the acts of the apostles-第66部分
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
recent trial before him； and saying that the Jews had brought against
434
Paul no accusation such as he had supposed they would bring； but 〃certain
questions 。 。 。 of their own superstition； and of one Jesus； which was dead；
whom Paul affirmed to be alive。〃
As Festus told his story； Agrippa became interested and said； 〃I would also
hear the man myself。〃 In harmony with his wish； a meeting was arranged for
the following day。 〃And on the morrow； when Agrippa was come； and Bernice；
with great pomp； and was entered into the place of hearing； with the chief
captains； and principal men of the city； at Festus' commandment Paul was
brought forth。〃
In honor of his visitors； Festus had sought to make this an occasion of
imposing display。 The rich robes of the procurator and his guests； the
swords of the soldiers； and the gleaming armor of their commanders； lent
brilliancy to the scene。
And now Paul； still manacled； stood before the assembled company。 What a
contrast was here presented！ Agrippa and Bernice possessed power and
position； and because of this they were favored by the world。 But they were
destitute of the traits of character that God esteems。 They were
transgressors of His law； corrupt in heart and life。 Their course of action
was abhorred by heaven。
The aged prisoner； chained to his soldier guard； had in his appearance
nothing that would lead the world to pay him homage。 Yet in this man；
apparently without friends or wealth or position； and held a prisoner for
his faith in the Son of God； all heaven was interested。 Angels were his
attendants。 Had the glory of one of those shining messengers
435
flashed forth； the pomp and pride of royalty would have paled； king and
courtiers would have been stricken to the earth； as were the Roman guards at
the sepulcher of Christ。
Festus himself presented Paul to the assembly with the words： 〃King Agrippa；
and all men which are here present with us； ye see this man； about whom all
the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me； both at Jerusalem； and also
here； crying that he ought not to live any longer。 But when I found that he
had committed nothing worthy of death； and that he himself hath appealed to
Augustus； I have determined to send him。 Of whom I have no certain thing to
write unto my lord。 Wherefore I have brought him forth before you； and
specially before thee； O King Agrippa； that； after examination had； I might
have somewhat to write。 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a
prisoner； and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him。〃
King Agrippa now gave Paul liberty to speak for himself。 The apostle was not
disconcerted by the brilliant display or the high rank of his audience； for
he knew of how little worth are worldly wealth and position。 Earthly pomp
and power could not for a moment daunt his courage or rob him of his
self…control。
〃I think myself happy； King Agrippa；〃 he declared； 〃because I shall answer
for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused
of the Jews： especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and
questions which are among the Jews： wherefore I beseech thee to hear me
patiently。〃
436
Paul related the story of his conversion from stubborn unbelief to faith in
Jesus of Nazareth as the world's Redeemer。 He described the heavenly vision
that at first had filled him with unspeakable terror； but afterward proved
to be a source of the greatest consolationa revelation of divine glory； in
the midst of which sat enthroned He whom he had despised and hated； whose
followers he was even then seeking to destroy。 From that hour Paul had been
a new man； a sincere and fervent believer in Jesus； made such by
transforming mercy。
With clearness and power Paul outlined before Agrippa the leading events
connected with the life of Christ on earth。 He testified that the Messiah of
prophecy had already appeared in the person of Jesus of Nazareth。 He showed
how the Old Testament Scriptures had declared that the Messiah was to appear
as a man among men； and how in the life of Jesus had been fulfilled every
specification outlined by Moses and the prophets。 For the purpose of
redeeming a lost world； the divine Son of God had endured the cross；
despising the shame； and had ascended to heaven triumphant over death and
the grave。
Why； Paul reasoned； should it seem incredible that Christ should rise from
the dead？ Once it had thus seemed to him； but how could he disbelieve that
which he himself had seen and heard？ At the gate of Damascus he had verily
looked upon the crucified and risen Christ； the same who had walked the
streets of Jerusalem； died on Calvary； broken the bands of death； and
ascended to heaven。 As verily as had Cephas； James； John； or any others of
the disciples； he
437
had seen and talked with Him。 The Voice had bidden him proclaim the gospel
of a risen Saviour； and how could he disobey？ In Damascus； in Jerusalem；
