19 – Ibandla

Wesaba wathi, “Yeka ukwesabeka kwale indawo ehloniphekayo! Ngempela iyindlu kaNkulunkulu; leli lisango lasezulwini.”

njalo lelitshe leli engilenze insika lizakuba yindlu kaNkulunkulu, njalo kuzakuthi konke onginika khona ngizakunika wena ingxenye yetshumi.”

Emini uJehova wahamba phambi kwabo ngensika yeyezi ebahola endleleni yabo, kwathi ebusuku wabahola ngensika yomlilo ukubakhanyisela ukuze bahambe emini lebusuku. Insika yeyezi emini loba insika yomlilo ebusuku kakuzange kusuke endaweni yakho phambi kwabantu.

Ngakho-ke lingangilalela ligcine isivumelwano sami lani lizakuba ligugu kimi phakathi kwezizwe zonke. Lokuba umhlaba wonke ungowami, lina kimi lizakuba ngumbuso wabaphristi, lesizwe esingcwele.’ Yiwo amazwi okumele uwakhulume kwabako-Israyeli.”

Labaphristi abaya kuJehova kumele bazenze babe ngcwele, funa uJehova ababhubhise.”

“Bangakhele indlu engcwele, ngalokho ngizahlala phakathi kwabo.

Kwakusithi uMosi esengena ethenteni insika yeyezi yehlele phansi ime emnyango wethente lapho uJehova ekhuluma loMosi. Kwakusithi abantu bangabona insika yeyezi isimi emnyango wethente basukume bonke bakhonze; lowo lalowo emnyango wethente lakhe. UJehova wayekhuluma loMosi ubuso ngobuso njengomuntu ekhuluma lomngane wakhe. Ngemva kwalokho uMosi wayebuyela ezihonqweni, kodwa umncedisi wakhe owayesesemncane, uJoshuwa kaNuni, wayengasuki ethenteni.

“Wena lamadodana akho akumelanga linathe iwayini loba okunye okunathwayo okubilileyo nxa lisiyangena eThenteni lokuHlanganela, funa life. Lo ngumlayo omi kuze kube nininini kuzizukulwana ezizayo. Kumele lahlukanise okungcwele kokungangcwele, okuhlanzekileyo kokungahlanzekanga,

Ngosuku okwamiswa ngalo ithabanikeli, iThente lobuFakazi, iyezi lalisibekela. Kusukela kusihlwa kuze kuse iyezi elaliphezu kwethabanikeli linjengomlilo. Laqhubeka linjalo; lembeswe liyezi, ebusuku lalinjengomlilo.

Mina angikaze ngihlale endlini kusukela ngosuku engakhupha ngalo ama-Israyeli eGibhithe kuze kube lamhla. Ngibe ngihamba ngisuka kwenye indawo ngisiya kwenye ithente liyindawo yami yokuhlala.

“Okwalelithempeli olakhayo, nxa ulandela iziqondiso zami, lemilayo yami ugcine konke engikulaya ngakho ukulandele, ngawe ngizagcwalisa zonke izithembiso engazenza kuyihlo uDavida. Ngizahlala phakathi kwabantu bako-Israyeli njalo angiyikubatshiya abantu bami bako-Israyeli.”

Kwathi abaphristi sebesukile eNdaweni eNgcwele, iyezi lagcwala lagubuzela ethempelini likaJehova. Abaphristi abenzanga inkonzo yabo ngenxa yeyezi, ngoba inkazimulo kaJehova yayigcwele ethempelini lakhe.

USolomoni eseqedile ukwakha ithempeli likaJehova lesigodlo sobukhosi, esenelisile konke ayezimisele ukukwenza,

UHilikhiya umphristi omkhulu wathi kuShafani unobhala, “Sengifumene uGwalo lweMithetho ethempelini likaJehova.” Walunika uShafani, owalufandayo.

Wadiliza izindlu zamadoda angamawule ezazikhona ethempelini lapho abesifazana ababeselukela khona u-Ashera amaveli.

Ngakho nikelani izinhliziyo zenu ekufuneni uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu. Qalisani ukwakha indlu kaJehova uNkulunkulu, ukuze ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova lezitsha zikaJehova ezingcwele kungeniswe ethempelini elizakwakhelwa iBizo likaJehova.”

Abatshayi bamacilongo labahlabeleli bahlanganyela ndawonye, kungathi yilizwi linye, ukuba badumise njalo bebonga uJehova. Sekuhlangene amcilongo lezigubhu lokunye okukhaliswayo, baphakamisa amazwi abo bedumisa uJehova behlabela besithi: “Ulungile; Uthando lwakhe lumi kuze kube nininini.” Ithempeli likaJehova lagcwala iyezi, ngakho abaphristi babengeke benze inkonzo yabo ngenxa yeyezi, ngoba inkazimulo kaJehova yagcwala ithempeli likaNkulunkulu.

Kwathi uSolomoni eseqedile ukukhuleka, kwehla umlilo uvela ezulwini, waqhunqisa umnikelo wokutshiswa lemihlatshelo, inkazimulo kaJehova yagcwalisa ithempeli. Abaphristi behluleka ukungena ethempelini likaJehova ngoba laligcwele inkazimulo kaJehova. Kwathi lapho bonke abako-Israyeli bebona umlilo usehla lenkazimulo kaJehova ethempelini, bathi mbo ngobuso phansi embundwini weguma, badumisa bebonga uJehova besithi: “Yena ulungile; uthando lwakhe lumi kuze kube nininini,”

Wahlalisa njalo abalindiminyango emasangweni ethempeli likaJehova ukuze kungangeni loyedwa ongahlanjululwanga.

Lingabi ntamolukhuni njengaboyihlo; zehliseni kuJehova. Wozani endlini yokukhonza aseyingcwelisile kuze kube nininini. Mkhonzeni uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu, ukuze ulaka lwakhe olwesabekayo lusuke kini.

Inkosi yathi abantu abahlala eJerusalema kumele banike abaphristi labaLevi imfanelo yabo ukuze basebenze ngokuzinikela eMthethweni kaJehova.

UJehova, uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo, wathumela ilizwi ephindaphinda ngezithunywa zakhe, ngoba wayelesihawu ebantwini bakhe kanye lendawo yakhe yokuhlala.

Babebala eNcwadini yoMthetho kaNkulunkulu, bewuchasisa baveze lokho okutshoyo ukuze abantu bakuzwisise lokho okwakubalwa.

Abantu bako-Israyeli, kanye labaLevi, bamele balethe iminikelo yabo yamabele, iwayini elitsha lamafutha eziphaleni lapho okugcinwa khona izimpahla zendlu engcwele, njalo lapho okuhlala khona abaphristi abasebenzayo labalindimasango labahlabeleli. “Kasiyikuyidela indlu kaNkulunkulu.”

Labo abangcwele abakhona elizweni bangabakhazimulayo engithokoza ngabo.

Ngizamemezela ibizo lakho kubafowethu; emphakathini ngizakudumisa.

Impela okuhle lothando kuzangilandela zonke izinsuku zokuphila kwami, njalo ngizahlala endlini kaJehova kuze kube nininini.

Yinye into engiyicelayo kuJehova, yilokhu engikudingayo: ukuba ngihlale endlini kaJehova zonke izinsuku zokuphila kwami, ngibuke ubuhle bukaJehova, lokuthi ngimdinge ethempelini lakhe.

Sindisa abantu bakho ubusise ilifa lakho; woba ngumalusi wabo ubathwale lanininini.

Bongani uJehova kanye lami; kasiphakamiseni ibizo lakhe kanyekanye.

Lezizinto ngiyazikhumbula nxa ngizisola kakhulu ngidabukile: Ngangihamba labanengi, ngikhokhela udwendwe sisiya endlini kaNkulunkulu, sihlokoma ngentokozo langokubonga lexuku elithakazelela umkhosi.

Babusisiwe labo obakhethayo ubasondeze bazohlala emagumeni akho! Sigcwalisiwe ngezinto ezinhle zendlu yakho, ezethempeli lakho elingcwele.

UNkulunkulu uyabalungisela indawo ezimulini labo abalesizungu, ukhokhela izibotshwa ngokuhlabela; kodwa abahlamuki bahlala elizweni elomileyo.

Kuzakuthi-ke thina abantu bakho, izimvu zedlelo lakho, sikudumise laphakade; kusuka esizukulwaneni kusiya esizukulwaneni sizabalisa udumo lwakho.

Kumqondisi wokuhlabela. Ngendlela yegithithi. Elabantwana bakaKhora. Ihubo. Yeka ubuhle bendlu yakho, O Jehova Somandla! Umphefumulo wami uyalangazela, uze ungathi uyaphela, amaguma kaJehova; inhliziyo yami lenyama yami kukhalela uNkulunkulu ophilayo. Intaka layo ilizuzile ikhaya, lenkonjane isidleke sayo, lapho ingazalela khona abantwana bayo indawo eduze kwe-alithare lakho, O Jehova Somandla, Nkosi yami loNkulunkulu wami. Babusisiwe labo abahlala endlini yakho; bahlala bekudumisa kokuphela.

Lungcono usuku olulodwa emagumeni akho kulezinsuku eziyinkulungwane engxenye; kungabangcono ngibe ngumlindimasango endlini kaNkulunkulu kulokuhlala emathenteni ababi.

Enhlanganisweni yabangcwele uNkulunkulu uyesatshwa kakhulu; uyesabeka kulabo bonke abahlezi laye.

ngoba behlanyelwe endlini kaJehova, bazaqhela emagumeni kaNkulunkulu wethu.

Dumisani uJehova. Ngizambabaza uJehova ngenhliziyo yami yonke enkundleni yabaqotho lasemhlanganweni.

Ingoma yemiqanso. ElikaDavida. Ngathokoza lalabo abathi kimi, “Kasiye endlini kaJehova.”

Ingoma yemiqanso. ElikaSolomoni. Ngaphandle kokuba uJehova ayakhe indlu, abakhi bayo basebenzela ize. Ngaphandle kokuba uJehova awulinde umuzi, abalindi bawo balinda ize.

Ingoma yemiqanso. ElikaDavida. Bheka kuhle, kuyabukeka kangakanani nxa abazalwane behlezi ndawonye ngokuzwana!

Dumisani uJehova. Hlabelelani uJehova ingoma entsha, indumiso yakhe ebandleni labangcwele.

Fundisa umntwana indlela amele ahambe ngayo, kuzakuthi esemdala kayikuphambuka kuyo.

Njengensimbi ilola insimbi, kanjalo indoda ikhaliphisa enye.

Qaphela izinyathelo zakho nxa usiya endlini kaNkulunkulu. Sondela ulalele kulokuthi wenze imihlatshelo yeziwula ezingaziyo ukuthi ziyona.

Ngomnyaka inkosi u-Uziya eyafa ngawo, ngabona uJehova ehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi esiphezulu esiphakemeyo, injobo yesambatho sakhe igcwele ithempeli.

Ngasengisizwa ilizwi likaJehova lisithi, “Ngizathuma bani na? Ngubani na ozasihambela?” Mina ngathi, “Ngilapha. Thuma mina!” Wasesithi, “Hamba uyetshela abantu uthi: “ ‘Zwanini kokuphela, kodwa lingaqedisisi; bonani kokuphela, kodwa lingabonisisi.’

Sukani, sukani, phumani lapho! Lingathinti lutho olungcolileyo. Phumani kulo libe ngabahlambulukileyo, Lina eliphatha izitsha zikaJehova.

Labezizwe abazinamathisela kuJehova ukuba bamkhonze, bathande ibizo likaJehova, njalo bamkhonze, bonke abagcina iSabatha bengalingcolisi, babambelele kusivumelwano sami  — laba ngizabaletha entabeni yami engcwele, ngibaphe intokozo endlini yami yokukhulekela. Iminikelo yabo yokutshiswa, lemihlatshelo, kuzakwamukelwa e-alithareni lami; ngoba indlu yami izathiwa yindlu yokukhuleka yezizwe zonke.”

Laphoke ngizalinika abelusi abathandwa yimi, abazalikhokhela ngokwazi langokuqedisisa.

“Maye kubelusi abachitha izimvu zedlelo lami njalo bezihlakaza!” kutsho uJehova. Ngakho uJehova, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi kubelusi abelusa abantu bami: “Ngenxa yokuthi lina lihlakaze umhlambi wami lawuxotshela khatshana kalaze lawunaka, ngizakwehlisela isijeziso phezu kwenu ngenxa yobubi elibenzileyo,” kutsho uJehova. “Mina ngokwami ngizabutha insalela zezimvu zami emazweni wonke engangizixotshele kuwo ngizibuyisele edlelweni lazo, lapho ezizazalana khona zande. Ngizazilethela abelusi abazazelusa, njalo kazisayikwesaba loba zithuthumele, loba enye yazo ilahleke,” kutsho uJehova.

“Umphrofethi lomphristi kabakholwa kuNkulunkulu; lasethempelini lami ngiyabufumana ububi babo,” kutsho uJehova.

“Ndodana yomuntu, sengikwenze umlindi wendlu ka-Israyeli; ngakho zwana ilizwi engilikhulumayo ubanike isixwayiso esivela kimi. Nxa ngisithi emuntwini omubi, ‘Wena uzakufa impela,’ wena ungamxwayisi kumbe ukhulume ukuba umyekelise izindlela zakhe ezimbi ukuze asindise ukuphila kwakhe, lowomuntu omubi uzafela izono zakhe, kuthi wena ngikubeke icala legazi lakhe. Kodwa uma umuntu omubi umxwayisa yena angaphenduki ebubini bakhe kumbe ezindleleni zakhe ezimbi, uzafela izono zakhe, kodwa wena uyabe uziphephisile. “Njalo uma umuntu olungileyo eguquka ekulungeni kwakhe enze okubi, mina ngibeke isikhubekiso phambi kwakhe, uzakufa. Njengoba nxa wena ungamxwayisanga, uzafela izono zakhe. Izinto ezilungileyo azenzayo kaziyikukhunjulwa, njalo wena ngizakubeka icala legazi lakhe. Kodwa uma uxwayisa umuntu olungileyo ukuba angoni, lakanye uyabe uziphephisile.”

Abaphristi balo bephula umthetho wami njalo bahlambaza lezinto zami ezingcwele; kabehlukanisi phakathi kokungcwele okujayelekileyo; bafundisa besithi akulamehluko phakathi kokungcolileyo lokungangcolanga; njalo bavala amehlo abo ekugcineni amaSabatha ami, okwenza ngithukwe phakathi kwabo.

“Ndodana yomuntu, phrofetha okubi ngabelusi bako-Israyeli; phrofetha uthi kubo: ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Maye kini lina belusi bako-Israyeli elizikhathalelayo lina ngokwenu kuphela! Abelusi akumelanga bakhathalele umhlambi wezimvu na? Lidla izankefu, ligqoke iwulu njalo lihlabe imikhethwa yezifuyo, kodwa umhlambi wezimvu kaliwunaki. Ezibuthakathaka kaliziqinisanga kumbe lelapha ezigulayo loba labopha ezilimeleyo. Kalinqandanga eziphambukileyo loba ladinga ezilahlekileyo. Lizibuse ngochuku langesihlu-ku. Ngakho zahlakazeka ngoba kwakungelamelusi, njalo kwathi lapho sezihlakazekile zaba yikudla kwazo zonke izinyamazana zeganga. Izimvu zami zantula phezu kwezintaba zonke laphezu kwamaqaqa wonke. Zazihlakazekele emhlabeni wonke, njalo kakho owazidingayo loba owazicingayo.

