第08章 “坚定到底”
§1
第08章 “坚定到底”
§2
Chap. 8—“Steadfast Unto the End”
§3
怀爱伦用圣经第六十一卷的作者使徒彼得的话结束她的讲论。关于他教训成功的秘诀，她说：“彼得常把基督复临的指望保持在心中，并常向教会保证救主的应许必定实现。”不要企图借谈论基督复临而威胁孩子们顺服，而要让基督最终的复临增添品格发展观念的意义。{PCP 55.1}[1]
§4
【Preview】
§5
Ellen White closes her discussion on the sixty-first book of the Bible with special reference to its author, the apostle Peter. The key to his teaching success, she says, was that “Peter kept alive in his heart the hope of Christ’s return, and he assured the church of the certain fulfillment of the Saviour’s promise.” Not that our conversation about the second coming should be designed to frighten children into obedience; but that Christ’s eventual return adds purpose to the concept of character development.?{PCP 55.1}[1]
§6
复临信徒相信，有了第一次的降临，就一会有第二次降临。当基督复临时，祂希望找到那些留意祂邀请：“所以，你们要完全，象你们的天父完全一样”（约5:48）的人。在本书的最后部分，怀爱伦对基督化的完全观作了引人注目的详述。比如她写道：“人人都可在自己的生活范围之内造就一个完全基督化的品格。……”{PCP 55.2}[2]
§7
Adventists believe that because there was a first advent, there will be a second advent. When Jesus comes a second time He will expect to find individuals who have heeded His invitation “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Now, in this last selection Ellen White adds fascinating detail to the concept of Christian perfection. She notes, for example, “None need fail of attaining, in his sphere, to perfection of Christian character....?{PCP 55.2}[2]
§8
“人的顺从惟有靠基督公义的馨香才得完全。祂的义以上帝的香气充满每一件顺从的行为。……”{PCP 55.3}[3]
§9
“Man’s obedience can be made perfect only by the increase of Christ’s righteousness, which fills with divine fragrance every act of obedience....?{PCP 55.3}[3]
§10
“从不圣洁的地步改变到圣洁的地步，乃是一种继续不断的过程。”{PCP 55.4}[4]
§11
“The work of transformation from unholiness to holiness is a continuous one.”?{PCP 55.4}[4]
§12
怀爱伦表达了彼得对于人类能够效法基督的榜样而成长所抱的乐观态度。尽管信徒们现今无法完全理解成圣的神迹，但他们却因上帝希望人类恢复祂的形像而喜乐。我们应当让青年人认识到效法耶稣榜样的生活方式所带来的满足感和实际利益。?{PCP 55.5}[5]
§13
Ellen White shows Peter’s optimism for the possibility of a person to grow after the pattern of Christ. Though the believer cannot now totally understand the miracle of sanctification, he?rejoices in God’s desire to restore his image in men and women. It is essential that we make young people aware of the satisfaction and practical benefits of pursuing a life style after the pattern of Jesus.?{PCP 55.5}[5]
§14
最后,复临信徒相信，在今生成长的过程与在永恒的岁月里达到基督化的成熟之间有着密切的联系。这也是彼得的信念，他自己的人生经历清楚地说明了这一点。所以怀爱伦说：“父母们应当学习《彼得后书》第一章。这里表达了圣经真理的崇高优越性。”{PCP 56.1}[6]
§15
Finally, Adventists believe that there is an intimate connection between the process of growth in this life and that of achieving Christian maturity throughout eternity. This was Peter’s conviction: his life story is a clear illustration of it. So Ellen White could say, “Let parents study the first chapter of the second epistle of Peter. Here is represented the exalted excellence of Bible truth.”?{PCP 56.1}[6]
§16
在彼得写给那些与他“同得一样宝贵信心”之人的第二封书信中，他阐明了上帝所规定基督徒品格发展的步骤。他写道： {PCP 56.2}[7]
§17
【Sermon】
§18
In the second letter addressed by Peter to those who had obtained “like precious faith” with himself, the apostle sets forth the divine plan for the development of Christian character. He writes:?{PCP 56.2}[7]
§19
