Amabhuku Asetshenziswe Kugwalo Lwempilo Lenkonzo YamaKhristu
DECEMBER 3-9
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU IMISEBENZI 9-11
“Umuntu Owayehlukuluza AmaKhristu Uba Ngumtshumayeli Okhutheleyo”
(ImiSebenzi 9:1, 2) Kusenjalo, uSawuli wayelokhu ekhihliza izisongo zokubulala abafundi beNkosi. Waya kuMphristi ophezulu 2 wayacela izincwadi eziya emasinagogeni aseDamaseko, ukuze kuthi nxa engafumana khonale labo aba ngabeNdlela, abesilisa loba abesifazana, abalethe eJerusalema sebeyizibotshwa.
bt-ZU 60 ¶1-2
Ibandla “Langena Enkathini Yokuthula”
LABA bantu abathukuthele sebezofika eDamaseku, lapho behlose ukwenza khona ububi. Bazokhipha abafundi bakaJesu abazondwayo ngendlov’ iyangena emizini yabo, bababophe, babukise ngabo bese bebahudulela eJerusalema bayobhekana nolaka lweSanhedrini.
2 Ubhongoza waleli viyo, okunguSawulu igama lakhe, uselichithile kakade igazi. Usanda kubukela lapho izishoshovu zenkolo zikhanda ngamatshe uStefanu, umfundi ozinikele kaJesu. (IzE. 7: 57–8:1) Enganelisiwe ukuhlukumeza abalandeli bakaJesu abahlala eJerusalema, uSawulu uba njengesikhuni esivuthayo esithungela amalangabi oshushiso. Ufuna ukuliqeda nyaʹ leli hlelo eliwuhlupho elaziwa ngokuthi ile “Ndlela.”—IzE. 9: 1, 2; bheka ibhokisi elithi “Igunya LikaSawulu EDamaseku,” ekhasini 61.
(ImiSebenzi 9: 15, 16) Kodwa iNkosi yathi ku-Ananiya, “Hamba! Indoda le iyisiphathelo sami engisikhethileyo ukuthwala ibizo lami phambi kwabeZizwe lamakhosi abo laphambi kwabantu bako-Israyeli. 16 Ngizamtshengisa ukuthi uzahlupheka kanganani ngenxa yebizo lami.”
UJehova Ungumbumbi Wethu
4 Nxa uJehova ehlola abantu kakhangeli isimo sabo kodwa ukhangela izinhliziyo zabo, okutsho lokho abayikho ngaphakathi. (Bala u-1 Samuyeli 16:7b.) Lokhu kwakhanya ngesikhathi uNkulunkulu esungula ibandla lobuKhristu. Wakhetha abantu ababekhanya bengasilutho ngokubona kwabantu wabadonsela kuye laseNdodaneni yakhe. (Joh. 6:44) Omunye wabo ngumFarisi okwakuthiwa nguSawuli indoda ‘eyayingumhlambalazi lomhlukuluzi lesidlwangudlwangu.’ (1 Tim. 1:13) UJehova kazange abone uSawuli engumdaka ongelancedo. (Zaga. 17:3) Wabona ukuthi wayengabumbeka abe yisitsha esihle kakhulu, ‘isiphathelo esikhethiweyo’ sokutshumayela “kwabezizwe lamakhosi abo laphambi kwabantu bako-Israyeli.” (ImiSeb. 9:15) Kanti njalo uJehova wakhetha labanye ababengabunjwa babe yizitsha zokwenza ‘umsebenzi omuhle.’ Abanye babo babeyizidakwa, amasela ikanti abanye babengaziphathanga. (Rom. 9:21; 1 Khor. 6:9-11) Ngesikhathi befunda iqiniso baba lokholo njalo bavuma ukuthi uJehova ababumbe.
(ImiSebenzi 9:20-22) Waseqalisa ukutshumayela emasinagogeni ukuthi uJesu uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu. 21 Bonke labo abamuzwayo bamangala babuza bathi, “Kasuye yini umuntu lo owenza isigemegeme eJerusalema kulabo abalibizayo lelibizo na? Njalo kezanga yini lapha ukuzabathatha beyizibotshwa abese kubaphristi abakhulu na?” 22 Kodwa uSawuli wasebenza ngamandla amakhulu wadidekisa abaJuda ababehlala eDamaseko ngokubonisa kamhlophe ukuthi uJesu unguKhristu.
bt-ZU 64 ¶15
Ibandla “Langena Enkathini Yokuthula’’
15 Ungakubona ngeso lengqondo ukumangala, ukushaqeka nentukuthelo okumelwe ukuba yafikela izixuku lapho uSawulu eqala ukushumayela ngoJesu emasinagogeni? Zabuza: “Ingabe lo akuyena yini lo muntu owachitha abaseJerusalema ababiza leli gama?” (IzE. 9:21) Lapho echaza ukuthi kungani sashintsha isimo sakhe ngoJesu, uSawulu ‘wabonisa ngokunengqondo ukuthi lo nguKristu.’ (IzE. 9:22) Kodwa ukuba nengqondo akugculisi bonke abantu. Akuvuli zonke izingqondo eziboshwe amasiko noma izinhliziyo ezibanjwe ukuzazisa. Noma kunjalo, uSawulu akadikibalanga.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(ImiSebenzi 9:4) Wawela phansi wezwa ilizwi lisithi kuye, “Sawuli, Sawuli, ungihlukumezelani na?”
bt-ZU 60-61 ¶5-6
Ibandla “Langena Enkathini Yokuthula’’
5 Lapho uJesu emisa uSawulu emgwaqweni oya eDamaseku, akazange athi: “Ubashushiselani abafundi bami?” Njengoba sekushiwo ngenhla, wathi: “Ungishushiselani na?” (IzE. 9:4) Yebo, uJesu uyaluzwa uvivinyo olutholwa abalandeli bakhe.—Math. 25:34-40, 45.
