians 1:14) This zeal led him to persecute the church. No other person in the New Testament is recorded as persecuting the church to such an extent. His dramatic transformation after seeing the great light resulted in “…the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.”(Acts 9:31)

5. Peter heals the paralytic Aeneas and raises Tabitha from the Dead

“Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed.” Immediately he got up. And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.”(Acts 9:32-43)

The text details two miracles performed by Peter: healing the paralytic Aeneas and raising the disciple Tabitha from the dead. We won’t elaborate further. Note that Peter performed these miracles through Christ—he was merely the instrument. Also noteworthy is that some people believed in the Lord because of this. Interestingly, Peter was also called Simon and happened to be staying at Simon’s house. The Bible seemingly had no need to add this phrase. If we examine the word “tanner” (G1038), which appears only three times, we can understand this point. The inclusion of this phrase draws our attention to God’s sense of humor, echoing the earlier account of Ananias seeing himself in a vision. I recall asking my son if he had noticed God’s humor in Scripture. He hadn’t seen the Ananias passage, but he pointed out the tanner verse. At that time, I wondered what was so funny about Simon staying at Simon’s house. It wasn’t until preparing this Bible study that I realized: if the Bible didn’t intend to highlight God’s humor, this sentence wouldn’t be there at all. He was right.

Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (2/1/26) topicwise Bible study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. Past articles referenced can be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, under ‘On spiritual understanding about life.’

    我们首先来看教会是被动的分开，却反而成就了神的旨意，在这里的经文中记载了腓利所行的神迹，讨论了神迹的目的，和我们在行神迹的事上，祗能作祂的管道。第二是讨论行邪术的西门信主，看到了邪术也可行一些异能，但终究是邪不胜正。第三是说到了彼得和约翰的撒马利亚的傅道，并西门的无分，看到基督徒受圣灵是必须的，说到西门的现状在被罪恶捆绑的苦胆之中，却没有悔改。第四是谈到主的使者要腓利向太监传耶稣，他单纯的顺服神就去了，在这里也告诉了我们一个传福音的方法。最后说到太监信而受洗，并圣灵提走了腓利，看到牧师是人间的头衔，被圣灵充满的弟兄是可以帮人受洗的。             

1. 教会被动的分开而成就了神的旨意       

    「从这日起，耶路撒冷的教会大遭逼迫。除了使徒以外，门徒都分散在犹太和撒马利亚各处。有虔诚的人把司提反埋葬了，为他捶胸大哭。扫罗却残害教会，进各人的家，拉著男女下在监里。那些分散的人往各处去传道。腓利下撒马利亚城去宣讲基督。众人听见了，又看见腓利所行的神迹，就同心合意地听从他的话。因为有许多人被污鬼附著，那些鬼大声呼叫，从他们身上出来；还有许多瘫痪的、瘸腿的，都得了医治。在那城里就大有欢喜。」(使徒行传 8:1-8)       

    扫罗的残害教会在这经文也说得很清楚，「你们听见我从前在犹太教中所行的事，怎样极力逼迫、残害神的教会；我又在犹太教中，比我本国许多同岁的人更有长进，为我祖宗的遗传更加热心。」(加拉太书 1:13-14) 即使如此，「然而那把我从母腹里分别出来、又施恩召我的神，既然乐意将他儿子启示在我心里，叫我把他传在外邦人中，我就没有与属血气的人商量，…我写给你们的不是谎话，这是我在神面前说的。」(加拉太书 1:15-20) 神是有恩典有怜悯的神。    

    在这里我们要顺便注意三件事情。第一是没有启示根本读不懂圣经，保罗本是迦玛列门下(参使徒行传 22:3)，那时是大有从人来的学问的人，但他迫害教会，显然没有懂旧约，直到他知道「…素来所传的福音，不是出于人的意思，因为我不是从人领受的，也不是人教导我的，乃是从耶稣基督启示来的。」(加拉太书 1:11-12) 所以一定要「让圣灵带领查经」。第二，他是从母腹中就分别出来，这是预知的，祂又给了他启示，在神的旨意中那本是预定要给他的，所以预知和预定是一体的两面，如经文所说，「因为他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法(模成)他儿子的模样(形像)，使他儿子在许多弟兄中作长子。」(罗马书 8:29) 第三，他说得很清楚，他是在神面前说的，基督徒不会明知故犯的说谎去认撒但为父的，经文说得很清楚，「…魔鬼(撒但)…说谎是出于自己，因他本来是说谎的，也是说谎之人的父。」(约翰福音 8:44) 但有许多人以为善意的谎言不是在说谎，这是不对的，宁可不说话。     

    其实如果耶路撒冷的教会不被迫害，福音就不会广传，神做事的方法绝对是超出人所能想像的，我们看腓利的事迹也知道这一点。腓利是一个满有圣灵且为神选的人，因圣经明说「大众都喜悦这话，就拣选了司提反，乃是大有信心、圣灵充满的人；又拣选腓利、伯罗哥罗、尼迦挪、提门、巴米拿，并进犹太教的安提阿人尼哥拉，叫他们站在使徒面前。使徒祷告了，就按手在他们头上。」(使徒行传 6:5-6)    

    在这里的经文中记载了腓利所行的神迹，也就是神借著他成为行神迹的管道。我们最多祗能作为管道而已，没有神的允许，我们不能做任何事情。以保罗为例，他直说，「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。」(使徒行传 15:12) 所以他会说，「除了基督借我做的那些事，我甚么都不敢提，只提他借我言语作为，用神迹奇事的能力，并圣灵的能力，使外邦人顺服。」(罗马书 15:18) 他是能在别人身上行神迹的人，譬如他和巴拿巴到路司得城时，「路司得城里坐著一个两脚无力的人，生来是瘸腿的，从来没有走过。他听保罗讲道，保罗定睛看他，见他有信心，可得痊愈，就大声说：「你起来，两脚站直！」那人就跳起来，而且行走。」(使徒行传 14:8-10) 请注意，属灵的保罗是可以知道那瘫子有信心的，今日也应是如此。    

    但没有神的允许，他不能在自己身上行神迹去治疗自己，神迹都是这样的。如经文所记，「又恐怕我因所得的启示甚大，就过于自高，所以有一根刺加在我肉体上，就是撒但的差役要攻击我，免得我过于自高。为这事，我三次求过主，叫这刺离开我。他对我说：「我的恩典够你用的，因为我的能力是在人的软弱上显得完全。」所以，我更喜欢夸自己的软弱，好叫基督的能力覆庇我。」(哥林多后书 12:7-9) 神迹奇事的目的本是要证明祂的恩道，如经文所说，「二人(保罗和巴拿巴)在那里住了多日，倚靠主放胆讲道，主借他们的手施行神迹奇事，证明他的恩道。」(使徒行传 14:3) 所以本不是要行在自己身上彰显自己的大能，而是要行在别人身上彰显神的大能。永远要记得，「也不要受师尊的称呼，因为只有一位是。你们的师尊，就是基督。」(马太福音 23:10)

2. 行邪术的西门信主       

    「有一个人，名叫西门，向来在那城里行邪术，妄自尊大，使撒马利亚的百姓惊奇；无论大小都听从他，说：「这人就是那称为神的大能者。」他们听从他，因他久用邪术，使他们惊奇。及至他们信了腓利所传神国的福音和耶稣基督的名，连男带女就受了洗。西门自己也信了，既受了洗，就常与腓利在一处，看见他所行的神迹和大异能，就甚惊奇。」(使徒行传 8:9-13)    

    我们看到邪术也可以做一些事情，当人不能分辩其来源时，会听从的，以为那人就是神的大能者，当意识到有更大的力量出现时，他们才会因真理而改变。不过，如果一个人受洗只是因为看见了神迹，这样的信常常是不真实的，西门就是这样的人。请注意，西门是先受洗才看到腓利行的更多神迹，即使如此，我们等下会看到他的信仰的错误，所以即使教导正确，人还是会因老我而跌倒，何况今日有许多教会不按照圣经教导，犹如启示录中所提的老底嘉教会一样，做了许多人为事情，但没有一件是神所喜悦的。因为经文说，「你说：我是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺。却不知道你是那困苦、可怜、贫穷、瞎眼、赤身的。」(启示录 3:17) 又说，「看哪，我站在门外叩门，若有听见我声音就开门的，我要进到他那里去，我与他，他与我一同坐席。」(启示录 3:20)

    关于邪术可以做一些事情，旧约有这样的记载，「耶和华晓谕摩西、亚伦说：「法老若对你们说：『你们行件奇事吧！』你就吩咐亚伦说：『把杖丢在法老面前，使杖变作蛇。』」摩西、亚伦进去见法老，就照耶和华所吩咐的行，亚伦把杖丢在法老和臣仆面前，杖就变作蛇。于是，法老召了博士和术士来，他们是埃及行法术的，也用邪术照样而行。他们各人丢下自己的杖，杖就变作蛇，但亚伦的杖吞了他们的杖。埃及行法术的，也用邪术照样而行。法老心里刚硬，不肯听摩西、亚伦，正如耶和华所说的。」(出埃及记 7:8-13) 但终是邪不胜正，亚伦的杖吞了他们的杖。当水就变作血时， 「埃及行法术的，也用邪术照样而行。…」(出埃及记 7:22) 当亚伦「…伸杖在埃及的诸水以上，青蛙就上来，遮满了埃及地，行法术的也用他们的邪术照样而行，叫青蛙上了埃及地。」(出埃及记 8:6-7) 这是邪术最后能做的事，因当「…亚伦伸杖击打地上的尘土，就在人身上和牲畜身上有了虱子；埃及遍地的尘土都变成虱子了。」时(出埃及记 8:17)，「行法术的也用邪术要生出虱子来，却是不能。于是在人身上和牲畜身上都有了虱子。」(出埃及记 8:18) 行法术的身上也有了虱子。是的，邪终不能胜正。    

    新约的经文这样说，「凡称呼我『主啊，主啊』的人，不能都进天国；惟独遵行我天父旨意的人，才能进去。当那日，必有许多人对我说：『主啊，主啊，我们不是奉你的名传道，奉你的名赶鬼，奉你的名行许多异能吗？』我就明明地告诉他们说：『我从来不认识你们，你们这些作恶的人，离开我去吧！』」(马太福音 7:21-23) 如果他们的异能是由神而来，耶稣怎么会这样说呢！  神迹顾名思义就是神所行的踪迹，靠撒但行的异能，只能叫作魔迹。

3. 彼得和约翰的撒马利亚的傅道, 并西门的无分     

    「使徒在耶路撒冷听见撒马利亚人领受了神的道，就打发彼得、约翰往他们那里去。两个人到了，就为他们祷告，要叫他们受圣灵。因为圣灵还没有降在他们一个人身上，他们只奉主耶稣的名受了洗。于是使徒按手在他们头上，他们就受了圣灵。西门看见使徒按手，便有圣灵赐下，就拿钱给使徒，说：「把这权柄也给我，叫我手按著谁，谁就可以受圣灵。」彼得说：「你的银子和你一同灭亡吧！因你想神的恩赐是可以用钱买的。你在这道上无分无关，因为在神面前，你的心不正。你当懊悔你这罪恶，祈求主，或者你心里的意念可得赦免。我看出你正在苦胆之中，被罪恶捆绑。」西门说：「愿你们为我求主，叫你们所说的，没有一样临到我身上。」使徒既证明主道，而且传讲，就回耶路撒冷去，一路在撒马利亚好些村庄传扬福音。」(使徒行传 8:14-25)     

    基督徒受圣灵是必须的，彼得和约翰在耶稣基督复活后的第一个五旬节，得到了圣灵的浇灌，现在知道圣灵还没有降在他们一个人身上，于是使他们受了圣灵。其实基督徒要追求的是满有圣灵，而一次性的圣灵充满是可以直求而得到的，如耶稣所说的，「我告诉你们：虽不因他是朋友起来给他，但因他情词迫切地直求，就必起来照他所需用的给他。」(路加福音 11:8) 又说，「你们虽然不好，尚且知道拿好东西给儿女，何况天父，岂不更将圣灵给求他的人吗？」(路加福音 11:13) 请注意，这里说你一定可得到被圣灵充满，只是没有应许何时会得著，神有绝对的主权，祂决定，相信祂会在最适当的时间充满我们的。     

    接著就说到西门的现状，他真的在被罪恶捆绑的苦胆之中，他的回应显示出他的害怕，但没有说到他的悔改。最后是看到了使徒是在传扬福音，行了大使命所说的，「…使万民作我的门徒，…」(马太福音 28:19) 这没有记录像以前一样的彼得使约三千人受洗 (参徒行传 2:37-41)，这不是因为使徒的生命不够，而是因为不是每一个人都会因为听道而觉得扎心，耶稣绝对有生命，但仍被钉上十字架，人的心会是多刚硬啊 !

