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使徒行传生命读经 · 第27篇

扫罗的悔改(三)

The Conversion of Saul (3)
1读经:使徒行传九章二十至三十节。
1Scripture Reading: Acts 9:20-30
随即传扬这一位
IMMEDIATELY PROCLAIMING THIS ONE
2可能没有人比大数的扫罗转向主耶稣更快。扫罗受浸以后,『和大马色的门徒同在了一些日子。』(徒九19。)行传九章二十节说,『随即在各会堂里传扬耶稣,说祂是神的儿子。』这里的『随即』一辞很有意义,指明他没有多久就绝对完全的转向主。扫罗是逼迫者,但他转向主,成了盛装基督的器皿,将基督供应给人。我信路加插进『随即』一辞,目的是要显示扫罗转得非常快。在行传九章,路加也简短的记载了扫罗的传讲。按二十节,扫罗『传扬耶稣,说祂是神的儿子。』然后在二十二节,路加接著说,『扫罗越发有能力,驳倒住大马色的犹太人,证明这位耶稣就是基督。』这里路加用了『这位』一辞,说到这位就是基督。『这位』一辞很有意义,而且含意丰富。我们若研读扫罗在往大马色路上的经历,就能明白他为什么用『这位』一辞。这位是他所逼迫的,这位是犹太宗教的掌权者所反对并定罪的。这位也是许多人相信并跟从的。扫罗用『这位』一辞来强调,原因是他的听众知道耶稣,也知道扫罗和信徒身上所发生的事。九章二十一节指明这点:『凡听见的人都惊奇,说,在耶路撒冷损毁呼求这名者的,不就是这人么?并且他到这里来,不就是为要捆绑他们,带到祭司长面前去么?』因为众人都知道这事,扫罗就可以说『这位。』扫罗用这辞,指明听众知道他在说谁。因此,当扫罗开始说到耶稣,他就说这位。
2Probably no one has ever turned to the Lord Jesus more quickly than Saul of Tarsus did. After Saul was baptized, “he was with the disciples in Damascus for some days” (9:19). Verse 20 says, “And immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that this One is the Son of God.” Here the word “immediately” is significant. It indicates that in a very short period of time his turn to the Lord was absolutely completed. Saul was a persecutor, but he turned to the Lord and became a vessel to contain Christ and minister Him to others. I believe that Luke inserted the word “immediately” with the purpose of showing that Saul’s turn took place very quickly. In chapter nine Luke also gives us a short and simple record concerning Paul’sp reaching. According to verse 20, Saul “proclaimed Jesus, that this One is the Son of God.” Then in verse 22 Luke goes on to say that “Saul was all the more empowered and confounded the Jews dwelling in Damascus, proving that this One is the Christ.” In these verses Luke twice uses the phrase “this One.” In verse 20 we see that this One is the Son of God, and in verse 22, that this One is the Christ. The phrase “this One” is meaningful and rich in its implications. If we study Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus, we shall be able to understand why he used the term “this One.” This is the One whom he persecuted, the One whom the authorities in the Jewish religion opposed and condemned. This One is also the One in whom many believed and whom they followed. The reason Saul used the expression of “this One” as his emphasis was that his audience knew about Jesus and about what was taking place with Saul and the believers. Acts 9:21 indicates this: “And all those hearing him were amazed and said, Is not this man the one who ravaged those who call upon this name in Jerusalem, and he had come here for this, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests?” Because the people knew about this, Saul could simply speak of “this One.” The fact that Saul used this expression indicates that his audience knew about whom he was speaking. Therefore, when Saul began to speak about Jesus, he spoke concerning this One
基督的身位和工作
THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST
3那包罗万有的基督有两个主要方面-祂身位的一面和祂工作的一面。我们在九章二十、二十二节看到了这两面,那里扫罗说到神的儿子和基督。神的儿子是指主的身位,基督是指主的工作。
3With the all - inclusive Christ there are two main aspects— the aspect of His Person and the aspect of His work. We see these two aspects in 9:20 and 22, where Saul speaks of the Son of God and the Christ. The Son of God denotes the Lord’s Person, and the Christ denotes His work.
