MSOLO 8

“Gwere Lidakhala pa Mtendere”

Saulo omwe akhaboneresa kwene-kwene Akristau adakhala mtumiki wa Mulungu wa nyongo

Nkhaniyi yacokera pa Mabasa 9:1-43

1, 2. Kodi Saulo akhayenda kukacita ciyani ku Damasko?

WANTHU omwe akhadakalipa, akhali paulendo bwakuyenda ku mzinda wa Damasko kuti akacite bzinthu bzakuipa. Iwo akhafuna kukatenga anyakupfunza wa Jezu m’mii mwawo, kuwamanga, kuwaboneresa, kuwacitira bzinthu bzakuipa na kuwatenga aciyenda nawo ku Jeruzalemu kuti akapasidwe mulandu na nyumba ikulu ya mphala.

² Saulo omwe akhali mtsogoleri wa wanthuwo, akhana kale mulandu wa mulopa.a Ntsiku zing’ono ng’ono m’mbuyomu, pomwe Adjuda winango wakuipa adapha Sitefano mtumiki wakukhulupirika wa Jezu pakucita kumuboma na minyala Saulo akhawona bzentse, ndipo akhabverana nabzo. (Mab. 7:57–8:1) Patsogolo pace Saulo adayamba kuboneresa ateweri wa Jezu omwe akhakhala ku Jeruzalemu, tsono iye alibe kuimira pamwepa, adayamba kunyang’ana na kuboneresa Akristau omwe akhakhala m’madera yanango. Iye akhafuna kupfudziratu gulu la wanthu lomwe akhaliwona ninga lakugopswa, lomwe likhadziwikambo na Njirayo. — Mab. 9:1,2; onani kwadru yakuti “Saulo Akhana Mphanvu Zakumanga Akristau ku Damasko,” pa tsamba 69.

3, 4. N’ciyani cidacitikira Saulo, ndipo ni mibvunzo iponi yomwe tin’cezerana?

³ Mwadzidzidzi, Saulo adazunguliridwa na ceza comwe cikhagaka kwene-kwene. Anzace omwe akhanawo pa ulendobo adawonambo cezaco, koma adacita mantha ndipo adasaya cakulewa. Saulo adakhala zimola ndipo adagwa pantsi. Pakuti akhakwanisa lini kuwona, iye adabva fala la kudzulu likulewa kuti: “Saulo, Saulo, thangwe ranyi iwepo ukundizunza?” Na mantha Saulo adabvunza kuti: “Ndimwe yani Mbuya?” Mwakusaya kupenukira, mtawiro omwe Saulo adakhala nawo, udamucitisa mantha mwakutawiridwa kuti: “Ndine Jezu, ule omwe iwepo ukumuzunza.” — Mab. 9:3-5; 22:9.

⁴ Kodi tikupfunza ciyani na mafala yakuyamba yomwe Jezu adauza Saulo? Kodi kupfunza bzomwe bzidacitisa kuti Saulo acinje bzingatithandize tani? Kodi tikupfunza ciyani na momwe gwere lidaphatisira basa nthawe yomwe akhali pa mtendere pomwe Saulo adacinja?

SAULO AKHANA MPHANVU ZAKUMANGA AKRISTAU KU DAMASKO

Kodi mphanvu zomwe Saulo akhanazo za kumanga Akristau mu mzinda unango adazitenga kuponi? Nyumba Yakutongera Mirandu ya Adjuda na mkulu wa antsembe akhana mphanvu za kuuza bzomwe mpsabwino na bzomwe mpsakuipa kuna Adjuda ku mbuto iri-yentse komwe ali, ndipo bzikuwoneka kuti mkulu wa Antsembe akhanambo mphanvu za kucemeresa Adjuda wakuphonya kucokera m’madera yakusiyana-siyana kuti akawatonge mulandu ku Jeruzalemu. Tenepo, mkulu wa antsembe akhanembera matsamba akulu wa m’masinagoga ku Damasko aciwauza bzomwe akhafunika kucita. — Mab. 9:1, 2.

