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。

          我們首先講到聖靈充滿的七個管理飯食的，不是執事，看到路加是外邦人，知道

在新約時代是不用行肉體的割禮。第二是說到司提反有聖靈的恩惠能力，且面貌像天使，看到了人心的剛硬。第三是說到司提反當衆申訴的開始，他就藉此機會傳道，講到亞伯拉罕的事情及其異夢，看到神是大有憐憫和恩典的，且知道預言的時間通常是大概的。最後是講約瑟的苦難與雅各全家下埃及，看見神在約瑟心中的地位，他將性命交託在神手中，所以他是大有信心的人，這也正是神所喜悅的。

1. 聖靈充滿的七個管理飯食的

          「那時，門徒增多，有說希臘話的猶太人向希伯來人發怨言，因為在天天的供給上忽略了他們的寡婦。十二使徒叫眾門徒來，對他們說：「我們撇下神的道去管理飯食，原是不合宜的。所以，弟兄們，當從你們中間選出七個有好名聲、被聖靈充滿、智慧充足的人，我們就派他們管理這事。但我們要專心以祈禱傳道為事。」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(G4339, proselyte)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。神的道興旺起來。在耶路撒冷門徒數目加增的甚多，也有許多祭司信從了這道。」(使徒行傳 6:1-7)

          從這些經文中，我們知道凡物公用的耶路撒冷的教會規模小時，使徒親自管理飯食，現今門徒增多，他們必須要有別人做這件事，所以他們可以專注在祈禱和傳道上。我們也看到了即使管理飯食的這等許多人以為的小事，也要被聖靈充滿才行，才有可能有足夠的智慧去做得恰當，於是選了七位去管理飯食。另外一次提到這七位是在這節經文，「第二天，我們(保羅和路加)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) 在兩個不同的原文本，都沒有執事 (G1249, minister servant) 這字。

          在這裏的我們是指保羅和路加，為什麼呢？我們就看新約如何提路加這個人，路加的名字衹提到了三次，就是「獨有路加在我這裏。…」(提摩太後書 4:11) 和「與我同工的馬可、亞里達古、底馬、路加也都問你安。」(腓利門書 1:24) 及「所親愛的醫生路加和底馬問你們安。」(歌羅西書 4:14) 我們知道路加是醫生，和保羅同工。

因保羅說得很清楚，「我現在被澆奠，我離世的時候到了。」(提摩太後書 4:6) 所以路加

到保羅被澆奠前仍和保羅在一起。他原是外邦人，因為經文說，「有我親愛的兄弟推基古要將我一切的事都告訴你們。他是忠心的執事，和我一同作主的僕人。…與我一同坐監的亞里達古問你們安。…耶數又稱為猶士都，也問你們安。奉割禮的人中，只有這三個人是為神的國與我一同做工的，也是叫我心裏得安慰的。」(歌羅西書 4:7-11) 路加

是沒有奉割禮的外邦人，所以他是在新約時代信主的。關於路加何時成為保羅的同工，聖經沒有明講，當他在前所提的使徒行傳 21:8 中用我們時，已是保羅的同工了，顯然知道他何時和保羅同進出不是這麼重要，尊重神，不必亂差。如果時間點是這麼重要，祂會在聖經中告訴我們的。

          我們看到這七人中包括了進猶太教的安提阿人尼哥拉，旣然說了他進猶太教，可見得他本來是外邦人，也看到外邦人那時是可以歸入為猶太人的。這在摩西的律法中講得很清楚，「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) 這也就是所羅門所說的，「論到不屬你民以色列的外邦人，為你名從遠方而來，（他們聽人論說你的大名和大能的手，並伸出來的膀臂)向這殿禱告，求你在天上你的居所垂聽，照着外邦人所祈求的而行，使天下萬民都認識你的名，敬畏你像你的民以色列一樣，又使他們知道我建造的這殿，是稱為你名下的。」(列王紀上 8:41-43) 

          請注意，這裏說的進猶太教是指在新約中的進猶太教，猶如這經文所說，「散會以後，猶太人和敬虔進猶太教(G4339)的人多有跟從保羅、巴拿巴的。二人對他們講道，勸他們務要恆久在神的恩中。」(使徒行傳 13:43) 新約時進猶太教是不必行割禮的，「我保羅告訴你們：若受割禮，基督就與你們無益了。我再指着凡受割禮的人確實地說，他是欠着行全律法的債。你們這要靠律法稱義的，是與基督隔絕，從恩典中墜落了。我們靠着聖靈，憑着信心，等候所盼望的義。」(加拉太書 5:2-5)

    如果是指舊約所提的猶太教，保羅是用不同的字，「你們聽見我從前在猶太教中(G2454, the Jew’s religion)所行的事，怎樣極力逼迫、殘害神的教會；我又在猶太教(G2454)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) 這字G2454 就衹有出現這兩次。至於G4339也衹有出現四次，另一次在「散會以後，猶太人和敬虔進猶太教(G4339)的人多有跟從保羅、巴拿巴的。二人對他們講道，勸他們務要恆久在神的恩中。」(使徒行傳 13:43) 在使徒行傳還有一次是在這經文，「弗呂家、旁非利亞、埃及的人，並靠近古利奈的利比亞一帶地方的人，從羅馬來的客旅中，或是猶太人，或是進猶太教(G4339)的人。」(使徒行傳 2:10) 意義是相同的。

    要注意的是最後一次的這經文，「你們這假冒為善的文士和法利賽人有禍了！因為你們走遍洋海陸地，勾引一個人入教，既入了教(G4339)，卻使他作地獄之子，比你們還加倍。」(馬太福音 23:15) 這裡應該是指保羅在加拉太書 1:13-14 所講的猶太教，馬太福音祗用了這一次，雖然沒有分別出來用G2454，但看上下文就很清楚它的意思了。

2. 司提反有聖靈的恩惠能力且面貌像天使

       「司提反滿得恩惠能力，在民間行了大奇事和神蹟。當時有稱利百地拿會堂的幾個人，並有古利奈、亞歷山太、基利家、亞西亞各處會堂的幾個人，都起來和司提反辯論。司提反是以智慧和聖靈說話，眾人敵擋不住，就買出人來說：「我們聽見他說謗讟摩西和神的話。」他們又聳動了百姓、長老並文士，就忽然來捉拿他，把他帶到公會去，設下假見證說：「這個人說話不住地糟踐聖所和律法，我們曾聽見他說，這拿撒勒人耶穌要毀壞此地，也要改變摩西所交給我們的規條。」在公會裏坐着的人都定睛看他，見他的面貌好像天使的面貌。」(使徒行傳 6:8-15)

       不衹是「主藉使徒的手在民間行了許多神蹟奇事。…」(使徒行傳 5:12) 司提反是門徒，被聖靈充滿時，照樣也能成為神蹟奇事的管道。今日也是如此，如果神允許，我們照樣也能成為管道。

       聖經明說了司提反是以智慧和聖靈說話，及和他辯論的人來自何處，有人知道保羅是來自基利家，因「保羅說：「我本是猶太人，生在基利家的大數，並不是無名小城的人。…」(使徒行傳 21:39) 那人就以為保羅也應該在辯論的人裡面，但聖經沒有這樣說。

       眾人敵擋不住，就買出人假見證，這和耶穌所面臨的一樣，這點經文說得很清楚，「祭司長和全公會尋找假見證控告耶穌，要治死他。雖有好些人來作假見證，總得不着實據。 …」(馬太福音 26:59-60) 十誡明說，「不可作假見證陷害人。」(出埃及記 20:16) 為了儘可能避免作假見證，摩西的律法也規定了，「人無論犯甚麼罪，作甚麼惡，不可憑一個人的口作見證，總要憑兩三個人的口作見證才可定案。」(申命記 19:15) 可「…是神造人原是正直，但他們尋出許多巧計。」(傳道書 7:29) 即使「…公會裏坐着的人都定睛看他，見他的面貌好像天使(G32, messenger)的面貌。」(使徒行傳 6:15) 他們也不管這點，人的心會是何等剛硬啊 ! 