“愿恩惠平安因你们认识上帝和我们主耶稣，多多地加给你们。上帝的神能已将一切关乎生命和虔敬的事赐给我们，皆因我们认识那用自己荣耀和美德召我们的主。因此，祂已将又宝贵、又极大的应许赐给我们，叫我们既脱离世上从情欲来的败坏，就得与上帝的性情有分。”{PCP 56.3}[8]
§20
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.?{PCP 56.3}[8]
§21
“正因这缘故，你们要分外地殷勤。有了信心，又要加上德行；有了德行，又要加上知识；有了知识，又要加上节制；有了节制，又要加上忍耐；有了忍耐；又要加上虔敬，有了虔敬，又要加上爱弟兄的心；有了爱弟兄的心，又要加上爱众人的心。你们若充充足足地有这几样，就必使你们在认识我们的主耶稣基督上，不至于闲懒不结果子了。” {PCP 56.4}[9]
§22
“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.“?{PCP 56.4}[9]
§23
【基督徒进步的阶梯】
§24
这些话里面有丰富的教训，并说明得胜的秘诀。彼得为信徒提出基督徒进步的阶梯，其中的每一步都意味着在认识上帝的知识上的长进。基督徒攀登这个阶梯时不应有片刻的停顿。信心、德行、知识、节制、忍耐、虔敬、爱弟兄的心，和爱众人的心，乃是这个阶梯的步骤。我们的得救在于一步一步，一级一级地攀登这个阶梯，一直达到基督为我们所定的崇高理想。这样，祂就“成为我们的智慧、公义、圣洁、救赎”（林前1:30）。{PCP 56.5}[10]
§25
【Ladder of Christian progress】
§26
These words are full of instruction, and strike the keynote of victory. The apostle presents before the believers the ladder of Christian progress, every step of which represents advancement in the knowledge of God, and in the climbing of which there is to be no standstill. Faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity are the rounds of the ladder. We are saved by climbing round after round, mounting step after step, to the height of Christ’s ideal for us. Thus He is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and?redemption.?{PCP 56.5}[10]
§27
上帝呼召祂的子民来承受荣耀和美德，所以这种特点必须在一切真正与祂联合之人的生活上表现出来。他们既然享有天国的恩赐，就应当一直上进，追求完全，“因信蒙上帝能力保守”（彼前1:5）。上帝将美德赐给祂的儿女，乃是祂的荣耀。祂愿意看到男男女女达到最高的标准。当他们凭着信心握住基督的能力，信靠祂确实的应许，并为自己领受这些应许时，又当他们以上帝所不忍拒绝的恒心来恳求圣灵的能力时，他们就必能在祂里面成为完全。{PCP 57.1}[11]
§28
【Virtue】
§29
God has called His people to glory and virtue, and these will be manifest in the lives of all who are truly connected with Him. Having become partakers of the heavenly gift, they are to go on unto perfection, being “kept by the power of God through faith.”?1 Peter 1:5. It is the glory of God to give His virtue to His children. He desires to see men and women reaching the highest standard; and when by faith they lay hold of the power of Christ, when they plead His unfailing promises, and claim them as their own, when with an importunity that will not be denied they seek for the power of the Holy Spirit, they will be made complete in Him.?{PCP 57.1}[11]
§30
【抵御试探之保障的知识】
§31
信徒既然接受了福音的信仰，他的下一步工作就是要在自己品格上加上德行，藉此洁净心灵并预备自己的思想去接受认识上帝的知识。这种知识乃是一切真教育和真服务的基础。它乃是抵御试探唯一可靠的保障。惟有这种知识能使人在品格上“像上帝”。一个信徒若能认识上帝和祂的儿子耶稣基督，他就必须领受“一切关乎生命和虔敬的事。”上帝决不保留一样良好的恩赐不给予那真诚愿意得着上帝之公义的人。{PCP 57.2}[12]
§32
【Knowledge a safeguard against temptation】
§33
Having received the faith of the gospel, the next work of the believer is to add to his character virtue, and thus cleanse the heart and prepare the mind for the reception of the knowledge of God. This knowledge is the foundation of all true education and of all true service. It is the only real safeguard against temptation; and it is this alone that can make one like God in character. Through the knowledge of God and of His Son Jesus Christ, are given to the believer “all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” No good gift is withheld from him who sincerely desires to obtain the righteousness of God.?{PCP 57.2}[12]
§34
基督说：“认识祢独一的真神，并且认识祢所差来的耶稣基督，这就是永生”（约17:3）。先知耶利米说：“智慧人不要因他的智慧夸口，勇士不要因他的勇力夸口，财主不要因他的财物夸口。夸口的却因他有聪明，认识我是耶和华，又知道我喜悦在世上施行慈爱公平和公义，以此夸口。这是耶和华说的”（耶9:23-24）。一个获得这种认识的人所能达到属灵造诣的长阔高深，几乎是人的思想所不能领会的。{PCP 57.3}[13]