Kuthumizira bzimwebzi, Aroma adapasa Adjuda ufulu bwakutonga okha mirandu yawo. N’thangwe race mpostolo Paulo adapfumbulidwa mitxamu 39 na Adjuda, kaxanu kentse (2 Ako. 11:24) Bukhu la 1 Makabeus limbalewa bza tsamba lomwe lidanembedwa na cônsul waciroma Ptolomeu VIII wa ku Edjipito mu 138 AEC lomwe likhalewa kuti: “Penu wanthu wakuipa adathawa mu dziko lawo la Djudeya acipita mu dziko lanu muwapereke kwa mkulu wa Antsembe Simau kuti awapase cirango mwakubverana na malamulo yawo.” (1 Mak. 15:21) Mu gole la 47 AEC, Julius Caesar adatsimikizira kuti mkulu wa Antsembe akhana mphanvu zomwe Aroma adamupasa kuthumizira pa udindo bomwe akhanabo bwa kutonga mirandu iri-yentse mwakubverana na miyambo yawo ya Cidjuda.

“Thangwe Ranyi Iwepo Ukundizunza?” (Mabasa 9:1-5)

5, 6. Kodi tikupfunza ciyani na bzomwe Jezu adauza Saulo?

⁵ Pomwe Jezu adaimisa Saulo ku njira yakuyenda ku Damasko, iye alibe kumubvunza kuti: “Thangwe ranyi ukuzunza anyakupfunza wangu?” Koma ninga momwe tawonera adamubvunza kuti: “Thangwe ranyi iwepo ukundizunza?” (Mab. 9:4) Bzimwebzi bzikulatiza kuti Jezu ambatokonyedwa kwene-kwene na kuzunzidwa kwa ateweri wace. — Mat. 25:34-40, 45.

⁶ Ndipopa, penu mukuzunzidwa thangwe rakuti mumbakhulupira Kristu, dziwani kuti Yahova na Jezu akudziwa bzomwe mukugumana nabzo. (Mat. 10:22, 28-31) Pinango-pentse mayezoyo yangacosedwe lini pa nthaweyo. Kumbukirani kuti Jezu adawona kuti Saulo adacita mbali ya kuphedwa kwa Sitefano. Ndipombo adawona Saulo akupfuwa anyakupfunza wace m’nyumba zawo aciwayendesa m’kawoko. (Mab. 8:3) Tenepo, Jezu alibe kupitira pa nthawe zimwezi. Napo bzikhali tenepo, Yahova, mwakuphatisa basa Kristu, adathandiza Sitefano na anyakupfunza kukhala na mphanvu kuti apitirize kukhala wakukhulupirika.

7. Kodi mun’funika kucita ciyani kuti mupirire mazunzo yomwe mungagumane nayo?

⁷ Imwepo mungapirirembo mukagumana na mazunzo. Mwa njira iponi? (1) Khalani wakutsimikiza kuti mun’dzapitiriza kukhala wakukhulupirika, bziribe basa bzomwe mugumane nabzo. (2) Kumbirani thandizo la Yahova. (Afil. 4:6, 7) (3) Siyani kuti Yahova ndiye abwezere. (Aro. 12:17-21) (4) Khulupirani kuti Yahova an’dzakupasani mphanvu kuti mupirire mabvutoyo, mpaka pomwe iye adzayamalise. — Afil. 4:12, 13.

“Saulo m’Bale Wangu, Mbuya Jezu . . . Wandituma” (Mabasa 9:6-17)

8, 9. Kodi n’ciyani comwe pinango-pentse Ananiya adabva pomwe adapasidwa basa lakupambulika?

⁸ Pambuyo pakutawira mbvunzo wa Saulo wakuti: “Mbuya ndimwe mbani?” Jezu adamuuza kuti: “Lamuka, kapite mu mzindamo ndipo kumweko ninkakuuza bzomwe ukacite.” (Mab. 9:6) Mwakusaya kukwanisa kuwona, Saulo adatengedwa mpaka komwe akhafikira ku Damasko, kumweko adamala ntsiku zitatu akupemba ndipo akhadya lini ne kumwa. Tenepo, Jezu adauza Ananiya pakulewa bza Saulo. Ananiya akhali nyakupfunza omwe akhakhala m’mzinda umweule ndipo akhana mbiri yabwino pakati pa Adjuda wentse wakukhala kumweko. — Mab. 22:12.

⁹ Ndokumbukirani thupo lomwe Ananiya adakhala nalo! Jezu Kristu omwe akhadalamusidwa, omwe ni msolo wa gwere, akhalewalewa naye ndipo adamusankhula acimupasa basa lakupambulika. Umweyi ukhali mwayi ukulu; koma basali likhali lakunesa! Pomwe adadziwa kuti angadakalewalewa na Saulo, Ananiya adatawira kuti: “Mbuya, inepano ndabva bzinthu bzizinji pakulewa bza munthu umweyu, ndabva bzentse bzomwe iye wacitira anyakucena wanu mu Jeruzalemu. Ndipo kuno iye wabvumizidwa na akulu wa antsembe kuti amange wentse omwe an’cemera dzina lanu.” — Mab. 9:13, 14.

