2013-8-19 15:46
Responding to the Resurrected Savior
回應復活的救主
Acts 25, 26 - 使徒行傳25, 26章
Pastor Milt Johnson 江森牧師
April 21, 2013 – 2013年4月21日
Today as we continue in our verse by study of the book of Acts I want to invite you to turn with me to Acts 25. 今天我們將繼續逐章逐節研讀使徒行傳。請翻到使徒行傳25章。
As you are doing that let me share with you a true story that I found this week about a Sunday school class of kindergartners who were studying the creation account in the book of Genesis. 大家在翻的時候，讓我向你分享這個星期我讀到的一則故事，這是有關於主日學在幼兒園班學習創世記裏創造的故事。
After several weeks of lessons the teacher decided it was time for a review. 在許多禮拜的學習以後，老師覺得應該作一個復習的時候。
So one Sunday morning she quizzed them asking, 所以一個主日早晨，她測驗他們，問說
"What did God create on the first day?"神在第一天造什麼？
Almost immediately one of the students enthusiastically exclaimed, “On the first day God created the light!” 一位學生馬上很熱情的喊著說：「第一天神造光」
“Great job!” the teacher responded, “How about the second day?”老師說：「答得太好了！那麼第二天呢？」
Once again, very quickly another student in the class cried out, “On the second day God created the sky and the sea!”再一次，另外一個學生又喊著說：「第二天，神造天空和海！」
Now feeling pretty confident she went on to ask, “What did God create on the third day?"老師覺得很滿意，繼續問：「那麼第三天神造了什麼呢？」
Right away another student in the class enthusiastically exclaimed…"He rose from the dead!"馬上，有一位學生就很激動地喊著說：「祂從死裏復活！」
You know folks, one of the things that I’ve notice lately in this ever changing and crazy world in which we live is that it seems that more and more people are taking a hard look at Jesus. 各位，有一件事是我最近在這個不斷改變和瘋狂的世界中所注意到的一件事，就是愈來愈多的人仔細審查耶穌。
Why is it that His life and teachings still generate such interest today?為什麼祂的生命和教導今天仍然引起這麼多的興趣？
To begin with, everything about Him was unique! 首先，一切有關祂的事都是獨特的。
The prophecies of His coming! His birth! His life! His teachings! His miracles! His death! 祂再來的預言！祂的降生！祂的生平！祂的教導! 祂的神蹟！祂的受難！
And especially His resurrection! -- It is history's most significant event!特別祂的復活！是歷史上最重要的事件！
That being noted, in today’s study we are going to look at the resurrection of Christ. 所以，今天我們要來看祂的復活！
The emphasis of this study will NOT be so much on the facts of the resurrection but rather on the responses of people when they are confronted with this key Christian doctrine. 我們學習的重點不會集中在復活的事實，而是當人們被告知這個重要基督教教義時的反應。
Before we do that let’s look first at…首先，讓我們先看…
The historical setting of Acts 25,26 使徒行傳25, 26章的歷史背景
In Acts chapters 25 and 26 we find Luke continuing to present the history of ALL that happened to Paul before being sent off to Rome to appeal to Caesar. 在使徒行傳25, 26章，路加繼續描述保羅要被遣送到羅馬皇帝面前上訴之前的一整段歷史。
During this time although Paul was imprisoned the gospel was certainly NOT imprisoned and we find that Paul possessed a vibrant evangelistic ministry.在這個期間，保羅在監獄裏被捆綁，但福音當然不會被捆綁。我們發現保羅擁有一個滿有活力的福音事工。
And as he shares Christ Luke reveals four different potential responses by four different groups of people. 路加告訴我們當保羅分享基督福音時，有四類不同的人做出四類不同的回應。
First there is the response of…第一類的回應是來自於…
The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem在耶路撒冷猶太的領袖
They represent people who are religious.他們代表有敬虔的人
In Acts 25:1-3 we read:使徒行傳25:1-3說：
1 Festus therefore, having arrived in the province, three days later went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the leading men of the Jews brought charges against Paul; and they were urging him, 3 requesting a concession against Paul, that he might have him brought to Jerusalem (at the same time, setting an ambush to kill him on the way). 25:1非斯都到了任、過了三天、就從該撒利亞上耶路撒冷去。25:2祭司長、和猶太人的首領、向他控告保羅、25:3又央告他、求他的情、將保羅提到耶路撒冷來．他們要在路上埋伏殺害他。
From these opening verses we discover that the new governor wasted no time (only 3 days) before visiting the holy city and paying his respects to the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem. 從這些開場白的經文記載，我們發現這個新的羅馬巡撫沒有浪費任何時間 (只有三天)就開始探訪耶路撒冷聖城和對猶太領袖表示尊重。
