- Biblica® Open God’s Word in Contemporary Chichewa 2016
MACHITIDWE A ATUMWI
Machitidwe a Atumwi
Machitidwe a Atumwi
Mach
MACHITIDWE A ATUMWI
Lonjezo la Mzimu Woyera
Mʼbuku langa loyamba, ndinakulembera iwe Teofilo zonse zimene Yesu anayamba kuchita ndi kuphunzitsa, mpaka tsiku limene anatengedwa kupita kumwamba, mwamphamvu ya Mzimu Woyera, atawalangiza atumwi amene anawasankha. Zitatha zowawa zake Yesu anadzionetsa kwa ophunzira ake, ndi kuonetsanso maumboni ambiri kuti anali wamoyo. Iye anadzionetsera kwa iwo ndi kuwaphunzitsa za ufumu wa Mulungu pa masiku makumi anayi. Nthawi ina atasonkhana nawo pamodzi, Yesu analamulira ophunzira ake kuti, “Musachoke mu Yerusalemu, koma mudikire mphatso imene Atate anga analonjeza yomwe ndinakuwuzani. Pakuti Yohane anakubatizani ndi madzi, koma posachedwapa inu mudzabatizidwa ndi Mzimu Woyera.”
Yesu Akwera Kumwamba
Atumwi atasonkhana pamodzi, iwo anamufunsa Iye kuti, “Ambuye, kodi nthawi ino mubwezeretsa ufumu kwa Israeli?”
Yesu anawawuza kuti, “Sikofunika kuti mudziwe za nthawi kapena masiku amene Atate ayika mwa ulamuliro wawo. Koma mudzalandira mphamvu Mzimu Woyera akadzafika pa inu; ndipo mudzakhala mboni zanga mu Yerusalemu, ku Yudeya konse ndi ku Samariya, mpaka ku malekezero a dziko lapansi.”
Atatha kuyankhula zimenezi, Yesu anatengedwa kupita kumwamba ophunzira ake akuona, ndipo anabisika mʼmitambo.
Yesu akukwera kumwamba, ophunzira ake anayangʼanitsitsa ndi chidwi mʼmitambo. Mwadzidzidzi anaona anthu awiri ovala zoyera atayimirira pambali pawo. Iwo anati, “Inu, anthu a ku Galileya, chifukwa chiyani mukuyima ndi kumayangʼana mʼmitambo? Yesu amene wachotsedwa pakati panu ndi kupita kumwamba, adzabweranso mʼnjira yomweyi mwamuona akupita kumwamba.”
Matiyasi Alowa Mʼmalo mwa Yudasi Isikarioti
Pamenepo atumwi anabwerera ku Yerusalemu kuchokera ku phiri la Olivi, mtunda wosakwana kilomita kuchokera mu mzindamo. Atafika mu mzindamo, analowa mʼchipinda chammwamba kumene amakhala. Amene analipo anali awa: Petro, Yohane, Yakobo ndi Andreya; Filipo ndi Tomasi, Bartumeyu ndi Mateyu; Yakobo mwana wa Alifeyo ndi Simoni Zelote ndi Yuda mwana wa Yakobo. Onsewa ndi mtima umodzi anapitiriza kupemphera pamodzi ndi amayi, ndi Mariya amayi ake a Yesu, ndiponso abale ake a Yesu.
Pa nthawi imeneyo Petro anayimirira pakati pa okhulupirira (gulu la anthu pafupifupi 120). Iye anati, “Abale anga, Malemba anayenera kukwaniritsidwa omwe Mzimu Woyera anayankhula kalekale kudzera mwa Davide za Yudasi, amene anatsogolera amene anamugwira Yesu. Iye anali mmodzi wa gulu lathu ndipo anatumikira pamodzi ndi ife.”
(Yudasi anagula munda ndi ndalama zimene anazipeza pochita zoyipa zija; kumeneko, iye anagwa chamutu, naphulika pakati ndipo matumbo ake wonse anakhuthuka. Aliyense mu Yerusalemu anamva zimenezi, kotero anatcha mundawo mʼchiyankhulo chawo kuti Akeledama, kutanthauza, Munda wa Magazi).
Petro anati, “Pakuti kwalembedwa mʼbuku la Masalimo kuti,
“Nyumba yake isanduke bwinja,
ndipo pasakhale wogonamo.
Ndiponso,
“Wina atenge ntchito yake yautsogoleri.
Chifukwa chake ndi kofunika kusankha mmodzi wa anthu amene akhala nafe nthawi yonse imene Ambuye Yesu ankayenda nafe, kuyambira pa nthawi ya ubatizo wa Yohane mpaka nthawi imene Yesu anatengedwa pakati pathu. Pakuti mmodzi wa anthu awa ayenera kukhala mboni pamodzi ndi ife zakuuka kwake.”
Pamenepo anasankha anthu awiri, Yosefe wotchedwa Barsaba (wodziwikanso kuti Yusto) ndi Matiyasi. Kenaka iwo anapemphera nati, “Ambuye mukudziwa mtima wa aliyense. Tionetseni amene mwamusankha mwa awiri awa kuti atenge ntchito iyi ya utumwi, imene Yudasi anasiya napita kumalo womuyenera.” Tsono anachita maere, ndipo maerewo anagwera Matiyasi. Tsono iye anawonjezedwa pa gulu la atumwi khumi ndi mmodziwo.
Kubwera kwa Mzimu Woyera
Litafika tsiku la chikondwerero cha Pentekosite, onse anali pamodzi. Mwadzidzidzi kunamveka mkokomo kuchokera kumwamba ngati wa mphepo yamphamvu, ndipo inadzaza nyumba yonse imene amakhala. Iwo anaona zinthu zokhala ngati malilime amoto ogawikana ndipo anakhala pa aliyense wa iwo. Ndipo onse anadzazidwa ndi Mzimu Woyera, nayamba kuyankhula mu ziyankhulo zina, monga Mzimu Woyerayo anawayankhulitsa.
Ayuda woopa Mulungu ochokera ku mayiko onse a dziko lapansi ankakhala mu Yerusalemu nthawi imeneyi. Utamveka mkokomo uja, gulu la anthu linasonkhana. Anthuwo anadabwa chifukwa aliyense anawamva atumwiwo akuyankhula ziyankhulo zosiyanasiyana. Mothedwa nzeru anafunsana kuti, “Kodi anthu onse amene akuyankhulawa si Agalileya? Nanga bwanji aliyense wa ife akuwamva iwo mu chinenero cha kwawo? Apanti, Amedi ndi Aelami; okhala ku Mesopotamiya, ku Yudeya ndi ku Kapadokiya, ku Ponto ndi ku Asiya, ku Frugiya ndi Pamfiliya, ku Igupto ndi ku madera a ku Libiya kufupi ndi ku Kurene; alendo ochokera ku Roma, Ayuda ndi otsatira chipembedzo cha Chiyuda onse pamodzi; Akrete ndi Aarabu, ife tonse tikuwamva akuyankhula za ntchito zodabwitsa za Mulungu mu ziyankhulo zathu.” Modabwa ndi mothedwa nzeru anafunsana wina ndi mnzake kuti, “Zimenezi zikutanthauzanji?”
Koma ena anawaseka nati, “Aledzera vinyo watsopano.”
Uthenga wa Petro
Koma Petro anayimirira pamodzi ndi atumwi khumi ndi mmodziwo ndipo anakweza mawu ake nayankhula kwa gulu la anthu nati: “Ayuda anzanga, ndi nonse amene muli mu Yerusalemu, mvetsetsani izi ndipo tcherani khutu ku zimene ndikunena. Kunena zoona, anthu awa sanaledzere ayi, monga momwe mukuganizira, pakuti ino ndi 9 koloko mmawa! Koma izi ndi zimene ananena Mneneri Yoweli kuti:
“ ‘Mulungu akuti, mʼmasiku otsiriza
ndidzakhuthulira Mzimu wanga pa anthu onse.
Ana anu aamuna ndi aakazi adzanenera,
anyamata anu adzaona masomphenya,
nkhalamba zanu zidzalota maloto.
Ngakhalenso pa antchito anga aamuna ndi aakazi,
ndidzakhuthulira Mzimu wanga masiku amenewo,
ndipo iwo adzanenera.
Ndipo ndidzaonetsa zodabwitsa mlengalenga
ndi zizindikiro pa dziko lapansi pano,
ndizo magazi, moto ndi utsi watolotolo.
Dzuwa lidzadetsedwa
ndipo mwezi udzaoneka ngati magazi
lisanafike tsiku lalikulu ndi laulemerero la Ambuye.
Ndipo aliyense amene adzayitana
pa dzina la Ambuye adzapulumuka.’
“Inu Aisraeli mverani mawu awa; Yesu wa ku Nazareti anali munthu amene anaperekedwa kwa inu ndi Mulungu. Ndipo Mulungu anakutsimikizirani zimenezi ndi zamphamvu, zodabwitsa ndi zizindikiro zimene anachita mwa Iye pakati panu, monga inu mukudziwa. Yesu ameneyu anaperekedwa kwa inu mwa kufuna ndi kudziwiratu kwa Mulungu; ndipo inu mothandizidwa ndi anthu oyipa, munamupha Iye pomupachika pa mtanda. Koma Mulungu anamuukitsa kwa akufa, kumumasula Iye ku zowawa za imfa, chifukwa kunali kosatheka kuti agwiridwe ndi imfa. Pakuti Davide ananena za Iye kuti,
“ ‘Ndinaona Ambuye pamaso panga nthawi zonse.
Chifukwa Iye ali kudzanja langa lamanja,
Ine sindidzagwedezeka.
Chifukwa chake mtima wanga ndi wokondwa ndipo lilime langa likukondwera;
thupi langanso lidzakhala ndi chiyembekezo.
Chifukwa simudzasiya moyo wanga kumalo a anthu akufa, ku manda,
kapena kulekerera Woyerayo kuti awole.
Inu munandidziwitsa ine njira zamoyo;
Inu mudzandidzaza ndi chimwemwe pamaso panu.’
“Abale, ine ndikuwuzani motsimikiza kuti kholo lathu Davide anamwalira ndipo anayikidwa mʼmanda, ndipo manda ake alipo lero lino. Koma iye anali mneneri ndipo anadziwa kuti Mulungu analonjeza ndi lumbiro kuti adzayika mmodzi wa zidzukulu zake pa mpando waufumu. Davide ataoneratu zimene zinali mʼtsogolo anayankhula za kuuka kwa Khristu, kuti Iye sanasiyidwe mʼmanda, ndipo thupi lake silinawole. Mulungu wamuukitsa Yesu ameneyu, ndipo ife ndife mboni za zimenezi. Khristu anakwezedwa kukhala kudzanja lamanja la Mulungu, nalandira Mzimu Woyera amene Atate anamulonjeza, ndipo watipatsa ife zimene mukuona ndi kumvazi. Pakuti si Davide anakwera kumwamba koma iye akuti,
“ ‘Ambuye anawuza Ambuye anga kuti:
Khala kudzanja langa lamanja
mpaka nditasandutsa adani ako
kukhala chopondapo mapazi ako.’
“Nʼchifukwa chake, Aisraeli onse adziwe ndithu kuti, Yesu amene inu munamupachika, Mulungu wamuyika kukhala Ambuye ndiponso Mpulumutsi.”
Anthu atamva zimenezi, anatsutsika kwambiri mu mtima ndipo anati kwa Petro ndi atumwi enawo, “Abale, kodi ife tichite chiyani?”
Petro anawayankha kuti, “Lapani ndipo mubatizidwe aliyense wa inu, mʼdzina la Yesu Khristu kuti machimo anu akhululukidwe. Ndipo mudzalandira mphatso ya Mzimu Woyera. Pakuti lonjezoli ndi lanu ndi ana anu ndiponso la onse amene ali kutali, ndi iwo onse amene Ambuye Mulungu wathu adzawayitane.”
Petro anawachenjeza ndi mawu ena ambiri, ndipo anawadandaulira iwo kuti, “Mudzipulumutse ku mʼbado owonongeka uno.” Iwo amene anawulandira uthenga wake anabatizidwa ndipo tsiku lomwelo miyoyo pafupifupi 3,000 inawonjezedwa ku gulu lawo.
Kuyanjana kwa Okhulupirira
Iwo ankasonkhana pamodzi kuphunzitsidwa ndi atumwi, pachiyanjano, pachakudya ndi popemphera. Aliyense ankachita mantha chifukwa cha zodabwitsa ndi zizindikiro zambiri zimene atumwi ankachita. Okhulupirira onse anali pamodzi ndipo aliyense ankapereka zinthu zake kuti zikhale za onse. Ankagulitsa minda yawo ndi katundu wawo, ndi kugawira kwa aliyense molingana ndi zosowa zake. Tsiku ndi tsiku ankasonkhana pamodzi pa bwalo la pa Nyumba ya Mulungu. Ankadya pamodzi mʼnyumba zawo mwasangala ndi mtima woona. Ankayamika Mulungu ndipo anthu onse ankawakomera mtima. Ndipo tsiku ndi tsiku Ambuye ankawonjezera ena pa chiwerengero cha olandira chipulumutso.
Petro Achiritsa Wolumala Miyendo
Tsiku lina Petro ndi Yohane ankapita ku Nyumba ya Mulungu kukapemphera nthawi ya 3 koloko masana. Ndipo munthu wolumala chibadwire ankanyamulidwa tsiku ndi tsiku kukayikidwa pa khomo la Nyumbayo lotchedwa Khomo Lokongola kuti azikapempha amene amalowa ku bwalo la Nyumbayo. Ataona Petro ndi Yohane ali pafupi kulowa anawapempha ndalama. Iwo anamuyangʼanitsitsa iye. Kenaka Petro anati, “Tiyangʼane!” Munthuyo anawayangʼanitsitsa kuyembekezera kuti alandira kanthu kuchokera kwa iwo.
Petro anati kwa iye, “Ine ndilibe siliva kapena golide, koma chimene ndili nacho ndikupatsa. Mʼdzina la Yesu Khristu wa ku Nazareti, yenda.” Ndipo anamugwira dzanja lamanja, namuthandiza kuti ayimirire ndipo nthawi yomweyo mapazi ake ndi akakolo ake analimba. Iye analumpha ndi kuyamba kuyenda. Kenaka analowa nawo pamodzi mʼbwalo la Nyumba ya Mulungu, akuyenda ndi kulumpha ndiponso kuyamika Mulungu. Anthu onse atamuona akuyenda ndiponso kuyamika Mulungu, anamuzindikira kuti ndi yemwe uja ankakhala pa khomo la Nyumbayo lotchedwa Khomo Lokongola, ndipo anazizwa ndi kudabwa ndi zimene zinamuchitikira.
Petro Ayankhula kwa Anthu
Wopempha uja akuyenda pamodzi ndi Petro ndi Yohane, anthu onse anadabwa ndipo anawathamangira iwo kumalo wotchedwa Khonde la Solomoni. Petro ataona zimenezi anawawuza kuti, “Inu Aisraeli, chifukwa chiyani mukudabwa ndi zimene zachitikazi? Bwanji mukuyangʼana ife ngati kuti tamuyendetsa munthuyu ndi mphamvu yathu kapena chifukwa cha kupembedza kwathu? Mulungu wa Abrahamu, Isake ndi Yakobo, Mulungu wa makolo athu, wamulemekeza mtumiki wake Yesu. Amene inu munamukana pamaso pa Pilato ndi kumupereka Iye kuti aphedwe, ngakhale kuti Pilato anafuna kuti amumasule. Koma inu munamukana Woyera ndi Wolungamayo ndipo munapempha kuti akumasulireni munthu wakupha anthu. Inu munapha mwini moyo, koma Mulungu anamuukitsa kwa akufa. Ife ndife mboni za zimenezi. Mwachikhulupiriro mʼdzina la Yesu, munthu uyu amene mukumuona ndi kumudziwa analimbikitsidwa. Mʼdzina la Yesu ndi chikhulupiriro chimene chili mwa iye chamuchiritsa kwathunthu, monga nonse mukuona.
“Tsopano abale ine ndikudziwa kuti inu munachita zimenezi mosadziwa, monga momwenso anachitira atsogoleri anu. Koma umu ndi mmene Mulungu anakwaniritsira zimene zinanenedwa kale ndi aneneri onse, kuti Khristu adzamva zowawa. Chifukwa chake, lapani, bwererani kwa Mulungu, kuti machimo anu afafanizidwe, kuti nthawi ya kutsitsimuka ibwere kuchokera kwa Ambuye, ndi kuti Iye atumize Yesu Khristu amene anasankhidwa chifukwa cha inu. Iye ayenera kukhalabe kumwamba mpaka nthawi ya kukonzanso zinthu zonse monga Mulungu analonjeza kale kudzera mwa aneneri ake oyera mtima. Pakuti Mose anati, ‘Ambuye Mulungu wanu adzakuukitsirani mneneri monga ine kuchokera pakati pa anthu anu; mumvere zonse zimene iye akuwuzeni. Aliyense amene sadzamvera mawu a mneneriyo, adzayenera kuchotsedwa pakati pa abale ake.’
“Ndipo aneneri onse ambiri amene anayankhula kuyambira Samueli, ananeneratu za masiku ano. Inu ndinu ana a aneneri ndiponso ana apangano limene Mulungu anachita ndi makolo anu. Iye anati kwa Abrahamu, ‘Anthu onse a pa dziko lapansi adzadalitsika kudzera mwa zidzukulu zako.’ Pamene Mulungu anaukitsa mtumiki wake, anamutuma Iye poyamba kwa inu kuti akudalitseni pobweza aliyense wa inu ku zoyipa zake.”
Petro ndi Yohane ku Bwalo la Akulu
Pamene Petro ndi Yohane amayankhula ndi anthu, kunabwera ansembe, mkulu woyangʼanira Nyumba ya Mulungu ndiponso Asaduki. Iwo anakhumudwa kwambiri chifukwa atumwiwo amaphunzitsa anthu ndi kumalalikira za kuuka kwa akufa mwa Yesu. Iwo anagwira Petro ndi Yohane, popeza kunali kutada, anawayika mʼndende mpaka mmawa mwake. Koma anthu ambiri amene anamva uthenga anakhulupirira, ndipo chiwerengero cha anthu chinakwana 5,000.
Mmawa mwake olamulira, akulu ndi aphunzitsi a malamulo anasonkhana mu Yerusalemu. Panali Anasi, Mkulu wa ansembe, Kayafa, Yohane ndi Alekisandro ndi ana a banja la mkulu wa ansembe. Iwo anayimiritsa Petro ndi Yohane patsogolo pawo nayamba kuwafunsa kuti, “Kodi munachita zimenezi ndi mphamvu yanji kapena mʼdzina la yani?”
Petro wodzazidwa ndi Mzimu Woyera, anawawuza kuti, “Inu olamulira ndi akulu! Ngati ife tikufunsidwa lero chifukwa cha ntchito yabwino imene yachitika pa munthu wolumala miyendo ndi mmene iye anachiritsidwira, tsono dziwani izi inu ndi aliyense mu Israeli: munthuyu akuyima pamaso panu, wochiritsidwa kwathunthu, ndi chifukwa cha dzina la Yesu Khristu wa ku Nazareti amene munamupachika koma Mulungu anamuukitsa kwa akufa. Iye ndi
“ ‘Mwala umene amisiri omanga nyumba anawukana,
umenewo wasanduka mwala wa pa ngodya!’
Chipulumutso sichipezeka mwa wina aliyense; pakuti palibe dzina lina pansi pa thambo limene lapatsidwa kwa anthu limene tiyenera kupulumutsidwa nalo.”
Ataona kulimba mtima kwa Petro ndi Yohane ndi kuzindikira kuti anali osaphunzira, anthu wamba, anadabwa kwambiri ndipo anazindikira kuti anthuwa anakhala pamodzi ndi Yesu. Koma popeza iwo amamuona munthu amene anachiritsidwa atayima pamodzi ndi iwo, palibe chimene akananena. Chifukwa chake anawalamula kuti atuluke mʼbwalo la milandu ndipo akulu abwalowo anayamba kukambirana. Iwo anafunsana kuti, “Kodi anthuwa tichite nawo chiyani? Pakuti aliyense okhala mu Yerusalemu akudziwa kuti achita chodabwitsachi, ndipo ife sitingathe kukana. Koma kuti mbiriyi isapitirire kuwanda pakati pa anthu, ife tiwachenjeze anthu amenewa kuti asayankhulenso kwa wina aliyense mʼdzina la Yesu.”
Pamenepo anawayitananso ndipo anawalamula kuti asayankhule kapena kuphunzitsa konse mʼdzina la Yesu. Koma Petro ndi Yohane anayankha kuti, “Weruzani nokha ngati nʼkwabwino pamaso pa Mulungu kumvera inu koposa Mulungu. Ife sitingaleke kuyankhula za zimene tinaziona ndi kuzimva.”
Atawonjeza kuwaopseza anawamasula. Sanathe kugwirizana njira yowalangira, chifukwa anthu onse amayamika Mulungu chifukwa cha zimene zinachitika. Ndipo munthu amene anachiritsidwayo anali ndi zaka makumi anayi.
Okhulupirira Apemphera
Atamasulidwa Petro ndi Yohane anapita kwa anzawo ndipo anawafotokozera zonse zimene akulu a ansembe ndi akulu anawawuza. Anthu atamva zimenezi anafuwula ndi mtima umodzi napemphera kwa Mulungu. Iwo anati, “Ambuye wolamulira zonse, Inu munalenga kumwamba ndi dziko lapansi ndi nyanja ndiponso zonse zili mʼmenemo. Inu munayankhula mwa Mzimu Woyera kudzera pakamwa pa Davide kholo lathu, mtumiki wanu kuti,
“ ‘Nʼchifukwa chiyani anthu a mitundu ina akufuna kuchita chiwembu,
ndipo akonzekera kuchita zopandapake?
Mafumu a dziko lapansi akugwirizana nazo;
ndipo olamulira asonkhana pamodzi
kulimbana ndi Ambuye
ndi wodzozedwa wakeyo.’
Zoonadi, Herode ndi Pontiyo Pilato anasonkhana pamodzi ndi amitundu ndiponso Aisraeli, mu mzinda muno, kupanga zolimbana ndi mtumiki wanu woyera Yesu, amene Inu munamudzoza. Iwo anachita zimene munakonzeratu mwachifuniro chanu ndi mphamvu yanu kuti zichitike. Tsopano, Ambuye taonani kuti atiopseza, tithandizeni ife atumiki anu, kuti tiyankhule mawu anu molimba mtima. Tambasulani dzanja lanu kuchiritsa anthu ndipo kuti, zizindikiro zodabwitsa zichitike mʼdzina la mtumiki wanu woyera Yesu.”
Iwo atatha kupemphera, malo amene anasonkhanapo anagwedezeka. Ndipo iwo onse anadzazidwa ndi Mzimu Woyera ndipo anayankhula Mawu a Mulungu molimba mtima.
