第52章 教会的纪律
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第52章 教会的纪律
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Chap. 52—Church Discipline
§3
上帝的子民在应付行为错误之教友的事上，宜谨慎遵行救主在《马太福音》第十八章所指示的教训。{7T 260.1}[1]
§4
In dealing with erring church members, God’s people are carefully to follow the instruction given by the Saviour in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew.?{7T 260.1}[1]
§5
人类是基督的产业，是祂用无限的代价买来的，因祂自己和祂父向他们所彰显的爱而联系于祂。既然如此，我们彼此在对待弟兄的事上该当如何的谨慎啊！人无权恶意猜疑自己的同胞。教友无权随着自己的冲动和意向，来处置行错事的同道，甚至也不应该发表自己对那行错事之人的成见；因为那样行，就是将恶酵放在别人的心中了。往往有对于一位弟兄或姐妹不利的报告在教友中间传来传去。因为有人不愿遵行主耶稣的指示，以致铸成了大错，枉屈正直。{7T 260.2}[2]
§6
Human beings are Christ’s property, purchased by Him at an infinite price, bound to Him by the love that He and His Father have manifested for them. How careful, then, we should be in our dealing with one another! Men have no right to surmise evil in regard to their fellow men. Church members have no right to follow their own impulses and inclinations in dealing with fellow members who have erred. They should not even express their prejudices regarding the erring, for thus they place in other minds the leaven of evil. Reports unfavorable to a brother or sister in the church are communicated from one to another of the church members. Mistakes are made and injustice is done because of an unwillingness on the part of someone to follow the directions given by the Lord Jesus.?{7T 260.2}[2]
§7
基督说：“倘若你弟兄得罪你，你就去趁着只有他和你在一处的时候，指出他的错来”（太18:15）。不要将弟兄的错告诉别人。因为若是告诉了一个人，则这人告诉别人，而别人又告诉别人，以致消息传开，祸害扩大，直至全教会均蒙其害。应当“趁着只有他和你在一处的时候，”将问题解决，这才是上帝的方策。“不要冒失出去与人争竞，免得至终被他羞辱，你就不知道怎样行了。你与邻舍争讼，要与他一人辩论，不可泄漏人的密事”（箴25:8,9）。你的弟兄犯罪，固然不可姑息，但也不可在人面前揭露他的错处，从而加增困难，以致你的劝责，犹如报复一样。应当按照上帝圣言中指明的方法去矫正他。{7T 260.3}[3]
§8
“If thy brother shall trespass against thee,” Christ declared, “go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone.”?Matthew 18:15. Do not tell others of the wrong. One person is told, then another, and still another; and continually the report grows, and the evil increases, till the whole church is made to suffer. Settle the matter “between thee and him alone.” This is God’s plan. “Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another.”?Proverbs 25:8, 9. Do not suffer sin upon your brother; but do not expose him, and thus increase the difficulty,?making the reproof seem like a revenge. Correct him in the way outlined in the word of God.?{7T 260.3}[3]
§9
不要让怨愤积成毒心。不要让伤口生脓，流出有毒的言语，使听见的人脑中受污染。不要让痛苦怀恨的思想继续充塞于你和他的心中。要到你的弟兄那里去，存着谦卑和诚意，与他谈论那件事。{7T 261.1}[4]
§10
Do not suffer resentment to ripen into malice. Do not allow the wound to fester and break out in poisoned words, which taint the minds of those who hear. Do not allow bitter thoughts to continue to fill your mind and his. Go to your brother, and in humility and sincerity talk with him about the matter.?{7T 261.1}[4]
§11
无论罪行的性质如何，总不可改变上帝所规定解决误会与个人伤害的方法。本着基督的精神与有错的人单独交谈，往往能将难处解决。当满心存着基督的爱和同情，到有错的弟兄那里，设法调解这事，当心平气和地与他理论。禁止己口不说急躁的话。只设法引起他明智的判断。要记得有话说：“这人该知道叫一个罪人从迷路上转回，便是救一个灵魂不死，并且遮盖许多的罪”（雅5:20）。{7T 261.2}[5]
§12
Whatever the character of the offense, this does not change the plan that God has made for the settlement of misunderstandings and personal injuries. Speaking alone and in the spirit of Christ to the one who is in fault will often remove the difficulty. Go to the erring one, with a heart filled with Christ’s love and sympathy, and seek to adjust the matter. Reason with him calmly and quietly. Let no angry words escape your lips. Speak in a way that will appeal to his better judgment. Remember the words: “He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”?James 5:20.?{7T 261.2}[5]
§13
当设法补救你的弟兄，好使他那不满不睦的毛病获得医治。要尽你的本分帮助他。为了教会的和平与合一，你应当觉得这样行不但是你的义务，也是你的权利。他若听你，你就得了一位朋友。{7T 261.3}[6]
§14