§35
“This is life eternal,” Christ said, “that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”?John 17:3. And the prophet Jeremiah declared: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”?Jeremiah 9:23, 24. Scarcely can the human mind comprehend the breadth and depth and height of the spiritual attainments of him who gains this knowledge.?{PCP 57.3}[13]
§36
【人人都可造就完全的品格】
§37
人人都可在自己的生活范围之内造就一个完全基督化的品格。由于基督的牺牲，上帝已经作了充分的安排，使信祂的人可以承受一切关乎生命和虔敬的事。上帝呼召我们追求那完全的标准。祂把基督品格的榜样摆在我们面前。救主已经藉着祂那恒切抗拒罪恶的生活，在祂的人性中证明：人类尽可以藉着与上帝合作，而在今生造就完全的品格。上帝如此向我们保证，我们可以获得完全的胜利。{PCP 57.4}[14]
§38
【None need fail to reach perfection】
§39
None need fail of attaining, in his sphere, to perfection of Christian character. By the sacrifice of Christ, provision has been made for the believer to receive all things that pertain to life and godliness. God calls upon us to reach the standard of perfection and places before us the example of Christ’s character. In His humanity, perfected by a life of constant resistance of evil, the Saviour showed that through cooperation with Divinity, human beings may in this life attain to perfection of character. This is God’s assurance to us that we, too, may obtain complete victory.?{PCP 57.4}[14]
§40
上帝向每一个信徒提供“与基督相似”和顺从律法全部原则的奇妙可能性。但人靠自己是绝对不能达到这个地步的。圣经所说“人非圣洁就没有人能见主”，这种圣洁乃是在人顺从真理圣灵的锻炼和遏制的作用之后，上帝恩典工作的结果。人的顺从惟有靠基督公义的馨香才得完全。祂的义以上帝的香气充满每一件顺从的行为。基督徒的本分乃是要恒切努力战胜每一个错行。他必须不住地祈求救主医治他那因罪而患病的心灵。他自己没有得胜的智慧或能力；这些乃是属于上帝的。祂要将智慧或能力赐给那些以谦卑的心和痛悔的灵寻求祂帮助的人。{PCP 58.1}[15]
§41
Before the believer is held out the wonderful possibility of being like Christ, obedient to all the principles of the law. But of himself man is utterly unable to reach this condition. The holiness that God’s word declares he must have before he can be saved is the result of the working of divine grace as he bows in submission to the discipline and restraining influences of the Spirit of truth. Man’s obedience can be made perfect only by the incense of Christ’s righteousness, which fills with divine fragrance every act of obedience. The part of the Christian is to persevere in overcoming every fault. Constantly he is to pray to the Saviour to heal the disorders of his sin-sick soul. He has not the wisdom or the strength to overcome; these belong to the Lord, and He bestows them on those who in humiliation and contrition seek Him for help.?{PCP 58.1}[15]
§42
从不圣洁的地步改变到圣洁的地步，乃是一种继续不断的过程。上帝天天在为人的成圣而作工，而人则必须与祂合作，恒切地努力养成正当的习惯。他必须“恩上加恩”。当他这样“加”的时候，上帝的恩典必要“加倍”地降在他身上。我们的救主时常准备着垂听并且应允痛悔之心的祈祷，又将恩惠与平安“加倍”地赐给祂忠心的儿女。祂乐意将他们在与罪恶的斗争中所需要的恩惠赐给他们。{PCP 58.2}[16]
§43
The work of transformation from unholiness to holiness is a continuous one. Day by day God labors for man’s sanctification, and man is to cooperate with Him, putting forth persevering efforts in the cultivation of right habits. He is to add grace to grace; and as he thus works on the plan of addition, God works for him on the plan of multiplication. Our Saviour is always ready to hear and answer the prayer of the contrite heart, and grace and peace are multiplied to His faithful ones. Gladly He grants them the blessings they need in their struggle against the evils that beset them.?{PCP 58.2}[16]