3. 司提反當衆申訴的開始

       「大祭司就說：「這些事果然有嗎？」司提反說：「諸位父兄請聽！當日我們的祖宗亞伯拉罕在美索不達米亞還未住哈蘭的時候，榮耀的神向他顯現，對他說：『你要離開本地和親族，往我所要指示你的地方去。』「他就離開迦勒底人之地，住在哈蘭。他父親死了以後，神使他從那裏搬到你們現在所住之地。在這地方神並沒有給他產業，連立足之地也沒有給他；但應許要將這地賜給他和他的後裔為業。那時他還沒有兒子。神說：『他的後裔必寄居外邦，那裏的人要叫他們作奴僕，苦待他們四百年。』神又說：『使他們作奴僕的那國，我要懲罰。以後他們要出來，在這地方事奉我。』神又賜他割禮的約。於是亞伯拉罕生了以撒，第八日給他行了割禮。以撒生雅各，雅各生十二位先祖。」(使徒行傳 7:1-8)

    當大祭司問這些事果然有時，這些都是虛假的見證，當然沒有。司提反便藉此機會傳道，簡潔地概述了舊約中發生的事蹟，我們現在就來看看開頭的部分。這是在講亞伯拉罕的事情，他住在哈蘭是因他的父親，就如經文所說，「他拉帶着他兒子亞伯蘭(亞伯拉罕)和他孫子哈蘭的兒子羅得，並他兒婦亞伯蘭的妻子撒萊，出了迦勒底的吾珥，要往迦南地去。他們走到哈蘭就住在那裏。」(創世記 11:31) 我们看到亞伯拉罕是大有信心的人，「亞伯拉罕因着信，蒙召的時候，就遵命出去，往將來要得為業的地方去；出去的時候，還不知往哪裏去。」(希伯來書 11:8)

       接著記載亞伯拉罕做了一個異夢：「日頭正落的時候，亞伯蘭沉沉地睡了，忽然有驚人的大黑暗落在他身上。耶和華對亞伯蘭說： 『你要確實知道，你的後裔必寄居別人的地，又服事那地的人，那地的人要苦待他們四百年。並且他們所要服事的那國，我要懲罰，後來他們必帶著許多財物從那裡出來。但你要享大壽數，平平安安地歸到你列祖那裏，被人埋葬。到了第四代，他們必回到此地，因為亞摩利人的罪孽還沒有滿盈。」（創世記 15:12-16） 在此我們看見神是滿有憐憫恩典的神，祂給了亞摩利人至少四百年的機會，但他們並沒有悔改。以色列人出埃及的確定時間是：「正滿了四百三十年的那一天，耶和華的軍隊都從埃及地出來了。」（出埃及記 12:41）由此可見，預言的時間常常在述說大致的時程。

     當以色列人進入迦南地時，神是這樣說，「耶和華你神領你進入要得為業之地，從你面前趕出許多國民，就是赫人、革迦撒人、亞摩利人、迦南人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人，共七國的民，都比你強大。耶和華你神將他們交給你擊殺，那時你要把他們滅絕淨盡，不可與他們立約，也不可憐恤他們。」(申命記 7:1-2) 這是「免得他們教導你們學習一切可憎惡的事，就是他們向自己神所行的，以致你們得罪耶和華你們的神。」(申命記 20:18) 所以在耶利哥城，「…將城中所有的，不拘男女老少、牛羊和驢，都用刀殺盡。」(約書亞記 6:21) 

     因此有人會問，這包括了嬰兒，而嬰兒何罪，這不是很殘酷嗎？好像是，其實不然。想想這四百年有多少嬰兒出生，在這樣的環境中長大，最後成了犯罪而不肯悔改的人。神是全知的神，早就預先看到會是這種情況，這就像「耶和華對摩西說：「我要將亞瑪力的名號從天下全然塗抹了，你要將這話寫在書上作記念，又念給約書亞聽。」」(出埃及記 17:14) 這是和野草除不盡，春風吹又生的道理相似，除罪本是應該除盡，猶如神對亞瑪力人一樣。有人可能會說，即使以色列人要將成人殺淨，為什麼不留下嬰兒，給他們一條活路呢？那時亞摩利人已罪孽滿盈，要以色列人帶著別人的嬰兒去爭戰，你自己判斷合不合理吧 !  而且覆巢之下無完卵，這對嬰兒來說可能是最好的選擇。

     但就像我們已說的，神是有憐憫有恩典的，在約拿記說到的尼尼微城，「…神察看他們的行為，見他們離開惡道，他就後悔，不把所說的災禍降與他們了。」(約拿書 3:10) 因此約拿不高興，但「耶和華說：「這蓖麻不是你栽種的，也不是你培養的，一夜發生，一夜乾死，你尚且愛惜；何況這尼尼微大城，其中不能分辨左手右手的有十二萬多人，並有許多牲畜，我豈能不愛惜呢？」」(約拿書 4:10-11) 事實上，在以色列人進迦南地時， 「…耶和華留下各族，不將他們速速趕出，也沒有交付約書亞的手。」(士師記 2:23) 不是真正的全然滅絕。

4. 約瑟的苦難與雅各全家下埃及

        「先祖嫉妒約瑟，把他賣到埃及去。神卻與他同在，救他脫離一切苦難，又使他在埃及王法老面前得恩典，有智慧。法老就派他作埃及國的宰相兼管全家。「後來埃及和迦南全地遭遇饑荒，大受艱難，我們的祖宗就絕了糧。雅各聽見在埃及有糧，就打發我們的祖宗初次往那裏去。第二次約瑟與弟兄們相認，他的親族也被法老知道了。約瑟就打發弟兄請父親雅各和全家七十五個人都來。於是雅各下了埃及，後來他和我們的祖宗都死在那裏；又被帶到示劍，葬於亞伯拉罕在示劍用銀子從哈抹子孫買來的墳墓裏。」(使徒行傳 7:9-16)

    這一段所說的事情在創世記有詳細的記載，請自己去看對應的經文，這裏我們就衹討論這一段，「約瑟被帶下埃及去。有一個埃及人，是法老的內臣，護衞長波提乏，從那些帶下他來的以實瑪利人手下買了他去。約瑟住在他主人埃及人的家中，耶和華與他同在，他就百事順利。」(創世記 39:1-2) 「這事以後，約瑟主人的妻，以目送情給約瑟說：「你與我同寢吧！」約瑟不從，對他主人的妻說：「看哪！一切家務我主人都不知道，他把所有的都交在我手裏。在這家裏沒有比我大的，並且他沒有留下一樣不交給我，只留下了你，因為你是他的妻子。我怎能作這大惡，得罪神呢？」」(創世記 39:7-9) 我們看見神在他心中的地位。

       後來因約瑟主人的妻子，主人就「把約瑟下在監裏，就是王的囚犯被囚的地方。於是約瑟在那裏坐監。但耶和華與約瑟同在，向他施恩，使他在司獄的眼前蒙恩。」(創世記 39:20-21) 約瑟並不為自己辯解，完全將自己交在神手中，直到神動工，讓他去為法老解夢。他說：「至於法老兩回做夢，是因神命定這事，而且必速速成就。」(創世記 41:32) 因此「法老對約瑟說：「神既將這事都指示你，可見沒有人像你這樣有聰明有智慧。你可以掌管我的家，我的民都必聽從你的話，惟獨在寶座上我比你大。」」(創世記 41:39-40) 他確實是全然信靠神，因為解夢時事件情尚未發生，若未應驗他將因此喪命。他將性命交託在神手中，所以他是大有信心的人，這也正是神所喜悅的。在新約的時代和舊約的時代都是同一位神，所以在新約的時代也是如此。

          請注意，這文章是基於週日(1/4/26)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』，就可以找到。

First, we see the seven people was filled with the Holy Spirit and chosen to manage the distribution of food. We realize that Luke was a Gentile, and understand that physical circumcision was no longer required in the New Testament era. Second, we see Stephen, endowed with the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, whose face shone like an angel’s, confronting the hardness of human hearts. Third, we witness the beginning of Stephen’s public defense, where he seized the opportunity to preach, recounting the story of Abraham and his prophetic dreams. This reveals God’s great mercy and grace, and shows that prophetic timelines are often approximate in this event. Finally, it recounts Joseph’s sufferings and Jacob’s family’s descent into Egypt, revealing God’s place in Joseph’s heart. He entrusted his life into God’s hands, thus becoming a man of great faith—precisely what God delights in.