主的身位
the Lord’s Person
4主耶稣是神的儿子,乃是神圣的一位,甚至就是神自己。按约翰五章,犹太人领悟,说主耶稣是神的儿子,就是说祂是神。关于这点,约翰五章十八节说,『所以犹太人就越发想要杀祂,因祂不但犯了安息日,并且称神为祂的父,将自己与神当作平等。』这指明说主是神的儿子,意思就是说祂是神。『神的儿子』是指主耶稣的身位。主耶稣是神的儿子,乃是神圣的。然而,所有的反对者都认为祂只是人。他们不领悟这位耶稣也是神圣的,祂乃是神的儿子。祂是那有独一神圣源头的一位。
4As the Son of God, the Lord Jesus is the divine One, even the very God Himself. According to John 5, the Jews realized that to say that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God is to say that He is God. Concerning this, John 5:18 says, “For this therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.” This indicates that for the Lord to be the Son of God means that He is God. The expression “the Son of God” refers to the Person of the Lord Jesus. As the Son of God, the Lord Jesus is divine. However, all the opposers considered Him merely a human being. They did not realize that this Jesus is also divine, that He is the Son of God. He is the One with the unique divine source
5扫罗在大马色的会堂里,传扬耶稣是神的儿子。他的听众都是些知道耶稣的人。他们知道耶稣就是犹大宗教的掌权者所反对的拿撒勒人。现在扫罗宣告这位就是神的儿子。他似乎说,『你们仅仅看为人的这位,乃是神的儿子。是的,祂出自人的源头,祂是人子。然而,这位却是神的儿子。』关于这点,扫罗作了有力的见证。犹太人听到扫罗传扬耶稣是神的儿子,就很不高兴。他们不能容忍人说,耶稣有独一的神圣源头,以及祂是神的儿子。因此,他们反对扫罗的传讲。他们认为宣讲一个人是神的儿子,乃是亵渎。因此,他们反对扫罗,想要杀害他。(徒九24。)
5In the synagogues in Damascus Saul proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God. His audience was made up of those who were knowledgeable concerning Jesus. They knew that Jesus was the Nazarene who was opposed by the authorities in the Jewish religion. Now Saul declared that this One is the Son of God. He seemed to be saying, “This One whom you regard merely as a man is the Son of God. Yes, He came out of a human source, and He is the Son of Man. Nevertheless, this One is the Son of God.” Concerning this, Saul gave a strong testimony. The Jews were not happy to hear Saul proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God. On the contrary, they could not tolerate hearing that Jesus has the unique divine source and that He is the Son of God. Therefore, they opposed Saul’sp reaching. They regarded it as blasphemy to declare that a man is the Son of God. Because they regarded this as blasphemy, they opposed Saul and wanted to do away with him (9:24
主的使命
The Lord’s Commission
6按九章二十二节,扫罗向大马色的犹太人证明『这位耶稣就是基督。』基督这名称是指主的使命,就是主的工作。基督的意思是受膏者。主耶稣就是神的受膏者。祂是神的受膏者-基督,祂是独一的一位。只有祂为神所膏并为神所立,来完成祂的使命,作神委派给祂的工作。
6According to 9:2 2, Saul proved to the Jews in Damascus that “this One is the Christ.” The title “the Christ” denotes the Lord’s commission, that is, the Lord’s work. Christ means the anointed One. The Lord Jesus is God’san o in ted One. As the anointed One of God, the Christ, He is the unique One. Only He has been anointed by God and appointed by Him to carry out His commission, to do work God assigned to Him.