Notice too that one of the first characteristics he discovered about them was their…第一件事他發現他們的特徵是他們的
Hatred恨
Although two full years had passed, the hatred these Jewish leaders possessed for Paul and the gospel is nothing short of astounding! 雖然兩年已過，這些猶太領袖對保羅和福音所保持的恨簡直是令人惊骇的。
Why did they hate Paul so much and want to kill him?為什麼他們如此恨保羅，想殺掉他？
Jesus tells us why in Jn. 15:18 when He instructs us saying…在約翰15:18，主耶穌告訴我們說…
“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” 15:18世人若恨你們、你們知道恨你們以先、已經恨我了。
Jesus also taught that if hatred is allowed to fester and bitterness is allowed to develop in our hearts it can become murderous. 耶穌還教導我們，如果容許恨惡化，和容許苦毒在我們的心繼續發展，這會毀掉我們的生命。
Make no mistake about it my friends, anger that is allowed to smolder and burn over time can (and often does) eventually burst into flame! 各位，毫無疑問的，如果容許憤怒繼續悶燒，總是會燒成烈焰的。
That’s why in Eph. 4:26, 27 Paul commands us saying…這就是為什麼保羅在以弗所書4:26-27命令我們的時候，說，
26 BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.4:26生氣卻不要犯罪．不可含怒到日落．4:27也不可給魔鬼留地步。
It’s also why in vs. 31 we are commanded to…這也是為什麼保羅在三十一節命令我們說。。。
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 一切苦毒、惱恨、忿怒、嚷鬧、毀謗，並一切的惡毒(或作“陰毒”)，都當從你們中間除掉。
Looking back at our biblical text the thing that I find most interesting about their hatred for Paul is that at one time he was one of them. 回顧經文，我發現他們對保羅的仇恨，最有趣的一點，就是保羅也曾經是他們其中的一員。
To see what I mean turn over to Acts 26 and follow along as I read Paul’s testimony before King Agrippa in vss. 4, 5. 請翻到使徒行傳二十六章，跟我一起來看第四節和第五節保羅在亞基帕王面前做的見證，你就明白我的意思了。
4 … All Jews know my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem; 5 since they have know about me for a long time previously, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion. 我從起初在本國的民中，並在耶路撒冷，自幼為人如何，猶太人都知道。他們若肯作見證，就曉得我從起初，是按著我們教中最嚴緊的教門，作了法利賽人。
By saying these things, Paul established that there could be no doubt about the thoroughness, seriousness, or excellence with which he pursued his Judaism. 保羅說了這些，是為了表明他追求猶太教信仰的徹底，嚴肅，和卓越是無可置疑的。
So what happen? What turned these Jewish leaders against one of their own? 那麼，到底發生了什麼事？是什麼事讓這些猶太教的領袖們與他們其中的一員如此對立？
Paul continues in vs. 6…保羅在第六節繼續說。。。
6 "And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews. 8 “Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead? 現在我站在這裡受審，是因為指望神向我們祖宗所應許的。這應許，我們十二個支派，晝夜切切地事奉神，都指望得著。王啊，我被猶太人控告，就是因這指望。神叫死人復活，你們為什麼看作不可信的呢？
Observe please that the reason these Jewish leaders hated Paul was his hope in the resurrection of Christ! 請注意，這些猶太教領袖仇視保羅，是因為他在基督復活裡有盼望！
Whenever (you see) the resurrected Christ takes up residence in the believer’s life, those who are resisting Christ will also resist them! -- Even those who were previously friends. （你瞧！）一旦復活的耶穌充滿了信徒的生命，那些與基督為敵的人就會與他們勢不兩立 –即使他們以前是朋友，也無濟於事。
This brings us to a second thing that characterized these religious people, their…這就引出第二個有關這些敬虔人的特點，他們的
Hardened hearts 心堅硬
To see what I mean turn back to Acts 25:18, 19. 請返回到使徒行傳二十五章第十八和十九節，來看我要說的。
When Festus was asked by King Agrippa what he perceived the problem to be with Paul and the Jewish leadership he responded saying…亞基帕王問非都斯，他認為保羅和猶太教的領袖之間存在什麼問題，非都斯回答說。。。
18 "When the accusers stood up, they began bringing charges against him not of such crimes as I was expecting, 19 but they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive. 告他的人站著告他；所告的，並沒有我所逆料的那等惡事。不過是有幾樣辯論，為他們自己敬鬼神的事，又為一個人名叫耶穌，是已經死了，保羅卻說他是活著的。
This summary statement of Festus reveals two important facts. 非都斯的總結揭示了兩個重要的事實。
· First, the dispute between the Jewish leadership and Paul was purely a religious matter! Paul had not broken any Roman laws.首先，猶太領袖和保羅之間的爭端純粹是宗教問題！保羅沒有觸犯任何羅馬的法律。