1. The seven men filled with the Holy Spirit who managed the distribution of food

“Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 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. The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.”(Acts 6:1-7)

From these scriptures, we learn that when the Jerusalem church was small and shared everything in common, the apostles themselves managed the distribution of food. Now that the number of disciples had increased, they needed others to handle this task so they could focus on prayer and preaching. We also see that even for what many might consider a minor task like managing meals, one must be filled with the Holy Spirit to have sufficient wisdom to perform it properly. Thus, seven men were chosen for this responsibility. Another mention of these seven occurs in this verse: “On the next day we (Paul and Luke) 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) In Chinese Union Version, it translates that Philip as “deacon (G1249, minister servant).” But neither of the two original texts contains the word “deacon.”

Here, “we” refers to Paul and Luke. Why? Let us examine how the New Testament mentions Luke. His name appears only three times: “Only Luke is with me. …”(2 Timothy 4:11),” “Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. (Colossians 4:14),” and “as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.”(Philemon 1:24) We know Luke was a physician who worked alongside Paul. Since Paul said clearly, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.”(2 Timothy 4:6), Luke remained with Paul until his final sacrifice. He was originally a Gentile, as Scripture states: “As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. …Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.”(Colossians 4:7-11) Luke was uncircumcised, so he became a believer in the New Testament era. The Bible does not explicitly state when Luke became Paul’s co-worker. When he used the plural “we” in Acts 21:8 mentioned earlier, he was already Paul’s co-worker. Clearly, it was not considered crucial to pinpoint exactly when he began accompanying Paul, out of respect for God and to avoid unnecessary confusion. If the exact timing were so crucial, He would have told us in Scripture.

We see that among these seven men was Nicolas of Antioch, who had been converted to Judaism. Since it states he had been converted to Judaism, it is clear he was originally a Gentile. We also see that Gentiles could be converted to Judaism at that time. This is clearly stated in the Law of Moses: “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 is what Solomon said: “Also concerning the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel, when he comes from a far country for Your name’s sake (for they will hear of Your great name and Your mighty hand, and of Your outstretched arm); when he comes and prays toward this house, hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, to fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by Your name.”(1 Kings 8:41-43) 

Note that the conversion to Judaism mentioned here refers to conversion in the New Testament context, as this passage states: “Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes (G4339) followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.”(Acts 13:43) In the New Testament era, conversion to Judaism did not require circumcision:”Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.”(Galatians 5:2-5) 

If referring to the Judaism of the Old Testament, Paul uses different words: “For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism (G2454), how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism (G2454) beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.”(Galatians 1:13-14) This word G2454 appears only these two times. 

As for G4339, it appears only four times, another instance being: “Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes (G4339) followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.”(Acts 13:43) Another instance in the Book of Acts is found in this passage: “Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes (G4339).”(Acts 2:10) The meaning is the same. Note the final instance of this verse: ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte (G4339); and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.”(Matthew 23:15) This refers to the Judaism Paul addressed in Galatians 1:13-14 by using a different word in the English translation. Though the Book of Matthew uses this term only once here using the same term and thus without explicit distinction in Chinese Union Version, the context makes its meaning clear.

2. Stephen was filled with grace and power of Holy Spirit, whose face shone like an angel’s

“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.”(Acts 6:8-15)

Not only did “At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; …”(Acts 5:12), but Stephen, as a disciple filled with the Holy Spirit, likewise became a channel for miracles and wonders. The same holds true today—if God permits, we too can become such channels.

The Bible clearly states that Stephen spoke with wisdom and the Holy Spirit, and those who debated him came from. Some knew Paul was from Cilicia because “…Paul said, “I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; …”(Acts 21:39) They assumed Paul must be among those debating, but Scripture does not state this.

Unable to refute him, the crowd resorted to buying false testimony—just as Jesus faced. Scripture makes this clear: “Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. …”(Matthew 26:59-60)

The Ten Commandments plainly state, ““You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”(Exodus 20:16) To minimize false testimony, the Law of Moses also stipulated: “A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.”(Deuteronomy 19:15) Yet “…God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.”(Ecclesiastes 7:29) Even when “…all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel (G32, messenger),”(Acts 6:15) they disregarded this. How hardened the human heart can be! 

3. Beginning of Stephen’s public defense

“The high priest said, “Are these things so?” And he said, “Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Leave your country and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you.’ Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living. But He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground, and yet, even when he had no child, He promised that He would give it to him as a possession, and to his descendants after him. But God spoke to this effect, that his descendants would be aliens in a foreign land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years. ‘And whatever nation to which they will be in bondage I Myself will judge,’ said God, ‘and after that they will come out and serve Me in this place.’ And He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.”(Acts 7:1-8)

When the high priest said, “Are these things so?”, these are false testimonies, of course not so. Stephen seized this opportunity to preach, concisely outlining the events recorded in the Old Testament. Let us now examine the opening portion. This concerns Abraham, who lived in Haran because of his father, as the scripture states: “Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans in order to enter the land of Canaan; and they went as far as Haran, and settled there.”(Genesis 11:31) We see Abraham as a man of great faith: “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.”(Hebrews 11:8)

Then it is said that Abraham had a strange dream: “Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions. As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age. Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.””(Genesis 15:12-16) Here we see that God is a God of mercy and grace, granting the Amorites at least four hundred years of opportunity. But they didn’t repent. The precise time of Israel’s exodus from Egypt is recorded: “And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, to the very day, all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.”(Exodus 12:41) From this we see that prophetic timelines often seem to indicate approximate periods.

When the Israelites entered the land of Canaan, God said this: ““When the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than you, and when the LORD your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them.”(Deuteronomy 7:1-2) This was “so that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so that you would sin against the LORD your God.”(Deuteronomy 20:18) Therefore, at the city of Jericho, “They utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.”(Joshua 6:21)

Some might ask: Does this include infants? What sin have infants committed? Isn’t this cruel? It may seem so, but it is not. Consider how many infants were born during those four hundred years, raised in such an environment, and ultimately became people who committed crimes and refused to repent. God is an all-knowing God who foresaw this outcome long ago. This is like when “…the LORD said to Moses, “Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.””(Exodus 17:14) This principle parallels the stubborn persistence of weeds that spring up again with the spring breeze. Sin must be utterly eradicated, just as God did with the Amalekites. Some might ask: even if Israel was commanded to kill all adults, why not spare the infants and give them a chance at life? At that time, the Amorites had reached the full measure of their sin. To ask Israel to carry the infants of others into battle—you decide for yourself if that is reasonable! Moreover, when the nest is destroyed, no egg remains intact. For the infants, this might have been the best choice.

Yet as we have stated, God is merciful and gracious. Consider Nineveh in the Book of Jonah: “When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it.”(Jonah 3:10) This displeased Jonah, but “…the LORD said, “You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?””(Jonah 4:10-11) In fact, when the Israelites entered the land of Canaan, “…the LORD allowed those nations to remain, not driving them out quickly; and He did not give them into the hand of Joshua.”(Judges 2:23) It was not a complete annihilation.