Take to your brother the remedy that will cure the disease of disaffection. Do your part to help him. For the sake of the peace and unity of the church, feel it a privilege as well as a duty to do this. If he will hear you, you have gained him as a friend.?{7T 261.3}[6]
§15
在一位受害的人和那行错的人会面时，全天庭都甚关心。若是那行错的人接受出自基督之爱而发的责备，承认他的错，又在上帝和他的弟兄面前求饶恕，上天的阳光就满照在他的心中。纷争于是消灭；友谊和信任也就恢复。仁爱的油消除了过失所致的创伤。上帝的灵使二人的心彼此相联，天上也要奏乐，庆祝二人的复和。{7T 261.4}[7]
§16
All heaven is interested in the interview between the one who has been injured and the one who is in error. As the erring one accepts the reproof offered in the love of Christ, and acknowledges his wrong, asking forgiveness from God and from his brother, the sunshine of heaven fills his heart. The controversy is ended; friendship and confidence are restored. The oil of love removes the soreness caused by the wrong. The Spirit of God?binds heart to heart, and there is music in heaven over the union brought about.?{7T 261.4}[7]
§17
当那些在基督徒的友谊中这样复和的人向上帝献祈祷，保证自己要行公义，好怜悯，存谦卑的心与上帝同行时，最大的福惠就会临到他们。他们若曾得罪了别人，也当继续悔改，认罪，赔偿损失，彼此和好，决意互相善待。这就成全了基督的律法。{7T 262.1}[8]
§18
As those thus united in Christian fellowship offer prayer to God and pledge themselves to deal justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God, great blessing comes to them. If they have wronged others they continue the work of repentance, confession, and restitution, fully set to do good to one another. This is the fulfilling of the law of Christ.?{7T 262.1}[8]
§19
“他若不听，你就另外带一两个人同去，要凭两三个人的口作见证，句句都可定准”（太18:16）。你当请属灵的人与你同去，与那行错的人谈到他的错误。也许他因为看见弟兄们的意见都一致，心思遂得开导。{7T 262.2}[9]
§20
“But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”?Matthew 18:16. Take with you those who are spiritually minded, and talk with the one in error in regard to the wrong. He may yield to the united appeals of his brethren. As he sees their agreement in the matter, his mind may be enlightened.?{7T 262.2}[9]
§21
他“若是不听他们，”又当怎样办呢？几个人开一个议事会，就可负责把这行错的弟兄除名吗？在太18:17上告诉我们说：“若是不听他们，就告诉教会。”让教会表决有关教友的事。{7T 262.3}[10]
§22
“And if he shall neglect to hear them,” what then shall be done? Shall a few persons in a board meeting take upon themselves the responsibility of disfellowshiping the erring one? “If he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto?the church.”?Verse 17. Let the church take action in regard to its members.?{7T 262.3}[10]
§23
但他“若是不听教会，就看他象外邦人和税吏一样”（太18:17）。若是他不听教会的公意，拒绝一切为求挽回他所做的努力，那么，教会就有责任使他与团体分离。他的名字应该从教友名册中除去。{7T 262.4}[11]
§24
“But if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”?Verse 17. If he will not heed the voice of the church, if he refuses all the efforts made to reclaim him, upon the church rests the responsibility of separating him from fellowship. His name should then be stricken from the books.?{7T 262.4}[11]
§25
但在未曾忠心实行基督的指示之前，无论哪一个教会的职员，无论哪一个委员会，无论哪一个教会的投票，都不可主张，提议，和表决，将一个行错事者的名字从教友名册上除去。若依从上述的指示，教会在上帝面前的责任就清楚了。然后必使此恶事的真相大白，全然革除，以免继续扩大。教会必须保持她的纯洁和健全，俾能毫无玷污地站在上帝面前，披着基督的义袍。{7T 262.5}[12]
§26
No church officer should advise, no committee should recommend, nor should any church vote, that the name of a wrongdoer shall be removed from the church books, until the instruction given by Christ has been faithfully followed. When this instruction has been followed, the?church has cleared herself before God. The evil must then be made to appear as it is, and must be removed, that it may not become more and more widespread. The health and purity of the church must be preserved, that she may stand before God unsullied, clad in the robes of Christ’s righteousness.?{7T 262.5}[12]
§27
如果作错事的人悔罪改过，并且服从基督的规律，则应给他另一次的机会。设或他怙恶不悛，即使他已在教会之外，上帝的仆人仍应为他下一番功夫。他们当诚挚地设法引他悔改。而且不论他过去所犯的罪是如何的严重，只要他降服于圣灵的感化之下，由于认罪弃罪，表现悔改的凭据，就当饶恕他，欢迎他重归羊圈。他的弟兄们应当在正道上鼓励他，设身处地的用合适方法对待他；又当自己小心，恐怕也被引诱。{7T 263.1}[13]
§28