10. Kodi tikupfunza ciyani na momwe Jezu adacitira bzinthu na Ananiya?

¹⁰ Jezu alibe kutsimula Ananiya thangwe ra kufotokoza makumbukidwe yace. Koma, adamuuza mwakubveka bwino bzomwe akhafunika kucita. Ndipombo cinthu cinango, Jezu adalatiza kuti akhamulemekeza mwa kumuuza mathangwe yomwe akhafunira kuti Ananiya akacite basa lakunesa lire. Pakulewa bza Saulo Jezu adati: “Munthu umweyu ni combo cangu cakusankhulidwa kuti cinyamule dzina langu kuyendesa kwa wanthu wa mitundu, amambo na kwa wana wa Jirayeri. Thangwe ine nin’dzamulatiza padeca bzinthu bzentse bzomwe iye an’dzabonera nabzo thangwe ra dzina langu.” (Mab. 9:15, 16) Pa nthawe imweyo Ananiya adabvera Jezu. Iye adamugumana Saulo ndipo adamubvunza kuti: “Saulo m’bale wangu, Mbuya Jezu omwe wawonekera kwa iwepo mu mseu omwe ukhabwera naye, wandituma kuti iwepo uyambe pomwe kuwona nakuti udzazidwe na mzimu wakucena.” — Mab. 9:17.

11, 12. Kodi tikupfunza ciyani na bzakucitika bza Jezu, Ananiya na Saulo?

¹¹ Tikupfunza bzinthu bzizinji pa bzakucitika bza Jezu, Ananiya na Saulo. Mwa ciratizo, Jezu akutsogolera basa lakupalizira ninga momwe adalewera. (Mat. 28:20) Napo kuti ntsiku zino iye ambalewalewa lini na wanthu, koma ambatsogolera basa lakupalizira mwakuphatisa basa kapolo wakukhulupirika, omwe iye, adamupasa basa lakutsogolera mabira yace ntsiku zino. (Mat. 24:45-47) Mwakutsogoleredwa na Bungwe Lakutonga, apalizi na apainiya ambatumizidwa kuti akanyang’ane wale omwe akufuna kudziwa bzizinji bza Kristu. Ninga bzafotokozedwera mu msolo wa m’mbuyoyu, azinji wa wanthu omwe ambafuna kubvesera ambapemba kukumbira kutsogoleredwa na Mulungu, ndipo patsogolo pace, ambafikiridwa na Mboni za Yahova. — Mab. 9:11.

¹² Ananiya adabvuma kuphata basa lomwe adapasidwa ndipo adasimbidwa. Kodi imwepo mumbabvera lamulo lakuti citirani umboni bwakukwanira, napo kuti basa limweri limbakucitisani thupo? Kwa winango, kupalizira nyumba na nyumba na kuceza na wanthu omwe ambawadziwa lini kumbawacitisa mantha. Winango bzimbawanesa kupalizira wanthu m’mbuto zakucitira malonda, mu mseu, pa telefoni ayai kucita kunemba matsamba. Ananiya adakunda mantha yace ndipo adakhala na mwayi wakuthandiza Saulo kutambira mzimu wakucena.b Basali lidamufambira bwino thangwe akhathemba Jezu ndipo akhawona Saulo ninga m’bale wace. Ninga Ananiya, ifepano tingakundembo mantha mwakutsimikiza kuti Jezu akutsogolera basa lakupalizira, kucitira thupo wanthu na kukumbukira kuti napo wale omwe ambatigopswa angakhale abale wathu. — Mat. 9:36.

“Iye Adayamba Kupalizira bza Jezu” (Mabasa 9:18-30)

13, 14. Penu mukupfunza Bibliya, ndipo mukanati kubatizidwa, kodi mungapfunze ciyani na ciratizo ca Saulo?

¹³ Saulo adacita bzinthu mwakubverana na bzomwe adapfunza. Pambuyo pa kupozedwa, iye adabatizidwa ndipo adayamba kubverana na anyakupfunza wa ku Damasko. Ndipo iye adacita bzizinji kuposa bzimwebzi. “Mwakusaya kucedwa, iye adayamba kupalizira bza Jezu m’nyumba zakunamatira, kuti Jezuyo ni Mwana wa Mulungu.” — Mab. 9:20.

