Sergius Paulus stood deep in thought on the terrace of his magnificent villa, looking out across the clear

blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. He was sad and troubled. But why should he be, he wondered. He had everything a man could want. He was the Roman proconsularGovernor of the island of Cyprus. He had a beautiful villa and every comfort, luxury and material pleasure that he could desire. But still he was not satisfied. Something was missing. In his search for spiritual truth, Serguis had begun listening to a Jewish false prophet named Elymas. But still, the Governor had no peace. What really is the Truth? he wondered.

Sergio Paulo se hallaba de pie en la terraza de su suntuosa residencia situada frente a las aguas azules y cristalinas del Mar Mediterrneo. Se senta triste y turbado. Pero por qu habra de estarlo?, cavilaba preocupadamente. Tena todo lo que se puede desear. Era el gobernador romano, el procnsul de la isla de Chipre. Posea una hermosa quinta, y toda comodidad, lujo y placer material que pudiera desear. Pero no estaba satisfecho. Le faltaba algo. Ansioso por descubrir la realidad espiritual, Sergio haba empezado a escuchar a un falso profeta judo, un tal Elimas. Aun as, el gobernador no hallaba paz. "Cal ser la Verdad?" se preguntaba.

And now, just the other day, he had heard that some Christians had been travelling across Cyprus and had arrived in Paphros! His servants told him they were preaching how men could have a miraculous spiritual rebirth, and, at once interested in hearing more, Sergius had sent an invitation for these strangers to have an audience in his court. The next day, his thoughts were suddenly interrupted by an attendant who said, Sir, the men have arrived for their appointment. Sergius left the terrace and went down into his villa to meet them. Three Jews, who introduced themselves as Barnabus, his nephew John-Mark, and Paul of Tarsus, greeted him. Sergius warmly saluted his close friend and advisor, Elymas the magician, who had also just arrived.

Aparte de eso, unos das antes se haba enterado de que acababan de llegar a Pafos ciertos Cristianos, que haban estado viajando por Chipre. Segn sus criados, aquellos hombres predicaban que se poda experimentar un milagroso renacimiento espiritual. Sergio, muy interesado en saber ms, envi una invitacin a los extranjeros para que se presentaran a una audiencia en su palacio. Fue entonces, al da siguiente, que una sbita interrupcin lo apart de sus pensamientos. Era uno de sus asistentes que le inform, "Seor, los hombres a los que mand llamar han llegado." Sergio abandon la terraza y entr en su residencia para recibirlos. Tres judos, Bernab, su sobrino Juan Marcos, y Pablo de Tarso, lo saludaron y se presentaron. Sergio le dio una clida acogida a su buen amigo y consejero, Elimas el mago, que tambin acababa de llegar.

After spreading a banquet of food and dry Cyprus wine before them, they began to talk. Sergius was delighted to find out that not only was Paul a Roman citizen, but that Barnabus was a native of Cyprus! Then Sergius said, Ive heard much about your religion. If you people are right, why are you so hated and persecuted? Everywhere you are spoken against! Paul answered, At one time I myself hated Christians so much that I instigated a nation-wide persecution against them! I broke into their houses and had both men and women thrown into prison. I tried to force them to deny their faith and even had them put to death! As Paul went on to describe how he had been miraculously converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus, Elymas began to see how intently Sergius was listening to their words. Realising that if the Governor were converted to Christianity, that he would no longer listen to his advice, Elymas became filled with a jealous rage!

Tras llenar la mesa de exquisitos manjares y vino seco de Chipre, empezaron a platicar. Sergio se llev una grata sorpresa al enterarse de que no slo era Pablo ciudadano romano, sino que Bernab era natural de Chipre! Dijo entonces Sergio, "He odo hablar mucho de su religin. Si su gente est en lo cierto, por qu los odian y los persiguen tanto? En todas partes se habla en contra de ustedes! Pablo respondi, En una poca yo tambin detestaba tanto a los cristianos que instigu contra ellos una persecucin por toda aquella regin del Imperio! Allanaba sus hogares y mandaba encarcelar a hombres y mujeres. No slo pretenda obligarlos a renegar de su fe, sino que incluso mand a algunos a la muerte! Al comenzar Pablo a relatarle su milagrosa conversin al cristianismo camino de Damasco, Elimas not con qu inters escuchaba Sergio sus palabras. Consciente de que si el gobernador llegase a convertirse al cristianismo, ya no hara caso de sus consejos, Elimas, lleno de envidia, mont en clera!

