‘Nyang’anani Mulungu, . . . ndipo Mugumaneni’

1-3. (a) Thangwe ranyi Paulo adawawidwa kwene-kwene pomwe adafika ku Atena? (b) Kodi tingapfunze ciyani na ciratizo ca Paulo?

Pomwe Paulo adafika mu mzinda wa Atena m’dziko la Gresiya, adawawidwa kwene-kwene mu mtima. Atena ukhali mzinda omwe ukhana mapfunziro yapadzulu kwene-kwene ndipo apfunzisi wakubvekera ninga Sócrates, Platão na Aristóteles adapfunzisa kumweku. Wanthu wa ku Atena akhafuna kwene-kwene kunamata. Ku mbuto iri-yentse ninga ku templo, m’misika na m’miseu, Paulo akhandowona bzifanikiso, pakuti wanthu wa ku Atena akhanamata mirungu mizinji. Paulo akhadziwa momwe Yahova Mulungu wacadidi, ambaiwonera nkhani ya kunamata bzifanikiso. (Eki. 20:4, 5) Mpostolo wakukhulupirikayu akhawonambo nkhani ya bzifanikiso ninga momwe Yahova ambaiwonera. Iye akhanyantsidwa na bzifanikiso.

² Bzomwe Paulo adawona pomwe adapita mu msika, bzidamusunamisa kwene-kwene. Pa khona lomwe likhali ku norte, pafupi na msuwo ukulu wakupitira mu msikamo, iye adawona bzifanikiso bzizinji bza mulungu wawo wakucemeredwa Herme bzomwe bzikhali pezi. Mu msikamo mukhana mbuto zizinji zakunamatira. Kodi mpostolo wa nyongoyu, angadapalizira tani mu mzinda omwe wanthu azinji akhafuna kwene-kwene kunamata bzifanikiso? Kodi iye angadakwanisa kubziphata acikumbukira nkhani yomwe wanthuwo angadabverana nayo? Kodi angadakwanisa kuthandiza wanthuwo kunyang’ana Mulungu wacadidi acimugumana?

³ Nkhani yomwe Paulo adafotokozera wanthu wa ku Atena omwe akhadapfunza kwene-kwene, yomwe idanembedwa pa Mabasa 17:22-31, ni ciratizo cabwino ca momwe tingalewelewere mwa luso, mwanzeru na mwakukumbuka bwino. Tikapfunza ciratizo ca Paulo, tin’dzakwanisa kusankhula nkhani zomwe abveseri wathu angabverane nazo, ticiwathandiza kubvesesa cadidi ca m’Bibliya.

Paulo Adapfunzisa “m’Misika” (Mabasa 17:16-21)

4, 5. Kodi ni mbuto ziponi zomwe Paulo adapalizira ku Atena, ndipo n’thangwe ranyi bzikhali lini bzakupusa?

⁴ Paulo adayenda ku Atena m’magole ya 50 EC,a pa ulendo bwace bwaciwiri bwa umisiyonario. Pomwe akhadikhirira Sila na Timotio omwe akhacokera ku Bereya, Paulo “adayamba kupfunzisa m’nyumba zakunamatira za Adjuda.” Iye adayendambo kukapalizira mu “msika” momwe adagumana wanthu azinji wa ku Atena omwe akhali lini Adjuda. (Mab. 17:17) Msikayo ukhali ku norte kwa Akoropoli, ukhadatalimpha mametro pafupi-fupi 250 ndipo khwankhwa lace likhali la mametro 200. Imweyi ikhali lini mbuto yakundocitira malonda basi, koma ikhalimbo mbuto yomwe wanthu akhambagumana akakhala na mitsonkhano. Bukhu linango lidalewa kuti msikayo “ukhali mbuto ya malonda, ya nkhani za ndale na bzinthu bzinango bzakubverana na cikhalidwe cawo.” Wanthu wa ku Atena akhakomedwa kumbatsonkhana mu msikamo, acimbacezerana nkhani zakusiyana-siyana za mapfunziro yapadzulu.

