第04章 传道人的责任
§1
第04章 传道人的责任
§2
Chap.04 The Ministers Responsibility
§3
保罗写信给提摩太说：“我在上帝面前，并在将来审判活人死人的基督耶稣面前，凭着祂的显现和祂的国度嘱咐你：务要传道；无论得时不得时，总要专心；并用百般的忍耐，各样的教训，责备人，警戒人，劝勉人”（提后4:1-2）。{GW 30.1}[1]
§4
I charge thee therefore, Paul wrote to Timothy, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. [2 Timothy 4:1, 2.] {GW 30.1}[1]
§5
保罗向提摩太这么热诚忠心的人尚且发出这个严肃的劝告，这乃是一个强有力的见证，证明福音使者工作的重要和责任。保罗在上帝的审判台前嘱咐提摩太“务要传道”，不可传人的虚谈和习俗；而要随时准备，一有机会就为上帝作见证——或在大庭广众前，或在私人的场合，或路边传道，或家常会谈，或向朋友，或向仇敌，不论在安全的时候，或遇见困难与危险，侮辱和损失的时候。{GW 30.2}[2]
§6
This solemn charge to one so zealous and faithful as was Timothy, is a strong testimony to the importance and responsibility of the work of the gospel minister. Summoning Timothy before the bar of God, Paul bids him preach the word, not the sayings and customs of men; to be ready to witness for God whenever opportunity should present itself,--before large congregations and private circles, by the way and at the fireside, to friends and to enemies, whether in safety or exposed to hardship and peril, reproach and loss. {GW 30.2}[2]
§7
保罗唯恐提摩太的温良柔和的性情会使他规避一项必须的工作，所以劝他务要忠诚地谴责罪恶，甚至用锐利的言语责备那些犯了严重错误的人，但他必须以“百般的忍耐和各样的教训”来进行这工，他必须显示基督的忍耐和仁爱，用圣经的真理说明并加强他责备的话。{GW 30.3}[3]
§8
Fearing that Timothys mild, yielding disposition might lead him to shun an essential part of his work, Paul exhorted him to be faithful in reproving sin, and even to rebuke with sharpness those who were guilty of gross evils. Yet he was to do this with all long-suffering and doctrine. He was to reveal the patience and love of Christ, explaining and enforcing his reproofs by the truths of the Word. {GW 30.3}[3]
§9
一面恨恶并谴责罪恶，而同时对于罪人显示怜悯和亲切，这是一件不易做到的事。我们自己越热切地努力追求心灵和生活方面的圣洁，我们对于罪恶的认识就必越为敏锐。我们必须谨防，不可对行错事的人过于严厉；同时我们也必须小心，不可忽视罪非常邪恶的本质。我们需要对于犯错误的人显示基督化的忍耐和爱心；但我们也不可对于他们所犯的错误过于容忍，使他们以为自己不该受责备，并以自己所受的责备为不必需和不公正的，因而加以拒绝。{GW 30.4}[4]
§10
To hate and reprove sin, and at the same time to show pity and tenderness for the sinner, is a difficult achievement. The more earnest our own efforts to attain to holiness of heart and life, the more acute will be our perception of sin, and the more decided our disapproval of it. We must guard against undue severity toward the wrong-doer; but we must also be careful not to lose sight of the exceeding sinfulness of sin. There is need of showing Christlike patience and love for the erring one, but there is also danger of showing so great toleration for his error that he will look upon himself as undeserving of reproof, and will reject it as uncalled for and unjust. {GW 30.4}[4]
§11
【救灵的责任】
§12
上帝的传道人必须与基督亲密交往，在凡事上——生活的清洁、克己、爱心、勤劳和忍耐上——效法基督的榜样。他们必须首先考虑到领人回归上帝的国。他们要为罪忧伤，怀着忍耐的爱心，象基督那样坚定而不住地工作。{GW 31.1}[5]
§13
【A Burden for Souls】
§14
Gods ministers must come into close companionship with Christ, and follow His example in all things --in purity of life, in self-denial, in benevolence, in diligence, in perseverance. To win souls to the kingdom of God must be their first consideration. With sorrow for sin and with patient love, they must work as Christ worked, putting forth determined, unceasing effort. {GW 31.1}[5]
§15
福音布道士约翰.韦尔奇深感救灵负担的沉重，就常常在夜里起来求上帝拯救他们。有一次他的妻子劝他保重身体，免受风寒。他回答说，“妇人阿，我要为三千个人的性命负责。我不知道他们的处境如何。”{GW 31.2}[6]