Angrily, Elymas interrupted and began to contradict Paul and Barnabus. Sergius Paulus was confused. He was interested in the doctrines of these Christians, yet Elymas had been his close associate and adviser for a long time! Who was he to believe? But when Paul saw that Elymas was trying to turn the Governor from the faith, he was filled with righteous anger; the Holy Spirit came upon him with great power and authority, and he rebuked the magician, saying, You child of the Devil and enemy of righteousness! Will you never cease trying to pervert the ways of truth? The Lords hand is upon you, and you shall be blind! Immediately Elymas cried out that a dark mist had fallen upon him, and he stumbled about frantically, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. Finally a Roman guard led him out.

Furibundo, Elimas interrumpi la conversacin y empez a contradecir a Pablo y Bernab. Sergio Paulo estaba confuso. Le interesaban las doctrinas de aquellos cristianos, y sin embargo, desde haca ya tiempo Elimas era su fiel consejero, con quien mantena una estrecha amistad! A quin deba creer? Mas al ver Pablo que Elimas pretenda apartar de la fe al gobernador, se llen de justa ira. El Espritu Santo vino sobre l con gran poder y autoridad, y reprendi al mago diciendo, "Oh, hijo del Diablo, enemigo de toda justicia! Cundo cesars de trastornar los caminos de la verdad? He aqu la mano del Seor est contra ti, y sers ciego!" Inmediamente despus, Elimas grit que haba cado sobre l un manto de oscuridad, y empez a tropezar por todas partes buscando quien le condujese de la mano. Por fin un guardia romano lo llev fuera del recinto.

Sergius was so astonished by this miracle that he totally forgot about all the lies that Elymas had been spouting, and was convinced that Paul and Barnabus had been telling him the Truth!And that day, the Roman Governor asked Jesus Christ to come into his life and make him a new man. He did not throw off his royal robes and join Paul and Barnabus, travelling with them in their missionary journeys, but he determined to do what he could: He would use his power and authority as Governor to help the spread of Christianity in the island of Cyprus, and protect the little groups of Christian believers that Paul and Barnabus had already started all across the island, from Salamis to Paphros.

Tal fue el asombro de Sergio ante aquel milagro, que se le borraron de la memoria todas las mentiras que haba proferido Elimas, y se convenci de que Pablo y Bernab le decan la verdad! Ese mismo da, el gobernador romano pidi a Jess que entrase en su vida y lo transformase en otro hombre. No se despoj de sus vestiduras reales para unirse a Pablo y Bernab en sus viajes misioneros. Pero esto s, resolvi hacer todo lo que poda. Se propuso que empleara su poder y autoridad como gobernador para difundir el cristianismo por toda la isla de Chipre, y que adems protegera a los pequeos grupos de cristianos que Pablo y Bernab ya haban iniciado a lo largo y ancho de la isla, desde Salamina hasta Pafos.

Though Paul, Barnabus and John Mark left Cyprus afterwards to continue preaching the Gospel in other regions, Barnabus and John Mark soon returned to Cyprus and were overjoyed to see that, under the favor and protection of Sergius Paulus, the Christian Governor, Christianity was prospering. A pesar de que Pablo, Bernab y Juan Marcos abandonaron Chipre cierto tiempo despus para seguir pregonando el Evangelio en otras regiones, Bernab y Juan Marcos no tardaron en regresar a Chipre, y qu alegra la que sintieron cuando descubrieron que, gozando del favor y la proteccin del gobernador cristiano, Sergio Paulo, el cristianismo floreca en la isla!

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Dramatized Bible story from Acts 13:4-12 / Cuento dramatizado del Hechos 13:4-12. The Family International