· Second it reveals that these Jewish leaders were in the very same place they were years before when seeking to condemn Christ. 其次，非都斯的話顯明，這些猶太教的領袖們，和幾年前尋求定罪基督是一模一樣。
In Matt. 23:29-31 Jesus declares to the religious leaders of His day…馬太福音二十三章二十九到三十一節耶穌對宗教領袖宣告了他的日子。。。
29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and say, 'If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would NOT have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' 31 "So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. “你們這假冒為善的文士和法利賽人有禍了！因為你們建造先知的墳，修飾義人的墓，說：'若是我們在我們祖宗的時候，必不和他們同流先知的血。' 這就是你們自己證明，是殺害先知者的子孫了。
Observe please how in these words, Jesus demonstrated that these religious leaders were no different from their ancestors who had killed God's messengers, for they were plotting to kill another messenger from God—the Messiah himself. 注意在這些話，耶穌是如何表明這些宗教領袖和他們殺害了神使者的祖先，沒有絲毫不同，因為他們在密謀殺害神派來的另一個使者-彌賽亞自己。
A third characteristic of these religious people is their…這些敬虔人的第三個特點，就是他們的。。。
Hypocrisy 虛偽
The hope of the resurrection (you see) had been a promise given by God to Abraham, the Father of the Jews. In fact it was a basis tenet of their faith. 復活的盼望（你瞧！）是神給猶太人之父亞伯拉罕的應許。事實上，這實在是他們信仰的基本信條。
Heb. 13:17, 19 tells us that …希伯來書第十三章十七和十九節告訴我們說。。。
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son… (for) 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. 亞伯拉罕因著信，被試驗的時候，就把以撒獻上；這便是那歡喜領受應許的，將自己獨生的兒子獻上。。。（因為）他以為神還能叫人從死裡復活；他也彷彿從死中得回他的兒子來。
Why then were the Jews arguing with Paul so strongly about resurrection? 那為什麼猶太人還要為復活的事和保羅竭力爭辯呢？
The reason, of course, was one well-documented case of a certain resurrection that had been confirmed by hundreds of eyewitnesses. 究其原因，當然是一例記錄完整的復活。這復活，有數百的見證人能夠作證。
I’m speaking of course, about the resurrection of Jesus Christ in whom Paul had placed his hope! 我說的，當然是指耶穌基督的復活，保羅已經寄予厚望的那個基督的復活！
So instead of attracting the lost to God, these religious leaders were repelling people from Him demonstrating a fourth characteristic, their… 所以這些宗教領袖不僅不把失落的人帶到神面前，還竭力驅趕他們。這顯明了他們的第四個特點，他們的。。。
Hindrance攔阻
So how does all of this apply today? 那麼，這一切在今天該如何應用呢？
First of all we can see from the response of these religious people that it is hard for religious people to trust in the resurrected Christ.首先，從這些敬虔人的回應，我們可以看到，對敬虔人他們來說，相信復活的基督，是難上加難。
The reason being is that people who generally consider themselves religious are those who do a good job living up to some accepted man-made standard or check list. 其中的原因是，通常認為自己敬虔的人，是那些已經達到某種人為的標準，或清單的人。
Christianity, however, is God reaching down to man (who according to Scriptures is unable to be good enough to earn a place in heaven). 基督教，卻是神自上而下來接近到人（根據聖經，人，是不可能有足夠的良善來為自己在天國贏得一席之地的）。
Perfect sinless infinite God -- became a perfect sinless man --- so that he could die in our place and for our sins! 完美無罪無限的神，成為一個完美無罪的人，所以他才能替我們死，和為我們的罪而死!
That being noted one reason (I think) it is so hard for a religious person to respond to the message of salvation is because it is difficult for someone who thinks he or she is pleasing to accept God’s assessment that they are NOT. (我想) 注意到一個原因, 對一個敬虔人很難去回應救贖的信息, 是因為對某些人而言, 他們認為他或她自己是很樂意接受神的評估, 其實他們並不願意.
But even though it is hard for religious people to admit it-- Rom. 3:10 tells us that…但是即使敬虔人很難去承認，羅馬書3:10告訴我們，“
10 …there is none righteous, NOT even one.”沒有義人,連一個也沒有”
Martin Luther said, 馬丁路德這樣說,
“The most damnable and pernicious heresy that has ever plagued the mind of man is that somehow he can make himself good enough to deserve to live forever with an all-holy God.” “最該可惡的和有害的異端，那個曾經困擾著人的心思，就是他用某種方式可以讓自己變好, 而足以配得與聖潔的神永遠 同在“
There are also a couple of applications in this section of our study for those who have trusted in Christ. 我們在這段經文的研讀，對已經信基督的人身上也有兩個應用 .
