保羅和巴拿巴終於出發，開始他們的第一次宣教旅程。他們在途中遇到兩個人(6至7節)，一個邀請他們來向自己講解道理，但另一個卻敵擋他們。今天的情況豈不是一樣？有人喜歡聽神的道，有人卻恣意攻擊。保羅的反應是怎樣呢？對於那個攻擊真道的人，保羅直斥其非：但對於那個愛慕真道的人，保羅便熱切地向他分享信仰。
Why did Paul rebuke Elymas so strongly? Because Elymas was standing in the way of another man coming to know Christ (v. 8). Have you ever noticed that the strongest, harshest words in the Bible were often spoken to those who stood in the way of others trusting God?
保羅為何以那麼嚴厲的態度來斥責以呂馬呢？因為以呂馬試圖攔阻別人去認識基督(8節)。你有否留意到，在聖經之中被嚴詞斥責的人，往往是那些妨礙別人相信神的人？
Christ never said a harsh word to a sinning man or woman, but he certainly spoke out against those who were supposed to lead men and women to God but failed to do so.
基督從來不會疾言厲色地斥責罪人，然而，對於那些理應有責任去帶領別人信神，但反倒成為絆腳石，阻礙別人去信神的人，基督便會厲言斥責。
Paul’s hard words to Elymas made the deputy named Sergius Paulus stop and think again (v.12). He was a man with a hungry heart, an open ear and a believing faith, When he heard Paul speak about Christ, he accepted the truth and was born again. He was Paul’s first Gentile convert that we know about.
保羅怒斥以呂馬的話，聽在方伯士求‧保羅的耳中，使得他反覆思想(12節)。士求‧保羅這個人，原本已有一顆渴慕真理的心、一雙願意聆聽的耳朵，和一顆幼嫩的信心。當他聽完保羅傳講有關基督的道理後，便接受了真道，得著了重生。就我們所知，他就是保羅第一位帶領信主的外邦人。
The two men must have become the best of friends and Paul even changed his name to the same as the man he had just led to Christ. There is a wonderful bond between friends who have helped each other in Christ. Who has been the means of blessing to you? Have you ever told them so? It might be a real encouragement to them. Why not do it today?
保羅跟這位士求‧保羅必然是成為了好朋友，因為保羅是在領他信主之後，才把自己的名字由原來的「掃羅」改為「保羅」。兩位曾經在基督裡互相幫助的朋友，他們的友誼必定更加親密。有沒有哪位信徒曾經扶立你、幫助你？你有沒有告訴他們，你曾經如何從他們身上得到幫助？你的剖白，對他們來說是一種真正的激勵；所以，不要吝嗇你的感謝，趕快去向那些曾經幫助你的信徒表達謝意吧！
A PRAYER:
Thank God again for the one who first told you of Chris
禱告：
為到那些曾經向你傳福音、帶領你信主的信徒向神感恩。
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