在彼西底的安提阿傳道
13 保羅和他的同人從帕弗開船，來到旁非利亞的別加，約翰就離開他們，回耶路撒冷去。 14他們離了別加往前行，來到彼西底的安提阿，在安息日進會堂坐下。 15讀完了律法和先知的書，管會堂的叫人過去，對他們說：「二位兄台，若有甚麼勸勉眾人的話，請說。」
16 保羅就站起來，舉手，說：「以色列人和一切敬畏神的人，請聽。 17這以色列民的神揀選了我們的祖宗，當民寄居埃及的時候擡舉他們，用大能的手領他們出來； 18又在曠野容忍他們，約有四十年。 19既滅了迦南地七族的人，就把那地分給他們為業； 20此後給他們設立士師，約有四百五十年，直到先知撒母耳的時候。 21後來他們求一個王，神就將便雅憫支派中基士的兒子掃羅，給他們作王四十年。 22既廢了掃羅，就選立大衛作他們的王，又為他作見證說：『我尋得耶西的兒子大衛，他是合我心意的人，凡事要遵行我的旨意。』 23從這人的後裔中，神已經照着所應許的，為以色列人立了一位救主，就是耶穌。 24在他沒有出來以先，約翰向以色列眾民宣講悔改的洗禮。 25約翰將行盡他的程途說：『你們以為我是誰？我不是基督；只是有一位在我以後來的，我解他腳上的鞋帶也是不配的。』
26「弟兄們，亞伯拉罕的子孫和你們中間敬畏神的人哪，這救世的道是傳給我們的。 27耶路撒冷居住的人和他們的官長，因為不認識基督，也不明白每安息日所讀眾先知的書，就把基督定了死罪，正應了先知的預言； 28雖然查不出他有當死的罪來，還是求彼拉多殺他； 29既成就了經上指着他所記的一切話，就把他從木頭上取下來，放在墳墓裏。 30神卻叫他從死裏復活。 31那從加利利同他上耶路撒冷的人多日看見他，這些人如今在民間是他的見證。
各位平安，我們今天讀了使徒行傳13章13節到31節的故事。這段故事其實是保羅故事的前半段。我們現在讀這一段，明天接著讀保羅講道的第二部分。
首先，我們看到保羅和他的同工從帕佛到別加，然後到了比西底的安提阿。這裡發生了一件事情，影響蠻深遠的，雖然只有一句話提到。第13節提到約翰離開他們回耶路撒冷去。如果你不去閱讀後來的事情，這句話看似沒有什麼影響。但這裡提到的馬可（即馬可的約翰）是一個年輕人，他的媽媽可能是當時耶路撒冷教會的屋主。他也是後來馬可福音的作者。
這句話為何重要呢？原本他是跟著保羅和巴拿巴去宣教，但在這裡選擇回耶路撒冷。我們不知道他離開的原因，但可能知道這不是一個愉快的事情，因為在後來的章節裡，保羅和巴拿巴為了這件事情起了爭執。巴拿巴認為應該給馬可一個機會，但保羅認為馬可曾經放棄過他們，所以他不是一個可靠的同工。這件事甚至造成了保羅和巴拿巴分道揚鑣。這段故事記載在使徒行傳15:38。
在教會中，我們可能會經歷到一些可惜的分離。可能同一間教會的信徒，因某些緣故，雖然沒有人想要傷害對方，但卻因理念不同而分開。當我們看到這些分散時，可能會覺得可惜，甚至覺得是魔鬼在攻擊。但當我們理解上帝的主權超越一切，這些分別讓他們在不同地方成長。十多年後，我們看到保羅在提摩太後書4:11寫著，要記得把馬可帶來，因他在傳道的事上與我有益。
那個曾經中斷宣教之旅的少年，十多年後成長成為保羅可靠的同工。而巴拿巴和保羅的分離，也讓福音在不同地方傳開。所以，當我們看聖經時，切記不要斷章取義，要看整體歷史軌跡，你會發現上帝的手一直在引導和保守。不要灰心，不要看人的作為，要相信神一直掌權運作一切。
接下來介紹一下安提阿這個地方。這裡是羅馬的駐軍城，也是個大城市，有十萬人以上的人口。路加寫紀錄時，輕輕帶過了這一段的艱苦。第十四節說他們離開別加，往安提阿去。這段短短的文字中，保羅卻是走過兩百多公里遠的路程，還要跨過高達三千多公尺的托魯斯山脈，中間充滿了劫匪和搶劫的危險區域。而且，保羅在這時候有生病。我們從加拉太書4:13得知，保羅頭一次傳福音給他們，是因為身體有病。安提阿、以哥念這些地方都在加拉太省。保羅是以一個病人的狀態，剛剛失去一個同工（馬可），跨過高山和衝過盜賊的危險來到安提阿的。
接著，我們看到保羅和巴拿巴進入安提阿的猶太人會堂。猶太人會堂每個安息日聚會，講道的人不一定是牧師，而是對經文有特別見解和知識的人可以分享。這一天，他們來到這個城裡，可能大家認識保羅是有名的拉比，所以特別請他分享他的見解。
保羅把握機會，從出埃及記開始分享，講到士師記，再講到列王記，提到大衛，然後將耶穌的家譜講下去，提到施洗約翰和耶穌的死與復活，強調耶穌是他們期待的救主、彌賽亞。他強調耶穌的到來、死和復活，實現了舊約預言，是猶太歷史的頂峰，也是人類歷史的最重要事件。保羅引經據典，把福音傳給這城的人。他放膽在一個滿是猶太人的環境中，宣揚這個事情，猶太人聽到了會有什麼樣的反應呢？
我們明天接著聽保羅講道的下半段，以及這段講道對整個城市的影響。感謝各位的聆聽。
Peace be with you all,
Today we read the story from Acts 13:13-31. This passage is actually the first part of Paul's story. We are reading this section now and will continue with the second part of Paul's sermon tomorrow.
First, we see Paul and his coworkers travel from Paphos to Perga, and then to Pisidian Antioch. Something significant happens here, though it is only mentioned briefly. Verse 13 mentions that John left them and returned to Jerusalem. If you do not read the later events, this sentence might seem insignificant. But the John mentioned here, also known as Mark, was a young man whose mother was likely a prominent figure in the Jerusalem church. He later became the author of the Gospel of Mark.
Why is this important? Originally, Mark was with Paul and Barnabas on their mission trip, but here he chose to return to Jerusalem. We do not know the exact reason for his departure, but it was likely not a pleasant matter, as later chapters indicate that Paul and Barnabas argued over it. Barnabas wanted to give Mark another chance, but Paul felt Mark was unreliable since he had abandoned them before. This disagreement eventually caused Paul and Barnabas to part ways. This story is recorded in Acts 15:38.