⁵ Bzikhali lini bzakupusa Paulo kupalizira mu msikamo thangwe mukhana wanthu wakunesa ninga Apikureu na Estoiko omwe akhadapfunza kwene-kwene koma akhakhulupira bzinthu bzakusiyana. Apikureu akhakhulupira kuti moyo udayamba okha.b Na bzimwebzi, nfundo yawo ikhali yakuti: “Palibe mathangwe yakugopera Mulungu ayai infa, bzabwino bzimbagumanidwa ndipo bzakuipa bzimbapiririka.” Thimu la Estoiko likhakhulupira kuti bziri bwino kukhala na cidziwiso pabodzi na luso la kubvesesa bzinthu. Tsono iwo akhakhulupira lini kuti Mulungu ni munthu. Mathimu yentseneya yakhakhulupira lini nkhani yomwe ateweri wa Kristu akhapfunzisa yakuti anyakufa an’dzalamusidwa. Bzikuwonekeratu kuti bzomwe mathimu mawiriya yakhakhulupira, bzikhabverana lini na cadidi cakupambulika ca Akristau wacadidi, comwe Paulo akhapalizira.

6, 7. Kodi n’ciyani comwe Agerego winango wakupfunza kwene-kwene adacita pomwe adabva mafala ya Paulo, ndipo bzikundendemerana tani na ntsiku zino?

⁶ Kodi Agerego wakupfunza kwene-kwene wale, adacita ciyani pomwe adabva bzomwe Paulo akhapfunzisa? Winango adayamba kumulewa kuti: “Munthu wa mbwambwa.” (Mab. 17:18) Pakulewa bza fala limweri m’Cigerego, mdziwi munango adati: “Fala lace cairo likhathandauza kambalame kang’ono komwe kakhalokota mbeu. Na kupita kwa nthawe, lidayamba kuphatisidwa basa kwa wanthu omwe akhalokota bzakudya bzakusala na bzinthu bzinango bzakunyozeka mu msika. Patsogolo pace, lidayamba kuphatisidwa basa, pa kusinjirira wanthu omwe akhambalewa nkhani zomwe iwo abva, tsono alibe kuzibvesesa.” Kulewa kwinango, amuna wakupfunza wale akhalewa kuti Paulo akhali bulutu ndipo akhandobwerezera bzinthu bzomwe adabva na wanthu winango. Tsono kutsogoloku, tiniwona kuti Paulo alibe kuwofoka.

⁷ Bzimwebzi bzimbacitikambo ntsiku zino. Wanthu azinji ambaticemera madzina yakuipa thangwe ra kukhala Mboni za Yahova na kukhulupira Bibliya. Mwa ciratizo, apfunzisi winango, ambapfunzisa kuti bzinthu bzidacita kusanduka ndipo omwe ambakhulupira bzimwebzi ni munthu wanzeru. Kulewa kwinango, iwo ambakhala akuthandauza kuti omwe ambakhulupira lini bzimwebzi ni bulutu. Apfunzisi amwewa ambafuna kuti wanthu akumbuke kuti ndife wa “mbwambwa” tikakhala tikupalizira nfundo za m’Bibliya na kupereka umboni bwakuti pana Mulengi omwe adalenga bzinthu bzentse. Tsono ifepano timbabvuma lini kuti bzimwebzi bzitiwofokese. M’mbuto mwace, timbapitiriza kulewa mwakutsimikiza bzomwe timbakhulupira kuti bza moyo bzentse bzidalengedwa na munthu wanzeru, Yahova Mulungu. — Apok. 4:11.

8. (a) Kodi wanthu winango omwe adabva mafala ya Paulo adacita ciyani? (b) Kodi mafala yomwe yambagumanika m’Bibliya yakuti Paulo adayendesedwa ku Areyopago, yambathandauza ciyani? (Onani mafala ya m’nyantsi)

⁸ Winango omwe adabva mafala ya Paulo mu msika, adacita bzinthu mwakusiyana. Akhalewa kuti: “Iye akuwoneka ninga kuti ni mpalizi wa mirungu yacirendo.” (Mab. 17:18) Kodi m’cadidi kuti Paulo akhapfunzisa bza mirungu yacirendo kwa wanthu wa ku Atena? Nkhani imweyi ikhali yakunesa kwene-kwene, thangwe ikhali yakundendemerana na mulandu omwe Sócrates adanamiziridwa acitongedwa kuti aphedwe. Tenepo, mpsakudabwisa lini kuti wanthuwo adaphata Paulo aciyenda naye ku Areyopago kuti akafotokoze bwino bzomwe akhapfunzisa, bzomwe bzikhali bzacirendo kwa wanthu wa ku Atena.c Kodi Paulo adakhotcerera tani mafala yabwino kwa wanthu omwe akhadziwa lini Bzinembo?