Okhulupirira Agawana Zinthu Zawo
Okhulupirira onse anali a mtima umodzi, ndi maganizo amodzi. Palibe munthu amene amati zomwe anali nazo zinali zake zokha, koma amagawana chilichonse chimene anali nacho. Atumwi anapitirira kuchitira umboni mwa mphamvu zakuuka kwa Ambuye Yesu, ndipo pa iwo panali chisomo chochuluka. Panalibe anthu osowa kanthu pakati pawo. Pakuti amene anali ndi malo, kapena nyumba amagulitsa ndi kubweretsa ndalamazo ndi kuzipereka kwa atumwi, ndipo zimagawidwa kwa aliyense amene anali ndi chosowa.
Yosefe, wa fuko la Levi, wochokera ku Kupro amene atumwi anamutcha Barnaba, kutanthauza kuti mwana wachilimbikitso, anagulitsa munda wake ndipo anadzapereka ndalamazo kwa atumwi.
Hananiya ndi Safira
Koma munthu wina dzina lake Hananiya, pamodzi ndi mkazi wake Safira, anagulitsanso munda wawo. Mogwirizana ndi mkazi wakeyo anapatulapo pa ndalamazo nazisunga, ndipo anatenga zotsalazo ndi kukapereka kwa atumwi.
Koma Petro anamufunsa kuti, “Hananiya, chifukwa chiyani Satana anadzaza chotere mu mtima wako kuti unamize Mzimu Woyera ndipo wapatula ndi kusunga ndalama? Kodi sunali wako usanagulitse? Ndipo utagulitsa ndalamazo sizinali mʼmanja mwako kodi? Nʼchiyani chinakuchititsa zimenezi? Iwe sunanamize anthu koma Mulungu.”
Hananiya atamva mawu amenewa anagwa pansi namwalira. Onse amene anamva zimene zinachitikazi anachita mantha kwambiri. Kenaka anyamata anafika, nakulunga thupi lake, ndipo anamunyamula ndi kukamuyika mʼmanda.
Patapita maora atatu mkazi wake analowa, wosadziwa zimene zinachitika. Petro anamufunsa iye kuti, “Tandiwuza, kodi izi ndi ndalama zonse zimene iwe ndi Hananiya munalandira mutagulitsa munda?”
Mkaziyo anati, “Inde ndi zimenezo.”
Petro anati kwa iye, “Bwanji inu munapangana kuyesa Mzimu wa Ambuye? Taona! Anthu amene anakayika mwamuna wako mʼmanda ali pa khomo, ndipo adzakunyamula iwenso.”
Nthawi yomweyo anagwa pansi pa mapazi a Petro ndipo anamwalira. Ndipo anyamata aja analowa, napeza kuti wafa kale, anamunyamula ndi kukamuyika pafupi ndi mwamuna wake. Mpingo wonse ndi anthu onse amene anamva zimenezi anachita mantha kwambiri.
Atumwi Achiritsa Anthu Ambiri
Atumwi anachita zizindikiro zodabwitsa ndi zozizwitsa zambiri pakati pa anthu. Ndipo onse okhulupirira ankasonkhana pamodzi mu Khonde la Solomoni. Palibe ndi mmodzi yemwe analimba mtima kuphatikana nawo, ngakhale kuti anthu onse amawalemekeza kwambiri. Ngakhale zinali chotere, anthu ambiri anakhulupirira Ambuye ndipo amawonjezeredwa ku chiwerengero chawo. Chifukwa cha zimenezi, anthu anabweretsa odwala mʼmisewu ya mu mzinda nawagoneka pa mabedi ndi pa mphasa kuti chithunzi chokha cha Petro chikhudze ena mwa iwo iye akamadutsa. Anthu ochuluka ochokera ku mizinda yayingʼono ozungulira Yerusalemu amasonkhananso atatenga odwala awo ndi iwo amene amasautsidwa ndi mizimu yoyipa ndipo onsewo amachiritsidwa.
Atumwi Azunzidwa
Koma mkulu wa ansembe pamodzi ndi onse omuthandiza, amene anali a gulu la Asaduki, anachita nsanje. Iwo anagwira atumwi ndi kuwatsekera mʼndende ya anthu wamba. Koma usiku mngelo wa Ambuye anatsekula zitseko za ndende ndi kuwatulutsa Mngeloyo anati, “Pitani, ku mabwalo a Nyumba ya Mulungu ndipo mukawuze anthu uthenga onse wamoyo watsopanowu.”
Kutacha mmawa, atumwi analowa mʼbwalo la mʼNyumba ya Mulungu, monga anawuzidwa ndipo anayamba kuphunzitsa anthu.
Mkulu wa ansembe pamodzi ndi omuthandiza ake amene anali naye anafika, anayitanitsa msonkhano wa Bwalo Lalikulu, ndilo bwalo la akulu onse a Israeli. Anatuma alonda kuti akatenge atumwi aja kundende. Koma alonda aja atafika kundende, sanawapezemo. Iwo anabwerera nakawafotokozera kuti, “Tinakapeza ndende ili chitsekere ndithu, ndi alonda atayimirira pa khomo, koma pamene tinatsekula zitseko, sitinapezemo munthu aliyense mʼkatimo.” Mkulu wa alonda a Nyumba ya Mulungu ndi akulu a ansembe atamva zimenezi anathedwa nzeru, osadziwa kuti zimenezi zidzatha bwanji.
Ndipo wina anabwera ndi kuti, “Taonani! Anthu aja amene munawatsekera mʼndende ali ku Nyumba ya Mulungu ndipo akuphunzitsa anthu.” Pamenepo mkulu wa alonda pamodzi ndi alonda anakawatenga atumwi. Sanakawatenge mwaukali, chifukwa amaopa kuti anthu angawaponye miyala.
Atafika nawo atumwi aja, anawayimika pamaso pa Bwalo Lalikulu kuti afunsidwe mafunso ndi mkulu wa ansembe. Iye anati, “Ife tinakuletsani kuti musaphunzitsenso mʼdzina ili, koma inu mwadzaza Yerusalemu ndi chiphunzitso chanu, ndipo mukufuna kutisenzetsa imfa ya munthu ameneyu.”
Petro ndi atumwi enawo anayankha kuti, “Ife tiyenera kumvera Mulungu osati anthu! Mulungu wa makolo athu anamuukitsa Yesu, amene inu munamupha pomupachika pa mtengo. Mulungu anamukweza Iye ku dzanja lake lamanja kukhala Mfumu ndi Mpulumutsi kuti Iye apatse Aisraeli mtima wolapa ndi chikhululukiro cha machimo. Ife ndife mboni za zimenezi, ndiponso Mzimu Woyera amene Mulungu anapereka kwa iwo akumvera Iye.”
Akuluakuluwo atamva zimenezi anakwiya kwambiri nafuna kuwapha. Koma Mfarisi wina dzina lake Gamalieli, mphunzitsi wa malamulo, amene anthu onse amamulemekeza, anayimirira ndi kulamula kuti atumwiwo ayambe apita panja. Ndipo iye anawuza bwalolo kuti, “Aisraeli, taganizani bwino, zimene mukufuna kuchita kwa anthu awa. Pakuti masiku a mʼmbuyomu kunali Teuda amene anadzitchukitsa, ndipo anthu pafupifupi 400 anamutsatira. Iye anaphedwa ndipo omutsatira akewo anabalalitsidwa, zonse zinatheratu. Pambuyo pake, nthawi ya kalembera kunalinso Yudasi wa ku Galileya, ndipo anatsogolera gulu la anthu amene anawukira, iyenso anaphedwa ndipo anthu ake onse anabalalitsidwa. Chifukwa chake pa nkhani iyi ndikuwuzani kuti, alekeni anthuwa ndipo aloleni apite! Pakuti ngati zimene akuganiza kapena kuchita ndi zochokera kwa munthu zidzalephera. Koma ngati ndi zochokera kwa Mulungu inu simudzatha kuwaletsa anthu awa: inu mwina muzapezeka kuti mukulimbana ndi Mulungu.”
Akuluakulu enawo anavomerezana naye. Iwo anayitana atumwi aja ndipo anawakwapula kwambiri. Ndipo anawalamula kuti asayankhulenso mʼdzina la Yesu ndipo anawamasula.
Iwo anachoka ku Bwalo Lalikulu akukondwa chifukwa anayesedwa oyenera kunyozedwa chifukwa cha dzina la Yesu. Ndipo tsiku ndi tsiku, sanaleke kuphunzitsa ndi kulalikira mʼNyumba ya Mulungu komanso nyumba ndi nyumba, Uthenga Wabwino wa kuti Yesu ndi Khristu.
Asankha Atumiki Asanu ndi Awiri
Mʼmasiku amenewo pamene chiwerengero cha ophunzira chinkachuluka, Ayuda a Chihelene pakati pawo anadandaula chifukwa cha Ayuda a Chihebri chifukwa amasiye awo samawagawira chakudya cha tsiku ndi tsiku. Tsono Atumwi khumi ndi awiriwo anasonkhanitsa ophunzira onse pamodzi ndipo anati, “Nʼkosayenera kuti ife tisiye kulalikira Mawu a Mulungu ndi kuyangʼanira za chakudya. Choncho abale, sankhani pakati panu anthu asanu ndi awiri a mbiri yabwino, odzazidwa ndi Mzimu Woyera ndi anzeru. Ife tidzawapatsa udindo oyangʼanira. Koma ife tidzadzipereka kuti tizipemphera ndi kulalikira mawu.”
Mawu amenewa anakondweretsa gulu lonse la anthu. Iwo anasankha, Stefano, munthu wodzazidwa ndi chikhulupiriro ndiponso Mzimu Woyera; anasankhanso Filipo, Prokoro, Nikanora, Timo, Parmena ndi Nikolao amene anatembenuka mtima ndi kulowa Chiyuda kuchokera kwa Antiokeya. Iwo anapereka anthuwa kwa atumwi amene anawapempherera ndi kuwasanjika manja.
Ndipo Mawu a Mulungu anapitirira kufalikira. Chiwerengero cha ophunzira mu Yerusalemu chinakula mofulumira ndipo ansembe ochuluka anakhulupirira.
Ayuda Agwira Stefano
Stefano, munthu wodzazidwa ndi chisomo cha Mulungu ndi mphamvu anachita zodabwitsa ndiponso zizindikiro zazikulu pakati pa anthu. Panauka mtsutso kuchokera kwa anthu a ku Kurene ndi a ku Alekisandriya komanso a ku dera la Silisiya ndi Asiya, otchedwa a Sunagoge ya Mfulu. Anthu amenewa anayamba kutsutsana ndi Stefano. Koma iwo sanathe kumugonjetsa chifukwa iye ankayankhula ndi nzeru zimene Mzimu Woyera anamupatsa.
Iwo ananyengerera anthu ena mwamseri kuti anene kuti, “Ife tinamva Stefano akuchitira chipongwe Mose ndiponso Mulungu.”
Motero anawutsa mitima ya anthu, akulu ndi aphunzitsi amalamulo. Anamugwira Stefano ndi kumubweretsa ku Bwalo Lalikulu. Iwo anabweretsa mboni zonama zimene zinati, “Munthu uyu akupitirirabe kuyankhula mawu onyoza malo oyera ndi malamulo. Pakuti tinamumva akunena kuti Yesu uja wa ku Nazareti adzawononga malo ano ndiponso kusintha miyambo imene Mose anatipatsa.”
Onse amene anakhala pansi Mʼbwalo Lalikulu anamuyangʼanitsitsa Stefano, ndipo anaona kuti nkhope yake ikuwala ngati ya mngelo.
Mawu a Stefano
Kenaka mkulu wa ansembe anafunsa Stefano kuti, “Kodi zimene akukunenerazi ndi zoona?”
Stefano anayankha kuti, “Abale ndi makolo, tamverani! Mulungu waulemerero anaoneka kwa kholo lathu Abrahamu pamene ankakhala ku Mesopotamiya, asanakakhale ku Harani. Mulungu anati, ‘Tuluka mʼdziko lako, siya abale ako, ndipo pita ku dziko limene ndidzakusonyeza.’
“Ndipo iye anatulukadi mʼdziko la Akaldeya ndi kukakhala ku Harani. Atamwalira abambo ake, Mulungu anamuchotsa kumeneko ndi kumubweretsa mʼdziko lino limene inu mukukhalamo tsopano. Mulungu sanamupatse cholowa kuno, ngakhale kadera kakangʼono kadziko. Koma Mulungu anamulonjeza kuti adzapereka dziko lino kwa iye ndi kwa zidzukulu zake, ngakhale kuti pa nthawi imeneyi analibe mwana. Mulungu anayankhula motere kwa iye: ‘Zidzukulu zako zidzakhala alendo mʼdziko lachilendo, ndipo zidzakhala akapolo ndi kuzunzidwa zaka 400.’ Mulungu anati, ‘Ine ndidzalanga dziko limene zidzukulu zako zidzagwireko ukapolo, ndipo pambuyo pake akadzatuluka mʼdzikolo adzandipembedza Ine pamalo pano.’ Kenaka Mulungu anachita pangano la mdulidwe ndi Abrahamu. Ndipo Abrahamu, anabereka Isake, namudula ali ndi masiku asanu ndi atatu. Ndipo Isake anabereka Yakobo, Yakobo anabereka makolo khumi ndi awiri aja.
“Makolo athu anachita nsanje ndi Yosefe ndipo anamugulitsa kuti akakhale kapolo ku Igupto. Koma Mulungu anali naye ndipo anamupulumutsa iye kumasautso ake onse. Mulungu anamupatsa Yosefe nzeru ndi chisomo pamaso pa Farao mfumu ya ku Igupto, kotero mfumuyo inamuyika iye kukhala nduna yayikulu ya dziko la Igupto ndiponso nyumba yake yonse yaufumu.
“Kenaka munalowa njala mʼdziko la Kanaani, kotero kuti anthu anavutika kwambiri, ndipo makolo athu sanathe kupeza chakudya. Pamene Yakobo anamva kuti ku Igupto kunali tirigu, iye anatuma makolo athu ulendo woyamba. Pa ulendo wawo wachiwiri, Yosefe anadziwulula kwa abale akewo ndipo Farao anadziwa za banja la Yosefe. Izi zinachitika, Yosefe anayitanitsa abambo ake Yakobo ndi banja lonse, onse pamodzi analipo 75. Motero Yakobo anapita ku Igupto, kumene iye ndiponso makolo athu anamwalira. Mitembo yawo anayinyamula ndi kupita nayo ku Sekemu kumene inayikidwa mʼmanda amene Abrahamu anagula kochokera kwa ana a Hamori ku Sekemuko.
“Nthawi itayandikira yakuti Mulungu achite zimene analonjeza kwa Abrahamu, mtundu wathu unakula ndi kuchuluka kwambiri mu Igupto. Pambuyo pake mfumu yatsopano imene sinkamudziwa Yosefe, inayamba kulamulira dziko la Igupto. Mfumuyo inachita mwachinyengo ndi mtundu wathu ndi kuwazunza kuti ataye ana awo akhanda kuti afe.
“Pa nthawi imeneyo Mose anabadwa, ndipo anali wokongola kwambiri. Iye analeredwa mʼnyumba ya abambo ake kwa miyezi itatu. Atakamutaya, mwana wamkazi wa Farao anamutola nakamulera ngati mwana wake. Mose anaphunzira nzeru zonse za Aigupto, ndipo anali wamphamvu mʼmawu ndi ntchito zake.
“Mose ali ndi zaka makumi anayi, anaganizira zokayendera abale ake Aisraeli. Iye ataona mmodzi wa iwo akuzunzidwa ndi Mwigupto, anatchinjiriza Mwisraeliyo, namupha Mwiguptoyo. Mose anaganiza kuti abale ake adzazindikira kuti Mulungu anamuyika kuti awapulumutse koma iwo sanazindikire. Mmawa mwake Mose anaona Aisraeli awiri akukangana. Iye anayesa kuwayanjanitsa ponena kuti, ‘Amuna inu, ndinu abale; chifukwa chiyani mukufuna kupwetekana?’
“Koma munthu amene amavutitsa mnzakeyo anakankha Mose ndipo anati, ‘Ndani anakuyika kuti ukhale wotilamulira ndi wotiweruza. Kodi ukufuna kundipha monga momwe unaphera Mwigupto uja dzulo?’ Mose atamva mawu awa anathawira ku Midiyani, kumene anakhala mlendo ndipo anabereka ana amuna awiri.
“Ndipo patapita zaka makumi anayi mngelo anaonekera kwa Mose mʼmalawi amoto pa chitsamba mʼchipululu pafupi ndi Phiri la Sinai. Iye ataona zimenezi, anadabwa. Akupita kuti akaonetsetse pafupi, Mose anamva mawu a Ambuye: ‘Ine ndine Mulungu wa makolo ako, Mulungu wa Abrahamu, Isake ndi Yakobo.’ Mose ananjenjemera chifukwa cha mantha ndipo sanalimbe mtima kuyangʼananso.
“Ndipo Ambuye anati kwa Mose, ‘Vula nsapato zako, pakuti malo amene wayimapo ndi opatulika. Ine ndaona ndithu mazunzo a anthu anga amene ali ku Igupto. Ndamva kulira kwawo choncho ndabwera kuti ndiwapulumutse. Tsopano tiye ndikutume ku Igupto.’
“Uyu ndi Mose yemwe uja amene Aisraeli anamukana ndi kunena kuti, ‘Ndani anakuyika kuti ukhale wotilamulira ndi wotiweruza?’ Iyeyo anatumidwa ndi Mulungu mwini kuti akakhale wowalamulira ndiponso mpulumutsi, mothandizidwa ndi mngelo amene anamuonekera pa chitsamba. Iye anawatulutsa mu Igupto ndipo anachita zodabwitsa ndi zizindikiro zozizwitsa mu Igupto, pa Nyanja Yofiira, ndiponso mʼchipululu kwa zaka makumi anayi.
“Uyu ndi Mose uja amene anati kwa Aisraeli, ‘Mulungu adzawutsa pakati pa abale anu mneneri ngati ine.’ Iyeyu anali mʼgulu la Aisraeli mʼchipululu pamodzi ndi mngelo amene anamuyankhula pa phiri la Sinai ndiponso makolo athu; ndipo Mose analandira mawu amoyo kuti atipatse ife.
“Koma makolo athu anakana kumumvera iye. Iwo anamukana iye ndipo mʼmitima mwawo anatembenukira ku Igupto. Iwo anati kwa Aaroni, ‘Bwera utipangire milungu imene idzititsogolera. Kunena za Mose amene anatitsogolera kutuluka mʼdziko la Igupto, sitikudziwa chimene chamuchitikira. Iyi ndi nthawi imene anapanga fano la mwana wangʼombe. Anapereka nsembe kwa fanoli nachita chikondwerero kulemekeza ntchito ya manja awo. Koma Mulungu anawafulatira, nawapereka kuti apembedze zolengedwa zakumwamba. Zimenezi zikugwirizana ndi zimene zinalembedwa mʼbuku la aneneri kuti,
“ ‘Kodi pa zaka makumi anayi zimene munakhala mʼchipululu muja
munkandibweretsera nsembe ndi zopereka, inu nyumba ya Israeli?’
Ayi, inu mwanyamula tenti ya Moloki
ndi nyenyezi ya mulungu wanu Refani,
mafano amene munapanga kuti muziwapembedza.
Chifukwa chake, Ine ndidzakutumizani kutali, kupitirira dziko la Babuloni.
“Makolo athu anali ndi tenti ya msonkhano pakati pawo mʼchipululu. Anayipanga monga momwe Mulungu anawuzira Mose, molingana ndi chithunzi chimene Mose anachiona. Makolo athu, atayilandira Tentiyo, anabwera nayo motsogozedwa ndi Yoswa pamene analanda dziko la mitundu imene Mulungu anayipirikitsa pamaso pawo. Tentiyo inakhala mʼdzikomo mpaka nthawi ya Davide, amene anapeza chisomo pamaso pa Mulungu ndipo anapempha kuti amʼmangire nyumba Mulungu wa Yakobo. Koma anali Solomoni amene anamanga nyumbayo.
“Komatu, Wammwambamwambayo sakhala mʼnyumba zomangidwa ndi anthu. Monga mneneri akunena kuti,
“ ‘Kumwamba ndi mpando wanga waufumu,
ndipo dziko lapansi ndi chopondapo mapazi anga.
Kodi mudzandimangira nyumba yotani?
Akutero Ambuye.
Kapena malo opumuliramo Ine ali kuti?
Kodi si dzanja langa linapanga zonsezi?’
“Anthu wokanika inu, osachita mdulidwe wa mu mtima ndi a makutu ogontha! Inu ofanana ndi makolo anu. Nthawi zonse mumakana kumvera Mzimu Woyera: Kodi analipo mneneri amene makolo anu sanamuzunze? Iwo anapha ngakhale amene ananeneratu za kubwera kwa Wolungamayo. Ndipo tsopano inu munamupereka ndi kumupha Iye. Inu amene munalandira Malamulo amene anaperekedwa ndi angelo ndipo simunawamvere.”
Kuphedwa kwa Stefano
Atamva zimenezi, iwo anakwiya kwambiri ndipo anamukukutira mano. Koma Stefano, wodzaza ndi Mzimu Woyera, anayangʼana kumwamba ndipo anaona ulemerero wa Mulungu ndiponso Yesu atayimirira ku dzanja lamanja la Mulungu. Stefano anati, “Taonani, ndikuona kumwamba kotsekuka ndiponso Mwana wa Munthu atayimirira ku dzanja la manja la Mulungu.”
Koma iwo anatseka mʼmakutu mwawo, ndipo anafuwula kolimba, onse anathamangira kwa iye, anamukokera kunja kwa mzinda ndipo anayamba kumugenda miyala. Mboni zinasungitsa zovala zawo kwa mnyamata otchedwa Saulo.
Akumugenda miyala, Stefano anapemphera kuti, “Ambuye Yesu, landirani mzimu wanga.” Ndipo anagwada pansi nafuwula mwamphamvu kuti, “Ambuye musawawerengere tchimoli.” Atanena mawu amenewa anamwalira.
Ndipo Saulo anavomerezana nawo pa imfa ya Stefano.
Kuzunzika kwa Mpingo
Tsiku lomwelo, mpingo wa mu Yerusalemu unayamba kuzunzidwa, ndipo onse, kupatulapo atumwi, anabalalikira ku madera onse a Yudeya ndi Samariya. Anthu okonda Mulungu anayika maliro a Stefano ndipo anamulira kwambiri. Koma Saulo anayamba kuwononga mpingo. Amapita nyumba ndi nyumba, ndipo amagwira amuna ndi amayi ndi kukawatsekera ku ndende.
Filipo ku Samariya
Okhulupirira amene anabalalika amalalikira konse kumene amapita. Filipo anapita ku mzinda wa ku Samariya ndipo analalikira za Khristu kumeneko. Gulu la anthu litamva Filipo akulalikira komanso kuona zizindikiro zozizwitsa zimene ankazichita, onse anamvetsetsa zimene iye amanena. Mizimu yoyipa inatuluka mwa anthu ambiri ikufuwula kwambiri ndipo ambiri amene anali akufa ziwalo ndi olumala anachiritsidwa. Kotero munali chimwemwe chachikulu mu mzindawo.