6 Uma uhlushwa ngenxa yokholo lwakho kuKristu, qiniseka ukuthi bobabili uJehova noJesu bayasazi isimo okuso. (Math. 10:22, 28-31) Lolo vivinyo lungase lungasuswa manje. Khumbula, uJesu wayebukele lapho uSawulu efaka isandla ekubulaweni kukaStefanu, futhi wambona lapho ehudula abafundi abathembekile emizini yabo eJerusalema. (IzE. 8:3) Yize kunjalo, uJesu akazange angenele ngaleso sikhathi. Kepha uJehova, esebenzisa uKristu, wanika uStefanu nabanye abafundi amandla ababewadinga ukuze bahlale bethembekile.
(ImiSebenzi 10:6) Ihlala loSimoni ongumkhuhli wezikhumba olendlu okhunjini lolwandle.”
nwtsty umcijo wokutaditsha oku-ImiS 10:6
loSimoni ongumkhuhli wezikhumba: Umkhuhli wezikhumba wayetshuka izikhumba zezinyamazana esebenzisa umuthi wokukhipha uboya, inyama lamafutha okuyabe kusalele ezikhumbeni. Izikhumba lezi wayezifaka omunye umuthi ukuze kube lula ukwenza impahla ngazo. Izikhumba lezi zazinuka kubi yikho kwakufuneka amanzi amanengi, mhlawumbe lokhu yikho okwenza uSimoni wayahlala okhunjini lolwandle okungenzeka kwakuphandle kwedolobho leJopha. UMthetho kaMosi wawusithi umuntu owayebamba izidumbu zezinyamazana wayengcolile. (Lev 5:2; 11:39) Ngenxa yalokho amaJuda amanengi ayebakhangelela phansi abakhuhli bezikhumba futhi ayengeke ahlale labo. Ibhuku lomthetho lamaJuda okuthiwa yiTalmud lalisithi umsebenzi womuntu okhuhla izikhumba wawuphansi ukwedlula owomuntu obutha ubulongwe. Kodwa uPhetro kazange ambandlulule uSimoni, wahlala laye. Ukungabandlululi kwenza uPhetro wenelisa ukwenza umsebenzi ayesewuphiwe wokuya emzini womuntu weZizweni. Ezinye izingcitshi zithi ibala lesiGrikhi elithi “umkhuhli wezikhumba” (byr·seusʹ) yisibongo sikaSimoni.
Ukubalwa kweBhayibhili
DECEMBER 10-16
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU IMISEBENZI 12-14
“UBhanaba LoPhawuli Benza Abafundi Ezindaweni Ezikhatshana”
(ImiSebenzi 13:2, 3) Kwathi beyikhonza iNkosi njalo bezilile umoya ongcwele wathi, “Ngahlukaniselani uBhanaba loSawuli baye emsebenzini engibabizele wona.” 3 Yikho bathi sebezilile njalo sebekhulekile, bababeka izandla babakhupha.
bt-ZU 86 ¶4
“Bagcwala Injabulo Nomoya Ongcwele”
4 Kungani umoya ongcwele waqondisa ukuthi kube uBarnaba noSawulu abahlukaniselwa lo “msebenzi”? (IzE. 13:2) IBhayibheli alisho. Siyazi ukuthi umoya ongcwele owaqondisa ukuqokwa kwala madoda. Akukho lutho olubonisa ukuthi abaprofethi nabafundisi e-Antiyokiya baphikisana nalesi sinqumo. Kunalokho, basisekela ngokugcwele. Cabanga nje indlela okumelwe ukuba uBarnaba noSawulu bazizwa ngayo njengoba abafowabo abangokomoya ‘bezila ukudla futhi bethandaza bebabeka izandla futhi behamba.’ (IzE. 13:3) Nathi kufanele sibasekele abantu abathola izabelo ezingokwasezulwini, kuhlanganise namadoda amiswa njengabadala bamabandla. Kunokuba sibafele umona abathola amalungelo anjalo, kufanele ‘sibacabangele ngaphezu kokuvamile ngenxa yomsebenzi wabo.’—1 Thes. 5:13.
(ImiSebenzi 13:12) Kwathi usibalukhulu esekubonile lokho okwakwenzakele wakholwa, ngoba wamangaliswa yimfundiso ngeNkosi.
(ImiSebenzi 13:48) Kwathi abeZizwe bekuzwa lokhu bathaba, balidumisa ilizwi leNkosi; kwathi bonke ababemiselwe ukuphila okungapheliyo bakholwa.