“Imwe Wanthu wa ku Atena Ndawona” (Mabasa 17:22, 23)

9-11. Kodi Paulo adaphatisa tani basa nfundo zomwe abveseri wace akhabverana nazo? (b) Kodi tingatewezere tani ciratizo ca Paulo pomwe tikupalizira?

⁹ Kumbukirani kuti Paulo adawawidwa kwene-kwene mu mtima pomwe adawona bzifanikiso mu mzindayo. Tsono, m’mbuto mwa kuwatsimula mwa mphanvu, iye adapitiriza kukhala wakuderekha. Paulo adacitisa wanthuwo kufuna kumutetekera mwa kuyamba kuwafotokozera nfundo zomwe wentsenewo angadabverana nazo. Iye adayamba na kulewa kuti: “Imwe wanthu wa ku Atena ndawona kuti pa bzinthu bzentse imwepo mumbagopa mirungu kuposa wanthu winango.” (Mab. 17:22) Mwa njira inango, Paulo akhalewa kuti: ‘Ndikuwona kuti imwepo mumbafuna kwene-kwene kunamata.’ Mwa nzeru, Paulo adawatenda thangwe ra kufuna kwawo bzinthu bza uzimu. Iye akhadziwa kuti winango akhali azimola mwauzimu thangwe ra bzipfunziso bzakunama, koma pinango akhana mitima yabwino. Paulo akhadziwa kuti pa nthawe inango, iye akhacitambo ‘bzinthu mwakusaya kudziwa ndipo akhalibe cikhulupiro.’ — 1 Tim. 1:13.

¹⁰ Pakupitiriza kufotokoza nfundo zomwe wanthuwo akhabverana nazo, Paulo adalewa umboni bomwe adawona bwakulatiza kuti wanthu wa ku Atena akhafuna kunamata. Umbonibo bukhali guwa la ntsembe lomwe likhadanembedwa kuti: “Kwa Mulungu wakusaya kudziwika.” Pakulewa bza nkhaniyi, bukhu linango limbalewa kuti: “Agerego pabodzi na wanthu winango akhambamangira maguwa ya ntsembe ‘mirungu yakusaya kudziwika’ thangwe akhagopa kuti angayebwe mulungu munango ndipo mulunguyo angawakalipire.” Guwa limweri likhalatiza kuti wanthu wa ku Atena akhadziwa kuti pana Mulungu munango omwe iwo akhamudziwa lini. Paulo adaphatisa basa bzomwe bzikhadanembedwa pa guwalo kuti ayambe kupalizira mafala yabwino. Iye adalewa kuti: “Ndikupalizira kwa imwepo bza Mulungu wakusaya kudziwa omwe imwepo mukumunamatayo.” (Mab. 17:23) Nfundo yomwe Paulo adafotokozayi, ikhali yamphanvu napo kuti adailewa mwakuzungulira. Iye akhapalizira lini bza mulungu wacirendo ninga momwe wanthu akhalewera, koma akhapalizira bza Mulungu wacadidi omwe iwo akhamudziwa lini.

¹¹ Kodi tingatewezere tani ciratizo ca Paulo pomwe tikupalizira? Tikakhala tceru, tin’dzakwanisa kuzindikira kuti munthuyo ambafuna kunamata kucokera pa bzomwe adabvala, bzomwe bziri m’nyumba mwace ayai kunja kwa nyumbayo. Pinango tingayambe na kulewa kuti: ‘Ndikuwona kuti mumbafuna kunamata. Nimbakomedwa kuceza na wanthu omwe ambafuna kunamata ninga imwepo.’ Tikalewa mafala yabwino yakulatiza kuti tikuzindikira na kulemekeza bzomwe munthuyo ambakhulupira, bzingatithandize kugumana njira yakuyambira maceza. Tileke kuyebwa kuti cakulinga cathu n’cakunyoza lini winango thangwe ra bzomwe ambakhulupira ku gereja kwawo. Tikumbukire kuti wanthu azinji omwe ni Mboni za Yahova, pakuyamba akhalimbo m’magereja yakunama.