If the erring one repents and submits to Christ’s discipline, he is to be given another trial. And even if he does not repent, even if he stands outside the church, God’s servants still have a work to do for him. They are to seek earnestly to win him to repentance. And, however aggravated may have been his offense, if he yields to the striving of the Holy Spirit and, by confessing and forsaking his sin, gives evidence of repentance, he is to be forgiven and welcomed to the fold again. His brethren are to encourage him in the right way, treating him as they would wish to be treated were they in his place, considering themselves lest they also be tempted.?{7T 263.1}[13]
§29
基督继续又说道：“我实在告诉你们：凡你们在地上所捆绑的，在天上也要捆绑；凡你们在地上所释放的，在天上也要释放”（太18:18）。{7T 263.2}[14]
§30
“Verily I say unto you,” Christ continued, “whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”?Verse 18.?{7T 263.2}[14]
§31
这个声明是历代以来都有效的。教会已获授权要替基督行事。教会就是上帝在祂子民之中维持纪律和秩序的工具。主已授权教会解决一切关乎教会本身的兴旺，纯洁，和秩序等问题。如有不配的教友，以非基督化的行为使真理受辱，教会就有革除他们的责任。凡是教会照着上帝圣言中的指示而行的，在天上都蒙认可。{7T 263.3}[15]
§32
This statement holds its force in all ages. On the church has been conferred the power to act in Christ’s stead. It is God’s instrumentality for the preservation of order and discipline among His people. To it the Lord has delegated the power to settle all questions respecting its prosperity, purity, and order. Upon it rests the responsibility of excluding from its fellowship those who are unworthy, who by their un-Christlike conduct would bring dishonor on the truth. Whatever the church does that is in accordance with the directions given in God’s word will be ratified in heaven.?{7T 263.3}[15]
§33
凡有重大关系的事情，都应当由教会解决。那受上帝委派作祂子民之领导者的传道人们，在尽了自己的责任以后，就当把事情完全交给教会，俾获一致的决定。{7T 263.4}[16]
§34
Matters of grave import come up for settlement by?the church. God’s ministers, ordained by Him as guides of His people, after doing their part are to submit the whole matter to the church, that there may be unity in the decision made.?{7T 263.4}[16]
§35
主切望其门徒在彼此相待的事上十分谨慎。他们固应提拔人，挽回人，医治人。然而在教会里面也不可疏忽正当的纪律。教友应当把自己看作是学校里的学生，学习怎样培养自己与崇高的呼召相称的品格。上帝的子民须在这地上的教会里，为将来天上教会里的大团圆作准备。凡在此世与基督和谐生活的人，方可希望将来在得赎者的家中得享无尽的生命。{7T 264.1}[17]
§36
The Lord desires His followers to exercise great care in dealing with one another. They are to lift up, to restore, to heal. But there is to be in the church no neglect of proper discipline. The members are to regard themselves as pupils in a school, learning how to form characters worthy of their high calling. In the church here below, God’s children are to be prepared for the great reunion in the church above. Those who here live in harmony with Christ may look forward to an endless life in the family of the redeemed.?{7T 264.1}[17]
§37
上帝对于堕落之人类的爱，乃是爱的一种奇异的表现──是一种从恩典而生的爱，因为这原是全体人类所不配享受的。“恩典”一词便含有受恩者是不完全的意思。只因罪的缘故，恩典才发生其积极的作用。{7T 264.2}[18]
§38
God’s love for the fallen race is a peculiar manifestation of love—a love born of mercy, for human beings are all undeserving. Mercy implies imperfection of the object toward which it is shown. It is because of sin that mercy was brought into active exercise.?{7T 264.2}[18]
§39
在你建设品格的事上，或许有不少的工作要作，因为你是一块顽石，必须先加一番切磋琢磨，然后才可以在上帝的殿中占有一席地位。当上帝在你身上施以斧斤，削除你品格中的棱角，使你能适合祂为你安排的位置时，你毋庸惊奇。因为对于这种工作，世人无能为力；惟独上帝才能完成。同时也尽可放心，祂必不至施以无益的打击。每一次的击打都是本乎爱，也都是为了你永生的福乐。祂明了你的弱点，并且是从事恢复，而不是从事破坏。{7T 264.3}[19]
§40
It may be that much work needs to be done in your character building, that you are a rough stone, which must be squared and polished before it can fill a place in God’s temple. You need not be surprised if with hammer and chisel God cuts away the sharp corners of your character until you are prepared to fill the place He has for you. No human being can accomplish this work. Only by God can it be done. And be assured that He will not strike one useless blow. His every blow is struck in love, for your eternal happiness. He knows your infirmities and works to restore, not to destroy.?{7T 264.3}[19]