¹⁴ Penu imwepo mukupfunza Bibliya, koma mukanati kubatizidwa, kodi mungatewezere Saulo mwakucita bzinthu mwakubverana na bzomwe mukupfunza? N’cadidi kuti Saulo adacita kuwona yekha cakudabwisa comwe Jezu adacita, ndipo tikupenukira lini kuti bzimwebzi, bzidathandizira kuti acinje. Koma pana wanthu winango omwe adawonambo bzakudabwisa bzomwe Jezu akhacita. Mwa ciratizo, thimu linango la Afarizeu lidamuwona pomwe iye adapoza munthu omwe akhadapunduka boko, ndipo thimu linango la Adjuda likhadziwa kuti Jezu akhadalamusa Lazaro. Napo bzikhali tenepo, azinji alibe kumutewera ndipo akhamutsutsa. (Mar. 3:1-6; Juw. 12:9, 10) Mwakusiyana na wanthu amwewa, Saulo adacinjiratu. N’thangwe ranyi Saulo adabvuma mafala yabwino napo kuti winango akhayalamba? N’thangwe rakuti akhagopa kwene-kwene Mulungu sikuti wanthu ndipo akhatenda kudeka mtima komwe Kristu adamulatiza. (Afil. 3:8) Imwepo mukacitambo bzibodzi-bodzibzi, mun’dzabvuma lini kuti cinthu ciri-centse cikutaziseni kucita mbali pa basa lakupalizira na kuthemera kuti mubatizidwe.

15, 16. Kodi Saulo akhacita ciyani m’masinagoga, ndipo Adjuda wa ku Damasko adacita ciyani?

¹⁵ Ndokumbukirani momwe wanthu wale adabvera pomwe adawona Saulo akupalizira pakulewa bza Jezu m’masinagoga? Winango wa iwo adadabwa, winango adakalipa ndipo winango alibe kukhulupira. Iwo akhambabzibvunza kuti: “Kodi ngumweyu lini omwe akhaboneresa kwene-kwene wanthu omwe akhacemera dzina limweri ku Jeruzalemu?” (Mab. 9:21) Pomwe akhalewa thangwe lomwe lidamucitisa kucinja makumbukidwe yace pakulewa bza Jezu, “iye akhapereka umboni bwakubveka bwino bwakuti Jezu ni Kristu.” (Mab. 9:22) Koma umboni m’bwakukwanira lini kuti munthu acinje makumbukidwe yace yakuipa, miyambo na mtima wakubzikuza. Napo bzikhali tenepo, Saulo alibe kubwerera m’mbuyo.

¹⁶ Padapita magole matatu, Adjuda wa ku Damasko akadapitizira kunesana na Saulo. Pakumalizira pace adapangana kuti amuphe. (Mab. 9:23; 2 Ako. 11:32, 33; Agal. 1:13-18) Pomwe nkhani imweyi idadziwika, Saulo adawona kuti bzikhali bwino kuthawa mwakabise-bise, mwakubvuma kuti aikhidwe m’dengu ‘acimubulisa na pa mubo omwe ukhali pa mpanda wa mzindayo.’ Luka adalewa kuti omwe adathandiza Saulo kuthawa, akhali “anyakupfunza wace.” (Mab. 9:25) Mafala yamweya yambalatiza kuti, winango mwa omwe adabva Saulo akupalizira ku Damasko, adakhala anyakupfunza wa Kristu.

17. (a) Kodi n’ciyani comwe wanthu ambacita tikawauza cadidi ca m’Bibliya? (b) Kodi tin’funika kupitiriza kucita ciyani, ndipo n’thangwe ranyi?

¹⁷ Pomwe imwepo mudayamba kuuza famidya yanu, axamwali na wanthu winango pakulewa bza bzinthu bzabwino bzomwe mukhapfunza, pinango mukhakumbuka kuti wentse angadabvuma umboni bzakusaya kugazika bwa cadidi ca m’Bibliya. Pinango winango adabvuma, koma azinji adalamba. Ndipo, pinango wanthu wa m’banja mwanu adayamba kukuwonani ninga nyamadulanthaka wawo. (Mat. 10:32-38) Napo bziri tenepo, imwepo mukapitiriza kubvesesa nfundo za m’Bibliya na kukhala na makhalidwe yabwino, napo wale omwe ambakutsutsani angacinje bzicito bzawo. — Mab. 17:2; 1 Ped. 2:12; 3:1, 2, 7.