Mulungu “Ali Pafupi na M’bodzi na M’bodzi wa Ifepano” (Mabasa 17:24-28)

12. Kodi Paulo akhacinja tani upalizi bwace kuti bubverane na wanthu omwe akhamubvesera?

¹² Paulo adafotokoza nkhani zomwe wentse akhabverana nazo. Tsono, kodi iye adapitiriza kucita bzimwebzi nthawe zentse zomwe akhapalizira? Pakuti akhadziwa kuti abveseri wace akhadapfunza kwene-kwene nzeru za Cigerego ndipo akhadziwa lini Bzinembo, iye akhacinja-cinja upalizi bwace. Cakuyamba, iye adandofotokoza nfundo za m’Bibliya mwakusaya kulewa Bzinembo bzace. Caciwiri, iye akhaphatisa basa fala lakuti “ifepano” pakulatiza kuti akhali lini wakusiyana na abveseri wace. Cacitatu, adaphatisa basa mafala ya m’mabukhu ya Cigerego pakufuna kulatiza kuti bzinthu bzinango bzomwe akhapfunzisa bzikhalipombo m’mabukhu yawo. Tsapano mbatiwoneni nkhani yakuphata mtima yomwe Paulo adaifotokoza. Kodi ni nfundo ziponi zakufunika kwene-kwene zomwe iye adazifotokoza pakulewa bza Mulungu wakusaya kudziwika kwa wanthu wa ku Atena?

13. Kodi Paulo adalewa ciyani pakulewa bza cirengedwe, ndipo bzomwe adalewabzo bzikhathandauza ciyani?

¹³ Mulungu adalenga bzinthu bzentse. Paulo adati: “Mulungu omwe adakonza dziko la pantsi na bzentse bzomwe bziri m’mwemo, ambakhala lini mu templo yakukonzedwa na manja ya wanthu. Iye ni Mbuya wa kudzulu na pa dziko la pantsi.”d (Mab. 17:24) Bzinthu bzentse bza m’cirengedwe bziribe kubwera bzokha koma bzidalengedwa na Mulungu wacadidi. (Sal. 146:6) Mwakusiyana na mirungu yakunama, ninga ya ku Atena, yomwe ikhalemekezedwa kwene-kwene thangwe ra templo na maguwa ya ntsembe, Mulungu wakudzulu na wa pa dziko la pantsi omwe ni Mbuya Mkululetu angakhale lini mu templo yakumangidwa na wanthu. (1 Ama. 8:27) Nkhani ya Paulo ikhali yakubveka bwino, iye adati: Mulungu wacadidi ni mkulu kuposa bzifanikiso bzentse ayai templo zakukonzedwa na wanthu. — Zai. 40:18-26.

14. Kodi Paulo adalatiza tani kuti Mulungu ambathemba lini thandizo la wanthu?

¹⁴ Mulungu ambathemba lini wanthu. Wanthu omwe akhanamata bzifanikiso, akhambabvazika bzifanikiso bzawo bzakubvala bzakuumira, kupereka mphaso zapadzulu kwene-kwene, ayai kupereka bzakudya na bzakumwa, kukhala ninga kuti bzifanikisobzo bzikhafunikira bzinthu bzimwebzi. Tsono winango mwa Agerego wakupfunza kwene-kwene omwe akhabvesera nkhani ya Paulo, pinango adakhulupira kuti mulungu angafunikire lini thandizo la wanthu. Penu bzikhalidi tenepo, iwo adabverana na nfundo ya Paulo yakuti Mulungu “ambafunikira lini kutumikiridwa na manja ya wanthu ninga kuti akusaya cinthu.” Kulewa cadidi, palibe cinthu ciri-centse comwe wanthu angathandize naco Mulengi. M’mbuto mwace, iye ndiye ambathandiza wanthu mwa kuwapasa bzinthu bzomwe ambafunikira, ninga “moyo, mphuwe pabodzi na bzinthu bzentse,” kuphatanidza dzuwa, nvula na mataka ya ndovolo. (Mab. 17:25; Gen. 2:7) Tenepo Mulungu omwe ambatipasa bzinthu bzentse, ambafunikira lini thandizo lathu.

