保罗宣教的开始
使徒行传十三章6至12节
6经过全岛，直到帕弗，在那里遇见一个有法术，假充先知的犹太人，名叫巴耶稣。
7这人常和方伯士求保罗同在。士求保罗是个通达人，他请了巴拿巴和扫罗来，要听神的道。
8只是那行法术的以吕马（这名翻出来就是行法术的意思）敌挡使徒，要叫方伯不信真道。
9扫罗又名保罗，被圣灵充满，定睛看他，
10说：你这充满各样诡诈奸恶，魔鬼的儿子，众善的仇敌，你混乱主的正道还不止住么？
11现在主的手加在你身上，你要瞎眼，暂且不见日光。他的眼睛立刻昏蒙黑暗，四下里求人拉着手领他。
12方伯看见所作的事，很希奇主的道，就信了。
信息分享
保罗为何以那么严厉的态度来斥责以吕马呢？因为以吕马试图拦阻别人去认识基督(8节)。你有否留意到，在圣经之中被严词斥责的人，往往是那些妨碍别人相信神的人？
基督从来不会疾言厉色地斥责罪人，然而，对于那些理应有责任去带领别人信神，但反倒成为绊脚石，阻碍别人去信神的人，基督便会厉言斥责。
保罗怒斥以吕马的话，听在方伯士求保罗的耳中，使得他反复思想(12节)。士求保罗这个人，原本已有一颗渴慕真理的心、一双愿意聆听的耳朵和一颗幼嫩的信心。当他听完保罗传讲有关基督的道理后，便接受了真道，得着了重生。就我们所知，他就是保罗第一位带领信主的外邦人。
保罗跟这位士求保罗必然是成为了好朋友，因为保罗是在领他信主之后，才把自己的名字由原来的「扫罗」改为「保罗」。两位曾经在基督里互相帮助的朋友，他们的友谊必定更加亲密。有没有哪位信徒曾经扶持你、帮助你？你有没有告诉他们，你曾经如何从他们身上得到帮助？你的剖白，对他们来说是一种真正的激励；所以，不要吝啬你的感谢，赶快去向那些曾经帮助你的信徒表达谢意吧！
祷告：
为到那些曾经向你传福音、带领你信主的信徒向神感恩。
PAUL'S FIRST GENTILE CONVERT
Acts 13: 6 - 12
6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus,
7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him
10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?
11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”
And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
Message
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?
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.
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.
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?
A PRAYER:
Thank God again for the one who first told you of Christ.