Simoni Wamatsenga
Koma mu mzindawo munali munthu dzina lake Simoni, amene amachita za matsenga ndi kudabwitsa anthu a mu Samariya. Iye amadzitamandira kuti ndi wopambana, ndipo anthu onse, aakulu ndi aangʼono anamumvera ndi kunena kuti, “Munthu uyu ndi mphamvu ya Mulungu yotchedwa Mphamvu yayikulu.” Anthu amamutsata chifukwa kwa nthawi yayitali amawadabwitsa ndi matsenga akewo. Koma atakhulupirira Filipo akulalikira Uthenga Wabwino wa ufumu wa Mulungu ndiponso dzina la Yesu Khristu, anthuwo anabatizidwa amuna ndi amayi. Nayenso Simoni anakhulupirira ndipo anabatizidwa, natsatira Filipo kulikonse, ndipo anadabwa kwambiri pamene anaona zizindikiro zazikulu ndi zozizwitsa.
Atumwi a ku Yerusalemu atamva kuti anthu a ku Samariya analandira Mawu a Mulungu, anatumiza Petro ndi Yohane. Atafika anawapempherera kuti alandire Mzimu Woyera, chifukwa Mzimu Woyera anali asanafike pa wina aliyense wa iwo; anali atangobatizidwa mʼdzina la Ambuye Yesu. Ndipo Petro ndi Yohane anasanjika manja awo pa iwo, ndipo analandira Mzimu Woyera.
Simoni ataona kuti Mzimu anaperekedwa kwa iwo atumwi atawasanjika manja, iye anafuna kuwapatsa ndalama ndipo anati, “Inenso ndipatseni mphamvu imeneyi kuti aliyense amene ndimusanjika manja anga azilandira Mzimu Woyera.”
Petro anayankha kuti, “Ndalama zako utayike nazo pamodzi, chifukwa unaganiza kuti ungathe kugula mphatso ya Mulungu ndi ndalama! Ulibe gawo kapena mbali pa utumikiwu, chifukwa mtima wako suli wolungama pamaso pa Mulungu. Lapa zoyipa zakozi ndipo upemphere kwa Ambuye. Mwina adzakukhululukira maganizo a mu mtima mwako. Pakuti ine ndikuona kuti ndiwe wowawidwa mtima ndiponso kapolo wa tchimo.”
Ndipo Simoni anayankha, “Mundipempherere kwa Ambuye kuti zisandigwere izi mwanenazi.”
Atatha kuchitira umboni ndi kulalikira mawu a Ambuye, Petro ndi Yohane anabwerera ku Yerusalemu, atalalikira Uthenga Wabwino mʼmidzi yambiri ya Asamariya.
Filipo ndi Nduna ya Zachuma ya ku Etiopia
Mngelo wa Ambuye anati kwa Filipo, “Nyamuka pita chakummwera, ku msewu wa ku chipululu wopita ku Gaza kuchokera ku Yerusalemu.” Ndipo ananyamuka napita, ndipo akuyenda anakumana ndi munthu wa ku Etiopia wa udindo waukulu woyangʼanira chuma cha Kandake, mfumu yayikazi ya ku Etiopia. Munthu ameneyu anapita ku Yerusalemu kukapembedza Mulungu, ndipo akubwerera kwawo atakwera pa galeta lake amawerenga buku la mneneri Yesaya. Mzimu anamuwuza Filipo kuti, “Pita pa galeta ilo ndipo ukakhale pafupi nalo.”
Pamenepo Filipo anathamangira ku galeta ndipo anamva munthuyo akuwerenga buku la mneneri Yesaya. Filipo anamufunsa kuti, “Kodi mukumvetsa zimene mukuwerengazi?”
Iye anayankha kuti, “Ndingamvetse bwanji popanda wina wondimasulira?” Ndipo iye anayitana Filipo kuti abwere ndikukhala naye mʼgaleta.
Mawu amene ndunayo imawerenga anali awa:
“Monga mwana wankhosa wopita naye kokamupha amachitira,
kapena monga nkhosa imakhalira duu poyimeta,
momwemonso iye sanatsekule pakamwa pake.
Iye ananyozedwa ndipo panalibe chilungamo pa mlandu wake.
Ndipo ndani amene analabadirako za zidzukulu zake
poona kuti iye anachotsedwa mʼdziko la anthu amoyo?”
Ndunayo inamufunsa Filipo kuti, “Chonde, uzeni, kodi mneneri akuyankhula za ndani, za iye mwini kapena za munthu wina?” Pamenepo Filipo anayambira pa malemba omwewo kumuwuza za Uthenga Wabwino wa Yesu.
Akuyenda mu msewu anafika pamalo pamene panali madzi ndipo ndunayo inati, “Taonani madzi awa. Kodi pali chondiletsa kuti ndibatizidwe?” Filipo anati, “Ngati mukhulupirira ndi mtima wanu wonse mukhoza kubatizidwa.” Ndunayo inayankha kuti, “Ine ndikukhulupirira kuti Yesu Khristu ndi Mwana wa Mulungu.” Ndipo analamulira galeta kuti liyime. Onse awiriwo, Filipo ndi Ndunayo anatsika ndi kulowa mʼmadzi ndipo Filipo anamubatiza. Pamene iwo anatuluka mʼmadzimo, Mzimu wa Ambuye anamukwatula Filipo, ndipo Ndunayo sinamuonenso, koma inapitiriza ulendo wake ikusangalala. Koma Filipo anapezeka kuti ali ku Azoto ndipo anazungulira konse, kulalikira Uthenga Wabwino mʼmizinda yonse mpaka anakafika ku Kaisareya.
Kutembenuka Mtima kwa Saulo
Pa nthawi imeneyi, Saulo ankaopsezabe okhulupirira Ambuye nafuna kuwapha. Iye anapita kwa mkulu wa ansembe, ndi kukapempha makalata a chilolezo kuti apite nawo ku masunagoge a ku Damasiko, kuti ngati atakapezeka ena kumeneko otsata Njirayo, kaya ndi amuna kapena amayi, akawamange ndi kuwatenga kubwera nawo ku Yerusalemu. Akuyandikira ku Damasikoku paulendo wake, mwadzidzidzi kuwala kochokera kumwamba kunamuzungulira iye. Iye anagwa pansi ndipo anamva mawu akuti, “Saulo, Saulo ukundizunziranji Ine?”
Saulo anafunsa kuti, “Ndinu yani Ambuye?”
Ambuye anayankha kuti, “Ndine Yesu amene iwe ukumuzunza.” “Tsopano dzuka, lowa mu mzindamo, ndipo udzawuzidwa zoyenera kuchita.”
Anthu amene anali naye paulendo, anasowa chonena; iwo anamva mawu koma sanaone wina aliyense. Saulo anayimirira, ndipo pamene anatsekula maso ake sanathe kuona. Kotero anamugwira dzanja ndi kulowa naye mu Damasiko. Anakhala wosaona kwa masiku atatu ndiponso sanadye kapena kumwa kanthu kalikonse.
Ku Damasiko kunali wophunzira wina dzina lake Hananiya. Ambuye anamuyitana mʼmasomphenya kuti, “Hananiya!”
Iye anayankha kuti, “Ine Ambuye.”
Ambuye anamuwuza iye kuti, “Nyamuka, pita ku nyumba ya Yudasi imene ili pa Njira Yolunjika ndipo ukafunse za munthu wochokera ku Tarisisi dzina lake Saulo, pakuti akupemphera. Ndipo waona mʼmasomphenya munthu, dzina lake Hananiya atabwera ndi kumusanjika manja kuti aonenso.”
Hananiya anayankha kuti, “Ambuye, ndinamva zambiri za munthu uyu ndi zonse zoyipa anachitira oyera mtima a ku Yerusalemu. Ndipo wabwera kuno ndi ulamuliro wa akulu ansembe kuti adzamange onse amene amayitana pa dzina lanu.”
Koma Ambuye anati kwa Hananiya, “Pita! Munthu uyu ndi chida changa chosankhika chonyamulira dzina langa pamaso pa anthu a mitundu ina ndi mafumu awo ndiponso kwa anthu a Israeli. Ine ndidzamuonetsa zowawa zonse zimene ayenera kumva chifukwa cha dzina langa.”
Pamenepo Hananiya ananyamuka ndi kukalowa mʼnyumbayo. Anamusanjika manja Sauloyo ndipo anati, “Mʼbale Saulo, Ambuye Yesu, amene anakuonekera pa msewu pamene umabwera kuno wandituma kuti uwonenso ndi kudzazidwa ndi Mzimu Woyera.” Nthawi yomweyo mʼmaso mwa Saulo munachoka zinthu zokhala ngati mamba ansomba, ndipo anayambanso kuona. Iye anayimirira nabatizidwa, ndipo atadya chakudya, anapezanso mphamvu.
Saulo Alalikira ku Damasiko
Saulo anakhala masiku angapo ndi ophunzira a ku Damasiko. Posakhalitsa anayamba kulalikira mʼsunagoge kuti Yesu ndiye Mwana wa Mulungu. Onse amene anamva iye akulalikira anadabwa ndipo anafunsa kuti, “Kodi uyu si munthu amene anayambitsa kuzunza okhulupirira ku mpingo wa ku Yerusalemu? Kodi siwabwera kuno kuti awamange ndi kuwapereka kwa akulu a ansembe?” Koma mphamvu za Saulo zinali kukulirakulira ndipo anathetsa nzeru Ayuda okhala ku Damasiko powatsimikizira kuti Yesu ndi Mpulumutsi.
Patapita masiku ambiri, Ayuda anapangana zoti aphe Saulo, koma iye anadziwa za chiwembucho. Anthu ankadikirira usana ndi usiku pa zipata za mzindawo kuti amuphe. Koma ophunzira ake anamutenga usiku, namutsitsira kunja kwa mpandawo mʼdengu.
Saulo ku Yerusalemu
Saulo atafika ku Yerusalemu, anayesetsa kulowa mʼgulu la ophunzira koma onse anamuopa chifukwa sanakhulupirire kuti anali wophunziradi. Koma Barnaba anamutenga napita naye kwa atumwi. Iye anawafotokozera iwo za mmene Saulo anaonera Ambuye pa njira paja, ndi kuti Ambuye anamuyankhula, ndi momwe analalikira ku Damasiko mʼdzina la Yesu mosaopa. Kotero Saulo anakhala nawo nayendayenda mwaufulu mu Yerusalemu akulalikira molimba mtima mʼdzina la Ambuye. Anayankhula ndi kutsutsana ndi Ayuda a Chihelene, koma iwo ankafuna kumupha. Abale atadziwa zimenezi, anamutenga Saulo ndi kupita naye ku Kaisareya, ndipo anamutumiza ku Tarisisi.
Pamenepo mpingo wa ku Yudeya konse, ku Galileya ndi ku Samariya unakhala pamtendere, unalimbikitsidwa; ndi kupatsidwa mphamvu ndi Mzimu Woyera, unakula mʼchiwerengero, ndi kukhala moopa Ambuye.
Eneya ndi Tabita
Pamene Petro amayendera mpingo, anapita kukachezera oyera mtima a ku Luda. Kumeneko anakapeza munthu dzina lake Eneya, wofa ziwalo amene anagona pa mphasa kwa zaka zisanu ndi zitatu. Petro anati kwa iye, “Eneya, Yesu Khristu akukuchiritsa iwe, dzuka ndipo yalula mphasa yako.” Nthawi yomweyo Eneya anayimirira. Anthu onse amene anakhala ku Luda ndi ku Sharoni anamuona ndipo anatembenukira kwa Ambuye.
Ku Yopa kunali wophunzira wina dzina lake Tabita (mʼChigriki amati Dorika) amene nthawi zonse ankachita zachifundo ndiponso kuthandiza osauka. Nthawi imeneyi anadwala ndipo anamwalira, anasambitsa thupi lake, namugoneka mʼchipinda chammwamba. Popeza ku Yopa kunali pafupi ndi Luda; pamene ophunzira anamva kuti Petro anali ku Luda, anatuma anthu awiri kuti akamudandaulire kuti, “Chonde bwerani kuno msanga!”
Petro ananyamuka, napita nawo, ndipo atafika anamutengera ku chipinda chammwamba. Amasiye onse anayima momuzungulira akulira ndi kumuonetsa mwinjiro ndi zovala zina zimene Dorika ankapanga akanali moyo.
Petro anatulutsa anthu onse mʼchipindamo; ndipo anagwada pansi ndi kupemphera. Anatembenukira mtembo uja nati, “Tabita, dzuka,” Tabita anatsekula maso ake, ndipo ataona Petro anakhala pansi. Petro anamugwira dzanja, namuyimiritsa. Ndipo anayitana okhulupirira ndi amasiye namupereka wamoyo. Zimenezi zinadziwika ku Yopa konse, ndipo anthu ambiri anakhulupirira Ambuye. Petro anakhala ku Yopa kwa masiku ambiri kwa munthu wina, dzina lake Simoni, mmisiri wa zikopa.
Kenturiyo Korneliyo Ayitana Petro
Ku Kaisareya kunali munthu wina dzina lake Korneliyo, mkulu wa asilikali 100 wa gulu la Italiya. Iye ndi banja lake lonse amapembedza ndi kuopa Mulungu. Iye amathandiza osowa mowolowamanja ndipo amapemphera kwa Mulungu nthawi zonse. Tsiku lina, nthawi ili ngati 3 koloko masana, anaona masomphenya. Anaona bwino ndithu mngelo wa Mulungu, amene anabwera kwa iye ndi kuti, “Korneliyo.”
Korneliyo anamuyangʼanitsitsa mngeloyo mwa mantha. Iye anafunsa kuti, “Nʼchiyani kodi Ambuye?”
Mngelo anayankha kuti, “Mapemphero ako ndi zachifundo zako zafika pamaso pa Mulungu ngati chikumbutso. Tsopano tuma anthu apite ku Yopa kuti akayitane munthu dzina lake Simoni Petro. Iye akukhala ndi Simoni mmisiri wa zikopa, amene nyumba yake ili mʼmbali mwa nyanja.”
Mngeloyo anayankhula naye anachoka, Korneliyo anayitana antchito ake awiri ndiponso msilikali mmodzi wa iwo amene ankamutumikira yemwe ankapembedza Mulungu. Iye anawafotokozera zonse zimene zinachitika ndipo anawatuma kuti apite ku Yopa.
Masomphenya a Petro
Mmawa mwake, nthawi ili ngati 12 koloko anthuwo atayandikira mzindawo, Petro anakwera pa denga kukapemphera. Iye anamva njala ndipo anafuna chakudya, ndipo akukonza chakudyacho, iye anachita ngati wakomoka. Iye anaona kuthambo kutatsekuka, ndi chinthu china chikutsitsidwa pansi chooneka ngati chinsalu chachikulu chomangidwa pa msonga zake zinayi. Mʼmenemo munali nyama zonse zamiyendo inayi pamodzinso ndi zokwawa za dziko lapansi ndiponso mbalame zamlengalenga. Petro anamva mawu akuti, “Petro, dzuka, ipha nudye.”
Petro anayankha kuti, “Ayi, Ambuye! Ine sindinadyepo kanthu kosayeretsedwa kapena konyansa.”
Petro anamvanso kachiwiri mawu akuti, “Usachiyese chonyansa chimene Mulungu wachiyeretsa.”
Zimenezi zinachitika katatu ndipo nthawi yomweyo chinsalu chija chinatengedwanso kupita kumwamba.
Petro akuganizira za tanthauzo la masomphenyawo, anthu amene Korneliyo anawatuma anapeza kumene kunali nyumba ya Simoni ndipo anayima pa chipata. Iwo anayitana nafunsa ngati Simoni amene amadziwika ndi dzina loti Petro amakhala kumeneko.
Petro akuganizirabe za masomphenyawo, Mzimu Woyera anati kwa iye, “Simoni, anthu atatu akukufunafuna. Dzuka, tsika. Usakayike upite nawo pakuti ndawatuma ndine.”
Petro anatsika ndipo anati kwa anthuwo, “Amene mukufunayo ndine. Mwabwera kuno chifukwa chiyani?”
Anthuwo anayankha kuti, “Ife tachokera kwa Korneliyo, mkulu woyangʼanira asilikali 100. Iye ndi munthu wolungama ndiponso woopa Mulungu, amene amalemekezedwa ndi Ayuda onse. Mngelo woyera anamuwuza kuti mupite ku nyumba yake kuti akamve mawu amene inu mukanene.” Pamenepo Petro anawalowetsa mʼnyumba ndipo anawasamala ngati alendo ake. Mmawa mwake Petro ananyamuka napita nawo ndipo abale ena a ku Yopa anapita naye pamodzi.
Petro ku Nyumba ya Korneliyo
Tsiku linalo Petro anafika ku Kaisareya. Korneliyo anawadikirira ndipo anali atawasonkhanitsa pamodzi abale ake ndi abwenzi ake a pamtima. Petro akulowa mʼnyumba, Korneliyo anakumana naye ndipo anadzigwetsa pa mapazi ake namulambira. Koma Petro anamuyimiritsa nati, “Imirira, inenso ndine munthu ngati iwe.”
Akuyankhula naye, Petro analowa mʼnyumba ndipo anapeza gulu lalikulu la anthu litasonkhana. Iye anawawuza kuti, “Inu mukudziwa bwino kuti ndi kutsutsana ndi lamulo ngati Myuda ayanjana ndi Mkunja kapena kuyendera wina aliyense wa mtundu wina. Koma Mulungu wandionetsa ine kuti ndisatchule munthu aliyense kuti ndi wosayenera kapena wonyansa. Nʼchifukwa chake ndabwera mosawiringula pamene munandiyitana. Tsopano ndikufunseni,” Mwandiyitanira chiyani?
Komeliyo anayankha kuti, “Masiku anayi apitawo, nthawi yonga yomwe ino, 3 koloko masana ndimapemphera mʼnyumba mwanga. Mwadzidzidzi patsogolo panga panayimirira munthu wovala zovala zonyezimira. Ndipo anati, ‘Korneliyo, Mulungu wamva mapemphero ako ndipo wakumbukira mphatso zako kwa osauka. Tuma anthu ku Yopa akayitane Simoni wotchedwa Petro. Iye akukhala mʼnyumba ya Simoni mmisiri wazikopa amene amakhala mʼmbali mwa nyanja.’ Nʼchifukwa chake ndinatumiza anthu nthawi yomweyo ndipo mwachita bwino kuti mwabwera. Tsopano ife tonse tili pano pamaso pa Mulungu kuti timve zonse zimene Ambuye akukulamulani kuti mutiwuze ife.”
Ndipo Petro anayamba kuyankhula nati, “Zoonadi, tsopano ndazindikira kuti Mulungu sakondera. Koma amalandira anthu a mtundu uli wonse amene amaopa Iye ndiponso kuchita chilungamo. Uwu ndi uthenga umene Mulungu anatumiza kwa Aisraeli, kulalikira Uthenga Wabwino wamtendere mwa Yesu Khristu amene ndi Ambuye wa onse. Inu mukudziwa zimene zinachitika ku Yudeya konse, kuyambira ku Galileya pambuyo pa ubatizo umene Yohane analalikira, kuti Mulungu, anamudzoza Yesu, wa ku Nazareti ndi Mzimu Woyera ndi mphamvu ndiponso mmene Iye anapita nachita zabwino ndi kuchiritsa onse amene anali pansi pa mphamvu ya mdierekezi, popeza kuti Mulungu anali naye.
“Ife ndife mboni za zonse zimene anachita mʼdziko la Ayuda ndiponso ku Yerusalemu. Anamupha Iye pakumupachika pa mtengo, koma Mulungu anamuukitsa kwa akufa pa tsiku lachitatu, ndipo analola kuti aonekere poyera. Iye sanaonekere kwa anthu onse koma kwa mboni zimene Mulungu anazisankhiratu, kwa ife amene timadya ndi kumwa naye atauka kwa akufa. Iye anatilamulira ife kuti tilalikire kwa anthu ndi kuchitira umboni kuti Iye ndiye amene Mulungu anamusankha kukhala woweruza wa amoyo ndi akufa. Aneneri onse achitira Iye umboni kuti aliyense amene akhulupirira Iye amakhululukidwa machimo chifukwa cha dzina lake.”
Petro akuyankhulabe mawu amenewa, Mzimu Woyera unatsikira pa onse amene amamva uthengawo. Abale a mdulidwe omwe anabwera ndi Petro anadabwa kuona kuti mphatso ya Mzimu Woyera yapatsidwanso kwa anthu a mitundu ina. Pakuti anamva iwo akuyankhula mʼmalilime ndi kuyamika Mulungu. Ndipo Petro anati, “Kodi alipo amene angawaletse anthu awa kubatizidwa mʼmadzi? Iwotu alandira Mzimu Woyera monga ifenso.” Tsono iye analamula kuti abatizidwe mʼdzina la Yesu Khristu. Ndipo anthu aja anamupempha Petro kuti akhale nawo masiku angapo.
Petro Afotokozera Mpingo
Atumwi ndi abale a ku Yudeya konse anamva kuti anthu a mitundu ina analandiranso Mawu a Mulungu. Tsono Petro atafika ku Yerusalemu, abale amene anali a mdulidwe anamutsutsa iye, ndipo anati, “Iwe unalowa mʼnyumba ya anthu osachita mdulidwe ndi kudya nawo.”
Koma Petro anayamba kuwafotokozera zonse mwatsatanetsatane momwe zinachitikira kuti, “Ine ndimapemphera mu mzinda wa Yopa ndipo ndili ngati wokomoka ndinaona masomphenya. Ndinaona chinthu chokhala ngati chinsalu chachikulu chikutsika kuchokera kumwamba chogwiridwa msonga zake zinayi, ndipo chinatsikira pa ine. Ine ndinayangʼana mʼkati mwake ndipo ndinaona nyama za miyendo inayi za mʼdziko lapansi, zirombo, zokwawa, ndi mbalame zamlengalenga. Kenaka ine ndinamva mawu akuti, ‘Petro, Imirira. Ipha, nudye.’
“Ine ndinayankha kuti, ‘Ayi, Ambuye! Pakuti chinthu chodetsedwa ndi chonyansa sindinadyepo pakamwa pangapa.’
“Mawu ochokera kumwamba ananenanso kachiwiri kuti, ‘Chimene Mulungu wachiyeretsa usanene kuti ndi chodetsedwa.’ Zimenezi zinachitika katatu ndipo kenaka zonse zinatengedwa kupita kumwamba.
“Nthawi yomweyo anthu atatu amene anatumidwa kuchokera ku Kaisareya anayima pa nyumba yomwe ndimakhalayo. Mzimu anandiwuza kuti ndisakayike, koma ndipite nawo. Abale asanu ndi mmodzi awa anapitanso nane ndipo tinalowa mʼnyumba ya munthuyo. Iye anatiwuza mmene anaonera mngelo atayimirira mʼnyumba mwake ndi kumuwuza kuti, ‘Tumiza anthu ku Yopa kuti akayitane Simoni wotchedwa Petro. Iye adzakuwuza uthenga umene udzapulumutsa iwe ndi a pa banja ako.’