“ ‘Ngakho, lina belusi, zwanini ilizwi likaJehova elithi: Ngeqiniso elinjengoba ngikhona, kutsho uJehova Wobukhosi, ngokuba umhlambi wami uswela umelusi ngakho usuphangiwe njalo usube yikudla kwezinyamazana zonke zeganga, njalo ngenxa yokuthi abelusi bami kabawudinganga umhlambi kodwa bazikhathalela bona ngokwabo kulomhlambi wami, ngakho-ke lina belusi, zwanini ilizwi likaJehova elithi: Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Ngimelana labelusi njalo ngizababeka umlandu wezimvu zami. Ngizabasusa ekweluseni umhlambi, abelusi bangabe besaba lokudla. Ngizawuhluthuna umhlambi wami emilonyeni yabo, njalo kawuyikuba yikudla kwabo futhi.

“ ‘Ngakho-ke nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi kuzo: Khangelani, mina ngokwami ngizakwahlulela phakathi kwezimvu ezinonileyo lezimvu ezicakileyo. Ngoba liyafuqa ngemihlubulo langamahlombe, ligqubule zonke izimbuzi ezibuthakathaka ngezimpondo zenu lize lizixotshele khatshana. Ngizahlenga umhlambi wami, njalo kawuyikuphangwa futhi. Ngizakwahlulela phakathi kwenye imvu lenye.

Phezu kwazo ngizabeka umelusi oyedwa, inceku yami uDavida, uzazelusa; uzazelusa abe ngumalusi wazo.

Indawo yami yokuhlala izakuba kubo; ngizakuba nguNkulunkulu wabo, njalo bona bazakuba ngabantu bami.

Indoda leyo yangisa phambi kwethempeli ngendlela yesango lasenyakatho. Ngakhangela ngabona inkazimulo kaJehova igcwele ethempelini likaJehova, ngathi mbo phansi ngobuso.

Kumele bafundise abantu bami umahluko phakathi kokungcwele lokwabantu bonke babatshengise indlela yokwehlukanisa phakathi kokungcolileyo lokuhlanzekileyo.

Ngosuku azakuya ngalo egumeni langaphakathi lendlu engcwele ukuba enze inkonzo endlini engcwele, kumele azinikelele umnikelo wesono, kutsho uJehova Wobukhosi.

Izakuba yingxenye engcwele yelizwe ingeyabaphristi, abakhonzayo endlini engcwele njalo abasondela eduze ukuba bakhonze phambi kukaJehova. Izakuba yindawo yezindlu zabo kanye lendawo engcwele yendlu engcwele.

“Emva kwalokho, ngizathela uMoya wami ebantwini bonke. Amadodana enu lamadodakazi enu azaphrofetha, abadala benu bazaphupha amaphupho, izinsizwa zakini zizabona imibono. Lakuzinceku zami, ezesilisa lezesifazana, ngizathela uMoya wami ngalezonsuku.

Impela uJehova Wobukhosi kenzi lutho engavezanga icebo lakhe ezincekwini zakhe abaphrofethi.

Ngizanyikinya izizwe zonke, abathandwayo kuzo zonke izizwe bazakuza, njalo indlu le ngizayigcwalisa ngenkazimulo,’ kutsho uJehova uSomandla, ‘Isiliva ngesami legolide ngelami,’ kutsho uJehova uSomandla. ‘Inkazimulo yale indlu yakhathesi izakuba nkulu kuleyendlu yakuqala,’ kutsho uJehova uSomandla. ‘Njalo indawo le ngizayipha ukuthula,’ kutsho uJehova uSomandla.”

“Ngokuba izindebe zomphristi kumele zilonde ulwazi, abantu badinge kuye ukufundiswa  —  ngokuba uyisithunywa sikaJehova uSomandla.

Lethani konke okwetshumi esiphaleni ukuze kube lokudla endlini yami.” Uthi uJehova uSomandla, “Ngilingani kulokhu libone ingabe kangikuwavula amasango ezulu ngithulule izibusiso elizaze liswele ukuthi lizithele ngaphi.

UJesu wathi, “Wozani lingilandele ngoba ngizalenza abagoli babantu.”

UJesu wahamba kulo lonke iGalile efundisa emasinagogeni abo, etshumayela izindaba ezinhle ezombuso, esilisa zonke izifo lemikhuhlane ebantwini.

Njalo nxa likhuleka lingenzi ubugabazi linqongoloza njengabahedeni, ngoba bacabanga ukuthi bazazwiwa ngenxa yamazwi abo amanengi.

Kodwa funani kuqala umbuso wakhe lokulunga kwakhe, kuzakuthi-ke zonke lezizinto liziphiwe lazo.

“Qaphelani abaphrofethi bamanga abeza kini bezigqokise isikhumba semvu kodwa ngaphakathi beyizimpisi ezifohlozayo.

UJesu wanquma kuwo wonke amadolobho lemizi efundisa emasinagogeni abo, etshumayela izindaba ezinhle ezombuso njalo eselapha zonke izifo lemikhuhlane. Wathi ebona izixuku zabantu wabazwela usizi ngokuba babehlukuluzekile bephelelwe, benjengezimvu ezingelamelusi. Wasesithi kubafundi bakhe, “Isivuno sinengi kodwa izisebenzi zilutshwana. Ngakho celani iNkosi yokuvuna ukuba ithumele izisebenzi ensimini yokuvuna.”

UJesu wabizela ndawonye abafundi bakhe abalitshumi lambili wabapha amandla okukhupha imimoya emibi lokusilisa zonke izifo lemikhuhlane.

Philisani abagulayo, vusani abafileyo, hlambululani abalobulephero likhuphe amadimoni. Lamukelisiwe kungelambadalo, lani phanini kungelambadalo.

“Libalimuke abantu; bazalimangalela ezinkundleni zamacala, balibhaxuze emasinagogeni abo.

“Lowo olamukelayo wamukela mina, lalowo owamukela mina wamukela lowo ongithumileyo. Loba ngubani owamukele umphrofethi ngokuba engumphrofethi uzazuza umvuzo womphrofethi, njalo lalowo owamukela umuntu olungileyo ngokuba engumuntu olungileyo uzakwamukela umvuzo womuntu olungileyo. Njalo loba ngubani onganathisa kumbe inkomitshi yamanzi aqandayo komunye walaba abancinyane ngokuba engumfundi wami, ngilitshela iqiniso, akazukulahlekelwa ngumvuzo wakhe.”

Wafika edolobheni lakibo waqalisa ukufundisa abantu esinagogeni labo, bamangala. Babuza bathi, “Indoda le yayithatha ngaphi inhlakanipho le lamandla la angummangaliso?

Yikho ngiyakutshela ukuthi unguPhethro, njalo phezu kwalelidwala ngizakwakha ibandla lami, futhi amasango aseHadesi akayikulahlula. Ngizakupha amakhiye ombuso wasezulwini; loba kuyini okubophayo emhlabeni kuzabotshwa ezulwini, njalo loba kuyini okuthukululayo emhlabeni kuzathukululwa ezulwini.”

“Kambe lithini na? Uma indoda ilezimvu ezilikhulu enye iqambuke kwezinye, kayiyikuzitshiya yini lezo ezingamatshumi aficamunye lesificamunye ezintabeni iyoyidinga leyo eqambukileyo? Ithi ingayifumana, ngiyalitshela, iyathokoza ngaleyo okudlula lezo ezingamatshumi aficamunye lesificamunye ezingazange ziqambuke.

“Uma umfowenu esenza okubi kuwe, yana kuye umtshengise isiphambeko sakhe lilodwa lobabili. Uma ekulalela usumzuzile umfowenu. Kodwa nxa engalaleli biza omunye loba ababili ukuze indaba yonke ivele obala ilabofakazi ababili loba abathathu. Uma esala ukubalalela tshela ibandla; uma esala ukulilalela lalo ibandla mthatheni njengongakholwayo kumbe njengomthelisi.

Ngoba lapho okuhlangana khona ababili loba abathathu ngebizo lami, ngizabe ngikhona labo lami.”

Kakunjalo kini. Kodwa loba ngubani ofuna ukuba mkhulu phakathi kwenu kabe yinceku yenu, lalowo ofuna ukuba ngowokuqala kabe yisichaka senu  — njengeNdodana yoMuntu engezelanga ukuzakhonzwa, kodwa ukukhonza, lokunikela ukuphila kwayo kube lihlawulo labanengi.”

UJesu wangena esigcawini sethempeli wabaxotsha bonke ababethenga lababethengisa khona. Wagenqula amatafula alabo ababentshintshela abanye izimali lezihlalo zabathengisa amajuba. Wathi kubo, “Kulotshiwe ukuthi, ‘Indlu yami izabizwa ngokuthi yindlu yokukhuleka,’ kodwa lina seliyenza ‘ubhalu lwabaphangi.’ ”

Iziphofu labaqhugezelayo beza kuye ethempelini wabasilisa. Kodwa kwathi abaphristi abakhulu labafundisi bomthetho bebona izimanga ayezenza labantwana bememeza esigcawini sethempeli besithi, “Hosana kuyo iNdodana kaDavida,” banengeka.

“Kodwa lina malingabizwa kuthiwe ‘Rabi,’ ngokuba munye kuphela oyiNkosi yenu njalo lina lonke lingabafowenu. Futhi lingabizi muntu emhlabeni ngokuthi ‘baba’, ngokuba lilo Yihlo oyedwa, yena osezulwini. Njalo lingabizwa lithiwe ‘mfundisi,’ ngokuba liloMfundisi oyedwa, uKhristu. Omkhulu kulani lonke phakathi kwenu uzakuba yinceku yenu. Ngokuba lowo oziphakamisayo uzathotshiswa, lalowo ozithobayo uzaphakanyiswa.

Ngoba oKhristu bamanga labaphrofethi bamanga bazavela benze imimangaliso emikhulu ukukhohlisa kanye labakhethiweyo  —  aluba lokho kungenzeka.

ngangiswela izambatho langigqokisa, ngangigula langonga, ngangisentolongweni lazongibona.’

Kusonaleso isikhathi ikhetheni lethempeli laqhekezeka kabili kusukela phezulu kusiya phansi. Umhlaba wazamazama lamatshe aqhekezeka.

Ngakho hambani lenze abafundi ezizweni zonke, libabhaphathize ebizweni likaBaba, leleNdodana lelikaMoya oNgcwele, njalo libafundise ukulalela konke engililaye ngakho. Ngempela ngilani kokuphela, kuze kube sekucineni kwesikhathi.”

Kanjalo walibhoda lonke elaseGalile etshumayela emasinagogini abo njalo ekhupha amadimoni. Kweza kuye indoda eyayilobulephero yamncenga iguqe phansi ngamadolo yathi, “Aluba uthanda ungangihlambulula.” UJesu eyizwela isihawu welula isandla sakhe wayibamba indoda. Wathi, “Ngiyathanda. Hlanzeka!”

Wehlukanisa abalitshumi lambili wabamisa ukuba ngabaphostoli ababezakuba laye ukuze abathume ezindaweni bayotshumayela lokuba lamandla okukhupha amadimoni.

Kwathi ngeSabatha wafundisa esinagogini, abanengi abamuzwayo bamangala. “Indoda le yazithatha ngaphi izinto zonke lezi?” babuza. “Yinhlakanipho enganani le ayiphiwayo aze akwazi lokwenza imimangaliso!

Bangikhonza ngeze; imfundiso yabo yimithetho kuphela evela ebantwini.’ Seliyekele imiyalo kaNkulunkulu labambelela emasikweni abantu.” Wasesithi kubo, “Lilendledlana yenu yokufuqela eceleni imilayo kaNkulunkulu ukuze lilandele amasiko enu!

Ngaleyondlela liyalichitha ilizwi likaNkulunkulu ngamasiko enu eliwedlulisela kuzizukulwane. Futhi lenza izinto ezinengi ezinjalo.”

Ngilitshela iqiniso ngithi lowo olinathisayo amanzi ngebizo lami ngokuba lingabakaKhristu ngempela kayikulahlekelwa ngumvuzo wakhe.

Bathi befika eJerusalema uJesu wangena egcekeni lethempeli wafika wabaxotsha labo ababethenga lababethengisa khona. Wagenqula amatafula abantshintshi bezimali lezihlalo zababethengisa amajuba, kaze avumela muntu ukungenisa okuthengiswayo ezindlini zethempeli. Wathi esabafundisa wathi, “Kakulotshwanga yini ukuthi: “Indlu yami izabizwa ngokuthi yindlu yokukhuleka okwezizwe zonke’? Kodwa lina seliyenze ubhalu lwabaphangi.”

UJesu waphendula wathi, “Liyazibona yini zonke lezi izindlu ezinkulu kangaka? Kakuyikusala litshe phezu kwelinye; wonke azalahlelwa phansi.”

“Libohlala liqaphele. Lizanikelwa kubaphathi bezindawo litshaywe emasinagogweni. Ngenxa yami lizamiswa phambi kwababusi lamakhosi libe yibufakazi kubo.

Ikhetheni lethempeli ladabuka kabili lisuka phezulu kusiya phansi.

Wathi kubo, “Hambani emhlabeni wonke litshumayele ivangeli kukho konke okwadalwayo. Loba ngubani okholwayo abhaphathizwe uzasindiswa, kodwa lowo ongakholwayo uzalahlwa. Lezi zibonakaliso zizabalandela labo abakholwayo: Ngebizo lami bazakhupha amadimoni; bazakhuluma ngezindimi ezintsha; bazadobha izinyoka ngezandla zabo; bazakuthi banganatha okubulalayo kungaze kwabalimaza lakancinyane; bazabeka izandla zabo phezu kwabantu abagulayo, basile.”

Abafundi bahamba bayatshumayela ezindaweni zonke, iNkosi yasebenza labo yaqinisa ilizwi layo ngezibonakaliso ezazilisekela.

Waya eNazaretha, lapho akhuliselwa khona, kwathi mhla weSabatha waya esinagogeni njengenjayelo yakhe. Wasukuma wabala.

Bamangaliswa yikufundisa kwakhe ngoba intshumayelo yakhe yayilesisindo. Esinagogeni lapho kwakulendoda eyayiphethwe lidimoni, umoya ongcolileyo. Yaklabalala ngelizwi layo lonke yathi, “Hawu! Ufunani kithi, Jesu waseNazaretha? Ulande ukuza sibhubhisa na? Ngiyakwazi ukuthi ungubani  —  ungoNgcwele kaNkulunkulu!” “Thula!” watsho ngolaka uJesu. “Phuma kuye!” Idimoni layilahla phansi indoda phambi kwabo bonke laphuma lingayilimazanga indoda. Bonke abantu bamangala kakhulu bakhulumisana bathi, “Yikufundisa bani lokhu? Ulaya imimoya emibi ngegunya langamandla layo iphume!”

Waqhubeka etshumayela emasinagogeni aseJudiya.

kwamangalisa njalo uJakhobe loJohane, amadodana kaZebedi, ababe phathisana loSimoni. UJesu wasesithi kuSimoni, “Ungesabi; kusukela manje usuzagola abantu.”

Ngelinye iSabatha waya esinagogeni wafundisa, khonapho kulendoda elesandla sokudla esitshwabheneyo.

Umfundi kamdluli umfundisi wakhe, kodwa wonke osefundiswe ngokupheleleyo usenjengomfundisi wakhe.

