|
13 他們見彼得和約翰的膽量、 又看出他們原是沒有學問的小民、就希奇、認明他們是跟過耶穌的。
14又看見那治好了的人、和他 們一同站著、就無話可駁。
15於是吩咐他們從公會出去、就彼此商議說、16 “我們當怎樣辦這兩個人呢？ “因為他們誠然行了一件明顯的神蹟、凡住耶路撒冷的人都知道、我們也不能說沒有。17惟恐這事越發傳揚在民間、我們必須恐嚇他們、叫他們不再奉這名對人講論。”
解經: 使徒行傳4:13-17 (聖經靈修版) 儘管有許多無可推諉的見證 (生命的轉變和醫治好的人之見證)，這些宗教領袖，他們大部份人關心自己的聲望和地位，不肯相信基督，繼續否認事實真相。如果有人拒絕接受您為基督作為的見證，您不要驚訝，當人的思想蒙蔽了，既使最明顯的事實，也不能使他們開心，但您千萬不要放棄，要為他們禱告，並繼續傳福音。
2.
我們不得不說: 使徒行傳4:18-22
18於是叫了他們來、禁止他們、 總不可奉耶穌的名講論教訓人。
19彼得和約翰說、聽從你們、 不聽從 神、這在 神面前合理不合理、你們自己酌量罷．
20我們所看見所聽見的、不能不說。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．21這是因眾人為所行的奇事、都歸榮耀與 神。22原來藉著神蹟醫好的那人、有四十多歲了。
解經: 使徒行傳4:18-22
引導者很有信心的恐嚇坐監獄的人能安靜下來，他們可能記得當耶穌被抓時，祂的門徒都怕得跑走了。
但彼得和約翰回答，“在上帝看來哪個是對呢:
聽你呢? 還是聽祂呢？你是我們的判決者！
我們不能拒絕所聽到和所看到的。”是 聖靈使彼得和約翰與以前生命的不同呀！
信主者阿，我們都被呼召做基督的見證。見證解釋他們所看和聽見到的 。要見證不需要知道所有的回答; 我們只需告訴人耶穌在我們生命中所做的。這是彼得和約翰所嚴格做到的。
經過多次的威脅，猶太人的領導者讓他們離去。他們深怕門徒被處罰因為所有百姓都看到了神蹟並讚美神。且說，在這地上的王座位以及各領導者一齊反對主和救續主耶穌基督，你是不能爭論生命的改變的。
的確！希律王和比拉多Pontius (審判耶穌的Judea總督) 和異教徒以及在這地方之以色列百姓共謀反對你們神之聖潔僕人救續主耶穌基督。
現在，主阿 ,
想到他們的威脅，使您的話有大無畏之能力。伸出您的手醫治和行奇妙的神蹟奉您聖僕人耶穌的名。" 經他們禱告後，他們所遇之全地都動搖，他們也全被聖靈充滿和放膽講論 神的道。
3.
禱告使放膽講論 神的道: 使徒行傳4:23-31,23 二人既被釋放、就到會友那裡去、把祭司長和長老所說的話、都告訴他們。
24他們聽見了、就同心合意的、高聲向 神說、主阿、你是造天、地、海、和其中萬物的．25你曾藉著聖靈、託你僕人我們祖宗大衛的口、說、『外邦為甚麼爭鬧、萬民為甚麼謀算虛妄的事．26世上的君王一齊起來、臣宰也聚集、要敵擋主、並主的受高膏者。〔或作基督〕』27希律和本丟彼拉多、外邦人和以色列民、果然在這城裡聚集、要攻打你所膏的聖僕耶穌、〔僕或作聖子〕28成就你手和你意旨所豫定必有的事。29 他們恐嚇我們、現在求主鑒察．一面叫你僕人大放膽量、講你的道、30 一面伸出你的手來、醫治疾病、並且使神蹟奇事、因著你聖僕耶穌的名行出來。〔僕或作聖子〕見上節 . 31禱告完了、聚會的地方震動．他們就都被聖靈充滿、放膽講論 神的道。
解經: 使徒行傳4:23-31, 彼得和約翰告訴這些信主者關於神蹟和領導者威脅反對他們的情形，一些人哭，其他人出怨言，以及仍有人跑開和躲藏。但是聖潔之百姓將禱告。基督徒也禱告。我們所禱告最高之掌權者，祂是所有大權能的，創造萬物的主。
於是相信者自經文中祈禱。國家之領袖們總是圖謀反對上帝和祂所膏的基督。如大衛王被威脅和攻擊，領袖們也共謀反對耶穌基督，把祂送到十字架上，我們以為只有自己是被激引來面對環境，但是聖經給了我們眼界。信主的人從聖經經文認知上帝不是極度壓迫或驚奇以反對攻擊祂的人。同一位聖靈使大衛王受神啟示和保護，也同樣要保護和啟示他們 (我們)。
最後，相信耶穌的人都帶自己的情況來向主禱告。但他們禱告放膽講論 神的道。他們當然了解威脅的嚴重，但經過聰明的禱告，他們了解了神是大有能力的神。他們禱告說， “請求神給您的僕人放膽講論 神的道”。的
上帝回應他們的禱告。徹底的勝利充滿了聖靈的能力。
很多人尋找那從上帝聖靈來的祝福。但是多少次我們禱告神的聖靈充滿能放膽作證，有能力面對那些作對我們的人，為基督勇敢站立呢？
如聖潔的百姓 , 我們相信神的聖靈要潔淨和精煉我們的生命。但祂也要以祂的聖潔使我們無懼的與他人分享我們的經驗。您不必爭論改變一個人的 生命，但是將沒有一個人能知道什麼使生命改變除非我們放膽講論 神的道給他們聽。
4.結論: 您的生命外展於世界:
1官令停止傳教: 使徒行傳 4:13-17
聖靈降臨節後的聖靈繼續與他 們同在，使他們的心神聖化， 並供應能力和膽量使領導者驚訝。
2.
我們不得不說: 使徒行傳4:18-22
被命令停止傳講福音後，彼得 回應他們說，“在上帝看來哪 個是對呢: 聽你呢? 還是聽祂呢？你是我們 的判決者！ 我們不能拒絕所聽到和所看到的。”
(參考英文聖經NIV. 使徒 4:20解經) 我們有時候深怕分享對基督的 信仰，因為怕他們不舒服而
拒絕我們。但是彼得和約翰的 熱誠於主耶穌強有力的精神是 不能動搖，甚至當被威脅時。 倘若您們勇敢見證上帝的態度 變軟弱時，就禱告我們的膽量 增加。
