第121章 查考圣经
§1
第121章 查考圣经
§2
Chapter 123—To U. Smith
§3
《评论与通讯》1892年7月26日
§4
Review and Herald, July 26, 1892
§5
基督说过：“你们应当查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生；给我作见证的就是这经”（约5:39）。查考圣经的责任是吩咐给亚当每一个儿女的。耶稣说：“给我作见证的就是这经。”父在子身上表明出来，我们研究基督的时候就会向父学习。那么就让我们以柔和折服的心来研究上帝的道吧，阅读关于我们主和夫子的见证。我们难道不要以浓厚的兴趣争取感染祂的精神，效法祂的榜样，吸入祂同在的空气——光与爱吗？我们应该多么急切地学习出自祂神圣嘴唇的每一个教训啊！我们应该多么珍爱祂的教导啊！我们应该多么热心地力图效法祂的品格和生活，并且奋勇直前，要多而又多地知道祂所教导的属天真理啊！我们若是愿意实践祂所赐的真理，就会完善一种经验，那种经验对我们自己也对世界具有最高的价值。{1888 991.1}
§6
Christ has said: “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me.” The duty of searching the Scriptures is enjoined upon every son and daughter of Adam. Jesus says, “And they are they which testify of me.” The Father was revealed in the Son, and in studying Christ we shall learn of the Father. Then let us come to search the word of God with softened, subdued hearts, and read the testimony concerning our Lord and Master. Shall we not with intense interest seek to catch his spirit, copy his example, and breathe in the atmosphere of his presence, which is light and love? How eagerly should we study every lesson that fell from his divine lips! How we should cherish his instruction! How ardently we should seek to imitate his character and life, and press on to know more and more of the heavenly truths he taught. If we would but practice the truths he has given, we should perfect an experience that would be of the highest value to us, and to the world. {1888 991.1}
§7
耶稣向门徒提出了真理的新观点，比起人口中所教的任何教训，祂所发教训的意义何其深刻啊！“上帝在肉身显现，被圣灵称义（或作：在灵性称义），被天使看见，被传于外邦，被世人信服，被接在荣耀里”（提前3:15）。{1888 991.2}
§8
Jesus presented new views of truth to his disciples, and how much deeper was the meaning of his utterances than the meaning of any lesson ever taught by human lips! “God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” {1888 991.2}
§9
我们应当怎样查考圣经呢？我们是不是要立下一根根教义的桩子，然后设法让所有的经文都迎合我们的先入之见呢？还是把我们自己的想法和观念都带到圣经面前，用圣经的真理来衡量我们各方面的理论呢？许多阅读甚至教授圣经的人并不理解他们所教所学的宝贵真理。在真理清楚显示的时候，总有人坚持错误。如果他们愿意把他们的道理带到上帝的圣言面前，不按自己的信条来读经，以证明他们的观点正确，他们就不会行在黑暗和盲目之中，抱着错误不放了。许多人按照自己的私意解释圣经。他们对圣经的误解既误导了自己，也欺骗了别人。我们研究上帝的话，应当怀着一颗谦卑的心，所有的自私和喜欢独创的心都应放在一边。不要把根深蒂固的观念视为绝无错误的。犹太人不肯放弃他们长期建立的传统，造成了他们的灭亡。他们决心闭眼不看自己观点的任何瑕疵或解经方面的错误。但是人所固守的某些观念不管历史有多么悠久，只要没有清楚的圣经依据，就必须放弃。{1888 991.3}
§10
How shall we search the Scriptures? Shall we drive our stakes of doctrine one after another, and then try to make all Scripture meet our established opinions, or shall we take our ideas and views to the Scriptures, and measure our theories on every side by the Scriptures of truth? Many who read and even teach the Bible, do not comprehend the precious truth they are teaching or studying. Men entertain errors, when the truth is clearly marked out, and if they would but bring their doctrines to the word of God, and not read the word of God in the light of their doctrines, to prove their ideas right, they would not walk in darkness and blindness, or cherish error. Many give the words of Scripture a meaning that suits their own opinions, and they mislead themselves and deceive others by their misinterpretations of God’s word. As we take up the study of God’s word, we should do so with humble hearts. All selfishness, all love of originality, should be laid aside. Long-cherished opinions must not be regarded as infallible. It was the unwillingness of the Jews to give up their long-established traditions that proved their ruin. They were determined not to see any flaw in their own opinions or in their expositions of the Scriptures; but however long men may have entertained certain views, if they are not clearly sustained by the written word, they should be discarded. {1888 991.3}