UJesu esebizele abaLitshumi Lambili ndawonye wabapha amandla lemvumo ukuthi bakhuphe wonke amadimoni, belaphe lemikhuhlane, njalo wasebathuma ukuyatshumayela umbuso kaNkulunkulu lokuphilisa abagulayo,

Kodwa funani umbuso wakhe, izinto zonke lezi lazo lizaziphiwa. “Lingesabi, mhlambi omncane, ngoba uYihlo uthandile ukulipha umbuso.

Ngelinye iSabatha uJesu wayefundisa kwelinye isinagogi, khonapho kulowesifazana owayengenwe ngumoya wamenza isilima okweminyaka elitshumi leficamibili. Wayegogekile esehluleka ukuhlala aqonde. Kwathi uJesu embona wambizela phambili wathi kuye, “Mama, usukhululwe ekugogekeni kwakho.” Wasebeka izandla zakhe phezu kwakhe, masinyane nje owesifazana watshwaphuluka waqonda wasedumisa uNkulunkulu. Umbusi wesinagogi wacunuka ngoba uJesu wayesilise ngeSabatha wathi ebantwini, “Ziyisithupha izinsuku zokwenza umsebenzi. Ngakho libokuza lizosiliswa kulezozinsuku, hatshi ngeSabatha.”

“Ake kuthiwe omunye wenu ulezimvu ezilikhulu bese kulahleka eyodwa kuzo. Kazukuzitshiya yini lezo ezingamatshumi aficamunye lesificamunye na khonale egangeni ayidinge leyo elahlekileyo aze ayithole? Kuthi lapho eseyitholile ayithwale emahlombe ngokuthokoza aye layo ekhaya. Abesebiza abangane bakhe labomakhelwana athi, ‘Thokozani lami; sengiyitholile imvu yami ebilahlekile.’ Ngilitshela ukuthi ngaleyondlela kuzakuba lokuthokoza ezulwini ngokuphenduka kwesoni esisodwa okudlula labobantu abalungileyo abangamatshumi aficamunye lesificamunye abangasweli ukuphenduka.

Ngakho lina ziqapheleni. “Aluba umfowenu esenza isono, mkhuze, kuthi nxa ezisola, mthethelele.

ngoba ilanga lema ukukhanya. Ikhetheni lethempeli ladabuka kabili.

Base bemkhonza, babuyela eJerusalema bethokoza kakhulu. Bahlala kokuphela ethempelini bedumisa uNkulunkulu.

Yikho waseseluka izintambo wenza isaswebhu wabadudula bonke emagcekeni ethempeli, konke izimvu lezinkomo; wayichithiza imali yabantshintshi bayo, wagenqula amatafula abo. Wathi kulabo ababethengisa amajuba, “Akhupheni lapha! Likuthatha ngaphi ukwenza indlu kaBaba umkambo wokuthengiselana na?” Abafundi bakhe bakhumbula ukuthi kulotshiwe ukuthi: “Ukunqinekela indlu yakho kuzangidla ngaphakathi.”

UJesu wathi kubo, “Ngiqinisile ngithi, ngaphandle kokuba lidle inyama yeNdodana yoMuntu, linathe igazi layo, kalilakuphila phakathi kwenu.

Ngilazo ezinye izimvu ezingasizo zalo umhlambi. Lazo ngimele ngizilethe. Lazo futhi zizalilalela ilizwi lami, ukuze kube lomhlambi owodwa lomalusi oyedwa.

“Ngilinika umlayo omutsha: Thandanani. Limele lithandane njengoba lami ngilithandile. Bonke abantu bazakwazi ukuthi lingabafundi bami uma lithandana.”

Bazalixotsha esinagogeni; ngempela siyeza isikhathi lapho lowo obulala omunye wenu uzakholwa ukuthi wenzele uNkulunkulu into enhle. Bazakwenza izinto ezinjalo ngokuba kabamazanga uBaba loba mina.

Kangisayikuhlala emhlabeni kusukela kulesi isikhathi, kodwa bona balokhu besemhlabeni, mina ngiza kuwe. Baba Ongcwele, bavikele ngamandla ebizo lakho  —  ibizo owanginika lona  —  ukuze babe munye njengalokhu thina simunye.

Kabasibo bomhlaba, njengoba lami ngingasiwawo. Bangcwelise ngalo iqiniso; ilizwi lakho liliqiniso.

ukuthi bonke babemunye, Baba, njengoba wena ukimi lami ngikuwe. Sengathi labo bangaba kithi ukuze umhlaba ukholwe ukuthi ungithumile. Ngibaphile inkazimulo owangipha yona, ukuze babe munye njengalokhu thina simunye:

Sebeqedile ukudla, uJesu wathi kuSimoni Phethro, “Simoni, ndodana kaJohane, ungithanda ngeqiniso na okudlula laba abanye?” Wathi, “Yebo, Nkosi, uyakwazi ukuthi ngiyakuthanda.” UJesu wathi, “Phana amazinyane ami ukudla.” UJesu waphinda wathi, “Simoni, ndodana kaJohane, uyangithanda ngeqiniso na?” Waphendula wathi, “Yebo, Nkosi, uyakwazi ukuthi ngiyakuthanda.” UJesu wathi, “Gcina izimvu zami.” Wasesithi kuye ngokwesithathu, “Simoni, ndodana kaJohane, uyangithanda na?” UPhethro wadabuka ngoba uJesu wambuza ngokwesithathu wathi, “Uyangithanda na?” Wathi, “Nkosi, uyazazi izinto zonke; uyakwazi ukuthi ngiyakuthanda.” UJesu wathi, “Phana izimvu zami ukudla.

Kodwa lina lizakwamukela amandla nxa uMoya oNgcwele esefikile phezu kwenu; njalo lizakuba ngofakazi bami eJerusalema, lakulo lonke eleJudiya lase-Samariya, lasemikhawulweni yomhlaba.”

Bonke laba bahlangana kokuphela bekhuleka, bekanye labesifazana loMariya unina kaJesu kanye labafowabo bakaJesu. Kuzona lezozinsuku uPhethro wasukuma phakathi kwamakholwa (ixuku elalingafika ikhulu elilamatshumi amabili)

Kwathi kufika usuku lwePhentekhosti, babendawonye endaweni yinye. Masinyane kwabakhona umsindo unjengokuvunguza komoya wesiphepho usehla uvela ezulwini wagcwala indlu yonke ababehlezi kuyo. Babona okwakungathi ngamalangabi omlilo asuka ehlukana ahlala kulowo lalowo wabo. Bonke bagcwaliswa ngoMoya oNgcwele, basebeqalisa ukukhuluma ezinye izindimi njengokuphiwa kwabo amandla nguMoya.

Labo abalemukelayo ilizwi lakhe babhaphathizwa, kwengezwa enanini labo mhlalokho abangaba yizinkulungwane ezintathu. Bayikhuthalela imfundiso yabaphostoli kanye lobudlelwano, lokuhlephula isinkwa lokukhuleka. Wonke umuntu wagcwala ukuthithibala, njalo abaphostoli benza izimanga lezibonakaliso ezinengi. Wonke amakholwa ayendawonye, ehlanganyela kukho konke. Bathengisa izinto zabo lezimpahla zabo banika loba ngubani oswelayo. Izinsuku zonke baqhubeka behlangana emagumeni ethempeli, njalo behlephula isinkwa emakhaya abo besidla ndawonye ngezinhliziyo ezimhlophe, eziqinisekileyo, bedumisa uNkulunkulu njalo bethakazelelwa ngabantu bonke. Njalo iNkosi yengeza inani labo izinsuku zonke ngalabo abase besindisiwe.

Sebekhulekile, indawo ababekuyo yazamazama. Bonke bagcwaliswa ngoMoya oNgcwele balikhuluma ngesibindi ilizwi likaNkulunkulu. Wonke amakholwa ayenhliziyo nye, engqondo nye. Kakho owathi okwakhe ngokwakhe yedwa kodwa babelana ko-nke ababelakho. Abaphostoli baqhubeka ukufakaza ngamandla amakhulu ngokuvuka kukaJesu inkosi, bonke babusiseka kakhulu. Kakho owayeswela phakathi kwabo. Kwakusithi izikhathi ngezikhathi labo ababe leziqinti loba izindlu bazithengise balethe imali yentengo bayethule kubaphostoli yabelwe loba ngubani ngokuswela kwakhe.

Ibandla lonke lafikelwa yikwesaba okukhulu kanye labo bonke abezwayo ngalezi izehlakalo. Abaphostoli benza imimangaliso eminengi lezinkinga ebantwini. Amakholwa wonke ayevame ukuhlangana ndawonye eKhulusini likaSolomoni. Kakho omunye owaqunga isibindi wayahlanganyela labo, lokuba basebezenzele ugazi ebantwini. Kungenani, amadoda labafazi abanengi bakholwa eNkosini, bengezelela ubunengi babo. Kwathi ngenxa yalokho abantu baletha abagulayo ezitaladini babalalisa emibhedeni lemacansini ukuze kuthi nje isithunzi kodwa sikaPhethro sisithe abanye babo lapho esedlula. Amaxuku abantu abuthana eqhamuka emizini eyayiseduze kweJerusalema, beletha abagulayo babo lalabo ababehlukuluzwa yimimoya emibi, kwathi bonke basiliswa.

Insuku ngensuku, emagumeni ethempeli, njalo behamba bengena indlu ngendlu, kabazange bakhawule ukufundisa lokutshumayela izindaba ezinhle ukuthi uJesu unguKhristu.

thina siqinise ukukhuleka lokutshumayela ilizwi.”

Ngakho ilizwi likaNkulunkulu lamemetheka. Inani labafundi eJerusalema landa ngokuphangisa, kwathi lenani elikhulu labaphristi layilandela inkolo. Kwathi uStefane, indoda eyayigcwele umusa kaNkulunkulu, lamandla, yenza izimanga lemimangaliso phakathi kwabantu. Kwasekuvela umona usuka kumalunga eSinagogi yabaKhululiweyo (njengokubizwa kwakhona)  —  benga-baJuda baseKhureni le-Alekizandriya kanye lasemikhonweni yaseKhilikhiya le-Asiya. Abantu laba basuka basebephikisana loStefane, kodwa behluleka ukumelana lenhlakanipho yakhe kumbe uMoya ayekhuluma ngawo. Basebefunza abanye abantu amazwi ngasese ukuthi bathi, “Simzwile uStefane ekhuluma amazwi ahlambaza uMosi kanye loNkulunkulu.”

“Kodwa oPhezukonke kahlali ezindlini ezakhiwe ngabantu. Njengoba esitsho umphrofethi ukuthi: “ ‘Izulu liyisihlalo sami sobukhosi, umhlaba uyisenabelo sami. Lizangakhela ndlu bani? kutsho iNkosi. Kumbe izaba ngaphi indawo yami yokuphumula na?

LoSawuli wayekhona ekuvumela ukubulawa kwakhe. Ngalelolanga kwaqalisa isiphithiphithi esibi sokuhlukuluza ibandla eJerusalema, kwathi bonke ngaphandle kwabaphostoli bahlakazeka kulolonke iJudiya leSamariya.

Labo ababehlakazekile balitshumayela ilizwi loba kungaphi abaya khona. UFiliphu wehlela edolobheni elithile eSamariya watshumayela ngoKhristu khonale. Kwathi amaxuku abantu emuzwa uFiliphu njalo ebona imimangaliso ayeyenza bonke bakulalelisisa lokho ayekukhuluma. Omoya ababi baphuma ebantwini abanengi beklabalala, njalo abanengi ababome imihlubulo labayizilima basiliswa. Ngakho kwaba lentokozo enkulu kulelodolobho.

Kusenjalo, uSawuli wayelokhu ekhihliza izisongo zokubulala abafundi beNkosi. Waya kuMphristi ophezulu wayacela izincwadi eziya emasinagogeni aseDamaseko, ukuze kuthi nxa engafumana khonale labo aba ngabeNdlela, abesilisa loba abesifazana, abalethe eJerusalema sebe yizibotshwa.

Wathi esebanga eDamaseko ohanjeni lwakhe, masinyane kwaphazima ukukhanya inxa zonke kuye. Wawela phansi wezwa ilizwi lisithi kuye, “Sawuli, Sawuli, ungihlukumezelani na?” USawuli wabuza wathi, “Ungubani, Nkosi?” Ilizwi lathi, “NginguJesu omhlukumezayo. Manje sukuma uye edolobheni lapho ozatshelwa khona omele ukwenze.” Amadoda ayehamba loSawuli ema lapho esetshe amathe; balizwa ilizwi kodwa kababonanga muntu. USawuli wavuka phansi, kodwa wathi uvula amehlo akhe wayengasaboni lutho. Yikho bamhola ngesandla bangena laye eDamaseko. Wabayisiphofu okwezinsuku ezintathu, engadli njalo enganathi lutho.

Waseqalisa ukutshumayela emasinagogeni ukuthi uJesu uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu. 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?” Kodwa uSawuli wasebenza ngamandla amakhulu wadidekisa abaJuda ababehlala eDamaseko ngokubonisa kamhlophe ukuthi uJesu unguKhristu.

Wathi esefikile eJerusalema wazama ukuhlangana labafundi, kodwa bonke babemesaba, bengakholwa ukuthi ngempela wayesengumfundi. Kodwa uBhanaba wamthatha wamusa kubaphostoli. Wabatshela ngokuthi uSawuli wayibona njani iNkosi esendleleni esiya eDamaseko watshumayela njani ngesibindi ngebizo likaJesu. Yikho uSawuli wasehlala labo, wazihambela ekhululekile eJerusalema, ekhuluma ngesibindi ngebizo leNkosi. Wakhuluma njalo waphikisana labaJuda besiGiriki, kodwa bazama ukumbulala.

Ngalesosikhathi ibandla kulo lonke elaseJudiya leGalile leSamariya laba lesikhathi esihle sokuthula. Laqina; njalo ngokukhuthazwa nguMoya oNgcwele landa ngobunengi, lahlala liyesaba iNkosi.

Wasilaya ukuba sitshumayele ebantwini bonke njalo sifakaze ukuthi unguye uNkulunkulu ambekayo ukuba ngumahluleli wabaphilayo labafileyo.

INkosi yayibasekela, yikho abantu abanengi bakholwa baphendukela eNkosini.

Esemfumene wahamba laye e-Antiyokhi. Yikho okomnyaka wonke uBhanaba loSawuli babehlangana lebandla befundisa abantu abanengi kakhulu. Abafundi baqalisa ukubizwa ngokuthi ngamaKhristu e-Antiyokhi.

Kungathi kwakuyisonalesi isikhathi lapho iNkosi uHerodi yabopha abanye ababe ngabebandla eqonde ukubahlukumeza. Wabulalisa uJakhobe umfowabo kaJohane ngenkemba. Wathi ngokubona ukuthi lokho kwakuthabisa abaJuda wabopha njalo loPhethro. Lokho kwenzakala ngezinsuku zoMkhosi weSinkwa Esingelamvubelo.

Ngakho uPhethro wagcinwa entolongweni, kodwa ibandla laphitsheka limkhulekela kuNkulunkulu. Ngobusuku obandulela ukuthonisiswa kukaPhethro nguHerodi, uPhethro wayelele ephahlwe ngamabutho amabili, ebotshiwe ngamaketane amabili, kumi abalindi entubeni. Masinyane ingilosi yeNkosi yavela, kwabakhona ukukhanya kulelokamela lentolongo. Yaphumputha uPhethro ohlangothini yamvusa, yathi, “Phangisa, vuka!” Amaketane akhithika ezingalweni zikaPhethro.