In the church, we may experience unfortunate separations. Believers in the same church might separate due to different reasons, not out of a desire to harm each other, but because of differing views. When we see these divisions, we might feel regretful and even think it's the devil's work. However, when we understand God's sovereignty, we see that these separations allowed them to grow in different places. Ten years later, we see Paul writing in 2 Timothy 4:11, asking to bring Mark with him because he is helpful in his ministry.
The young man who once abandoned the mission trip grew into a reliable coworker for Paul. And the separation between Barnabas and Paul helped spread the Gospel to different places. So, when we read the Bible, remember not to take things out of context. Look at the whole picture and complete history, and you will see God's guiding and preserving hand. Do not lose heart, do not focus on human actions, but trust that God is always in control.
Next, let's talk about Antioch. This was a Roman military city and a large one, with a population of over 100,000. When Luke wrote the records, he lightly mentioned the hardships. Verse 14 says they left Perga and went to Antioch. In this brief record, Paul actually traveled over 200 kilometers, crossing the Taurus Mountains, which were over 3,000 meters high, and passing through dangerous areas filled with bandits and robbers. Moreover, Paul was sick at that time. We know this from Galatians 4:13, where Paul mentions that he preached the gospel to them the first time because of an illness. Antioch and Iconium were in the province of Galatia.
Then, we see Paul and Barnabas entering the synagogue in Antioch. The synagogue gathered every Sabbath, and the one who gave the sermon was not necessarily a pastor but someone with special insights and knowledge of the scriptures. On this day, they came to this city, and perhaps because Paul was a well-known rabbi, he was invited to share his insights.
Paul seized the opportunity, starting from Exodus, then speaking about Judges, Kings, and David, then tracing Jesus' genealogy, mentioning John the Baptist, and discussing Jesus' death and resurrection. He emphasized that Jesus is the awaited Messiah. He highlighted that Jesus' coming, death, and resurrection fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, marking the pinnacle of Jewish history and the most significant event in human history.
Paul used scriptures extensively to convey the gospel to the people of this city. How would the Jews react to hearing this bold message in such a setting?
Tomorrow, we will continue with the second part of Paul's sermon and its impact on the entire city. Thank you all for listening.
Comments