18, 19. (a) Kodi n’ciyani cidacitika pomwe Barnaba adatawirira Saulo? (b) Kodi tingatewezere tani Barnaba na Saulo?

¹⁸ Pomwe Saulo adafika ku Jeruzalemu, anyakupfunza adayamba kumupenukira kuti iye akhadacinja acikhalambo nyakupfunza. Koma pomwe Barnaba adamutawirira, apostolo adamutambira, ndipo Saulo adakhala nawo kumweko kwa kanthawe. (Mab. 9:26-28) Saulo akhacita bzinthu mwakusamala ndipo akhacita lini manyazi na mafala yabwino. (Aro. 1:16) Iye adapalizira ku Jeruzalemu mwakukhwimika, mbuto ibodzi-bodziyi yomwe akhadayambisa cizunzo cikulu kuna anyakupfunza wa Jezu Kristu. Pomwe Adjuda wa ku Jeruzalemu adadziwa kuti mkulu wawo ali ku mbali ya anyamadulanthaka wawo, adakalipa kwene-kwene ndipo akhafuna kumupha. Bibliya limbalewa kuti: “Pomwe abalewo adazindikira bzimwebzi, iwo adayenda naye ku Sezareya ndipo kumweko adakamutumiza ku Tarso.” (Mab. 9:30) Saulo adabvera malango yomwe Jezu adapereka mwakuphatisa basa gwere. Ndipo bzimwebzi bzidathandiza iye pabodzi na gwere.

¹⁹ Onani kuti Barnaba ndiye adayamba kucita makonzedwe kuti athandize Saulo. Mwakusaya kupenukira, bzomwe adacitabzi bzidathandizira kuti atumiki wa nyongo wa Yahovawa akhale pa uxamwali bwakulimba. Kodi imwepo, mumbacitambo ninga Barnaba, mwa kuthandiza anovu m’gwere, mwakupalizira nawo pabodzi na kuwathandiza kupita patsogolo mwauzimu? Mukacita bzimwebzi, mun’dzasimbidwa. Penu imwepo mwakhala tsapanopa mpalizi wa mafala yabwino, ninga Saulo, mumbabvuma thandizo lomwe mumbapasidwa? Mukaphata basa na apalizi wa luso, mun’dzathumizira luso lanu mu utumiki, mun’dzakhala wakukondwa ndipo mun’dzakulisa uxamwali bwanu bomwe bun’dzakhala mpaka kale-kale.

‘Wanthu Azinji Adakhulupira’ (Mabasa 9:31-43)

20, 21. Kodi atumiki wa Mulungu wa kale na wa ntsiku zino ambalokotera tani nthawe ya mtendere?

²⁰ Pomwe Saulo adacinja na kusiya Jeruzalemu wa mtendere, “mu Djudeya mwentse, mu Galileya na mu Samariya, gwere lidakhala pa mtendere.” (Mab. 9:31) Kodi anyakupfunza adalokotera tani nthawe yabwinoyi? (2 Tim. 4:2) Nkhaniyi imbalewa kuti iwo akhalimbikisidwa. Apostolo pabodzi na abale winango omwe akhatsogolera akhalimbisa cikhulupiro ca anyakupfunza ndipo akhatsogolera gwere pa nthawe yomwe “akhagopa Yahova na thandizo la mzimu wakucena.” Mwa ciratizo, Pedru adalokotera mpata umweyi kuti alimbise anyakupfunza ku mzinda wa Lida, ku cigwa ca Saroni. Thangwe ra nyongo yace, azinji mwa omwe akhakhala ku Lida na omwe akhakhala pafupi na mzindayo adayamba “kukhulupira mbuya.” (Mab. 9:32-35) Anyakupfunza alibe kulekerera kuti bzinthu bzinango bziwaphingize, koma adacita nyongo yakuthandizana ndipo acipalizira mafala yabwino. Bzakutewera bzace mpsakuti, gwere likhayenda “licithumizirika ntsiku na ntsiku.”

²¹ Kuphampha kwa século 20, Mboni za Yahova za m’madziko mazinji zidakhala pa “nthawe ya mtendere.” Maboma yomwe kwa magole mazinji yakhazunza wanthu wa Mulungu, mwadzidzidzi, yadasiya kuwazunzako, ndipo adabvumizambo bzinthu bzinango bzomwe bzikhadaletsedwa pa basa lathu lakupalizira. Mboni za Yahova zizinji zidalokotera mpata umweyu kuti zipalizire padeca, ndipo wanthu azinji adabvuma mafala yabwino.