Kwathi uPhawuli loBhanaba sebesuka esinagogeni abantu babanxusa ukuthi babuye bazokhuluma njalo ngalezizinto ngeSabatha elilandelayo. Abantu sebechithekile abaJuda abanengi lamakholwa ayephendukele enkonzweni yesiJuda balandela uPhawuli loBhanaba, bona bakhuluma labo bebakhuthaza ukuthi baqhubeke bebambelele emuseni kaNkulunkulu. NgeSabatha elilandelayo phose lonke idolobho labuthana ukuzakuzwa ilizwi leNkosi. Kwathi abaJuda bebona amaxuku abantu, baba lomona bakhuluma behlinikeza lokho okwakutshiwo nguPhawuli. Yikho uPhawuli loBhanaba basebebaphendula ngesibindi bathi: “Besimele ilizwi likaNkulunkulu silikhulume kini kuqala. Kodwa njengoba lililahla ngoba lizibona lina lingakufanelanga ukuphila okungapheliyo, khathesi sesiphendukela kwabeZizwe.

E-Ikhoniyami uPhawuli loBhanaba baya esinagogeni yabaJuda njengenjayelo yabo. Khonapho bakhuluma kwezwela kwaze kwathi abaJuda abanengi labeZizwe bakholwa. Kodwa abaJuda ababengafuni ukukholwa badunga abeZizwe, babathela umoya omubi ngabazalwane. UPhawuli loBhanaba bahlala isikhathi eside khona lapho bekhulumela iNkosi ngesibindi. INkosi yaqinisa ilizwi lomusa wayo ngokubapha amandla okwenza imimangaliso lezimanga.

UPhawuli loBhanaba babakhethela abadala kulelo lalelo ibandla, babanikela eNkosini ngomthandazo langokuzila ngoba bebeke ithemba labo kuyo iNkosi.

Ekufikeni kwabo khona, balihlanganisa ndawonye ibandla balibikela konke lokho uNkulunkulu ayekwenzile ngabo, lokuthi wayesevulele abeZizwe umnyango wokukholwa.

Sekungaba phakathi kwamabili ebusuku uPhawuli loSila bakhuleka bahlabela amahubo kuNkulunkulu, ezinye izibotshwa zibalalele. Masinyane kwaba lokuzamazama komhlaba kwaze kwanyikinyeka izisekelo zentolongo. Izivalo zentolongo zathi gwabu zavuleka, amaketane ezibotshwa athukuluka.

AmaBheriya wona ayelesimilo esingcono kulaleso esamaThesalonika, ngoba balemukela ilizwi ngokuthakazelela bayihlola iMibhalo nsuku zonke ukuze babone ukuthi lokho uPhawuli ayekutsho kwakuliqiniso na. AbaJuda abanengi bakholwa, kanye labanengi besifazana bamaGiriki abaqakathekileyo lamadoda amanengi amaGiriki.

Ngakho wabonisana labaJuda kanye lamaGiriki ababesesaba uNkulunkulu esinagogeni lasendaweni yokuthengisa zonke izinsuku lalabo ababekhonapho.

NgamaSabatha wonke wayesiya esinagogeni ebonisana lamaJuda lamaGiriki ezama ukuwaphendula.

Yakhuluma ngesibindi esinagogeni. Kwathi oPhrisila lo-Akhwila beyizwa bayinxusa emzini wabo bayichazela ngokugcweleyo indlela kaNkulunkulu.

UPhawuli wangena esinagogeni wakhuluma ngesibindi khona okwezinyanga ezintathu, echaza okusuthisayo ngombuso kaNkulunkulu. Kodwa abanye babo baba yiziqholo; bala ukukholwa bakhuluma kubi obala ngeNdlela. UPhawuli wasebatshiya bodwa. Wathatha abafundi wasuka wayahlangana labo baxoxisana nsuku zonke esikolweni sikaThiranu.

Kusona lesi isikhathi kwaba lokudungeka okukhulu ngeNdlela.

Liyakwazi ukuthi kangizange ngithikaze ukutshumayela loba yikuphi obekungaba luncedo kini kodwa ngalifundisa obala njalo ngingena izindlu ngezindlu. Ngimemezele kumaJuda lamaGiriki ukuthi bamele baphendukele kuNkulunkulu ngokuphenduka, ba-kholwe eNkosini yethu uJesu.

Zilindeni lina kanye lawo wonke umhlambi uMoya oNgcwele olenze laba ngabaqapheli bakhe. Wobani ngabelusi bebandla likaNkulunkulu, alithenga ngegazi lakhe. Ngiyazi ukuthi nxa sengisukile lapha, izimpisi eziphangayo zizakuza phakathi kwenu ziwungenele umhlambi. Laphakathi kwenu kuzavela abantu abazalihlanekela iqiniso ukuze babuyele kubo abanye abafundi. Ngakho lihlale liqaphile! Khumbulani ukuthi okweminyaka emithathu kangizange ngiphumule ukuxwayisa omunye lomunye wenu ebusuku lemini ngezinyembezi.

Ngabahlukuluza abalandeli bale iNdlela baze bafa, ngibopha abesilisa labesifazana ngibaphosela entolongweni, into engafakazwa ngumphristi omkhulu kanye lenkundla. Ngaze ngathola izincwadi kubo zisiya kubazalwane babo eDamaseko, ngaya khona ngifuna ukubaletha labobantu beyizibotshwa eJerusalema ukuthi bazojeziswa.

Kodwa ngiyavuma ukuthi ngikhonza uNkulunkulu wabokhokho bethu, njengomlandeli weNdlela abayibiza ngokuthi lilahlekiso. Ngiyakukholwa konke okuvumelana loMlayo lokubhaliweyo kubaPhrofethi,

Yikho uFelikhe, owayesazi kakhulu ngeNdlela walimisa icala. Wathi, “Kuzakuthi nxa uLisiya umlawuli angafika ngizaliquma icala lenu.”

UPhawuli, inceku kaKhristu uJesu, owabizelwa ukuba ngumphostoli njalo wahlukaniselwa ivangeli likaNkulunkulu  —

Indalo ilindile ngokuthakazelela okukhulu ukuba amadodana kaNkulunkulu abonakaliswe.

Pho, bangakhuleka kanjani kulowo abangakholwa kuye? Njalo bangakholwa njani kulowo abangakaze bezwe ngaye na? Njalo bangezwa njani kungekho otshumayela kubo na? njalo bangatshumayela njani ngaphandle kokuba bethunyiwe na? Njengoba kulotshiwe ukuthi, “Yeka ubuhle bezinyawo zalabo abaletha izindaba ezinhle!”

Njengalokhu omunye lomunye wethu elomzimba owodwa olezitho ezinengi, njalo izitho lezi zonke kazenzi msebenzi munye, Ngokunjalo kuKhristu thina abanengi sibumba umzimba owodwa, njalo ilunga ngalinye ngelalawo wonke amanye. Silezipho ezehlukeneyo, kusiya ngomusa esawuphiwayo. Uma isipho somuntu siyikuphrofetha, kasisebenzise ngokulingana lokukholwa kwakhe. Uma siyikukhonza, kakhonze: uma siyikufundisa, kafundise; uma siyikukhuthaza, kakhuthaze, uma siyibukhokheli, kabuse ngokukhuthala; uma siyikubonakalisa umusa, kakwenze ngokuthokoza.

Zimiseleni omunye komunye ngothando lobuzalwane. Hloniphanani okudlula ukuzihlonipha kwenu.

ukuba yisikhonzi sikaKhristu uJesu kwabezizwe ngilomlandu wobuphristi wokutshumayela ivangeli likaNkulunkulu ukuze abezizwe babe ngumnikelo owamukelekayo kuNkulunkulu, ongcweliswe nguMoya oNgcwele.

Ngimethula kini udadewethu uFebhi, isikhonzikazi sebandla eKhenikhireya. Ngiyalicela ukuba limamukele eNkosini ngendlela efanele abangcwele njalo limsize ngakho konke angakuswela kini, ngoba laye ubelosizo olukhulu ebantwini abanengi, lakimi. Bingelelani uPrisila lo-Akhwila, abayizisebenzi kanye lami kuKhristu uJesu. Babeka impilo yabo engozini ngenxa yami. Akusimi kuphela kodwa wonke amabandla abezizwe ayababonga kakhulu. Bingelelani lebandla elihlanganela endlini yabo. Bingelelani umngane wami othandekayo u-Ephenethusi, owaba ngowokuqala ukuphendukela kuKhristu esiqintini sase-Asiya.

Bingelelanani ngokwangana okungcwele. Wonke amabandla kaKhristu ayalibingelela.

Ebandleni likaNkulunkulu eKhorinte, kulabo abangcweliswe kuKhristu uJesu babizelwa ukuba ngcwele, kanye labo bonke abasezindaweni zonke abakhuleka ebizweni leNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu  —  iNkosi yabo leyethu.

UNkulunkulu, olibizele ekuhlanganyeleni leNdodana yakhe uJesu Khristu iNkosi yethu, uthembekile. Ngiyalincenga, bazalwane, ngebizo leNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu, ukuba lonke livumelane ukuze kungabi lokudabukana phakathi kwenu kanye lokuthi libe ngabamanyeneyo engqondweni lasemcabangweni. Bazalwane bami, abanye abendlu yakoKlowe bangitshele ukuthi kulezingxabano phakathi kwenu. Engikutshoyo yilokhu: Omunye wenu uthi, “Mina ngilandela uPhawuli,” omunye uthi, “Mina ngilandela u-Apholo;” omunye uthi, “Mina ngilandela uKhefasi;” omunye laye uthi, “Mina ngilandela uKhristu.” Konje uKhristu wahlukanisiwe na? UPhawuli wake wabethelwa ngenxa yenu na? Konje labhaphathizwa ngebizo likaPhawuli na?

kodwa thina sitshumayela uKhristu owabethelwayo: isikhubekiso kumaJuda lobuthutha kwabezizwe,

Ekufikeni kwami kini, bazalwane, kangifikanga lobugabazi bokukhuluma kumbe ukuhlakanipha okukhulu lapho ngatshumayela kini ubufakazi ngoNkulunkulu.

Ilizwi lami lentshumayelo yami akubanga ngamazwi okuhlakanipha lahugayo, kodwa kubonakalisa amandla kaMoya, ukuze ukukholwa kwenu kungeyami ekuhlakanipheni kwabantu, kodwa emandleni kaNkulunkulu. Kodwa siyalikhuluma ilizwi lokuhlakanipha kulabo asebekhulile, belo kungasikho kuhlakanipha kwalesisikhathi loba okwababusi balesisikhathi, asebezakuba yize. Hatshi, sikhuluma ngokuhlakanipha kukaNkulunkulu okufihlakeleyo, ukuhlakanipha obekukade uNkulunkulu akumisela inkazimulo yethu isikhathi singakaqalisi. Kakho kubabusi balesi isikhathi owakuzwisisayo, ngoba aluba kwakube njalo, babengayikuyibethela iNkosi yenkazimulo.

Lokhu yikho esikukhulumayo, hatshi ngamazwi esawafundiswa yikuhlakanipha kwabantu kodwa ngamazwi esawafundiswa nguMoya, atsho amaqiniso awokomoya ngamazwi okomoya.

Mina ngahlanyela inhlanyelo, u-Apholo wayithelela, kodwa nguNkulunkulu owayikhulisayo. Ngakho lowo ohlanyelayo, loba othelelayo, akasilutho, kodwa nguNkulunkulu kuphela owenza izinto zikhule. Umuntu ohlanyelayo lomuntu othelelayo banhlosonye, njalo lowo lalowo uzavuzwa mayelana lokusebenza kwakhe. Ngoba thina siyizisebenzi kanye loNkulunkulu; lina liyinsimu kaNkulunkulu, isakhiwo sikaNkulunkulu.

Ngomusa uNkulunkulu angipha wona, ngabeka isisekelo njengengcitshi yomakhi, njalo abanye bakha phezu kwaso. Kodwa omunye lomunye kumele ananzelele ukuthi wakha njani. Ngoba kakho ongabeka esinye isisekelo ngaphandle kwaleso esivele sesibekiwe, esinguJesu Khristu.

Kanti kalazi yini ukuthi lina ngokwenu lilithempeli likaNkulunkulu kanye lokuthi uMoya kaNkulunkulu uhlala phakathi kwenu? Uma umuntu echitha ithempeli likaNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu uzamchitha; ngoba ithempeli likaNkulunkulu lingcwele, njalo lina liyilelothempeli.

Ngakho abantu kumele basibone njengezisebenzi zikaKhristu lanjengalabo abagciniswe izinto ezifihlakeleyo zikaNkulunkulu. Kuyasweleka ukuthi labo abagcinisiweyo babonakalise ukuba bathembekile.

Kodwa khathesi ngililobela ukuba lingahlanganyeli lomuntu ozibiza ngokuthi ngumzalwane kodwa exhwalile eyisifebe loba isihwaba, umkhonzi wezithombe loba umnyeyi, isidakwa loba iqili. Umuntu onjalo lingadli laye. Kungumlandu wami na ukuba ngahlulele abangaphandle kwebandla? Akumelanga lahlulele labo abaphakathi na? UNkulunkulu uzakwahlulela labo abangaphandle. “Mxotsheni umuntu omubi phakathi kwenu.”

Kalazi yini ukuthi umzimba wenu ulithempeli likaMoya oNgcwele, ophakathi kwenu, elamamukela kuNkulunkulu na? Kalisibo benu,

Kalazi yini ukuthi abasebenza ethempelini bathola ukudla kwabo ethempelini, lokuthi labo abakhonza e-alithareni babelana lokho okunikelwe e-alithareni na? Ngokufanayo iNkosi ilaye ukuthi labo abatshumayela ivangeli kumele bathole ukuphila kwabo evangelini.

Ikanti lapho ngitshumayela ivangeli, angingeke ngizincome ngoba kumele ngitshumayele! Maye kimi uma ngingatshumayeli ivangeli!

Pho umvuzo wami uyini na? Uyilokhu nje: ukuthi lapho ngitshumayela ivangeli, ngilitshumayela kungekho kubhadalwa, ngalokho ngingasebenzisi amalungelo ami ekulitshumayeleni.

Hatshi, ngitshaya umzimba wami ngiwenze isigqili sami ukuze kuthi lapho sengitshumayele kwabanye, mina uqobo ngingemukwa ilungelo lokuthola umvuzo.

Konje inkomitsho yokubonga esiyibongelayo kayisikuhlanganyela egazini likaKhristu na? Lesinkwa esisihlephunayo kasisikuhlanganyela emzimbeni kaKhristu na? Njengoba kulesinkwa sinye, thina abanengi, singumzimba munye, ngoba sonke sihlanganyela lesosinkwa sinye. Khumbulani abantu bako-Israyeli: Kakusikho yini ukuthi labo abadla imihlatshelo balokuhlanganyela e-alithareni na? Pho ngitsho ukuthi umhlatshelo onikelwe esithombeni uyilutho, loba ukuthi isithombe siyilutho na? Hatshi, kodwa imihlatshelo yabangakholwayo inikelwa kumadimoni, hatshi kuNkulunkulu, njalo kangifuni ukuba libe ngabahlanganyela lamadimoni. Kalingeke linathe inkomitsho yeNkosi lenkomitsho yamadimoni njalo, alingeke libe lokuhlanganyela etafuleni leNkosi lasetafuleni lamadimoni.