First, we see that if we live for the Lord, count on it, we will be hated by someone. On the other hand, if we live phony lives, (by that I mean we live no differently than the rest of the world lives), instead of attracting people to Christ, which is the reason we have been left on earth, we WILL turn people from Him and their ONLY hope for eternal life.首先，我們看到如果我們為主而活，相信這點，我們將會被某些人厭惡，也就是說，如果我們過著虛假的生活，(我指的是我們過著和世界上其他人沒有區別的生活) ，而不是吸引人到基督，後者是我們還留在世上的原因，我們將使人們離開祂，和離開他們唯一得到永生的希望.
And second application presented here for believers to consider is the fact that untrue words have power to damage reputations, wound the spirit, and keep feelings of ill will stirred up.這裡提出第二個信徒要考慮的應用就是，不真實的話語有能力來毀滅名譽，傷害靈魂，和煽動惡意的情緒.
Prov. 25:18 warns us that … 箴言25:18警告我們…
18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor
作假見證陷害鄰舍的，就是大槌，是利刀，是快箭
So be careful NOT to imitate the behavior of these "religious" men. 所以要謹慎不要模仿這些”敬虔”的人
Turning back now to Acts 25 the second response we will look at today is that of…回頭看使徒行傳25，第二個回應, 我們今天將看到就是屬於…
Festus非斯都
He represents people who are rational.他代表理性的人們
One of the first things we see in Festus is that…我們在非斯都身上看到的第一件事是
Festus was exceedingly Purposeful 非斯都是非常果斷的
He was also a very logical, calculating person who was dedicated to getting the most out of life and to being successful in all that he did. 他也是一個非常有邏輯的，算計的人，他致力於獲得生活的最完美的, 和致力於他所做的都能成功.
Clear evidence of his desire to rule well can be seen in his meeting with the chief priest and leading men in Jerusalem ONLY three days into his governorship.從他到任做巡撫後只有三天就與祭司長,還有在耶路撒冷領導人會面中，明顯的證據看出他希望能治理得好.
Once in Jerusalem we read in Acts 25:3 that these Jewish leaders told Festus about Paul and tried to convince him to hold the trial in Jerusalem! 我們在使徒25:3讀到, 在耶路撒冷這些猶太人的領導人告訴非斯都關於保羅的事, 試著說服他將審問開在耶路撒冷!
But by God's intervention, Acts 25:4,5 tells us that Festus decided to leave Paul in Caesarea and invited the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem to return with him to Caesarea to present their accusations against Paul in his courtroom.但是因神的介入, 使徒行傳25:4,5告訴我們, 非斯都決定將保羅留在凱撒利亞, 邀請在耶路撒冷的猶太領導人和他回到凱撒利亞, 在他的法庭提出他們對保羅的控訴.
Using human reason he probably thought he would be able to work out all of the problems between Paul and these Jews and everyone would live happily ever after! 以人的理由, 他可能認為他可以解決所有保羅和這些猶太人間的問題, 從此以後每個人可以過著快樂的生活!
But boy was he in for a rude awakening! 但是他就要遭到當頭一棒！
Reading on in our text we see that a second characteristic in Festus that complicated matters was …繼續讀我們看到非斯都的第二個讓事情複雜化的特質就是
Festus’ desire to please everyone 他想取悅每個人
Vs. 6 tells us that…第六節告訴我們
6 After he had spent not more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.非斯都在他們那裏住了不過十天八天, 就下凱撒利亞去. 第二天坐堂, 吩咐將保羅提上來.
The word translated “spent” here in this verse is translated from the Gk. verb meaning “to rub hard, rub away.” 在經文中”花(spent)”這個字的解釋是來自希臘文的意思指的是”擦得很用力, 擦掉”
Practically speaking it appears that Festus stayed with these Jewish leaders eight to ten days with the hopes of smoothen out or make these Jews feel less annoyed or upset.也就是說, 非斯都花了十天八天和猶太人領導住在一起, 希望能緩和這些猶太人不悅或沮喪的感受.
What happens next is the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem do come to Caesarea and they do present their once again baseless accusations against Paul in Festus’ court.接下來所發生的就是, 這些猶太人領導者確實從耶路撒冷來到凱撒利亞, 他們確實在非斯都的法庭再一次對保羅提出無所根據的指控.
Then after Paul categorically denied the allegations against him, Festus (wanting to please the Jews) asked Paul if he would be willing to go... to Jerusalem for another trial.然後保羅明確地否認這些反對他的指控, 非斯都(想要取悅猶太人)就詢問保羅是否願意去…到耶路撒冷做另一次的審問.
Paul’s response to Festus’ request in presented in Acts 25:10-12. 在使徒行傳25:10-12, 保羅這樣回應非斯都的要求.
Here we are told:這裡這樣告訴我們
10 "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know. 11 "If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar." 12 Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, "You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go." 「我站在該撒的堂前，這就是我應當受審的地方。我向猶太人並沒有行過甚麼不義的事，這也是你明明知道的。我若行了不義的事，犯了甚麼該死的罪，就是死，我也不辭。他們所告我的事若都不實，就沒有人可以把我交給他們。我要上告於該撒。」
With these words we see third that…說到這裡，我們來看看第三點是.......