(ImiSebenzi 14:1) E-Ikhoniyami uPhawuli loBhanaba baya esinagogeni yabaJuda njengenjayelo yabo. Khonapho bakhuluma kwezwela kwaze kwathi abaJuda abanengi labeZizwe bakholwa.
bt-ZU 95 ¶5
‘Bakhuluma Ngesibindi Ngokugunyazwa UJehova’
5 Okokuqala, uPawulu noBarnaba bama e-Ikoniyu, eyayisanamathele kakhulu emasikweni amaGreki futhi eyayingenye yezindawo ezibalulekile esifundazweni saseRoma, iGalathiya. Lo muzi wawuhlala amaJuda anethonya namaproselithe amaningi. Ngokwenkambiso yabo, uPawulu noBarnaba bangena esinagogeni baqala ukushumayela. (IzE. 13:5, 14) “Bakhuluma ngendlela eyenza ukuba uquqaba lwamaJuda namaGreki lube amakholwa.”—IzE. 14:1
(ImiSebenzi 14:21, 22) Bazitshumayela izindaba ezinhle kulelodolobho bazuza inani elikhulu labafundi. Yikho basebebuyela eListra, le-Ikhoniyami le-Antiyokhi. 22 Beqinisa abafundi njalo bebakhuthaza ukuthi babambelele ekukholweni. Bathi, “Kufanele sedlule ezinhlungwini ezinengi ukuze singene eMbusweni kaNkulunkulu.”
w14 9/15 13 ¶4-5
Hlala Uqotho kuNkulunkulu Lanxa ‘Usezinhlungwini Ezinengi’
4 UPhawuli loBhanaba batshumayela eDebhe “basebebuyela eListra, le-Ikhoniyamu le-Antiyokhi beqinisa abafundi njalo bebakhuthaza ukuthi babambelele ekukholweni. Bathi, ‘Kufanele sedlule ezinhlungwini ezinengi ukuze singene eMbusweni kaNkulunkulu.’” (ImiSeb. 14:21, 22) Ekuqaliseni kungakhanya kunzima ukuwazwisisa amazwi la. Phela ukucabanga ngokuthi kwakuzamele bedlule “ezinhlungwini ezinengi” kwakungabakhathaza kulokuthi kubakhuthaze abafundi laba. Amazwi kaPhawuli loBhanaba ayetshengisa ukuthi babezakwehlelwa yizinhlungu ezinengi. Pho-ke kungani kuthiwa ‘baqinisa abafundi’ bona bakhuluma amazwi ayekhanya engathembisi?
5 Impendulo singayithola ngokukhangela amazwi kaPhawuli ngelihlo elibukhali. Kazange aphonguthi: “Kufanele sibekezelele izinhlungu ezinengi.” Kodwa wathi: “Kufanele sedlule ezinhlungwini ezinengi ukuze singene eMbusweni kaNkulunkulu.” Ngakho uPhawuli waqinisa abafundi ngokugcizelela ukuthi nxa babezahlala bethembekile babezathola umvuzo omkhulu. Lokhu kwakungeke kube liphupho nje. UJesu wathi: “Lowo omayo aqine kuze kube sekupheleni uzasindiswa.”—Mat. 10:22.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(ImiSebenzi 12:21-23) Mhla wosuku olumisiweyo uHerodi wagqoka ezobukhosi wahlala esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi wasekhuluma ebantwini. 22 Bamemeza bathi, “Leli yilizwi likankulunkulu, hatshi elomuntu.” 23 Masinyane nje, ngenxa yokuthi uHerodi wayengamkhonzi uNkulunkulu, ingilosi yeNkosi yamtshaya yamlahla phansi wadliwa zimpethu wafa.
w08-ZU 5/15 32 ¶7
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi YezEnzo
12:21-23; 14:14-18. UHerode walwamukela ngaphandle kokungabaza udumo okufanele lunikezwe uNkulunkulu kuphela. Yeka ukuthi lokhu kwakuhluke kanjani esinyathelweni esathathwa uPawulu noBarnaba sokulwenqaba ngokushesha nangokucacile udumo olungabafanele! Akufanele sifise ukudunyiswa ngenxa yanoma iziphi izinto okungenzeka sizifezile enkonzweni kaJehova.