Landelani isibonelo sami, njengalokhu lami ngilandela isibonelo sikaKhristu.

Kuziqondiso ezilandelayo angilincomi, ngoba imihlangano yenu yenza ububi obunengi kulobuhle. Okokuqala, ngizwa kuthiwa nxa libuthene njengebandla, kulokwahlukana phakathi kwenu, njalo ngiphosa ngikholwe. Akuthandabuzeki ukuthi kufanele kube lokungavumelani phakathi kwenu ukuba kubonakale ukuthi yibaphi abenu abamukelwe nguNkulunkulu.

Ngoba lapho lisidla isinkwa lesi linatha lenkomitshi le, litshumayela ukufa kweNkosi ize ibuye. Ngakho-ke, lowo odla isinkwa loba anathe inkomitsho yenkosi ngokungafanelanga uzakuba lecala lokwenza isono ngomzimba langegazi leNkosi. Umuntu kumele azihlole phambi kokuba adle isinkwa loba anathe inkomitsho. Ngoba lowo odlayo anathe engawukholwa umzimba weNkosi udla anathe ukwahlulelwa kwakhe. Yikho nje abanengi phakathi kwenu bebuthakathaka begula, njalo lenengana lenu selifile.

Mayelana lezipho zokomoya, bazalwane, kangifuni ukuba lingaze lazi.

Kulezinhlobo ezehlukeneyo zezipho zakomoya, kodwa uMoya munye. Kulezindlela ezehlukeneyo zokukhonza, kodwa iNkosi yinye. Kulezindlela ezehlukeneyo zokukhonza, kodwa uNkulunkulu munye uzisebenza zonke ebantwini bonke. Emuntwini ngamunye ukubonakaliswa kukaMoya kwenzelwa ukusiza umuntu wonke. Omunye ngoMoya uphiwa amandla okukhuluma ngokuhlakanipha, omunye amandla okukhuluma ngokwazi ngaye uMoya munye lowo, omunye uphiwa ukukholwa ngoMoya munye lowo, omunye uphiwa izipho zokusilisa ngawona lowo uMoya munye, omunye uphiwa amandla okwenza izimangaliso, omunye uphiwa ukuphrofitha, omunye uphiwa amandla okukhuluma izinhlobo ezahlukeneyo zezindimi, omunye njalo aphiwe ukuchasisa izindimi. Konke lokhu kungumsebenzi kaMoya munye oyedwa, njalo ukupha umuntu ngamunye, njengokuthanda kwakhe.

Umzimba munye, lanxa ubunjwe ngezitho ezinengi; njalo lanxa izitho zawo zonke zinengi, zibumba umzimba owodwa. Kunjalo ngoKhristu. Ngoba sonke sabhaphathizwa ngoMoya munye kulowomzimba munye  —  loba singamaJuda kumbe amaGiriki, izigqili loba abakhululekileyo  —  sonke saphiwa uMoya munye ukuba siwunathe.

Umzimba kawenziwanga ngesitho esisodwa kodwa ezinengi. Uma unyawo lungathi, “Njengoba ngingasisandla, kangisingxenye yomzimba,” ngalesosizatho alungeke lukhawule ukuba yingxenye yomzimba. Njalo uma indlebe ingathi, “Njengoba ngingasilihlo, kangisingxenye yomzimba, ngalesosizatho ayingeke ikhawule ukuba yingxenye yomzimba. Aluba umzimba wonke wawuyilihlo pho ukuzwa kwakuzakuba ngaphi na? Aluba umzimba wonke wawuyindlebe pho kwakuzanukwa ngani na? Kodwa okuyikho yikuthi uNkulunkulu wabeka izitho zomzimba, zonke, njengayefune ukuba zibe yikho. Aluba zonke zaziyisitho sinye, pho umzimba wawuzakuba ngaphi na? Njengoba kunjalo, kulezitho ezinengi, kodwa umzimba munye. Ilihlo alingeke lithi esandleni, “Kangikusweli!” Lekhanda alingeke lithi ezinyaweni, “Kangilisweli!” Kodwa, lezozitho zomzimba ezikhanya zibuthakathaka ziyasweleka, lezitho thina esicabanga ukuthi kazihlonipheki kakhulu siziphatha ngokuhlonipha okuthize. Izitho ezihloniphisayo siziphatha ngokuhlonipha kakhulu. Kodwa uNkulunkulu wahlanganisa izitho zomzimba njalo usenike udumo olukhulu kulezozitho ezazingelalo, ukuze kungabi lokwahlukana emzimbeni, kodwa ukuba izitho zawo zibe lokuzwelana okufananayo. Uma esinye isitho sibongwa, izitho zonke zithokoza laso. Lina lingumzimba kaKhristu, njalo omunye lomunye wenu uyingxenye yawo.

Ebandleni uNkulunkulu wabeka abaphostoli kuqala kulabo bonke, okwesibili abaphrofethi, okwesithathu abafundisi, kwaba labenza izimangaliso, lalabo abalezipho zokusilisa, labo abalakho ukusiza abanye, labo abalezipho zobuphathi, kanye lalabo abakhuluma izinhlobo zezindimi ezehlukeneyo. Bonke bangabaphostoli na? Bonke bangabaphrofethi na? Bonke bangabafundisi na? Bonke bayazenza izimangaliso na? Bonke balezipho zokusilisa na? Bonke bakhuluma ngezindimi na? Bonke bayachasisa na?

Kodwa umuntu wonke ophrofithayo ukhuluma ebantwini ukuba abaqinise, abakhuthaze njalo abaduduze. Lowo okhuluma ngolimi oluthile uyazakha, kodwa lowo ophrofithayo wakha ibandla. Ngifisa ukuba lonke likhulume ngezindimi, kodwa ikakhulu ukuba liphrofithe. Ophrofithayo mkhulu kulalowo okhuluma ngezindimi, ngaphandle kokuba echasisa, ukuze ibandla lakheke.

Kodwa ebandleni ngithanda ukukhuluma amazwi amahlanu azwakalayo ngifundisa abanye kulamazwi ayizinkulungwane ezilitshumi ngezindimi.

Ngakho-ke izindimi ziyisibonakaliso, hatshi kwabakholwayo kodwa kwabangakholwayo; kodwa ukuphrofitha ngokwabakholwayo hatshi abangakholwayo. Ngakho uma ibandla lonke libuthene umuntu wonke akhulume ngezindimi, kuthi abanye abangezwayo loba abangakholwayo bangene, kambe kabazukuthi izingqondo zenu ziphambene na? Kodwa uma ongakholwayo loba omunye ongaqedisisiyo engena lapho abantu bonke bephrofitha, uzavunyiswa yibo bonke ukuthi uyisoni njalo ahlulelwe yibo bonke, lezimfihlo zenhliziyo yakhe zizavezwa obala. Ngakho uzakhothamela phansi akhonze uNkulunkulu esithi, “UNkulunkulu impela uphakathi kwenu!”

Pho sizakuthini, bazalwane? Lapho libuthana ndawonye, umuntu wonke ulehubo loba ilizwi lokufundisa, lokwambula, lezindimi, loba isichasiso. Konke lokhu kumele kwenzelwe ukuqinisa ibandla. Uma omunye ekhuluma ngezindimi, ababili  —  loba kungabangadluli abathathu  —  kumele kukhulume oyedwa ngesikhathi, njalo omunye kumele achasise. Nxa kungelamchasisi, okhulumayo kumele athule ebandleni, azikhulumele yedwa njalo loNkulunkulu. Kumele kukhulume abaphrofethi ababili loba abathathu, kuthi labanye bakuhlolisise ngokunanzelela okutshiwoyo. Njalo uma ukwambulelwa kufika komunye ohlezi phansi, okhulume kuqala kumele athule. Ngoba lonke lingaphrofitha lintshintshana ukuze umuntu wonke afundiswe njalo akhuthazwe. Imimoya yabaphrofethi iphathwa ngabaphrofethi. Ngoba uNkulunkulu kasuye Nkulunkulu wengxabangxoza kodwa owokuthula. Njengasemabandleni wonke abangcwele,

abesifazana kumele bathule emabandleni. Kabavunyelwa ukukhuluma, kodwa kumele bazithobe, njengokutsho koMthetho. Nxa befuna ukubuza ngolutho oluthile, kumele babuze omkabo emakhaya; ngoba kulihlazo ukuthi owesifazana akhulume ebandleni. Konje ilizwi likaNkulunkulu lavela kini na? Loba lina yini kuphela abantu elafika kubo na? Uma umuntu ecabanga ukuthi ungumphrofethi loba ukuthi ulesipho sokomoya, kavume ukuthi lokhu engililobela ngakho kungumlayo weNkosi. Uma lokhu engakunaki, laye akayikunakwa.

Ngakho-ke, bazalwane bami, tshisekelani ukuphrofitha, njalo lingenqabeli ukukhuluma ngezindimi. Kodwa izinto zonke kumele zenziwe ngendlela efaneleyo lehlelwe kuhle.

Ngoba mina ngingomncane kubaphostoli njalo kangifanelanga lokuthiwa mphostoli, ngoba ngahlukuluza ibandla likaNkulunkulu.

Lingedukiswa: “Abangane ababi bayasona isimilo esihle.”

Bonke abazalwane abalapha bayalibingelela. Bingelelanani ngokwangana okungcwele.

Thina kasihambi sithengisa ilizwi likaNkulunkulu njengabanengi. Kodwa kuKhristu siyakhuluma phambi kukaNkulunkulu ngobuqotho, njengabantu abathunywe nguNkulunkulu.

Kungayisikho ukuthi siyanelisa ukwahlulela konke esikwenzayo, kodwa amandla ethu avela kuNkulunkulu. Usiphe amandla okuba yizisebenzi zesivumelwano esitsha  —  kungayisiso sokulotshiweyo kodwa esikaMoya; ngoba okulotshiweyo kuyabulala, kodwa uMoya uletha ukuphila.

Kodwa-ke sizilahlile izindlela zangasese lezilihlazo; kasisebenzisi buqili, loba sihlanekele ilizwi likaNkulunkulu. Kodwa ngokubeka iqiniso obala sizinikela kusazela somuntu wonke phambi kukaNkulunkulu.

Ngoba kasizitshumayeli thina ngokwethu, kodwa uJesu Khristu njengeNkosi, njalo thina njengezinceku zenu ngenxa kaJesu.

Siyakwazi ukuthi uma ithente lethu lasemhlabeni lidilizwa, silesakhiwo esivela kuNkulunkulu, indlu elaphakade ezulwini, engakhiwanga ngezandla zabantu.

Ngakho-ke singabameli bakaKhristu, ngokungathi uNkulunkulu wenza isikhalazo sakhe ngathi. Siyalincenga simele uKhristu sithi: Buyisanani loNkulunkulu.

Njengabasebenza kanye loNkulunkulu siyalincenga ukuba lingamukeli umusa kaNkulunkulu ngeze.

Kodwa, njengezisebenzi zikaNkulunkulu sizethula ngazo zonke izindlela: ngokubekezela okukhulu; ekuhluphekeni, ebunzimeni kanye lasezinsizini;

Yisivumelwano bani esikhona phakathi kwethempeli likaNkulunkulu lezithombe na? Ngoba thina silithempeli likaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Njengoba uNkulunkulu wathi: “Ngizahlala labo ngihambe phakathi kwabo, njalo ngizakuba nguNkulunkulu wabo bona babe ngabantu bami.” “Ngakho phumani kubo lehlukane labo, kutsho iNkosi. Lingathinti lutho olungcolileyo, mina ngizalemukela.”

basincenga ngokuphangisa ukuba babe lethuba lokuhlanganyela kulokhukusebenzela abangcwele.

UThithusi yena-ke ungohlanganyela lami loyisisebenzi kanye lami phakathi kwenu; abazalwane bethu bona-ke bangabameli bamabandla lodumo kuKhristu. Ngakho-ke, tshengisani abantu laba ubufakazi bothando lwenu kanye lesisusa sokuzigqaja kwethu ngani, ukuze amabandla wonke alubone.

Njalo ngizaqhubeka ngisenza lokhu engikwenzayo ukuze amacebo alabo abafuna ithuba lokuba bakhangelwe njengabalingana lathi ezintweni abazincoma ngazo abe liphutha. Ngoba abantu abanjalo bangabaphostoli bamanga, izisebenzi ezikhohlisayo, ezizenza abaphostoli bakaKhristu.

Izinto eziphawula umphostoli  —  izibonakaliso, lezimanga kanye lezimangaliso  —  zenziwa phakathi kwenu ngokubekezela okukhulu.

Bingelelanani ngokwanga okungcwele. Bonke abangcwele bayalibingelela. Sengathi umusa weNkosi uJesu Khristu, lothando lukaNkulunkulu, lokuhlanganyela kukaMoya oNgcwele kungaba lani lonke.

Kodwa lanxa thina, loba ingilosi evela ezulwini, singatshumayela elinye ivangeli ngaphandle kwalelo esalitshumayelayo kini, kalahlwe kuze kube nini lanini! Njengoba sesivele sitshilo, lakhathesi ngiyatsho futhi ngithi: Uma loba ngubani etshumayela kini elinye ivangeli ngaphandle kwalelo elalivumayo, kalahlwe kuze kube nini lanini! Kambe sengizama ukuzuza ukwamukelwa ngabantu, loba uNkulunkulu na? Kumbe njalo ngizama ukuthokozisa abantu na? Aluba ngilokhu ngizama ukuthokozisa abantu, bengingayikuba yinceku kaKhristu.

Bazalwane, uma umuntu ehilelwe yisono esithile lina abomoya kumele limbuyise kakuhle. Kodwa lizinanzelele; lani futhi lingalingwa. Thwalani imithwalo yomunye lomunye, ngalokho lizagcwalisa umthetho kaKhristu. Uma umuntu ezitshaya ulutho yena engasilutho, uyazikhohlisa.

Ngakho-ke, njengokuba silethuba, kasenzeni okulungileyo ebantwini bonke, ikakhulu kulabo abangabemuli yabakholwayo.

UNkulunkulu wabeka izinto zonke ngaphansi kwezinyawo zakhe wamkhetha ukuba abe yinhloko yezinto zonke ebandleni, lona elingumzimba wakhe, ukuphelela kwakhe yena ophelelisa izinto zonke ngezindlela zonke.

Ngalokho-ke, kaliseyibo bezizweni lezihambi, kodwa seliyinzalo yakithi labantu bakaNkulunkulu, kanye lamalunga abendlu kaNkulunkulu, lakhelwe phezu kwesisekelo sabaphostoli labaphrofethi, uKhristu uJesu yena uqobo eyilitshe elikhulu lengosi. Indlu yonke ihlanganiselwe kuye, ikhule ukuba lithempeli elingcwele eNkosini. Lani futhi lakhelwa ndawonye kuye ukuze libe yindawo yokuhlala uNkulunkulu ahlala kuyo ngoMoya wakhe.

engazange yaziswe abantu kwezinye izizukulwane njengoba khathesi isiveziwe nguMoya kubaphostoli abangcwele bakaNkulunkulu lakubaphrofethi. Imfihlakalo le iyikuthi ngevangeli abezizweni bayizindlalifa bekanye labako-Israyeli, amalunga omzimba munye ndawonye, labahlanganyeli kuso isithembiso kuKhristu uJesu. Mina ngaba yinceku yevangeli leli ngesipho somusa kaNkulunkulu engasiphiwa ngokusebenza kwamandla akhe. Lanxa ngimncane kulabancane bonke babantu bakaNkulunkulu, umusa lo ngawunikwa: ukuba ngitshumayele kwabezizweni inotho kaKhristu engacubungulekiyo, njalo ngikubeke obala ukuphatha kwami imfihlakalo le eyayifihliwe okweminyaka eminengi eyedlulayo kuNkulunkulu, owadala izinto zonke. Injongo yakhe yayiyikuthi khathesi, ngebandla, ukuhlakanipha okukhulu kukaNkulunkulu kwaziswe ababusi labaphathi emibusweni yasezulwini,

kakube lodumo kuye ebandleni lakuKhristu uJesu kuzizukulwane zonke, kuze kube nini lanini! Ameni.