記得耶穌之應許，任何人在 人面前認我的，我也將在我天 父之面前認他。(馬太福音 10:32)
3.
禱告使放膽講論 神的道: 4:23-31
彼得和約翰被釋放以後，就回去 向耶穌的門徒報告了，他們如何 為傳講福音被威脅的事。
門徒們就禱告能放膽講論 神
的道有力量。放開害怕別人想 害他們的心，進而更有趣於專 心注意如何使上帝用他們來放 膽講 論 神的道。禱告後，
上帝回應他們，以地震動他們全被莊嚴的聖靈充 滿了。
回想今天所讀的經文，您要如何放膽為神生活呢 ? - Adopted from the teacher’s guide of the Faith Connection by Daniel
G. Powers.
環球福音外展學校
是非營利機構
國稅局退稅號碼是: 20-4097640
您的經濟奉獻之助榮耀神！
奉獻信箱: WOTS, P.O. Box 1262
Monterey Park, CA 91754-9998
|
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that
they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note
that these men had been with Jesus.
14 But since they could see the man who had
been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then
conferred together. 16 "What are we going to do with these
men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem
knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading
any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to
anyone in this name."
Commentary Acts 4:13-17 (N.I.V.p.2312) Although the evidence was
overwhelming and irrefutable (changed lives and a healed man), the
religious leaders most were care of their own position and refused to
believe in Christ and continued to try to suppress the truth. Don’t
be surprised if some people reject you and your positive witness for
Christ. When minds are closed even the clearest presentation of the facts can’t open them. But don’t give up either. Pray for those people and
continue to spread the gospel.
2. We Cannot HelpSpeaking: Acts 4:18-22
18 Then they called them in again and
commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for
yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have
seen and heard." After further threats they let them go. 21They could not decide how to punish them,
because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was
over forty years old.
Commentary: Acts 4:18-22 (N.I.V.p.2025) The rulers
were confident they could intimidate their prisoners into silence. They
probably remembered how the disciples ran away in fear when Jesus was
arrested.
But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen
to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking
about what we have seen and heard.” What a difference the Spirit made in
Peter and John’s lives!