15. Kodi Paulo adathandiza tani wanthu wa ku Atena omwe akhabziwona kuti akhali wapadzulu kwene-kwene kuposa omwe akhali lini Agerego, ndipo tikupfunzambo ciyani?

¹⁵ Mulungu adalenga wanthu. Wanthu wa ku Atena akhabziwona kuti mbapadzulu kwene-kwene kuposa wanthu omwe akhali lini Agerego. Tsono kubzikuza na kubziwona kukhala wakufunika kwene-kwene kuposa winango, bzimbatsutsana na cadidi ca m’Bibliya. (Deut. 10:17) Paulo adafotokoza nkhani imweyi mwa nzeru na mwaluso kwene-kwene, pomwe adalewa kuti: “[Mulungu] adakonza mitundu yentse ya wanthu kucokera kwa munthu m’bodzi.” Mwakusaya kupenukira, mafala ya Pauloya yadacitisa wanthu omwe akhatetekerawo kukumbuka bwino. (Mab. 17:26) Iye adaphatisa basa mafala ya m’bukhu la Genesesi yakulewa bza Adamu omwe ni pai wa mitundu yentse ya wanthu. (Gen. 1:26-28) Pakuti wanthu wentse pai wawo ni m’bodzi, palibe mtundu ayai dzinza lomwe ndakufunika kwene-kwene kuposa linango. Bzikuwonekeratu kuti wanthu wentse omwe akhatetekera Paulo, adabvesesa bwino nfundo imweyi. Pa ciratizoci, tikupfunza nfundo yakufunika kwene-kwene. Tin’funika kukhala wakusamala na kumbakumbukirambo winango pomwe tikuphata basa lathu lakupalizira, ndipo tin’funikambo lini kucinja cadidi ca m’Bibliya kuti wanthu abvume bzomwe tikulewabzo.

16. Kodi ni cakulinga ciponi comwe Mulengi anaco kwa wanthu?

¹⁶ Mulungu akufuna kuti wanthu amufenderere. Napo kuti wanthu omwe akhadapfunza kwene-kwene omwe akhabvesera Paulo adamala magole mazinji akucezerana bza cakulinga ca moyo, iwo alibe kukwanisa kufotokoza cakulinga cace mwakubveka bwino. Tsono Paulo adakwanisa kufotokoza mwakubveka bwino cakulinga comwe Mulengi akhanaco pakulenga wanthu, mwakulewa kuti: “Mulunguyo akufuna kuti wanthu amunyang’ane, amumpsampsadzire acimugumana, kulewa cadidi iye ali pafupi na m’bodzi na m’bodzi wa ifepano.” (Mab. 17:27) Mulungu omwe wanthu wa ku Atena akhamudziwa lini, bzingadakwanisika kumudziwa. Ndipo iye akhali lini kutali na wale omwe akhafunisisa kumudziwa na kupfunza bza iye. (Sal. 145:18) Onani kuti Paulo adaphatisa basa fala lakuti “ifepano,” bzimwebzi bzikulatiza kuti iye akhabziphatanidzambo mu thimu la wanthu omwe akhafuna ‘kunyang’ana’ Mulungu na ‘kumumpsampsadzira.’

17, 18. N’thangwe ranyi wanthu an’funika kukhala na mtima wakufuna Mulungu, ndipo tikupfunza ciyani na njira yomwe Paulo adaiphatisa basa kuti acitise abveseri wace kufuna kumutetekera?