§44
有一等人试图攀登基督徒进步的阶梯；但当他们进行的时候，却渐渐依靠人的能力而忘记了那为他们的“信心创始成终的耶稣”。结果就是失败——前功尽弃。那些半途灰心，听任人类的仇敌夺去他们心中与生活中正在成长的基督徒美德的人真是可怜。使徒说：“人若没有这几样，就是眼瞎，只看见近处的，忘了他旧日的罪已经得了洁净。” {PCP 58.3}[17]
§45
There are those who attempt to ascend the ladder of Christian progress; but as they advance they begin to put their trust in the power of man, and soon lose sight of Jesus, the Author and Finisher of their faith. The result is failure—the loss of all that has been gained. Sad indeed is the condition of those who, becoming weary of the way, allow the enemy of souls to rob them of the Christian graces that have been developing in their hearts and lives. “He that lacketh these things“, declares the apostle, “is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.“?{PCP 58.3}[17]
§46
【实行这个计划的人不可能失败】
§47
使徒彼得曾经在属上帝的事上得到多年的经验。他对于上帝救人之能力的信心也与日俱增，直到他毫无疑问地证明了：一个人若凭着信心向前迈进，始终不渝地逐步攀登那一直通到天国门户的阶梯，他是不可能失败的。{PCP 58.4}[18]
§48
【No possibility of failure for the one who follows this plan】
§49
The apostle Peter had had a long experience in the things of God. His faith in God’s power to save had strengthened with the years, until he had proved beyond question that there is no possibility of failure before the one who, advancing by faith, ascends round by round, ever upward and onward, to the topmost round of the ladder that reaches even to the portals of heaven.?{PCP 58.4}[18]
§50
【作信徒的特权】
§51
多年以来，彼得常向信徒强调基督徒在恩典和真理知识上继续长进的必要。这时，他既知道自己不久要为信仰殉身，就再度叫人注意每一个信徒所有的宝贵特权。这个年老力衰的门徒以充分的信心劝勉弟兄们务要在基督徒的生活上坚持一生的宗旨。他恳劝他们说：“应当更加殷勤，使你们所蒙的恩召和拣选坚定不移；你们若行这几样，就永不失脚。这样，必叫你们丰丰富富的，得以进入我们主救主耶稣基督永远的国。”这是何等宝贵的应许啊！当一个信徒凭着信心向基督徒完美品格的高原迈进时，他的希望是多么光荣啊！{PCP 59.1}[19]
§52
【Privileges of being believers】
§53
For many years Peter had been urging upon the believers the necessity of a constant growth in grace and in a knowledge of the truth; and now, knowing that soon he would be called to suffer martyrdom for his faith, he once more drew attention to the precious privileges within the reach of every believer. In the full assurance of his faith the aged disciple exhorted his brethren to steadfastness of purpose in the Christian life. “Give diligence“, he pleaded, “to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Precious assurance! Glorious is the hope before the believer as he advances by faith toward the heights of Christian perfection!?{PCP 59.1}[19]
§54
彼得继续说：“你们虽然晓得这些事，并且在你们已有的真道上坚固，我却要将这些事常常提醒你们。我以为应当趁我还在这帐棚的时候提醒你们，激发你们；因为知道我脱离这帐棚的时候快到了，正如我们主耶稣基督所指示我的。并且我要尽心竭力，使你们在我去世以后，时常纪念这些事。”{PCP 59.2}[20]
§55
“I will not be negligent“, the apostle continued, “to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.“?{PCP 59.2}[20]
§56
彼得很有资格讲论上帝对于人类所有的旨意。因为当基督在地上传道时，彼得已经看见和听到许多有关天国的事物。他提醒众信徒说：“我们从前将我们主耶稣基督的大能，和祂降临的事告诉你们，并不是随从乖巧捏造的虚言，乃是亲眼见过祂的威荣。祂从父上帝得尊贵荣耀的时候，从极大荣光之中，有声音出来向祂说：这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的；我们同祂在圣山的时候，亲自听见这声音从天上出来。” {PCP 59.3}[21]
§57
The apostle was well qualified to speak of the purposes of God concerning the human race; for during the earthly ministry of Christ he had seen and heard much that pertained to the kingdom of God. “We have not followed cunningly devised fables“, he reminded the believers, “when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.“?{PCP 59.3}[21]
