【双语灵修】到地极作见证WITNESSES TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
使徒行传 11:19-26
那些因司提反的事遭患难四散的门徒，直走到腓尼基和塞浦路斯并安提阿，他们不向别人讲道，只向犹太人讲。但内中有塞浦路斯和古利奈人，他们到了安提阿，也向希腊人传讲主耶稣。主与他们同在，信而归主的人就很多了。这风声传到耶路撒冷教会人的耳中，他们就打发巴拿巴出去，走到安提阿为止。他到了那里，看见神所赐的恩就欢喜，劝勉众人立定心志，恒久靠主。这巴拿巴原是个好人，被圣灵充满，大有信心。于是，有许多人归服了主。他又往大数去找扫罗，找着了，就带他到安提阿去。他们足有一年的工夫和教会一同聚集，教训了许多人。门徒称为“基督徒”是从安提阿起首。
9月19日
到地极作见证
“那些因……遭患难四散的门徒，直走到腓尼基和塞浦路斯，并安提阿，他们……只向犹太人讲。” - 徒 11:19
在过去的几天，我们一直从《使徒行传》的记载中，追溯福音传开的经过。耶稣曾经说过，跟从祂的人会在犹太全地、撒玛利亚和其他地方，“直到地极”为祂作见证（《使徒行传》1:8）。在今天的经文中，我们看见福音传到更远的地方，就是离开耶路撒冷大约300哩（500公里）的安提阿。
此外，还有其他事情发生。跟从耶稣的人来到安提阿时，起初他们只向与他们有相同文化和宗教背景的犹太人传讲神的话。这是人之常情，但圣灵是不会因此被抑制的！那里的希腊人虽没有犹太人的信仰背景和传统，但有些领袖们也开始与他们分享福音。由此我们便看见犹太人和外邦人都被欢迎进入神的家了。
在今天，我们能够见证和欢庆，福音正在以各种语言和文化在全世界传开了。就如耶稣所说的，这个好消息真的已经被传开，“直到地极”了。
当我与来自世界各地的弟兄姊妹相聚时，我要谦卑接受，对他们来说北美洲代表“直到地极”，我也需要听到他们向我发出的福音响声啊。
祷告
亲爱的耶稣，感谢你，你呼召我们为你作见证，不单在我们附近的地方，在其他地方也要如此行，“直到地极”。求你赐福给所有在世界各地事奉你的人。阿们。
Acts 11:19-26
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
WITNESSES TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
Those who had been scattered by the persecution . . . traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. —Acts 11:19
For the past few days we have been tracking the spread of the gospel as recorded in the book of Acts. Jesus had said that his followers would be his witnesses in Judea and Samaria and beyond, “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). In our reading for today we can see that the gospel spread further to the city of Antioch, which was about 300 miles (500 km) from Jerusalem.
There was also something else going on. When Jesus’ followers came to Antioch, they at first spread the word only to Jews, who shared their cultural and religious background. This was natural, of course, but the Spirit would not be held down! Some leaders also began sharing the gospel with Greeks, who did not have the background or traditions of the Jewish faith. And with that we see both Jews and Gentiles welcomed into the family of God.
Today we are able to witness and celebrate the gospel at work all over the world, expressed in a multitude of languages and cultures. Indeed, as Jesus said, the good news has spread “to the ends of the earth.”
When I am with brothers and sisters from across the globe, I am also humbly reminded that North America represents “the ends of the earth” to them. I need the gospel to resonate from them to me too.
Dear Jesus, thank you for calling us to be your witnesses not only in our own area but also to the ends of the earth. Bless all who serve you around the world. Amen.