“Nditangoyamba kuyankhula, Mzimu Woyera anafika pa iwo monga momwe anafikira pa ife poyamba paja. Kenaka ndinakumbukira zimene Ambuye ananena kuti, ‘Yohane anabatiza ndi madzi, koma inu mudzabatizidwa ndi Mzimu Woyera.’ Tsono ngati Mulungu anawapatsa iwo mphatso yomweyo imene anatipatsa ife, amene tinakhulupirira Ambuye Yesu Khristu, ndine yani kuti nditsutsane ndi Mulungu?”
Iwo atamva zimenezi analibenso chonena ndipo anayamika Mulungu nati, “Potero Mulungu wapatsa anthu a mitundu ina mwayi wotembenuka mtima ndi kulandira moyo.”
Mpingo wa ku Antiokeya
Tsopano amene anabalalika chifukwa cha mazunzo amene anayamba ataphedwa Stefano, anapita mpaka ku Foinike, ku Kupro ndi ku Antiokeya, ndipo ankalalikira kwa Ayuda okha. Komabe, ena pakati pawo ochokera ku Kupro ndi ku Kurene anapita ku Antiokeya ndipo iwo anayamba kuyankhulanso kwa Agriki, nawawuza za Uthenga Wabwino wa Ambuye Yesu. Mphamvu ya Ambuye inali nawo ndipo anthu ambiri anakhulupirira natembenukira kwa Ambuye.
Mbiri imeneyi inamveka ku mpingo wa ku Yerusalemu ndipo iwo anatumiza Barnaba ku Antiokeya. Atafika ndi kuona chisomo cha Mulungu pa iwo, anakondwa ndi kuwalimbikitsa anthu onsewo kuti apitirire kukhala woona mu mtima mwa Ambuye. Barnabayo anali munthu wabwino, wodzazidwa ndi Mzimu Woyera ndi chikhulupiriro ndipo gulu lalikulu la anthu linabwera kwa Ambuye.
Kenaka Barnaba anapita ku Tarisisi kukafuna Saulo, ndipo pamene anamupeza anabwera naye ku Antiokeya. Barnaba ndi Saulo anasonkhana ndi mpingo kwa chaka chimodzi naphunzitsa anthu ambirimbiri. Okhulupirirawo anayamba kutchedwa Akhristu ku Antiokeya.
Masiku amenewo ku Antiokeya kunafika aneneri ena ochokera ku Yerusalemu. Mmodzi wa iwo dzina lake Agabu, anayimirira ndipo Mzimu anamutsogolera kunenera zamʼtsogolo kuti padzakhala njala yayikulu pa dziko lonse lapansi. (Izi zinachitikadi nthawi ya ulamuliro wa Klaudiyo). Ophunzirawo, aliyense monga mwakupata kwake, anatsimikiza kuthandiza abale okhala ku Yudeya. Izi anazichitadi ndipo anatuma Barnaba ndi Saulo kukapereka mphatsozo kwa akulu a mpingo.
Petro Apulumuka Mʼndende
Inali nthawi yomweyi imene mfumu Herode anamanga ena a mu mpingo ndi cholinga chakuti awazunze. Iye analamula kuti Yakobo mʼbale wa Yohane, aphedwe ndi lupanga. Ataona kuti zimenezi zinakondweretsa Ayuda, anawonjeza ndi kugwiranso Petro. Izi zinachitika pa nthawi ya Chikondwerero cha Buledi wopanda Yisiti. Atamugwira Petro, namutsekera mʼndende, anamupereka kwa magulu anayi a asilikali kuti amuyangʼanire, gulu lililonse linali ndi asilikali anayi. Herode anafuna kumuzenga mlandu pamaso pa anthu onse chikondwerero cha Paska chitapita.
Kotero Petro anasungidwa mʼndende, koma mpingo unamupempherera kolimba kwa Mulungu.
Usiku woti mmawa mwake Herode amuzenga mlandu, Petro amagona pakati pa asilikali awiri, atamangidwa maunyolo awiri, ndiponso alonda atayima pa khomo. Mwadzidzidzi mngelo wa Ambuye anaonekera ndipo kuwala kunawunika mʼchipindamo. Mngeloyo anamugwedeza Petro mʼnthiti ndi kumudzutsa. Iye anati, “Fulumira, imirira!” Ndipo maunyolo anagwa kuchoka mʼmanja a Petro.
Kenaka mngelo anati kwa iye, “Vala zovala ndi nsapato.” Ndipo Petro atachita izi mngeloyo anamuwuzanso kuti, “Funda chovala chako ndipo unditsate.” Petro anatsatira natuluka mʼndende, koma sanazindikire kuti zimene mngeloyo amachita zimachitikadi; iye amaganiza kuti amaona masomphenya. Iwo anadutsa gulu loyamba ndi lachiwiri la asilikali ndipo anafika pa chitseko chachitsulo cholowera mu mzinda. Chitsekocho chinatsekuka chokha ndipo anadutsa. Pamene anayenda kutalika kwa msewu umodzi, mwadzidzidzi mngelo uja anachoka.
Pamenepo Petro anazindikira nati, “Tsopano ndikudziwa mosakayika kuti Ambuye anatuma mngelo wake kudzandipulumutsa mʼmanja mwa Herode, ndi ku zoyipa zonse zimene Ayuda amafuna kundichitira.”
Atazindikira zimenezi anapita ku nyumba ya Mariya amayi ake a Yohane, wotchedwanso Marko, kumene kunasonkhana anthu ambiri ndipo amapemphera. Petro anagogoda pa chitseko cha panja, ndipo mtsikana wantchito dzina lake Roda anabwera kuti adzatsekule chitseko. Atazindikira mawu a Petro anakondwa kwambiri ndipo anabwerera osatsekula ndipo anafuwula kuti, “Petro ali pa khomopa!”
Anthuwo anati kwa iye, “Wopenga iwe!” Atalimbikira kunena kuti zinali zoona, iwo anati, “Ameneyo ndi mngelo wake.”
Koma Petro anapitiriza kugogoda ndipo atatsekula chitseko ndi kumuona, anthuwo anadabwa kwambiri. Petro anakweza dzanja ndi kuwawuza kuti akhale chete ndipo anawafotokozera mmene Ambuye anamutulutsira mʼndende. Iye anati, “Uzani Yakobo ndi abale ena za zimenezi.” Kenaka anachoka napita kumalo ena.
Pamene kunacha kunali phokoso lalikulu pakati pa asilikali, iwo anafunsa kuti, “Kodi chamuchitikira Petro ndi chiyani?” Herode atamufunafuna ndipo wosamupeza, anawafunsa asilikali ndipo analamulira kuti asilikaliwo aphedwe.
Imfa ya Herode
Kenaka Herode anachoka ku Yudeya ndi kupita ku Kaisareya ndipo anakhala kumeneko kwa kanthawi Herode anakwiyira anthu a ku Turo ndi Sidoni; anthuwo anagwirizana zoti akambirane naye. Atapeza thandizo kuchokera kwa Blasito, wantchito wokhulupirika wa mfumu, anapempha kuti pakhale mtendere, chifukwa dziko lawo limadalira dziko la mfumuyo pa chakudya chawo.
Pa tsiku limene anasankha Herode, atavala zovala zake zaufumu, anakhala pa mpando wake ndipo anayankhula kwa anthuwo. Anthuwo anafuwula nati, “Amenewa ndi mawu a mulungu osati a munthu ayi.” Nthawi yomweyo mngelo wa Mulungu anamukantha chifukwa sanapereke ulemu kwa Mulungu ndipo anadyedwa ndi mphutsi nafa.
Koma Mawu a Mulungu anapitirirabe kufalikirafalikira.
Barnaba ndi Saulo atamaliza ntchito yawo anachoka ku Yerusalemu, atatenga Yohane wotchedwanso Marko.
Barnaba ndi Saulo Atumidwa ndi Mpingo
Mu mpingo wa ku Antiokeya munali aneneri ndi aphunzitsi awa: Barnaba, Simeoni, Lukia wa ku Kurene, Manayeni (amene analeredwa pamodzi ndi mfumu Herode), ndiponso Saulo. Iwo pamene ankapembedza Ambuye ndi kusala kudya, Mzimu Woyera anati, “Mundipatulire Barnaba ndi Saulo kuti akagwire ntchito imene ndinawayitanira.” Ndipo atasala kudya ndi kupemphera anasanjika manja awo pa iwo nawatumiza.
Ku Kupro
Barnaba ndi Saulo motumidwa ndi Mzimu Woyera, anapita ku Selukeya ndipo kuchokera kumeneko anakwera sitima ya pamadzi kupita ku Kupro. Pamene anafika ku Salamisi, analalikira Mawu a Mulungu mʼMasunagoge a Ayuda. Iwo anali ndi Yohane monga wowatumikira.
Iwo anayenda pa chilumba chonse mpaka anafika ku Pafo, kumeneko anapezanako ndi Myuda, wamatsenga amene analinso mneneri wonama dzina lake Barayesu. Iyeyu, amathandiza mkulu wa boma, Sergio Paulo. Mkulu wa bomayu, munthu wanzeru, anayitana Barnaba ndi Saulo chifukwa anafuna kumva Mawu a Mulungu. Koma Elima wamatsengayo, (Elima tanthauzo lake ndi wamatsenga), anatsutsana nawo ndipo anafuna kumuletsa mkulu wa bomayo kuti asakhulupirire. Koma Saulo, amenenso amatchedwa Paulo, wodzazidwa ndi Mzimu Woyera anamuyangʼanitsitsa Elima ndipo anati, “Iwe ndiwe mwana wa mdierekezi ndiponso mdani wa chilungamo! Ndiwe wodzaza ndi chinyengo cha mtundu uliwonse ndi kuchenjera konse. Kodi sudzaleka kupotoza njira zolungama za Ambuye? Tsopano dzanja la Ambuye likukutsutsa iwe. Udzakhala wosaona ndipo kwa kanthawi sudzatha kuona kuwala kwa dzuwa.”
Nthawi yomweyo khungu ndi mdima zinamugwera ndipo anafunafuna munthu woti amugwire dzanja kuti amutsogolere. Pamene mkulu wa bomayo anaona zimene zinachitika anakhulupirira pakuti anadabwa ndi chiphunzitso cha Ambuye.
Antiokeya wa ku Pisidiya
Kuchokera ku Pafo, Paulo ndi anzake anayenda pa sitima ya pamadzi kupita ku Perga wa ku Pamfiliya, kumeneko Yohane anawasiya nabwerera ku Yerusalemu. Kuchokera ku Perga anapita ku Pisidiya wa ku Antiokeya. Pa tsiku la Sabata analowa mʼsunagoge, nakhala pansi. Atawerenga mawu a mʼMalamulo ndi Aneneri, akulu a sunagoge anawatumizira mawu ndi kuti, “Abale ngati muli ndi mawu olimbikitsa nawo anthuwa, nenani.”
Atayimirira, Paulo anakweza dzanja lake ndi kuti, “Inu Aisraeli ndiponso inu a mitundu ina amene mumapembedza Mulungu, tandimverani! Mulungu wa Aisraeli anasankha makolo athu ndipo anawapatsa chuma chambiri pamene amakhala ku Igupto. Anawatulutsa mʼdzikomo ndi dzanja lake lamphamvu. Ndipo Iye anapirira khalidwe lawo mʼchipululu kwa zaka makumi anayi. Mulungu anawagonjetsera mitundu isanu ndi iwiri ya ku Kanaani ndipo anapereka dzikolo kwa Israeli kuti likhale lawo. Izi zonse zinatenga zaka 450.
“Zitatha izi, Mulungu anawapatsa oweruza mpaka nthawi ya mneneri Samueli. Kenaka anthu anapempha kuti awapatse mfumu, ndipo anawapatsa Sauli mwana wa Kisi, wa fuko la Benjamini amene analamulira zaka makumi anayi. Mulungu atamuchotsa Sauli, anayika Davide kukhala mfumu yawo. Mulungu anamuchitira umboni kuti, ‘Ndapeza Davide mwana wa Yese munthu wa pamtima panga; iye adzachita zonse zimene ine ndikufuna kuti iye achite.’
“Kuchokera mwa zidzukulu za munthu ameneyu, Mulungu anawutsa Yesu kukhala Mpulumutsi wa Aisraeli, monga analonjezera. Yesu asanabwere, Yohane analalikira kwa anthu onse Aisraeli za kutembenuka mtima ndi ubatizo. Pamene Yohane amatsiriza ntchito yake anati: ‘Mukuganiza kuti ine ndine yani? Ine sindine ameneyo ayi, koma Iye akubwera pambuyo panga, amene ine sindine woyenera kumasula zingwe za nsapato zake.’
“Abale, ana a Abrahamu, ndiponso inu a mitundu ina amene mumaopa Mulungu, Iye watumiza uthenga wachipulumutsowo kwa ife. Anthu a ku Yerusalemu ndi atsogoleri awo sanazindikire Yesu, komabe pomuweruza Yesu anakwaniritsa mawu a Aneneri amene amawerengedwa Sabata lililonse. Ngakhale sanapeze chifukwa choti afe, anapempha Pilato kuti amuphe. Atachita zonse zimene zinalembedwa za Iye, iwo anamuchotsa pa mtengo ndipo anamuyika mʼmanda. Koma Mulungu anamuukitsa, ndipo kwa masiku ambiri anaonekera kwa amene anayenda naye kuchokera ku Galileya mpaka ku Yerusalemu. Iwowa tsopano ndi mboni zake kwa anthu a Israeli.
“Ife tikukuwuzani Uthenga Wabwino; umene Mulungu analonjeza makolo athu. Iye wakwaniritsa zimenezi kwa ife ana awo, poukitsa Yesu kuchokera kwa akufa. Monga zinalembedwa mu Salimo lachiwiri kuti,
“Iwe ndiwe mwana wanga;
lero ine ndakhala Atate ako.”
Zakuti Mulungu anamuukitsa kuti asawole konse, zinanenedwa mʼmawu awa:
“ ‘Ine, ndidzakupatsa madalitso opatulika ndi odalirika amene ndinalonjeza Davide.’
Nʼchifukwa chakenso zinalembedwa mu Salimo lina kuti,
“ ‘Simudzalekerera woyera wanu kuti awole.’
“Pakuti pamene Davide anatsiriza kutumikira Mulungu mu mʼbado wake, anamwalira, iye anayikidwa mʼmanda pamodzi ndi makolo ake ndipo thupi lake linawola. Koma amene Mulungu anamuukitsa kwa akufa sanawole ayi.
“Nʼchifukwa chake, abale anga, dziwani kuti mwa Yesu chikhululukiro cha machimo chikulalikidwa. Kudzera mwa Iye aliyense amene akhulupirira, alungamitsidwa kuchoka ku tchimo lililonse limene silingachoke ndi Malamulo a Mose. Samalani kuti zimene aneneri akunena zisakuchitikireni inu:
“ ‘Onani, inu anthu onyoza,
dabwani ndipo wonongekani,
chifukwa ine ndidzachita china chake mʼmasiku anu,
inu simudzazikhulupirira
ngakhale wina atakufotokozerani!’ ”
Pamene Paulo ndi Barnaba amatuluka mʼSunagoge, anthu anawapempha kuti adzapitirize kuyankhula zinthu zimenezi Sabata linalo. Atatha mapemphero, Ayuda ambiri ndi anthu odzipereka otembenukira ku Chiyuda anatsatira Paulo ndi Barnaba, iwo anayankhula ndi anthuwo ndipo anawapempha kuti apitirire mʼchisomo cha Mulungu.
Pa Sabata linalo pafupifupi anthu onse a mu mzindawo anasonkhana kudzamva Mawu a Ambuye. Pamene Ayuda anaona gulu la anthu, anachita nsanje ndipo anayankhula zamwano kutsutsana ndi zimene Paulo amanena.
Ndipo Paulo ndi Barnaba anawayankha molimba mtima kuti, “Ife tinayenera kuyankhula Mawu a Mulungu kwa inu poyamba. Popeza inu mwawakana ndi kudziyesa nokha osayenera moyo wosatha, ife tsopano tikupita kwa anthu a mitundu ina. Pakuti izi ndi zimene Ambuye anatilamula ife:
“ ‘Ine ndakuyika iwe ukhale kuwunika kwa anthu a mitundu ina,
kuti ukafikitse chipulumutso ku malekezero a dziko lapansi!’ ”
Anthu a mitundu ina atamva izi, anakondwa ndipo analemekeza Mawu Ambuye; ndipo onse amene anawasankha kuti alandire moyo osatha anakhulupirira.
Mawu a Ambuye anafalikira mʼchigawo chonse. Koma Ayuda anawutsa mitima ya akazi otchuka opembedza Mulungu ndi akulu a mu mzindamo. Iwo anabweretsa mazunzo kwa Paulo ndi Barnaba ndipo anawathamangitsa mʼchigawo chawo. Tsono iwo anasasa fumbi la ku mapazi awo powatsutsa, ndipo anapita ku Ikoniya. Ndipo ophunzira anadzazidwa ndi chimwemwe ndiponso ndi Mzimu Woyera.
Ku Ikoniya
Ku Ikoniya, Paulo ndi Barnaba analowanso mʼsunagoge ya Ayuda. Kumeneko iwo anaphunzitsa momveka bwino kotero kuti anthu ambiri Achiyuda ndi anthu a mitundu ina anakhulupirira. Koma Ayuda amene anakana kukhulupirira anawutsa anthu a mitundu ina nawononga maganizo awo kutsutsana ndi abale. Ndipo Paulo ndi Barnaba anakhala kumeneko nthawi yayitali, nalalikira molimba mtima za Ambuye amene anawapatsa mphamvu yochitira zozizwitsa ndi zizindikiro zodabwitsa pochitira umboni mawu a chisomo. Anthu a mu mzindamo anagawikana; ena anali mbali ya Ayuda, ena mbali ya atumwi. Pamenepo anthu a mitundu ina ndi Ayuda, pamodzi ndi atsogoleri awo anakonza chiwembu choti azunze atumwiwo ndi kuwagenda ndi miyala. Koma atazindikira zimenezi, anathawira ku Lusitra ndi Derbe, mizinda ya ku Lukaoniya, ndiponso ku dziko lozungulira mizindayo, kumene anapitiriza kulalikira Uthenga Wabwino.
Ku Lusitra ndi ku Derbe
Ku Lusitra kunali munthu wolumala miyendo, amene sanayendepo chibadwire chake. Iyeyu, amamvetsera pamene Paulo amayankhula. Paulo anamuyangʼanitsitsa ndipo anaona kuti anali ndi chikhulupiriro choti achiritsidwe nacho. Ndipo Paulo anamuyitana mofuwula nati, “Imirira!” Atamva zimenezi, munthuyo anayimirira, nayamba kuyenda.
Gulu la anthu litaona zimene Paulo anachitazi, linafuwula mʼChilukaoniya kuti, “Milungu yatitsikira yooneka ngati anthu!” Barnaba anamutcha Zeusi ndipo Paulo anamutcha Herimesi chifukwa ndiye amatsogolera kuyankhula. Wansembe wa Zeusi amene nyumba yopembedzera Zeusiyo inali kunja pafupi ndi mzindawo, anabweretsa ngʼombe yayimuna yovekedwa nkhata za maluwa pa chipata cha mzindawo chifukwa iyeyo pamodzi ndi anthu ena onse aja amafuna kudzipereka nsembe kwa Paulo ndi Barnaba.
Koma Barnaba ndi Paulo atamva zimenezi, anangʼamba zovala zawo, nathamangira pakati pa gulu la anthuwo, akufuwula kuti, “Anthu inu, bwanji mukuchita zimenezi? Ifenso ndife anthu monga inu nomwe. Ife takubweretserani Uthenga Wabwino, kuti musiye zinthu zachabezi ndi kutsata Mulungu wamoyo, amene analenga kumwamba ndi dziko lapansi, nyanja ndi zonse zimene zili mʼmenemo. Kale Iye analola anthu a mitundu ina yonse kutsata njira zawozawo. Komabe wakhala akudzichitira yekha umboni: Iye amaonetsa kukoma mtima kwake pogwetsa mvula kuchokera kumwamba ndi zipatso pa nyengo yake. Amakupatsani chakudya chambiri ndipo amadzaza mitima yanu ndi chimwemwe.” Ngakhale ndi mawu awa, anavutika kuletsa gulu la anthu kuti asapereke nsembe kwa iwo.
Kenaka kunabwera Ayuda ena kuchokera ku Antiokeya ndi Ikoniya nakopa gulu la anthu lija. Iwo anamugenda miyala Paulo namukokera kunja kwa mzindawo, kuganiza kuti wafa. Koma ophunzira atamuzungulira, Pauloyo anayimirira nalowanso mu mzindawo. Mmawa mwake iye ndi Barnaba anachoka ndi kupita ku Derbe.
Paulo ndi Barnaba Abwerera ku Antiokeya wa ku Siriya
Iwo analalikira Uthenga Wabwino mu mzindawo ndipo anthu ambiri anatembenuka mtima ndi kukhala ophunzira. Kenaka anabwerera ku Lusitra, ku Ikoniya ndi ku Antiokeya. Kumeneko analimbikitsa mitima ya ophunzira ndi kuwapatsa mphamvu kuti akhalebe woona mʼchikhulupiriro. Iwo anati, “Ife tiyenera kudutsa mʼmasautso ambiri kuti tikalowe mu ufumu wa Mulungu.” Paulo ndi Barnaba anasankha akulu ampingo pa mpingo uliwonse, ndipo atapemphera ndi kusala kudya anawapereka kwa Ambuye amene anamukhulupirira. Atadutsa Pisidiya, anafika ku Pamfiliya. Atalalikira Mawu ku Perga, anapita ku Ataliya.
Ku Ataliyako, anakwera sitima ya pamadzi kubwerera ku Antiokeya kumene anayitanidwa mwachisomo cha Mulungu kuti agwire ntchito imene tsopano anali atayitsiriza. Atangofika ku Antiokeya, anasonkhanitsa pamodzi mpingo ndipo anafotokoza zonse zimene Mulungu anachita kudzera mwa iwo ndiponso mmene Iye anatsekulira a mitundu ina njira ya chikhulupiriro. Ndipo anakhala kumeneko ndi ophunzira nthawi yayitali.
Msonkhano wa ku Yerusalemu
Anthu ena ochokera ku Yudeya anafika ku Antiokeya ndipo amaphunzitsa abale kuti, “Ngati simuchita mdulidwe potsata mwambo wa Mose, simungapulumuke.” Zimenezi zinachititsa Paulo ndi Barnaba kuti atsutsane nawo kwambiri. Kotero Paulo ndi Barnaba anasankhidwa pamodzi ndi abale ena kuti apite ku Yerusalemu kukaonana ndi atumwi ndi akulu ampingo kukakambirana za nkhaniyi. Mpingo unawaperekeza, ndipo pamene amadutsa ku Foinike ndi Samariya, iwo anafotokoza momwe a mitundu ina anatembenukira mtima. Nkhani imeneyi inakondweretsa kwambiri abale onse. Atafika ku Yerusalemu, iwo analandiridwa ndi mpingo, pamodzi ndi atumwi ndiponso akulu ampingo. Paulo ndi Barnaba anawafotokozera zonse zimene Mulungu anachita kudzera mwa iwo.
