司提反利用申辯的機會傳福音 — 使徒行傳讀經隨筆 第7章

使徒行傳第七章司提反在麵對大祭司的質問的時候，就開始在會堂裏利用舊約裏亞伯拉罕奉神的指示去應許之地和摩西領以色列人出埃及的兩段曆史向眾人傳福音。這兩段曆史都是預表彌賽亞耶穌要將他的百姓從罪惡裏拯救出來，帶領他們去天國；割禮預表了凡接受耶穌救贖的人要受聖靈的洗。被以色列百姓棄絕的摩西卻是神立為救以色列人出埃及的首領，這與被以色列人棄絕的耶穌卻是救他們脫離罪惡的彌賽亞何其相似。在出埃及的四十年裏，神借摩西的手行神跡奇事，同樣耶穌在世傳道期間也行了大量的神跡奇事。摩西將神活潑的聖言傳給以色列人反遭棄絕，因為他們心裏歸向埃及；耶穌傳神國的福音給以色列人，反被他們釘在十字架上。摩西在後來預言耶穌說“神要從你們弟兄中間，給你們興起一位先知像我的”。接下來司提反提到了所羅門給神所建的殿宇說“其實至高者並不住人手所造的”，這是司提反告訴人們神其實根本不住在人建造的殿宇裏麵，因為神需要住在人的心裏，身體是神的殿。最後，司提反痛斥公會裏的人頸項僵硬，抗拒聖靈，亂殺先知，還殺了彌賽亞耶穌，不遵守律法。眾人聽到司提反說的這些話就惱羞成怒，遂用石頭打死了司提反。

徒7:37 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。
This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, 'The Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me.'
徒7:38 這人曾在曠野會中、和西乃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。
This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living oracles to give to us,
徒7:39 我們的祖宗不肯聽從、反棄絕他、心裏歸向埃及、
to whom our fathers wouldn't be obedient, but rejected him, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt,
徒7:46 大衛在 神麵前蒙恩、祈求為雅各的 神預備居所．
who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob.
徒7:47 卻是所羅門為 神造成殿宇。
But Solomon built him a house.
徒7:48 其實至高者並不住人手所造的．就如先知所言、
However, the Most High doesn't dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says,
徒7:49 『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、那裏是我安息的地方呢．
'heaven is my throne, and the earth a footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build me?' says the Lord; 'or what is the place of my rest?
徒7:50 這一切不都是我手所造的麽。』
Didn't my hand make all these things?'
徒7:51 你們這硬著頸項、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。
"You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.
徒7:52 那一個先知、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。
Which of the prophets didn't your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.
徒7:53 你們受了天使所傳的律法、竟不遵守
You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and didn't keep it!"
徒7:54 眾人聽見這話、就極其惱怒、向司提反咬牙切齒。
Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
徒7:59 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魂。
They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"
徒7:60 又跪下大聲喊著說、主阿、不要將這罪歸於他們。說了這話、就睡了．掃羅也喜悅他被害。
He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them!" When he had said this, he fell asleep.