Speak to the People About Jesus 分享福音

[Dexu Xia]

Please let me speak to the people.  Acts 21:39

Paul had gone to the temple for the Jewish purification ceremony (Acts 21:26). But some agitators who thought he’d been teaching against the Law sought to take his life (v. 31). Roman soldiers quickly got involved and arrested Paul, bound him, and carried him from the temple area—with the mob shouting, “Get rid of him!” (v. 36).

How did the apostle react to this threat? He asked the troops’ commander if he could “speak to the people” (v. 39). When the Roman leader granted permission, Paul, bleeding and bruised, turned to the angry crowd and shared his faith in Jesus (22:1-16).

That was two thousand years ago—an old Bible story that we might find hard to relate to. More recently, a man named Peter was arrested while visiting a jailed friend who believes in Jesus in a country where believers are regularly persecuted. Peter was tossed into a dark prison cell and blindfolded during interrogations. When the blindfold was removed, he saw four soldiers with guns pointed at him. Peter’s response? He saw it as “a perfect . . . opportunity to share his faith.”

Paul and this modern-day Peter point out a hard, vital truth. Even if God allows us to experience tough times—even persecution—our task remains: “Preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). He will be with us and will give us the wisdom and power to share our faith.

By:  Dave Branon

How have you or someone you know faced persecution for faith in Christ? How will you “proclaim the gospel” today?

Dear Jesus, please give me courage to represent You with love and wisdom.

求你准我向民众讲几句话。—使徒行传21章39节，新译本

使徒行传记载，保罗与其他人一起到圣殿行洁净的礼（21章26节），但一些犹太人认为保罗的教导违背律法，就煽动群众殴打保罗，甚至想取他性命（31节）。罗马士兵迅速介入，并逮捕了保罗。士兵把他捆绑起来，抬着他离开圣殿，闹事的群众还跟在后面，高喊：“除掉他！”（36节）

使徒保罗如何回应呢？他对千夫长说：“求你准我对百姓说话”（39节）。在获得准许之后，遍体鳞伤的保罗转向愤怒的群众，与他们分享自己如何相信耶稣（22章1-16节）。

那是大约两千年前的事了，这个古老的圣经事迹或许我们难以体会。但最近，在某个迫害基督徒的国家，一个名叫彼得的基督徒去监狱探视一位被监禁的基督徒朋友，竟然当场遭到逮捕。彼得被扔进一间黑暗的牢房，在审讯的过程中，被蒙上眼睛。就在眼罩被摘下的那一刻，他看见四名士兵拿枪指着他。彼得有何反应？他认为这是一个分享福音的绝佳机会。

使徒保罗和现代的彼得都指出一个很难接受，但又很重要的真理。那就是即使上帝让我们遭逢危难，甚或遭受迫害，我们的任务依旧是“传福音”（马可福音16章15节）。祂会与我们同在，并赐给我们智慧和力量，与人分享我们的信仰。

作者：  白德夫

你或你认识的人曾如何因信基督而受逼迫？
今天你会如何向人传讲福音？

亲爱的耶稣，请赐给我勇气作祢的代言人，用爱和智慧与人分享福音