(ImiSebenzi 13:9) Kwasekusithi uSawuli, owayethiwa njalo nguPhawuli, egcwele umoya ongcwele wamjolozela u-Elima
nwtsty imicijo yokutaditsha eku-ImiS 13:9
uSawuli, owayethiwa njalo nguPhawuli: Kusukela lapha uSawuli ubizwa kuthiwa nguPhawuli. Umphostoli lo wayengumHebheru ngokuzalwa kodwa eyisizalwane seRoma. (ImiS 22:27, 28; Flp 3:5) Yikho kungenzakala ukuthi kusukela esesengumntwana waphiwa ibizo lesiHebheru elithi Sawuli leleRoma elithi Phawuli. Kwakujayelekile ngalesosikhathi ukuthi amaJuda ayengahlali eJerusalema abe lamabizo amabili. (ImiS 12:12; 13:1) Lezinye izihlobo zikaPhawuli zazilamabizo esiGrikhi laweRoma. (Rom 16:7, 21) Njengoba uPhawuli ‘wayengumphostoli wabezizwe’ wathunywa ukuthi ayetshumayela izindaba ezinhle ebantwini bezizwe. (Rom 11:13) Yikho kukhanya wakhetha ukuthi asebenzise ibizo lakhe leRoma mhlawumbe ecabanga ukuthi bazamamukela ngcono. (ImiS 9:15; Gal 2:7, 8) Abanye bathi wakhetha ukusebenzisa ibizo leli elamaRoma ukuze atshengise ukuthi uhlonipha uSegiwu Phawuli kodwa lokhu kukhanya ayisiloqiniso ngoba uPhawuli waqhubeka elisebenzisa ibizo leli lanxa wayesesukile eKhuphro. Abanye bacabanga ukuthi uPhawuli wayekela ukusebenzisa ibizo lakhe lesiGrikhi ngenxa yokuthi lalibizwa ngendlela efanana lelinye ibala lesiGrikhi elalisitsho umuntu (loba inyamazana) ohamba ngendlela etshengisa ukuthi uyazigqaja.—Khangela umcijo wokutaditsha oku-ImiS 7:58.
Phawuli: EMibhalweni yamaKhristu yesiGrikhi ibizo elithi Pauʹlos elithethwe ebizweni lesiLatin elithi Paulus elitsho ukuthi “okulutshwana; okuncane” lisetshenziswe izikhathi ezingu-157 nxa likhuluma ngomphostoli uPhawuli futhi lisetshenziswe kanye nxa likhuluma ngosibalukhulu waseKhuphro okuthiwa nguSegiwu Phawuli.—ImiS 13:7.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
DECEMBER 17-23
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU IMISEBENZI 15-16
“Benza Isinqumo Esisekelwe ELizwini LikaNkulunkulu”
(ImiSebenzi 15:1, 2) Amadoda athile eza e-Antiyokhi evela eJudiya afika afundisa abazalwane esithi: “Ngaphandle kokuthi lisokwe ngendlela yomkhuba eyafundiswa nguMosi lingeke lisindiswe.” 2 Lokhu kwenza uPhawuli loBhanaba baphikisana labo kakhulu. Yikho uPhawuli loBhanaba bakhethwa kanye lamanye amakholwa ukuthi baye eJerusalema ukuyabona abaphostoli labadala ngalolu udaba.
bt-ZU 102-103 ¶8
‘Kwavela Ukungezwani Okukhulu’
8 ULuka waqhubeka: “Lapho sekuvele ukungezwani nokuphikisana okukhulu phakathi kwabo [“abantu abathile”] noPawulu noBarnaba, [abadala] bahlela ukuba uPawulu noBarnaba nabanye kubo bakhuphukele kubaphostoli namadoda amadala eJerusalema ngokuqondene nalokhu kuphikisana.” (IzE. 15:2) “Ukungezwani nokuphikisana” kwabonisa ukuthi womabili la maqembu ayenemizwa ejulile nemibono eqinile futhi ibandla lase-Antiyokiya lalingeke likwazi ukukuxazulula. Ukuze kugcinwe ukuthula nobunye, ngokuhlakanipha ibandla lahlela ukuyisa lendaba “kubaphostoli namadoda amadala eJerusalema,” ababakha indikimba ebusayo. Yini esingayifunda kubadala base-Antiyokiya?
(ImiSebenzi 15:13-20) Bathi sebeqedile uJakhobe wakhuluma wathi: “Bazalwane, ake lingilalele. 14 USimoni usesilandisele ngokuthi ekuqaleni uNkulunkulu watshengisa njani ukunakekela kwakhe abeZizwe ngokukhetha phakathi kwabo abantu ukuba babe ngabakhe. 15 Amazwi abaphrofethi ayavumelana lalokhu, njengalokhu kulotshiwe kuthiwa: 16 “‘Ngemva kwalokhu ngizabuya ngakhe kutsha indlu kaDavida ewileyo. Amanxiwa ayo ngizawavuselela, njalo ngizayimisa kutsha, 17 ukwenzela ukuthi lonke uluntu luyidinge iNkosi, kanye labeZizwe abaziwa ngebizo lami, kutsho iNkosi eyenzayo lezizinto, 18 ezivele zisaziwa kusukela ekadeni.’ 19 “Yikho ngokubona kwami, kakumelanga sikwenze kube lukhuni kwabe-Zizwe asebephendukela kuNkulunkulu. 20 Esikhundleni salokho kasibalobeleni sibatshele ukuthi kabaxwaye ukudla okungcoliswe yizithombe, lokuphinga, lenyama yenyamazana ekhanyiweyo lobubende.
w12-ZU 1/15 5 ¶6-7
AmaKristu Eqiniso Ayalihlonipha IZwi LikaNkulunkulu
6 Amavesi asiza ekuxazululeni lolu daba aku-Amose 9:11, 12. Nakhu akushoyo njengoba ecashunwe encwadini yezEnzo 15:16, 17: “Ngiyobuya futhi ngilakhe kabusha idokodo likaDavide eliwele phansi; futhi ngiyowakha kabusha amanxiwa alo ngiphinde ngilimise, ukuze labo abasele kubantu bamfune ngobuqotho uJehova, kanye nabantu bazo zonke izizwe, abantu ababizwa ngegama lami, kusho uJehova.”