4. 主的使者要腓利向太监传耶稣    

    「有主的一个使者对腓利说：「起来！向南走，往那从耶路撒冷下迦萨的路上去。那路是旷野。」腓利就起身去了。不料(G2400, behold)，有一个埃提阿伯人，是个有大权的太监，在埃提阿伯女王干大基的手下总管银库，他上耶路撒冷礼拜去了。现在回来，在车上坐著，念先知以赛亚的书。圣灵对腓利说：「你去贴近那车走。」腓利就跑到太监那里，听见他念先知以赛亚的书，便问他说：「你所念的，你明白吗？」他说：「没有人指教我，怎能明白呢？」于是请腓利上车，与他同坐。他所念的那段经，说：「他像羊被牵到宰杀之地，又像羊羔在剪毛的人手下无声，他也是这样不开口。他卑微的时候，人不按公义审判他；谁能述说他的世代？因为他的生命从地上夺去。」太监对腓利说：「请问先知说这话，是指著谁？是指著自己呢？是指著别人呢？」腓利就开口从这经上起，对他传讲耶稣。」(使徒行传 8:26-35)  

    我们看到腓利听了使者要他去走旷野的道路，他就起身去了，他只是单纯的顺服神，他去的时候还不知道会发生什么事情，因这里用的是「不料」这字。接著很清楚的说明了他和太监的互动，看到了他是从太监看不懂的以赛亚书 53:7-8 开始，因那指的是耶稣，就明正言顺的开始传讲耶稣。    

    太监本是虔诚的人，要不然就不会去读旧约，一旦他读懂了，就信了耶稣，应证了「…信道是从听道来的，…」(罗马书 10:17) 只是在新约的时代，「…听道是从基督的话来的。」(罗马书 10:17) 在这里也告诉了我们一个传福音的方法，对一个肯读圣经的人来说，我们可以从他不懂的地方说起，让他去正确的了解圣经。     

    这不是说我们自己要先完全了解圣经才能传道，要完全了解圣经是不可能的，因神是无限，而人是有限，所以这是阶段性的了解，神开我们那一部份的眼睛时间，我们就能正确的了解那一部份，所以保罗会说，「若有人以为自己知道甚么，按他所当知道的，他仍是不知道。」(哥林多前书 8:2) 我们要有一个能听的耳，「让 圣灵带领查经」。

5. 太监信而受洗, 并圣灵提走了腓利    

    「二人正往前走，到了有水的地方，太监说：「看哪，这里有水，我受洗有甚么妨碍呢？」[有古卷在此有: 腓利说，你若是一心相信就可以，他回答说，我信耶稣基督是神的儿子。] 于是吩咐车站住，腓利和太监二人同下水里去，腓利就给他施洗。从水里上来，主的灵(圣灵)把腓利提了去。太监也不再见他了，就欢欢喜喜地走路。后来有人在亚锁都遇见腓利。他走遍那地方，在各城宣传福音，直到凯撒利亚。」(使徒行传 8:36-40)    

    我们看到太监是用行动表示他的确是信主的，腓利是在太监主动的要求下，帮他施水洗的。这里没有说到灵洗和被圣灵充满，所以这和耶稣复活后的第一次的五旬节发生的事不一样，那时每个人都被圣灵充满，自然都有灵洗，所以一次性的被圣灵充满就有了灵洗，就像我们才说不久的，是每一个基督徒都可以得到的。在以弗所书所说的，「不要醉酒，酒能使人放荡，乃要被圣灵充满。」(以弗所书 5:18) 仍是指基督徒要追求满有圣灵。     

    就像我们前所说，腓利是圣灵充满的人，所以这里也说到被圣灵充满的弟兄，是可以帮人受洗的，不是非要牧师不可，尤其我们知道牧师本是人间的头衔，不在圣经之内。我们看圣经怎么说，就知道为什么说牧师只是人间的头衔。牧师这词在和合本只出现一次，是在这经文，「他所赐的有(G2532)使徒，有(G1161)先知，有(G1161)传福音的，有(G1161)牧师(G4166)和(G2532)教师。」(以弗所书 4:11) 但这字G4166共出现了18 次，其意义都是指牧人，如同在这经文一样，「他看见许多的人，就怜悯他们，因为他们困苦流离，如同羊没有牧人(G4166)一般。」(马太福音 9:36) 只有这地方翻成牧师。如果我们注意到这里还有一个「和(G2532)」这字，就知道现在的牧师没有不是同时做牧养和教导的。要知道，神是看人的内心，不是看世间的头衔，不值得为一个头衔争论，且要知道，「若是能行，总要尽力与众人和睦。」(罗马书 12:18)     

    腓利的确是传福音的，就像新约提到他的最后一次一样，「第二天，我们离开那里，来到凯撒利亚，就进了传福音的腓利家里，和他同住。他是那七个执事里的一个。」(使徒行传 21:8) 我们知道圣灵是把腓利提了去，有人看见这样，就说来的时候也是被提的，也可能会认为不是立刻提到车旁，而要腓利跑到太监那里，是因为怕太监受惊。这是不对的，和圣经所说的不同，忘记主是全能的神，可以安排到腓利正好看到，太监的车经过。 

    请注意，这文章是基于周日(1/18/26)的专题查经，经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本，所引用过去的文章，在我们的网站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『对属灵生命的了解』。

             我們首先來看教會是被動的分開，卻反而成就了神的旨意，在這裡的經文中記載了腓利所行的神蹟，討論了神蹟的目的，和我們在行神蹟的事上，祗能作祂的管道。第二是討論行邪術的西門信主，看到了邪術也可行一些異能，但終究是邪不勝正。第三是說到了彼得和約翰的撒馬利亞的傅道，並西門的無分，看到基督徒受聖靈是必須的，說到西門的現狀在被罪惡捆綁的苦膽之中，卻沒有悔改。第四是談到主的使者要腓利向太監傳耶穌，他單純的順服神就去了，在這裡也告訴了我們一個傳福音的方法。最後說到太監信而受洗，並聖靈提走了腓利，看到牧師是人間的頭銜，被聖靈充滿的弟兄是可以幫人受洗的。

1. 教會被動的分開而成就了神的旨意

       「從這日起，耶路撒冷的教會大遭逼迫。除了使徒以外，門徒都分散在猶太和撒馬利亞各處。有虔誠的人把司提反埋葬了，為他捶胸大哭。掃羅卻殘害教會，進各人的家，拉着男女下在監裏。那些分散的人往各處去傳道。腓利下撒馬利亞城去宣講基督。眾人聽見了，又看見腓利所行的神蹟，就同心合意地聽從他的話。因為有許多人被污鬼附着，那些鬼大聲呼叫，從他們身上出來；還有許多癱瘓的、瘸腿的，都得了醫治。在那城裏就大有歡喜。」(使徒行傳 8:1-8)

       掃羅的殘害教會在這經文也說得很清楚，「你們聽見我從前在猶太教中所行的事，怎樣極力逼迫、殘害神的教會；我又在猶太教中，比我本國許多同歲的人更有長進，為我祖宗的遺傳更加熱心。」(加拉太書 1:13-14) 即使如此，「然而那把我從母腹裏分別出來、又施恩召我的神，既然樂意將他兒子啓示在我心裏，叫我把他傳在外邦人中，我就沒有與屬血氣的人商量，…我寫給你們的不是謊話，這是我在神面前說的。」(加拉太書 1:15-20) 神是有恩典有憐憫的神。

    在這裏我們要順便注意三件事情。第一是沒有啓示根本讀不懂聖經，保羅本是迦瑪列門下(參使徒行傳 22:3)，那時是大有從人來的學問的人，但他迫害教會，顯然沒有懂舊約，直到他知道「…素來所傳的福音，不是出於人的意思，因為我不是從人領受的，也不是人教導我的，乃是從耶穌基督啓示來的。」(加拉太書 1:11-12) 所以一定要「讓聖靈帶領查經」。第二，他是從母腹中就分別出來，這是預知的，祂又給了他啓示，在神的旨意中那本是預定要給他的，所以預知和預定是一體的兩面，如經文所說，「因為他預先所知道的人，就預先定下效法(模成)他兒子的模樣(形像)，使他兒子在許多弟兄中作長子。」(羅馬書 8:29) 第三，他說得很清楚，他是在神面前說的，基督徒不會明知故犯的說謊去認撒但為父的，經文說得很清楚，「…魔鬼(撒但)…說謊是出於自己，因他本來是說謊的，也是說謊之人的父。」(約翰福音 8:44) 但有許多人以為善意的謊言不是在說謊，這是不對的，寧可不說話。

     其實如果耶路撒冷的教會不被迫害，福音就不會廣傳，神做事的方法絕對是超出人所能想像的，我們看腓利的事蹟也知道這一點。腓利是一個滿有聖靈且為神選的人，因聖經明說「大眾都喜悅這話，就揀選了司提反，乃是大有信心、聖靈充滿的人；又揀選腓利、伯羅哥羅、尼迦挪、提門、巴米拿，並進猶太教的安提阿人尼哥拉，叫他們站在使徒面前。使徒禱告了，就按手在他們頭上。」(使徒行傳 6:5-6) 

       在這裡的經文中記載了腓利所行的神蹟，也就是神藉著他成為行神蹟的管道。我們最多祗能作為管道而已，沒有神的允許，我們不能做任何事情。以保羅為例，他直說，「眾人都默默無聲，聽巴拿巴和保羅述說神藉他們在外邦人中所行的神蹟奇事。」(使徒行傳 15:12) 所以他會說，「除了基督藉我做的那些事，我甚麼都不敢提，只提他藉我言語作為，用神蹟奇事的能力，並聖靈的能力，使外邦人順服。」(羅馬書 15:18) 他是能在別人身上行神蹟的人，譬如他和巴拿巴到路司得城時，「路司得城裏坐着一個兩腳無力的人，生來是瘸腿的，從來沒有走過。他聽保羅講道，保羅定睛看他，見他有信心，可得痊愈，就大聲說：「你起來，兩腳站直！」那人就跳起來，而且行走。」(使徒行傳 14:8-10) 請注意，屬靈的保羅是可以知道那癱子有信心的，今日也應是如此。

    但沒有神的允許，他不能在自己身上行神蹟去治療自己，神蹟都是這樣的。如經文所記，「又恐怕我因所得的啓示甚大，就過於自高，所以有一根刺加在我肉體上，就是撒但的差役要攻擊我，免得我過於自高。為這事，我三次求過主，叫這刺離開我。他對我說：「我的恩典夠你用的，因為我的能力是在人的軟弱上顯得完全。」所以，我更喜歡誇自己的軟弱，好叫基督的能力覆庇我。」(哥林多後書 12:7-9) 神蹟奇事的目的本是要證明祂的恩道，如經文所說，「二人(保羅和巴拿巴)在那裏住了多日，倚靠主放膽講道，主藉他們的手施行神蹟奇事，證明他的恩道。」(使徒行傳 14:3) 所以本不是要行在自己身上彰顯自己的大能，而是要行在別人身上彰顯神的大能。永遠要記得，「也不要受師尊的稱呼，因為只有一位是。你們的師尊，就是基督。」(馬太福音 23:10)

2. 行邪術的西門信主

       「有一個人，名叫西門，向來在那城裏行邪術，妄自尊大，使撒馬利亞的百姓驚奇；無論大小都聽從他，說：「這人就是那稱為神的大能者。」他們聽從他，因他久用邪術，使他們驚奇。及至他們信了腓利所傳神國的福音和耶穌基督的名，連男帶女就受了洗。西門自己也信了，既受了洗，就常與腓利在一處，看見他所行的神蹟和大異能，就甚驚奇。」(使徒行傳 8:9-13)

    我們看到邪術也可以做一些事情，當人不能分辨其來源時，會聽從的，以為那人就是神的大能者，當意識到有更大的力量出現時，他們才會因真理而改變。不過，如果一個人受洗衹是因為看見了神蹟，這樣的信常常是不真實的，西門就是這樣的人。請注意，西門是先受洗才看到腓利行的更多神蹟，即使如此，我們等下會看到他的信仰的錯誤，所以即使教導正確，人還是會因老我而跌倒，何況今日有許多教會不按照聖經教導，猶如啓示錄中所提的老底嘉教會一樣，做了許多人為事情，但沒有一件是神所喜悅的。因為經文說，「你說：我是富足，已經發了財，一樣都不缺。卻不知道你是那困苦、可憐、貧窮、瞎眼、赤身的。」(啓示錄 3:17) 又說，「看哪，我站在門外叩門，若有聽見我聲音就開門的，我要進到他那裏去，我與他，他與我一同坐席。」(啓示錄 3:20)

    關於邪術可以做一些事情，舊約有這樣的記載，「耶和華曉諭摩西、亞倫說：「法老若對你們說：『你們行件奇事吧！』你就吩咐亞倫說：『把杖丟在法老面前，使杖變作蛇。』」摩西、亞倫進去見法老，就照耶和華所吩咐的行，亞倫把杖丟在法老和臣僕面前，杖就變作蛇。於是，法老召了博士和術士來，他們是埃及行法術的，也用邪術照樣而行。他們各人丟下自己的杖，杖就變作蛇，但亞倫的杖吞了他們的杖。埃及行法術的，也用邪術照樣而行。法老心裏剛硬，不肯聽摩西、亞倫，正如耶和華所說的。」(出埃及記 7:8-13) 但終是邪不勝正，亞倫的杖吞了他們的杖。當水就變作血時， 「埃及行法術的，也用邪術照樣而行。…」(出埃及記 7:22) 當亞倫「…伸杖在埃及的諸水以上，青蛙就上來，遮滿了埃及地，行法術的也用他們的邪術照樣而行，叫青蛙上了埃及地。」(出埃及記 8:6-7) 這是邪術最後能做的事，因當「…亞倫伸杖擊打地上的塵土，就在人身上和牲畜身上有了虱子；埃及遍地的塵土都變成虱子了。」時(出埃及記 8:17)，「行法術的也用邪術要生出虱子來，卻是不能。於是在人身上和牲畜身上都有了虱子。」(出埃及記 8:18) 行法術的身上也有了虱子。是的，邪終不能勝正。