§11
诚心渴慕真理的人，必不避讳公开自己的立场供人查问和批评，也不会因为他们的观点和想法受到质疑而烦恼。这是我们四十年前所怀的精神。我们会心情沉重地走到一起，求主使我们在信仰和道理上合而为一；因为我们知道基督不是分开的。我们一次提出一点来作为研究的题目。这些研经的会议很严肃。大家存敬畏的心打开圣经。我们常常禁食，以便更能明白真理。经过恳切的祈祷，如果有哪一点不明白，我们就进行讨论，让各人自由发表意见；然后我们再跪下祷告，向上帝献上诚恳的祈愿，求祂帮助我们有一致的看法，使我们可以合而为一，正如基督和天父合而为一那样。我们流了许多眼泪。若有一位弟兄责备另一个弟兄悟性迟钝，没有象他那样理解一段经文，那位受到责备的弟兄后来就会握住弟兄的手，说：“我们不要让上帝的灵担忧。耶稣与我们同在；让我们保持谦卑可教的精神吧；”那位责备他的弟兄就会说：“请原谅我，弟兄，我待你不公了。”于是我们就会再一次屈膝祈祷。我们这样用了很多时间。我们一起学习一般一次不超过四个小时，但有时用一整夜的工夫严肃地查考圣经，使我们可以明白那有关现代的真理。有时上帝的灵会降在我身上，难解的经文就藉着上帝所指定的方法阐明了，于是就有了完全的和谐。我们都是一心一意的。{1888 991.4}
§12
Those who sincerely desire truth will not be reluctant to lay open their positions for investigation and criticism, and will not be annoyed if their opinions and ideas are crossed. This was the spirit cherished among us forty years ago. We would come together burdened in soul, praying that we might be one in faith and doctrine; for we knew that Christ is not divided. One point at a time was made the subject of investigation. Solemnity characterized these councils of investigation. The Scriptures were opened with a sense of awe. Often we fasted, that we might be better fitted to understand the truth. After earnest prayer, if any point was not understood, it was discussed, and each one expressed his opinion freely; then we would again bow in prayer, and earnest supplications went up to heaven that God would help us to see eye to eye, that we might be one, as Christ and the Father are one. Many tears were shed. If one brother rebuked another for his dullness of comprehension in not understanding a passage as he understood it, the one rebuked would afterward take his brother by the hand, and say, “Let us not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus is with us; let us keep a humble and teachable spirit;” and the brother addressed would say, “Forgive me, brother, I have done you an injustice.” Then we would bow down in another season of prayer. We spent many hours in this way. We did not generally study together more than four hours at a time, yet sometimes the entire night was spent in solemn investigation of the Scriptures, that we might understand the truth for our time. On some occasions the Spirit of God would come upon me, and difficult portions were made clear through God’s appointed way, and then there was perfect harmony. We were all of one mind and one spirit. {1888 991.4}
§13
我们竭力避免强解圣经以迎合任何人的见解。我们尽量避免纠缠于一些意见分歧的枝叶问题，从而尽量减少差距。每一个人心中所想的，就是要在弟兄中形成合一的状态，实现基督使祂的门徒合而为一，正如祂和天父合而为一的祈祷。有时会有一两位弟兄固执地反对某种提出来的看法，并暴露出心中本性的血气。遇到这种情况，我们就暂时停止查考，宣布休会，使大家有机会个别向上帝祷告，不与其他的人交谈，而单独去研究争执之点，从上天求得亮光。我们在友好的气氛中散会，尽快再开会作进一步的研究。有时上帝的能力以显著的方式降在我们身上。每当清晰的亮光向我们显明真理的要点时，我们便一同流泪欢喜。我们热爱耶稣；并且彼此相爱。{1888 991.5}
§14