§16
John Welch, a minister of the gospel, felt so great a burden for souls that he often rose in the night to send up to God his supplication for their salvation. On one occasion his wife pleaded with him to regard his health, and not venture on such exposure. His answer was, O woman, I have the souls of three thousand to answer for, and I know not how it is with them. {GW 31.2}[6]
§17
新英格兰的一座城里正在挖一口井。工程快要结束时，一位工人还在井底，井边的土忽然坍下，把他埋住。立时有人呼喊求救。有工人，农民，商人和律师气喘吁吁地赶来施救。这些乐意帮助的人带来绳子梯子锹铲等，喊着说：“救人呀，救人呀!”{GW 31.3}[7]
§18
In a town in New England a well was being dug. When the work was nearly finished, while one man was still at the bottom, the earth caved in and buried him. Instantly the alarm was sent out, and mechanics, farmers, merchants, lawyers, hurried breathlessly to the rescue. Ropes, ladders, spades, and shovels were brought by eager, willing hands. Save him, O save him! was the cry. {GW 31.3}[7]
§19
他们拼命救援，汗流满面，手臂发抖。最后插进去一条管子，通过管口喊叫底下的人如果活着就回答。下面的人回答说：“我还活着，但你们要快些，因为这里很可怕。”他们就欢呼起来，重新奋力，最后挖到井底下，把人救了上来。他们的欢呼声直达云霄。人们在城里的大街小巷彼此相告：“他得救了!”{GW 32.1}[8]
§20
Men worked with desperate energy, till the sweat stood in beads upon their brows and their arms trembled with the exertion. At length a pipe was thrust down, through which they shouted to the man to answer if he were still alive. The response came, Alive, but make haste. It is fearful in here. With a shout of joy they renewed their efforts, and at last he was reached and saved, and the cheer that went up seemed to pierce the very heavens. He is saved! echoed through every street in the town. {GW 32.1}[8]
§21
只是为了救一个人，就如此热心，如此牵挂，这是不是太过分了呢？绝对没有！然而暂时生命的丧失和一个灵魂的丧失又怎么能相比呢？为了一条性命的危难，尚且引发人如此的热心，自称了解离开基督之人危险的人，难道不应为一个灵魂的丧失而激起更深的牵挂吗？为了埋在井里的一个人，尚有那样的热心，上帝的仆人在救灵工作中难道不应显出更大的热心吗？{GW 32.2}[9]
§22
Was this too great zeal and interest, too great enthusiasm, to save one man? It surely was not; but what is the loss of temporal life in comparison with the loss of a soul? If the threatened loss of a life will arouse in human hearts a feeling so intense, should not the loss of a soul arouse even deeper solicitude in men who claim to realize the danger of those apart from Christ? Shall not the servants of God show as great zeal in laboring for the salvation of souls as was shown for the life of that one man buried in a well? {GW 32.2}[9]
§23
【因缺少生命的粮而饥饿】
§24
一位虔诚的妇女有一次说：“我们惟愿能听到纯洁的福音，就象过去讲台上所讲的!我们的传道人是好人，但他不了解信徒属灵的需要。他用美丽的花朵装饰髑髅地的十字架，遮蔽了一切羞耻，掩盖了一切的侮辱。我的心因缺乏生命的粮而饥饿。有千百可怜的人同我一样，若能听到简明的圣经真理，来滋养我们的心，我们该如何舒畅啊!”{GW 32.3}[10]
§25
【Starving for the Bread of Life】
§26
A godly woman once made the remark, O that we could hear the pure gospel as it used to be preached from the pulpit! Our minister is a good man, but he does not realize the spiritual needs of the people. He clothes the cross of Calvary with beautiful flowers, which hide all the shame, conceal all the reproach. My soul is starving for the bread of life. How refreshing it would be to hundreds of poor souls like me, to listen to something simple, plain, and scriptural, that would nourish our hearts! {GW 32.3}[10]
§27
现今需要有信心的人，不但能讲道，也要为信徒服务。所需要的人要天天与上帝同行，与天国有活泼的联络，说话带着折服人心的力量。传道人不是要表显自己的能干和聪明，乃是要让真理刺入人心，犹如从全能者那里发出的利箭一般。{GW 33.1}[11]