    新約的經文這樣說，「凡稱呼我『主啊，主啊』的人，不能都進天國；惟獨遵行我天父旨意的人，才能進去。當那日，必有許多人對我說：『主啊，主啊，我們不是奉你的名傳道，奉你的名趕鬼，奉你的名行許多異能嗎？』我就明明地告訴他們說：『我從來不認識你們，你們這些作惡的人，離開我去吧！』」(馬太福音 7:21-23) 如果他們的異能是由神而來，耶穌怎麼會這樣說呢！  神蹟顧名思義就是神所行的踪蹟，靠撒但行的異能，衹能叫作魔蹟。

3. 彼得和約翰的撒馬利亞的傅道, 並西門的無分

     「使徒在耶路撒冷聽見撒馬利亞人領受了神的道，就打發彼得、約翰往他們那裏去。兩個人到了，就為他們禱告，要叫他們受聖靈。因為聖靈還沒有降在他們一個人身上，他們只奉主耶穌的名受了洗。於是使徒按手在他們頭上，他們就受了聖靈。西門看見使徒按手，便有聖靈賜下，就拿錢給使徒，說：「把這權柄也給我，叫我手按着誰，誰就可以受聖靈。」彼得說：「你的銀子和你一同滅亡吧！因你想神的恩賜是可以用錢買的。你在這道上無分無關，因為在神面前，你的心不正。你當懊悔你這罪惡，祈求主，或者你心裏的意念可得赦免。我看出你正在苦膽之中，被罪惡捆綁。」西門說：「願你們為我求主，叫你們所說的，沒有一樣臨到我身上。」使徒既證明主道，而且傳講，就回耶路撒冷去，一路在撒馬利亞好些村莊傳揚福音。」(使徒行傳 8:14-25)

     基督徒受聖靈是必須的，彼得和約翰在耶穌基督復活後的第一個五旬節，得到了聖靈的澆灌，現在知道聖靈還沒有降在他們一個人身上，於是使他們受了聖靈。其實基督徒要追求的是滿有聖靈，而一次性的聖靈充滿是可以直求而得到的，如耶穌所說的，「我告訴你們：雖不因他是朋友起來給他，但因他情詞迫切地直求，就必起來照他所需用的給他。」(路加福音 11:8) 又說，「你們雖然不好，尚且知道拿好東西給兒女，何況天父，豈不更將聖靈給求他的人嗎？」(路加福音 11:13) 請注意，這裡說你一定可得到被聖靈充滿，衹是沒有應許何時會得著，神有絕對的主權，祂決定，相信祂會在最適當的時間充滿我們的。

     接著就說到西門的現狀，他真的在被罪惡捆綁的苦膽之中，他的回應顯示出他的害怕，但沒有說到他的悔改。最後是看到了使徒是在傳揚福音，行了大使命所說的，「…使萬民作我的門徒，…」(馬太福音 28:19) 這沒有記錄像以前一樣的彼得使約三千人受洗 (參徒行傳 2:37-41)，這不是因為使徒的生命不夠，而是因為不是每一個人都會因為聽道而覺得扎心，耶穌絕對有生命，但仍被釘上十字架，人的心會是多剛硬啊 !

4. 主的使者要腓利向太監傳耶穌

    「有主的一個使者對腓利說：「起來！向南走，往那從耶路撒冷下迦薩的路上去。那路是曠野。」腓利就起身去了。不料(G2400, behold)，有一個埃提阿伯人，是個有大權的太監，在埃提阿伯女王干大基的手下總管銀庫，他上耶路撒冷禮拜去了。現在回來，在車上坐着，念先知以賽亞的書。聖靈對腓利說：「你去貼近那車走。」腓利就跑到太監那裏，聽見他念先知以賽亞的書，便問他說：「你所念的，你明白嗎？」他說：「沒有人指教我，怎能明白呢？」於是請腓利上車，與他同坐。他所念的那段經，說：「他像羊被牽到宰殺之地，又像羊羔在剪毛的人手下無聲，他也是這樣不開口。他卑微的時候，人不按公義審判他；誰能述說他的世代？因為他的生命從地上奪去。」太監對腓利說：「請問先知說這話，是指着誰？是指着自己呢？是指着別人呢？」腓利就開口從這經上起，對他傳講耶穌。」(使徒行傳 8:26-35)

     我們看到腓利聽了使者要他去走曠野的道路，他就起身去了，他衹是單純的順服神，他去的時候還不知道會發生什麼事情，因這裡用的是「不料」這字。接著很清楚的說明了他和太監的互動，看到了他是從太監看不懂的以賽亞書 53:7-8 開始，因那指的是耶穌，就明正言順的開始傳講耶穌。

     太監本是虔誠的人，要不然就不會去讀舊約，一旦他讀懂了，就信了耶穌，應證了「…信道是從聽道來的，…」(羅馬書 10:17) 衹是在新約的時代，「…聽道是從基督的話來的。」(羅馬書 10:17) 在這裡也告訴了我們一個傳福音的方法，對一個肯讀聖經的人來說，我們可以從他不懂的地方說起，讓他去正確的瞭解聖經。

     這不是說我們自己要先完全瞭解聖經才能傳道，要完全瞭解聖經是不可能的，因神是無限，而人是有限，所以這是階段性的瞭解，神開我們那一部份的眼睛時間，我們就能正確的瞭解那一部份，所以保羅會說，「若有人以為自己知道甚麼，按他所當知道的，他仍是不知道。」(哥林多前書 8:2) 我們要有一個能聽的耳，「讓

聖靈帶領查經」。

5. 太監信而受洗, 並聖靈提走了腓利

    「二人正往前走，到了有水的地方，太監說：「看哪，這裏有水，我受洗有甚麼妨礙呢？」[有古卷在此有: 腓利說，你若是一心相信就可以，他回答說，我信耶穌基督是神的兒子。] 於是吩咐車站住，腓利和太監二人同下水裏去，腓利就給他施洗。從水裏上來，主的靈(聖靈)把腓利提了去。太監也不再見他了，就歡歡喜喜地走路。後來有人在亞鎖都遇見腓利。他走遍那地方，在各城宣傳福音，直到凱撒利亞。」(使徒行傳 8:36-40)

    我們看到太監是用行動表示他的確是信主的，腓利是在太監主動的要求下，幫他施水洗的。這裡沒有說到靈洗和被聖靈充滿，所以這和耶穌復活後的第一次的五旬節發生的事不一樣，那時每個人都被聖靈充滿，自然都有靈洗，所以一次性的被聖靈充滿就有了靈洗，就像我們才説不久的，是每一個基督徒都可以得到的。在以弗所書所說的，「不要醉酒，酒能使人放蕩，乃要被聖靈充滿。」(以弗所書 5:18) 仍是指基督徒要追求滿有聖靈。

     就像我們前所說，腓利是聖靈充滿的人，所以這裡也說到被聖靈充滿的弟兄，是可以幫人受洗的，不是非要牧師不可，尤其我們知道牧師本是人間的頭銜，不在聖經之內。我們看聖經怎麼說，就知道為什麼說牧師衹是人間的頭銜。牧師這詞在和合本衹出現一次，是在這經文，「他所賜的有(G2532)使徒，有(G1161)先知，有(G1161)傳福音的，有(G1161)牧師(G4166)和(G2532)教師。」(以弗所書 4:11) 但這字G4166共出現了18 次，其意義都是指牧人，如同在這經文一樣，「他看見許多的人，就憐憫他們，因為他們困苦流離，如同羊沒有牧人(G4166)一般。」(馬太福音 9:36) 衹有這地方翻成牧師。如果我們注意到這裡還有一個「和(G2532)」這字，就知道現在的牧師沒有不是同時做牧養和教導的。要知道，神是看人的內心，不是看世間的頭銜，不值得為一個頭銜爭論，且要知道，「若是能行，總要盡力與眾人和睦。」(羅馬書 12:18)

     腓利的確是傳福音的，就像新約提到他的最後一次一樣，「第二天，我們離開那裏，來到凱撒利亞，就進了傳福音的腓利家裏，和他同住。他是那七個執事裏的一個。」(使徒行傳 21:8) 我們知道聖靈是把腓利提了去，有人看見這樣，就說來的時候也是被提的，也可能會認為不是立刻提到車旁，而要腓利跑到太監那裏，是因為怕太監受驚。這是不對的，和聖經所說的不同，忘記主是全能的神，可以安排到腓利正好看到，太監的車經過。

             請注意，這文章是基於週日(1/18/26)的專題查經，經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本，所引用過去的文章，在我們的網站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。

First, we observe how the Jerusalem church’s people were forced to scatter due to persecution but actually fulfilled God’s will. This passage records the miracles Philip performed, discusses the purpose of miracles, and emphasizes that in performing miracles, we can only serve as His vessels. Second, it discusses Simon the sorcerer’s conversion to the Lord. Though we see that sorcery could also perform some miracles, evil ultimately cannot prevail over righteousness. Third, it recounts Peter and John’s preaching in Samaria and Simon’s exclusion. It shows that Christians must receive the Holy Spirit. It also describes Simon’s present state as bound by sin and a bitter heart, yet without repentance. Fourth, an angel instructs Philip to preach Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip’s simple obedience also reveals a method of evangelism. Finally, the eunuch believes and is baptized. It states that Philip is taken away by the Holy Spirit. We also show what pastors hold is earthly titles, and Spirit-filled brothers may baptize.

1. Church’s people scattered due to persecution but fulfilled God’s will

“Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him (Stephen) to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison. Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was much rejoicing in that city.”(Acts 8:1-8)

Saul’s persecution of the church in this passage also makes it clear: “For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.”(Galatians 1:13-14) Even so, “But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, …(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.)”(Galatians 1:15-20) God is a God of grace and mercy.

Here we should note three things in passing. First, without revelation, one cannot understand the Scriptures at all. Paul was originally a disciple of Gamaliel (see Acts 22:3), and was highly educated in human traditions. Yet he persecuted the church, clearly not understanding the Old Testament. It was only when he realized that “For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”(Galatians 1:11-12), then he understood. Therefore, it is essential to “allow the Holy Spirit to lead Bible study.” Second, he was set apart from his mother’s womb—this was foreknowledge—and God gave him revelation, for it was predestined in God’s purpose to be given to him. Thus, foreknowledge and predestination are two sides of the same coin, as Scripture declares: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”(Romans 8:29) Third, he makes it very clear that he spoke before God. Christians would not knowingly and deliberately lie by confessing Satan as their father. The scripture states plainly, “…the devil (Satan) …Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”(John 8:44) Yet many mistakenly believe that a lie told with good intentions is not a lie at all—this is wrong. It is better to remain silent.

In fact, had the church in Jerusalem not faced persecution, the gospel would not have spread so widely. God’s ways are utterly beyond human comprehension, as we see in the account of Philip. Philip was a man full of the Holy Spirit and chosen by God, for Scripture clearly states, “The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.”(Acts 6:5-6) 

This passage records the miracles performed by Philip, demonstrating how God used him as an instrument to work miracles. At best, we can only serve as conduits; without God’s permission, we can accomplish nothing. Take Paul as an example. He plainly stated, “All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.”(Acts 15:12) Therefore, he declared, “For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed.”(Romans 15:18) He was a man who could perform miracles in others. For instance, when he and Barnabas went to Lystra, “At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well, said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk.”(Acts 14:8-10) Note that the spiritually discerning Paul could perceive the paralytic’s faith—and so it should be today.

But without God’s permission, Paul could not perform a miracle to heal himself. Miracles always work this way. As Scripture records, “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me⁠—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”(2 Corinthians 12:7-9) The purpose of miracles and wonders is to demonstrate His gracious way, as the Scripture says: “Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.”(Acts 14:3) Therefore, miracles are not meant to demonstrate one’s own power, but to reveal God’s power through others. Always remember: “Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.”(Matthew 23:10)

2. Simon the sorcerer believes in the Lord

“Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts. But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.”(Acts 8:9-13)

We see that sorcery can also accomplish some things. When people cannot discern its source, they will follow it, thinking that person is a mighty man of God. Only when they realize a greater power has appeared do they change because of the truth. However, if a person is baptized merely because they have seen miracles, such faith is often insincere. Simon was such a person. Note that Simon was baptized before witnessing Philip’s further miracles. Even so, we will soon see the errors in his faith. Thus, even with correct teaching, people can stumble due to their old nature. How much more so today, when many churches do not teach according to Scripture? Like the church of Laodicea mentioned in the Book of Revelation, they engage in many human works, yet none of them are pleasing to God. For Scripture says, “Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”(Revelation 3:17) It also says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”(Revelation 3:20)

Regarding what sorcery can accomplish, the Old Testament records: “Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Work a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” So Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh, and thus they did just as the LORD had commanded; and Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts. For each one threw down his staff and they turned into serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. Yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had said.”(Exodus 7:8-13) Yet evil could not prevail over good, for Aaron’s staff swallowed their staffs. When the water turned to blood, “But the magicians of Egypt did the same with their secret arts; …”(Exodus 7:22) When “…Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. The magicians did the same with their secret arts, making frogs come up on the land of Egypt.”(Exodus 8:6-7) This was the last act of sorcery they could perform, for when “…Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats through all the land of Egypt.”(Exodus 8:17) “The magicians tried with their secret arts to bring forth gnats, but they could not; so there were gnats on man and beast.”Egypt.”(Exodus 8:17) Even the magicians were afflicted with gnats. Yes, evil cannot ultimately prevail over good.