Festus was now in a predicament 非斯都現在的處境極為窘困
Festus knew (you see) that Paul was innocent but if he released him the Jews would cause trouble and that was something the new governor dared NOT risk. 你們看非斯都知道保羅是無辜的，但是假如他釋放他的話，猶太人就會來找麻煩，這是一個新巡撫不敢擔冒的風險。
However, if he held Paul prisoner, Festus would have to explain to his superiors why a Roman citizen was being held without definite official charges. 然而，如果他把保羅拘留在監裡，非斯都就必須向他的長官說明為什麽一個沒有明確罪證的羅馬公民要被拘留。
Thus, Festus needed additional insight and help! But from where would it come? 因此，非斯都需要找另外的理解和協助 ！ 但是這些要從何而來呢？
Acts 25:13-19 tells us where! Starting in vs. 13 we read…使徒行傳 25 : 13-19 告訴我們從何而來！我們從第13節開始讀起.....
13 Now when several days had elapsed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and paid their respects to Festus. 14 While they were spending many days there, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix; 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 "I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man before the accused meets his accusers face to face and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges. 17 "So after they had assembled here, I did not delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought before me. 18 "When the accusers stood up, they began bringing charges against him not of such crimes as I was expecting, 19 but they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive.
13過了些日子，亞基帕王和百妮基氏來到凱撒利亞，問非斯都安。14在那裡住了多日，非斯都將保羅的事告訴王，說: “這裡有一個人，是腓力斯留在監裡的。15我在耶路撒冷的時候，祭司長和猶太的長老將他的事稟報了我，求我定他的罪。16我對他們說: 無論什麽人被告還沒有和原告對質，未得機會分訴所告他的事，就先定他的罪，這不是羅馬人的條例。17及至他們都來到這裡，我就不耽延，第二天便坐堂，吩咐把那人提上來。18告他的人站著告他，所告的，並沒有我所逆料的那等惡事，19不過是有幾樣辯論，為他們自己敬鬼神的事，又為一個名叫耶穌，是已經死了，保羅卻說他是活著的。
Reading Festus’ report to Agrippa I think you can all see that he felt that EVERYTHING was out of control and it was all his fault. 讀了非斯都向亞帕基王的報告，我想你們都看到了，他覺得每件事都失控了，並且都是他的錯。
However, things weren’t out of control! 然而，事情並非失控 ！
God, you see was giving him the opportunity to be introduced to the risen Savior. 你們看，上帝正在給他機會把這個復活的救主介紹給他.。
Yes it’s true that at this point Jesus was nothing more than “A certain dead man, whom Paul asserted to be alive” to Festus.
是的，在當時這是真的，耶穌不過是一個死人，但保羅卻向非斯都說他是活著的。
But God was in the process of making sure that Festus would hear the truth. 但是上帝就在進行，確定非斯都會聽到真理。
How? 怎麼做到的呢？
Acts 25:22 tells us how! 使徒行傳 25:22 告訴我們怎麼辦到的 ！
Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” 亞帕基王對非斯都說，”我自己也願聽這人辯論。”
Turning over to Acts 26:22, 23 we learn that on the day of the hearing when Agrippa permitted Paul to speak he said to him... 翻到使徒行傳 26:22-23, 我們知道在聽證那天，當亞帕基王允許保羅為自己辨明，他向他說到...
22 “… I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place, 23 that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He should be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
22 “…..我直到今日還站得住，對著尊貴，卑賤，老幼作見證。所講的並不外乎眾先知和摩西所說將來必成的事，23就是基督必須受害，並且因從死裡復活，要首先把光明的道傳給百姓和外邦人。”
Let me assure you folks that while Paul may have been speaking to Agrippa the Holy Spirit was also speaking to Festus! 朋友們，我向你們保證， 當保羅向亞帕基王辨明的同時，聖靈也在跟非斯都說話。
What was Festus’ response to all of this? Acts 26:24 tells us that…非斯都對這些的回應是什麽呢？使徒行傳 26:24 告訴我們.....
Festus rejected the resurrection 非斯都拒絕相信復活的事實
Here we are told that…這裡告訴我們.....
24 while Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad!”
24保羅這樣分訴，非斯都大聲說 : “保羅，你瘋狂了吧！你的學問太大，反叫你瘋狂了。”
The message of this suffering Messiah was one thing, but to actually believe that He had been killed by His own people and then had been raised from the dead as a light to the world was too much for the rational mind of the Roman governor. 有關這個受害的彌賽亞的訊息是一回事，但是要確實地相信祂是被祂自己的子民殺害，並從死裡復活成為世界的光，對這個理智的羅馬巡撫而言就太難接受了。
He couldn’t believe anything unless it was based on facts. 他不會相信任何事，除非有事實根據。
Paul’s response to Festus’ is recorded in Acts 26:25, 26 保羅對非斯都的回復記錄在使徒行傳 26: 25-26 中 :
25 “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth 26 "For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.”