7 Kodwa omunye angase athi, ‘Mana kancane, lawo mavesi awasho ukuthi kwakungadingekile ukuba amakholwa eZizwe asokwe.’ Uyobe eqinisile; nokho, amaKristu angamaJuda wona ayeyolithola iphuzu. Ayengabheki abantu beZizwe abasokile ‘njengabantu bezizwe’ kodwa njengabafowabo. (Eks. 12:48, 49) Ngokwesibonelo, ngokwenguqulo ye-Septuagint kaBagster, u-Esteri 8:17 ufundeka kanje: “Abantu abaningi beZizwe basokwa, futhi baba amaJuda.” Ngakho, lapho imiBhalo ibikezela ukuthi labo abasele bendlu ka-Israyeli (amaJuda namaJuda angamaproselithe asokile) kanye “nabantu bazo zonke izizwe” (abeZizwe abangasokile) babeyoba isizwe esisodwa esibizwa ngegama likaNkulunkulu, kwakucaca ukuthi yayisho ukuthini. Kwakungadingeki ukuba abeZizwe abafuna ukuba amaKristu basokwe.
(ImiSebenzi 15:28, 29) Kubonakele kufanele kumoya ongcwele lakithi ukuthi singalisindisi ngalutho bani ngaphandle kwezimiso ezilandelayo: 29 Xwayani ukudla okunikelwe izithombe, ububende, inyama yenyamazana ekhanyiweyo kanye lokuphinga. Lizabe lenze kuhle uma lizixwaya lezizinto. Salani kuhle.”
(ImiSebenzi 16:4, 5) Ekuhambeni kwabo kulelo lalelo idolobho, babezethula izinqumo ezenziwa ngabaphostoli labadala eJerusalema ukuze abantu bazilandele. 5 Yikho amabandla aqiniswa ekukholweni abantu banda mihla yonke.
bt-ZU 123 ¶18
“Ukuqinisa Amabandla”
18 UPawulu noThimothewu basebenza iminyaka ndawonye. Njengababonisi abajikelezayo, bafeza izabelo eziningi ezivela endikimbeni ebusayo. IBhayibheli lithi: “Njengoba behamba bedabula imizi babenikeza laba balapho izinqumo ezazinqunywe abaphostoli namadoda amadala eJerusalema ukuba bazigcine.” (IzE. 16:4) Kusobala ukuthi amabandla asilalela isiqondiso esivela kubaphostoli namadoda amadala eJerusalema. Ngenxa yalokho, “amabandla aqhubeka eqiniswa okholweni futhi anda ngesibalo usuku nosuku.”—IzE. 16:5.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(ImiSebenzi 16:6-9) UPhawuli labaphelekezeli bakhe balibhoda lonke elommango waseFrigiya laseGalathiya, umoya ongcwele esemalele ukuthi atshumayele ilizwi elizweni lase-Asiya. 7 Bathi sebefike emngceleni waseMisiya, bazama ukungena eBhithiniya, kodwa umoya kaJesu kawubavumelanga. 8 Ngakho bedlula eceleni kweMisiya behlela eThrowa. 9 Ebusuku uPhawuli wehlelwa ngumbono wendoda yaseMakhedoniya imi imncenga isithi, “Woza eMakhedoniya uzosisiza.”
w12-ZU 1/15 10 ¶8
Funda Ukuhlale Ulindile Kubaphostoli BakaJesu
8 Singafundani kulokhu kulandisa? Phawula ukuthi umoya kaNkulunkulu wangenela kuphela ngemva kokuba uPawulu eseqale uhambo oluya e-Asiya. Ngokulandelayo, uJesu waqondisa uPawulu kuphela ngemva kokuba eseseduze neBhithiniya. Okokugcina, uJesu wamtshela ukuba aye eMakedoniya kuphela ngemva kokuba esefike eTrowa. NjengeNhloko yebandla, uJesu angase asebenzelane nathi ngendlela efanayo. (Kol. 1:18) Ngokwesibonelo, kungenzeka ubucabanga ngokukhonza njengephayona noma ngokuthuthela endaweni lapho kunendingeko enkulu khona. Kodwa kungase kube ngemva kokuba usuthathe isinyathelo sokufinyelela umgomo wakho kuphela lapho uJesu eyokuqondisa khona ngomoya kaNkulunkulu. Ngokwesibonelo, umshayeli angajikisa imoto yakhe ukuba iye ngakwesobunxele noma ngakwesokudla kuphela uma ihamba. Ngokufanayo, uJesu angasiqondisa nathi kuphela uma sesisithathile isinyathelo sokwandisa inkonzo yethu—senza umzamo wokufinyelela umgomo wethu.