The New Testament passage states: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”(Matthew 7:21-23) If their miracles were from God, how could Jesus say such a thing!  A miracle, as the name implies, is a trace of God’s work. Miracles performed by Satan can only be called demonic miracles.

3. Peter and John’s ministry in Samaria, and Simon’s exclusion

“Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.” But Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.”(Acts 8:14-25)

It is essential for Christians to receive the Holy Spirit. Peter and John, having been filled with the Holy Spirit at the first Pentecost after Jesus Christ’s resurrection, now realized that the Holy Spirit had not yet descended upon any of them individually. Therefore, they received the Holy Spirit through laying hands. In truth, Christians should pursue being filled with the Holy Spirit not a one-time filling. A one-time filling of the Holy Spirit can be obtained through persistent petition, as Jesus said: “I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.”(Luke 11:8) He also said, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”(Luke 11:13) Note that this passage affirms you will certainly receive the Holy Spirit’s filling, though it does not promise when. God holds absolute sovereignty; He decides. Trust that He will fill us at the most appropriate time.

Next, it describes Simon’s condition—truly bound in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity. His response reveals fear but no mention of repentance. Finally, we see the apostles fulfilling the Great Commission: “… make disciples of all the nations, …”(Matthew 28:19) Unlike earlier accounts where Peter baptized about three thousand people (cf. Acts 2:37-41), this is not because the apostles lacked life, but because not everyone is pierced to the heart by hearing the message. Jesus possessed absolute life yet was still crucified—how hardened human hearts can be! 

4. The Lord’s messenger instructs Philip to preach Jesus to the eunuch

“But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) So he got up and went; and (G2400, behold) there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “He was led as a sheep to slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He does not open His mouth. “In humiliation His judgment was taken away; Who will relate His generation? For His life is removed from the earth.” The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him.”(Acts 8:26-35)

We see that when Philip heard the angel tell him to go toward the wilderness road, he got up and went. He simply obeyed God. When he went, he didn’t know what would happen, since there is a missing word “(G2400, behold)” used here. The subsequent account clearly describes his interaction with the eunuch. Starting with Isaiah 53:7-8—a passage the eunuch did not understand because it pointed to Jesus—Philip began preaching about Jesus in a straightforward manner.

The eunuch was a devout man—otherwise he wouldn’t have been reading the Old Testament. Once he understood, he believed in Jesus, fulfilling the truth that “…faith comes from hearing…” (Romans 10:17). Only in the New Testament era does “…hearing come from the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Here we also learn a method of evangelism: for someone willing to read the Scriptures, we can begin where they lack understanding, guiding them to a correct grasp of the Bible.

This does not mean we must fully comprehend the Bible ourselves before sharing the gospel. Complete understanding is impossible, for God is infinite while humans are finite. Thus, our understanding progresses in stages. When God opens our eyes to a particular portion, we grasp that part correctly. This is why Paul declared, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.”(1 Corinthians 8:2) We must cultivate ears that listen, “allowing the Holy Spirit to lead our Bible study.”

5. The eunuch believed and was baptized, and the Holy Spirit took Philip away.

“As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.”(Acts 8:36-40)

We see that the eunuch demonstrated his genuine faith through action. Philip baptized him in water at the eunuch’s own request. There is no mention here of baptism in the Spirit or being filled with the Holy Spirit. This differs from the events at the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection, when everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit and naturally received baptism in the Spirit. Thus, a one-time filling with the Holy Spirit brought baptism in the Spirit—as we discussed recently, something every Christian can receive. As the Book of Ephesians states, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.”(Ephesians 5:18). This still refers to Christians pursuing being filled with the Holy Spirit.

As we previously noted, Philip was a man filled with the Holy Spirit. Here it is also stated that a brother filled with the Holy Spirit can baptize others—it is not exclusively reserved for pastors. Especially since we know the title “pastor” is a human designation not found in Scripture. Examining what the Bible says reveals why “pastor” is merely a human title. The term “pastor” appears only once in the Chinese Union Version, in this passage: “And (G2532) He gave some as apostles, and (G1161) some as prophets, and (G1161) some as evangelists, and (G1161) some as pastors (G4166) and (G2532) teachers.”(Ephesians 4:11) Yet this word G4166 appears 18 times, consistently denoting shepherd, as in this passage: “Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd (G4166).”(Matthew 9:36) Only in this place is it translated as pastor. If we note the word “and (G2532)” here, we understand that no pastor today fails to perform both shepherding and teaching. Remember, God looks at the heart, not worldly titles. It is not worth disputing over a title. Moreover, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”(Romans 12:18).

Philip was indeed an evangelist, as evidenced by the New Testament’s account regarding him: “On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.”(Acts 21:8) We know the Holy Spirit took Philip away. Some who witnessed this concluded he was also taken away upon arrival. Others might suggest Philip did not immediately appear beside the chariot but ran to the eunuch out of fear of startling him. This is incorrect and contradicts Scripture, forgetting that the Lord is the Almighty God who could have arranged for Philip to be precisely where he saw the eunuch’s chariot pass by.

Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (1/18/26) topicwise Bible study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. Past articles referenced can be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, under ‘On spiritual understanding about life.’

    我们首先讲到摩西在埃及皇宫四十年及在米甸牧羊四十年间的经历。第二是说到摩西从荆棘火焰中被呼召，及详细的讨论了为什么说他遇到的是基督。特别提到了要「兴起一位先知像我」，而引用了以前的讨论。第三是简短的提到了以色列家的堕落。第四是讨论了会幕和圣殿，详细的讨论了建筑圣殿的所罗门，他得到了属世的智慧，从他老年建筑邱坛，就可看见他缺乏属灵的智慧，也看到神是用的回授策略。最后我们谈到司提反之死及耶稣站著迎接他的殊荣，看到他在生前就满有圣灵的，模成了耶稣的形像。             

1. 摩西在埃及皇宫四十年及在米甸牧羊四十年间的经历       

    「及至神应许亚伯拉罕的日期将到，以色列民在埃及兴盛众多，直到有不晓得约瑟的新王兴起。他用诡计待我们的宗族，苦害我们的祖宗，叫他们丢弃婴孩，使婴孩不能存活。「那时，摩西生下来，俊美非凡，在他父亲家里抚养了三个月。他被丢弃的时候，法老的女儿拾了去，养为自己的儿子。摩西学了埃及人一切的学问，说话行事都有才能。「他将到四十岁，心中起意，去看望他的弟兄以色列人。到了那里， 看见一个受冤屈的人，就挺身相助，为受欺压者报仇，打死了那埃及人。他以为弟兄们必明白神是借他的手拯救他们，他们却不明白。次日，遇见两个以色列人争斗，便劝他们和睦，说：『你们二人既是弟兄，为何彼此欺压呢？』 欺负邻舍的那人推开他说：『谁立你作我们的首领和审判官呢？难道你要杀我，像昨天杀那埃及人吗？』摩西听见这话就逃走了，寄居于米甸，在那里生了两个儿子。」(使徒行传 7:17-29)   

    我们看到神凡事有定期，如经文所说，「凡事都有定期，天下万务都有定时。」(传道书 3:1)  经文讲述的是出埃及记 1:8-22，提到「有不认识约瑟的新王起来，治理埃及。」（出埃及记 1:8）又说「法老吩咐他的众民说：『以色列人所生的男孩，你们都要丢在河里；一切的女孩，你们要存留她的性命。』」（出埃及记 1:22）     

    接著讲述出埃及记 2:1-15，摩西是诞生于这样的家庭：「有一个利未人娶了利未女子为妻。」（出埃及记 2:1）随后说明他为何在埃及王宫长大，于是他学了一切的学问，说话行事都有才能。而他的母亲作为他的奶妈哺育他，反而因哺育自己的儿子而得到了工价，这样的好事人间少有。（参出埃及记 2:3-10）        

    接著记载他约四十岁时发生杀人的事，就是在出埃及记 2:11-14，并说「法老听闻此事，便欲杀害摩西，摩西遂逃离法老，前往米甸地居住。」(出埃及记 2:15) 因此他以后的约四十年始终在米甸牧羊，直至神呼召他去事奉，也就是他在人间的最后四十年。从他约四十岁时发生的事，我们可知其母教导甚好，告诫他勿忘神和教导他与神的相关知识，因经文记载：「他以为弟兄必明白神是借他的手搭救他们，⋯」(使徒行传 7:25)        

    在此期间，他与外邦女子西坡拉成婚（参见出埃及记 2:16-21），并育有两子。经文明确记载：「… 西坡拉的两个儿子，一个名叫革舜，因为摩西说：「我在外邦作了寄居的」；一个名叫以利以谢，因为他说：「我父亲的神帮助了我，救我脱离法老的刀。」」(出埃及记 18:3-4)

2. 摩西从荆棘火焰中被呼召及基督       

    「过了四十年，在西奈山的旷野，有一位天使(G32, messenger,  angel)从荆棘火焰中向摩西显现。摩西见了那异象，便觉希奇，正进前观看的时候，有主的声音说：『我是你列祖的神，就是亚伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神。』摩西战战兢兢，不敢观看。「主(G2962)对他说：『把你脚上的鞋脱下来，因为你所站之地是圣地。我的百姓在埃及所受的困苦，我实在看见了；他们悲叹的声音，我也听见了。我下来要救他们。你来！我要差你往埃及去。』「这摩西，就是百姓弃绝说『谁立你作我们的首领和审判官』的，神却借那在荆棘中显现之使者的手，差派他作首领、作救赎的。这人领百姓出来，在埃及，在红海，在旷野，四十年间行了奇事神迹。「那曾对以色列人说『神要从你们弟兄中间给你们兴起一位先知像我』的，就是这位摩西。这人曾在旷野会中和西奈山上与那对他说话的天使同在，又与我们的祖宗同在，并且领受活泼的圣言传给我们。」」(使徒行传 7:30-38)    

    请注意，在汇编(Strong’s Concordance)天使用的是两个字，就是天使(G32) 和 主(G2962)，后者的意义在这经文中可以看到，「他们聚集的时候，问耶稣说：「主(G2962)啊，你复兴以色列国就在这时候吗？」」(使徒行传 1:6) 在另外一个原文版本中，就只有天使(G32)这字，和这里相同。       

    前段是在讲出埃及记 3:1-6，其中一句经文是这样说的，「…「我是你父亲的神，是亚伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神。」摩西蒙上脸，因为怕看神(H430，复数)。」(出埃及记 3:6) 这用的是复数的三位一体的神，他怕看神，说明这神是可看见的，不会是圣灵，因为圣灵是纯粹的灵，是看不见的。    

    在这之前又说，「耶和华的使者(H4397, messenger)从荆棘里火焰中向摩西显现。…」(出埃及记 3:2) 父神不会自己说是使者的，而且「耶和华说：…「你(摩西)不能看见我的面，因为人见我的面不能存活。」」(出埃及记 33:19-20) 而现在摩西是活得好好的，所以那是指三位一体的神中的耶稣基督。     

    这里说到了显现，就更证明这神是可以看见的。至于为什么是在火焰中显现呢？诗篇说得很清楚，「我的心哪，你要称颂耶和华！耶和华(H3068, Jehovah) 我的神(H430, 复数)啊，你为至大！你以尊荣威严为衣服，…以风为使者，以火焰为仆役。」(诗篇 104:1-4) 这里也是在说三位一体的神，所以主耶稣基督会在火焰的仆役中显现。因为摩西看到的这位，不是普通所谓的天使，而是指三位一体中的那一位耶稣基督，所以所站之地是圣地。       

    后半段是总结摩西被呼召后，在人间最后四十年所做的事，特别提到了要「兴起一位先知像我」，这先知是指耶稣，就像我们以前在「3171 彼得医治瘸腿, 见证要信耶稣，及进窄门 – 徒(3)1-26」中的「3. 彼得见证要信耶稣，因而我们需要走窄门」所提到过的，就不重复讨论了，详情请看那篇文章。

3. 以色列家的堕落    

    「我们的祖宗不肯听从，反弃绝他，心里归向埃及，对亚伦说：『你且为我们造些神像，在我们前面引路；因为领我们出埃及地的那个摩西，我们不知道他遭了甚么事。』那时，他们造了一个牛犊，又拿祭物献给那像，欢喜自己手中的工作。神就转脸不顾，任凭他们事奉天上的日月星辰，正如先知书上所写的说：『以色列家啊，你们四十年间在旷野，岂是将牺牲和祭物献给我吗？你们抬著摩洛的帐幕和理番神的星，就是你们所造、为要敬拜的像。因此，我要把你们迁到巴比伦外去。』」(使徒行传 7:39-43)       