§58
【预言是危险时辰的可靠向导】
§59
这种有关信徒希望的可靠证据虽然是如此确切，但先知预言所作的见证却是更可靠的证据。人人的信心都可以因这种见证而加强，并且得着牢靠的锚。彼得说：“我们并有先知更确的预言，如同灯照在暗处；你们在这预言上留意，直等到天发亮，晨星在你们心里出现的时候，才是好的。第一要紧的，该知道经上所有的预言，没有可随私意解说的；因为预言从来没有出于人意的，乃是人被圣灵感动，说出上帝的话来。”?{PCP 59.4}[22]
§60
【Prophecy a safe guide in times of peril】
§61
Yet convincing as was this evidence of the certainty of the believers’hope, there was another still more convincing in the witness of prophecy, through which the faith of all might be confirmed and securely anchored. “We have also“, Peter declared, “a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private?interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.“?{PCP 59.4}[22]
§62
使徒一面高举“更确的预言”作为危险时日的可靠向导，一面严肃地警告教会务要防备虚谎预言的灯火。这是一班“假师傅”所要提倡的，他们“私自引进陷害人的异端，连买他们的主他们也不承认。”这些假师傅将要在教会中兴起，并为许多同道弟兄所承认为真教师。但彼得却把他们比作“无水的井，是狂风催逼的雾气，有墨黑的幽暗为他们存留。”彼得说：“他们末后的景况，就比先前更不好了。他们晓得义路，竟背弃了传给他们的圣命，倒不如不晓得为妙。” {PCP 60.1}[23]
§63
While exalting the “sure word of prophecy” as a safe guide in times of peril, the apostle solemnly warned the church against the torch of false prophecy, which would be uplifted by “false teachers,” who would privily bring in “damnable heresies, even denying the Lord.” These false teachers, arising in the church and accounted true by many of their brethren in the faith, the apostle compared to “wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.” “The latter end is worse with them,” he declared, “than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”?{PCP 60.1}[23]
§64
【基督复临前世界的状态】
§65
彼得从各世代一直展望到末时。他受到圣灵的感动，叙述那在基督复临之前世界所呈现的状态。他写道：“在末时必有好讥诮的人，随从自己的私欲出来讥诮说：主要降临的应许在哪里呢？因为从列祖睡了以来，万物与起初创造的时候仍是一样。”但“人正说平安稳妥的时候，灾祸忽然临到他们”（帖前5:3）。然而总有一些人不至于受仇敌诡计的迷惑。当地上万物的结局临近时，必有一些忠诚的信徒能辨识时事的预兆。正当许多有名无实的信徒在行动上否定自己的信仰时，另外却有一班“忍耐到底”的余民。{PCP 60.2}[24]
§66
【World conditions prior to Christ’s second coming】
§67
Looking down through the ages to the close of time, Peter was inspired to outline conditions that would exist in the world just prior to the second coming of Christ. “There shall come in the last days scoffers,” he wrote, “walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” But “when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them.”?1 Thessalonians 5:3. Not all, however, would be ensnared by the enemy’s devices. As the end of all things earthly should approach, there would be faithful ones able to discern the signs of the times. While a large number of professing believers would deny their faith by their works, there would be a remnant who would endure to the end.?{PCP 60.2}[24]
§68
彼得常把基督复临的指望保持在心中，并常向教会保证救主以下的应许必定实现：“我若去为你们预备了地方，就必再来接你们到我那里去”（约14:3）。在一般经受考验而依然忠心的人，基督的再来似乎是已经迟延很久了。但彼得坚定他们的信心说：“主所应许的尚未成就，有人以为祂是耽延；其实不是耽延，乃是宽容你们，不愿有一人沉沦，乃愿人人都悔改。但主的日子要象贼来到一样；那日，天必大有响声废去，有形质的都要被烈火销化，地和其上的物都要烧尽了。” {PCP 60.3}[25]
§69
Peter kept alive in his heart the hope of Christ’s return, and he assured the church of the certain fulfillment of the Saviour’s promise, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself.”?John 14:3. To the tried and faithful ones the coming might seem long delayed, but the apostle assured them: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.?{PCP 60.3}[25]