Kenaka, okhulupirira ena amene kale anali a gulu la Afarisi anayimirira ndipo anati, “Anthu a mitundu ina ayenera kuchita mdulidwe ndi kusunga malamulo a Mose.”
Atumwi ndi akulu ampingo anasonkhana kuti akambirane za nkhaniyi. Atakambirana kwambiri Petro anayimirira, ndipo anawayankhula nati: “Abale, mukudziwa kuti masiku oyambirira Mulungu anandisankha ine pakati panu kuti anthu a mitundu ina amve kuchokera pakamwa panga mawu a Uthenga Wabwino ndi kukhulupirira. Mulungu amene amadziwa mtima wa munthu, Iye anaonetsa kuti anawalandira powapatsa Mzimu Woyera, monga momwe anachita kwa ife. Iye sanasiyanitse pakati pa ife ndi iwo, pakuti anayeretsa mitima yawo mwachikhulupiriro. Tsopano, chifukwa chiyani mukuyesa Mulungu poyika goli mʼkhosi la ophunzira, limene ngakhale ife kapena makolo athu sangathe kulisenza? Osatero! Ife tikukhulupirira kuti tinapulumutsidwa mwachisomo cha Ambuye athu Yesu Khristu, monga iwonso anachitira.”
Gulu lonse linakhala chete pamene amamvetsera Barnaba ndi Paulo akuwawuza za zizindikiro zodabwitsa zimene Mulungu anazichita pakati pa anthu a mitundu ina kudzera mwa iwo. Iwo atatha kuyankhula, Yakobo anayankhula nati: “Abale, tandimverani. Simoni watifotokozera mmene Mulungu poyamba paja anaonetsa kukhudzidwa kwake pomwe anatenga anthu a mitundu ina kukhala ake. Mawu a aneneri akuvomereza zimenezi, monga kwalembedwa kuti,
“ ‘Zitatha izi Ine ndidzabwerera
ndipo ndidzamanganso nyumba ya Davide imene inagwa.
Ndidzakonzanso malo amene anagumuka,
ndi kuyimanganso,
kuti anthu otsalawo afunefune Ambuye,
ndi anthu onse a mitundu ina amene atchedwa ndi dzina langa,
akutero Ambuye, amene amachita zinthu zimenezi
zinaululidwa kuyambira kalekale.’
“Chifukwa chake, ine ndikuweruza kuti tisamavute anthu a mitundu ina amene atembenuka mtima kutsata Mulungu. Koma tiwalembere iwo, kuwawuza kuti asadye chakudya choperekedwa kwa mafano, apewenso dama, asadyenso nyama zochita kupotola kapena kudya magazi. Pakuti malamulo a Mose akhala akulalikidwa mu mzinda uliwonse, kuyambira kalekale ndipo amawerengedwa mʼMasunagoge tsiku la Sabata.”
Kalata Yopita kwa Anthu a Mitundu ina
Pamenepo atumwi ndi akulu ampingo, pamodzi ndi mpingo onse, anagwirizana zosankha anthu ena pakati pawo kuti awatume ku Antiokeya pamodzi ndi Paulo ndi Bamaba. Iwo anasankha Yudasi, wotchedwa Barsaba ndi Sila, anthu awiri amene anali atsogoleri pakati pa abale, kuti akapereke kalata yonena kuti,
Kuchokera kwa atumwi ndi akulu ampingo, abale anu,
Kwa anthu a mitundu ina okhulupirira a ku Antiokeya, Siriya ndi Kilikiya:
Tikupereka moni.
Ife tamva kuti anthu ena ochokera pakati pathu, amene sitinawatume anakusokonezani maganizo ndi kukuvutitsani ndi zimene amakuwuzani. Tsono ife tagwirizana kuti, tisankhe anthu ena ndi kuwatumiza kwa inu pamodzi ndi abale athu okondedwa Paulo ndi Barnaba, anthu amene anapereka moyo wawo chifukwa cha dzina la Ambuye athu Yesu Khristu. Nʼchifukwa chake, tikutumiza Yudasi ndi Sila kuti adzachitire umboni ndi mawu a pakamwa pawo za zimene ife talemba. Pakuti zinakomera Mzimu Woyera ndiponso ife kuti tisakusenzetseni katundu wina, kupatula zoyenera zokhazi: Mupewe kudya chakudya choperekedwa nsembe kwa mafano, musadye magazi, kapena nyama yopha mopotola ndiponso musachite dama. Mudzachita bwino mukapewa zimenezi.
Tsalani bwino.
Anthu aja anatumidwa ndipo anafika ku Antiokeya, kumene anasonkhanitsa mpingo pamodzi napereka kalatayo. Anthuwo anawerenga kalatayo ndipo abalewo anakondwa chifukwa cha mawu ake achirimbikitso. Yudasi ndi Sila amene analinso aneneri, ananena zambiri zowalimbikitsa ndi kuwapatsa mphamvu abalewo. Atakhala kumeneko kwa kanthawi, abale aja anatsanzikana nawo mwamtendere kuti abwerere kwa amene anawatuma. Koma Sila anasankha kuti akhale komweko. Koma Paulo ndi Barnaba anatsalira ku Antiokeya kumene iwo pamodzi ndi ena ambiri anaphunzitsa ndi kulalikira Mawu a Ambuye.
Paulo Asiyana ndi Barnaba
Patapita masiku ena Paulo anati kwa Barnaba, “Tiyeni tibwerere kuti tikaone abale ku mizinda yonse imene tinalalika Mawu a Ambuye ndipo tikaone mmene akuchitira.” Barnaba anafuna kutenga Yohane, wotchedwanso Marko, kuti apite nawo. Koma Paulo anaganiza kuti sichinali cha nzeru kumutenga Yohane chifukwa iye anawathawa ku Pamfiliya ndipo sanapitirire nawo pa ntchito. Iwo anatsutsana kwambiri kotero kuti anapatukana. Barnaba anatenga Marko ndipo anakwera sitima ya pamadzi kupita ku Kupro. Paulo anasankha Sila. Abale atawapempherera kwa Ambuye kuti alandire chisomo, ananyamuka. Iye anadutsa ku Siriya ndi ku Kilikiya kupita akulimbikitsa mipingo.
Timoteyo Atsagana ndi Paulo ndi Sila
Paulo anafika ku Derbe ndi Lusitra, kumene kumakhala ophunzira wina dzina lake Timoteyo. Amayi ake anali Myuda wokhulupirira, koma abambo ake anali Mgriki. Abale a ku Lusitra ndi Ikoniya anamuchitira iye umboni wabwino. Paulo anafuna kumutenga pa ulendo, kotero anachita mdulidwe chifukwa cha Ayuda amene amakhala mʼderalo pakuti onse amadziwa kuti abambo ake anali Mgriki. Pamene amayenda mzinda ndi mzinda, amafotokoza zimene atumwi ndi akulu ampingo ku Yerusalemu anagwirizana kuti anthu azitsatire. Kotero mipingo inalimbikitsidwa mʼchikhulupiriro ndipo anthu amachulukirachulukirabe tsiku ndi tsiku.
Paulo Awona Masomphenya
Paulo ndi anzake anadutsa mayiko a Frugiya ndi Galatiya, Mzimu Woyera atawaletsa kulalikira Mawu a Mulungu ku Asiya. Atafika ku malire a Musiya, anayesa kulowa ku Bituniya, koma Mzimu wa Yesu sunawalole kutero. Ndipo iwo anadutsa Musiya ndipo anapita ku Trowa. Nthawi ya usiku Paulo anaona masomphenya, munthu wa ku Makedoniya atayimirira ndi kumupempha kuti, “Bwerani ku Makedoniya, mudzatithandize.” Paulo ataona masomphenyawa, tinakonzeka kupita ku Makedoniya, kutsimikiza kuti Mulungu anatiyitana kuti tikalalikire Uthenga Wabwino.
Lidia Atembenuka Mtima ku Filipi
Kuchokera ku Trowa tinakwera sitima ya pamadzi kupita ku Samotrake ndipo mmawa mwake tinapitirira mpaka ku Neapoli. Kuchokera kumeneko tinapita ku Filipi, boma la Aroma ndiponso mzinda waukulu wa dera la Makedoniya. Tinakhala kumeneko masiku owerengeka.
Pa tsiku la Sabata tinatuluka mu mzindawo kupita ku mtsinje kumene timayembekezera kukapeza malo opempherera. Tinakhala pansi ndipo tinayamba kuyankhula ndi amayi amene anasonkhana pamenepo. Mmodzi wa amayi amene amamvetserawo ndi Lidiya amene amagulitsa nsalu zofiira, wochokera ku mzinda wa Tiyatira, ndipo amapembedza Mulungu. Ambuye anatsekula mtima wake kuti amve mawu a Paulo. Iye ndi a mʼbanja lake atabatizidwa, anatiyitana kuti tipite ku nyumba yake. Iye anati, “Ngati mwanditenga ine kukhala wokhulupirira mwa Ambuye, bwerani mudzakhale mʼnyumba mwanga.” Ndipo anatiwumiriza ife kwambiri.
Paulo ndi Sila Mʼndende
Tsiku lina pamene timapita kumalo wopempherera, tinakumana ndi mtsikana wina amene anali ndi mzimu woyipa umene umanena zamʼtsogolo. Iye amapezera ndalama zambiri ambuye ake pa ulosi wake. Mtsikanayu anatsatira Paulo ndi ife, akufuwula kuti, “Anthu awa ndi atumiki a Mulungu Wammwambamwamba, amene akukuwuzani inu njira yachipulumutso.” Iye anachita izi masiku ambiri. Kenaka Paulo anavutika mu mtima, natembenuka ndipo anati kwa mzimuwo, “Ndikukulamula iwe mʼdzina la Yesu Khristu kuti utuluke mwa iye!” Nthawi yomweyo mzimuwo unatuluka.
Pamene ambuye a mtsikana uja anazindikira kuti chiyembekezo chawo chopezera ndalama chatha, anagwira Paulo ndi Sila nawakokera ku bwalo la akulu. Anawabweretsa iwo kwa oweruza milandu ndipo anati, “Anthu awa ndi Ayuda, iwo akuvutitsa mu mzinda wathu. Ndipo akuphunzitsa miyambo imene ife Aroma sitiloledwa kuyilandira kapena kuyichita.”
Gulu la anthu linatsutsana ndi Paulo ndi Sila, ndipo woweruza milandu analamula kuti avulidwe ndi kumenyedwa. Atawakwapula kwambiri anawaponya mʼndende, nalamula woyangʼanira kuti awasunge mosamalitsa. Chifukwa cha mawu amenewa woyangʼanira ndende anakawayika mʼchipinda chamʼkati mwa ndende, nawamangirira miyendo yawo mʼzigologolo.
Koma pakati pa usiku Paulo ndi Sila ankapemphera ndi kuyimba nyimbo zolemekeza Mulungu, ndipo akayidi ena ankamvetsera. Mwadzidzidzi kunachitika chivomerezi champhamvu kotero kuti maziko a ndende anagwedezeka. Nthawi yomweyo zitseko zonse za ndende zinatsekuka, ndipo maunyolo a aliyense anamasuka. Woyangʼanira ndende uja atadzuka ku tulo, anaona kuti zitseko za ndende zinali zotsekula, ndipo anasolola lupanga lake nafuna kudzipha chifukwa ankaganiza kuti amʼndende athawa. Koma Paulo anafuwula kuti, “Usadzipweteke! Tonse tilipo!”
Woyangʼanira ndendeyo anayitanitsa nyale, nathamangira mʼkati ndipo anadzigwetsa pa mapazi a Paulo ndi Sila akunjenjemera. Iye anawatulutsa kunja ndipo anawafunsa kuti, “Amuna inu, ndichite chiyani kuti ndipulumuke?”
Iwo anayankha kuti, “Khulupirira Ambuye Yesu ndipo udzapulumuka, iwe ndi a mʼbanja lako.” Kenaka analalikira mawu a Ambuye kwa iyeyo ndi onse amene anali mʼnyumba mwake. Usiku womwewo woyangʼanira ndendeyo anawatenga nakawatsuka mabala awo; ndipo pomwepo iye ndi a mʼbanja lake anabatizidwa. Woyangʼanira ndendeyo anapita nawo ku nyumba yake, nakawapatsa chakudya, ndipo banja lonse linadzazidwa ndi chimwemwe chifukwa anakhulupirira Mulungu.
Kutacha, woweruza milandu uja anatuma asilikali kwa woyangʼanira ndendeyo kukanena kuti, “Amasuleni anthu aja.” Woyangʼanira ndendeyo anawuza Paulo kuti, “Woweruza milandu walamula kuti iwe ndi Sila mumasulidwe. Tsopano muzipita. Pitani mumtendere.”
Koma Paulo anati kwa asilikaliwo: “Iwo anatikwapula pa gulu la anthu asanatiweruze, ngakhale kuti ndife nzika za Chiroma natiponya mʼndende. Kodi tsopano akufuna kutitulutsa mwamseri? Ayi! Asiyeni abwere okha kuti adzatitulutse.”
Asilikali aja anakafotokozera woweruza milandu ndipo pamene anamva kuti Paulo ndi Sila anali nzika za Chiroma, anachita mantha. Iye anabwera kudzawapepesa ndipo anawatulutsa mʼndende, nawapempha kuti achoke mu mzindawo. Paulo ndi Sila atatuluka mʼndende, anapita ku nyumba ya Lidiya, kumene anakumana ndi abale nawalimbikitsa. Kenaka anachoka.
Paulo ku Tesalonika
Atadutsa ku Amfipoli ndi Apoloniya, anafika ku Tesalonika, kumene kunali sunagoge ya Ayuda. Paulo, monga mwachizolowezi chake, analowa mʼsunagoge, ndipo anakambirana nawo Mawu a Mulungu kwa masabata atatu, kuwafotokozera ndi kuwatsimikizira kuti Khristu anayenera kufa ndi kuuka. Iye anati, “Yesu amene ndikukulalikirani ndiye Khristu.” Ena mwa Ayuda anakopeka mtima ndipo anatsatira Paulo ndi Sila, monganso linachitira gulu lalikulu la Agriki woopa Mulungu, pamodzi ndi amayi odziwika ambiri.
Koma Ayuda ena anachita nsanje; kotero anasonkhanitsa anthu akhalidwe loyipa ochokera pa msika ndipo napanga gulu nayambitsa chipolowe mu mzindawo. Anathamangira ku nyumba ya Yasoni kukafuna Paulo ndi Sila kuti awabweretse pa gulu la anthu. Koma atalephera kuwapeza, anakokera Yasoniyo ndi abale ena ku bwalo la akulu a mzindawo akufuwula kuti, “Anthu awa, Paulo ndi Sila, amene akhala akusokoneza dziko lonse lapansi, tsopano afikanso kuno. Yasoni ndiye anawalandira mʼnyumba mwake. Onsewa akuchita zotsutsana ndi malamulo a Kaisara pomanena kuti palinso mfumu ina, yotchedwa Yesu.” Atamva zimenezi, gulu la anthu ndi akulu a mzinda anavutika mu mtima. Iwo analipiritsa Yasoni ndi anzakewo ndipo anawamasula.
Ku Bereya
Mdima utagwa, abale anatumiza Paulo ndi Sila ku Bereya. Atafika kumeneko anapita ku sunagoge ya Ayuda. Tsopano anthu a ku Bereya anali akhalidwe labwino kusiyana ndi Atesalonika, pakuti iwo analandira mawu ndi chidwi chachikulu ndipo ankasanthula Malemba tsiku ndi tsiku kuti aone ngati zimene ankanena Paulozo zinali zoona. Ayuda ambiri anakhulupirira, monga anachitiranso amayi ndi amuna ambiri odziwika a Chigriki.
Ayuda a ku Tesalonika atadziwa kuti Paulo akulalikira Mawu a Mulungu ku Bereya, anapitanso kumeneko, ndi kuwutsa mitima ya anthu nayambitsa chisokonezo. Nthawi yomweyo abale anatumiza Paulo ku nyanja koma Sila ndi Timoteyo anatsalira ku Bereya. Anthu amene anamuperekeza Paulo nafika naye ku Atene, ndipo anabwerera ku Bereya atawuzidwa kuti Sila ndi Timoteyo amutsatire msanga.
Ku Atene
Paulo akudikira Timoteyo ndi Sila ku Atene, anavutika mu mtima kwambiri poona kuti mzindawo unali odzaza ndi mafano. Tsono anakambirana ndi Ayuda ndi Agriki amene amaopa Mulungu mʼsunagoge, komanso anthu amene amapezeka pa msika tsiku ndi tsiku ndi ena amene amakumana nawo. Gulu la Aepikureya ndi Astoiki, anthu anzeru, anayamba kutsutsana naye. Ena a iwo anafunsa kuti, “Kodi wolongololayu akufuna kunena chiyani?” Enanso anati, “Akuoneka ngati akulalikira milungu yachilendo.” Iwo ananena zimenezi chifukwa Paulo amalalikira Uthenga Wabwino wa Yesu ndi kuuka kwa akufa. Kenaka iwo anamutenga nafika naye ku bwalo la Areopagi kumene anamufunsa kuti, “Kodi tingadziweko chiphunzitso chatsopano chimene ukuchifotokozachi? Iwe ukubweretsa zinthu zina zachilendo mʼmakutu mwathu, ndipo ife tikufuna tidziwe tanthauzo lake.” Atene onse ndi alendo amene amakhala kumeneko samachita kanthu kena koma kufotokoza ndi kumvera fundo zatsopano.
Paulo anayimirira mʼbwalo la Areopagi nati: “Inu anthu a ku Atene! Ine ndikuona kuti mʼnjira zonse ndinu opembedza kwambiri. Pakuti pamene ndimayenda ndi kuona zinthu zimene mumazipembedza, ndapezanso guwa lansembe lolembedwapo kuti, kwa mulungu wosadziwika. Tsopano chimene mumachipembedza osachidziwa ndi chimene ndikuchilalikira.
“Mulungu amene analenga dziko lapansi ndiponso zonse zili mʼmenemo ndiye Ambuye wakumwamba ndi dziko lapansi ndipo sakhala mʼnyumba zachipembedzo zomangidwa ndi manja. Ndipo satumikiridwa ndi manja a anthu ngati kuti Iye amasowa kanthu, chifukwa Iye ndiye amapereka moyo ndi mpweya kwa anthu onse ndi zina zonse. Kuchoka kwa munthu mmodzi Iye analenga mtundu uliwonse wa anthu, kuti akakhale pa dziko lonse lapansi; ndipo Iye anakonzeratu nthawi yawo ndiponso malo enieni kumene adzakhale. Mulungu anachita izi kuti anthu amufunefune, ndikuti pomufunafunapo amupeze ngakhale kuti Iye sali kutali ndi aliyense wa ife. ‘Pakuti timakhala mwa Iye, kuyenda mwa Iye ndi kukhala moyo mwa Iye.’ Monga olemba ndakatulo anu ena akuti, ‘Ife ndi zidzukulu zake.’
“Tsono popeza ndife ana a Mulungu, tisaganize kuti umulungu wake ndi wofanana ndi ndalama zagolide, zasiliva, mwala, kapenanso fanizo lopangidwa mwaluso la nzeru za anthu. Nthawi imene anthu sankadziwa, Mulungu anawalekerera koma tsopano akulamulira kuti anthu onse, kulikonse atembenuke mtima. Pakuti Iye wayika tsiku limene adzaweruze dziko lapansi mwa chilungamo kudzera mwa Munthu amene anamusankha. Iye watsimikizira anthu onse zimenezi pomuukitsa.”
Atamva za kuuka kwa akufa, ena a iwo anaseka, koma enanso anati, “Ife tikufuna tidzamvenso zimenezi tsiku lina.” Ndipo Paulo anatuluka mʼBwalolo. Anthu ena ochepa anamutsatira Paulo ndipo anakhulupirira. Pakati pawo panali Dionisiyo mmodzi wa bwalo la Areopagi ndi mayi wina wotchedwa Damalisi ndi enanso.
Ku Korinto
Zitatha izi, Paulo anachoka ku Atene ndipo anapita ku Korinto. Kumeneko anakumana ndi Myuda wina dzina lake Akula, nzika ya ku Ponto amene anali atangofika kumene kuchokera ku Italiya pamodzi ndi mkazi wake Prisila, chifukwa Klaudiyo analamula Ayuda onse kuti achoke ku Roma. Paulo anapita kukawaona. Popeza Paulo anali mʼmisiri wosoka matenti monga iwo, iye anakhala nawo namagwirira ntchito pamodzi. Tsiku la Sabata lililonse Paulo amakambirana ndi anthu mʼsunagoge, kufuna kukopa Ayuda ndi Agriki.
Sila ndi Timoteyo atafika kuchokera ku Makedoniya, Paulo ankangogwira ntchito yolalikira yokha basi, kuchitira umboni Ayuda kuti Yesu ndiye Khristu. Koma pamene Ayuda anatsutsana naye ndi kumuchita chipongwe, iye anakutumula zovala zake nati, “Magazi anu akhale pamitu yanu! Ine ndilibe mlandu. Kuyambira tsopano ndipita kwa anthu a mitundu ina.”
Ndipo Paulo anatuluka mʼsunagoge napita ku nyumba yoyandikana ndi sunagoge ya Tito Yusto, munthu wopembedza Mulungu. Krispo, mkulu wa sunagoge, pamodzi ndi a pa banja lake lonse anakhulupirira Ambuye; ndiponso Akorinto ambiri amene anamva Paulo akulalikira anakhulupiriranso nabatizidwa.
Usiku wina Ambuye anaonekera kwa Paulo mʼmasomphenya namuwuza kuti, “Usaope, pitiriza kuyankhula, usakhale chete. Pakuti Ine ndili nawe, palibe aliyense amene adzakukhudza ndi kukuchitira choyipa, chifukwa mu mzinda muno ndili ndi anthu ambiri.” Choncho Paulo anakhala kumeneko chaka ndi miyezi isanu ndi umodzi akuphunzitsa Mawu a Mulungu.
Galiyo ali mkulu wa boma wa ku Akaya, Ayuda mogwirizana anamugwira Paulo napita naye ku bwalo la milandu. Iwo anati, “Munthu uyu akukopa anthu kuti azipembedza Mulungu mwanjira zotsutsana ndi malamulo athu.”