22. Kodi imwepo mungalokotere tani ufulu bomwe munabo?

²² Kodi imwepo mukulokotera ufulu bomwe munabo? Penu mumbakhala mu dziko lomwe lina ufulu bwakunamata, dziwani kuti Sathani ankucitisani kuti mukhale na cikhumbo cakufuna kudala, sikuti kufuna umambo bwa Mulungu. (Mat. 13:22) Lekani kubvuma kupumpswidwa. Phatisani basa bwino nthawe ya mtendere yomwe munayo. Iwoneni ninga mpata wakucitira umboni bwakukwanira na kulimbikisa gwere. Kumbukirani kuti bzinthu bzimbacinja mwadzidzidzi.

23, 24. (a) Kodi tikupfunza ciyani na nkhani ya Tabita? (b) Kodi tin’funika kutsimikiza kucita ciyani?

²³ Onani bzomwe bzidacitikira nyakupfunza wakukhulupirika wakucemeredwa Tabita ayai Dorka. Iye akhakhala ku Jope, mzinda omwe ukhali pafupi na mzinda wa Lida. Mpfumakazi yakukhulupirikayi idaphatisa basa bwino nthawe yace na luso lace, “iye akhacita mabasa mazinji yabwino, ndipo akhathandiza anyakusauka.” Koma, mwadzidzidzi, iye adaduwala ndipo adafa.c Kufa kwace kudasunamisa anyakupfunza wa ku Jope, maka-maka amamsiwa omwe akhathandizidwa na iye. Pomwe Pedru adafika pa nyumba yomwe ikhana mtembo wa Tabita, iye adacita cakudabwisa comwe cikhanati kucitika kale pakati pa apostolo wa Jezu Kristu. Pedru adapemba, ndipo adalamusa Tabita! Ndokumbukirani cikondweso comwe amamsiwa pabodzi na anyakupfunza winango wale adakhala naco pomwe Pedru adawauza kuti apite mu cipinda comwe cikhana mtembo ule, ndipo adawona kuti Tabita alamusidwa? Mwakusaya kupenukira, bzakucitika bzimwebzi bzidawakonzekeresa ku mabvuto yomwe akhayadikhirira! Tikukwanisa kubvesesa kuti n’thangwe ranyi “bzimwebzi bzidadziwika mu Jope mwentse, ndipo wanthu azinji adakhulupira Mbuya.” — Mab. 9:36-42.

Mpfumakazi inango ikupasa maluwa mpfumakazi yakukalamba yomwe ikuduwala. — Kodi imwepo mungatewezere tani Tabita?

²⁴ Tikupfunza nfundo ziwiri zakufunika kwene-kwene na nkhani ya m’tsangalazo ya Tabita. (1) Moyo ngwa kanthawe. Tenepo, pomwe tikana moyopa mpsabwino kwene-kwene kudziwika na dzina labwino kuna Mulungu wathu! (Mpal. 7:1) (2) Cidikhiro cakuti anyakufa an’dzamuka n’cacadidi. Yahova adawona mabasa mazinji yabwino yomwe Tabita adacita, ndipo adamusimba thangwe ra bzimwebzi. Iye an’dzakumbukira mabasa yabwino yomwe timbacita na nyongo, ndipo an’dzatilamusa tikafa Armagedo ikanati kufika. (Aheb. 6:10) Tenepo, napo tikhale tiri pa “nthawe zakunesa” ayai tiri pa “nthawe ya mtendere,” mbatipitirizeni kucitira umboni bwakukwanira pakulewa bza Kristu. — 2 Tim. 4:2.

SAULO AKHALI MFARIZEU

“Tswaka linango lakucemeredwa Saulo,” lomwe limbafotokozedwa mu bukhu la Mabasa pa nkhani yakulewa bza kuphedwa kwa Sitefano likhali la ku Tarso. Mzindayu ukhali likulu la cigawo ca Roma ca Silisiya, ku sul kwa dziko lomwe ntsiku zino limbacemeredwa Turkiya. (Mab. 7:58) Adjuda azinji akhakhala mu mzinda umweyu. Saulo adanemba yekha kuti: “ndidacitidwa mgwatidwe pa ntsiku yaci 8, ndine Mhebereu wakubadwira m’banja la Ahebereu, mwakubverana na lamulo, ndine Mfarizeu.” Mwakusaya kupenukira, bzikuwonekeratu kuti Saulo akhali Mdjuda wakulemekezeka kwene-kwene! — Afil. 3:5