4. Joseph’s trials and Jacob’s family’s journey to Egypt

““The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him, and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household. “Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it, and our fathers could find no food. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family was disclosed to Pharaoh. Then Joseph sent word and invited Jacob his father and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five persons in all. And Jacob went down to Egypt and there he and our fathers died. From there they were removed to Shechem and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.”(Acts 7:9-16) “Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian.”(Genesis 39:1-2) “It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?””(Genesis 39:7-9) We see God’s place in his heart.

The events described in this passage are detailed in the Book of Genesis. Please refer to the corresponding scripture passages yourself. Here, we will only discuss this passage. Because of Joseph’s master’s wife, “…Joseph’s master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined; and he was there in the jail. But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.”(Genesis 39:20-21) Notice he did not plead his own case, but fully entrusted himself to God until God worked to enable him to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. He declared, “Now as for the repeating of the dream to Pharaoh twice, it means that the matter is determined by God, and God will quickly bring it about.”(Genesis 41:32) “So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.””(Genesis 41:39-40) He truly trusted God completely, for when he interpreted the dreams, the events had not yet occurred. If they did not come to pass, he would lose his life. He placed his very life in God’s hands, proving himself a man of great faith—and this is what pleased God. The same God who existed in the Old Testament era also existed in the New Testament era, and thus remains the same in the New Testament era.

Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (1/4/26) 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.’

    我们首先讲到亚拿尼亚夫妇因欺哄圣灵立刻仆倒而死，引出了以前圣灵是三位一体的神中一位的讨论，其中说到了为什么从神和人两者的角度来看，都正好是三。第二是说到因神迹奇事归主的人越发增添，点出神迹奇事的目的是要证明祂的恩道，我们要追求的是基督耶稣自己。第三讨论彼得和众使徒的被捕和主的使者领他们出监去宣道，及他们因顺服神而再被捕。 第四说到彼得和众使徒顺从神, 在公会前见证主的复活，也引用了以前两篇文章，其中详细讨论过相关顺服神的经文，和明说了要给犹太人一个回转的机会。最后要看的是迦玛列这个人，和他的建议及动机，以及其对彼得和众使徒的影响，强调看到「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」。          

1. 亚拿尼亚夫妇因欺哄圣灵立刻仆倒而死       

    「有一个人，名叫亚拿尼亚，同他的妻子撒非喇卖了田产，把价银私自留下几分，他的妻子也知道，其余的几分拿来放在使徒脚前。彼得说：「亚拿尼亚，为甚么撒但充满了你的心，叫你欺哄圣灵，把田地的价银私自留下几分呢？田地还没有卖，不是你自己的吗？既卖了，价银不是你作主吗？你怎么心里起这意念呢？你不是欺哄人，是欺哄神了！」亚拿尼亚听见这话，就仆倒，断了气。听见的人都甚惧怕。有些少年人起来，把他包裹，抬出去埋葬了。约过了三小时，他的妻子进来，还不知道这事。彼得对她说：「你告诉我，你们卖田地的价银就是这些吗？」 她说：「就是这些。」彼得说：「你们为甚么同心试探主的灵呢？埋葬你丈夫之人的脚已到门口，他们也要把你抬出去。」妇人立刻仆倒在彼得脚前，断了气。那些少年人进来，见她已经死了，就抬出去，埋在她丈夫旁边。全教会和听见这事的人都甚惧怕。」(使徒行传 5:1-11)     

    关于亚拿尼亚夫妇因欺哄圣灵立刻仆倒而死，经文将其过程写得很清楚，所以请自己看这些经文，就不多讲。以前在「3148 惩罚、救恩、逻辑、和三位一体真谛 – 创(3)14-24」中的「3. 神是三位一体的神的含意及圣经根据」，一开始就说，「耶和华(H3068, 单数)神(H430, 复数)这个辞重复的出现，因为神只有一位，所以是单数，而神又是三位，就是父神、耶稣基督、和圣灵，所以又是复数，也就是说父神是神，耶稣基督是神，圣灵也是神，这就是三位一体。」其中谈到了圣经的根据，关于圣灵是神，就是引用了这里的使徒行传 5:1-4。其中也说到了为什么从神和人两者的角度来看，都正好是三。圣经虽然没有明用三位一体这个辞，但绝对有这概念，详情请看这篇文章。   

    如果你看新约，会发觉除了亚拿尼亚夫妇因欺哄圣灵而死外，没有记录了一个人因欺哄三位一体的神中的圣灵而死。我们看到「全教会和听见这事的人都甚惧怕。」(使徒行传 5:11) 所以有人说，那时的教会的确有这需要，因惧怕而不敢欺哄圣灵。既然是只有这一次，是不是今日就可以欺哄圣灵呢？绝对不行。在新约圣经中，的确是因耶稣的上十字架而死，符合了神的公义要求，但这只给每个人一个得永生的机会，路还是要自己进窄门去走，到耶稣再来才会有白色大宝座前的审判。我们知道，「（看哪！我来像贼一样。那警醒、看守衣服、免得赤身而行叫人见他羞耻的有福了！）」(启示录 16:15) 不是祂迟延不来，而是因神是有怜悯有恩典的神，「他愿意万人得救，明白真道。」(提摩太前书 2:4) 所以给了我们更多的时间。  

2. 因神迹奇事归主的人越发增添    

    「主借使徒的手在民间行了许多神迹奇事。（他们都同心合意地在所罗门的廊下；其余的人没有一个敢贴近他们，百姓却尊重他们。信而归主的人越发增添，连男带女很多。）甚至有人将病人抬到街上，放在床上或褥子上，指望彼得过来的时候，或者得他的影儿照在甚么人身上。还有许多人带著病人和被污鬼缠磨的，从耶路撒冷四围的城邑来，全都得了医治。」(使徒行传 5:12-16)      

    我们看到许多人因使徒行神迹奇事，因而信而归主，可见神迹奇事的确是非常重要，所以「耶稣就对他(迦百农的大臣)说：「若不看见神迹奇事，你们总是不信。」」(约翰福音 4:48) 神迹奇事的确是开了信主的门，因为「我们既因信称义，就借著我们的主耶稣基督得与神相和。」(罗马书 5:1) 这只是称义而不是成义，是进了门而有了一个机会。     

    再看一节经文，「所以耶稣又对他们说：「我实实在在地告诉你们：我就是羊的门。凡在我以先来的，都是贼，是强盗，羊却不听他们。我就是门，凡从我进来的，必然得救，并且出入得草吃。盗贼来，无非要偷窃、杀害、毁坏；我来了，是要叫羊得生命，并且得的更丰盛。」(约翰福音 10:7-10) 我们分享过，这里只是说有草吃，如人因有自由意志而不肯吃给他的草，一定要吃下去才有用。所以因看到神迹奇事而入对了门是好的，但不祇是进门而已，耶稣说得很清楚，「你们要进窄门。因为引到灭亡，那门是宽的，路是大的，进去的人也多；引到永生，那门是窄的，路是小的，找著的人也少。」(马太福音 7:13-14)

    圣经常会用不同的方式去叙述同一件事情，这里说的窄门，就是以前在「3161 进神国, 少年官, 耶稣的左右, 服事人和医瞎子 – 可(10)13-52」中的「1. 要回转像小孩子才能进神国」所讲的，那篇文章说到「那小孩是全部依赖父母的年龄，就像基督徒应该谦卑的，全部事情都仰望三位一体的神，顺服神，不要靠自己，「…知道在我里头，就是我肉体之中，没有良善。因为立志为善由得我，只是行出来由不得我。」(罗马书 7:18)」一个人如果能「让圣灵带领查经」，会让他意识到「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」。   

    我们从这些经文中又看到我们以前所讨论过的，彼得的确是领头的。在使徒行传 4:29-30 的祷告，基本上是有三样，这里很清楚的看到有胆量去宣道和有神迹奇事，关于医治疾病的祷告，也是真实的，因这里说，全都得了医治，难怪病人指望彼得会过来。但请注意，这里并没有像有人相信的，说是彼得的影儿可以治病。       