Pamene Paulo ankati ayankhule, Galiyo anati kwa Ayuda, “Ukanakhala mlandu wochita choyipa kapena wolakwira mnzake, bwenzi nditakumverani bwinobwino. Koma popeza ndi nkhani yokhudza mawu, mayina ndi malamulo anu, kambiranani nokhanokha. Ine sindidzaweruza zinthu zimenezi.” Kotero iye anawapirikitsa mʼbwalo la milandu. Kenaka iwo anagwira Sositene, mkulu wa sunagoge, ndipo anamumenya mʼbwalo la milandu momwemo. Koma Galiyo sanasamale zimenezi.
Prisila, Akula ndi Apolo
Paulo anakhalabe ku Korinto masiku ambiri. Kenaka anawasiya abale nakwera sitima ya pamadzi kupita ku Siriya, pamodzi ndi Prisila ndi Akula. Asanakakwere sitima ya pamadzi, anameta tsitsi lake ku Kenkreya chifukwa anali atalumbira. Iwo anafika ku Efeso, kumene Paulo anasiyako Prisila ndi Akula. Iye yekha analowa mʼsunagoge nakambirana ndi Ayuda. Iwo atapempha kuti akakhale nawo nthawi yayitali, iye anakana. Koma pamene amachoka anawalonjeza kuti, “Ndidzabweranso Mulungu akalola.” Ndipo anakwera sitima ya pamadzi kuchoka ku Efeso. Pamene Paulo anafika ku Kaisareya, anakwera kukapereka moni ku mpingo kenaka anatsikira ku Antiokeya.
Atakhala kwa kanthawi ku Antiokeya, Paulo anachokako nayendera madera onse a ku Galatiya ndi ku Frugiya kulimbikitsa ophunzira onse.
Za Apolo
Pa nthawi yomweyi Myuda wina dzina lake Apolo, mbadwa ya ku Alekisandriya anafika ku Efeso. Anali munthu wophunzira ndi wodziwa bwino Malemba. Apoloyu anaphunzitsidwa njira ya Ambuye, ndipo anayankhula ndi changu chachikulu naphunzitsa za Yesu molondola, ngakhale amadziwa ubatizo wa Yohane wokha. Iye anayamba kuyankhula mʼsunagoge molimba mtima. Pamene Prisila ndi Akula anamva, iwo anamuyitanira ku nyumba yawo ndipo anamufotokozera njira ya Mulungu molongosoka bwino.
Pamene Apolo anafuna kupita ku Akaya, abale anamulimbikitsa, nalemba kalata kwa ophunzira a kumeneko kuti amulandire. Atafika kumeneko, anathandiza kwambiri amene anakhulupirira mwachisomo. Pakuti iye anatsutsa Ayuda mwamphamvu pamaso pa anthu, natsimikiza kuchokera mʼMalemba kuti Yesu ndiye Khristu.
Paulo ku Efeso
Apolo ali ku Korinto, Paulo anadutsa mʼmayiko a ku mtunda ndipo anafika ku Efeso. Kumeneko anapeza ophunzira ena. Iye anawafunsa kuti, “Kodi munalandira Mzimu Woyera pamene munakhulupirira?”
Iwo anayankha kuti, “Ayi, ife sitinamvepo kuti kuli Mzimu Woyera.”
Tsono Paulo anawafunsa kuti, “Nanga munabatizidwa ndi ubatizo wotani?”
Iwo anati, “Ubatizo wa Yohane.”
Paulo anati, “Ubatizo wa Yohane unali wa kutembenuka mtima. Iye anawuza anthu kuti akhulupirire amene amabwera, ameneyo ndiye Yesu.” Atamva zimenezi, anabatizidwa mʼdzina la Ambuye Yesu. Pamene Paulo anawasanjika manja, Mzimu Woyera anadza pa iwo ndipo anayankhula mʼmalilime ndipo ananenera. Anthu onsewo analipo khumi ndi awiri.
Paulo analowa mʼsunagoge ndipo anayankhula molimba mtima kwa miyezi itatu, kuwatsutsa mowakopa za ufumu wa Mulungu. Koma ena anawumitsa mitima; anakana kukhulupirira ndipo ananyoza Njirayo pa gulu la anthu. Kotero Paulo anawasiya. Iye anatenga ophunzirawo ndipo amakambirana tsiku ndi tsiku mʼsukulu ya Turano. Izi zinachitika kwa zaka ziwiri, kotero kuti Ayuda onse ndi Agriki amene amakhala ku Asiya anamva Mawu a Ambuye.
Mulungu anachita zodabwitsa zapadera kudzera mwa Paulo. Kotero kuti mipango yopukutira thukuta ndi yovala pogwira ntchito, zomwe zinakhudza thupi la Paulo amapita nazo kwa odwala ndipo amachiritsidwa ndiponso mizimu yoyipa mwa iwo imatuluka.
Za Ana a Skeva
Ayuda ena amene ankayendayenda kutulutsa mizimu yoyipa anayesa kugwiritsa ntchito dzina la Ambuye Yesu pa amene anali ndi ziwanda. Iwo popemphera amati, “Ine ndikulamulira utuluke, mʼdzina la Yesu amene Paulo amamulalikira.” Amene ankachita zimenezi anali ana asanu ndi awiri a Skeva, mkulu wa ansembe wa Chiyuda. Tsiku lina mzimu woyipa unawayankha kuti, “Yesu ndimamudziwa ndiponso Paulo ndimamudziwa, nanga inu ndinu ndani?” Pamenepo munthu amene anali ndi mzimu woyipa anawalumphira nawagwira onse. Iye anawamenya kwambiri, kotero kuti anathawa mʼnyumbamo ali maliseche, akutuluka magazi.
Ayuda ndi Agriki okhala ku Efeso atamva zimenezi, anachita mantha, ndipo anthu anachitira ulemu dzina la Ambuye Yesu koposa. Ambiri a iwo amene tsopano anakhulupirira anafika ndi kuvomereza poyera ntchito zawo zoyipa. Ambiri amene amachita za matsenga anasonkhanitsa mabuku awo pamodzi nawatentha pamaso pa anthu onse. Atawonkhetsa mtengo wa mabukuwo, unakwanira ndalama zasiliva 50,000. Kotero Mawu a Ambuye anapitirira kufalikira ndipo anagwira ntchito mwamphamvu.
Zonsezi zitachitika Paulo anatsimikiza zopita ku Yerusalemu kudzera ku Makedoniya ndi ku Akaya. Iye anati, “Kuchokera kumeneko, ndiyenera kukafikanso ku Roma.” Iye anatuma anthu awiri amene amamuthandiza, Timoteyo ndi Erasto ku Makedoniya, pamene iye anakhalabe ku Asiya kwa kanthawi.
Chipolowe ku Efeso
Pa nthawi yomweyo panachitika chipolowe chachikulu chifukwa cha Njira ya Ambuye. Mmisiri wantchito zasiliva, dzina lake Demetriyo, amene amapanga mafano asiliva a Atemi ankabweretsa phindu lalikulu kwa amisiri a kumeneko. Iye anasonkhanitsa pamodzi amisiriwo, pamodzinso ndi anthu ena ogwira ntchito yomweyo ndipo anati, “Anthu inu, mukudziwa kuti ife timapeza chuma chathu kuchokera pa ntchito imeneyi. Ndipo inu mukuona ndi kumva kuti munthu uyu Paulo wakopa ndi kusokoneza anthu ambiri a ku Efeso ndiponso pafupifupi dziko lonse la Asiya. Iye akunena kuti milungu yopangidwa ndi anthu si milungu ayi. Choopsa ndi chakuti sikungowonongeka kwa ntchito yathu yokha ayi, komanso kuti nyumba ya mulungu wamkulu wamkazi Atemi idzanyozedwa ndipo mulungu wamkazi weniweniyo amene amapembedzedwa ku Asiya konse ndi dziko lapansi, ukulu wake udzawonongekanso.”
Atamva zimenezi, anakwiya kwambiri ndipo anayamba kufuwula kuti, “Wamkulu ndi Atemi.” Nthawi yomweyo mu mzinda wonse munabuka chipolowe. Anthu anagwira Gayo ndi Aristariko, anzake a Paulo a ku Makedoniya, ndipo anathamangira nawo ku bwalo la masewero. Paulo anafuna kulowa pakati pa gulu la anthu, koma ophunzira anamuletsa. Ngakhale olamulira ena aderalo, amene anali abwenzi a Paulo, anatumiza uthenga kumuletsa kuti asayesere kulowa mʼbwalomo.
Munali chisokonezo mʼbwalomo pakuti ena amafuwula zina, enanso zina. Anthu ambiri sanadziwe ngakhale chomwe anasonkhanira. Ayuda anamukankhira Alekisandro kutsogolo, ndipo ena anafuwula kumulangiza iye. Iye anatambasula dzanja kuti anthu akhale chete kuti afotokozere anthu nkhaniyo. Koma pamene anthuwo anazindikira kuti ndi Myuda, onse pamodzi kwa maora awiri anafuwula kuti, “Wamkulu ndi Atemi wa ku Efeso!”
Mlembi wa mzindawo anakhazikitsa bata gulu la anthuwo ndipo anati, “Anthu a ku Efeso, kodi ndani pa dziko lonse lapansi amene sadziwa kuti mzinda wa Efeso umayangʼanira nyumba ya mulungu wamkulu Atemi ndi fanizo lake, limene linagwa kuchokera kumwamba? Chifukwa chake popeza zinthu izi palibe amene angazikane, inu mukuyenera kukhala chete osachita kanthu kalikonse mofulumira. Inu mwabweretsa anthu awa pano, ngakhale kuti iwo sanabe mʼnyumba zathu zamapemphero kapena kunenera chipongwe mulungu wathu wamkazi. Ngati tsono Demetriyo ndi amisiri anzake ali ndi nkhani ndi munthu wina aliyense, mabwalo a milandu alipo, oweruza aliponso. Akhoza kukapereka nkhaniyo kwa oweruza milanduwo. Ngati mukufuna kubweretsa kanthu kali konse, ziyenera kukatsimikizidwa ndi bwalo lovomerezeka. Monga mmene zililimu, ife titha kuzengedwa mlandu woyambitsa chipolowe chifukwa cha zimene zachitika lerozi. Motero ife sitingathe kufotokoza za chipolowechi popeza palibe nkhani yake.” Iye atatha kunena zimenezi anawuza gulu la anthulo kuti libalalike.
Paulo Apita ku Makedoniya ndi ku Grisi
Litatha phokoso, Paulo anayitanitsa ophunzira ndipo atawalimbikitsa anawatsanzika ndipo ananyamuka kupita ku Makedoniya. Iye anayendera madera a kumeneko, nalimbitsa mtima anthu, ndipo pomaliza pake anapita ku Grisi. Kumeneko anakhala miyezi itatu. Popeza kuti Ayuda anakonza zomuchita chiwembu pamene amati azinyamuka kupita ku Siriya pa sitima ya pamadzi, iye anaganiza zobwereranso kudzera ku Makedoniya. Iye anapita pamodzi ndi Sopatro mwana wa Puro wa ku Bereya, Aristariko ndi Sekundo a ku Tesalonika, Gayo wa ku Derbe ndi Timoteyo, ndipo a ku Asiya anali Tukiko ndi Trofimo. Anthu amenewa anatsogola ndipo anakatidikira ku Trowa. Koma ife tinayenda pa sitima ya pamadzi kuchokera ku Filipi chitatha Chikondwerero cha Buledi wopanda Yisiti. Patapita masiku asanu tinakumana nawo enawo ku Trowa, ndipo tinakhala kumeneko masiku asanu ndi awiri.
Paulo Aukitsa Utiko ku Trowa
Pa tsiku loyamba la Sabata, tinasonkhana kuti tidye mgonero. Paulo analalikira kwa anthu chifukwa anaganiza zoti achoke tsiku linalo, ndipo analalika mpaka pakati pa usiku. Munali nyale zambiri mʼchipinda chammwamba mʼmene tinasonkhanamo. Pa chipinda chachitatu chammwamba cha nyumbayo, pa zenera, panakhala mnyamata wina dzina lake Utiko, amene ankasinza pomwe Paulo amayankhulabe. Atagona tulo, iye anagwa pansi kuchokera pa chipinda chammwamba ndipo anamutola atafa. Paulo anatsika, nadziponya pa mnyamatayo, namukumbatira. Paulo anati, “Musadandaule, ali moyo!” Kenaka Paulo anakweranso, mʼchipinda muja nanyema buledi nadya. Atayankhula mpaka kucha, anachoka. Anthu anatenga mnyamatayo kupita kwawo ali moyo ndipo anatonthozedwa mtima kwambiri.
Paulo Alawirana ndi Akulu Ampingo a ku Efeso
Ife tinatsogola kukakwera sitima ya pa madzi kupita ku Aso, kumene tinayembekeza kukatenga Paulo. Iye anakonza motero chifukwa amayenda wapansi. Pamene anakumana nafe ku Aso tinamutenga ndipo tinapita ku Mitilene. Mmawa mwake tinachoka kumeneko pa sitima ya pamadzi ndipo tinafika pafupi ndi Kiyo. Tsiku linalo tinawolokera ku Samo, ndipo tsiku linanso tinafika ku Mileto. Paulo anali atatsimikiza kuti alambalale Efeso kuopa kutaya nthawi ku Asiya, pakuti ankafulumira kuti akafike ku Yerusalemu kuti ngati nʼkotheka kuti tsiku la Pentekosite akakhale ali ku Yerusalemu.
Paulo ali ku Mileto, anatumiza mawu ku Efeso kuyitana akulu ampingo. Iwo atafika, Paulo anati, “Inu mukudziwa mmene ndinakhalira nanu nthawi yonse imene ndinali nanu kuyambira tsiku loyamba limene ndinafika ku Asiya. Ndinatumikira Ambuye modzichepetsa kwambiri ndiponso ndi misozi, ngakhale ndinayesedwa kwambiri ndi ziwembu za Ayuda. Inu mukudziwa kuti, sindinakubisireni kanthu kalikonse kopindulitsa koma ndinakuphunzitsani poyera komanso nyumba ndi nyumba. Ine ndinawuza Ayuda komanso Agriki kuti ayenera kutembenukira kwa Mulungu polapa ndikuti akhulupirire Ambuye athu Yesu.
“Ndipo tsopano, mokakamizidwa ndi Mzimu, ndikupita ku Yerusalemu, sindikudziwa zimene zikandichitikire kumeneko.” Chimene ndikudziwa ndi chakuti Mzimu Woyera wandichenjeza mu mzinda uliwonse kuti ndende ndi mavuto zikundidikira. Koma sindilabadira konse za moyo wanga ngati kuti ndi wa mtengo wapatali kwa ine, malingana ndikatsirize ntchito yanga ndi utumiki umene Ambuye Yesu anandipatsa, ntchito yochitira umboni Uthenga Wabwino wachisomo cha Mulungu.
“Tsopano ndikudziwa kuti inu nonse amene ndinakuyenderani ndi kumakulalikirani ufumu wa Mulungu simudzaonanso nkhope yanga. Chifukwa chake, ine ndikukuwuzani lero kuti ndilibe mlandu ndi munthu aliyense. Pakuti sindinakubisireni pokulalikirani chifuniro chonse cha Mulungu. Mudziyangʼanire nokha ndiponso muyangʼanire gulu lankhosa limene Mzimu Woyera anakuyikani kuti mukhale oyangʼanira ake. Khalani abusa a mpingo wa Mulungu umene Iye anawugula ndi magazi ake. Ndikudziwa kuti ndikachoka ine, padzafika mimbulu yolusa pakati panu imene sidzalekerera gulu lankhosalo. Ngakhale pakati pa inu nokha padzapezeka anthu oyankhula zonama ndi cholinga chofuna kukhala ndi ophunzira kuti awatsate. Tsono inu, samalani! Kumbukirani kuti kwa zaka zitatu, usana ndi usiku ndiponso ndi misozi sindinaleke kuchenjeza aliyense wa inu.
“Tsopano ine ndikukuperekani kwa Mulungu ndiponso kwa mawu a chisomo chake, amene ali ndi mphamvu zokulitsa inu ndi kukupatsani chuma pakati pa onse amene anayeretsedwa. Ine sindinasirire siliva kapena golide kapena zovala za munthu aliyense. Inu nomwe mukudziwa kuti manja angawa ananditumikira kuti tipeze zimene ine ndi anzanga tinkazifuna. Pa zonse zimene ndinachita, ndinakuonetsani kuti pogwira ntchito molimbika motere tiyenera kuthandiza ofowoka, pokumbukira mawu a Ambuye Yesu akuti, ‘Kupereka kumadalitsa kuposa kulandira.’ ”
Atanena zimenezi, anagwada pansi pamodzi ndi ena onse, napemphera. Onse analira pamene amamukumbatira ndi kupsompsona. Chimene chinamvetsa chisoni kwambiri ndi mawu ake akuti sadzaonanso nkhope yake. Kenaka iwo anamuperekeza ku sitima yapamadzi.
Paulo Apita ku Yerusalemu
Titalawirana nawo, tinachoka kumeneko mʼsitima ya pamadzi, ndipo tinayenda molunjika mpaka kufika ku Kosi. Mmawa mwake tinapita ku Rode, kuchokera kumeneko tinapita ku Patara. Kumeneko tinapeza sitima yapamadzi yopita ku Foinike. Choncho tinalowamo nʼkunyamuka. Tinaona chilumba cha Kupro ndipo tinadutsa kummwera kwake nʼkupita ku Siriya. Tinakayima ku Turo chifukwa sitima yathuyo imayenera kusiya katundu kumeneko. Tinafunafuna ophunzira kumeneko, ndipo titawapeza tinakhala nawo masiku asanu ndi awiri. Iwowa, mwa Mzimu Woyera anakakamiza Paulo kuti asapite ku Yerusalemu. Koma nthawi yathu itatha, tinachokako ndi kupitiriza ulendo wathu. Ophunzira onse pamodzi ndi akazi awo ndi ana anatiperekeza mpaka kunja kwa mzinda. Ndipo kumeneko tinagwada mʼmbali mwa nyanja ndi kupemphera. Titatsanzikana, tinalowa mʼsitima ija, iwowo anabwerera ku nyumba zawo.
Ife tinapitiriza ulendo wathu wochokera ku Turo mpaka tinafika ku Ptolemayi. Kumeneko tinalonjera abale ndi kukhala nawo tsiku limodzi. Tinachoka mmawa mwake, mpaka tinakafika ku Kaisareya. Tinapita kukakhala mʼnyumba ya mlaliki Filipo, amene anali mmodzi mwa atumiki a mpingo asanu ndi awiri aja. Iye anali ndi ana aakazi anayi osakwatiwa amene anali ndi mphatso ya uneneri.
Titakhala kumeneko masiku ambiri, kunabwera mneneri wina wochokera ku Yudeya dzina lake Agabu. Atafika kwa ife, anatenga lamba wa Paulo, nadzimanga naye manja ake ndi mapazi ake ndipo anati, “Mzimu Woyera akuti, ‘Mwini lambayu, Ayuda adzamumanga chomwechi ku Yerusalemu, ndipo adzamupereka mʼmanja mwa anthu a mitundu ina.’ ”
Titamva zimenezi, ife pamodzi ndi anthu kumeneko tinamudandaulira Paulo kuti asapite ku Yerusalemu. Koma Paulo anayankha kuti, “Chifukwa chiyani mukulira ndi kunditayitsa mtima? Ndine wokonzeka osati kumangidwa kokha ayi, komanso kufa ku Yerusalemu chifukwa cha dzina la Ambuye Yesu.” Titalephera kumuletsa tinamuleka ndipo tinati, “Chifuniro cha Ambuye chichitike.”
Pambuyo pake, ife tinakonzeka ndi kunyamuka kumapita ku Yerusalemu. Ena mwa ophunzira a ku Kaisareya anatiperekeza mpaka kukatifikitsa ku nyumba ya Mnasoni, kumene tinakonza kuti tizikhalako. Iye anali wa ku Kupro ndiponso mmodzi wa ophunzira oyambirira.
Paulo Afika ku Yerusalemu
Titafika ku Yerusalemu, abale anatilandira mwachimwemwe. Mmawa mwake Paulo pamodzi ndi ife tonse tinapita kwa Yakobo, ndipo akulu onse a mpingo anali komweko. Paulo anawalonjera ndi kuwafotokozera mwatsatanetsatane zimene Mulungu anachita pakati pa anthu a mitundu ina kudzera mu utumiki wake.
Atamva zimenezi, iwo anayamika Mulungu. Kenaka anawuza Paulo kuti, “Mʼbale, ukuona kuti pali Ayuda ambirimbiri amene anakhulupirira, ndipo ndi okhulupirika potsatira Malamulo a Mose. Iwo anawuzidwa kuti iwe umaphunzitsa Ayuda onse amene akukhala pakati pa anthu a mitundu ina kuti asiye kutsatira Mose, kuti asamachite mdulidwe kapena kutsatira miyambo. Nanga pamenepa ife titani? Iwo adzamva ndithu kuti iwe wabwera, tsono iwe chita zimene ife tikuwuze. Tili nawo amuna anayi pano amene anachita lumbiro kwa Mulungu. Muwatenge anthu amenewa, ndipo muchite nawo mwambo wowayeretsa ndipo muwalipirire zoti apereke kuti amete tsitsi lawo. Kotero aliyense adzadziwa kuti palibe choonadi pa zimene anamva za inu, koma kuti inu mwini mumakhala moyo womvera Malamulo. Koma kunena za anthu a mitundu ina amene asandulika okhulupirira, ife tinawalembera zimene tinavomerezana zakuti asadye chakudya choperekedwa ku mafano, asadye magazi, asadye nyama yopotola ndiponso asachite zadama.”
Mmawa mwake Paulo anatenga amuna aja ndipo anachita mwambo wodziyeretsa. Kenaka anapita ku Nyumba ya Mulungu nakadziwitsa ansembe za tsiku limene adzatsiriza nthawi ya kudziyeretsa ndi kuperekera nsembe aliyense wa iwo.
Agwira Paulo
Ali pafupi kutsiriza masiku asanu ndi awiriwo, Ayuda ena ochokera ku Asiya anaona Paulo mʼNyumba ya Mulungu. Iwo anawutsa gulu lonse la anthu ndipo anamugwira Paulo, akufuwula kuti, “Inu Aisraeli, tithandizeni! Ndi uyu munthu uja amaphunzitsa anthu onse ponseponse kuti azinyoza mtundu wathu ndiponso Malamulo athu ndi malo ano. Kuwonjezera pamenepo, walowetsa Agriki mʼbwalo la Nyumba ino ndipo wadetsa malo opatulika.” Iwo ananena izi chifukwa anali ataona Trofimo wa ku Efeso ali ndi Paulo mu mzindamo ndipo iwo ankaganiza kuti Paulo anamulowetsa mʼbwalo la Nyumba ya Mulungu.
Mzinda wonse unasokonezeka, ndipo anthu anabwera akuthamanga kuchokera kumbali zonse. Anamugwira Paulo, namukokera kunja kwa Nyumbayo, ndipo nthawi yomweyo anatseka zipata. Pamene anthuwo ankafuna kupha Paulo, nkhaniyi inamveka kwa mkulu wa magulu a asilikali a Aroma kuti mzinda wonse wa Yerusalemu wasokonezeka. Nthawi yomweyo iye anatenga asilikali ndi atsogoleri a magulu a asilikali ndi kuthamangira kumene kunali anthuwo. Anthuwo ataona mkuluyo ndi asilikali ake analeka kumenya Paulo.