Saulo akhakhala mu mzinda ukulu ndipo ukhali mzinda wa anyamalonda na likulu la cikhalidwe ca Cigerego. Pakuti Saulo adakulira ku Tarso, iye akhadziwa kulewalewa Cigerego. Pinango-pentse mapfunziro yakuyambirira adacitira mu ibodzi mwa xikola za Cidjuda. Saulo adapfunza kukonza matendi, thangwe wanthu azinji wa m’dera lawo akhacita basa limweri. Bzikuwoneka kuti Saulo adapfunza basa limweri na pai wace pomwe akhali tswaka. Mab. 18:2, 3.

Nkhani yomwe imbafotokozedwa m’bukhu la Mabasa imbalatiza kuti Saulo akhali m’Roma (Mab. 22:25-28) Bzimwebzi bzikufuna kulewa kuti m’bodzi wa adzinza wace akhadakhala kale nzika ya Roma. Tsono bzikudziwika lini kuti famidya ya Saulo idakhala tani nzika za Roma. Napo kuti tikudziwa lini momwe adakhalira nzika, tsono bzimwebzi bzikhawacitisa kuti akhale mu gulu la wanthu wakulemekezeka kwene-kwene mu cigawo cawo. Tenepo mapfunziro pabodzi na banja lomwe Saulo adacokera bzidamucitisa kudziwa bwino cikhalidwe ca Adjuda, ca Agerego na ca Aroma.

Pinango-pentse pomwe akhana magole pafupi-fupi 13, Saulo adafuluka acifamba mtantho wa makilometro 840 kucokera ku Tarso kuyenda ku Jeruzalemu kuti akapitirize na mapfunziro yace. Mu mzinda umweyi, Saulo adapfunzisidwa na Gamaliyeli, mpfunzisi wakulemekezedwa wa cikhalidwe ca Afarizeu — Mab. 22:3.

Mapfunziro yamweya, ntsiku zino tingayandendemezere na Universidade, bzikhafunika kumbakumbukira na kubvesesa bzomwe Bibliya limbalewa pabodzi na mitemo ya Cidjuda. Muluno omwe akhawoneka kuti akubvesesa bzomwe Gamaliyeli akhapfunzisa akhapasidwa basa, ndipo pinango Saulo akhali m’bodzi mwa aluno amwewa. Pomwe padapita nthawe iye adanemba kuti: “Ndikhayenda patsogolo m’cipembedzo cacidjuda, kuposa wanthu azinji wa m’dzinza langu, omwe akhali wa msinkhu wangu, thangwe ndikhali wakubzipereka kwene-kwene pa miyambo ya abereki wangu.” (Agal. 1:14) Mwakusaya kupenukira, ni nyongo yomwe Saulo akhanayo yakuteweza miyambo ya Cidjuda yomwe idacitisa kuti abonerese gwere lacikristau lomwe likhadakhazikisidwa tsapanopa lire.

TABITA “AKHACITA BZINTHU BZIZINJI BWABWINO”

Tabita akhali m’gwere la Cikristau mu mzinda wa Jope omwe ukhali mphepete mwa nyanza. Akristau anzace akhamufuna kwene-kwene thangwe “iye akhacita mabasa mazinji yabwino ndipo akhathandiza anyakusauka.” (Mab. 9:36) Mwakundendemerana na Adjuda winango omwe akhakhala mbuto zomwe kukhakhalambo mitundu inango ya wanthu, Tabita akhana madzina mawiri. Dzina libodzi likhali la Cihebereu ayai Ciaramaiko ndipo linango likhali la Cigerego ayai Cilatini. Dzina lace la Cigerego lakuti Dorka m’Ciaramaiko lidasanduliziridwa kuti “Tabita.” Madzina yentseya yambathandauza “Nyasa.”