¹⁷ Wanthu an’funika kukhala na mtima wakufuna kudziwa Mulungu. Paulo adalewa kuti ifepano “tina moyo, timbafamba ndipo tiripo” thangwe ra Mulungu. Adziwi winango ambalewa kuti Paulo akhalewa mafala yomwe yadalewedwa na munthu munango dzina lace Epimenides, munembi wa ku ntsuwa ya Kreta omwe adakhala m’magole ya 500 AEC ndipo akhali “wakubvekera kwene-kwene pa nkhani zakulewa bza miyambo ya cipembedzo ca ku Atena.” Paulo adafotokoza thangwe linango lomwe lingadacitisa wanthuwo kufuna Mulungu pomwe adalewa kuti: “Winango mwa anembi wanu adalewa kuti: ‘Pakuti ifepano ndifembo wana wace.’” (Mab. 17:28) Wanthu an’funika kufendererana na Mulungu, thangwe iye adalenga mwamuna wakuyamba omwe ni pai wa wanthu wentse. Kuti acitise wanthu kukomedwa na bzomwe akhawauza, Paulo adalewa mwanzeru mbali za Bzinembo Bzacigerego, zomwe mwakusaya kupenukira abveseri wace akhazifuna.e Mwakubverana na ciratizo ca Paulo, nthawe zinango ifepano tingaphatise basa nfundo za mu encyclopedias ayai mabukhu manango yakudziwika. Mwa ciratizo, nkhani zakucokera m’bukhu lomwe wanthu ambalikhulupira, zingathandize munthu omwe ni Mboni lini ya Yahova kubvesesa momwe idayambira miyambo na bzinthu bzinango bzomwe wanthu wa magereja yakunama ambacita.

¹⁸ Mpaka pamwepa, Paulo akhadafokoza nfundo zakusiyana-siyana za cadidi ca Mulungu, ndipo mwaluso adaphatisa basa mafala yomwe abveseri wace akhabverana nayo. Kodi mpostoloyu akhafuna kuti wanthu wa ku Atena acite ciyani akabva mafalayo? Pomwe adapitiriza na nkhani yace, iye adawauza bzomwe akhafunikira kucita.

“Wanthu Wentse . . . An’funika Kukungula” (Mabasa 17:29-31)

19, 20. (a) Kodi Paulo adacita tani bzinthu mwanzeru pakufuna kulatiza kuti ni utsiru kunamata bzifanikiso? (b) Kodi wanthu omwe akhatetekera Paulo akhafunika kucita ciyani?

¹⁹ Paulo akhadakonzeka kulimbikisa abveseri wace kuti acinje. Iye adaphatisa pomwe basa nfundo yakucokera m’bukhu la Cigerego yakuti: “Na tenepo, pakuti ndife wana wa Mulungu, tin’funika lini kukumbuka kuti Mulunguyo ali ninga oro, prata, mwala ayai cinthu cakusemedwa mwa luso na mwakubverana na nzeru za munthu.” (Mab. 17:29) Tenepo, penu wanthu adalengedwa na Mulungu, tsono Mulunguyo angakhale tani cifanikiso cakukonzedwa na munthu? Nfundo yabwino yomwe Paulo adaifotokozayi, idalatiza kuti kunamata bzifanikiso ni utsiru. (Sal. 115:4-8; Zai. 44:9-20) Pakulewa kuti “ifepano mbatilekeni,” Paulo adacitisa kuti malango yace yaleke kukhala yakuwawa.

²⁰ Mpostoloyu adalewa mwakubveka bwino kuti wanthuwo akhafunika kucinja. Iye adati: “Mulungu adalekerera bzinthu bzimwebzi. Koma tsapano iye akuuza wanthu wentse, kuli-kwentse kuti iwo an’funika kukungula.” (Mab. 17:30) Pinango winango pa omwe akhabvesera Paulo bzidawawawa pang’ono kubva kuti akhafunikira kukungula. Tsono nkhani yamphanvu yomwe Paulo adaifotokoza, idalatiza padeca kuti ni Mulungu omwe adawapasa moyo, ndipo iwo angadadzatawira mulandu na momwe akhaphatisira basa moyoyo. Tenepo, wanthu wa ku Atena akhafunika kupsaga Mulungu, kupfunza cadidi cace na kucinja kuti acite bzinthu mwakubverana na cadidico. Wanthu wa ku Atena akhafunika kuzindikira kuti kunamata bzifanikiso ni pikado ndipo akhafunika kusiya kucita bzimwebzo.