(ImiSebenzi 16:37) Kodwa uPhawuli wathi emanxuseni: “Basibhaxuza phambi kwabantu singazange sithonisiswe thina singamaRoma agcweleyo, basiphosela entolongweni. Kanti manje sebefuna ukusikhupha ngasese na? Hatshi! kabeze bona ngokwabo bazosikhupha.”
nwtsty umcijo wokutaditsha oku-ImiS 16:37
singamaRoma: Okutsho izizalwane zeRoma. UPhawuli wayeyisizalwane seRoma njalo kukhanya angathi loSila laye wayeyiso. Umthetho weRoma wawusithi isizalwane seRoma kwakungamelanga sijeziswe phambi kwabantu kungakatholakali ukuthi silecala loba hatshi. Isizalwane seRoma sasiphathwa kuhle futhi silamanye amalungelo loba ngaphi lapho esasingaya khona embusweni wamaRoma. Isizalwane seRoma sasingaphansi komthetho wamaRoma hatshi eminye imithetho yakwezinye izindawo. Nxa wayengetheswa icala wayengavuma ukuthonisiswa ngumthetho wendawo lapho ayabe ekhona lanxa kunjalo wayelalo ilungelo lokudlulisela icala emthethwandaba wamaRoma. Nxa wayeyenze icala elikhulu wayelalo ilungelo lokudlulisela icala kuKhesari. Umphostoli uPhawuli watshumayela indawo enkulu eMbusweni weRoma. Wasebenzisa kuhle amalungelo akhe okuba ngumRoma izikhathi ezintathu. Okokuqala kwakuseFiliphi lapho atshela khona abahluli baseFiliphi ukuthi babemphathe kubi ngokumtshaya ngoba yena wayeyisizalwane seRoma.—Ezinye izindawo ezimbili, khangela imicijo yokutaditsha eku-ImiS 22:25; 25:11.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
DECEMBER 24-30
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU IMISEBENZI 17-18
“Lingisela Umphostoli UPhawuli Nxa Utshumayela Njalo Ufundisa”
(ImiSebenzi 17:2, 3) Njengenjayelo yakhe uPhawuli waya esinagogeni, kwathi ngezinsuku zamaSabatha amathathu wabonisana labo ngezeMibhalo, 3 echaza njalo eveza obala ukuthi uKhristu wayemele ahlupheke njalo avuke kwabafileyo. Wathi, “UJesu lo engitshumayela ngaye kini unguye uKhristu.
nwtsty imicijo yokutaditsha eku-ImiS 17:2, 3
wabonisana: UPhawuli kazange aphongubatshela nje izindaba ezinhle. Wachasisa njalo wasebenzisa iMibhalo yesiHebheru ukuze atshengise ukuthi ayekutsho kwakuliqiniso. Kazange aphongubala nje iMibhalo kodwa wabonisana labo futhi wavumelanisa imicabango yakhe leyalabo ababemlalele. Ibala lesiGrikhi elithi di·a·leʹgo·mai lichazwa ngokuthi “yikuphendulana lothile kumbe ukuxoxa.” Lilomqondo wokuxoxa labantu. Ibala leli lesiGrikhi liyasetshenziswa laku-ImiS 17:17; 18:4, 19; 19:8, 9; 20:7, 9
eveza obala: Ibala lesiGrikhi litsho “ukubeka ulutho oluthile eceleni kolunye.” Lokhu kungatsho ukuthi uPhawuli waqathanisa ngonanzelelo iziphrofetho zikaMesiya eziseMibhalweni yesiHebheru etshengisa ukuthi uJesu wayezigcwalise njani iziphrofetho lezo.
(ImiSebenzi 17:17) Ngakho wabonisana labaJuda kanye lamaGiriki ababesesaba uNkulunkulu esinagogeni lasendaweni yokuthengisa zonke izinsuku lalabo ababekhonapho.
nwtsty umcijo wokutaditsha oku-ImiS 17:17
lasendaweni yokuthengisa: Imakethe yase-Athene yayisenyakatho mpumalanga ye-Acropolis futhi yayingaba ngama-ekha (acre) angu-12. Imakethe yayingasondawo nje yokuthenga lokuthengisa. Kwakusenzelwa lemihlangano yokuthuthukisa ezomnotho wedolobho, ezombusazwe lezamasiko. Abantu base-Athene babekuthanda ukuhlangana endaweni le ukuze baxoxe ngendaba zempilo.
(ImiSebenzi 17:22, 23) UPhawuli wasukuma enkundleni ye-Ariyophagu wathi, “Madoda ase-Athene! Ngiyabona ukuthi kukho konke lingabantu abakhonzayo. 23 Ngoba ngithe ngihambahamba, ngabona izithombe zenu, ngaze ngafumana i-alithare elilombhalo othi: KUNKULUNKULU ONGAZIWAYO. Manje-ke lokhu elikukhonza njengolutho olungaziwayo yikho engizakutshumayela kini.