7在马太十六章十五节,主耶稣对祂的门徒说,『你们说我是谁?』西门彼得回答说,『你是基督,是活神的儿子。』(太十六16。)彼得所得的启示,包括主耶稣的两方面,祂身位的一面和祂使命的一面。基督的使命是要藉著祂的钉死、复活、升天和再临,完成神永远的定旨;他的身位具体的表现父,并终结于那灵,使三一神得著完满的彰显。暂时瞎眼的大数扫罗,领受了关于主耶稣的属天异象。他看见的,和彼得在该撒利亚腓立比境内所看见的一样;他看见了拿撒勒人耶稣是神的儿子,是基督。
7In Matthew 16:15 the Lord Jesus said to His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16). The revelation given to Peter includes the two aspects of the Lord Jesus, the aspects of His Person and His commission. Christ’s commission is to accomplish God’s eternal purpose through His crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and second coming. His Person embodies the Father and issues in the Spirit for a full expression of the Triune God. Saul of Tarsus, who was blinded for a period of time, received a heavenly vision concerning the Lord Jesus. He saw the same thing Peter did in Caesarea Philippi; that is, he saw that Jesus the Nazarene is the Son of God and the Christ
8主耶稣是属人的,也是神圣的。祂是神圣而属人的人,祂是神人。主是那有双重身位的一位,既属人又神圣。在行传九章,扫罗没有强调主的人性,因为每个人,包括反对者,都承认耶稣是人,不是幽灵。祂实实在在是人,所有的人都承认祂的人性。但反对者没有看见耶稣是神的儿子。因此,扫罗在转向主之后,随即为主所作的第一个见证,就是拿撒勒人耶稣是神的儿子。我们曾指出,这对犹太人乃是亵渎,他们因扫罗这样传扬就要杀害他。扫罗除了传扬耶稣是神的儿子,也见证祂是基督。祂是独一的,是惟一为神所膏所立,来完成神使命的一位。主是基督,为神所膏所立,来达成神的目的,完成神的计画,只有祂彀资格完成神永远的救赎。论到祂的身位,祂是神圣的;论到祂的工作,祂是神所膏所立的一位,要完成神所要的一切。
8The Lord Jesus is both human and divine. As a divine- human person, He is the God-man. The Lord is the One with a dual status—human and divine. In Acts 9 Saul does not emphasize the Lord’s humanity, for everyone, including the opposers, recognized that Jesus was a human being and not a phantom. He was truly a man, and His humanity was recognized by all. But the opposers did not see that Jesus is the Son of God. Therefore, immediately after Saul turned to the Lord, the first thing he testified concerning Him is that Jesus, the man from Nazareth, is the Son of God. As we have pointed out, this was blasphemy to the Jews, and they wanted to do away with Saul for proclaiming it. In addition to proclaiming that Jesus is the Son of God, Saul also testified that He is the Christ. He is unique, the only One anointed and appointed by God to carry out God’s commission. As the Christ, the Lord has been anointed and appointed to fulfill God’s purpose, to accomplish God’s plan. Only He is qualified to carry out God’s eternal redemption. As to His Person, He is divine. As to His work, He is the God-anointed and God-appointed One to carry out whatever God intends
我们传福音的榜样
A Pattern for Our Gospel Preaching
9在行传九章,保罗为我们今天的传福音,设立了很好的榜样。无论我们用圣经的那一段传福音,无论我们所传的主题是甚么,都必须一直强调基督这两方面。我们需要传基督的身位和基督的工作。然而,今天许多的传讲没有正确的强调基督的身位和工作。反之,福音可能传得十分含糊、笼统。人也许述说耶稣是救主和救赎主,却没有述说所需要强调的,基督两个基本的方面。我们传福音必须有所不同。我们需要强调,我们所传的这一位是神圣的;祂是神的儿子,祂的源头是神圣的。我们也该强调祂的工作,祂是为神所膏的,来完成祂的使命。这就是说,我们该传讲神的儿子和基督。
9In Acts 9 Paul set up a very good pattern for our gospel preaching today. No matter what portion of the Bible we may use in preaching the gospel and no matter what the subject of our preaching may be, we must always emphasize these two aspects of Christ. We need to preach both the Person of Christ and the work of Christ. However, much of today’sp reaching does not place the proper emphasis on Christ’s Person and work. Instead, the gospel may be preached in a vague, general way. People may be told that Jesus is the Savior and the Redeemer, but there may not be the needed emphasis on the two basic aspects of Christ. Our gospel preaching must be different. We need to emphasize the fact that the One we preach is divine. He is the Son of God, and His source is divine. We should also emphasize His work as the One anointed by God to carry out His commission. This means that we should preach the Son of God and the Christ.