    前半段描述了出埃及记 32:1-6 所记载的事件，后半段则揭示了他们真实光景。如经文所记，南国犹大确实被迁往巴比伦之外（参列王纪下 25:1-30）。

4. 会幕和圣殿       

    「我们的祖宗在旷野有法柜的帐幕，是神吩咐摩西叫他照所看见的样式做的。这帐幕，我们的祖宗相继承受。当神在他们面前赶出外邦人去的时候，他们同约书亚把帐幕搬进承受为业之地，直存到大卫的日子。大卫在神面前蒙恩，祈求为雅各的神预备居所；却是所罗门为神造成殿宇。「其实，至高者并不住人手所造的，就如先知所言：『主说：天是我的座位，地是我的脚凳，你们要为我造何等的殿宇？哪里是我安息的地方呢？这一切不都是我手所造的吗？』「你们这硬著颈项、心与耳未受割礼的人，常时抗拒圣灵；你们的祖宗怎样，你们也怎样！哪一个先知不是你们祖宗逼迫呢？他们也把预先传说那义者要来的人杀了；如今你们又把那义者卖了、杀了。你们受了天使所传的律法，竟不遵守。」」(使徒行传 7:44-53)       

    的确会幕(帐幕)是神吩咐摩西叫他照所看见的样式做的，经文说得很清楚，「要照著在山上指示你的样式立起帐幕。」(出埃及记 26:30) 在会幕中，「要谨慎做这些物件，都要照著在山上指示你的样式。」(出埃及记 25:40) 然后说到了这经文发生的事，「大卫王就站起来说：「我的弟兄、我的百姓啊，你们当听我言！我心里本想建造殿宇，安放耶和华的约柜，作为我神的脚凳，我已经预备建造的材料。只是神对我说：『你不可为我的名建造殿宇，因你是战士，流了人的血。』…「我儿所罗门哪，你当认识耶和华你父的神，诚心乐意地事奉他。因为他鉴察众人的心，知道一切心思意念。你若寻求他，他必使你寻见；你若离弃他，他必永远丢弃你！你当谨慎，因耶和华拣选你建造殿宇作为圣所。你当刚强去行。」」(历代志上 28:2-10) 所以这里说得很清楚，圣殿是所罗门建的，我们就在这点上分享一些。    

    第一是有人因他建筑圣殿，就说到了难怪「就借先知拿单赐他一个名字叫耶底底亚，因为耶和华爱他。」(撒母耳记下 12:25) 且当「…神向所罗门显现，对他说：「你愿我赐你甚么，你可以求。」…神对所罗门说：「我已立你作我民的王。你既有这心意，并不求资财、丰富、尊荣，也不求灭绝那恨你之人的性命，又不求大寿数，只求智慧聪明好判断我的民；我必赐你智慧聪明，也必赐你资财、丰富、尊荣。在你以前的列王都没有这样，在你以后也必没有这样的。」(历代志下 1:7-12)       

    我知道这事以后，经过了非常长的一段时间，才知道这里讲得是指属世的智慧，因为他如果得的是属灵的智慧，就不会在「所罗门年老的时候，他的妃嫔诱惑他的心去随从别神，不效法他父亲大卫诚诚实实地顺服耶和华他的神。因为所罗门随从西顿人的女神亚斯她录和亚扪人可憎的神米勒公。所罗门行耶和华眼中看为恶的事，不效法他父亲大卫专心顺从耶和华。所罗门为摩押可憎的神基抹和亚扪人可憎的神摩洛，在耶路撒冷对面的山上建筑邱坛。他为那些向自己的神烧香献祭的外邦女子，就是他娶来的妃嫔也是这样行。耶和华向所罗门发怒，因为他的心偏离向他两次显现的耶和华以色列的神。耶和华曾吩咐他不可随从别神，他却没有遵守耶和华所吩咐的。」(列王纪上 11:4-10)     

    他所建筑的邱坛，害惨了南国犹大，要到南国几乎快灭亡时才被拆除，就是在约西亚王时，「从前以色列王所罗门在耶路撒冷前、邪僻山右边为西顿人可憎的神亚斯她录、摩押人可憎的神基抹、亚扪人可憎的神米勒公所筑的邱坛，王都污秽了。」(列王纪下 23:13) 在这之前，「希西家行耶和华眼中看为正的事，效法他祖大卫一切所行的。他废去邱坛，毁坏柱像，砍下木偶，打碎摩西所造的铜蛇，因为到那时以色列人仍向铜蛇烧香。希西家叫铜蛇为铜块。」(列王纪下 18:3-4) 即使如此，希西家也不敢碰所罗门所筑的邱坛。     

    这里也说到所罗门是明知故犯，做了选择，不是那赐他耶底底亚的名的神转向而不爱他，所以神虽因爱他而赐他名字，但他是可以因自己的选择而改变结果的，因为神用的是回授策略，就像旧约说的，「义人若转离义行而作罪孽死亡，他是因所作的罪孽死亡。再者，恶人若回头离开所行的恶，行正直与合理的事，他必将性命救活了。」(以西结书 18:26-27) 更直说，「…以色列家啊，我必按你们各人所行的审判你们。」(以西结书 33:20) 新约也说，「我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义。」(约翰一书 1:9)    

    所以当有人说，所罗门需要神的怜悯，我不相信这是智慧的话语，而是不负责任的说法，因神在圣经明说了对他发怒，神不会骗我们而转而怜悯所罗门的。其实我们可以从另一个角度看旧约对他的评价，「他作箴言三千句，诗歌一千零五首。」(列王纪上 4:32) 但所罗门的诗在诗篇中明说的只有诗篇 72 篇一首，还是在说，「耶西的儿子大卫的祈祷完毕。」(诗篇 72:20)   

    有人可能会问，既然所罗门这么有问题，为什么旧约还收录了他这么多部的书？我们看看耶稣怎么说，「那时，耶稣对众人和门徒讲论，说：「文士和法利赛人坐在摩西的位上，凡他们所吩咐你们的，你们都要谨守遵行；但不要效法他们的行为，因为他们能说不能行。他们把难担的重担捆起来，搁在人的肩上，但自己一个指头也不肯动。」(马太福音 23:1-4).我们看到耶稣是如何的批评文士和法利赛人，但他们说的话如果是对的话还是要听，也就是不要以人废言。只是要分辩，「务要谨守、警醒，因为你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。」(彼得前书 5:8) 据我所知，收录的书都是他年轻时和神亲密时所写，不是在他老年的时候。简言之，所罗门所写的书还是要看。        

    其余的经文都讲得很清楚，确实是他们不守律法，把无罪的耶稣钉上十字架，祂的无罪路加福音是这样说的，「彼拉多对祭司长和众人说：「我查不出这人有甚么罪来。」」(路加福音 23:4) 救恩却因此而成就了，神做的事一向是超出人能想像的。

#####5. 司提反之死及耶稣站著迎接他       

    「众人听见这话，就极其恼怒，向司提反咬牙切齿。但司提反被圣灵充满，定睛望天，看见神的荣耀，又看见耶稣站在神的右边，就说：「我看见天开了，人子站在神的右边！」众人大声喊叫，摀著耳朵，齐心拥上前去，把他推到城外，用石头打他。作见证的人把衣裳放在一个少年人名叫扫罗的脚前。他们正用石头打的时候，司提反呼吁主说：「求主耶稣接收我的灵(G4151, spirit)(魂)！」又跪下大声喊著说：「主啊，不要将这罪归于他们！」说了这话，就睡了。扫罗也喜悦他被害。」」(使徒行传 7:54-60)    

    注意这话是指他最后讲的，「你们这硬著颈项、心与耳未受割礼的人，常时抗拒圣灵；你们的祖宗怎样，你们也怎样！哪一个先知不是你们祖宗逼迫呢？他们也把预先传说那义者要来的人杀了；如今你们又把那义者卖了、杀了。你们受了天使所传的律法，竟不遵守。」(使徒行传 7:51-53) 他们不但听不下去，更是恨到咬牙切齿。这就和这经文所描述的相同，「同他在那里的法利赛人听见这话，就说：「难道我们也瞎了眼吗？」耶稣对他们说：「你们若瞎了眼，就没有罪了；但如今你们说『我们能看见』，所以你们的罪还在。」」(约翰福音 9:40-41)        

    我们看到司提反死前所说的话，基本上是和耶稣在十字架上说的一句话是一样的：「当下耶稣说：『父啊，赦免他们！因为他们所做的，他们不晓得。』⋯」（路加福音 23:34, 他在生前就因满有圣灵的，模成了耶稣的形像。我们也看见主是站起来迎接他的，这是殊荣，因在平常，祂都是坐著的，如经文所说： 「惟有基督献了一次永远的赎罪祭，就在神的右边坐下了。从此等候他仇敌成了他的脚凳。」（希伯来书 10:12-13）      

    最后要提及的是，当时的保罗(扫罗）曾迫害基督徒，甚至为司提反遭害而欢喜。因此经文记载：「扫罗仍向主的门徒口吐威吓凶杀的话，去见大祭司，求文书给大马士革的各会堂，若是寻得信奉这道的人， 无论男女，都准他捆绑带到耶路撒冷。」（使徒行传 9:1-2）再一次证明，「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」。      

    请注意，这文章是基于周日(1/11/26)的专题查经，经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本，所引用过去的文章，在我们的网站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『对属灵生命的了解』。

             我們首先講到摩西在埃及皇宮四十年及在米甸牧羊四十年間的經歷。第二是說到摩西從荊棘火焰中被呼召，及詳細的討論了為什麼說他遇到的是基督。特別提到了要「興起一位先知像我」，而引用了以前的討論。第三是簡短的提到了以色列家的墮落。第四是討論了會幕和聖殿，詳細的討論了建築聖殿的所羅門，他得到了屬世的智慧，從他老年建築邱壇，就可看見他缺乏屬靈的智慧，也看到神是用的回授策略。最後我們談到司提反之死及耶穌站著迎接他的殊榮，看到他在生前就滿有聖靈的，模成了耶穌的形像。

1. 摩西在埃及皇宮四十年及在米甸牧羊四十年間的經歷

       「及至神應許亞伯拉罕的日期將到，以色列民在埃及興盛眾多，直到有不曉得約瑟的新王興起。他用詭計待我們的宗族，苦害我們的祖宗，叫他們丟棄嬰孩，使嬰孩不能存活。「那時，摩西生下來，俊美非凡，在他父親家裏撫養了三個月。他被丟棄的時候，法老的女兒拾了去，養為自己的兒子。摩西學了埃及人一切的學問，說話行事都有才能。「他將到四十歲，心中起意，去看望他的弟兄以色列人。到了那裏， 看見一個受冤屈的人，就挺身相助，為受欺壓者報仇，打死了那埃及人。他以為弟兄們必明白神是藉他的手拯救他們，他們卻不明白。次日，遇見兩個以色列人爭鬥，便勸他們和睦，說：『你們二人既是弟兄，為何彼此欺壓呢？』 欺負鄰舍的那人推開他說：『誰立你作我們的首領和審判官呢？難道你要殺我，像昨天殺那埃及人嗎？』摩西聽見這話就逃走了，寄居於米甸，在那裡生了兩個兒子。」(使徒行傳 7:17-29)

    我們看到神凡事有定期，如經文所說，「凡事都有定期，天下萬務都有定時。」(傳道書 3:1)  經文講述的是出埃及記 1:8-22，提到「有不認識約瑟的新王起來，治理埃及。」（出埃及記 1:8）又說「法老吩咐他的眾民說：『以色列人所生的男孩，你們都要丟在河裡；一切的女孩，你們要存留她的性命。』」（出埃及記 1:22）

     接著講述出埃及記 2:1-15，摩西是誕生於這樣的家庭：「有一個利未人娶了利未女子為妻。」（出埃及記 2:1）隨後說明他為何在埃及王宮長大，於是他學了一切的學問，說話行事都有才能。而他的母親作為他的奶媽哺育他，反而因哺育自己的兒子而得到了工價，這樣的好事人間少有。（參出埃及記 2:3-10）

        接著記載他約四十歲時發生殺人的事，就是在出埃及記 2:11-14，並說「法老聽聞此事，便欲殺害摩西，摩西遂逃離法老，前往米甸地居住。」(出埃及記 2:15) 因此他以後的約四十年始終在米甸牧羊，直至神呼召他去事奉，也就是他在人間的最後四十年。從他約四十歲時發生的事，我們可知其母教導甚好，告誡他勿忘神和教導他與神的相關知識，因經文記載：「他以為弟兄必明白神是藉他的手搭救他們，⋯」(使徒行傳 7:25)

        在此期間，他與外邦女子西坡拉成婚（參見出埃及記 2:16-21），並育有兩子。經文明確記載：「… 西坡拉的兩個兒子，一個名叫革舜，因為摩西說：「我在外邦作了寄居的」；一個名叫以利以謝，因為他說：「我父親的神幫助了我，救我脫離法老的刀。」」(出埃及記 18:3-4)