21, 22. Kodi Paulo adamaliza nkhani yace mwa kulewa mafala yaponi, ndipo mafalayo yakuthandauza ciyani kwa ifepano ntsiku zino?

²¹ Paulo adamaliza mwa kulewa mafala yamphanvu yakuti: “[Mulungu] adakhazikisa ntsiku yomwe akufuna kudzatonga dziko lentse mwacirungamo, mwakuphatisa basa munthu omwe iye adamusankhula. Ndipo iye adalatiza kuti bzimwebzi mpsacadidi mwakumulamusa kwa anyakufa.” (Mab. 17:31) Mwakusaya kupenukira, iwo akhafunikadi kupsaga Mulungu wacadidi acimugumana kuti adzapulumuke pa ntsiku ya kutonga. Paulo alibe kulewa dzina la mtongi omwe Mulungu adamusankhula. Tsono, Paulo adalewa bzinthu bzinango bzakubverana na mtongiyo pomwe adalewa kuti: Iye adakhala kale munthu, adaphedwa ndipo Mulungu adamulamusa kwa anyakufa!

²² Mafala yamphanvu yakumaliziraya, yana thandauzo likulu kwa ifepano ntsiku zino. Tikudziwa kuti mtongi omwe Mulungu adamusankhula ni Jezu Kristu, omwe adalamusidwa. (Juw. 5:22) Tikudziwambo kuti Ntsiku ya Kutonga in’dzamala magole 1000 ndipo yasala pang’ono kuyamba. (Apok. 20:4, 6) Ifepano timbagopa lini Ntsiku ya Kutongayi, thangwe tikudziwa kuti in’dzabweresa bzisimbo bzizinji kwa wanthu wakukhulupirika wa Mulungu. Tikudikhirira tsogolo labwino thangwe Mulungu atitsimikizira bzimwebzi pa kucita cakudabwisa cikulu kwene-kwene, comwe ni kulamusidwa kwa Jezu Kristu.

“Winango . . . Adakhala Anyakukhulupira” (Mabasa 17:32-34)

23. Kodi nkhani ya Paulo idacitisa wanthu kucita bzinthu bzakusiyana-siyana bziponi?

²³ Nkhani ya Paulo idacitisa wanthu kucita bzinthu bzakusiyana-siyana. “Wanthu winango adayamba kumuseka” pomwe adamubva akulewa bza cilamuso. Winango akhali wa ulemu, koma alibe kucinja. Iwo adalewa kuti: “Un’dzatiuza pomwe bzimwebzi pa nthawe inango.” (Mab. 17:32) Tsono “wanthu winango adaphatana naye ndipo adakhala anyakukhulupira. Pakati pawo pakhana Diyoniziyo omwe akhali mtongi m’nyumba ya mphala ya Areyopago. Ndipo akhalipombo mkazi munango dzina lace Damarisi pabodzi na wanthu winango.” (Mab. 17:34) Ntsiku zino, timbagumanambo na bzinthu ninga bzimwebzi pomwe tiri mu utumiki. Wanthu winango angatiseke, ndipo winango mbaulemu koma ambabvuma lini. Tsono, timbakomedwa kwene-kwene wanthu winango akabvuma mafala ya Umambo acikhala Akristau.

24. Kodi tingapfunze ciyani na nkhani yomwe Paulo adafotokoza ku Areyopago?

²⁴ Kukumbukira nkhani ya Paulo, kumbatipfunzisa bzinthu bzizinji, ninga kufotokoza nfundo zakubveka bwino, zakuphata mtima, momwe tingafotokozere nfundo zomwe abveseri wathu angabverane nazo, kukhala wakubziphata, kulewalewa mwanzeru na wanthu omwe ali m’magereja yakunama, na kufunika kwa kuleka kucinja cadidi ca m’Bibliya na cakulinga cakuti tikondwese abveseri wathu. Kutewezera ciratizo ca Paulo, kun’dzatithandiza kukhala apfunzisi wa luso mu utumiki. Ndipo kun’dzathandizambo anyakunyang’anira kukhala apfunzisi wakuthemera m’gwere. Tenepo, tin’dzakhala wakukonzeka kuthandiza winango ‘kunyang’ana Mulungu acimugumana.’ — Mab. 17:27.