We sought most earnestly that the Scriptures should not be wrested to suit any man’s opinions. We tried to make our differences as slight as possible by not dwelling on points that were of minor importance, upon which there were varying opinions. But the burden of every soul was to bring about a condition among the brethren which would answer the prayer of Christ that his disciples might be one as he and the Father are one. Sometimes one or two of the brethren would stubbornly set themselves against the view presented, and would act out the natural feelings of the heart; but when this disposition appeared, we suspended our investigations and adjourned our meeting, that each one might have an opportunity to go to God in prayer, and without conversation with others, study the point of difference, asking light from heaven. With expressions of friendliness we parted, to meet again as soon as possible for further investigation. At times the power of God came upon us in a marked manner, and when clear light revealed the points of truth, we would weep and rejoice together. We loved Jesus; we loved one another. {1888 991.5}
§15
在那些日子，上帝为我们行了事，真理对我们的心灵来说非常宝贵。我们今日的团结必需具有会经受住考验的性质。我们今生是在主的门下学习，为要受训进入上面的学校。我们必须学会以基督那样的方式忍受失望，而由此得到的教训对我们来说会非常重要。{1888 991.6}
§16
In those days God wrought for us, and the truth was precious to our souls. It is necessary that our unity today be of a character that will bear the test of trial. We are in the school of the Master here, that we may be trained for the school above. We must learn to bear disappointment in a Christ-like manner, and the lesson taught by this will be of great importance to us. {1888 991.6}
§17
我们有许多功课需要学习，也有许多是需要放弃的。只有上帝和天国是不会错的。那些认为自己决不会必须放弃先入之见，决不会有理由改变自己观念的人将会失望。我们只要抱着自己的思想和观念不放，就无法实现基督所祈求的合一。{1888 991.7}
§18
We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed. {1888 991.7}
§19
如果那些自足自负的人能看见上帝的宇宙是怎样看待他们的，如果他们能像上帝那样看清他们自己，他们就会看到自己的软弱和显然缺乏智慧，以致呼求主作他们的公义。他们就会想要躲避祂的面。使徒说：“岂不知你们的身子就是圣灵的殿吗？这圣灵是从上帝而来，住在你们里头的，并且你们不是自己的人，因为你们是重价买来的。所以，要在你们的身子上荣耀上帝”（林前6:19-20）。当我们的计划破灭，原来依靠我们判断力的人决定让上帝引导他们自己作出行动和判断时，我们不要感到难堪，而试图用专权来强迫他们接受我们的观点。处于权威地位的人应当不断培养自制的能力。我很感恩，因为上帝是一位明智的统治者，每一个是基督真门徒的人都必是谦卑的，背起他的十字架，温柔地跟随耶稣，走祂所带领的舍己牺牲之路。失望会变成我们最大的福气。我们必须认识到，他人也象我们一样拥有权利，而当我们的任何一位弟兄领受关于圣经的新亮光时，他就应该坦诚地说明自己的立场，每一个传道人就应该以坦率的态度查考圣经，看看他就新问题提出的论点是否能得到圣言的支持。“然而主的仆人不可争竞，只要温温和和的待众人，善于教导，存心忍耐，用温柔劝戒那抵挡的人；或者上帝给他们悔改的心，可以明白真道”（提后2:24,25）。每一个人都必须以谦卑痛悔的心仰望上帝，以便祂予以指导、带领和赐福。我们不可倚赖他人为我们查考圣经。我们有些作领袖的弟兄常常采取立场站在错误的一边，若是上帝要传一道信息并等待这些年长的弟兄们为那信息的推进开路，那信息就永远不会传给人们了。这些弟兄比以往在更大的程度上变得与上帝的性情有分以前，会一直处于这种错误的立场。天上对我们许多弟兄属灵的盲目感到悲伤。我们充任次要岗位的较年轻的传道人必须作出坚决的努力来就光，将矿井深而又深地打入真理的矿藏中。{1888 991.8}
§20
Could those who are self-sufficient see how the universe of God regards them; could they see themselves as God sees them; they would behold such weakness, such manifest want of wisdom, that they would cry to the Lord to be their righteousness; they would want to hide from his sight. The apostle says, “Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” When our schemes and our plans have been broken; when men who have depended upon our judgment conclude the Lord would lead them to act and judge for themselves, we should not feel like censuring, and like exercising arbitrary authority to compel them to receive our ideas. Those who are placed in authority should constantly cultivate self-control. I am thankful that