2. 摩西從荊棘火焰中被呼召及基督

       「過了四十年，在西奈山的曠野，有一位天使(G32, messenger,  angel)從荊棘火焰中向摩西顯現。摩西見了那異象，便覺希奇，正進前觀看的時候，有主的聲音說：『我是你列祖的神，就是亞伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神。』摩西戰戰兢兢，不敢觀看。「主(G2962)對他說：『把你腳上的鞋脫下來，因為你所站之地是聖地。我的百姓在埃及所受的困苦，我實在看見了；他們悲歎的聲音，我也聽見了。我下來要救他們。你來！我要差你往埃及去。』「這摩西，就是百姓棄絕說『誰立你作我們的首領和審判官』的，神卻藉那在荊棘中顯現之使者的手，差派他作首領、作救贖的。這人領百姓出來，在埃及，在紅海，在曠野，四十年間行了奇事神蹟。「那曾對以色列人說『神要從你們弟兄中間給你們興起一位先知像我』的，就是這位摩西。這人曾在曠野會中和西奈山上與那對他說話的天使同在，又與我們的祖宗同在，並且領受活潑的聖言傳給我們。」」(使徒行傳 7:30-38)

    請注意，在彙編(Strong’s Concordance)天使用的是兩個字，就是天使(G32) 和 主(G2962)，後者的意義在這經文中可以看到，「他們聚集的時候，問耶穌說：「主(G2962)啊，你復興以色列國就在這時候嗎？」」(使徒行傳 1:6) 在另外一個原文版本中，就衹有天使(G32)這字，和這裏相同。

       前段是在講出埃及記 3:1-6，其中一句經文是這樣說的，「…「我是你父親的神，是亞伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神。」摩西蒙上臉，因為怕看神(H430，複數)。」(出埃及記 3:6) 這用的是複數的三位一體的神，他怕看神，說明這神是可看見的，不會是聖靈，因為聖靈是純粹的靈，是看不見的。

    在這之前又說，「耶和華的使者(H4397, messenger)從荊棘裏火焰中向摩西顯現。…」(出埃及記 3:2) 父神不會自己說是使者的，而且「耶和華說：…「你(摩西)不能看見我的面，因為人見我的面不能存活。」」(出埃及記 33:19-20) 而現在摩西是活得好好的，所以那是指三位一體的神中的耶穌基督。

     這裡說到了顯現，就更証明這神是可以看見的。至於為什麼是在火焰中顯現呢？詩篇說得很清楚，「我的心哪，你要稱頌耶和華！耶和華(H3068, Jehovah) 我的神(H430, 複數)啊，你為至大！你以尊榮威嚴為衣服，…以風為使者，以火焰為僕役。」(詩篇 104:1-4) 這裡也是在說三位一體的神，所以主耶穌基督會在火焰的僕役中顯現。因為摩西看到的這位，不是普通所謂的天使，而是指三位一體中的那一位耶穌基督，所以所站之地是聖地。

       後半段是總結摩西被呼召後，在人間最後四十年所做的事，特別提到了要「興起一位先知像我」，這先知是指耶穌，就像我們以前在「2171 彼得醫治瘸腿, 見證要信耶穌，及進窄門 – 徒(3)1-26」中的「3. 彼得見證要信耶穌，因而我們需要走窄門」所提到過的，就不重複討論了，詳情請看那篇文章。

3. 以色列家的墮落

       「我們的祖宗不肯聽從，反棄絕他，心裏歸向埃及，對亞倫說：『你且為我們造些神像，在我們前面引路；因為領我們出埃及地的那個摩西，我們不知道他遭了甚麼事。』那時，他們造了一個牛犢，又拿祭物獻給那像，歡喜自己手中的工作。神就轉臉不顧，任憑他們事奉天上的日月星辰，正如先知書上所寫的說：『以色列家啊，你們四十年間在曠野，豈是將犧牲和祭物獻給我嗎？你們抬着摩洛的帳幕和理番神的星，就是你們所造、為要敬拜的像。因此，我要把你們遷到巴比倫外去。』」(使徒行傳 7:39-43)

       前半段描述了出埃及記 32:1-6 所記載的事件，後半段則揭示了他們真實光景。如經文所記，南國猶大確實被遷往巴比倫之外（參列王紀下 25:1-30）。

4. 會幕和聖殿

       「我們的祖宗在曠野有法櫃的帳幕，是神吩咐摩西叫他照所看見的樣式做的。這帳幕，我們的祖宗相繼承受。當神在他們面前趕出外邦人去的時候，他們同約書亞把帳幕搬進承受為業之地，直存到大衞的日子。大衞在神面前蒙恩，祈求為雅各的神預備居所；卻是所羅門為神造成殿宇。「其實，至高者並不住人手所造的，就如先知所言：『主說：天是我的座位，地是我的腳凳，你們要為我造何等的殿宇？哪裏是我安息的地方呢？這一切不都是我手所造的嗎？』「你們這硬着頸項、心與耳未受割禮的人，常時抗拒聖靈；你們的祖宗怎樣，你們也怎樣！哪一個先知不是你們祖宗逼迫呢？他們也把預先傳說那義者要來的人殺了；如今你們又把那義者賣了、殺了。你們受了天使所傳的律法，竟不遵守。」」(使徒行傳 7:44-53)

       的確會幕(帳幕)是神吩咐摩西叫他照所看見的樣式做的，經文說得很清楚，「要照着在山上指示你的樣式立起帳幕。」(出埃及記 26:30) 在會幕中，「要謹慎做這些物件，都要照着在山上指示你的樣式。」(出埃及記 25:40) 然後說到了這經文發生的事，「大衞王就站起來說：「我的弟兄、我的百姓啊，你們當聽我言！我心裏本想建造殿宇，安放耶和華的約櫃，作為我神的腳凳，我已經預備建造的材料。只是神對我說：『你不可為我的名建造殿宇，因你是戰士，流了人的血。』…「我兒所羅門哪，你當認識耶和華你父的神，誠心樂意地事奉他。因為他鑒察眾人的心，知道一切心思意念。你若尋求他，他必使你尋見；你若離棄他，他必永遠丟棄你！你當謹慎，因耶和華揀選你建造殿宇作為聖所。你當剛強去行。」」(歷代志上 28:2-10) 所以這裡說得很清楚，聖殿是所羅門建的，我們就在這點上分享一些。

    第一是有人因他建築聖殿，就說到了難怪「就藉先知拿單賜他一個名字叫耶底底亞，因為耶和華愛他。」(撒母耳記下 12:25) 且當「…神向所羅門顯現，對他說：「你願我賜你甚麼，你可以求。」…神對所羅門說：「我已立你作我民的王。你既有這心意，並不求資財、豐富、尊榮，也不求滅絕那恨你之人的性命，又不求大壽數，只求智慧聰明好判斷我的民；我必賜你智慧聰明，也必賜你資財、豐富、尊榮。在你以前的列王都沒有這樣，在你以後也必沒有這樣的。」(歷代志下 1:7-12) 

       我知道這事以後，經過了非常長的一段時間，才知道這裡講得是指屬世的智慧，因為他如果得的是屬靈的智慧，就不會在「所羅門年老的時候，他的妃嬪誘惑他的心去隨從別神，不效法他父親大衞誠誠實實地順服耶和華他的神。因為所羅門隨從西頓人的女神亞斯她錄和亞捫人可憎的神米勒公。所羅門行耶和華眼中看為惡的事，不效法他父親大衞專心順從耶和華。所羅門為摩押可憎的神基抹和亞捫人可憎的神摩洛，在耶路撒冷對面的山上建築邱壇。他為那些向自己的神燒香獻祭的外邦女子，就是他娶來的妃嬪也是這樣行。耶和華向所羅門發怒，因為他的心偏離向他兩次顯現的耶和華以色列的神。耶和華曾吩咐他不可隨從別神，他卻沒有遵守耶和華所吩咐的。」(列王紀上 11:4-10)

     他所建築的邱壇，害慘了南國猶大，要到南國幾乎快滅亡時才被拆除，就是在約西亞王時，「從前以色列王所羅門在耶路撒冷前、邪僻山右邊為西頓人可憎的神亞斯她錄、摩押人可憎的神基抹、亞捫人可憎的神米勒公所築的邱壇，王都污穢了。」(列王紀下 23:13) 在這之前，「希西家行耶和華眼中看為正的事，效法他祖大衞一切所行的。他廢去邱壇，毀壞柱像，砍下木偶，打碎摩西所造的銅蛇，因為到那時以色列人仍向銅蛇燒香。希西家叫銅蛇為銅塊。」(列王紀下 18:3-4) 即使如此，希西家也不敢碰所羅門所築的邱壇。

     這裡也說到所羅門是明知故犯，做了選擇，不是那賜他耶底底亞的名的神轉向而不愛他，所以神雖因愛他而賜他名字，但他是可以因自己的選擇而改變結果的，因為神用的是回授策略，就像舊約說的，「義人若轉離義行而作罪孽死亡，他是因所作的罪孽死亡。再者，惡人若回頭離開所行的惡，行正直與合理的事，他必將性命救活了。」(以西結書 18:26-27) 更直說，「…以色列家啊，我必按你們各人所行的審判你們。」(以西結書 33:20) 新約也說，「我們若認自己的罪，神是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義。」(約翰一書 1:9)

    所以當有人說，所羅門需要神的憐憫，我不相信這是智慧的話語，而是不負責任的說法，因神在聖經明說了對他發怒，神不會騙我們而轉而憐憫所羅門的。其實我們可以從另一個角度看舊約對他的評價，「他作箴言三千句，詩歌一千零五首。」(列王紀上 4:32) 但所羅門的詩在詩篇中明說的衹有詩篇 72 篇一首，還是在說，「耶西的兒子大衞的祈禱完畢。」(詩篇 72:20)

    有人可能會問，既然所羅門這麼有問題，為什麼舊約還收錄了他這麼多部的書？我們看看耶穌怎麼說，「那時，耶穌對眾人和門徒講論，說：「文士和法利賽人坐在摩西的位上，凡他們所吩咐你們的，你們都要謹守遵行；但不要效法他們的行為，因為他們能說不能行。他們把難擔的重擔捆起來，擱在人的肩上，但自己一個指頭也不肯動。」(馬太福音 23:1-4).我們看到耶穌是如何的批評文士和法利賽人，但他們說的話如果是對的話還是要聽，也就是不要以人廢言。衹是要分辨，「務要謹守、警醒，因為你們的仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人。」(彼得前書 5:8) 據我所知，收錄的書都是他年輕時和神親密時所寫，不是在他老年的時候。簡言之，所羅門所寫的書還是要看。

        其餘的經文都講得很清楚，確實是他們不守律法，把無罪的耶穌釘上十字架，祂的無罪路加福音是這樣說的，「彼拉多對祭司長和眾人說：「我查不出這人有甚麼罪來。」」(路加福音 23:4) 救恩卻因此而成就了，神做的事一向是超出人能想像的。

5. 司提反之死及耶穌站著迎接他

       「眾人聽見這話，就極其惱怒，向司提反咬牙切齒。但司提反被聖靈充滿，定睛望天，看見神的榮耀，又看見耶穌站在神的右邊，就說：「我看見天開了，人子站在神的右邊！」眾人大聲喊叫，摀着耳朵，齊心擁上前去，把他推到城外，用石頭打他。作見證的人把衣裳放在一個少年人名叫掃羅的腳前。他們正用石頭打的時候，司提反呼籲主說：「求主耶穌接收我的靈(G4151, spirit)(魂)！」又跪下大聲喊着說：「主啊，不要將這罪歸於他們！」說了這話，就睡了。掃羅也喜悅他被害。」」(使徒行傳 7:54-60)

    注意這話是指他最後講的，「你們這硬着頸項、心與耳未受割禮的人，常時抗拒聖靈；你們的祖宗怎樣，你們也怎樣！哪一個先知不是你們祖宗逼迫呢？他們也把預先傳說那義者要來的人殺了；如今你們又把那義者賣了、殺了。你們受了天使所傳的律法，竟不遵守。」(使徒行傳 7:51-53) 他們不但聽不下去，更是恨到咬牙切齒。這就和這經文所描述的相同，「同他在那裏的法利賽人聽見這話，就說：「難道我們也瞎了眼嗎？」耶穌對他們說：「你們若瞎了眼，就沒有罪了；但如今你們說『我們能看見』，所以你們的罪還在。」」(約翰福音 9:40-41)

        我們看到司提反死前所說的話，基本上是和耶穌在十字架上說的一句話是一樣的：「當下耶穌說：『父啊，赦免他們！因為他們所做的，他們不曉得。』⋯」（路加福音 23:34, 他在生前就因滿有聖靈的，模成了耶穌的形像。我們也看見主是站起來迎接他的，這是殊榮，因在平常，祂都是坐著的，如經文所說： 「惟有基督獻了一次永遠的贖罪祭，就在神的右邊坐下了。從此等候他仇敵成了他的腳凳。」（希伯來書 10:12-13）

       最後要提及的是，當時的保羅(掃羅）曾迫害基督徒，甚至為司提反遭害而歡喜。因此經文記載：「掃羅仍向主的門徒口吐威嚇兇殺的話，去見大祭司，求文書給大馬士革的各會堂，若是尋得信奉這道的人， 無論男女，都准他捆綁帶到耶路撒冷。」（使徒行傳 9:1-2）再一次證明，「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」。   

             請注意，這文章是基於週日(1/11/26)的專題查經，經文除了特別註明外，是基於和合本，所引用過去的文章，在我們的網站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『對屬靈生命的瞭解』。

First, we discussed Moses’ experiences during his first forty years in Pharaoh’s palace and his second forty years tending sheep in Midian. Second, we addressed Moses’ calling from the burning bush and thoroughly examined why it is said that he encountered Christ. Special mention was made of the promise to “raise up a prophet like me,” referencing previous discussions. Third, there was a brief mention of the Israelites’ apostasy. Fourth, we examined the tabernacle and the temple, focusing on Solomon who built the temple. He possessed worldly wisdom, yet his construction of high places in his old age revealed his lack of spiritual wisdom. We also see that God uses feedback strategies. Finally, we discussed Stephen’s martyrdom and Jesus standing to receive him with honor, showing Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit during his life and conformed to the image of Jesus.