25保羅說 : “非斯都大人，我不是瘋狂，我說的乃是真實明白話。26王也曉得這些事，所以我向王放膽直言。我深信這些事沒有一件向王隱藏的，因都不是在背地裡做的。”
In a nutshell Paul informs Festus there are facts and I am certain they have not escaped your notice! 總之，保羅告知非斯都他說的都是事實，而且他深信這些事非斯都都注意到了！
Reading on we see that like so many intelligent, logical, practical, and rational people -- Festus choose to reject Christ. 讀到這裡，我們看到,就像許多聰明的，講求邏輯思考的，重實際的，以及理性的人一樣---非斯都選擇拒絕基督。
As Pastor Steve has often noted, the rational person will often say, “Seeing is believing;” but frequently the ONLY way to SEE the truth is by Believing it first! 就像 Steve牧師常常說的， 有理性的人常會說, “眼見為實”, 但是經常是，看見真理的惟一方法就是先相信它是真理。
Turning back now to Acts 25 the third response I want to look at this morning is that of …現在回到使徒行傳第25章，今天早上我要看的第3個回應是屬於....
King Agrippa 亞帕基王
He represents people who are pretentious 他代表那些自命不凡的人
One of the first characteristics about Agrippa we see is his…我們看到有關亞帕基王的特徵之一就是他的……
Pomp 浮華
Luke tells us in vs. 23 that on the day that Agrippa sought to assist Festus out of his dilemma with Paul and the Jerusalem Jewish leaders he did so…路加在23節告訴我們那天亚基帕設法幫助非斯都，來解決保羅和耶路撒冷的猶太人領袖帶給他的難題，他這樣做。
23 …amid great pomp and he entered the auditorium accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city at the command of Festus…同著眾千夫長和城裡的尊貴人進了公廳。非斯都吩咐一聲,就有人將保羅帶進來。
Why would Agrippa call all these the high-ranking officers and the leading men of the city together when all that was requested of Festus was for Agrippa to provide him with a little insight about Paul’s case? 雖然非斯都只是讓亚基帕幫他出出主意，為什麼亚基帕會邀請众千夫长和城里的尊贵人？
The answer is found in the word “pomp” which in the original Greek carries the meaning "pageantry" or "outward display." 答案在威势這個詞中，希臘文的意思是‘盛況’或‘向外展示’。
Agrippa was a guy who was extremely concerned about how he and everything that he was involved looked to others. 亚基帕是一個非常重視他和他處理的事情在外人眼中如何的人。
Closely related to Agrippa’s desire to look good was his desire to possess… 亚基帕非常希望在別人面前有一個完美形象，密切相關的，他也希望擁有…
Power 權力
Reading in Acts 25:24-26:1 we are told that…在24-26節中，我們了解到
24 Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen here present with us, you behold this man about whom all the people of the Jews appealed to me, both at Jerusalem and here, loudly declaring that he ought not to live any longer. 25 "But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death; and since he himself appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. 26 “Yet I have nothing definite about him to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write. 27 “For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate also the charges against him." 26:1 And Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself."…
24 非斯都說:「亞基帕王和在這裡的諸位啊!你們看這人,就是一切猶太人,在耶路撒冷和這裡,曾向我懇求、呼叫說:‘不可容他再活著。’ 25 但我查明他沒有犯什麼該死的罪,並且他自己上告于皇帝,所以我定意把他解去。26 論到這人,我沒有確實的事可以奏明主上。因此,我帶他到你們面前,也特意帶他到你亞基帕王面前,為要在查問之後,有所陳奏。27 據我看來，解送囚犯，不指明他的罪案是不合理的。」1 亞基帕對保羅說：「准你為自己辯明。」於是保羅伸手分訴，說：
While Agrippa’s power was limited by Rome, he did, as the preceding verses verify, have supreme power in Jewish religious life which he exercised whenever possible.雖然亞基帕在羅馬的權力有限，但是如前面經文中提到的，和在猶太宗教生活中有着至高的權力，他也隨時行使他的權力。
In fact I learned this week that the Romans gave him the right to appoint the high priest and custodianship over the temple treasure. 其實在這周的學習中，我知道羅馬人給了他在任命的大祭司和聖殿府庫管理人的權力。
Notice also that even though in actuality he did NOT possess power over Festus he did so on this day because Festus needed him! 要注意到亞基帕並沒有命令非斯都的權利，他那天的做法是因為非斯都有求於他。
All these things, as you can imagine, fed a third character trait of Agrippa, his… 根據上面這些事情可以看出亞基帕的第三個性格特點，他的
Pride 驕傲
Looking back once again we read in Acts 26:1, 2…讓我們看看26章1，2.節…