    不要忘记，神迹奇事的目的是要证明他的恩道，如这节经文所说，「二人(保罗和巴拿巴)在那里(以哥念)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) 不要因为不是常见神迹奇事后就不能相信了，不要本末倒置，我们要追求的是基督耶稣自己。所以保罗会说，「弟兄们，我不是以为自己已经得著了，我只有一件事，就是忘记背后，努力面前的，向著标竿直跑，要得神在基督耶稣里从上面召我来得的奖赏。」(腓立比书 3:13-14) 他当然不会以为自己已得著一切，因他知道神是无限，而人是有限，神随时随地可开我们的眼睛，让我们看到更多。难怪他会向著标竿直跑，也会说，「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) 记得，信主以后不是没有苦难，而是「…在世上你们有苦难，但你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界。」(约翰福音 16:33)

3. 彼得和众使徒的被捕，及主的使者领他们出监去宣道和再被捕     

    「大祭司和他的一切同人，就是撒都该教门的人，都起来，满心忌恨，就下手拿住使徒，收在外监。但主的使者夜间开了监门，领他们出来，说：「你们去站在殿里，把这生命的道都讲给百姓听。」使徒听了这话，天将亮的时候就进殿里去教训人。 大祭司和他的同人来了，叫齐公会的人和以色列族的众长老，就差人到监里去，要把使徒提出来。但差役到了，不见他们在监里，就回来禀报说：「我们看见监牢关得极妥当，看守的人也站在门外，及至开了门，里面一个人都不见！」守殿官和祭司长听见这话，心里犯难，不知这事将来如何。有一个人来禀报说：「你们收在监里的人，现在站在殿里教训百姓。」于是守殿官和差役去带使徒来，并没有用强暴，因为怕百姓用石头打他们。」(使徒行传 5:17-26)       

    如经文所说，公会因忌恨而逮捕了使徒，这里的使徒是指彼得和众使徒，因为经文是说，「彼得和众使徒回答说：「顺从神，不顺从人，是应当的！」(使徒行传 5:29) 但主的使者夜间开监释放了他们，并告诉他们去宣道。公会差人到监里要提出使徒时，却发觉他们不在监里而在宣道，可见主的使者是大有能力的，可以开监释放他们而人却不知。因为使徒是在宣道，就再次的逮捕了他们，说是这次没有用强暴，暗指以前用过，其实他们跟本不必用强暴，基督徒在顺服神的情况下是不会暴力反抗的。过程在经文中写得很清楚，请自己去看这过程就可以知道了。

4. 彼得和众使徒顺从神, 在公会前见证主的复活       

    「带到了，便叫使徒站在公会前。大祭司问他们说：「我们不是严严地禁止你们，不可奉这名教训人吗？你们倒把你们的道理充满了耶路撒冷，想要叫这人的血归到我们身上。」彼得和众使徒回答说：「顺从神，不顺从人，是应当的！你们挂在木头上杀害的耶稣，我们祖宗的神已经叫他复活。神且用右手将他高举，叫他作君王、作救主，将悔改的心和赦罪的恩赐给以色列人。我们为这事作见证，神赐给顺从之人的圣灵也为这事作见证。」」(使徒行传 5:27-32)    

    公会的确是严严地禁止你他们过如经文所说，「官长为百姓的缘故，想不出法子刑罚他们，又恐吓一番，把他们释放了。…」(使徒行传 4:21) 在上周「3172 彼得及约翰被捕和释放，别无拯救和被圣灵充满 – 徒(4)1-37」中的「1. 彼得和约翰的被捕及信的男丁数目约到五千」，彼得和约翰是因见证耶稣复活而被捕，这次彼得和众使徒也是如此。在「3172」中的「3. 公会因无话可驳和因百姓就释放了他们」，他们的回应和这次基本上是相同的，都是说要顺服神，我们那时已详细的讨论过他们的回应，这次就不重复讨论了，请找到那篇文章。     

    这里我们提到了，「神且用右手将他(耶稣)高举，叫他作君王、作救主，将悔改的心和赦罪的恩赐给以色列人。」(使徒行传 5:31) 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」，其中说的，「神既兴起他的仆人，就先差他到你们这里来，赐福给你们，叫你们各人回转，离开罪恶。」(使徒行传 3:26) 这里的意思不是基本上和刚才说的使徒行传 5:31 相同吗？就是明说要给犹太人一个回转的机会。我们在那已详细的讨论过这话题，就不重复了，请找到那篇文章。

5. 迦玛列这个人和他的建议及动机       

    「公会的人听见就极其恼怒，想要杀他们。但有一个法利赛人，名叫迦玛列，是众百姓所敬重的教法师，在公会中站起来，吩咐人把使徒暂且带到外面去，就对众人说：「以色列人哪，论到这些人，你们应当小心怎样办理。从前丢大起来，自夸为大，附从他的人约有四百；他被杀后，附从他的全都散了，归于无有。此后，报名上册的时候，又有加利利的犹大起来，引诱些百姓跟从他；他也灭亡，附从他的人也都四散了。现在，我劝你们不要管这些人，任凭他们吧！他们所谋的、所行的，若是出于人，必要败坏；若是出于神，你们就不能败坏他们，恐怕你们倒是攻击神了。」公会的人听从了他，便叫使徒来，把他们打了，又吩咐他们不可奉耶稣的名讲道，就把他们释放了。他们离开公会，心里欢喜，因被算是配为这名受辱。他们就每日在殿里、在家里不住地教训人，传耶稣是基督。」(使徒行传 5:33-42)        

    迦玛列这名字只在新约中出现两次，另一次是在这经文，「保罗说：「我原是犹太人，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。」」(使徒行传 22:3) 所以我们知道保罗原在他的门下，很显然的，他没有完全看懂旧约，最后是如保罗所说的，「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 1:12) 他的建议和动机在经文中写得很清楚，他的确是众百姓所敬重的教法师，公会的人原先想要杀他们，但他的建议被采纳了，因此祗是把他们打了，并警告他们不能再宣道，就释放了他们。     

    他们反而心里欢喜，因被算是配为这名受辱，这就彰显了保罗所说的，「要常常喜乐。」(帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:16) 他说得很清楚他力量的来源，「你们要靠主常常喜乐！我再说，你们要喜乐！」(腓立比书 4:4) 他不只是说说而已，而是自己力行，所以他能在监狱中的「约在半夜，保罗和西拉祷告唱诗赞美神，众囚犯也侧耳而听。」(使徒行传 16:25)    

    然后是利用每日机会传耶稣是基督，这就是保罗所说的，「务要传道！无论得时不得时，总要专心，并用百般的忍耐，各样的教训，责备人，警戒人，劝勉人。」(提摩太后书 4:2) 因为「…信道是从听道来的，听道是从基督的话来的。」(罗马书 10:17) 自己的生命相当成熟，才能有百般的忍耐。这也是大使命所说的，「所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，给他们施洗，归于父、子、圣灵的名。」(马太福音 28:19, 和合本中的另译) 只有以身作则才能使万民作耶稣的门徒。人有自由意志，如果自己没有生命而强迫人信主，这是做不到的，有时甚至会造成反感，所以不是保罗要我们把他，务要传道的话当律法来守，要守的是它的真谛。这就像耶稣的榜样一样，祂守的是安息日的真谛，而不是律法上的时间。    

    最后要提的是，和合本对大使命的翻译为，「所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗。」(马太福音 28:19) 但「彼得说：「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) 所以另译是对的。有人说这不重要，那么这人就不会在这一点上看到，「神借著圣经告诉我们是一致的」。