Ngakho, njengesibotshwa seNkosi, ngiyalincenga ukuba liphile impilo efanele ukubizwa elakwamukelayo. Wobani ngabathobekileyo labamnene okupheleleyo; bekezelani, libekezelelane ethandweni. Zamani ngamandla wonke ukugcina ukumanyana kukaMoya ngesibopho sokuthula. Kulomzimba munye loMoya munye  —  njengalokhu labizelwa ethembeni linye ekubizweni kwenu  — iNkosi yinye, lokholo lunye, umbhaphathizo munye; uNkulunkulu munye uYise wabo bonke, ophezu kwabo bonke, ongabo bonke njalo okubo bonke.

Nguye owanika abanye ukuba babe ngabaphostoli, abanye babe ngabaphrofethi, abanye babe ngabavangeli, abanye babe ngabaphathi labanye babe ngabafundisi, ukuba balungisele abantu bakaNkulunkulu imisebenzi yenkonzo, ukuze umzimba kaKhristu wakhiwe sonke size sifinyelele ekumanyaneni ekukholweni lasekwazini iNdodana kaNkulunkulu sikhule okugcweleyo, sithole isilinganiso sokuphelela okufunyanwa kuKhristu. Ngakho kasisayikuba yizingane, siphoswa emuva laphambili ngamagagasi, siphetshulwa lapha lalaphaya yimimoya yonke yokufundisa kanye lokuhlakanipha lobuqili babantu ngamasu abo enkohliso. Kodwa-ke, sikhuluma iqiniso ngothando, sizakhula ezintweni zonke kuye yena oyiNhloko, lowo nguKhristu. Kusukela kuye umzimba wonke, ohlanganiswe wabanjaniswa yimisipha yonke ewusekelayo, uyakhula uzakhe ngothando, isitho ngasinye sisenza umsebenzi waso.

Khulumisanani ngamahubo, lamaculo kanye langezingoma zokomoya. Hlabelani lenzele iNkosi imiculo ezinhliziyweni zenu, limbonge kokuphela uNkulunkulu uBaba ngenxa yezinto zonke, ngebizo leNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu. Zehliseleni phansi omunye komunye lihlonipha uKhristu.

Ngoba indoda iyinhloko yomfazi njengoKhristu eyinhloko yebandla, elingumzimba wakhe, yena onguMsilisi walo. Ngakho njengebandla lizehlisela phansi kuKhristu, ngokunjalo abesifazana kumele bazehlisele phansi kubomkabo ezintweni zonke. Madoda, thandani omkenu, njengo-Khristu owathanda ibandla wazinikela ngenxa yalo ukuba alenze libe ngcwele, elihlambulula ngokuligezisa ngamanzi ngokusebenzisa ilizwi, kanye lokulethula kuye njengebandla elilenkazimulo, elingelachatha loba umxhele loba esinye nje isici, kodwa lingcwele njalo lingelacala.

Belo, kakho owake wazonda umzimba wakhe, kodwa uwunika ukudla awulondoloze, njengokwenziwa nguKhristu ebandleni  — ngoba thina siyizitho zomzimba wakhe. “Ngenxa yalokhu indoda izatshiya uyise lonina ihlanganiswe lomkayo, njalo ababili laba bazakuba nyamanye.” Le yimfihlakalo enkulu  —  kodwa mina ngikhuluma ngoKhristu lebandla.

Uma kukhona okukhuthazayo ngokuhlangana loKhristu, uma kulenduduzo evela ethandweni lwakhe, uma kulobudlelwano loMoya, uma kulozwelo lesihawu, phelelisani intokozo yami ngokuba ngqondo nye, lilothando lunye, limunye emoyeni njalo linjongo yinye. Lingenzi lutho ngokuzikhukhumeza loba ukuziphakamisa okuyize, kodwa ngokuthobeka. Khangelani abanye njengabangcono kulani. Lowo lalowo wenu kangakhathaleli inzuzo yakhe kuphela kodwa akhathalele lenzuzo yabanye.

Bazalwane, hlanganyelani labanye ekulandeleni isibonelo sami, libananzelele labo abaphila ngokwesibonelo esalitshengisa sona.

Yebo, ngiyakucela, wena esidonsa jogwe linye ngokwethembeka, siza abesifazana laba abasebenza nzima lami ngenxa yesisusa sevangeli, kanye loKlementi labanye abasebenza lami, abamabizo abo akhona encwadini yokuphila.

Iyinhloko yomzimba, ibandla; iyikuqala lezibulo elivela kwabafileyo ukuze ibe lobukhosi ezintweni zonke.

Khathesi ngiyathokoza ngokulihluphekela kwami, njalo ngiyagcwalisa emzimbeni okulokhu kusasilela mayelana lezinhlupheko zikaKhristu, ngenxa yomzimba wakhe, olibandla. Sengaba yinceku yalo ngomsebenzi uNkulunkulu anginika wona ukuba ngililethele ilizwi likaNkulunkulu liphelele  —

Uselahlekelwe yiNhloko, lapho umzimba wonke, usekelwe waxhunyelelwa ndawonye yimisipha lezinsinga, okhula khona ukhuliswa nguNkulunkulu.

Ngakho, njengabantu bakaNkulunkulu abakhethiweyo, abangcwele labathandwa kakhulu, zembeseni ngesihawu, umusa, ukuzithoba, ubumnene kanye lokubekezela. Bekezelelanani, lithethelelane loba kuyinsolo bani omunye angaba layo ngomunye. Thethelelani njengoba iNkosi yalithethelela. Phezu kwakho konke lokhu ukulunga yembathani uthando, olukubophela ndawonye kube yikumanyana okupheleleyo. Ukuthula kukaKhristu kakubuse ezinhliziyweni zenu, ngoba, njengezitho zomzimba munye, labizelwa ukuthula. Njalo bongani. Ilizwi likaKhristu kalihlale phakathi kwenu ngokupheleleyo lapho lifundisana njalo liselulekana ngokuhlakanipha konke, lalapho lihlabela amahubo, lamaculo kanye lezingoma zokomoya ngokubonga uNkulunkulu ezinhliziyweni zenu.

Kodwa sikhuluma njengabantu abavunywe nguNkulunkulu ukuba siphathiswe ivangeli. Kasizami kuthokozisa abantu kodwa uNkulunkulu, yena ohlola izinhliziyo zethu. Liyakwazi ukuthi kasizange sisebenzise inkohliso, kumbe sifake isisitho ukuba sifihle ubuhwaba  —  uNkulunkulu ungufakazi wethu. Kasifuni kubatshazwa okuvela ebantwini, loba kini kumbe omunye laye. Njengabaphostoli bakaKhristu sasingaba ngumthwalo kini, kodwa saba mnene kini njengomama esondla abantwana bakhe abancinyane. Salithanda kakhulu sathokoza ukuhlanganyela lani kungayisikho evangelini likaNkulunkulu kuphela kodwa lasekuphileni kwethu, ngoba lina laselithandeka kakhulu kithi. Impela liyakhumbula, bazalwane, ukusebenza kwethu nzima lokuhlupheka; sasebenza ebusuku lemini ukuze singabi ngumthwalo lakubani lapho sitshumayela ivangeli likaNkulunkulu kini.

Mayelana lothando olobuzalwane akusweleki ukuba sililobele, ngoba lina uqobo lafundiswa nguNkulunkulu ukuba lithandane.

Ngakho qinisanani njalo lakhane, njengoba impela likwenza. Siyalicela, bazalwane, ukuba libahloniphe labo abasebenza nzima phakathi kwenu, abangaphezu kwenu eNkosini abalilayayo futhi. Bahlonipheni kakhulu ngothando ngenxa yomsebenzi wabo. Hlalisanani ngokuthula. Njalo siyalincenga, bazalwane, baxwayiseni labo abangamavila liqinise abalovalo, lisize ababuthakathaka, libekezelele umuntu wonke.

Ngakho-ke, phakathi kwamabandla kaNkulunkulu thina siyazincoma ngokuqinisela kwenu lokukholwa phakathi kwakho konke lokhukuhlukuluzwa kanye lokuhlupheka elikubekezelelayo. Konke lokhu kuyibufakazi bokuthi ukwahlulela kukaNkulunkulu kulungile, ngakhoke lizabalwa njengabafanele umbuso kaNkulunkulu, eliwuhluphekelayo.

Ebizweni leNkosi uJesu Khristu, siyalilaya bazalwane ukuba libaxwaye bonke abazalwane abangamavila abangaphili ngokwemfundiso elayamukelayo kithi.

Uma loba ngubani ongalaleli imilayo yethu ekule incwadi, mnanzeleleni. Lingajwayelani laye, ukuze ezwe eyangeka. Kodwa lingamthathi njengesitha, kodwa limxwayise njengomzalwane.

Abanye sebedukile kulokhu baphendukela ekukhulumeni okuyize. Bafuna ukuba ngabafundisi bomthetho, kodwa kabakwazi abakhuluma ngakho loba lokhu abakuqinisa kangaka ngesibindi.

Ngenxa yalokhu mina ngakhethelwa ukuba ngumanduleli lomphostoli  —  ngikhuluma iqiniso, kangiqambi manga  —  lomfundisi wokholo oluqotho kwabezizweni. Ngifuna amadoda ezindaweni zonke aphakamise izandla ezingcwele ekhuleka, kungelakuthukuthela kumbe ukuphikisana.

Ngifuna ukuba abesifazana bagqoke ngokuchumileyo, ngokuhle lokufaneleyo, kungabi ngezinwele ezelukiweyo loba igolide loba amangqongqo loba izigqoko ezidulayo, kodwa ngezenzo ezinhle, ezifanele abesifazana abathi bayamkhonza uNkulunkulu. Owesifazana kumele afunde ethule langokuzithoba okupheleleyo. Kangivumeli ukuba owesifazana afundise loba ukuba lamandla phezu kowesilisa; kumele athule. Ngoba u-Adamu wabunjwa kuqala; kwalandela u-Eva. Njalo u-Adamu kasuye owakhohliswayo; ngowesifazana owakhohliswayo wasesiba yisoni.

Nansi isitsho esiqotho esithi: Uma umuntu ebeke inhliziyo yakhe ekubeni ngumbonisi ufisa umsebenzi olesithunzi. Umbonisi akumelanga abe ngosolekayo, abe yindoda yomfazi oyedwa, ezithibayo, elamandla okuzibamba, ehloniphekayo, ephatha kuhle izihambi, engafundisa, engayisiso sidakwa, engeladlakela kodwa emnene, engathandi ingxabano, engathandi mali. Kayibe ngephatha kuhle umuzi wayo ibone ukuba abantwana bayo bayayilalela ngenhlonipho efaneleyo. (Uma umuntu engakwazi ukuphatha umuzi wakhe, angaliphatha njani ibandla likaNkulunkulu na?) Akumelanga kube ngosanda kukholwa, hlezi azikhukhumeze abe ngaphansi kokwahlulelwa kunye loSathane. Njalo kumele abe ngodume ngokuhle kwabangaphandle, ukuze angangeni ehlazweni lasemjibileni kaSathane.

Ngokunjalo, abadikoni labo kumele kube ngabantu abahloniphekayo, abaqotho, abanganathi iwayini elinengi, abangadingi inzuzo ngobuqili Kumele babambelele eqinisweni elizikileyo kanye lasekukholweni ngesazela esihlanzekileyo. Kumele baqale bahlolwe; nxa kungekho lutho olubi ngabo, kabasebenze njengabadikoni. Ngokunjalo, labomkabo kumele babe ngabesifazana abahloniphekayo, abanganyeyiyo kodwa abazithibayo labathembekileyo ezintweni zonke. Umdikoni kabe lomfazi oyedwa kuphela njalo ophatha kuhle abantwana bakhe kanye labendlu yakhe. Labo abasebenze kuhle bayazuza isithunzi lesithembiso esikhulu ekukholweni kwabo kuKhristu uJesu.

uma ngiphuzile, ukwazi ukuthi abantu kumele baziphathe njani endlini kaNkulunkulu, elibandla likaNkulunkulu ophilayo, insika lesisekelo seqiniso.

Umoya utsho ngokucacileyo ukuthi ngezikhathi zokucina abanye bazalahla ukukholwa balandele imimoya ekhohlisayo lezinto ezifundiswa ngamadimoni.

Uma lezizinto uziphawula kubazalwane, uzakuba ngumfundisi omuhle kaKhristu uJesu, okhuliselwe phakathi kwamaqiniso okukholwa lemfundiso enhle oyilandelayo. Ungazinaki izinganekwane ezikhohlakeleyo kanye lezindaba eziyize, kodwa wena zifundise ukumesaba uNkulunkulu.

Laya njalo ufundise ngalezizinto. Ungavumeli muntu ukuba akweyise ngenxa yokuthi usakhula, kodwa abakholwayo benzele isibonelo ngokukhuluma, langokuphila, langothando langokukholwa kanye langokuhlambuluka. Zinikele ekufundeleni uzulu imibhalo, ekutshumayeleni kanye lasekufundiseni, ngize ngifike. Ungasideli isipho sakho, owasiphiwa ngelizwi lesiphrofetho lapho ibandla labadala labeka izandla zalo phezu kwakho. Khuthalela izinto lezi; zinikele ngokupheleleyo kuzo, ukuze umuntu wonke abone ukuqhubeka kwakho. Qaphela kakhulu ukuphila kwakho kanye lemfundiso. Bambelela kuzo, ngoba uma usenza njalo, uzazisindisa wena ngokwakho kanye labakuzwayo.

Abadala abaqhuba kuhle imisebenzi yebandla bafanele ukuhlonitshwa okuphindiweyo, ikakhulu labo abasebenza ukutshumayela lokufundisa. Ngoba umbhalo uthi: “Inkabi ungayifaki isayeke lapho ibhula amabele,” njalo uthi, “Isisebenzi sifanele umholo waso.” Ungalamukeli icala eletheswa umuntu omdala ngaphandle kokuba limangalwa ngofakazi ababili loba abathathu. Abenza izono kumele bakhuzwe phambi kwabantu, ukuze labanye baxwayiseke. Ngiyakulaya, phambi kukaNkulunkulu loKhristu uJesu lezingilosi ezikhethiweyo, ukuba ugcine iziqondiso lezi kungekho bandlululo, lokungenzi lutho ngokukhetha. Ungaphangisi ukubeka izandla emuntwini, njalo ungahlanganyeli ezonweni zabanye. Zigcine uhlambulukile.