1. Moses’ first forty years and his second forty years 

“But as the time of the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, until there arose another king over Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph. It was he who took shrewd advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers so that they would expose their infants and they would not survive. It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home. And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and nurtured him as her own son. Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand. On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?’ But the one who was injuring his neighbor pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us? You do not mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday, do you?’ At this remark, Moses fled and became an alien in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.”(Acts 7:17-29)

We see that God has appointed a time for everything, as the scripture says, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.”(Ecclesiastes 3:1) The scripture refers to Exodus 1:8-22, mentioning that “Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.”(Exodus 1:8) It also says, “Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born you are to cast into the Nile, and every daughter you are to keep alive.””(Exodus 1:22)

It then recounts Exodus 2:1-15, describing Moses’ birth into such a family: “Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a daughter of Levi.”(Exodus 2:1) It then explains why he grew up in Pharaoh’s palace, where he learned all wisdom and became skilled in both speech and action. His mother served as his nurse, and remarkably, she received wages for nursing her own son—a rare blessing in those days. (See Exodus 2:3-10)

The account then records the incident of him killing a man around the age of forty, as described in Exodus 2:11-14. It then states, “When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, …”(Exodus 2:15) Thus, for the next forty years, he tended sheep in Midian until God called him to ministry—the final forty years of his earthly life. From the events that occurred when he was about forty years old, we can see that his mother had taught him well, admonishing him not to forget God and instructing him in the knowledge of God. Because the scripture records: “And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, …”(Acts 7:25)

During this period, he married Zipporah, a foreign woman (see Exodus 2:16-21), and they had two sons. Scripture clearly records: “…her two sons, of whom one was named Gershom, for Moses said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.” The other was named Eliezer, for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.””(Exodus 18:3-4)

2. Moses’ call from the burning bush and Christ

““After forty years had passed, an angel (G32, messenger) appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning thorn bush. When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord (G2962): ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look. But the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. I have certainly seen the oppression of My people in Egypt and have heard their groans, and I have come down to rescue them; come now, and I will send you to Egypt.’ “This Moses whom they disowned, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one whom God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush. This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren.’ This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you.”(Acts 7:30-38)

Note that in the Strong’s Concordance, the term for angel uses two words: angel (G32) and Lord (G2962). The meaning of the latter is evident in this passage: “So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord (G2962), is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?””(Acts 1:6) In another original text version, only the word angel (G32) appears, consistent with this passage.

The preceding section refers to Exodus 3:1-6, where one verse states: “He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God (H430, plural).”(Exodus 3:6) This refers to the plural, triune God. His fear of looking upon God indicates that this God is visible and cannot be the Holy Spirit, for the Holy Spirit is purely spiritual and invisible.

Earlier it states, “The angel of the LORD (H4397, messenger) appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed.”(Exodus 3:2) The Father God would not refer to Himself as a messenger. Moreover, “And the LORD (H3068, Jehovah) said unto Moses, …But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!””(Exodus 33:17-20). Yet Moses lived on, so this must refer to Jesus Christ within the triune God.

The mention of an appearance further proves this God is visible. As for why He appeared in the flame? The Book of Psalm makes it clear: “Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD (H3068, Jehovah), my God (H430, plural), You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty, …He makes the winds His messengers, Flaming fire His ministers.”(Psalm 104:1-4) This passage also speaks of the triune God, so the Lord Jesus Christ would appear amidst the flames of His servants. For the One Moses saw was not an ordinary angel, but Jesus Christ Himself—one of the three Persons of the Trinity. Therefore, the place where he stood was holy ground. 

The latter part summarizes Moses’ final forty years on earth after his calling, specifically mentioning the promise to “raise up a prophet like me.” This prophet refers to Jesus, as previously discussed in “1171 Peter heals lame, testifies to faith in Jesus, and thus entering narrow gate – Acts(3)1-26” under “3. Peter testifies we must believe in Jesus, and thus we must enter through the narrow gate.” We will not repeat the discussion here; please refer to that article for details.

3. The fall of the house of Israel

“Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him, but repudiated him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt, saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us; for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt⁠—we do not know what happened to him.’ At that time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. But God turned away and delivered them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, ‘It was not to Me that you offered victims and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, was it, O house of Israel? You also took along the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of the god Rompha, the images which you made to worship. I also will remove you beyond Babylon.’”(Acts 7:39-43)

The first part describes the events recorded in Exodus 32:1-6, while the latter part reveals their true condition. As the scripture states, the southern kingdom of Judah was indeed exiled beyond Babylon (see 2 Kings 25:1-30).

4. The tabernacle and the temple

““Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen. And having received it in their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the nations whom God drove out before our fathers, until the time of David. David found favor in God’s sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says: ‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is the footstool of My feet; What kind of house will you build for Me?’ says the Lord, ‘Or what place is there for My repose? ‘Was it not My hand which made all these things?’ “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.””(Acts 7:44-53)

Indeed, the tabernacle was built according to the pattern shown to Moses, as the Scripture clearly states: “Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to its plan which you have been shown in the mountain.”(Exodus 26:30) Within the tabernacle, “See that you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain.”(Exodus 25:40) Then it recounts the events surrounding this scripture: “Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brethren and my people; I had intended to build a permanent home for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and for the footstool of our God. So I had made preparations to build it. But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood.’…“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act.””(1 Chronicles 28:2-10) So it is clearly stated here that Solomon built the temple, and we will share a few points on this.

First, because he built the temple, some say it is no wonder that He “…sent word through Nathan the prophet, and he named him Jedidiah for the LORD’S sake.”(2 Samuel 12:25) Moreover, “…God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.”  …God said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you.””(2 Chronicles 1:7-12) 

It was only after a very long time that I came to understand this passage refers to worldly wisdom. For if he had received spiritual wisdom, it won’t happen as the verses say, “For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and after Milcom the detestable idol of the Ammonites. Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not follow the LORD fully, as David his father had done. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab, on the mountain which is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the detestable idol of the sons of Ammon. Thus also he did for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. Now the LORD was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not observe what the LORD had commanded.”(1 Kings 11:4-10)

The high places he built brought disaster upon the southern kingdom of Judah, remaining until the kingdom was nearly destroyed. It was in the days of King Josiah that they were finally removed: “The high places which were before Jerusalem, which were on the right of the mount of destruction which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the sons of Ammon, the king defiled.”(2 Kings 23:13) Before this, “He (Hezekiah) did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done. He removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan.”(2 Kings 18:3-4) Even so, Hezekiah did not dare to touch the high places Solomon had built.

Here it is also stated that Solomon knowingly chose to sin. It was not that the God who gave him the name Jedidiah turned away from loving him. Though God bestowed the name out of love, Solomon could alter the outcome through his own choices. For God employed a feedback strategy, as the Old Testament declares: “When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity and dies because of it, for his iniquity which he has committed he will die. Again, when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteousness, he will save his life.”(Ezekiel 18:26-27) It further states plainly, “…O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways.”(Ezekiel 33:20) The New Testament also states, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9)

Therefore, when someone claims Solomon needed God’s mercy, I do not believe this is wise speech but rather irresponsible talk. For God clearly declared His anger toward him in Scripture. God would not deceive us by suddenly showing mercy to Solomon. In fact, we can view the Old Testament’s assessment of him from another angle: “He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.”(1 Kings 4:32) Yet the the Book of Psalms explicitly attribute only one psalm to Solomon—Psalm 72—and even that concludes with, “The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.”(Psalm 72:20)

Some might ask: If Solomon was so problematic, why did the Old Testament include so many of his writings? Let us consider what Jesus said: “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.”(Matthew 23:1-4) We see how Jesus criticized the scribes and Pharisees, yet He still instructed us to heed their words if they were right—meaning we should not dismiss their teachings because of their character flaws. We need to discern as the verses says: “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8) As far as I know, the books attributed to him were written during his youth when he was close to God, not in his old age. In short, Solomon’s writings are still worth reading.

The rest of Scripture makes it abundantly clear: it was indeed their failure to keep the Law that led to the crucifixion of the sinless Jesus. Luke’s Gospel describes His innocence thus: “Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.””(Luke 23:4) Yet salvation was accomplished through this very act. What God does always surpasses human imagination.

5. Stephen’s martyrdom and Jesus standing to meet him

“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.”(Acts 7:54-60)

Note that this refers to his final words: ““You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.””(Acts 7:51-53) Not only could they not bear to hear it, but they were filled with rage. This mirrors the scene described in Scripture: “Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”(John 9:40-41)

We see that Stephen’s words before his death were essentially the same as one of Jesus’ statements on the cross: “But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” …”(Luke 23:34) Even in life, Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit and conformed to the image of Jesus. We also see that the Lord rose to meet him—a special honor, for ordinarily He sat, as Scripture declares: “…He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet.”(Hebrews 10:12-13)

Finally, it must be mentioned that Paul (formerly Saul) had persecuted Christians and even rejoiced at the death of Stephen. Thus Scripture records: “Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”(Acts 9:1-2) This once again is an example to prove that “what God tells us through Bible is consistent.”

Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (1/11/26) topicwise Bible study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. Past articles referenced can be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, under ‘On spiritual understanding about life.’

    我们首先讲到圣灵充满的七个管理饭食的，不是执事，看到路加是外邦人，知道 在新约时代是不用行肉体的割礼。第二是说到司提反有圣灵的恩惠能力，且面貌像天使，看到了人心的刚硬。第三是说到司提反当众申诉的开始，他就借此机会传道，讲到亚伯拉罕的事情及其异梦，看到神是大有怜悯和恩典的，且知道预言的时间通常是大概的。最后是讲约瑟的苦难与雅各全家下埃及，看见神在约瑟心中的地位，他将性命交托在神手中，所以他是大有信心的人，这也正是神所喜悦的。          

1. 圣灵充满的七个管理饭食的          

    「那时，门徒增多，有说希腊话的犹太人向希伯来人发怨言，因为在天天的供给上忽略了他们的寡妇。十二使徒叫众门徒来，对他们说：「我们撇下神的道去管理饭食，原是不合宜的。所以，弟兄们，当从你们中间选出七个有好名声、被圣灵充满、智慧充足的人，我们就派他们管理这事。但我们要专心以祈祷传道为事。」大众都喜悦这话，就拣选了司提反，乃是大有信心、圣灵充满的人；又拣选腓利、伯罗哥罗、尼迦挪、提门、巴米拿，并进犹太教(G4339, proselyte)的安提阿人尼哥拉，叫他们站在使徒面前。使徒祷告了，就按手在他们头上。神的道兴旺起来。在耶路撒冷门徒数目加增的甚多，也有许多祭司信从了这道。」(使徒行传 6:1-7)            

    从这些经文中，我们知道凡物公用的耶路撒冷的教会规模小时，使徒亲自管理饭食，现今门徒增多，他们必须要有别人做这件事，所以他们可以专注在祈祷和传道上。我们也看到了即使管理饭食的这等许多人以为的小事，也要被圣灵充满才行，才有可能有足够的智慧去做得恰当，于是选了七位去管理饭食。另外一次提到这七位是在这节经文，「第二天，我们(保罗和路加)离开那里，来到凯撒利亚，就进了传福音的腓利家里，和他同住。他是那七个(执事)里的一个。」(使徒行传 21:8) 在两个不同的原文本，都没有执事 (G1249, minister servant) 这字。          

    在这里的我们是指保罗和路加，为什么呢？我们就看新约如何提路加这个人，路加的名字只提到了三次，就是「独有路加在我这里。…」(提摩太后书 4:11) 和「与我同工的马可、亚里达古、底马、路加也都问你安。」(腓利门书 1:24) 及「所亲爱的医生路加和底马问你们安。」(歌罗西书 4:14) 我们知道路加是医生，和保罗同工。 因保罗说得很清楚，「我现在被浇奠，我离世的时候到了。」(提摩太后书 4:6) 所以路加 到保罗被浇奠前仍和保罗在一起。他原是外邦人，因为经文说，「有我亲爱的兄弟推基古要将我一切的事都告诉你们。他是忠心的执事，和我一同作主的仆人。…与我一同坐监的亚里达古问你们安。…耶数又称为犹士都，也问你们安。奉割礼的人中，只有这三个人是为神的国与我一同做工的，也是叫我心里得安慰的。」(歌罗西书 4:7-11) 路加 是没有奉割礼的外邦人，所以他是在新约时代信主的。关于路加何时成为保罗的同工，圣经没有明讲，当他在前所提的使徒行传 21:8 中用我们时，已是保罗的同工了，显然知道他何时和保罗同进出不是这么重要，尊重神，不必乱差。如果时间点是这么重要，祂会在圣经中告诉我们的。          