§28
There is need of men of faith, who will not only preach, but will minister to the people. Men are needed who walk daily with God, who have a living connection with heaven, whose words have power to bring conviction to hearts. Not that they may make a display of their talents and intelligence, are ministers to labor, but that the truth may cut its way to the soul as an arrow from the Almighty. {GW 33.1}[11]
§29
有一位传道人讲了一堂圣经的道理。听众里的一位深受感动，就问道：“你真的相信你所讲的道吗?”{GW 33.2}[12]
§30
A minister, after preaching a Bible discourse which brought deep conviction to one of his hearers, was accosted with the question, Do you really believe what you have preached? {GW 33.2}[12]
§31
他回答说，“相信。”{GW 33.3}[13]
§32
Certainly, he answered. {GW 33.3}[13]
§33
那人又恳切地问道：“真的吗?”{GW 33.4}[14]
§34
But is it really so? asked the anxious questioner. {GW 33.4}[14]
§35
传道人的手伸向他的圣经说：“真的。”{GW 33.5}[15]
§36
Certainly, said the minister, as he reached for his Bible. {GW 33.5}[15]
§37
那人失声说：“既然是真的，我们该怎么做呢?”{GW 33.6}[16]
§38
Then the man broke out, O, if this is the truth, what shall we do? {GW 33.6}[16]
§39
传道人心里想：“我们该怎么做呢？”“我们？”那个人是什么意思呢?这个问题透入他的心。他离开去祈求上帝指示他怎么做。祈祷的时候，他有了一个强烈的念头，就是应该把永恒的现实告诉将要灭亡的世界。他一连三个星期没有上讲台。他在寻找“我们该怎么做”的答案。{GW 33.7}[17]
§40
What shall we do? thought the minister-- we? What could the man mean? But the question forced its way to his soul. He went away to plead with God to tell him what to do. And as he prayed, there came to him with overwhelming force the thought that he had the solemn realities of eternity to present to a dying world. For three weeks his place in the desk was vacant. He was seeking an answer to the question, What shall we do? {GW 33.7}[17]
§41
传道人回到自己的岗位时，已经领受了“圣者”的恩膏。他认识到自己过去的讲道在听众身上没有多少感化力。现在他深感自己救灵担子的沉重。他上讲台的时候，就不是独自一人了。有一项大工需要完成，他知道上帝必帮助他。他在听众面前高举救主和祂无比的爱。上帝的儿子大大显现。那一带教会就开始复兴了。{GW 33.8}[18]
§42
The minister returned to his charge with an unction from the Holy One. He realized that his past preaching had made little impression on his hearers. Now he felt upon him the terrible weight of souls. As he came to his desk, he was not alone. There was a great work to be done, but he knew that God would not fail him. Before his hearers he exalted the Saviour and His matchless love. There was a revelation of the Son of God, and a revival began that spread through the churches of the surrounding districts. {GW 33.8}[18]
§43
【基督圣工的紧迫性】
§44
如果我们的传道人认识到世上的居民很快就要站在上帝的审判台前，他们就会更加努力地引人归向基督。不久最后的考验要临到众人。现今只有一点点时间可以听到那慈悲的声音；只有一点点的时间可以发出恩典的邀请：“人若渴了，可以到我这里来喝”（约7:37）。上帝福音的请帖发给各地的人。祂所差遣的使者要同心不倦地工作，使人看出他们是跟过耶稣并学了祂样式的。{GW 34.1}[19]
§45
【The Urgency of Christs Work】
§46
If our ministers realized how soon the inhabitants of the world are to be arraigned before the judgment-seat of God, they would work more earnestly to lead men and women to Christ. Soon the last test is to come to all. Only a little longer will the voice of mercy be heard; only a little longer can the gracious invitation be given, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. [John 7:37.] God sends the gospel invitation to people everywhere. Let the messengers He sends work so harmoniously, so untiringly, that all will take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus, and learned of Him. {GW 34.1}[19]