相信耶稣是基督,是神的儿子
Believing That Jesus Is the Christ, the Son of God
10约翰二十章三十一节说,『但记这些事,要叫你们信耶稣是基督,是神的儿子;并且叫你们信了,就可以在祂的名里得生命。』这里我们看见,要得著永远的生命,就需要相信耶稣是基督,是神的儿子。我们需要相信祂是神儿子的神圣身位,并祂是神受膏者的工作。『基督』这称呼与主的工作、职分和使命有关。『神的儿子』这称呼是指主的身位。祂的身位与神的生命有关,祂的使命与神的工作有关。祂是神的儿子,作了神的基督。祂凭著神的生命为神作工,使人因相信祂是基督、是神的儿子,能得著神的生命,成为神的儿女。约翰二十章三十一节把这件事说得十分透亮清楚,相信主耶稣就是相信祂神圣的身位和祂神圣的工作。
10John 20:31 says, “These have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” Here we see that in order to have eternal life, we need to believe that Jesus is the Christ and that He is the Son of God. We need to believe in His divine Person as the Son of God and in His work, as the anointed One of God. The title “the Christ” is related to the Lord’s work, to His office and mission. The title “the Son of God” denotes the Lord’s Person. His Person is a matter of God’s life, and His mission is a matter of God’s work. He is the Son of God to be the Christ of God. He works for God by the life of God so that man also, by believing in Him as the Christ and the Son of God, may have God’s life and thereby become a child of God. John 20:31 makes it crystal clear that to believe in the Lord Jesus is to believe in His divine Person and in His divine work
关于基督人性的错误信仰否认升天的基督还有人性
Mistaken Beliefs concerning Christ’s Humanity Denying That the Ascended Christ Still Has Humanity
11今天有些基督徒可能没有正确的相信主耶稣的人性。多年前有人告诉我,他不相信主耶稣在诸天之上,还有人的性情。这样的人认为主复活以后,就脱去了祂的人性。我们需要对这样的人传讲耶稣的人性。
11Some Christians today may not believe properly in the humanity of the Lord Jesus. Many years ago, a certain person told me that he did not believe that the Lord Jesus, as the One in the heavens, still possesses the human nature. This person thought that after His resurrection the Lord put off His humanity. To such a person we need to preach the humanity of Jesus
12司提反在行传七章的经历,证明主耶稣甚至在祂的升天里还是人。司提反说,『看哪,我看见诸天开了,人子站在神的右边。』(徒七56。)司提反看见升天的主,他看见祂是个人。
12Stephen’s experience in Acts 7 proves that even in His ascension the Lord Jesus is still a man. Stephen said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (7:56). When Stephen saw the ascended Lord, he saw Him as a man.
13马太二十六章主对大祭司说的话,:进一步证明祂在诸天之上仍有人性:『从此以后你们要看见人子,坐在那大能者的右边,驾著天上的云而来。』(太二六64。)大祭司问主耶稣是不是神的儿子。(太二六。)在主的回答里,祂承认祂是神的儿子,但祂接著说,在祂的升天里,并在祂驾云回来时,祂还是人子。因此,主不仅在地上钉十字架以前是人,复活升天以后在天上神的右边也是人。在约翰一章五十一节,主耶稣对拿但业说,『我实实在在的告诉你们,你们将要看见天开了,神的使者上去下来在人子身上。』这是雅各之梦的应验。(创二八11~22。)基督这位人子,带著祂的人性,乃是一个立在地上通天的梯子。主对拿但业所说的这话,是指著永远说的。这意思就是,基督在永远里还是人子。因此,祂永远兼具神人二性。
13The Lord’s word to the high priest in Matthew 26 is further proof that He still has His humanity “Henceforth you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matt. 26:64). The high priest was inquiring if the Lord Jesus was the Son of God (v. 63). In His answer the Lord acknowledged that He is the Son of 63 God, but He went on to say that in His ascension and at His coming back on the clouds He will be the Son of Man. Therefore, the Lord was a man not only on earth before His crucifixion, but also in the heavens at the right hand of God after His resurrection and ascension. In John 1:51 the Lord Jesus said to Nathanael, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you shall see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” This is the fulfillment of Jacob’s dream (Gen. 28:11-22). Christ as the Son of Man with His humanity is the ladder set up on earth and leading to heaven. This word spoken by the Lord to Nathanael refers to eternity. This means that in eternity Christ will still be the Son of Man. Therefore, He will have both divinity and humanity forever.