    请注意，这文章是基于周日(12/21/25)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。

          我們首先講到亞拿尼亞夫婦因欺哄聖靈立刻仆倒而死，引出了以前聖靈是三位一體的神中一位的討論，其中說到了為什麼從神和人兩者的角度來看，都正好是三。第二是說到因神蹟奇事歸主的人越發增添，點出神蹟奇事的目的是要證明祂的恩道，我們要追求的是基督耶穌自己。第三討論彼得和衆使徒的被捕和主的使者領他們出監去宣道，及他們因順服神而再被捕。 第四說到彼得和眾使徒順從神, 在公會前見證主的復活，也引用了以前兩篇文章，其中詳細討論過相關順服神的經文，和明說了要給猶太人一個回轉的機會。最後要看的是迦瑪列這個人，和他的建議及動機，以及其對彼得和眾使徒的影響，強調看到「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」。

1. 亞拿尼亞夫婦因欺哄聖靈立刻仆倒而死

       「有一個人，名叫亞拿尼亞，同他的妻子撒非喇賣了田產，把價銀私自留下幾分，他的妻子也知道，其餘的幾分拿來放在使徒腳前。彼得說：「亞拿尼亞，為甚麼撒但充滿了你的心，叫你欺哄聖靈，把田地的價銀私自留下幾分呢？田地還沒有賣，不是你自己的嗎？既賣了，價銀不是你作主嗎？你怎麼心裏起這意念呢？你不是欺哄人，是欺哄神了！」亞拿尼亞聽見這話，就仆倒，斷了氣。聽見的人都甚懼怕。有些少年人起來，把他包裹，抬出去埋葬了。約過了三小時，他的妻子進來，還不知道這事。彼得對她說：「你告訴我，你們賣田地的價銀就是這些嗎？」 她說：「就是這些。」彼得說：「你們為甚麼同心試探主的靈呢？埋葬你丈夫之人的腳已到門口，他們也要把你抬出去。」婦人立刻仆倒在彼得腳前，斷了氣。那些少年人進來，見她已經死了，就抬出去，埋在她丈夫旁邊。全教會和聽見這事的人都甚懼怕。」(使徒行傳 5:1-11)

     關於亞拿尼亞夫婦因欺哄聖靈立刻仆倒而死，經文將其過程寫得很清楚，所以請自己看這些經文，就不多講。以前在「2148 懲罰、救恩、邏輯、和三位一體真諦 – 創(3)14-24」中的「3. 神是三位一體的神的含意及聖經根據」，一開始就說，「耶和華(H3068, 單數)神(H430, 複數)這個辭重複的出現，因為神只有一位，所以是單數，而神又是三位，就是父神、耶穌基督、和聖靈，所以又是複數，也就是說父神是神，耶穌基督是神，聖靈也是神，這就是三位一體。」其中談到了聖經的根據，關於聖靈是神，就是引用了這裡的使徒行傳 5:1-4。其中也說到了為什麼從神和人兩者的角度來看，都正好是三。聖經雖然沒有明用三位一體這個辭，但絕對有這概念，詳情請看這篇文章。

     如果你看新約，會發覺除了亞拿尼亞夫婦因欺哄聖靈而死外，沒有記錄了一個人因欺哄三位一體的神中的聖靈而死。我們看到「全教會和聽見這事的人都甚懼怕。」(使徒行傳 5:11) 所以有人說，那時的教會的確有這需要，因懼怕而不敢欺哄聖靈。既然是衹有這一次，是不是今日就可以欺哄聖靈呢？絕對不行。在新約聖經中，的確是因耶穌的上十字架而死，符合了神的公義要求，但這衹給每個人一個得永生的機會，路還是要自己進窄門去走，到耶穌再來才會有白色大寶座前的審判。我們知道，「（看哪！我來像賊一樣。那警醒、看守衣服、免得赤身而行叫人見他羞恥的有福了！）」(啓示錄 16:15) 不是祂遲延不來，而是因神是有憐憫有恩典的神，「他願意萬人得救，明白真道。」(提摩太前書 2:4) 所以給了我們更多的時間。

2. 因神蹟奇事歸主的人越發增添

       「主藉使徒的手在民間行了許多神蹟奇事。（他們都同心合意地在所羅門的廊下；其餘的人沒有一個敢貼近他們，百姓卻尊重他們。信而歸主的人越發增添，連男帶女很多。）甚至有人將病人抬到街上，放在牀上或褥子上，指望彼得過來的時候，或者得他的影兒照在甚麼人身上。還有許多人帶着病人和被污鬼纏磨的，從耶路撒冷四圍的城邑來，全都得了醫治。」(使徒行傳 5:12-16)

       我們看到許多人因使徒行神蹟奇事，因而信而歸主，可見神蹟奇事的確是非常重要，所以「耶穌就對他(迦百農的大臣)說：「若不看見神蹟奇事，你們總是不信。」」(約翰福音 4:48) 神蹟奇事的確是開了信主的門，因為「我們既因信稱義，就藉着我們的主耶穌基督得與神相和。」(羅馬書 5:1) 這衹是稱義而不是成義，是進了門而有了一個機會。

     再看一節經文，「所以耶穌又對他們說：「我實實在在地告訴你們：我就是羊的門。凡在我以先來的，都是賊，是強盜，羊卻不聽他們。我就是門，凡從我進來的，必然得救，並且出入得草吃。盜賊來，無非要偷竊、殺害、毀壞；我來了，是要叫羊得生命，並且得的更豐盛。」(約翰福音 10:7-10) 我們分享過，這裡衹是說有草吃，如人因有自由意志而不肯吃給他的草，一定要吃下去才有用。所以因看到神蹟奇事而入對了門是好的，但不祇是進門而已，耶穌說得很清楚，「你們要進窄門。因為引到滅亡，那門是寬的，路是大的，進去的人也多；引到永生，那門是窄的，路是小的，找着的人也少。」(馬太福音 7:13-14) 

     聖經常會用不同的方式去敍述同一件事情，這裡說的窄門，就是以前在「2161 進神國, 少年官, 耶穌的左右, 服事人和醫瞎子 – 可(10)13-52」中的「1. 要回轉像小孩子才能進神國」所講的，那篇文章說到「那小孩是全部依賴父母的年齡，就像基督徒應該謙卑的，全部事情都仰望三位一體的神，順服神，不要靠自己，「…知道在我裏頭，就是我肉體之中，沒有良善。因為立志為善由得我，只是行出來由不得我。」(羅馬書 7:18)」一個人如果能「讓聖靈帶領查經」，會讓他意識到「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」。

        我們從這些經文中又看到我們以前所討論過的，彼得的確是領頭的。在使徒行傳 4:29-30 的禱告，基本上是有三樣，這裡很清楚的看到有膽量去宣道和有神蹟奇事，關於醫治疾病的禱告，也是真實的，因這裡說，全都得了醫治，難怪病人指望彼得會過來。但請注意，這裡並沒有像有人相信的，說是彼得的影兒可以治病。 

       不要忘記，神蹟奇事的目的是要證明他的恩道，如這節經文所說，「二人(保羅和巴拿巴)在那裏(以哥念)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) 不要因為不是常見神蹟奇事後就不能相信了，不要本末倒置，我們要追求的是基督耶穌自己。所以保羅會說，「弟兄們，我不是以為自己已經得着了，我只有一件事，就是忘記背後，努力面前的，向着標竿直跑，要得神在基督耶穌裏從上面召我來得的獎賞。」(腓立比書 3:13-14) 他當然不會以為自己已得著一切，因他知道神是無限，而人是有限，神隨時隨地可開我們的眼睛，讓我們看到更多。難怪他會向着標竿直跑，也會說，「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) 記得，信主以後不是沒有苦難，而是「…在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。」(約翰福音 16:33)

