第18章 帐棚聚会有助于基督徒服务
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第18章 帐棚聚会有助于基督徒服务
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Chap. 18 - The Camp-Meeting an Aid in Christian Service
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【重要性】
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帐棚大会是我们工作最重要的工具之一。这种聚会乃是吸引众人注意的最有效方法之一。（《证言》卷六第31页）{ChS 194.1}[1]
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【Importance】
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The camp-meeting is one of the most important agencies in our work. It is one of the most effective methods of arresting the attention of the people.--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 31. {ChS 194.1}[1]
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我们在工作上一直困惑，不知怎样打破世俗与成见的阻碍，在他们面前提出那与他们有极大关系的宝贵真理。主已指示我们，帐棚大会是成就这项工作最重要的工具之一。（《证言》卷六第31，32页）{ChS 194.2}[2]
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In our work we have been perplexed to know how to break through the barriers of worldliness and prejudice, and bring before the people the precious truth which means so much to them. The Lord has instructed us that the camp-meeting is one of the most important instrumentalities for the accomplishment of this work.--Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 31, 32. {ChS 194.2}[2]
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公共聚会的目的是什么呢？难道是要用祷告来把我们所知道的一切向上帝说明及指教祂吗？我们相聚一堂，乃是要彼此交换思想感情而互相造就，彼此了解各人的盼望和志向而互相得到力量、光明和胆量。本着信心献上我们恳切衷心的祷告，使我们从能力之源领受奋兴和活力。（《证言》卷二578页）{ChS 194.3}[3]
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【Object】
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What is the object of assembling together? Is it to inform God, to instruct Him by telling Him all we know in prayer? We meet together to edify one another by an interchange of thoughts and feelings, to gather strength, and light, and courage by becoming acquainted with one anothers hopes and aspirations; by our earnest, heartfelt prayers, offered up in faith, we receive refreshment and vigor from the Source of our strength.--Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 578. {ChS 194.3}[3]
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我们的帐棚大会还有一个目的，就是……要促进我们信徒的属灵生命。……上帝已托付我们一项非常神圣的工作。我们需要聚集在一起领受教训，好使我们适于完成这项工作。我们需要明白个人蒙召要尽什么本分，好在地上增进上帝圣工，维护上帝圣洁的律法，高举救主为“上帝的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的”（约1:29）。我们需要彼此聚集，领受神圣的感触，好使我们可以了解我们在家中的工作。（《证言》卷六第32，33页）{ChS 194.4}[4]
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Our camp-meetings have another object. . . . They are to promote spiritual life among our own people. . . . God has committed to our hands a most sacred work, and we need to meet together to receive instruction, that we may be fitted to perform this work. We need to understand what part we shall individually be called upon to act in building up the cause of God in the earth, in vindicating Gods holy law, and in lifting up the Saviour as the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29. We need to meet together and receive the divine touch that we may understand our work in the home.--Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 32, 33. {ChS 194.4}[4]
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帐棚聚会如能行之得当，就等于一所学校，可使牧师，长老，和执事们学会为主作更完美的工作。它也应该成为一所学校，以便教友，无论老少，都有机会能更加完全地学习主的道路，并使信徒们接受一种对己对人都有帮助的教育。（《证言》卷六第49页）{ChS 195.1}[5]
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Properly conducted, the camp-meeting is a school where pastors, elders, and deacons can learn to do more perfect work for the Master. It should be a school where the members of the church, old and young, are given opportunity to learn the way of the Lord more perfectly, a place where believers can receive an education that will help them to help others.--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 49. {ChS 195.1}[5]
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在已往的年会中，上帝的仆人曾利用了不少可贵的机会，将在亲戚朋友间传扬第三位天使信息之救人真理的实际方法，教导我们的人。有许多人从此学得了如何在自己本地作自养的布道士。也有许多人每年赴了这种年会回家以后，比从前更加热诚，更加聪敏地作工。如果参赴帐篷大会的教会肢体从会中所得到的这种实际教训，比较过去几年所得到的更多，那么上帝就必喜悦了。我们总会的职工以及各区会的弟兄姐妹，都应该记得召开年会的一个目的，就是要使大家得着一种作个人布道工作之实用方法的知识。（《证言》卷九81页）{ChS 195.2}[6]
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In connection with our camp-meetings in past years, Gods servants have improved many precious opportunities for instructing our people in practical methods of presenting the saving truths of the third angels message to their friends and acquaintances. Many have been taught how to labor as self-supporting missionaries in their home communities. Many have returned home from these annual gatherings, to labor with greater zeal and intelligence than hitherto. It would be pleasing to God if far more of this practical instruction were given the church members who attend our camp-meetings, than has usually been given in years past. Our general workers and our brethren and sisters in every conference should remember that one of the objects of our annual gatherings is that all may gain a knowledge of practical methods of personal missionary work.--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 81. {ChS 195.2}[6]