否认基督在肉体里来
Denying That Christ Came in the Flesh
14在使徒约翰的时代,有人否认耶稣基督是在肉体里来的。关于这点,约翰说,『凡灵承认耶稣基督是在肉体里来的,就是出于神的;…凡灵不承认耶稣,就不是出于神的,这是那敌基督者的灵。』(约壹四~3。)否认耶稣基督是在肉体里来的,乃是莫大的异端。
14At the time of the apostle John, some denied that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Concerning this, John said, “Every spirit which confesses Jesus Christ having come in the flesh is out of God, and every spirit which does not confess Jesus, is not out of God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist” (1 John 4:2-3). It is a great heresy to deny the fact that Jesus Christ 2 has come in the flesh.
否认基督是受造者
Denying That Christ Is a Creature
15否认基督就著祂的人性说乃是受造者的,也是异端。我们按照歌罗西一章十五节教导说,主耶稣就著祂的人性说,乃是受造者;为此我们遭到强烈的反对。但否认主是受造者的,与否认基督是在肉体里来的,沦为同一类。说耶稣不是受造者,等于说祂没有成为肉体。肉体不是受造之物么?肉和血确实是受造的元素。主耶稣在十字架上所流的血,确实是神所造的。
15It is also heretical to deny that Christ is a creature with respect to His humanity. We have been strongly opposed for teaching, according to Colossians 1:15, that with regard to His humanity the Lord Jesus is a creature. But those who deny that the Lord is a creature fall into the category of those who deny that Christ has come in the flesh. To say that Jesus is not a creature equals to say that He did not become flesh. Is flesh not a created thing? To be sure, flesh and blood are created elements. The blood shed by the Lord Jesus on the cross was surely something created by God
16我们若透彻的研读神的话,会看见我们的主一面是创造者,另一面也是受造者。祂是神,是创造者;祂是人,是受造者。人不是神创造的一部分么?当然,人包括在神的创造里。主耶稣既成了有血有肉的人,而血和肉都是受造的元素,所以就著祂的人性说,祂也是受造者。
16If we make a thorough study of the word, we shall see that, on the one hand, our Lord is the Creator and that, on the other hand, He is also a creature. As God, He is the Creator; as a man, He is a creature. Is a man not part of God’s creation? Of course, man is included in God’s creation. Since the Lord Jesus became a man with blood and flesh, both of which are created elements, He is also a creature with respect to His humanity
17否认主耶稣是受造者是异端,就像否认主耶稣是神是亵渎一样。我们照著圣经说,耶稣是神也是人,我们的主是创造者也是受造者。祂实实在在是包罗万有者。这包罗万有者是神也是人,是创造者也是受造者。
17It is heretical to deny the fact that the Lord Jesus is a creature, just as it is blasphemous to deny the fact that He is God. According to the Scriptures, we say that Jesus is both God and man, that our Lord is both the Creator and a creature. He is truly the all-inclusive One. This all-inclusive One is both God and man, both the Creator and a creature
扫罗的门徒
SAUL’S DISCIPLES
18在九章二十五节,我们看见扫罗身上一件令人非常惊讶的事-他有门徒。这节明确清楚的说到『他的门徒。』从前领头逼迫耶稣的扫罗,现在有门徒跟从他。这指明他的传讲有力且得胜。人藉著他的传讲,为主所得著。扫罗那有力、优越的传讲激起了犹太人的反对,他们『商议要杀扫罗。』(徒九23。)九章二十四节告诉我们,他们『昼夜严密的看守城门,要杀害他。』扫罗既无路可逃,『他的门徒就在夜间,用筐子把他从城墙上槌下去。』(徒九25。)因此,扫罗很不光荣的逃脱了大马色的反对者。这样的逃脱乃是照著主的主宰。