Bzikuwoneka kuti Tabita adaduwala acifa mwadzidzidzi. Pakutewera mwambo wawo wanthu adakasambisa mtembo wace pakukonzekera kukauikha m’thenje. Patsogolo pace adakaikha mtemboyo m’cipinda ca padzulu comwe pinango cikhali m’nyumba mwace. Pakuti ku Jope na m’madera yanango ya pafupi n’kwa kupswa kwene-kwene, munthu akafa akhafunika kukamuikha m’thenje ntsiku imweyoletu ayai mangwana yace. Akristau wa ku Jope adabva kuti mpostolo Pedru akhali mu mzinda wapafupi wakucemeredwa Lida. Pakhana nthawe yakukwanira yakuti Pedru akafike ku Jope, kukagumana Tabita akanati kuikhidwa m’thenje, thangwe kucokera ku Lida kukafika ku Jope ukhali mtantho wa makilometro 18 ndipo angadafamba pafupi-fupi kwa maora 4. Ndipopa gwere lidatumiza amuna awiri kuti akakumbire Pedru kuti ayende ku Jope mwakamkulumize. (Mab. 9:37, 38) Mdziwi munango adati: “Adjuda wakale akhana cizolowezi ca kutuma wanthu awiri kuti akadziwise mafala. Thangwe libodzi n’ndakuti, m’bodzi akambafotokoza mafalayo mwanzaceyo ambakatsimikizire.”

N’ciyani cidacitika pomwe Pedru adafika ku Jope? Nkhaniyi imbati: “Iwo adamutenga aciyenda naye m’cipinda ca m’nyumba ya padzulu ndipo akazi mamsiwa wentse adabwera pomwe pakhana iyepo akulira, acimbamulatiza bzakubvala bzomwe Dorka adawakonzera pomwe akhana moyo.” (Mab. 9:39) Cibodzi mwa bzinthu bzomwe bzikhacitisa wanthu wa mu gwere kuti ambafune Tabita cikhali cakuti akhawasonera bzakubvala. Bzikudziwika lini penu Tabita akhagula yekha bzinthu bzomwe akhaphatisa basa pa kusona bzakubvalabzo ayai penu wanthuwo akhamubweresera bzinthubzo kuti iye awasonere. Mwa njira iri-yentse wanthu akhamufuna kwene-kwene thangwe ra “kudeka mtima kwace na thandizo lomwe akhalipereka kuna anyakusauka.”

Bzikuwoneka kuti Pedru adatokonyedwa kwene-kwene na bzomwe adawona mu cipinda ca padzauluco. Mdziwi munango dzina lace Richard Lenski adati:“Bzomwe bzikhacitika pa kulira nkhawa imweyi bzikhali bzakusiyana kwene-kwene na bzomwe bzikhacitika m’nyumba ya Jairo, momwe mukhana baludya likulu la azimai wakunembedwa basa la kumbalira mwakukuwa na anyakuimba. Koma pa nkhawa ya Tabita wanthu akhambalira kucokera pantsi pa mtima sikuti mwakucita kuyezezera.” (Mat. 9:23) Wanthu akhaliradi. Pakuti Bibliya limbaguma lini mwamuna wa Tabita wanthu azinji ambakhulupira kuti iye akhalibe mwamuna.

Pomwe Jezu adapasa apostolo basa lakupalizira adawapasa mphanvu ya “kulamusa anyakufa.” (Mat. 10:8) Pedru adawona pomwe Jezu adacita cakudabwisa ca kulamusa mwana wa Jairo, tsono Bibliya likhanati kulewa bza mpostolo omwe akhadalamusa kale munthu. (Mar. 5:21-24, 35-43) pa nthaweyi Pedru adauza wanthu omwe akhali m’cipinda mule kuti acoke ndipo adapemba mwakudandaulira. Na bzimwebzi Tabita adafungula maso yace ndipo adamuka. Kumbukirani cikondweso comwe Akristau wa ku Jope adakhala naco pomwe Pedru adalatiza anyakucena na amamsiwa kuti wakufunidwa wawo Tabita akhadakhala pomwe na moyo! — Mab. 9:40-42.

a Onani kwadru yakuti “Saulo Akhali Mfarizeu”.

b Nthawe zizinji, mzimu wakucena ukhaperekedwa mwakuphatisa basa apostolo. Koma, pa cakucitika cimweci, bzikuwoneka kuti Jezu adabvuma kuti Ananiya apereke mphaso ya mzimu wakucena kuna Saulo. Pambuyo pakukhala Mkristau, padatenga nthawe ikulu Saulo akugumana lini na apostolo 12 wale. Bzikuwoneka kuti, pa nthawe yentseneyi iye akhacita basa lakupalizira. Bzimwebzi bzikulatiza kuti Jezu adapasa Saulo mphanvu yakuti akwanise kucita basa lomwe akhadapasidwa lomwe ni kupalizira.

c Onani kwadru yakuti “Tabita ‘Akhacita Bzinthu Bzizinji Bzabwino.’”