nwtsty umcijo wokutaditsha oku-ImiS 17:22, 23
KUNKULUNKULU ONGAZIWAYO: Amabala esiGrikhi athi A·gnoʹstoi the·oiʹ lawo ayebhalwe e-alithareni lase-Athene. Abantu be-Athene babetshengisa ukuthi bayabesaba onkulunkulu ngokwakha amathempeli lama-alithare amanengi. Babeze bakhele lezinye izinto ababezenza onkulunkulu, ngokwesibonelo uDumo, Ukuzehlisa, Amandla, Ukuncenga loZwelo. Bakha i-alithare elalibhalwe ukuthi “KUNKULUNKULU ONGAZIWAYO” mhlawumbe besesaba ukuthi kulonkulunkulu ababemkhohliwe ongacina esebazondele. I-alithare leli lalitshengisa ukuthi ukhona uNkulunkulu ababengamazi. UPhawuli wasebenzisa i-alithare leli ukuze atshele abantu base-Athene ngoNkulunkulu weqiniso ababengakabi mazi.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(ImiSebenzi 18:18) UPhawuli waphinda wahlala njalo okwesikhathi esithile eKhorinte. Muva wasetshiya abazalwane wawelela eSiriya, ephelekezelwa nguPhrisila lo-Akhwila. Engakaweli, wagela izinwele zakhe eKhenkreya ngenxa yesifungo ayesenzile.
w08-ZU 5/15 32 ¶5
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi YezEnzo
18:18—Isiphi isifungo esenziwa uPawulu? Ezinye izazi zisikisela ukuthi uPawulu wayenze isifungo sobuNaziri. (Num. 6:1-21) Nokho, iBhayibheli alisisho isifungo sikaPawulu. Ngaphezu kwalokho, imiBhalo ayisho ukuthi leso sifungo wasenza ngaphambi noma ngemva kokuguquka kwakhe noma ukuthi wayesiqala noma wayesesiphetha. Kunoma ikuphi, ukwenza leso sifungo kwakungesona isono.
(ImiSebenzi 18:21) Kodwa wathi esesuka wathembisa wathi, “Ngizabuya, uma kuyintando kaNkulunkulu.” Wasewela esuka e-Efesu.
nwtsty umcijo wokutadisha oku-ImiS 18:21
uma kuyintando kaNkulunkulu: Umutsho lo utshengisa ukuthi singakenzi loba yini kumele siqakathekise lokho okufunwa nguNkulunkulu. Umphostoli uPhawuli wahlala ecabanga ngalokho. (1Kr 4:19; 16:7; Heb 6:3) Umfundi uJakhobe laye wakhuthaza ayebabhalela esithi: “Uma kuyintando yeNkosi sizaphila senze lokhu loba lokhuyana.” (Jak 4:15) Umuntu kamelanga aphonguwatsho nje amazwi la kodwa kumele enze okuhambisana lentando kaJehova. Akutsho ukuthi umuntu kumele awakhulume kodwa izikhathi ezinengi ajayele ukukhulunywa enhliziyweni.—Khangela imicijo yokutaditsha eku-ImiS 21:14; 1Kr 4:19, Jak 4:15 lo-sgd ingxenye 2.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili
DECEMBER 31–JANUARY 6
AMAGUGU ASELIZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU IMISEBENZI 19-20
“Zilindeni Lina Kanye Lawo Wonke Umhlambi”
(ImiSebenzi 20:28, NW) Zilindeni lina kanye lawo wonke umhlambi umoya ongcwele olenze laba ngabaqapheli bakhe. Yelusani ibandla likaNkulunkulu, alithenga ngegazi leNdodana yakhe.
w11-ZU 6/15 20-21 ¶5
“Yalusani Umhlambi KaNkulunkulu Eniwuphathisiwe”
5 Lo mphostoli wabhala ukuthi amadoda amadala kwakumelwe ‘eluse umhlambi kaNkulunkulu awuphathisiwe.’ Kwakubaluleke kakhulu ukuba aqaphele ukuthi umhlambi ungokaJehova noJesu Kristu. Labo badala kwakuyodingeka balandise ngendlela ababeziqaphe ngayo izimvu zikaNkulunkulu. Ake sithi umngane wakho omkhulu ukucele ukuba umbhekele izingane zakhe ngesikhathi engekho. Ubungeke yini uzinakekele kahle futhi uzinike ukudla? Uma kuba khona egulayo, ubungeke yini uqinisekise ukuthi ithola usizo lwezokwelapha oludingekayo? Ngokufanayo, abadala ebandleni kumelwe ‘beluse ibandla likaNkulunkulu, alithenga ngegazi leNdodana yakhe.’ (IzE. 20:28) Bahlale bekhumbula ukuthi imvu ngayinye yathengwa ngegazi eliyigugu likaKristu Jesu. Beqaphela ukuthi bayolandisa, abadala bayawondla, bawuvikele futhi bawunakekele umhlambi.
(ImiSebenzi 20:31) Ngakho lihlale liqaphile! Khumbulani ukuthi okweminyaka emithathu kangizange ngiphumule ukuxwayisa omunye lomunye wenu ebusuku lemini ngezinyembezi.
w13-ZU 1/15 31 ¶15
Abadala AbangamaKristu—‘Izisebenzi Ezikanye Nathi Ukuze Sijabule’
15 Ukuba umalusi kuhilela umsebenzi omkhulu. Ngezinye izikhathi, abadala abalali ebusuku becabangela ngomthandazo umhlambi kaNkulunkulu noma besekela ngokomoya abakholwa nabo. (2 Kor. 11:27, 28) Noma kunjalo, abadala bafeza umthwalo wabo wemfanelo ngokugcwele nangenjabulo, njengoba kwenza uPawulu. Wabhalela abaseKorinte: “Ngizokuthokozela kakhulu ukusebenzisa konke enginakho nokuba ngisetshenziswe ngokuphelele ngenxa yemiphefumulo yenu.” (2 Kor. 12:15) Ngempela, ngenxa yokuthi uPawulu wayebathanda abafowabo, wazikhandla ngokugcwele ebaqinisa. (Funda eyesi-2 Korinte 2:4; Fil. 2:17; 1 Thes. 2:8) Shono abazalwane babemthanda kangaka!—IzE. 20:31-38.