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有些区会的领袖对于采用这些实际的教导方法，还在犹豫不决。有的人生性是倾向于说教而不愿施教的，然而在每届年会之时，我们决不可错过这个机会，而不教导信徒在自己住的地方做实际布道的工作。（《证言》卷九82页）{ChS 195.3}[7]
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In some of our conferences, the leaders have hesitated to introduce these practical methods of instruction. Some are naturally inclined to sermonize rather than to teach. But on such occasions as our annual camp-meetings, we must never lose sight of the opportunities afforded for teaching the believers how to do practical missionary work in the place where they may live.--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 82. {ChS 195.3}[7]
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【布道方法的实际示范】
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通过参与帐棚聚会的工作，所有人都可以学会如何在本地教会成功地做工。（《证言》卷六第49页）{ChS 195.4}[8]
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【Practical Demonstration of Missionary Methods】
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By engaging in work at the camp-meeting, all may be learning how to work successfully in their home churches.-- Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 49. {ChS 195.4}[8]
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在我们的有些帐棚大会中，曾组织数队效率极高的工人，到城市及近郊分散印刷品，邀请人来赴会。这种方法使数百人在会期的后半部经常赴会；否则这些人也许不想来赴会。（《证言》卷六第36页）{ChS 195.5}[9]
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At some of our camp-meetings, strong companies of workers have been organized to go out into the city and its suburbs to distribute literature and invite people to the meetings. By this means hundreds of persons were secured as regular attendants during the last half of the meeting who otherwise might have thought little about it.-- Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 36. {ChS 195.5}[9]
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我们参赴帐棚聚会，不仅是为了领受，也是为了施予。凡与基督赦罪的爱有份，蒙圣灵光照并悔改归向真理的人，就会因领受这些宝贵的福气，而感到欠了每一个所接触之人的债。主会使用那些内心谦卑的人去接触任命的传道人所无法接触的人。他们将受感说出显示基督拯救恩典的话来。（《证言》卷六43页）{ChS 196.1}[10]
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We can go to the camp-meeting, not merely to receive, but to impart. Every one who is a partaker of Christs pardoning love, every one who has been enlightened by the Spirit of God and converted to the truth, will feel that for these precious blessings he owes a debt to every soul with whom he comes in contact. Those who are humble in heart the Lord will use to reach souls whom the ordained ministers cannot reach. They will be moved to speak words which reveal the saving grace of Christ.--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 43. {ChS 196.1}[10]
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我们若照着上帝的计划成为“与上帝同工的，”则不论站在什么地位──无论是会长，传道人，教员，学生，或平信徒──主都叫我们负责利用一切机会，教导凡需要现代真理的人。出版物是上帝所指定给我们传道的主要方法之一。在我们的学校和疗养院中，在当地的教会中，尤其是在每年的年会中，我们都须学习善用这种可贵的媒介。凡蒙选召的工人当以孜孜不倦的精神去教导我们的人如何藉着仁慈动人的态度，接近不信的人；如何将那些清楚有力地表明现代真理的书报，放在他们的手里。（《证言》卷九86，87页）{ChS 196.2}[11]
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When we follow plans of the Lords devising, we are laborers together with God. Whatever our position,-- whether presidents of conferences, ministers, teachers, students, or lay members,--we are held accountable by the Lord for making the most of our opportunities to enlighten those in need of present truth. And one of the principal agencies He has ordained for our use is the printed page. In our schools and sanitariums, in our home churches, and particularly in our annual camp-meetings, we must learn to make a wise use of this precious agency. With patient diligence, chosen workers must instruct our people how to approach unbelievers in a kindly, winning way, and how to place in their hands literature in which the truth for this time is presented with clearness and power.--Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 86, 87. {ChS 196.2}[11]
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我们帐篷大会的工作，不该照人的计划进行，乃须遵照基督的工作方式。应当引导信徒们出去作工。（《证言》卷九第120页）{ChS 196.3}[12]
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The work at our camp-meetings should be conducted, not according to mans devising, but after the manner of Christs working. The church members should be drawn out to labor.--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 120. {ChS 196.3}[12]
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【帐棚聚会在我们临近末期时的特别情况】
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我蒙指示，我们的帐棚聚会要增加它的兴趣与成效。我已看出我们既临近末期，在这些聚会中就应少讲道，多查经。要有许多小组在会场各处，各人手中拿着自己的圣经，以一种自由的、谈话的方式，由不同的人带领查经。（《证言》卷六第87页）{ChS 196.4}[13]