3. 彼得和衆使徒的被捕，及主的使者領他們出監去宣道和再被捕 

       「大祭司和他的一切同人，就是撒都該教門的人，都起來，滿心忌恨，就下手拿住使徒，收在外監。但主的使者夜間開了監門，領他們出來，說：「你們去站在殿裏，把這生命的道都講給百姓聽。」使徒聽了這話，天將亮的時候就進殿裏去教訓人。 大祭司和他的同人來了，叫齊公會的人和以色列族的眾長老，就差人到監裏去，要把使徒提出來。但差役到了，不見他們在監裏，就回來稟報說：「我們看見監牢關得極妥當，看守的人也站在門外，及至開了門，裏面一個人都不見！」守殿官和祭司長聽見這話，心裏犯難，不知這事將來如何。有一個人來稟報說：「你們收在監裏的人，現在站在殿裏教訓百姓。」於是守殿官和差役去帶使徒來，並沒有用強暴，因為怕百姓用石頭打他們。」(使徒行傳 5:17-26)

       如經文所說，公會因忌恨而逮捕了使徒，這裡的使徒是指彼得和衆使徒，因為經文是說，「彼得和眾使徒回答說：「順從神，不順從人，是應當的！」(使徒行傳 5:29) 但主的使者夜間開監釋放了他們，並告訴他們去宣道。公會差人到監裏要提出使徒時，卻發覺他們不在監裏而在宣道，可見主的使者是大有能力的，可以開監釋放他們而人卻不知。因為使徒是在宣道，就再次的逮捕了他們，說是這次沒有用強暴，暗指以前用過，其實他們跟本不必用强暴，基督徒在順服神的情況下是不會暴力反抗的。過程在經文中寫得很清楚，請自己去看這過程就可以知道了。

4. 彼得和眾使徒順從神, 在公會前見證主的復活

       「帶到了，便叫使徒站在公會前。大祭司問他們說：「我們不是嚴嚴地禁止你們，不可奉這名教訓人嗎？你們倒把你們的道理充滿了耶路撒冷，想要叫這人的血歸到我們身上。」彼得和眾使徒回答說：「順從神，不順從人，是應當的！你們掛在木頭上殺害的耶穌，我們祖宗的神已經叫他復活。神且用右手將他高舉，叫他作君王、作救主，將悔改的心和赦罪的恩賜給以色列人。我們為這事作見證，神賜給順從之人的聖靈也為這事作見證。」」(使徒行傳 5:27-32)

    公會的確是嚴嚴地禁止你他們過如經文所說，「官長為百姓的緣故，想不出法子刑罰他們，又恐嚇一番，把他們釋放了。…」(使徒行傳 4:21) 在上週「2172 彼得及約翰被捕和釋放，別無拯救和被聖靈充滿 – 徒(4)1-37」中的「1. 彼得和約翰的被捕及信的男丁數目約到五千」，彼得和約翰是因見証耶穌復活而被捕，這次彼得和眾使徒也是如此。在「2172」中的「3. 公會因無話可駁和因百姓就釋放了他們」，他們的回應和這次基本上是相同的，都是說要順服神，我們那時已詳細的討論過他們的回應，這次就不重複討論了，請找到那篇文章。

     這裡我們提到了，「神且用右手將他(耶穌)高舉，叫他作君王、作救主，將悔改的心和赦罪的恩賜給以色列人。」(使徒行傳 5:31) 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」，其中說的，「神既興起他的僕人，就先差他到你們這裏來，賜福給你們，叫你們各人回轉，離開罪惡。」(使徒行傳 3:26) 這裡的意思不是基本上和剛才說的使徒行傳 5:31 相同嗎？就是明說要給猶太人一個回轉的機會。我們在那已詳細的討論過這話題，就不重複了，請找到那篇文章。 

5. 迦瑪列這個人和他的建議及動機

       「公會的人聽見就極其惱怒，想要殺他們。但有一個法利賽人，名叫迦瑪列，是眾百姓所敬重的教法師，在公會中站起來，吩咐人把使徒暫且帶到外面去，就對眾人說：「以色列人哪，論到這些人，你們應當小心怎樣辦理。從前丟大起來，自誇為大，附從他的人約有四百；他被殺後，附從他的全都散了，歸於無有。此後，報名上冊的時候，又有加利利的猶大起來，引誘些百姓跟從他；他也滅亡，附從他的人也都四散了。現在，我勸你們不要管這些人，任憑他們吧！他們所謀的、所行的，若是出於人，必要敗壞；若是出於神，你們就不能敗壞他們，恐怕你們倒是攻擊神了。」公會的人聽從了他，便叫使徒來，把他們打了，又吩咐他們不可奉耶穌的名講道，就把他們釋放了。他們離開公會，心裏歡喜，因被算是配為這名受辱。他們就每日在殿裏、在家裏不住地教訓人，傳耶穌是基督。」(使徒行傳 5:33-42)

        迦瑪列這名字衹在新約中出現兩次，另一次是在這經文，「保羅說：「我原是猶太人，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。」」(使徒行傳 22:3) 所以我們知道保羅原在他的門下，很顯然的，他沒有完全看懂舊約，最後是如保羅所說的，「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 1:12) 他的建議和動機在經文中寫得很清楚，他的確是眾百姓所敬重的教法師，公會的人原先想要殺他們，但他的建議被採納了，因此祗是把他們打了，並警告他們不能再宣道，就釋放了他們。

     他們反而心裏歡喜，因被算是配為這名受辱，這就彰顯了保羅所說的，「要常常喜樂。」(帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16) 他說得很清楚他力量的來源，「你們要靠主常常喜樂！我再說，你們要喜樂！」(腓立比書 4:4) 他不衹是說說而已，而是自己力行，所以他能在監獄中的「約在半夜，保羅和西拉禱告唱詩讚美神，眾囚犯也側耳而聽。」(使徒行傳 16:25)

     然後是利用每日機會傳耶穌是基督，這就是保羅所說的，「務要傳道！無論得時不得時，總要專心，並用百般的忍耐，各樣的教訓，責備人，警戒人，勸勉人。」(提摩太後書 4:2) 因為「…信道是從聽道來的，聽道是從基督的話來的。」(羅馬書 10:17) 自己的生命相當成熟，才能有百般的忍耐。這也是大使命所說的，「所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，給他們施洗，歸於父、子、聖靈的名。」(馬太福音 28:19, 和合本中的另譯) 衹有以身作則才能使萬民作耶穌的門徒。人有自由意志，如果自己沒有生命而强迫人信主，這是做不到的，有時甚至會造成反感，所以不是保羅要我們把他，務要傳道的話當律法來守，要守的是它的真諦。這就像耶穌的榜樣一樣，祂守的是安息日的真諦，而不是律法上的時間。

    最後要提的是，和合本對大使命的翻譯為，「所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗。」(馬太福音 28:19) 但「彼得說：「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) 所以另譯是對的。有人說這不重要，那麼這人就不會在這一點上看到，「神藉著聖經告訴我們是一致的」。

          請注意，這文章是基於週日(12/21/25)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』，就可以找到。

We first discussed how Ananias and his wife fell dead immediately for deceiving the Holy Spirit, which led to an earlier discussion about the Holy Spirit being one of the three persons of the Trinity. This discussion addressed why, from both God’s and humanity’s perspectives, the number three is precisely fitting. Second, we discussed how the number of those who believed in the Lord increased through signs (miracles) and wonders, emphasizing that miracles serve to testify to the word of His grace—our pursuit should be Christ Jesus Himself. Third, we examined the arrest of Peter and the apostles, the Lord leading them out of prison to preach, and their subsequent re-arrest due to obedience to God. The fourth part addresses Peter and the apostles’ obedience to God in testifying to the Lord’s resurrection before the Sanhedrin. It references two previous articles that thoroughly examined scriptures on obedience to God and explicitly stated the need to give the Jews an opportunity to repent. Finally, we examine the figure of Gamaliel, his counsel and motives, and his influence on Peter and the apostles, emphasizing that “what God tells us through Bible is consistent.”

1. Ananias and Sapphira immediately fell dead for deceiving the Holy Spirit

“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him. Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.”(Acts 5:1-11)

Regarding Ananias and Sapphira’s immediate death after deceiving the Holy Spirit, the scripture details the process clearly. Please read these verses yourself; I won’t elaborate further. Previously, in “1148 Punishment, Salvation, Logic, and the Truth of the Trinity – Genesis(3)14-24,” under “3. The meaning of God being a Trinity and its biblical basis,” it was stated at the outset: “The word ‘LORD (H3068, singular) God (H430, plural)’ appears repeatedly because there is only one God, so it is singular, and God is three, namely, God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, so it is plural, that is, God the Father is God, Jesus Christ is God, and the Holy Spirit is also God, this is the Trinity.” It discusses the biblical basis for the Holy Spirit being God, citing Acts 5:1-4. It also explains why, from both God’s and humanity’s perspectives, the number three is precisely appropriate. Though the Bible does not explicitly use the term “Trinity,” it absolutely contains this concept. For details, please refer to this article.

If you examine the New Testament, you will find that apart from Ananias and Sapphira, who died for deceiving the Holy Spirit, there is no record of anyone else dying for deceiving the Holy Spirit who is within the Triune God. We see that “And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.”(Acts 5:11) Some interpret this to mean that the early church genuinely needed such fear to deter deceiving the Holy Spirit. Since this occurred only once, does that imply it is permissible today? Absolutely not. In the New Testament, it is true that Jesus’ death on the cross fulfilled God’s righteous demands, but this merely provides each person with an opportunity for eternal life. The path must still be walked through the narrow gate, and the judgment before the great white throne will only occur when Jesus returns. We know, “(“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”)”(Revelation 16:15) It is not that He delays His coming, but because God is a God of mercy and grace, “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”(1 Timothy 2:4) Therefore, He has given us more time until that unknown day.

2. More and more people are turning to the Lord through signs and wonders

“At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.”(Acts 5:12-16)

We see that many believed and turned to the Lord because of the miracles (signs) and wonders performed by the apostles. This shows that miracles and wonders are indeed very important. Therefore, “So Jesus said to him (a royal official at Capernaum), “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.””(John 4:48) Miracles and wonders truly open the door to faith, for “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”(Romans 5:1) This is justification, not sanctification—it is entering the door and gaining an opportunity.

Consider another passage: “So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”(John 10:7-10) We have shared that this passage only mentions having grass to eat. If a person, because of free will, refuses to eat the grass given to him, it is useless unless he actually eats it. Therefore, entering the right gate because of seeing miracles and wonders is good, but it is not enough to merely enter. Jesus made it very clear: ““Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”(Matthew 7:13-14) 

Scripture often describes the same truth in different ways. The narrow gate mentioned here corresponds to what was discussed in “1161 Kingdom of God, young ruler, sitting, serving, and healing – Mark(10)13-52” under “1. One must become like a little child to enter the Kingdom of God.” That article explained, “Therefore, the child is at an age when he or she is completely dependent on his or her parents, just as Christians should be humble, looking to the Triune God for all things, obeying Him, and not relying on themselves. “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.”(Romans 7:18)” If one allows the Holy Spirit to lead Bible study, it will make them realize “what God tells us through Bible is consistent.”

From these passages, we again see what we discussed earlier: Peter truly took the lead. The prayer in Acts 4:29-30 essentially asks for three things: boldness to preach and signs and wonders. The prayer for healing the sick was also genuine, for it says here that all were healed. No wonder the sick hoped Peter would come. But note that there is no mention here, as some believe, of Peter’s shadow being able to heal. 

Do not forget that the purpose of miracles and wonders is to testify to the word of His grace, as this verse states: “Therefore they (Paul and Barnabas) 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) Do not lose faith simply because you do not often witness miracles and wonders. Do not put the cart before the horse. What we pursue is Christ Jesus Himself. That is why Paul declared, “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 3:13-14) He certainly did not consider himself to have attained everything, for he knew that God is infinite while man is finite. God can open our eyes at any time to reveal more to us. No wonder he pressed on toward the goal, declaring, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.”(1 Corinthians 8:2) Remember, after believing in the Lord, suffering does not cease. Rather, “…In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33)

3. The arrest of Peter and the Apostles, and the Lord leading them out of prison to preach and their subsequent arrest 

“But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.” Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought. But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.” Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).”(Acts 5:17-26)

As the scripture states, the council arrested the apostles out of envy. Here, the apostles refer to Peter and the other apostles, for the text says, “But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.””(Acts 5:29) But the Lord’s angel opened the prison doors by night and set them free, instructing them to go and preach. When the council sent men to the prison to bring the apostles before them, they found them absent—preaching instead. This demonstrates the mighty power of the Lord’s angel, who could open the prison doors and set them free without human awareness. Since the apostles were preaching, they were arrested again. The text notes that this time they used no violence, implying previous use of force. Yet violence was unnecessary; Christians, in obedience to God, would not resist violently. The process is clearly recorded in Scripture; please read it for yourself to understand.

4. Peter and the apostles obey God, testifying to the Lord’s resurrection before the Sanhedrin

“When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.””(Acts 5:27-32)

The council did indeed forbid them strictly, as the scripture says, “When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened.”(Acts 4:21) In last week’s “1172 Arrest of Peter and John, no other salvation, and filled with Spirit – Acts(4)1-37,” under “1. The arrest of Peter and John and the number of believers about five thousand in this event,” Peter and John were arrested for testifying about Jesus’ resurrection. This time, Peter and the other apostles faced the same situation. In “1172,” under “3. The council found no fault in them and released them because of the people,” their response was essentially the same as this time—both times they said they must obey God. We discussed their response in detail then and will not repeat it here. Please refer to that article. 

Here we note, “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:31) 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,” it states: “For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”(Acts 3:26) Doesn’t this essentially convey the same meaning as Acts 5:31 mentioned earlier? It explicitly offers the Jews an opportunity to turn back. We have already discussed this topic in detail there, so we won’t repeat it here. Please refer to that article.

5. The man Gamaliel and His Advice and Motives

“But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.” 

They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”(Acts 5:33-42)

The name Gamaliel appears only twice in the New Testament, the other instance being in this passage: “I (Paul) am a Jew, 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.”(Acts 22:3) Thus we know Paul was originally his disciple. Evidently, he did not fully comprehend the Old Testament. Ultimately, as Paul stated, “For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”(Galatians 1:12) His counsel and motives are clearly recorded in Scripture. He was indeed a teacher of the Law respected by all the people. The council originally intended to kill them, but his advice was accepted. Therefore, they were merely beaten and warned not to preach again before being released.

Instead, they rejoiced in their hearts, considering it an honor to suffer for the name. This demonstrated what Paul said: “Rejoice always.”(1 Thessalonians 5:16) He made clear the source of his strength: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”(Philippians 4:4) He did not merely speak these words but lived them out himself. Thus, even in prison, “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”(Acts 16:25)

Then the church seized every daily opportunity to proclaim Jesus as the Christ. This is what Paul meant when he said, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”(2 Timothy 4:2) “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”(Romans 10:17) Only when one’s own life is sufficiently matured can one possess all patience. This is also what the Great Commission states: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them to belong to the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19, alternative translation in the Chinese Union Version) Only by setting an example can we make disciples of all nations. People have free will; if we lack spiritual life ourselves yet force others to believe, it is impossible—sometimes even causing resentment. Therefore, Paul does not want us to treat his command to preach the gospel as a Law to be kept; rather, we must uphold its true essence. This mirrors Jesus’ example: He observed the true essence of the Sabbath, not its legalistic timing.

Finally, note that the Chinese Union Version and the English version used here translate the Great Commission as: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”(Matthew 28:19) But Peter said clearly, “…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) A person is to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the alternative translation is correct. Some may say this is unimportant, but such individuals will fail to recognize that “what God tells us through Bible is consistent.”

Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (12/21/25) 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.’