(ImiSebenzi 20:35) Kukho konke engakwenzayo ngalibonisa ukuthi ngalendlela yokusebenza nzima kumele sisize ababuthakathaka, sikhumbula amazwi eNkosi uJesu athi: ‘Ukupha kubusisekile okudlula ukwamukela.’”
bt-ZU 172 ¶20
“Ngimsulwa Egazini Labo Bonke Abantu”
20 Inkambo yokuphila kukaPawulu yayihluke ngokuphelele kweyalabo kamuva ababezowuphatha kabi umhlambi. Wayesebenza ukuze azisekele, angabi umthwalo ebandleni. Ukuzikhandla kwakhe ngenxa yabafowabo kwakungekona okokuzizuzisa yena. UPawulu wanxusa abadala base-Efesu ukuba babonise umoya wokuzidela. Wathi kubo: “Kumelwe nisize ababuthakathaka, futhi kumelwe nikhumbule amazwi eNkosi uJesu, lapho yona ngokwayo ithi, ‘Kukhona injabulo eyengeziwe ekupheni kunasekwamukeleni.’”—IzE. 20:35.
Ukuchwayisisa IMibhalo
(ImiSebenzi 19:9) Kodwa abanye babo baba yiziqholo; bala ukukholwa bakhuluma kubi obala ngeNdlela. UPhawuli wasebatshiya bodwa. Wathatha abafundi wasuka wayahlangana labo baxoxisana nsuku zonke esikolweni sikaThiranu.
bt-ZU 161 ¶11
‘Ukukhula Nokunqoba’ Naphezu Kokuphikiswa
11 Kungenzeka ukuthi uPawulu wayefundisa kuleli hholo lesikole nsuku zonke kusukela ngo–11:00 ekuseni kuze kube ngu–4:00 ntambama. (IzE. 19:9, umbhalo waphansi we-New World Translation) Lezo kwakuyizikhathi ezithule kodwa ezishisa kakhulu zosuku lapho abaningi babeyeka ukusebenza ukuze badle futhi baphumule. Cabanga nje ukuthi ukube uPawulu wakwenza ngokwethembeka iminyaka emibili lokhu, wayezobe echithe amahora angaphezu kuka-3 000 efundisa. Lesi esinye isizathu esenza izwi likaJehova laqhubeka likhula futhi linqoba. UPawulu wayekhuthele futhi ezivumelanisa nezimo. Wahlela izimo zakhe ukuze inkonzo yakhe ivumelane nezidingo zabantu kuleyo ndawo. Waba yini umphumela? “Bonke ababehlala esifundeni sase-Asiya balizwa izwi leNkosi, amaJuda namaGreki.” (IzE. 19:10) Yeka ubufakazi obuphelele abunikeza!
(ImiSebenzi 19:19) Abanengi ababehlahlula baletha ndawonye izincwadimgoqwa zabo bazitshisa obala. Bathi sebehlolile izindleko zalezozincwadimgoqwa kwabonakala kungaba ngamadrakhima ayizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amahlanu.
bt-ZU 162-163 ¶15
‘Ukukhula Nokunqoba’ Naphezu Kokuphikiswa
15 Ukuthotshiswa kwamadodana kaSkeva kwaphumela ekwesabeni uNkulunkulu, kwenza abaningi baba amakholwa futhi balahla imikhuba yokusebenzelana nemimoya. Abantu base-Efesu babengene shí ekwenzeni imilingo. Iziphonso nezigqizo zaziyinsakavukela, kuhlanganise namazwi okuloya, ngokuvamile ayebhalwe phansi. Abantu abaningi base-Efesu manje bashukumiseleka ukuba bakhiphe izincwadi zabo zemilingo futhi bazishise phambi kwawo wonk’umuntu—nakuba zazibiza ama-dollar angamashumi ezinkulungwane ngokwezibalo zanamuhla. ULuka uyabika: “Ngakho izwi likaJehova laqhubeka likhula futhi linqoba ngendlela enamandla.” (IzE. 19:17-20) Yeka ukunqoba okuphawulekayo kweqiniso linqoba amanga nobudemoni! Labo bantu abathembekile basibekela isibonelo esihle namuhla. Nathi siphila ezweni elicwile ekusebenzelaneni nemimoya. Uma kwenzeka sithola ukuthi sinokuthile okuhlobene nemimoya, sizokwenza njengoba kwenza abase-Efesu—sizohlukana nako ngaso leso sikhathi! Asizigcine sikude nale mikhuba enyanyekayo, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi yini ezosilahlekela.
Ukubalwa KweBhayibhili