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【Special Feature of Camp-Meetings Near the--End of Time】
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It has been shown me that our camp-meetings are to increase in interest and success. As we approach nearer the end, I have seen that in these meetings there will be less preaching, and more Bible study. There will be little groups all over the ground with their Bibles in their hands, and different ones leading out in a free, conversational study of the Scriptures.--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 87. {ChS 196.4}[13]
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【聚会缺席的严重损失】
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我们帐棚聚会的安排与举行，费用很大。提倡不受欢迎之真理的上帝的传道人们在这些大聚会中格外出力作工，传扬那由被钉十字架的救赎主向可怜堕落的罪人发出的慈悲信息。人若忽略这些信息，或是对之漠不关心，便是轻看上帝的慈悲和祂警告和恳劝的声音。你缺席这些聚会对你属灵的福利大有损害。你没有得到原可藉着听人传讲上帝的道和与相信真理的人聚在一起得到的力量。（《证言》卷四第115页）{ChS 197.1}[14]
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【Serious Loss in Remaining Away】
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Our camp-meetings are arranged and held at great expense. Gods ministers who advocate unpopular truth, labor excessively at these large gatherings to bear the message of mercy from a crucified Redeemer to poor fallen sinners. To neglect or treat these messages with indifference, is to slight the mercy of God and His voice of warning and entreaty. Your absence from these meetings has been very detrimental to your spiritual welfare. You have missed the strength that you might have gained there by listening to the preached word of God, and mingling with the believers of the truth.--Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 115. {ChS 197.1}[14]
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要一家的人挺身而起，当耶稣的代表，在不信的邻里中遵守上帝的律法，此事非同小可。我们奉命要作“被众人所知道所念诵的”活书信。这个地位涉及庄严的职责。为了生活在光中，你必须来到有光照亮之处。K弟兄应意识到负有严肃的责任，不顾任何牺牲，同家人至少出席一年一度的与爱真理之人在一起的聚会。这会使他和他们刚强起来，并预备他们适于应付试炼及实行本分。他们若失去这与同一信仰之人结交的好机会，是不好的，因为真理既在他们的头脑中失去其重要性，他们的心就不再被其成圣的影响所光照所启发。他们也就丧失了属灵的生命。他们没有得到传道人话语的勉励。世俗的思想和世俗的事业不断地占据他们的心，使他们排除了属灵的观念。（《证言》卷四第106页）{ChS 197.2}[15]
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It is no small matter for a family to stand as representatives of Jesus, keeping Gods law in an unbelieving community. We are required to be living epistles, known and read of all men. This position involves fearful responsibilities. In order to live in the light, you must come where the light shines. Brother K, at any sacrifice, should feel under solemn obligation to attend, with his family, at least the yearly gatherings of those who love the truth. It would strengthen him and them, and fit them for trial and duty. It is not well for them to lose the privilege of associating with those of like faith; for the truth loses its importance in their minds, their hearts cease to be enlightened and vivified by its sanctifying influence, and they lose spirituality. They are not strengthened by the words of the living preacher. Worldly thoughts and worldly enterprises are continually exercising their minds to the exclusion of spiritual subjects. --Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 106. {ChS 197.2}[15]
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愿所有的人都能够尽可能来参加这些每年的聚集。所有的人都应当感到这是上帝对他们的要求。如果他们不利用这些特权，就是上帝所提供、使他们在祂和祂恩典的能力中变得坚强的特权，他们就会变得越来越软弱，越来越不愿意全心奉献给上帝。{ChS 197.3}[16]
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Let all who possibly can, attend these yearly gatherings. All should feel that God requires this of them. If they do not avail themselves of the privileges which He has provided that they may become strong in Him and in the power of His grace, they will grow weaker and weaker, and have less and less desire to consecrate all to God. {ChS 197.3}[16]
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来吧，弟兄姐妹们，来参加这些神圣的宗教聚会，来寻找耶稣。祂会来赴宴。祂会临格，且会为你成就你最需要的事情。你不应当将自己的农场看得比你灵魂的更高利益更为重要。你所拥有的一切财富，无论它们多么值钱，都不足以为你买来平安和希望，这些才会成为无限的收获，即使它使你付上一切所有和毕生的辛劳痛苦。对于永恒之事拥有清晰稳健的观念，甘心乐意将一切交托给基督，这比你今生一切的财富、享乐和荣耀都更加宝贵。（《证言》卷二第575，576页）{ChS 198.1}[17]
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Come, brethren and sisters, to these sacred convocation meetings, to find Jesus. He will come up to the feast. He will be present, and He will do for you that which you most need to have done. Your farms should not be considered of greater value than the higher interests of the soul. All the treasures which you possess, be they ever so valuable, would not be rich enough to buy you peace and hope, which would be infinite gain, if it cost you all you have and the toils and sufferings of a lifetime. A strong, clear sense of eternal things, and a heart willing to yield all to Christ, are blessings of more value than all the riches, and pleasures, and glories of this world.--Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 575, 576. {ChS 198.1}[17]