Mkulu wa asilikaliyo anabwera nagwira Paulo, ndipo analamula kuti amangidwe ndi maunyolo awiri. Kenaka iye anafunsa kuti ndi ndani ndipo wachita chiyani. Ena mʼgulumo anafuwula chinthu china ndi enanso chinanso. Tsono popeza mkulu wa asilikaliyo sanathe kudziwa choonadi chenicheni chifukwa cha phokoso, analamula kuti Paulo atengedwe kupita ku malo a asilikali. Paulo atafika pa makwerero olowera ku malo a asilikaliwo, ananyamulidwa ndi asilikali chifukwa cha ukali wa anthuwo. Gulu la anthu limene linamutsatira linapitiriza kufuwula kuti, “Ameneyo aphedwe basi!”
Paulo Ayankhula
Asilikali ali pafupi kulowa naye ku malo awo, iye anapempha mkulu wa asilikaliyo kuti, “Kodi mungandilole ndiyankhulepo?”
Mkulu wa asilikaliyo anafunsa kuti, “Kodi umayankhula Chigriki? Kodi sindiwe Mwigupto uja amene masiku apitawo unayambitsa kuwukira ndi kutsogolera anthu 4,000 owukira aja nʼkupita nawo ku chipululu?”
Paulo anayankha kuti, “Ine ndine Myuda, wa ku Tarisisi ku Kilikiya. Sindine nzika ya mzinda wamba. Chonde loleni ndiyankhule nawo anthuwa.”
Ataloledwa ndi mkulu wa asilikaliyo, Paulo anayimirira pa makwereropo nakweza dzanja lake kwa gulu la anthuwo. Onse atakhala chete, iye anayankhula nawo mʼChihebri.
Iye anati, “Inu abale anga ndi makolo anga, tamvani mawu akudziteteza kwanga.” Atamva iye akuyankhula Chihebri, anakhala chete.
Kenaka Paulo anati, “Ine ndine Myuda, wobadwira ku Tarisisi wa ku Kilikiya, koma ndinaleredwa mu mzinda muno, ndinaphunzitsidwa mwatsatanetsatane kusunga malamulo a makolo athu ndi Gamalieli ndipo ndinali wodzipereka pa za Mulungu monga mmene inu mulili lero. Ine ndinkazunza anthu otsatira Njirayi mpaka kuwapha. Ndinkagwira amuna ndi amayi ndi kuwayika mʼndende. Mkulu wa ansembe ndiponso akuluakulu a Ayuda angathe kundichitira umboni. Iwowa anandipatsa makalata opita nawo kwa abale awo ku Damasiko. Ndipo ndinapita kumeneko kuti ndikawagwire anthu amenewa ndi kubwera nawo ku Yerusalemu kuti adzalangidwe.
“Nthawi ya masana, nditayandikira ku Damasiko, mwadzidzidzi kuwala kwakukulu kochokera kumwamba kunandizungulira. Ndinagwa pansi ndipo ndinamva mawu akuti, ‘Saulo! Saulo! Ukundizunziranji?’ ”
Ine ndinafunsa kuti, “Ndinu ndani Ambuye?”
Iye anayankha kuti, “Ndine Yesu wa ku Nazareti, amene iwe ukumuzunza.” Anzanga a paulendo anaona kuwalako, koma sanamve mawuwo, a Iye amene amayankhula nane.
Ine ndinafunsa kuti, “Kodi ndichite chiyani Ambuye?”
Ambuye anati, “Imirira ndipo pita ku Damasiko. Kumeneko adzakuwuza zonse zimene ukuyenera kuchita.” Anzanga anandigwira dzanja kupita nane ku Damasiko, popeza kuwala kunja kunandichititsa khungu.
“Munthu wina dzina lake Hananiya anabwera kudzandiona. Iyeyu anali munthu woopa Mulungu ndi wosunga Malamulo. Ayuda onse okhala kumeneko amamupatsa ulemu waukulu. Iye anayimirira pafupi nane nati, ‘Mʼbale Saulo, penyanso!’ Ndipo nthawi yomweyo ndinapenya ndikumuona iyeyo.
“Ndipo iye anati, ‘Mulungu wa makolo athu wakusankha iwe kuti udziwe chifuniro chake ndi kuona Wolungamayo ndi kumva mawu ochokera pakamwa pake. Iwe udzakhala mboni yake kwa anthu onse pa zimene waziona ndi kuzimva. Ndipo tsopano ukudikira chiyani? Dzuka ndi kutama dzina la Ambuye mopemba, ubatizidwe ndi kuchotsa machimo ako.’
“Nditabwerera ku Yerusalemu, ndikupemphera mʼNyumba ya Mulungu, ndinachita ngati ndakomoka. Ndinaona Ambuye akundiwuza kuti, ‘Fulumira! Tuluka mu Yerusalemu msangamsanga, chifukwa anthuwa sadzavomereza umboni wako wonena za Ine.’ ”
Ine ndinayankha Ambuye kuti, “Anthu awa akudziwa kuti ine ndinkapita ku sunagoge iliyonse ndipo ndinkawaponya mʼndende ndi kuwakwapula amene ankakhulupirira inu. Ndipo pamene ankapha Stefano, ine ndinali pomwepo kuvomereza ndi kusunga zovala za amene amamupha.”
Pamenepo Ambuye anandiwuza kuti, “Nyamuka; Ine ndidzakutuma kutali kwa anthu a mitundu ina.”
Paulo Nzika ya Chiroma
Gulu la anthu linamvetsera mawu a Paulo mpaka pamene ananena izi, kenaka anakweza mawu awo nafuwula kuti, “Ameneyo aphedwe basi! Ngosayenera kukhala moyo!”
Akufuwula ndi kuponya zovala zawo ndi kuwaza fumbi kumwamba, mkulu wa asilikali analamulira kuti amutenge Paulo kupita naye ku malo a asilikali. Iye analamula kuti Paulo akwapulidwe kwambiri ndi kumufunsa kuti apeze chimene anthu ankafuwulira chotere. Atamumanga kuti amukwapule, Paulo anati kwa msilikali wolamulira asilikali 100 amene anayima pamenepo, “Kodi malamulo amalola kukwapula nzika ya Chiroma imene sinapezedwe yolakwa?”
Wolamulira asilikali 100 uja atamva zimenezi, anapita kwa mkulu wa asilikali ndi kumufotokozera. Iye anafunsa kuti, “Kodi mukuchita chiyani ndi munthuyu amene ndi nzika ya Chiroma?”
Mkulu wa asilikali uja anapita kwa Paulo ndipo anamufunsa kuti, “Tandiwuze, kodi ndiwe nzika ya Chiroma?”
Paulo anayankha kuti, “Inde.”
Kenaka mkulu wa asilikaliyo anati, “Ine ndinapereka ndalama zambiri kuti ndikhale nzika.”
Paulo anayankha kuti, “Koma ine ndinabadwa nzika.”
Iwo amene anati amufunse analeka nthawi yomweyo. Mkulu wa asilikali uja anachita mantha atazindikira kuti wamanga Paulo amene ndi nzika ya Chiroma.
Paulo ku Bwalo Lalikulu la Ayuda
Mmawa mwake, mkulu wa asilikali pofuna kupeza chifukwa chenicheni chimene Ayuda amamunenera Paulo, anamumasula ndipo analamula kuti akulu a ansembe ndi onse akuluakulu a Bwalo Lalikulu asonkhane. Ndipo iye anabweretsa Paulo namuyimiritsa patsogolo pawo.
Paulo anayangʼanitsitsa anthu a Bwalo Lalikulu nati, “Abale anga, ndakhala ndi chikumbumtima chabwino pamaso pa Mulungu mpaka lero lino.” Chifukwa cha mawu amenewa, mkulu wa ansembe Ananiya analamulira amene anali pafupi ndi Paulo kuti amumenye pakamwa. Pamenepo Paulo anamuwuza kuti, “Mulungu adzakukantha, iwe munthu wachiphamaso! Wakhala pamenepo kuti undiweruze ine monga mwalamulo, koma iweyo ukuphwanya lamulolo polamulira kuti andimenye!”
Anthu amene anayimirira pafupi ndi Paulo anati, “Bwanji ukunyoza mkulu wa ansembe wa Mulungu?”
Paulo anayankha nati, “Abale, ine sindinazindikire kuti ndi mkulu wa ansembe; pakuti kunalembedwa kuti, ‘Usayankhule zoyipa kwa mtsogoleri wa anthu ako.’ ”
Paulo atazindikira kuti ena mwa iwo anali Asaduki ndiponso ena anali Afarisi, anafuwula mʼbwalo muja kuti, “Abale anga, ine ndine Mfarisi, mwana wa Mfarisi. Ndikuweruzidwa chifukwa cha chiyembekezo cha kuuka kwa akufa.” Iye atanena zimenezi, mkangano unabuka pakati pa Afarisi ndi Asaduki mpaka anthu kugawikana. Asaduki amati kulibe kuuka kwa akufa, kulibenso ngakhale angelo kapena mizimu, koma Afarisi amakhulupirira zonsezi.
Panali phokoso lalikulu, ndipo aphunzitsi ena amalamulo amene anali a gulu la Afarisi anayimirira natsutsa kwambiri. Iwo anati, “Ife sitikupeza cholakwa ndi munthu uyu, chifukwa mwina ndi mzimu kapena mngelo amene wayankhula naye.” Mkangano unakula kwambiri kotero kuti mkulu wa asilikali anachita mantha kuti mwina anthu angakhadzule Paulo. Iye analamulira asilikali ake apite kukamuchotsa pakati pawo mwamphamvu ndi kubwera naye ku malo a asilikaliwo.
Usiku omwewo Ambuye anayimirira pambali pa Paulo nati, “Limba mtima! Monga wandichitira Ine umboni mu Yerusalemu, moteronso uyenera kundichitira umboni ku Roma.”
Ayuda Achita Chiwembu Paulo
Kutacha Ayuda ena anakonza chiwembu ndipo analumbira kuti sadya kapena kumwa mpaka atapha Paulo. Anthu amene anakonza chiwembuchi analipo makumi anayi. Iwo anapita kwa akulu a ansembe ndi akuluakulu a Ayuda nakawawuza kuti, “Ife talumbira kolimba kuti sitidya kalikonse mpaka titapha Paulo. Tsopano inu pamodzi ndi akuluakulu a Bwalo Lalikulu mupemphe mkulu wa asilikali kuti akubweretsereni Paulo ngati kuti mukufuna kudziwa bwino za mlandu wake. Ife takonzeka kudzamupha asanafike kumeneko.”
Koma mwana wa mlongo wake wa Paulo atamva za chiwembuchi, anapita ku malo a asilikali aja namufotokozera Paulo.
Paulo anayitana mmodzi wa wolamulira asilikali 100 aja, namuwuza kuti, “Pita naye mnyamatayu kwa mkulu wa asilikali. Iyeyu ali ndi mawu oti akamuwuze.” Anamutengadi mnyamatayo napita naye kwa mkulu wa asilikali uja, nati, “Wamʼndende uja Paulo anandiyitana, nandipempha kuti ndibweretse mnyamatayu kwa inu chifukwa ali ndi kanthu koti akuwuzeni.”
Mkulu wa asilikali uja anagwira dzanja mnyamatayo napita naye paseli ndipo anamufunsa kuti, “Kodi ukufuna kuti undiwuze chiyani?”
Mnyamatayo anati, “Ayuda agwirizana zoti akupempheni kuti mawa mubwere ndi Paulo ku Bwalo Lalikulu, ngati kuti akufuna kudziwa bwino za iye. Inu musawamvere, chifukwa pali anthu opitirira makumi anayi amene akumudikirira pa njira. Iwo alumbira kuti sadya kapena kumwa mpaka atapha Paulo. Panopa ndi okonzeka kale, akungodikira kuti muwavomere pempho lawo.”
Mkulu wa asilikaliyo anawuza mnyamatayo kuti apite koma anamuchenjeza kuti, “Usawuze munthu aliyense kuti wandifotokozera zimenezi.”
Paulo Apita ku Kaisareya
Kenaka mkulu wa asilikaliyo anayitana awiri a asilikali olamulira asilikali 100 nawalamula kuti, “Uzani asilikali 200, asilikali 70 okwera pa akavalo ndi 200 onyamula mikondo kuti akonzeke kupita ku Kaisareya usiku omwe uno nthawi ya 9 koloko. Mumukonzerenso Paulo akavalo woti akwerepo kuti akafike bwino kwa bwanamkubwa Felike.”
Iye analemba kalata iyi:
Ine Klaudiyo Lusiya,
Kwa wolemekezeka, bwanamkubwa Felike:
Ndikupereka moni.
Munthuyo Ayuda anamugwira ndipo anali pafupi kumupha, koma ine ndinapita ndi asilikali nʼkukamulanditsa pakuti ndinamva kuti ndi nzika ya Chiroma. Ndinkafuna kudziwa mlandu umene anapalamula, choncho ndinapita naye ku Bwalo lawo Lalikulu. Ine ndinapeza kuti amamuyimba mlandu wa nkhani ya malamulo awo, koma panalibe mlandu woyenera kumuphera kapena kumuyika mʼndende. Nditawuzidwa kuti amukonzera chiwembu munthuyu, ine ndamutumiza kwa inu msanga. Ine ndalamulanso amene akumuyimba mlanduwo kuti abwere kwa inu kudzafotokoza nkhaniyo.
Pamenepo asilikali aja anatenga Paulo monga anawalamulira napita naye ku Antipatri usiku. Mmawa mwake iwo anabwerera ku malo a asilikali nasiya okwera pa akavalo kuti apitirire ndi Paulo. Asilikali okwera pa akavalowo atafika ku Kaisareya anapereka kalatayo kwa bwanamkubwa, namuperekanso Paulo. Bwanamkubwayo anawerenga kalatayo ndipo anamufunsa Paulo za dera limene amachokera. Atazindikira kuti amachokera ku Kilikiya, iye anati, “Ndidzamva mlandu wako okuyimba mlandu akabwera kuno.” Ndipo analamulira kuti asilikali adzimulondera Paulo ku nyumba ya mfumu Herode.
Felike Amva Mlandu wa Paulo
Patapita masiku asanu mkulu wa ansembe Hananiya, pamodzi ndi akuluakulu ena ndi katswiri woyankhulira anthu pa milandu wotchedwa Tertuliyo anapita ku Kaisareya ndipo anafotokoza mlandu wa Paulo kwa Bwanamkubwayo. Atamuyitana Paulo, ndipo Tertuliyo anafotokozera Felike nkhani yonse ya Paulo. Iye anati, “Wolemekezeka, ife takhala pamtendere nthawi yayitali chifukwa cha inu, ndipo utsogoleri wanu wanzeru wabweretsa kusintha mʼdziko lino. Wolemekezeka Felike ife timazilandira zimenezi moyamika kwambiri ponseponse ndi mwa njira iliyonse. Koma kuti tisakuchedwetseni, ndikupempha kuti mwa kuleza mtima kwanu mutimvere ife.
“Ife tapeza kuti munthu uyu amayambitsa mavuto ndi kuwutsa mapokoso pakati pa Ayuda onse a dziko lonse lapansi. Iyeyu ndi mtsogoleri wa mpatuko wa Anazareti. Anayesera ngakhale kudetsa Nyumba ya Mulungu wathu. Ndiye ife tinamugwira. Koma, mkulu wa asilikali Lusiya anafika mwamphamvu namuchotsa mʼmanja mwathu. Ndipo Lusiya analamula kuti amene anali naye ndi mlandu abwere kwa inu. Mukamufunsa ameneyu kwa nokha mudzadziwa choonadi cha zimene ife tikumunenera.”
Ayuda anavomereza nanenetsa kuti zimenezi zinali zoona.
Bwanamkubwayo atakodola Paulo ndi kulola kuti ayankhule, Pauloyo anati, “Ine ndikudziwa kuti inu mwakhala mukuweruza dziko lino zaka zambiri, kotero ndikukondwera kuti ndikudziteteza ndekha pamaso panu. Inu mukhoza kupeza umboni wake. Sipanapite masiku khumi ndi awiri chipitireni changa ku Yerusalemu kukapembedza. Amene akundiyimba mlanduwa sanandipeze mʼNyumba ya Mulungu ndi kutsutsana ndi wina aliyense kapena kuyambitsa chisokonezo mʼsunagoge kapena pena paliponse mu mzindamo. Ndipo sangathe kupereka umboni wa mlandu umene akundiyimba inewu. Komatu ine ndikuvomera kuti ndimapembedza Mulungu wa makolo athu, monga wotsatira wa Njirayo, imene iwo akuyitchula mpatuko. Ine ndimakhulupirira chilichonse chimene chimagwirizana ndi malamulo ndiponso zimene zinalembedwa ndi Aneneri. Ine ndili nacho chiyembekezo chomwecho chimene iwo ali nacho mwa Mulungu, kuti kudzakhala kuuka kwa akufa kwa olungama ndiponso kwa ochimwa. Kotero ine ndimayesetsa kuti ndikhale ndi chikumbumtima chosanditsutsa pamaso pa Mulungu ndi anthu onse.
“Patapita zaka zambiri, ndinabwera ku Yerusalemu kudzapereka mphatso kwa anthu osauka a mtundu wanga komanso kudzapereka nsembe. Pamene ndinkachita zimenezi, iwo anandipeza mʼbwalo la Nyumba ya Mulungu nditachita mwambo wodziyeretsa. Panalibe gulu la anthu kapena kuti ndimachita za chisokonezo chilichonse. Koma pali Ayuda ena ochokera ku Asiya, amene amayenera kukhala pano pamaso panu, kundiyimba mlandu ngati ali ndi kalikonse konditsutsa ine. Kapena awa amene ali panowa anene mlandu umene anapeza mwa ine, pamene ndinayima pamaso pa Bwalo lawo Lalikulu. Koma cholakwa changa chingathe kukhala chokhachi chakuti, nditayima pamaso pawo ndinafuwula kuti, ‘Mukundiweruza ine lero chifukwa ndimakhulupirira kuti akufa adzauka.’ ”
Kenaka Felike, amene amadziwa bwino za Njirayo, anayamba wayimitsa mlanduwo, nati, “Ndidzagamula mlandu wako akabwera mkulu wa asilikali Lusiya.” Iye analamulira woyangʼanira asilikali 100 kuti alondere Paulo, koma azimupatsako ufulu ndiponso kulola abwenzi ake kuti adzimusamalira.
Patapita masiku angapo Felike anabwera pamodzi ndi mkazi wake Drusila, amene anali Myuda. Anayitana Paulo ndipo anamvetsera zimene amayankhula za chikhulupiriro mwa Khristu Yesu. Paulo atayankhula za chilungamo, za kudziretsa ndiponso za chiweruzo chimene chikubwera, Felike anachita mantha ndipo anati, “Basi tsopano! Pita. Tidzakuyitanitsa tikadzapeza mpata.” Pa nthawi imeneyi amayembekeza kuti Paulo adzamupatsa ndalama, nʼchifukwa chake amamuyitanitsa kawirikawiri ndi kumayankhula naye.
Patapita zaka ziwiri, Porkiyo Festo analowa mʼmalo mwa Felike, koma anamusiya Paulo mʼndende, chifukwa amafuna kuti Ayuda amukonde.
Paulo ku Bwalo la Milandu la Festo
Patapita masiku atatu Festo atafika mʼdera lake, anachoka ku Kaisareya ndi kupita ku Yerusalemu. Kumeneko akulu a ansembe ndi atsogoleri a Chiyuda anabwera kwa iye ndi kumufotokozera mlandu wa Paulo. Iwo anamupempha Festo kuti awakomere mtima potumiza Paulo ku Yerusalemu, pakuti anali atakonzekera chiwembu kuti amuphe Pauloyo pa njira. Festo anayankha kuti, “Paulo akusungidwa ku Kaisareya, ndipo ndipita kumeneko posachedwa. Ena mwa atsogoleri anu apite nane kumeneko, kuti akafotokoze mlandu wa munthuyu, ngati anachita kanthu kalikonse kolakwika.”
Festo atakhala nawo masiku asanu ndi atatu kapena khumi iye anapita ku Kaisareya, ndipo mmawa mwake anayitanitsa bwalo nalamula kuti abweretse Paulo pamaso pake. Paulo atafika, Ayuda amene anafika kuchokera ku Yerusalemu anayima momuzungulira. Iwo anamunenera zinthu zoopsa zambiri zimene sakanatha kubweretsa umboni wake.
Kenaka Paulo ananena mawu ake odziteteza kuti, “Ine sindinalakwirepo lamulo la Ayuda, kapena Nyumba ya Mulungu kapenanso Kaisara.”
Festo, pofuna kuti Ayuda amukonde anafunsa Paulo kuti, “Kodi iwe ukufuna kupita ku Yerusalemu, kuti kumeneko ukafotokoze mlandu wako pamaso panga?”
Paulo anayankha kuti, “Ine tsopano ndayima pamaso pa bwalo la milandu la Kaisara, ndiko kumene ayenera kundiweruza. Ine sindinalakwire Ayuda, monga inu mukudziwa bwino. Koma ngati ndili wolakwa, ngati ndachita kanthu koyenera kuphedwa, ine sindikukana kufa. Koma ngati mlandu umene abweretsa Ayudawa siwoona, palibe munthu angathe kundipereka mʼmanja mwawo. Ndikupempha kuti ndikaweruzidwe ndi Kaisara!”
Festo atakambirana ndi akuluakulu abwalo lake, anati, “Popeza wapempha kupita kwa Kaisara, kwa Kaisara udzapitadi!”
Festo Afotokozera Mfumu Agripa
Patapita masiku ochepa mfumu Agripa pamodzi ndi Bernisi anabwera ku Kaisareya kudzalonjera Festo. Atakhala kumeneko masiku angapo, Festo anafotokozera mfumuyo za mlandu wa Paulo. Iye anati, “Kuli munthu wina kuno amene Felike anamusiya mʼndende. Nditapita ku Yerusalemu akulu a ansembe ndi akuluakulu a Ayuda anandifotokozera mlandu wake ndipo anandipempha kuti ndigamule kuti ndi wolakwa.
“Ine ndinawayankha kuti si mwambo wa Aroma kungomupereka munthu ayi. Munthu woyimbidwa mlanduyo amayenera kukumana nawo omunenezawo, kuti iye akhale ndi mwayi woyankhapo pa zimene akumuyimba mlanduzo. Atabwera kuno pamodzi ndi ine, sindinachedwetse mlanduwo, koma ndinayitanitsa bwalo mmawa mwake ndi kulamula kuti amubweretse munthuyo. Omuyimba mlandu aja atayimirira kuti ayankhule, iwo sananene cholakwa chilichonse chimene ndimayembekezera. Mʼmalo mwake, anatsutsana naye pa fundo zina za chipembedzo chawo ndi za munthu wakufa, dzina lake Yesu, amene Paulo akuti ali moyo. Ine ndinathedwa nzeru wosadziwa momwe ndikanafufuzira nkhaniyi; kotero ndinafunsa ngati akanafuna kupita ku Yerusalemu kuti akaweruzidwe kumeneko. Koma Paulo anapempha kuti akaonekere pamaso pa mfumu ya Chiroma, ndipo ndinalamula kuti asungidwe mpaka pamene ndidzamutumize kwa Kaisara.”