God is a wise ruler, and every one who is a true disciple of Christ will be humble, lift his cross, and meekly follow where the self-denying, self-sacrificing Jesus leads the way. Disappointment may prove to be the greatest of blessings to us. We must learn that others have rights as well as we have, and when any of our brethren receive new light upon the Scriptures, he should frankly explain his position, and every minister should search the Scriptures with the spirit of candor to see if the points presented on a new subject can be substantiated by the inspired word. “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness 992instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” Every soul must look to God with contrition and humility, that God may guide and lead and bless. We must not trust to others to search the Scriptures for us. Some of our leading brethren have frequently taken positions on the wrong side, and if God would send a message and wait for these older brethren to open the way for its advance, it would never reach the people. These brethren will be found in this position until they become partakers of the divine nature to a greater extent than ever they have been in the past. There is sadness in heaven over the spiritual blindness of many of our brethren. Our younger ministers who fill less important positions must make decided efforts to come to the light, to sink the shaft deeper and still deeper into the mine of truth. {1888 991.8}
§21
上帝的责备将临到那些真道的监护人身上。他们挡了路，妨碍了更大的光照在信徒身上。有一项大工要完成，上帝看到我们的领袖需要更大的亮光，以便与祂所差遣的使者和谐一致，完成祂所计划他们应该完成的工作。上帝已经兴起了使者，把祂的圣灵赐给他们，说：“你要大声喊叫，不可止息，扬起声来，好像吹角。向我的百姓说明他们的过犯，向雅各家说明他们的罪恶”（赛58:1）。任何人都不要冒险阻隔百姓和天国的信息。上帝的信息将要传给百姓。如果人不发声，连石头也会呼叫起来。我呼吁每一位传道人都来寻求主，放弃骄傲和争权夺利之念，在上帝面前谦卑己心。教会的虚弱状态，正是那些本应拥有信心之人内心的冷漠和不信所造成的。{1888 992.1}
§22
The rebuke of the Lord will be upon those who would be guardians of the doctrine, who would bar the way that greater light shall not come to the people. A great work is to be done, and God sees that our leading men have need of greater light, that they may unite with the messengers whom he shall send harmoniously to accomplish the work that he designs they should. The Lord has raised up messengers and endued them with his Spirit, and has said, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Let no one run the risk of interposing himself between the people and the message of heaven. The message of God will come to the people; and if there were no voice among men to give it, the very stones would cry out. I call upon every minister to seek the Lord, to put away pride, to put away strife after supremacy, and humble the heart before God. It is the coldness of heart, the unbelief of those who ought to have faith, that keeps the churches in feebleness. {1888 992.1}
§23
我看到凡已参与圣工的人都各就其位，高举耶稣的旗帜，就会满心高兴，当他们的工作要完成时，他们可以象保罗一样说：“那美好的仗我已经打过了，当跑的路我已经跑尽了，所信的道我已经守住了。从此以后，有公义的冠冕为我存留，就是按着公义审判的主到了那日要赐给我的；不但赐给我，也赐给凡爱慕祂显现的人”（提后4:7,8）。{1888 992.2}
§24
I would rejoice with all my heart to see all who have been connected with the work, take their places to hold high the banner of Jesus, that when their work shall be done, they may say as did Paul, “I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” {1888 992.2}