As believers, we are all called to witness
for Christ. Witnesses describe what they have seen and heard. We don’t need
to know all the answers in order to witness; we only need to tell about
what Jesus has done in our lives. This is precisely what Peter and John
did.
After more threats, the Jewish rulers let them go. They were afraid
to punish the apostles because all the people were praising God for the
miracle they had seen. Once again, you can’t argue with a changed life. The
kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against
the Lord and against his Anointed One.'
Indeed, Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and
the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant
Jesus, whom you anointed.
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak
your word with great boldness.
Stretch out your hand to heal and perform
miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant
Jesus." After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And
they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
3. Praying for Boldness to Witness: Acts 4:23-31
23 On their release, Peter and John
went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and
elders had said to them.
24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to
God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and
the earth and the sea, and everything in them.
25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our
father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed
One.'
27 Indeed, Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and
the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant
Jesus, whom you anointed.
28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should
happen.
29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak
your word with great boldness.
30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and
wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."31After they prayed, the place where they were
meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke
the word of God boldly.
Commentary: Acts 4:23-31, Peter and John told the
believers about the miracle and the rulers’ threats against them, some
people cry, others complain, and still others will run and hide. But godly
people will pray. And, so the Christians prayed.
The God to whom we pray is sovereign, He is all-powerful, He is the
One who created everything.
Then the believers prayed from Scripture. The nations and rulers
have always plotted against the Lord and His anointed Christ. Just as David
was threatened and attacked, so also did the rulers conspire against Jesus
Christ, sending Him to the cross. We are tempted to think we are the only
ones who have ever faced trying circumstances. But the Bible gives us
perspective. The believers realized from Scripture that God is not overwhelmed
or surprised by opposition against Him. The same Spirit who inspired and
protected David would also protect and inspire them.
Finally,
the believers brought their own situation to the Lord in prayer. But
instead of protection, they prayed for spoke the word of God boldly. They
certainly understood the gravity of the threats, but through discerning
prayer, they understood that the power of God is greater. They prayed,
“Enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”
God
answered their prayer. The ground shook, and they were filled again with
the Spirit of boldness.
Many people seek a blessing or gift
from God’s Holy Spirit. But how many times do we pray for God’s Spirit to
fill us with boldness to witness, strength to face opposition, and to stand
courageously for Christ?
As holiness
people, we believe God’s Spirit wants to cleanse and purify our life. But
He also wants to fill us with His holy boldness to share our experience
with others. You can’t argue with a changed life. But no one will know what
changed us unless we boldly tell them, (as we speak the Word of God Boldly
to them)
4.
Conclusion, Connect to your life and the World:
1 Official orders to stop preaching: 4:13-17 The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the continuing
presence of the Spirit in their hearts as Sanctifier provided the energy
behind the boldness and amazed the rulers.
2 We cannot help speaking: Acts 4:18-22 After being told to stop preaching, Peter replied by saying, “Which
is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As
for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Commentary from Acts 4:20 of NIV (P2312) of NIV: We sometimes may be
afraid to share our faith in Christ because people might feel uncomfortable
and might reject us. But Peter and John’s zeal for the Lord was so strong
that they could not keep quiet, even when threatened. If your courage to
witness for God has weakened, pray that our boldness may increase.
Remember Jesus’ promise, “Whoever
acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in
Heaven”
(Matthew 10:32)
3. Praying for boldness to witness:4:23-31
After their release, Peter and John went back to the rest of the
disciples to tell them about how they had been threatened for preaching the
gospel.
The disciples
prayed for boldness and that God would work mightily and powerfully through
them. Instead of focusing on fear and what others might try to do to them,
they are more interested in how God could use them for the sake of the
gospel.
After they prayed, God
answered their prayer. The ground shook, and they were filled with a Spirit
of boldness.
As you think back to the
scriptures we have read today, how have you been challenged in regards to
living boldly and courageously for God? - Excerpts from Daniel G. Power. He is professor of
Bible and co-chairman of the Bible and theology Department at Nazarene Bible
College. He and his wife Mieke reside in Colorado Springs. CO.
Worldwide Outreach Teaching
School is a
Non-profit Organization. IRS Tax ID No.:
204097640 Your financial contribution is greatly appreciated & it is used
for glory of God. Address: WOTS, P.O. Box 1262 Monterey Park, CA 91754-9998.
|
“放膽講論 神的道Spoke the Word of God Boldly”