§70
“这一切既然都要如此销化，你们为人该当怎样圣洁、怎样敬虔，切切仰望上帝的日子来到。在那日，天被火烧就销化了，有形质的都要被烈火熔化。我们照祂的应许，盼望新天新地，有义居在其中。” {PCP 61.1}[26]
§71
“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.?{PCP 61.1}[26]
§72
“亲爱的弟兄啊！你们既盼望这些事，就当殷勤，使自己没有玷污，无可指摘，安然见主。并且要以我主长久忍耐为得救的因由，就如我们所亲爱的兄弟保罗，照着所赐给他的智慧，写了信给你们。……亲爱的弟兄啊！你们既然预先知道这些事，就当防备，恐怕被恶人的错谬诱惑，就从自己坚固的地步上坠落。你们却要在我们主救主耶稣基督的恩典和知识上有长进。” {PCP 61.2}[27]
§73
“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you.... Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”?{PCP 61.2}[27]
§74
【彼得在罗马被囚】
§75
由于上帝的引领，彼得终于在罗马结束了他一生的工作。在那里，约在保罗最后被捕的同时，尼禄皇帝下令把彼得也监禁起来了。如此，这两个老成练达的使徒虽然多年在工作上关山远隔，却要在欧西世界的中心都市为基督作他们最后的见证，在那里流出鲜血，作为后代许多圣徒与殉道者广大“庄稼”的“种子”。{PCP 61.3}[28]
§76
【Peter’s imprisonment in Rome】
§77
In the providence of God, Peter was permitted to close his ministry in Rome, where his imprisonment was ordered by the emperor Nero about the time of Paul’s final arrest. Thus the two veteran apostles, who for many years had been widely separated in their labors, were to bear their last witness for Christ in the world’s metropolis, and upon its soil to shed their blood as the seed of a vast harvest of saints and martyrs.?{PCP 61.3}[28]
§78
自从彼得否认基督而又恢复使徒的职分以来，他一直是赴汤蹈火，冒险犯难的。在他宣讲钉十字架，复活而升天的救主时，他常表现忠诚的勇敢。当他最后被收在监狱里时，他回忆起基督向他说过的话：“我实实在在地告诉你：你年少的时候，自己束上带子，随意往来，但年老的时候，你要伸出手来，别人要把你束上，带你到不愿意去的地方”（约21:18）。耶稣如此向这位门徒说明了他死的方式，甚至预言到他在十字架上伸手的情形。{PCP 61.4}[29]
§79
Since his reinstatement after his denial of Christ, Peter had unflinchingly braved danger and had shown a noble courage in preaching a crucified, risen, and ascended Saviour. As he lay in his cell he called to mind the words that Christ had spoken to him: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.”?John 21:18. Thus Jesus had made known to the disciple the very manner of his death, and even foretold the stretching of his hands upon the cross.?{PCP 61.4}[29]
§80
【彼得殉身】
§81
彼得是罗马人所视为“外籍”的犹太人，故被判鞭打，并被钉十字架。彼得一想到这种可怕的死，就回忆起自己在耶稣受审时所犯否认基督的大罪。那时，他还不能接受十字架之意，但如今他却欢喜为福音殉命，只是觉得自己既然否认过自己的主，现在让他像他夫子一样钉死，这实在是太光荣了。彼得固然已经悔改，并蒙基督给予他喂养群羊的崇高使命，表明主已经原谅了他，但他总不能原谅自己。就是当前可怕的境遇所使他想起的惨痛死刑，也不足以减轻他为罪忧伤悔恨的苦楚，他向执死刑的人提出最后的要求，让他倒钉十字架。他们批准了他的这个要求。这个伟大的使徒就这样牺牲了。（AA 529-537）?{PCP 61.5}[30]
§82
【The death of Peter】
§83
Peter, as a Jew and a foreigner, was condemned to be scourged and crucified. In prospect of this fearful death, the apostle remembered his great sin in denying Jesus in the hour of His trial. Once so unready to acknowledge the cross, he now counted it a joy to yield up his life for the gospel, feeling only that, for him who had denied his Lord, to die in the same manner as his Master died?was too great an honor. Peter had sincerely repented of that sin and had been forgiven by Christ, as is shown by the high commission given him to feed the sheep and lambs of the flock. But he could never forgive himself. Not even the thought of the agonies of the last terrible scene could lessen the bitterness of his sorrow and repentance. As a last favor he entreated his executioners that he might be nailed to the cross with his head downward. The request was granted, and in this manner died the great apostle Peter. (The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 52).?{PCP 61.5}[30]