throughout all Judea； and in the regions afar off； he had borne witness of
Jesus the Crucified； showing all classes 〃that they should repent and turn
to God； and do works meet for repentance。
〃For these causes；〃 the apostle declared； 〃the Jews caught me in the temple；
and went about to kill me。 Having therefore obtained help of God； I continue
unto this day； witnessing both to small and great； saying none other things
than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come： that Christ
should suffer； and that He should be the first that should rise from the
dead； and should show light unto the people； and to the Gentiles。〃
The whole company had listened spellbound to Paul's account of his wonderful
experiences。 The apostle was dwelling upon his favorite theme。 None who
heard him could doubt his sincerity。 But in the full tide of his persuasive
eloquence he was interrupted by Festus； who cried out； 〃Paul； thou art
beside thyself； much learning doth make thee mad。〃
The apostle replied； 〃I am not mad； most noble Festus； but speak forth the
words of truth and soberness。 For the king knoweth of these things； before
whom also I speak freely： for I am persuaded that none of these thing are
hidden from him； for this thing was not done in a corner。〃 Then； turning to
Agrippa； he addressed him directly； 〃King Agrippa； believest thou the
prophets？ I know that thou believest。〃
438
Deeply affected； Agrippa for the moment lost sight of his surroundings and
the dignity of his position。 Conscious only of the truths which he had
heard； seeing only the humble prisoner standing before him as God's
ambassador； he answered involuntarily； 〃Almost thou persuadest me to be a
Christian。〃
Earnestly the apostle made answer； 〃I would to God； that not only thou； but
also all that hear me this day； were both almost； and altogether such as I
am；〃 adding； as he raised his fettered hands； 〃except these bonds。〃
Festus； Agrippa； and Bernice might in justice have worn the fetters that
bound the apostle。 All were guilty of grievous crimes。 These offenders had
that day heard the offer of salvation through the name of Christ。 One； at
least； had been almost persuaded to accept the grace and pardon offered。 But
Agrippa put aside the proffered mercy； refusing to accept the cross of a
crucified Redeemer。
The king's curiosity was satisfied； and； rising from his seat； he signified
that the interview was at an end。 As the assembly dispersed； they talked
among themselves； saying； 〃This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of
bonds。〃
Though Agrippa was a Jew； he did not share the bigoted zeal and blind
prejudice of the Pharisees。 〃This man；〃 he said to Festus； 〃might have been
set at liberty； if he had not appealed unto Caesar。〃 But the case had been
referred to that higher tribunal； and it was now beyond the jurisdiction of
either Festus or Agrippa。
（439）
Chapter 42
The Voyage and Shipwreck
At last Paul was on his way to Rome。 〃When it was determined；〃 Luke writes；
〃that we should sail into Italy； they delivered Paul and certain other
prisoners unto one named Julius； a centurion of Augustus' band。 And entering
into a ship of Adramyttium； we launched； meaning to sail by the coasts of
Asia； one Aristarchus； a Macedonian of Thessalonica； being with us。〃
In the first century of the Christian Era traveling by sea was attended with
peculiar hardship and peril。 Mariners directed their course largely by the
position of the sun and stars； and when these did not appear； and there were
indications of storm； the owners of vessels were fearful of venturing into
the open sea。 During a portion of the year； safe navigation was almost
impossible。
The apostle Paul was now called upon to endure the trying experiences that
would fall to his lot as a prisoner in chains during the long and tedious
voyage to Italy。 One
440
circumstance greatly lightened the hardship of his lothe was permitted the
companionship of Luke and Aristarchus。 In his letter to the Colossians he
afterward referred to the latter as his 〃fellow prisoner〃 （Colossians 4：10）；
but it was from choice that Aristarchus shared Paul's bondage； that he might
minister to him in his afflictions。
The voyage began prosperously。 The following day they cast anchor in the
harbor of Sidon。 Here Julius； the centurion； 〃courteously entreated Paul；〃
and being informed that there were Christians in the place； 〃gave him
liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself。〃 This permission was
greatly appreciated by the apostle； who was in feeble health。
Upon leaving Sidon； the ship encountered contrary winds； and being driven
from a direct course； its progress was slow。 At Myra； in the province of
Lycia； the centurion found a large Alexandrian ship； bound for the coast of
Italy； and to this he immediately transferred his prisoners。 But the winds
were still contrary； and the ship's progress was difficult。 Luke writes；
〃When we had sailed slowly many