Uma umuntu efundisa imfundiso yamanga njalo engawuvumi umlayo oqotho weNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu lemfundiso yokwesaba uNkulunkulu,

Njalo ivangeli leli mina ngabekwa ukuba ngummemezeli lomphostoli kanye lomfundisi walo. Yikhonje ngihlupheka njengoba nginje. Kodwa kangilanhloni, ngoba ngiyamazi engikholwa kuye, njalo ngiyakholwa ukuthi ulamandla okulondoloza lokho engikubeke kuye ngalolosuku.

Izinto owangizwa ngizitsho phambi kwabofakazi abanengi ziphathise abantu abathembekileyo abazafanela ukuba labo bafundise abanye. Bekezelela ubunzima kanye lathi njengebutho elifaneleyo likaKhristu uJesu.

Yenza ubungcono bakho ukuba uzethule kuNkulunkulu njengohloliweyo, isisebenzi okungaswelekiyo ukuba sibe lenhloni njalo esiliphatha kuhle ilizwi leqiniso. Xwaya izinkulumo zokweyisa uNkulunkulu ngoba abazikholisayo baqhubeka kokuphela besiba ngabameyisayo uNkulunkulu. Imfundiso yabo izaqhela njengesilonda esibhibhidlayo. Phakathi kwabo kuloHimenawu loFilethu, abaphambukayo eqinisweni. Bathi ukuvuka kwabafileyo sekwenzakala, njalo bachitha ukukholwa kwabanye. Noma kunjalo isisekelo sikaNkulunkulu esiqinileyo sigxilile, sibekwe uphawu lombhalo lo othi: “Ujehova uyabazi labo abangabakhe,” lothi, “Bonke abalivumayo ibizo likaJehova kumele badele ububi.”

Xwaya ukuphikisana kobuthutha lobuwula, ngoba uyakwazi ukuthi kudala ingxabano. Inceku yeNkosi kumele ixwaye ingxabano; kodwa kumele ibe lomusa ebantwini bonke, yanelise ukufundisa, ingabi lenzondo. Abaphikisayo kumele ibaluleke kuhle, ngethemba lokuthi uNkulunkulu uzabaguqula izinhliziyo baholelwe ekwazini iqiniso, lokuthi bazaphaphama baphunyuke emjibileni kaSathane, obathumbele ukuba benze intando yakhe.

IMibhalo yonke yaphefumulelwa nguNkulunkulu njalo ilosizo ekufundiseni, lokukhuza, lokuqondisa, lokufundisa ngokulunga, ukuze umuntu kaNkulunkulu ayilungisele ngokupheleleyo yonke imisebenzi emihle.

Phambi kukaNkulunkulu loKhristu uJesu, ozakwahlulela abaphilayo labafileyo, njalo mayelana lokubonakala kwakhe kanye lombuso wakhe, ngikunika umlayo lo: Tshumayela iLizwi; lungisela ngesikhathi esifaneleyo langesikhathi esingafanelanga; lungisa, ukhuze njalo ukhuthaze  —  ngokubekezelela okukhulu langokulaya ngokunanzelela. Ngoba isikhathi sizafika lapho abantu abangayikuyivuma imfundiso eqotho. Kodwa, ukuze basuthise izinkanuko zabo, bazaziqoqela abafundisi abanengi ukuba batsho lokho izindlebe zabo ezilumayo ezifuna ukukuzwa. Izindlebe zabo bazazisusa eqinisweni baphambukele ezinganekwaneni. Kodwa wena chuma kuzo zonke izehlakalo, ubekezele ebunzimeni, wenze umsebenzi womvangeli, uyifeze yonke imisebenzi yenkonzo yakho.

Engakutshiyela khona eKhrethe yikuthi uqondise lokho okwasala kungaphelanga ubeke labadala emizini yonke, njengokukulaya kwami. Omdala kumele abe ngongasolekiyo, indoda elomfazi oyedwa, indoda elabantwana abakholwayo njalo abangelacala lobudlwangudlwangu loba ukwedelela. Njengoba umbonisi ephathiswe umsebenzi ka-Nkulunkulu, kumele angabi lasici  —  angazikhukhumezi, ongazondi masinya, ongasiso sidakwa, ongathandi ukulwa, ongadingi inzuzo ngobuqili. Kodwa kumele abe ngophatha kuhle izihambi, lowo othanda okuhle, ozikhuzayo, oqondileyo, ongcwele lozithibayo. Kumele abambelele elizwini eliqotho njengokufundiswa kwalo ukuze akhuthaze abanye ngemfundiso eqotho, njalo amelane lalabo abaphikisayo.

Ngakho, lezi yizinto okumele uzifundise. Khuthaza njalo ukhuze ngamandla wonke. Ungavumeli muntu akweyise.

Uthi, “Ngizamemezela ibizo lakho kubafowethu; ngizahlabelela udumo lwakho phambi kwebandla.” Njalo uthi, “Ngizabeka ithemba lami kuye.” Uphinda athi, “Ngikhona lapha, kanye labantwana uNkulunkulu angiphe bona.” Njengoba abantwana belomzimba legazi, laye wahlanganyela ebuntwini babo ukuze kuthi ngokufa kwakhe amchithe lowo ophethe amandla okufa  —  okutsho uSathane  —

Kodwa uKhristu uthembekile njengendodana endlini kaNkulunkulu. Njalo thina siyindlu yakhe uma sibambelela kuso isibindi sethu lethemba lokhu esizincoma ngakho.

Kodwa khuthazanani izinsuku zonke kusabizwa ngokuthi lamhla, ukuze angabikhona owenu oba lukhuni ngenxa yokukhohliswa yisono.

Ngeqiniso, lanxa ngalesi isikhathi lifanele ukuba ngabafundisayo, liswela omunye ukuba alifundise njalo amaqiniso okuqala elizwi likaNkulunkulu. Lifuna uchago, hatshi ukudla okuqinileyo! Lowo ophila ngochago, elokhu elusane, kayazi imfundiso emayelana lokulunga. Kodwa ukudla okuqinileyo ngokwabakhulileyo asebazifundisa ukwehlukanisa okuhle kokubi.

njalo njengoba silomphristi omkhulu ophethe indlu kaNkulunkulu,

Njalo kasicabangeni ukuba singakhuthazana kanjani ethandweni lasezenzweni ezinhle. Kasingakudeli ukuhlangana, njengalokhu abanye abajayele ukukwenza, kodwa kasikhuthazane  —  ikakhulu njengoba libona uSuku lusondela.

Kodwa lina lize eNtabeni iZiyoni, iJerusalema lasezulwini, umuzi kaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Lize kuzinkulungwane lezinkulungwane zezingilosi ezihlangane ngentokozo, ebandleni lezibulo, ezimabizo azo alotshiwe ezulwini. Lize kuNkulunkulu, umahluleli wabantu bonke, emimoyeni yabantu abalungileyo abaphelelisiweyo,

Khumbulani abakhokheli benu, abakhuluma ilizwi likaNkulunkulu kini. Cabangani okwavela endleleni yokuphila kwabo lilingisele ukukholwa kwabo.

Lalelani abakhokheli benu lithobele amandla abo. Bayalilinda njengabantu okumele balandise ngani. Balaleleni ukuze umsebenzi wabo uthokozise, ungasindi, ngoba lokho akungeke kube lusizo kini. Sikhulekeleni. Sileqiniso ukuthi silesazela esihle njalo sifisa ukuhlala ngobuqotho ngezindlela zonke.

Kasithi umuntu ufika emhlanganweni wenu egqize indandatho yegolide egqoke lezigqoko ezinhle, besekungena umyanga egqoke izigqoko ezinithizelayo. Nxa limnaka kakhulu lowo ogqoke izigqoko ezinhle lithi kuye, “Nansi isihlalo esingcono,” kodwa kongumyanga lithi, “Wena mana laphayana,” kumbe lithi, “Hlala phansi eduze kwezinyawo zami,” kalibandlululanga njalo laba ngabahluleli abalemicabango emibi na? Lalelani, bazalwane bami abathandekayo: Konje uNkulunkulu kabakhethanga yini labo abangabayanga emehlweni omhlaba ukuba babe ngabanothileyo ekukholweni kanye lokudla ilifa lombuso awuthembisa labo abamthandayo na?

Ukhona kini ogulayo na? Kumele abize abadala bebandla bamkhulekele njalo bamgcobe ngamafutha ebizweni leNkosi. Umkhuleko owenziwe ngokukholwa uzakwenza lowomuntu ogulayo asile; iNkosi izamvusa. Uma enze isono, uzathethelelwa. Ngakho-ke vumani izono zenu omunye komunye njalo likhulekelane ukuze lisiliswe. Umkhuleko womuntu olungileyo ulamandla njalo uyasebenza.

lani futhi, njengamatshe aphilayo lakhiwa ukuba yindlu yokomoya ukuba libe yibuphristi obungcwele, linikela imihlatshelo yokomoya eyamukelekayo kuNkulunkulu ngoJesu Khristu. Ngoba emibhalweni kuthiwa: “Khangelani, ngibeka ilitshe eZiyoni, ilitshe lengosi elikhethiweyo eliligugu, njalo lowo okholwa kuye akayikuyangiswa.” Kini lina abakholwayo, ilitshe leli liligugu. Kodwa kulabo abangakholwayo: “Ilitshe elaliwa ngabakhi selibe yinhloko yengosi,” Njalo, “Ilitshe elikhubekisa abantu ledwala elibenza bawe.” Bayakhubeka ngoba badelela ilizwi okuyikho njalo abakumiselweyo. Kodwa lina lingabantu abakhethiweyo, ubuphristi bobukhosi, isizwe esingcwele, abantu abangaba-kaNkulunkulu, ukuba limemezele izindumiso zakhe yena owalibiza lisemnyameni ukuba lize ekukhanyeni kwakhe okumangalisayo. Lake langabi ngabantu, kodwa khathesi selingabantu bakaNkulunkulu; lake laswela isihawu; kodwa khathesi selithole isihawu.

Phezu kwakho konke, thandanani ngokupheleleyo, ngoba uthando lugqibela izono ezinengi. Yamukelanani emakhaya enu kungekho kukhonona. Lowo lalowo kumele asebenzise loba yisiphi isipho somoya asamukelayo ekusizeni abanye, ewusebenzisa ngobuqotho umusa kaNkulunkulu ngezimo zawo ezahlukeneyo. Uma umuntu ekhuluma, kumele akhulume njengokhuluma amazwi kaNkulunkulu wona ngokwawo. Uma umuntu ekhonza, kumele akhonze ngamandla awaphiwa nguNkulunkulu, ukuze kuthi ezintweni zonke uNkulunkulu adunyiswe ngoJesu Khristu. Udumo lamandla kakube kuye kuze kube nini nini. Ameni.

Ngoba kuyisikhathi sokuthi ukwahlulela kuqalise ngabendlu kaNkulunkulu; njalo uma kuqalisa ngathi, isiphetho sizakuba yini kulabo abangalaleli ivangeli likaNkulunkulu na?

Ebadaleni abaphakathi kwenu, ngiyakhalaza njengomunye wabadala, ufakazi wezinhlupheko zikaKhristu lomunye laye ozahlanganyela enkazimulweni ezabonakaliswa: Yibani ngabelusi bomhlambi kaNkulunkulu eliwugcinayo, lisebenze njengababonisi  —  kungasikubanjwa ngamandla, kodwa ngenxa yokuthanda kwenu, njengoba uNkulunkulu efuna ukuba libe njalo; lingelamhawu wemali, kodwa lifisa ukusiza; hatshi ukubusa ababekwe ezandleni zenu, kodwa liyisibonelo emhlambini. Lapho uMalusi oMkhulu evela, lizakwamukela umqhele wenkazimulo engayikufiphala. Majaha, ngokunjalo zehliseni kwabadala. Lonke zembathiseni ngokuthobeka omunye komunye, ngoba, “UNkulunkulu umelana labazigqajayo kodwa abe lomusa kwabathobekileyo.”

Bingelelanani ngokwangana kothando. Ukuthula kakube kini lonke elikuKhristu.

Kodwa phakathi kwabantu kwakulabaphrofethi bamanga futhi, njengoba kuzakuba labafundisi bamanga phakathi kwenu. Ngasese bazangenisa ukholo lwamanga oluchithayo, baze bayiphike leNkosi yobukhosi eyabathengayo  —  bazilethele ukubhujiswa ngokuphangisa. Abanengi bazalandela izindlela zabo ezilihlazo benze lendlela yeqiniso idumazeke. Ngobugovu babo abafundisi laba bazakwenza inzuzo ngani ngezinganekwane zokuzibumbela. Ukulahlwa kwabo kubengamile, lokubhujiswa kwabo akuzange kukhohlakale.

Sitshumayela kini esikubonileyo lesikuzwileyo, ukuze lani libe lokuhlanganyela lathi. Ukuhlanganyela kwethu kuloBaba kanye leNdodana yakhe, uJesu Khristu.

Kodwa uma sihamba ekukhanyeni, njengoba esekukhanyeni, silokuhlanganyela omunye lomunye, legazi likaJesu, iNdodana yakhe, liyasihlambulula ezonweni zonke.

Lowo othi uhlala kuye kumele aphile njengokwenziwa nguJesu.

Baphuma besuka kithi, kodwa impela babengasibo bakithi. Ngoba aluba babengabakithi, babezahlala lathi; kodwa ukusuka kwabo kwatshengisa ukuthi kakho kubo owayengowakithi.

Ngililobela ngalezizinto mayelana lalabo abazama ukulidukisa. Lina, ukugcotshwa elakwamukela kuye, kuhlezi kukini, njalo kalisweli muntu wokulifundisa. Kodwa njengoba ukugcoba kwakhe kulifundisa izinto zonke, njalo njengoba ukugcoba lokho kuqotho, akusinkohliso  —  njengoba kulifundisile, hlalani likuye.

Kakho ozelwe nguNkulunkulu ozaqhubeka esenza izono, ngoba ezelwe nguNkulunkulu. Sibazi kanje ukuthi abantwana bakaNkulunkulu ngobani kanye lokuthi abangabantwana bakaSathane ngobani: Lowo ongenzi okulungileyo kasuye mntakaNkulunkulu; loba lowo ongamthandiyo umfowabo. Leli yilizwi elalizwayo kusukela ekuqaleni: Kumele sithandane.

Siyakwazi ukuthi sesidlulile ekufeni saya ekuphileni, ngoba siyabathanda abazalwane bethu. Lowo ongathandiyo ulokhu esekufeni.

Nanku esazi ngakho ukuthi uthando luyini: UJesu Khristu wadela ukuphila kwakhe ngenxa yethu. Lathi kufanele sidele ukuphila kwethu ngenxa yabazalwane bethu. Uma umuntu enothile abone umzalwane wakhe oswelayo kodwa angabi lesihawu kuye, uthando lukaNkulunkulu lungaba kuye kanjani na? Bantwana abathandekayo, kasingathandi ngamazwi loba ulimi kuphela kodwa ngezenzo langeqiniso.

Bazalwane abathandekayo, lingaze labakholwa omoya bonke, kodwa bahloleni omoya ukuba libone langabe bavela kuNkulunkulu, ngoba abaphrofethi bamanga abanengi sebekhona emhlabeni.

Lowo odlulela phambili angabe esaqhubeka ngemfundiso kaKhristu kalaye uNkulunkulu; lowo oqhubekayo ngemfundiso uloBaba leNdodana. Uma umuntu esiza kini engalethi imfundiso le, lingamngenisi ezindlini zenu njalo lingamamukeli. Lowo omamukelayo uyahlanganyela emisebenzini yakhe emibi.