1 And Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and proceeded to make his defense: 2 “In regard to all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you. 1 亞基帕對保羅說：「准你為自己辯明。」於是保羅伸手分訴，說： 2 「亞基帕王啊，猶太人所告我的一切事，今日得在你面前分訴，實為萬幸；
I’m sure that it pleased Agrippa to hear Paul say these words, but Paul did not say them to feed Agrippa’s pride. 我可以肯定，亞基帕聽了保羅的話會很高興，可是保羅並非為滿足亞基帕的驕傲而說的。
Paul considered himself fortunate to make his defense to Agrippa not only because of Agrippa’s basic understanding of the Scriptures, -- 保羅為他能在亞基帕面前辯護感到幸運，不只因為亚基帕對聖經有基本了解，
--but mainly because God had given him an opportunity to present the resurrected Christ to Agrippa as well as the large numbers of influential men at his trial!而且主要因為神給予了他在亞基帕面前，也在眾多有影響力的人面前表述基督復活的機會。
Then starting in vs. 4 and going through vs. 27 Paul presents his testimony concluding with a very direct and personal question to King Agrippa. 從4節到27節，保羅向亞基帕王講述他的見證，並在最後問一個直接又切身的問題。
Here in vs. 27 we read…在27節中我們讀到
27 “King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do." 亞基帕王啊!你信先知嗎?我知道你是信的。
Agrippa’s response is presented in vs. 28. 亞基帕的回答在第28節中。
The NASB, NKJV and KBJV make it sound like Agrippa is right on the verge of placing his trust in Christ. 在NASB,NKJV 和KBJV版本中我們覺得亞基帕幾乎要信主了。
However I believe that that NIV captures the more accurate spirit of Agrippa’s statement when it states…但是我相信NIV版本更準確的描述了亞基帕語句的意思。。。
28 "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" “你想少微一劝，便叫我作基督徒啊
Looking at vs. 29 we see that Paul immediately responded to the prideful king saying…. 看29節中保羅對驕傲的王立刻回答道。。。
29 “I would to God, that whether in a short or long time; NOT only you; but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.” 保羅說:「無論是少勸,是多勸,我向神所求的,不但你一個人,就是今天一切聽我的,都要象我一樣,只是不要象我有這些鎖鏈。”
Observe folks that even if it took a long time to win Agrippa to Christ, Paul was willing to take the time. 注意了，即使花了很長時間才能到基督贏亞基帕，保羅也願意花時間的。
Sadly, there is no indication in Scripture that King Agrippa ever put his trust in Christ. 遺憾的是在聖經中並沒有提到亞基帕王信靠主基督。
Making application to our lives I think that many times when we look at people around us like King Agrippa who are well dressed, polished, moral, and very successful -- We often automatically assume they have no needs. 應用在我們的生活中，許多時候當我們看看周圍像亞基帕王的人他們衣著考究，亮麗，有品性，並且非常成功，我們經常自動假定他們什麼都不需要。
But look back with me at the words of Christ to Paul in Acts 26:17, 18 to see the actual spiritual condition of those without Christ! 但讓我們回過頭來看保羅在使徒行傳26章17，18節中基督對保羅說的話，看看沒有基督的人的屬靈光景，
Here our Savior tells Paul… 這裡我們的救主告訴保羅。。
17… I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' 我差你到他們那裡去，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。
When I was a kid whenever somebody said, “I almost did this” or “I almost did that” we would often respond saying, “Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” 當我還是個孩子的時候，每當有人說，「我幾乎就這樣做，我幾乎就那樣做」，這時我們通常會這樣回答，「幾乎，只有投進了才算」。
That being noted since the coming of Christ into the world there have been people like King Agrippa who have claimed to be "almost persuaded to come to Christ!” 因為基督來到世界，已經有許多人像亞基帕王，宣稱，你這樣勸我，幾乎叫我作基督徒了！
Perhaps you are one of them today? 或許今天你也是像他們一樣？
However according to Scripture to be almost saved is to be totally lost. 但是根據聖經，幾乎得救仍然是完全喪失。
The Fourth and final response we will look at today is that of the… 第四也是最後的回應，我們今天所要看的是…
Paul 保羅
He represents people who are redeemed 他代表被贖回的人。
Earlier in this study we discovered that like the Jewish leaders, Paul had been a very religious person who sought diligently to please God. 稍早在這次的研讀中，我們發現，就像猶太領導人，保羅也曾經是一個非常有敬虔的人，努力尋求討神喜悅的事。
But something happened! 但是某件事發生了。
We read all about what happened in Acts 26:12, 13. Here we are told… 我們讀在使徒行傳26章12-13節發生了什麼事。這裡告訴我們…
