第一位殉道者司提反（英汉对照）

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第一位殉道者司提反（英汉对照）

英语资料室 书山圣旅 2024-06-11 06:31 四川
Stephen, the First Martyr

司提反不仅是初代JH的七个执事之一，也是圣经叙事中记载的第一位殉道者。他的名字意味着“冠冕”，象征着他信仰的荣耀与尊贵。司提反生活在公元30年左右的耶路撒冷，这是一个JD教尚未广泛被接受，甚至被当地当局视为异端的时代。

司提反被选为七个执事之一，负责管理内部的事务，并且以他的智慧和圣灵充满，获得了大家的认可。然而，他的教导引起了一些宗教领袖的不满。他被诬陷亵渎摩西和圣所，最终在公元34年被带到公议会接受审判。在审判中，司提反发表了一篇感人肺腑的演讲，回顾了从亚伯拉罕到摩西的以色列历史，并强调了弥赛亚的身份。“你们这硬着颈项、心与耳未受割礼的人，时常抗拒圣灵；你们的祖宗怎样，你们也怎样……如今你们又把那义者卖了、杀了。”

司提反的坚持和见证激怒了听众，最终他被判定犯有亵渎圣所和摩西的罪行，面临着殉道的命运。“众人听见这话，就极其恼怒，向司提反咬牙切齿。即使面对死亡，司提反没有放弃他的信仰，而是以爱心和宽恕的态度祈祷，请求上天宽恕那些杀害他的人。

司提反的殉道与一位名叫扫罗的少年有着密切的关系。扫罗当时是那些迫害司提反者的助手，他看管着行刑者的衣裳。“作见证的人把衣裳放在一个少年人名叫扫罗的脚前。”扫罗后来成为了使徒保罗。司提反的殉道为保罗后来的转变和事工埋下了伏笔。他的故事，充满了对信仰的坚定、面对逆境的勇气，以及为真理而牺牲的精神。

Stephen was not only one of the seven deacons of the early JH but also the first martyr recorded in the biblical narrative. His name means "crown," symbolizing the glory and honor of his faith. Stephen lived in Jerusalem around 30 AD, an era when Christianity was not widely accepted and was even considered heresy by local authorities.

Chosen as one of the seven deacons, Stephen was responsible for managing internal affairs and was recognized by all for his wisdom and being filled with the Holy Spirit. However, his teachings aroused the discontent of some religious leaders. He was falsely accused of blaspheming Moses and the sanctuary and was brought to the Sanhedrin for trial in 34 AD. During the trial, Stephen delivered a moving speech, reviewing the history of Israel from Abraham to Moses, and emphasized the identity of the Messiah. "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always resisting the Holy Spirit; just as your ancestors did, so do you... Now you have betrayed and murdered the Righteous One."

Stephen's persistence and testimony angered the audience, and he was ultimately convicted of the crime of blasphemy against the sanctuary and Moses, facing the fate of martyrdom. "When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed their teeth at Stephen." Even facing death, Stephen did not give up his faith but prayed with love and forgiveness, asking Him to forgive those who were about to kill him.

Stephen's martyrdom was closely related to a young man named Saul. Saul was an assistant to those who persecuted Stephen at the time, guarding the executioner's clothes. "And those who were sitting there looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel." Saul later became the Apostle Paul. Stephen's martyrdom laid the groundwork for Paul's later transformation and ministry. His story is filled with unwavering faith, courage in the face of adversity, and the spirit of sacrifice for the truth.



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