Ngalobela ebandleni, kodwa uDiyothrefe othanda ubukhulu, akayikuba lendaba lathi. Ngakho ngingeza, ngizakukhangelisisa lokhu akwenzayo, esinyeya kubi. Kasuthiseki ngalokho, uyala ukwamukela abazalwane. Labafuna ukwenza njalo uyabalela abaxotshe ebandleni. Bangane abathandekayo, lingalingiseli okubi kodwa okuhle. Lowo owenza okuhle ngokaNkulunkulu. Lowo owenza okubi kakamboni uNkulunkulu.

UJohane, Emabandleni ayisikhombisa esifundeni sase-Asiya: Umusa lokuthula kakube kini kuvela kuye okhona, lowayekhona, lozakuza, lokuvela kubomoya abayisikhombisa phambi kwesihlalo sakhe sobukhosi,

Imfihlakalo yezinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa ozibone esandleni sami sokunene kanye lezinti zezibane zegolide eziyisikhombisa yile: Izinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa yizingilosi zamabandla ayisikhombisa, izinti zezibane ngamabandla ayisikhombisa.

“Ingilosi yebandla lase-Efesu ilobele uthi: La ngamazwi akhe lowo ophethe izinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa esandleni sakhe sokunene ehamba phakathi kwezinti zezibane zegolide eziyisikhombisa: Ngiyazazi izenzo zakho, lokusebenza kwakho nzima kanye lokubekezela kwakho. Ngiyakwazi ukuthi awungeke ubabekezelele abantu abaxhwalileyo, lokuthi ubahlolile labo abathi bangabaphostoli kodwa bengayisibo, njalo wabafumana bengabalamanga. Ubekezele waqinisela ebunzimeni ngenxa yebizo lami, kawaze wadinwa. Kodwa ngilale insolo ngawe: Usuludelile uthando lwakho lwakuqala. Khumbula isiqongo owe kuso! Phenduka wenze izinto owawuzenza kuqala. Uma ungaphenduki, ngizakuza kuwe, ngisuse uluthi lwakho lwesibane endaweni yalo. Kodwa ulalokhu okuhle ngawe: Uyayizonda imikhuba yamaNikholayitha, lami engiyizondayo. Lowo olendlebe, kezwe okutshiwo nguMoya emabandleni. Lowo onqobayo ngizamnika ilungelo lokudla esihlahleni sokuphila esisepharadisi kaNkulunkulu.

“Ingilosi yebandla laseSimina ilobele uthi: La ngamazwi akhe yena ongo-wokuQala lokuCina, owafayo wabuya wavuka. Ngiyazazi izinhlupheko zakho kanye lobuyanga bakho  —  kanti-ke unothile! Ngiyakwazi ukuhlambaza kwalabo abathi bangamaJuda bengayisiwo, kodwa beyisinagogi sikaSathane. Ungazesabi izinhlupheko esezizakwehlela. Ngiyakutshela ukuthi uSathane uzabeka abanye benu entolongweni ukuba alilinge, njalo lizahlukuluzwa okweminyaka elitshumi. Thembeka, lanxa kuselungeni lokufa, mina ngizakupha umqhele wokuphila. Lowo olendlebe, kezwe okutshiwo nguMoya emabandleni. Lowo onqobayo kasoze alinyazwe lakancane yikufa kwesibili.

“Ingilosi yebandleni lasePhegamumi ilobele uthi: La ngamazwi akhe lowo olenkemba ebukhali, enhlendlambili. Ngiyakwazi lapho ohlala khona. Ikanti wena uqhubeke uqotho ebizweni lami. Kawukuphikanga ukukholwa kwakho kimi, lasezinsukwini zika-Antiphasi, ufakazi wami othembekileyo, owabulawayo edolobheni lakini  —  lapho uSathane ahlala khona. Kodwa-ke kulezinto ezilutshwana engilensolo kuwe ngazo: Ulabantu khonapho ababambelele emfundisweni kaBhalami, owafundisa uBhalaki owahugela abako-Israyeli ekwenzeni isono ngokudla ukudla okwanikelwa ezithombeni kanye langokuxhwala kobufebe. Njalo ulabanye ababambelele emfundisweni yamaNikholayitha. Ngakho-ke phenduka! Hlezi ngize kuwe ngilwe labo ngenkemba yomlomo wami. Lowo olendlebe, kezwe okutshiwo nguMoya emabandleni. Lowo onqobayo, ngizamupha enye yemana efihliweyo. Ngizamupha lelitshe elimhlophe okulotshwe kulo ibizo elitsha, elaziwa ngulowo kuphela olamukelayo.

Ingilosi yebandla laseThiyathira ilobele uthi: “La ngamazwi eNdodana kaNkulunkulu, emehlo ayo anjengomlilo ovuthayo lezinyawo zayo zinjengethusi elikhazimulayo. Ngiyazazi izenzo zakho, lothando lwakho, kanye lokuthi khathesi ususenza okunengi kulakuqala. Kodwa-ke ngilale insolo ngawe: Uyambekezelela owesifazana lowana uJezebeli, ozibiza ngokuthi ngumphrofethikazi. Ngemfundiso yakhe udukisela izinceku zami ekuxhwaleni kobufebe lekudleni ukudla okunikelwe ezithombeni. Ngimnike isikhathi ukuba aphenduke ekuxhwaleni kwakhe, kodwa kafuni. Ngakho ngizamphosela phezu kombheda wokuhlupheka, njalo labo afeba labo ngizabenza bahlupheke kakhulu, ngaphandle kokuba baphenduke ezindleleni zakhe. Abantwana bakhe ngizabatshaya bafe. Ngakho amabandla wonke azakwazi ukuthi mina nginguye ohlola izinhliziyo lezingqondo, njalo ngizavuza omunye lomunye wenu mayelana lemisebenzi yenu. Manje-ke ngithi kwabanye benu eThiyathira, kini elingabambelelanga emfundisweni yakhe njalo lingafundanga okuthiwa yizimfihlo ezizikileyo zikaSathane (kangiyikulethesa omunye umthwalo): Lina bambelelani kuphela kulokho elilakho ngize ngifike. Lowo onqobayo esenza intando yami kuze kube sekucineni, ngizamnika amandla phezu kwezizwe  — ‘Uzazibusa ngentonga yensimbi, aziphahlaze zibe yizicucu njengokwenziwa ngebumba’  —  njengoba ngithole amandla avela kuBaba. Ngizamupha lendonsakusa. Lowo olendlebe, kezwe okutshiwo nguMoya emabandleni.

“Ingilosi yebandla laseSadisi ilobele uthi: La ngamazwi akhe lowo ophethe omoya abayisikhombisa bakaNkulunkulu kanye lezinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa. Ngiyazazi izenzo zakho; ulodumo lokuba ngophilayo, kodwa ufile. Vuka! Qinisa okuseleyo osekuseduze lokufa, ngoba izenzo zakho angizifumananga ziphelele emehlweni kaNkulunkulu. Ngakho, khumbula okwamukeleyo lokuzwileyo; kulalele, uphenduke. Kodwa uma ungavuki, ngizakuza njengesela, njalo kawusoze wazi ukuthi ngizafika kuwe ngesikhathi bani. Kodwa ulabantu abalutshwana eSidasi abangangcolisanga izigqoko zabo. Bazahamba lami begqoke okumhlophe, ngoba bafanele. Lowo onqobayo uzagqoka okumhlophe njengabo. Ibizo lakhe kangisoze ngilesule encwadini yokuphila, kodwa ibizo lakhe ngizalivuma phambi kukaBaba lezingilosi zakhe. Lowo olendlebe, kezwe okutshiwo nguMoya emabandleni.

“Ingilosi yebandla laseFiladelifiya ilobele uthi: La ngamazwi akhe lowo ongcwele loqotho, ophethe ikhiye kaDavida. Akuvulileyo kakho ongakuvala; lakuvalileyo kakho ongakuvula. Ngiyazazi izenzo zakho. Khangela, phambi kwakho sengibeke umnyango okungelamuntu ongawuvala. Ngiyakwazi ukuthi ulamandla amancinyane, kodwa ilizwi lami uligcinile njalo ibizo lami kawuliphikanga. Ngizakwenza labo abangabesinagogi likaSathane, abathi bangamaJuda bona bengayisiwo, kodwa beqamba amanga  —  ngizabenza beze kuwe bawele phansi ngasezinyaweni zakho bavume ukuthi ngikuthandile. Njengoba ugcine umlayo wami ukuba ubekezele ngesineke, lami ngizakugcina esikhathini sokulingwa esizafika emhlabeni wonke ukuhlola labo abahlala emhlabeni. Ngiyeza masinyane. Bambelela kulokho olakho, ukuze kungabi khona othatha umqhele wakho. Lowo onqobayo ngizamenza abe yinsika ethempelini likaNkulunkulu. Kasoze asuke kulo futhi. Ngizaloba phezu kwakhe ibizo likaNkulunkulu wami kanye lebizo ledolobho likaNkulunkulu wami, iJerusalema elitsha, elehlela phansi liphuma ezulwini livela kuNkulunkulu wami; njalo ngizaloba phezu kwakhe lebizo lami elitsha. Lowo olendlebe, kezwe okutshiwo nguMoya emabandleni.

“Ingilosi yebandla laseLawodikheya ilobele uthi: La ngamazwi ka-Ameni, ufakazi othembekileyo loqotho, umbusi wendalo kaNkulunkulu. Ngiyazazi izenzo zakho, ukuthi kawuqandi njalo kawutshisi. Ngifisa ukuthi ngabe uyilokhu loba uyilokhuyana. Ngakho njengoba ubuthukuthuku  —  ungatshisi njalo ungaqandi  —  sekuseduze ukuba ngikukhafule emlonyeni wami. Wena uthi, ‘Nginothile; sengazuza inotho njalo kangisweli lutho.’ Kodwa kawunanzeleli ukuthi uyahlupheka, ulusizi, ungumyanga, uyisiphofu njalo unqunu. Ngiyakucebisa ukuba uthenge kimi igolide elihlanjululwe emlilweni, ukuze unothe; ugqoke izigqoko ezimhlophe, ukuze uvale ubunqunu bakho obulihlazo, lamafutha okugcoba amehlo akho ukuze ubone. Labo engibathandayo ngiyabakhuza ngibajezise. Ngakhoke woba lokutshiseka, uphenduke. Mina ngilapha! Ngimi emnyango ngiqoqoda. Uma kukhona ozwa ilizwi lami avule umnyango, ngizangena ngidle laye, laye adle lami. Lowo onqobayo, ngizamnika ilungelo lokuhlala lami esihlalweni sami sobukhosi, njengoba lami nganqoba ngasengihlala loBaba esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi. Lowo olendlebe, kezwe okutshiwo nguMoya emabandleni.”

Ngakho-ke, “baphambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu bemkhonza emini lebusuku ethempelini lakhe; njalo yena ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi uzakwendlala ithente lakhe ngaphezu kwabo.

Ngaphiwa umhlanga njengoluthi lokulinganisa ngasengitshelwa kuthiwa, “Hamba uyelinganisa ithempeli likaNkulunkulu le-alithare, ubale labakhonzayo khona.

Emva kwalokho ithempeli likaNkulunkulu lavulwa ezulwini, phakathi kwethempeli lakhe kwabonakala ibhokisi elingcwele lesivumelwano sakhe. Kwasekusiba lokuphazima kwemibane, lokundindizela, lokukhwaza kwezulu, lokuzamazama komhlaba kanye lesiqhotho esikhulu.

Lokho kufuna ukuqinisela lokubekezela kwabangcwele abagcina imilayo kaNkulunkulu baqhubeke bethembekile kuJesu.

Ithempeli lagcwala intuthu evela enkazimulweni kaNkulunkulu lasemandleni akhe, njalo kakho owayengangena ethempelini izifo eziyisikhombisa zezingilosi eziyisikhombisa zingakapheli.

Ngabuya ngezwa elinye ilizwi livela ezulwini lisithi: “Bantu bami, phumani kuyo, ukuze lingahlanganyeli ezonweni zayo, ukuze lingehlelwa yizifo zayo;

Thokoza ngalo, O Zulu! Thokozani bangcwele labaphostoli kanye labaphrofethi! UNkulunkulu uselahlulele ngendlela elaliphatha ngayo.’ ”

Kwasekuzwakala ilizwi elavela esihlalweni sobukhosi, lisithi: “Dumisani uNkulunkulu wethu lonke lina zinceku zakhe, lina elimesabayo, abancane labakhulu!” Ngabuya ngezwa okwakungathi lixuku elikhulu, kunjengokuhlokoma kwamanzi agelezayo lanjengokukhwaza kwezulu besithi: “Haleluya! Ngoba iNkosi yethu uNkulunkulu uSomandla uyabusa. Kasithokozeni sithabe simuphe udumo. Ngoba umthimba weWundlu usufikile lomlobokazi walo usezilungisele. Ilineni elihle, elicazimulayo elihlanzekileyo, uliphiwe ukuba agqoke.” (Ilineni elihle limele imisebenzi emihle yabangcwele.) Ingilosi yasisithi kimi, “Loba ukuthi: ‘Babusisiwe labo abanxusiweyo edilini lomtshado weWundlu!’ ” Yengeza yathi, “La ngamazwi aqotho kaNkulunkulu.”

Ngabona iDolobho eliNgcwele, iJerusalema elitsha, lisehlela phansi liphuma ezulwini kuNkulunkulu lilungiswe njengomlobokazi ececele umkakhe. Ngezwa ilizwi elikhulu livela esihlalweni sobukhosi lisithi, “Khathesi ikhaya likaNkulunkulu selisebantwini, uzahlala labo. Bazakuba ngabantu bakhe, njalo uNkulunkulu yena uqobo uzakuba labo abe nguNkulunkulu wabo. Uzazesula zonke izinyembezi emehlweni abo. Akusayikuba khona futhi ukufa loba ukulila loba ukukhala loba ubuhlungu, ngoba umumo omdala wezinto usudlule.”

Enye yezingilosi eziyisikhombisa eyayilemiganu eyisikhombisa eyayigcwele izifo zokucina eziyisikhombisa yeza yathi kimi, “Woza, ngizakutshengisa umlobokazi, umkaWundlu.” Yangithwala ngiseMoyeni yangisa entabeni enkulu ende, yangitshengisa iDolobho eliNgcwele, iJerusalema, lisehla liphuma ezulwini kuNkulunkulu. Lakhanyisa ngenkazimulo kaNkulunkulu, ukucwebezela kwalo kwakufana lokwelitshe eliligugu, njengejaspha, licwebezela njengelitshe elikhanyisayo. Lalilomduli omkhulu, ophakemeyo lamasango alitshumi lambili kanye lezingilosi ezilitshumi emasangweni. Emasangweni kwakulotshwe amabizo ezizwana ezilitshumi lambili zako-Israyeli. Kwakulamasango amathathu ngasempumalanga, lamathathu ngasenyakatho, lamathathu ngaseningizimu, kanye lamathathu ngasentshonalanga. Umduli wedolobho wawulezisekelo ezilitshumi lambili, njalo phezu kwazo kwakulamabizo abaphostoli beWundlu abalitshumi lambili.

Kangibonanga thempeli edolobheni, ngoba iNkosi uNkulunkulu uSomandla leWundlu balithempeli lalo.

“Mina Jesu, ngithume ingilosi yami ukuba ilinike ubufakazi lobu emabandleni. NgiyiMpande leNzalo kaDavida, kanye leNdonsakusa ekhanyayo.”