12 "On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15 “Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' "'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 12 那時，我領了祭司長的權柄和命令，往大馬士革去。13 王啊，我在路上，晌午的時候，看見從天發光，比日頭還亮，四面照著我並與我同行的人。
Notice my friends that the first step to Paul’s receiving eternal life is something the Jewish leaders, Fetus and Agrippa also experienced… 我的朋友，請注意，保羅領受永生的第一步，那是猶太領導人、腓力斯、亞基帕也經歷過的。
His conviction 他的信念
An ox goad was a sharp stick used to prod cattle. 趕牛的刺棒是很尖銳的棒子，用來戳牛。
It implies here that the Holy Spirit was trying to "goad" (that is, "direct" or "steer") Paul in the right direction. 這裏暗示，聖靈試著刺保羅，也就是指示他、引導他，到正確的方向。
But Paul kicked back! 但是保羅反擊。
His passion and his conviction at the time were commendable, but he was NOT headed in the direction that God wanted him to go. 他的熱情，他的信念在那時是值得稱讚的，但是他並沒有走神要他走的方向。
But unlike the other three previous responses, a Major difference in Paul was 但是不像其他先前的三個回應，在保羅身上最大的不同是
His conversion 他的信主
Coming face to face with the resurrected, Paul admitted his lost condition and turned to God. Paul continues in vss. 19-23 與復活的人面對面，保羅承認他靈魂失喪的狀況，就轉向神。在19-23節保羅繼續說
19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen-- 23 that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles." 19 亞基帕王啊，我故此沒有違背那從天上來的異象； 20 先在大馬士革，後在耶路撒冷和猶太全地，以及外邦，勸勉他們應當悔改歸向神，行事與悔改的心相稱。21 因此，猶太人在殿裡拿住我，想要殺我。22 然而我蒙神的幫助，直到今日還站得住，對著尊貴、卑賤、老幼作見證；所講的並不外乎眾先知和摩西所說將來必成的事， 23 就是基督必須受害，並且因從死裡復活，要首先把光明的道傳給百姓和外邦人。
Notice my friends that the difference between Paul and the others is that while all the others were convicted ONLY Paul put his trust in Christ and was redeemed. 我的朋友，請注意，保羅和其他人的不同就是，當所有其他人被定罪時，只有保羅信靠基督，被贖回。
At that point Paul was on his way to heaven! But Jesus makes it clear that He was far from finished with Paul here on earth in vss. 16, 17 when Jesus goes on to say… 在那時，保羅是在走往天國的路上。但是耶穌說得很清楚，在還沒走完前，他是與保羅同在就在這裡在地上。在16-17節，耶穌繼續說…
16 'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you. 16 你起來站著，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；17 我也要救你脫離百姓和外邦人的手。
From these verses we see third… 從這些經節，我們看見第三項…
His call 他的呼召
Paul had been accustomed to being an honored leader, but after his conversion to Christ he became a subordinate worker; and Jesus Christ became his Master. 保羅之前習慣做一個受尊重的領導人，但是在他信基督後，他成了一個順服的工人，耶穌基督成了他的主人。
And through his example we see the main reason God leaves every believer on earth. 透過他的例子，我們看到神把基督徒留在地上的原因。
Vs. 18 (you see) goes on to tell us… 18節繼續告訴我們…
18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' 18 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。
Evangelist D.L. Moody used to tell about a painting that impressed him greatly. 佈道家德懷特-萊曼-穆迪過去常講一幅畫，深深打動他的一幅畫。
It portrayed a woman grasping a cross with both hands as she was being rescued from a stormy sea. 它畫著一個女人兩手抓著十字架，從暴風雨的大海中被救出來。
Mr. Moody would then go on to relate how that one day the painting lost much of its impact for him when he saw another painting some time later. 穆迪先生繼續講述，有一天這幅畫失去了它對他的震撼力，因為後來他看見另一幅畫。
The second painting also depicted a woman being rescued from raging waters. 第二幅畫也畫著一個女人，她在怒濤洶湧中被救出來。
However, in this painting while clinging with one hand to a cross, her other hand was lifting another person out of the waves to safety with her. 但是在這幅畫，她一隻手緊抓著十字架，另一隻手將另一個人從波濤中拉出來，拉到她安全的那裡。
Brothers and sisters in Christ, I believe that this second painting dramatically portrays what we who have been rescued from the penalty of our sins should be doing. 基督裏的弟兄姐妹，我相信這第二幅畫戲劇般地描繪著，我們已經從罪的刑罰中得救後，我們應該做的事。
Recognizing that others around us are lost and perishing without Christ, we MUST NEVER become so selfishly taken up with our own salvation that we forget reach out to rescue others! 在我們身邊的其他人是失喪的靈魂，因為沒有基督而毀滅，我們絕不能自私地忙於我們的救恩，因此我們忘了接觸他人，拯救他人。
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