§47
圣经论到以色列的大祭司亚伦说：“亚伦进圣所的时候，要将决断胸牌，就是刻着以色列儿子名字的，带在胸前，在耶和华面前常作记念”（出28:29）。这个美丽而富有意义的表号，显明基督对祂教会不变的爱!亚伦所预表我们的“大祭司”，将自己的子民挂在心上。祂地上的传道人难道不该象祂那样仁爱，怜恤和牵挂吗？{GW 34.2}[20]
§48
Of Aaron, the high priest of Israel, it is written, He shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually. [Exodus 28:29.] What a beautiful and expressive figure this is of the unchanging love of Christ for His church! Our great High Priest, of whom Aaron was a type, bears His people upon His heart. And should not His earthly ministers share His love and sympathy and solicitude? {GW 34.2}[20]
§49
只有上帝的能力能熔化罪人的心，使他们悔改归向基督。伟大的改革家或教师，如路德、梅兰克吞、卫斯理、怀特菲尔德等，没有一个是靠自己去打动人心，取得他们所获成就的。是上帝藉着他们说话。人们感受到一种超然的能力，就不由自主地顺从了。今日凡忘却自己，依靠上帝从事救灵之工的人，上帝也必与他们合作，使他们救灵的努力成绩辉煌。{GW 34.3}[21]
§50
Divine power alone will melt the sinners heart and bring him, a penitent, to Christ. No great reformer or teacher, not Luther, Melanchthon, Wesley, or Whitefield, could of himself have gained access to hearts, or have accomplished the results that these men achieved. But God spoke through them. Men felt the influence of a superior power, and involuntarily yielded to it. Today those who forget self and rely on God for success in the work of soul-saving, will have the divine co-operation, and their efforts will tell gloriously in the salvation of souls. {GW 34.3}[21]
§51
我不得不说，我们许多传道人缺少能力。上帝等着要赐给他们恩典。他们却一天一天地耽搁，只存有冷淡和有名无实的信心，宣讲真理，却缺乏活泼的能力。这种能力是人与上天联络才有的，会使他们所说的话深入人心。当他们睡眼朦胧之时，周围的人却在黑暗与错误之中灭亡。{GW 35.1}[22]
§52
I feel constrained to say that the labors of many of our ministers lack power. God is waiting to bestow His grace upon them, but they pass on from day to day, possessing only a cold, nominal faith, presenting the theory of the truth, but presenting it without that vital force which comes from a connection with heaven, and which sends the spoken words home to the hearts of men. They are half asleep, while all around them are souls perishing in darkness and error. {GW 35.1}[22]
§53
上帝的传道人啊，你们心里要燃烧着爱基督和爱同胞的火，竭力将那些死在罪孽与过犯之中的人唤醒。当以你们恳切的劝勉和警戒刺透他们的良心。当以你们热诚的祈求熔化他们的心，引导他们悔罪归向救主。你们是基督的使者，要传扬祂救恩的信息。要记住，你们若缺少献身精神和智慧，就可能改变局势，致使一个人永远灭亡。你们决不可草率冷漠。你们需要能力。这种能力是上帝愿意无限量地赐与的。祂所要的，只是你们谦卑痛悔的心，愿意相信和接受祂的应许。你们只须运用上帝所提供的方法，就能得着福气。{GW 35.2}[23]
§54
Ministers of God, with hearts aglow with love for Christ and your fellow-men, seek to arouse those who are dead in trespasses and sins. Let your earnest entreaties and warnings pierce their consciences. Let your fervent prayers melt their hearts, and lead them in penitence to the Saviour. You are ambassadors for Christ, to proclaim His message of salvation. Remember that a lack of consecration and wisdom in you may turn the balance for a soul, and send it to eternal death. You cannot afford to be careless and indifferent. You need power, and this power God is willing to give you without stint. He asks only a humble, contrite heart, that is willing to believe and receive His promises. You have only to use the means that God has placed within your reach, and you will obtain the blessing. {GW 35.2}[23]