    我们看到这七人中包括了进犹太教的安提阿人尼哥拉，既然说了他进犹太教，可见得他本来是外邦人，也看到外邦人那时是可以归入为犹太人的。这在摩西的律法中讲得很清楚，「若有外人寄居在你们中间，愿向耶和华守逾越节，他所有的男子务要受割礼，然后才容他前来遵守，他也就像本地人一样；但未受割礼的，都不可吃这羊羔。本地人和寄居在你们中间的外人同归一例。」(出埃及记 12:48-49) 这也就是所罗门所说的，「论到不属你民以色列的外邦人，为你名从远方而来，（他们听人论说你的大名和大能的手，并伸出来的膀臂)向这殿祷告，求你在天上你的居所垂听，照著外邦人所祈求的而行，使天下万民都认识你的名，敬畏你像你的民以色列一样，又使他们知道我建造的这殿，是称为你名下的。」(列王纪上 8:41-43)          

    请注意，这里说的进犹太教是指在新约中的进犹太教，犹如这经文所说，「散会以后，犹太人和敬虔进犹太教(G4339)的人多有跟从保罗、巴拿巴的。二人对他们讲道，劝他们务要恒久在神的恩中。」(使徒行传 13:43) 新约时进犹太教是不必行割礼的，「我保罗告诉你们：若受割礼，基督就与你们无益了。我再指著凡受割礼的人确实地说，他是欠著行全律法的债。你们这要靠律法称义的，是与基督隔绝，从恩典中坠落了。我们靠著圣灵，凭著信心，等候所盼望的义。」(加拉太书 5:2-5)    

    如果是指旧约所提的犹太教，保罗是用不同的字，「你们听见我从前在犹太教中(G2454, the Jew’s religion)所行的事，怎样极力逼迫、残害神的教会；我又在犹太教(G2454)中，比我本国许多同岁的人更有长进，为我祖宗的遗传更加热心。」(加拉太书 1:13-14) 这字G2454 就只有出现这两次。至于G4339也只有出现四次，另一次在「散会以后，犹太人和敬虔进犹太教(G4339)的人多有跟从保罗、巴拿巴的。二人对他们讲道，劝他们务要恒久在神的恩中。」(使徒行传 13:43) 在使徒行传还有一次是在这经文，「弗吕家、旁非利亚、埃及的人，并靠近古利奈的利比亚一带地方的人，从罗马来的客旅中，或是犹太人，或是进犹太教(G4339)的人。」(使徒行传 2:10) 意义是相同的。    

    要注意的是最后一次的这经文，「你们这假冒为善的文士和法利赛人有祸了！因为你们走遍洋海陆地，勾引一个人入教，既入了教(G4339)，却使他作地狱之子，比你们还加倍。」(马太福音 23:15) 这里应该是指保罗在加拉太书 1:13-14 所讲的犹太教，马太福音祗用了这一次，虽然没有分别出来用G2454，但看上下文就很清楚它的意思了。

2. 司提反有圣灵的恩惠能力且面貌像天使       

    「司提反满得恩惠能力，在民间行了大奇事和神迹。当时有称利百地拿会堂的几个人，并有古利奈、亚历山太、基利家、亚西亚各处会堂的几个人，都起来和司提反辩论。司提反是以智慧和圣灵说话，众人敌挡不住，就买出人来说：「我们听见他说谤讟摩西和神的话。」他们又耸动了百姓、长老并文士，就忽然来捉拿他，把他带到公会去，设下假见证说：「这个人说话不住地糟践圣所和律法，我们曾听见他说，这拿撒勒人耶稣要毁坏此地，也要改变摩西所交给我们的规条。」在公会里坐著的人都定睛看他，见他的面貌好像天使的面貌。」(使徒行传 6:8-15)       

    不只是「主借使徒的手在民间行了许多神迹奇事。…」(使徒行传 5:12) 司提反是门徒，被圣灵充满时，照样也能成为神迹奇事的管道。今日也是如此，如果神允许，我们照样也能成为管道。       

    圣经明说了司提反是以智慧和圣灵说话，及和他辩论的人来自何处，有人知道保罗是来自基利家，因「保罗说：「我本是犹太人，生在基利家的大数，并不是无名小城的人。…」(使徒行传 21:39) 那人就以为保罗也应该在辩论的人里面，但圣经没有这样说。       

    众人敌挡不住，就买出人假见证，这和耶稣所面临的一样，这点经文说得很清楚，「祭司长和全公会寻找假见证控告耶稣，要治死他。虽有好些人来作假见证，总得不著实据。 …」(马太福音 26:59-60) 十诫明说，「不可作假见证陷害人。」(出埃及记 20:16) 为了尽可能避免作假见证，摩西的律法也规定了，「人无论犯甚么罪，作甚么恶，不可凭一个人的口作见证，总要凭两三个人的口作见证才可定案。」(申命记 19:15) 可「…是神造人原是正直，但他们寻出许多巧计。」(传道书 7:29) 即使「…公会里坐著的人都定睛看他，见他的面貌好像天使(G32, messenger)的面貌。」(使徒行传 6:15) 他们也不管这点，人的心会是何等刚硬啊 !

3. 司提反当众申诉的开始       

    「大祭司就说：「这些事果然有吗？」司提反说：「诸位父兄请听！当日我们的祖宗亚伯拉罕在美索不达米亚还未住哈兰的时候，荣耀的神向他显现，对他说：『你要离开本地和亲族，往我所要指示你的地方去。』「他就离开迦勒底人之地，住在哈兰。他父亲死了以后，神使他从那里搬到你们现在所住之地。在这地方神并没有给他产业，连立足之地也没有给他；但应许要将这地赐给他和他的后裔为业。那时他还没有儿子。神说：『他的后裔必寄居外邦，那里的人要叫他们作奴仆，苦待他们四百年。』神又说：『使他们作奴仆的那国，我要惩罚。以后他们要出来，在这地方事奉我。』神又赐他割礼的约。于是亚伯拉罕生了以撒，第八日给他行了割礼。以撒生雅各，雅各生十二位先祖。」(使徒行传 7:1-8)    

    当大祭司问这些事果然有时，这些都是虚假的见证，当然没有。司提反便借此机会传道，简洁地概述了旧约中发生的事迹，我们现在就来看看开头的部分。这是在讲亚伯拉罕的事情，他住在哈兰是因他的父亲，就如经文所说，「他拉带著他儿子亚伯兰(亚伯拉罕)和他孙子哈兰的儿子罗得，并他儿妇亚伯兰的妻子撒莱，出了迦勒底的吾珥，要往迦南地去。他们走到哈兰就住在那里。」(创世记 11:31) 我们看到亚伯拉罕是大有信心的人，「亚伯拉罕因著信，蒙召的时候，就遵命出去，往将来要得为业的地方去；出去的时候，还不知往哪里去。」(希伯来书 11:8)       

    接著记载亚伯拉罕做了一个异梦：「日头正落的时候，亚伯兰沉沉地睡了，忽然有惊人的大黑暗落在他身上。耶和华对亚伯兰说： 『你要确实知道，你的后裔必寄居别人的地，又服事那地的人，那地的人要苦待他们四百年。并且他们所要服事的那国，我要惩罚，后来他们必带著许多财物从那里出来。但你要享大寿数，平平安安地归到你列祖那里，被人埋葬。到了第四代，他们必回到此地，因为亚摩利人的罪孽还没有满盈。」（创世记 15:12-16） 在此我们看见神是满有怜悯恩典的神，祂给了亚摩利人至少四百年的机会，但他们并没有悔改。以色列人出埃及的确定时间是：「正满了四百三十年的那一天，耶和华的军队都从埃及地出来了。」（出埃及记 12:41）由此可见，预言的时间常常在述说大致的时程。     

    当以色列人进入迦南地时，神是这样说，「耶和华你神领你进入要得为业之地，从你面前赶出许多国民，就是赫人、革迦撒人、亚摩利人、迦南人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人，共七国的民，都比你强大。耶和华你神将他们交给你击杀，那时你要把他们灭绝净尽，不可与他们立约，也不可怜恤他们。」(申命记 7:1-2) 这是「免得他们教导你们学习一切可憎恶的事，就是他们向自己神所行的，以致你们得罪耶和华你们的神。」(申命记 20:18) 所以在耶利哥城，「…将城中所有的，不拘男女老少、牛羊和驴，都用刀杀尽。」(约书亚记 6:21)     

    因此有人会问，这包括了婴儿，而婴儿何罪，这不是很残酷吗？好像是，其实不然。想想这四百年有多少婴儿出生，在这样的环境中长大，最后成了犯罪而不肯悔改的人。神是全知的神，早就预先看到会是这种情况，这就像「耶和华对摩西说：「我要将亚玛力的名号从天下全然涂抹了，你要将这话写在书上作记念，又念给约书亚听。」」(出埃及记 17:14) 这是和野草除不尽，春风吹又生的道理相似，除罪本是应该除尽，犹如神对亚玛力人一样。有人可能会说，即使以色列人要将成人杀净，为什么不留下婴儿，给他们一条活路呢？那时亚摩利人已罪孽满盈，要以色列人带著别人的婴儿去争战，你自己判断合不合理吧 !  而且覆巢之下无完卵，这对婴儿来说可能是最好的选择。     

    但就像我们已说的，神是有怜悯有恩典的，在约拿记说到的尼尼微城，「…神察看他们的行为，见他们离开恶道，他就后悔，不把所说的灾祸降与他们了。」(约拿书 3:10) 因此约拿不高兴，但「耶和华说：「这蓖麻不是你栽种的，也不是你培养的，一夜发生，一夜干死，你尚且爱惜；何况这尼尼微大城，其中不能分辩左手右手的有十二万多人，并有许多牲畜，我岂能不爱惜呢？」」(约拿书 4:10-11) 事实上，在以色列人进迦南地时， 「…耶和华留下各族，不将他们速速赶出，也没有交付约书亚的手。」(士师记 2:23) 不是真正的全然灭绝。

4. 约瑟的苦难与雅各全家下埃及        

    「先祖嫉妒约瑟，把他卖到埃及去。神却与他同在，救他脱离一切苦难，又使他在埃及王法老面前得恩典，有智慧。法老就派他作埃及国的宰相兼管全家。「后来埃及和迦南全地遭遇饥荒，大受艰难，我们的祖宗就绝了粮。雅各听见在埃及有粮，就打发我们的祖宗初次往那里去。第二次约瑟与弟兄们相认，他的亲族也被法老知道了。约瑟就打发弟兄请父亲雅各和全家七十五个人都来。于是雅各下了埃及，后来他和我们的祖宗都死在那里；又被带到示剑，葬于亚伯拉罕在示剑用银子从哈抹子孙买来的坟墓里。」(使徒行传 7:9-16)    

    这一段所说的事情在创世记有详细的记载，请自己去看对应的经文，这里我们就只讨论这一段，「约瑟被带下埃及去。有一个埃及人，是法老的内臣，护卫长波提乏，从那些带下他来的以实玛利人手下买了他去。约瑟住在他主人埃及人的家中，耶和华与他同在，他就百事顺利。」(创世记 39:1-2) 「这事以后，约瑟主人的妻，以目送情给约瑟说：「你与我同寝吧！」约瑟不从，对他主人的妻说：「看哪！一切家务我主人都不知道，他把所有的都交在我手里。在这家里没有比我大的，并且他没有留下一样不交给我，只留下了你，因为你是他的妻子。我怎能作这大恶，得罪神呢？」」(创世记 39:7-9) 我们看见神在他心中的地位。       

    后来因约瑟主人的妻子，主人就「把约瑟下在监里，就是王的囚犯被囚的地方。于是约瑟在那里坐监。但耶和华与约瑟同在，向他施恩，使他在司狱的眼前蒙恩。」(创世记 39:20-21) 约瑟并不为自己辩解，完全将自己交在神手中，直到神动工，让他去为法老解梦。他说：「至于法老两回做梦，是因神命定这事，而且必速速成就。」(创世记 41:32) 因此「法老对约瑟说：「神既将这事都指示你，可见没有人像你这样有聪明有智慧。你可以掌管我的家，我的民都必听从你的话，惟独在宝座上我比你大。」」(创世记 41:39-40) 他确实是全然信靠神，因为解梦时事件情尚未发生，若未应验他将因此丧命。他将性命交托在神手中，所以他是大有信心的人，这也正是神所喜悦的。在新约的时代和旧约的时代都是同一位神，所以在新约的时代也是如此。

    请注意，这文章是基于周日(1/4/26)的专题查经，经文除了特别注明外，是基于和合本，所引用过去的文章，在我们的网站，『 https://a-christian-voice.com/ 』，按『对属灵生命的了解』，就可以找到。