Ndipo Agripa anati kwa Festo, “Ine ndikufuna ndimumve ndekha munthu ameneyu.” Iye anayankha kuti, “Mudzamumva mawa.”
Paulo Pamaso pa Agripa
Mmawa mwake Agripa ndi Bernisi anabwera mwaulemu waukulu waufumu nalowa mʼbwalo la milandu pamodzi ndi akulu a asilikali ndiponso akuluakulu a mu mzindawo. Atalamula Festo kuti Paulo abwere, anabweradi. Festo anati, “Mfumu Agripa, ndi onse amene muli nafe pano, mukumuona munthu uyu! Ayuda onse anandipempha ine za uyu ku Yerusalemu ndiponso kuno ku Kaisareya, mofuwula kuti, ameneyu sayenera kukhala ndi moyo. Ine ndinapeza kuti iyeyu sanachite kanthu koyenera kufa, koma popeza anapempha kuti apite kwa mfumu ya Chiroma, ine ndinatsimikiza zomutumiza ku Roma. Koma ndilibe kanthu kenikeni koti ndilembere Wolemekezekayo za iyeyu. Nʼchifukwa chake ndabwera naye pamaso pa nonsenu, makamaka kwa inuyo mfumu Agripa, kuti mwina mukamufunsitsa ndikhale ndi choti ndilembe. Pakuti ine ndikuganiza kuti ndi chinthu chopanda nzeru kutumiza wamʼndende popanda kutchula zifukwa zenizeni za mlandu wake.”
Mawu a Paulo Pamaso pa Mfumu Agripa
Ndipo Agripa anawuza Paulo kuti, “Takulola kuti unene mawu ako.” Paulo anatambasula dzanja lake nayamba kudziteteza kuti, “Mfumu Agripa ine ndikudziyesa wa mwayi kuyima pamaso panu lero lino ndi kudziteteza, kutsutsa zonse zimene Ayuda andinenera, ndipo makamaka chifukwa inu mukudziwa bwino miyambo yonse ya Chiyuda ndiponso zonse zimene amatsutsana. Nʼchifukwa chake ndikukupemphani kuti mundimvetsere moleza mtima.
“Ayuda onse akudziwa za moyo wanga mmene ndakhalira kuyambira ndili mwana, kuchokera pachiyambi cha moyo wanga mʼdziko lathu ndiponso mu Yerusalemu. Iwo akundidziwa kuyambira kalekale ndipo angathe kuchitira umboni kuti ndakhala ndili Mfarisi moyo wanga wonse, mmodzi wa gulu limene limasamala chipembedzo chathu koposa. Ndipo tsopano ndikuyimbidwa mlandu lero chifukwa cha chiyembekezo changa pa zimene Mulungu analonjeza makolo athu. Ili ndi lonjezo limene mafuko athu khumi ndi awiri akuyembekezera kuti likwaniritsidwe pamene akupembedza Mulungu molimbika usana ndi usiku. Wolemekezeka Mfumu, nʼchifukwa cha chiyembekezo chimenechi Ayuda kuti akundiyimba mlandu. Nʼchifukwa chiyani ena a inu mukuganiza kuti nʼkosatheka kuti Mulungu aukitse akufa?
“Inenso ndimaganiza kuti ndimayenera kuchita zinthu zambiri pofuna kuthana ndi dzina la Yesu wa ku Nazareti. Ndipo izi ndi zimene ndinazichita ku Yerusalemu. Ndi ulamuliro wa akulu a ansembe, ine ndinayika mʼndende oyera mtima ambiri, ndipo pamene amaphedwa, ine ndimavomereza. Nthawi zambiri ndinkapita mʼsunagoge iliyonse kuti alangidwe, ndipo ndinayesera kuwakakamiza kuti achitire chipongwe Mulungu. Mu mkwiyo wangawo, ndimapita ngakhale ku mizinda yachilendo kuti ndikawazunze.
“Pa ulendo wina wotere, ndikupita ku Damasiko ndi mphamvu ndi ulamuliro ochokera kwa akulu a ansembe, Wolemekezeka Mfumu, nthawi ya masana pamene ndimayenda pa msewu, ndinaona kuwala kuchokera kumwamba koposa kuwala kwa dzuwa kutandizungulira ine pamodzi ndi anzangawo. Tonse tinagwa pansi ndipo ndinamva mawu mʼChihebri akuti, ‘Saulo, Saulo chifukwa chiyani ukundizunza Ine? Nʼkovuta kulimbikira mtunda wopanda madzi.’ ”
Ndipo ine ndinafunsa kuti, “Ndinu ndani Ambuye?”
Ambuye anayankha kuti, “Ndine Yesu, amene iwe ukumuzunza. Tsopano dzuka ndipo imirira. Ine ndaonekera kwa iwe kuti ndikusankhe kuti ukhale mtumiki ndiponso mboni ya zimene waziona za Ine ndiponso zimene ndidzakuonetsa. Ine ndidzakulanditsa mʼmanja mwa anthu a mtundu wako ndiponso mwa anthu a mitundu ina. Ine ndikukutuma kwa iwo, kuti ukatsekule maso awo kuti atembenuke mtima kuchoka ku mdima ndi kulowa mʼkuwala, kuchoka ku mphamvu za Satana ndi kupita kwa Mulungu, kuti alandire chikhululukiro cha machimo awo ndi kukhala mʼgulu la amene akuyeretsedwa chifukwa chokhulupirira Ine.
“Nʼchifukwa chake Mfumu Agripa, sindinakane kumvera masomphenya wochokera kumwamba. Kuyambira kwa anthu a ku Damasiko, a ku Yerusalemu, a ku Yudeya konse ndi kwa anthu a mitundu inanso, ndinalalikira kuti akuyenera kulapa ndi kutembenukira kwa Mulungu ndikuti aonetse kulapa kwawo mwa ntchito zawo. Ichi nʼchifukwa chake Ayuda anandigwira mʼbwalo la Nyumba ya Mulungu nafuna kundipha. Koma Mulungu wakhala akundithandiza mpaka lero lino. Ine ndayima pano kuti ndichitire umboni kwa anthu onse otchuka ndi anthu wamba. Ine sindikunena zina zowonjezera koma zimene Aneneri ndi Mose ananena kuti zidzachitika. Iwo ananena kuti Khristu adzamva zowawa ndipo popeza Iye adzakhala woyamba kuuka kwa akufa, adzalalikira za kuwunika kwa anthu a mtundu wake ndiponso kwa anthu a mitundu ina.”
Paulo akudziteteza, Festo anakweza mawu nati, “Wazungulira mutu Paulo! Kuphunzira kwako kwakuchititsa misala.”
Paulo anayankha nati, “Wolemekezeka Festo, sindine wozungulira mutu. Zimene ndikunena ndi zoona ndiponso za nzeru. Mfumu ikuzidziwa bwino zinthu izi, ndipo ndikuyankhula momasuka kwa iyo. Ine ndikukhulupirira kuti palibe kanthu nʼkamodzi komwe kamene sukukadziwa, chifukwa izi sizinachike mseri. Mfumu Agripa, kodi mumakhulupirira mawu a aneneri? Ine ndikudziwa kuti mumakhulupirira.”
Kenaka Agripa anati kwa Paulo, “Kodi ukuganiza kuti mʼkanthawi kochepa kotere ungandikope kuti ndikhale Mkhristu?”
Paulo anayankha kuti, “Ngakhale kanthawi kochepa kapena nthawi yayitali, ine ndikupempha kwa Mulungu kuti osati inu nokha koma aliyense amene akundimva lero lino akhale monga ine, kupatulapo maunyolo okhawa.”
Mfumu inayimirira pamodzi ndi bwanamkubwa ndi Bernisi ndiponso anthu onse amene anakhala nawo pamodzi. Inatuluka mʼchipindamo, ndipo pamene imayankhula inati, “Munthu uyu sanachite kanthu koyenera kuphedwa kapena kumangidwa.”
Agripa anati kwa Festo, “Munthu uyu akanamasulidwa akanakhala kuti sanapemphe zokaonekera kwa Kaisara.”
Paulo Apita ku Roma
Zitatsimikizika kuti tiyenera kupita ku Italiya pa sitima ya pa madzi, anamupereka Paulo pamodzi ndi a mʼndende ena kwa msilikali wolamulira asilikali 100, dzina lake Yuliyo, amene anali wa gulu la asilikali lotchedwa, Gulu la Mfumu. Tinakwera sitima ya pamadzi yochokera ku Adramutiyo imene inali yokonzeka kale kupita ku madooko a ku Asiya, ndipo tinanyamuka. Aristariko, wa ku Makedoniya wa ku mzinda wa Tesalonika, anali nafe.
Mmawa mwake tinafika ku Sidoni; ndipo Yuliyo, mokomera mtima Paulo, anamulola kupita kwa abwenzi ake kuti akamupatse zosowa zake. Kuchokera kumeneko tinayambanso ulendo pa nyanja ndipo tinadutsa kumpoto kwa chilumba cha Kupro chifukwa mphepo imawomba kuchokera kumene ife timapita. Titawoloka nyanja mbali ya gombe la Kilikiya ndi Pamfiliya, tinakafika ku Mura, mzinda wa ku Lukia. Kumeneko wolamulira asilikali 100 uja anapeza sitima ya pamadzi ya ku Alekisandriya imene imapita ku Italiya, ndipo anatikweza mʼmenemo. Tinayenda pangʼonopangʼono kwa masiku ambiri ndipo tinakafika kufupi ndi Knido movutikira. Pamene mphepo sinatilole kupitirira ulendo wathu molunjika, tinadzera kummwera kwa chilumba cha Krete, moyangʼanana ndi Salimoni. Timayenda movutikira mʼmbali mwa chilumbacho ndipo tinafika pa malo wotchedwa Madooko Okoma, pafupi ndi mzinda wa Laseya.
Tinataya nthawi yayitali, ndipo kuyenda pa nyanja kunali koopsa chifukwa nʼkuti tsopano nthawi yosala kudya itapita kale. Choncho Paulo anawachenjeza kuti, “Anthu inu, ine ndikuona kuti ulendo wathuwu ukhala woopsa ndipo katundu ndi sitima ziwonongeka, ngakhalenso miyoyo yathu.” Koma wolamulira asilikali 100 uja, mʼmalo momvera zimene Paulo amanena, anatsatira malangizo a woyendetsa sitimayo ndiponso mwini wa sitimayo. Popeza kuti dookolo silinali labwino kukhalako nthawi yozizira anthu ambiri anaganiza kuti tichoke. Ife tinkayembekeza kukafika ku Foinikisi ndi kukhala kumeneko nthawi yachisanu. Ili linali dooko la ku Krete, limene limaloza kummwera cha kumadzulo ndiponso kumpoto cha kumadzulo.
Namondwe pa Nyanja
Mphepo yochokera kummwera itayamba kuwomba pangʼonopangʼono, anthuwo anaganiza kuti apeza chimene amafuna; kotero analowetsa nangula ndipo anayamba kuyenda mʼmbali mwa chilumba cha Krete. Pasanathe nthawi yayitali, mphepo yamkuntho yotchedwa Eurokulo, inayamba kuwomba kuchokera ku chilumbacho. Mphepo yamkunthoyo inawomba sitima ija ndipo sinathe kulimbana nayo, kotero ife tinayigonjera ndi kuyamba kutengedwa nayo. Tikudutsa mʼmbali mwa kachilumba kakangʼono kotchedwa Kawuda, tinavutika kuti tisunge bwato lopulumukiramo. Anthuwo atakweza bwatolo mʼsitima, anakulunga zingwe sitimayo kuti ayilimbitse. Poopa kuti angakagunde mchenga wa ku Surti, iwo anatsitsa nangula ndi kuyilola sitima kuti idzingoyenda ndi mphepo. Ife tinavutika kwambiri ndi namondwe kotero kuti mmawa mwake tinayamba kuponya katundu mʼmadzi. Pa tsiku lachitatu anaponya mʼnyanja zipangizo za mʼsitima ndi manja awo. Sitinaone dzuwa kapena nyenyezi kwa masiku ambiri ndipo namondwe anapitirira kuwomba kwambiri, pomaliza ife tonse tinalibenso chiyembekezo choti nʼkupulumuka.
Anthu aja atakhala nthawi yayitali osadya, Paulo anayimirira pakati pawo ndipo anati, “Anthu inu, mukanamvera malangizo anga oti tisachoke ku Krete: zonsezi sizikanawonongeka ndi kutayika. Koma tsopano ndikuti limbani mtima, chifukwa palibe aliyense wa inu amene adzataya moyo wake; koma sitima yokhayi idzawonongeka. Usiku wathawu mngelo wa Mulungu, Mulungu amene ine ndili wake ndipo ndimamutumikira, anayima pafupi ndi ine, ndipo iyeyu anati, ‘Usachite mantha, Paulo. Ukuyenera kukayima pamaso pa Kaisara; ndipo Mulungu mwa kukoma mtima kwake wakupatsa miyoyo ya anthu onse amene ukuyenda nawo.’ Tsono limbani mtima, anthu inu, pakuti ine ndili ndi chikhulupiriro mwa Mulungu kuti zichitika monga momwe wandiwuzira. Komabe tiyenera kukatsakamira pa chilumba china chake.”
Kuwonongeka kwa Sitima
Pakati pa usiku wa tsiku la khumi ndi chinayi tikukankhidwabe ndi mphepo mʼnyanja ya Adriya, oyendetsa sitimayo anazindikira kuti timayandikira ku mtunda. Iwo anatenga choyezera kuzama kwa nyanja ndi kupeza kuti kuzama kwake kunali mamita 36. Atayendanso pangʼono anatenganso choyezera chija napeza kuti kuzama kwake kunali 27. Poopa kuti tingagunde miyala, iwo anatsitsira anangula anayi mʼmadzi kumbuyo kwa sitimayo ndipo tinapemphera kuti kuche. Pofuna kuthawa mʼsitimayo, oyendetsa aja anatsitsira mʼnyanja bwato lopulumukiramo nʼkumachita ngati akufuna kutsitsira anangula mʼnyanjamo kutsogolo kwa sitimayo. Pamenepo Paulo anawuza wolamulira asilikali uja ndi asilikaliwo kuti, “Ngati anthu awa sakhala mʼsitima muno, inu simungapulumuke.” Pamenepo asilikaliwo anadula zingwe za bwatolo ndipo linagwera mʼmadzi.
Kutatsala pangʼono kucha, Paulo anawawumiriza anthu onse kuti adye. Iye anati, “Kwa masiku khumi ndi anayi mwakhala mukuda nkhawa ndipo simumadya kanthu kalikonse. Tsopano ine ndikukupemphani kuti mudye. Muyenera kudya kuti mupulumuke. Palibe ndi mmodzi yemwe wa inu adzataye ngakhale tsitsi limodzi la pamutu pake.” Paulo atanena zimenezi, anatenga buledi nayamika Mulungu pamaso pa onse. Ndipo ananyema bulediyo nayamba kudya. Onse analimba mtima nayamba kudyanso. Tonse pamodzi mʼsitimamo tinalipo anthu 276. Onse atadya, nakhuta anapeputsa sitimayo potaya tirigu mʼnyanja.
Kutacha, anthu sanazindikire dzikolo, koma anaona pomwe sitima zimayimapo pamodzi ndi mchenga wa pa gombe. Iwo anaganiza zokocheza sitimayo kumeneko ngati zikanatheka kutero. Atadula anangula aja, nawasiya mʼnyanja, pa nthawi yomweyo anamasula zingwe zimene anamangira zowongolera sitimayo. Kenaka anayimika chinsalu chimene mphepo imakankha kuti sitima iyende, ndipo anayamba kupita ku gombe. Koma sitimayo inagunda mchenga wobisika ndipo inayima. Mbali ya kutsogolo ya sitimayo inakanirira ndipo sinathe kuyendanso, ndipo mbali yakumbuyo inasweka ndi kuwomba kwa mafunde.
Asilikali anaganiza za kupha amʼndende onse, kuti angasambire kupita pa mtunda ndi kuthawa. Koma wolamulira asilikali uja anafuna kupulumutsa Paulo ndipo anawaletsa kuchita zimene anakonza. Iye analamulira asilikali kuti amene amatha kusambira kuti adziponye mʼmadzi ndi kuyamba kukafika pa mtunda. Otsalawo anayenera kugwira matabwa kapena tizidutswa ta sitimayo. Motero onse anapulumuka nakafika pa mtunda.
Paulo pa Chilumba cha Melita
Titapulumuka choncho, tinamva kuti chilumbacho chimatchedwa Melita. Anthu a pa chilumbacho anatichitira zokoma zimene sizichitika kawirikawiri. Iwo anakoleza moto natilandira tonse chifukwa kumagwa mvula ndipo kumazizira. Paulo anatola mtolo wankhuni, pamene amayika pa moto, munatulukamo njoka chifukwa cha kutentha, ndipo inamuluma pa dzanja. Anthu a pa chilumbacho ataona njokayo ili lende pa dzanja lake, iwo anawuzana kuti, “Munthu uyu akuyenera kukhala munthu wopha anthu; pakuti ngakhale wapulumuka pa nyanja, chilungamo sichinamulore kuti akhale ndi moyo.” Koma Paulo anayikutumulira pa moto njokayo, ndipo sanamve kupweteka. Anthu anayembekezera kuti thupi lake litupa kapena agwa ndi kufa mwadzidzidzi, koma anadikira nthawi yayitali. Ataona kuti palibe kanthu kachilendo kanamuchitikira anasintha maganizo awo nanena kuti iye ndi mulungu.
Pafupi ndi malowa panali munda wa Popliyo, mkulu wa boma la pa chilumbacho. Iye anatilandira natisamala bwino masiku atatu. Abambo ake anali gone, chifukwa amadwala malungo ndi kamwazi. Paulo analowa mʼchipinda chake kukawaona, ndipo atapemphera, anasanjika manja ake pa iwo nawachiritsa. Zitachitika zimenezi, anthu onse odwala a pa chilumbacho anabwera ndipo anachiritsidwa. Anthuwo anatilemekeza ife mʼnjira zambiri ndipo pamene tinakonzeka kuti tiyambe ulendo, anatipatsa zonse zomwe tinazisowa.
Paulo Afika ku Roma
Patapita miyezi itatu, tinanyamuka pa sitima ina imene inakhala pa chilumbacho chifukwa cha kuzizira. Inali sitima ya ku Alekisandriya imene inali ndi chizindikiro cha milungu ya mapasa yotchedwa Kastro ndi Polikisi. Tinakafika ku Surakusa ndipo kumeneko tinakhalako masiku atatu. Kuchokera kumeneko tinayenda ndi kukafika ku Regio. Mmawa mwake mphepo yochokera kummwera inawomba, ndipo tsiku linalo tinakafika ku Potiyolo. Kumeneko tinapezako abale amene anatiyitana kuti tikhale nawo sabata limodzi. Ndipo kenaka tinapita ku Roma. Abale kumeneko atamva kuti tikubwera, anabwera kudzakumana nafe mpaka ku bwalo la Apiyo ndiponso ku nyumba za alendo zitatu. Atawaona anthu amenewa Paulo anayamika Mulungu ndipo analimbikitsidwa. Titafika ku Roma, Paulo analoledwa kukhala pa yekha ndi msilikali womulondera.
Paulo Alalikira kwa Ayuda ku Roma
Patapita masiku atatu, Paulo anasonkhanitsa pamodzi atsogoleri a Ayuda. Atasonkhana, Paulo anawawuza kuti, “Abale anga, ngakhale kuti ine sindinachite kanthu kalikonse kulakwira mtundu wathu kapena miyambo ya makolo athu, koma anandigwira mu Yerusalemu ndi kundipereka mʼmanja mwa Aroma. Iwo anandifufuza ndipo anafuna kundimasula chifukwa sanandipeze wopalamula mlandu woyenera kuphedwa. Koma Ayuda atakana, ine ndinakakamizidwa kupempha kuti ndikaonekere pamaso pa Kaisara, sikuti ndinali ndi kanthu konenezera mtundu wanga. Pa chifukwa ichi ndapempha kuti ndionane nanu ndi kuyankhula nanu. Pakuti nʼchifukwa cha chiyembekezo cha Israeli ndamangidwa unyolo uwu.”
Iwo anayankha kuti, “Ife sitinalandire kalata iliyonse yochokera ku Yudeya yonena za iwe, ndipo palibe mmodzi wa abale amene anachokera kumeneko anafotokoza kapena kunena kalikonse koyipa ka iwe. Koma ife tikufuna kumva maganizo ako ndi otani, pakuti tikudziwa kuti ponseponse anthu akuyankhula zotsutsana ndi mpatuko umenewu.”
Iwo anakonza tsiku lina loti akumane ndi Paulo, ndipo anabwera anthu ambiri ku nyumba kumene amakhala. Kuyambira mmawa mpaka madzulo, Paulo anawafotokozera ndi kuwawuza za ufumu wa Mulungu ndipo anayesa kuwakopa kuti akhulupirire Yesu kuchokera mʼMalamulo a Mose ndiponso mʼmabuku a Aneneri. Ena anakopeka ndi zimene Paulo ananena, koma enanso sanakhulupirire. Ndipo anayamba kuchoka popeza sanagwirizane pakati pawo Paulo atanena mawu awa omaliza akuti, “Mzimu Woyera anayankhula zoona za makolo anu pamene Iye ananena kudzera mwa Mneneri Yesaya kuti,
“Pita kwa anthu awa ndi kuwawuza kuti,
‘Kumva mudzamva, koma osamvetsetsa;
kupenya mudzapenya, koma osaona kanthu.’
Pakuti mtima wa anthu ndi wokanika;
mʼmakutu mwawo ndi mogontha,
ndipo atsinzina kuti asaone kanthu.
Mwina angapenye ndi maso awo,
angamve ndi makutu awo,
angamvetse ndi nzeru zawo ndi kutembenuka,
Ineyo nʼkuwachiritsa.
“Chifukwa chake ine ndikufuna mudziwe kuti chipulumutso cha Mulungu chatumizidwa kwa anthu a mitundu ina, ndipo iwo adzamvera.” Paulo atanena mawu amenewa, Ayuda aja anachoka akutsutsana kwambiri.
Paulo anakhala kumeneko zaka ziwiri zathunthu mʼnyumba yobwereka yomwe amalipira ndipo ankalandira aliyense amene amabwera kudzamuona. Molimba mtima ndi popanda womuletsa, Paulo analalikira za ufumu wa Mulungu ndi kuphunzitsa za Ambuye Yesu Khristu.