18In 9:25 we see something very surprising concerning Saul—he had disciples. This verse definitely and clearly speaks of “his disciples.” Saul, who was once a leading persecutor of Jesus, now has disciples following him. The point we would make concerning this is that Saul’shaving disciples indicates that his preaching was powerful and prevailing. Through his preaching people were gained for the Lord. Saul’s powerful, prevailing preaching stirred up the opposition of the Jews, who “consulted together to do away with him” (v. 23). We are told that they “watched the gates closely, both day and night, so that they might do away with him” (v. 24). Since Saul had no way to escape, “his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket” v. 25). Therefore, in a way that was not at all glorious, Saul escaped from the opposers in Damascus. This way of escape was according to the Lord’s sovereignty
19主耶稣作了奇妙的工,使领头的逼迫者转变为得胜的传讲者。这改变发生在很短的时间之内。扫罗的经历暴露了今天神学院的缺失。人可以进神学院受知识的训练,但在完成教育时,属灵方面却『泄了气。』我们可以说大数的扫罗是进了主的『神学院,』很快就毕了业,成为优越的传讲者。扫罗不像今天许多传道人,他不想用心理学的作法来教导或传讲。反之,他来告诉人,这位就是神的儿子和基督。结果,他甚至得著了门徒。然而,至终他必须逃脱,往耶路撒冷去。
19The Lord Jesus did a wonderful work in turning His leading persecutor into a prevailing preacher. This change took place within a very short period of time. Saul’s experience exposes the shortness of today’s seminaries. A person may attend a seminary to be trained in the way of knowledge, but become spiritually “flat” by the time he completes his education. We may say that Saul of Tarsus attended the Lord’s “seminary” and “graduated” after a short while to become a prevailing preacher. Unlike many preachers today, Saul did not try to teach and preach in the way of psychology. Instead, he came forth to tell people that this One is the Son of God and the Christ. As a result, he even gained disciples. However, eventually it became necessary for him to escape and go to Jerusalem.
扫罗与耶路撒冷的门徒
SAUL AND THE DISCIPLES IN JERUSALEM
20虽然在大马色发生了许多事,耶路撒冷却没有听到甚么消息。为这缘故,当扫罗想与门徒结交的时候,他们『却都怕他,不信他是门徒。』(徒九26。)他们不能相信这反对者现在竟成了主耶稣的门徒。他们仍然怕他。但主在祂主宰的权柄里,豫备了巴拿巴,就是劝慰子。(徒四36。)巴拿巴接受了扫罗,『领他到使徒那里去,把他在路上怎么看见主,主怎么向他说话,他在大马色怎么在耶稣的名里放胆讲说,都向他们述说出来。』(徒九27。)于是扫罗留在他们那里,『和门徒出入来往,在主的名里放胆讲说。』(徒九28。)
20Although a great deal had taken place in Damascus, Jerusalem had not heard the news concerning it. For this reason, when Saul tried to join the disciples, they “all feared him, not believing that he was a disciple” (v. 26). They could not believe that this opposer was now a disciple of the Lord Jesus. They were still afraid of him. But in His sovereignty the Lord provided Barnabas, a son of encouragement (4:36). Barnabas took hold of Saul and “led him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He spoke to him, and how in Damascus he spoke boldly in the name of Jesus” (9:27). Then Saul remained with them, “going in and going out in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord” (v. 28
21按九章二十九节,扫罗『与说希利尼话的犹大人讲论辩驳,』就是说,与说希腊话的犹太人讲论辩驳。扫罗与他们辩论,得罪了他们,他们『却想下手杀他。』(徒九29。)弟兄们知道了,就决定将扫罗送回大数去。因此,在九章三十节,结束这段话说,他们『就送他下该撤利亚,打发他往大数去。』
21According to 9:29, Saul was “speaking and discussing with the Hellenists,” that is, with the Greek-speaking Jews. As Saul debated with them, they were offended and “attempted to do away with him” (v. 29). When the brothers realized what was happening, they decided to send Saul back to Tarsus. Therefore, 9:30 concludes this section by saying, “They brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus