第09章 文字布道与查经工作
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第09章 文字布道与查经工作
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Chap. 9—The Canvasser and Bible Work
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我收到来信，询问有关文字布道士义务的问题。有些人说他们在访问人时有好机会介绍现代真理，几乎被迫给人查经。他们在良心上不能忽视这些机会。另一方面，有些来信说我们的文字布道士正在为了给人就教义问题查经而忽视自己的工作，并且因为这种查经而引起了偏见，以致难以推销他们的书。有些人就这些问题请求忠告。CEv 59.1[1]
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Letters have been received by me, making inquiries in regard to the duties of the canvasser. Some have said that in visiting the people they have found favorable opportunities for presenting the truth for this time, and have almost been forced into giving Bible readings. These opportunities they could not conscientiously neglect. On the other hand, letters come saying that our canvassers are neglecting their work in order to give Bible readings upon doctrinal subjects, and that the prejudice aroused by these readings has made it difficult for the canvasser to deliver his books; and some are asking counsel in regard to these matters.?{CEv 59.1}[1]
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【不要细述教义问题--我们认为这两种说法都是事实】
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文字布道士有好机会引导人们更好地明白圣经，而且，因为他们利用这些机会的方式而引起了偏见。当文字布道士开展自己的工作时，不应让自己分心，而应聪明地全力以赴地切中要点。可是他在忠心地推销书报时，也不应忽视帮助那些正在寻求亮光和需要圣经安慰之人的机会。文字布道士若与上帝同行，若是祈求天上的智慧以便在自己的工作中行善而且只是行善，就会迅速看出所接触之人的需要。他要充分利用机会吸引人归向基督，不要细述教义问题，而要细述上帝的爱，细述祂救恩计划的仁慈和良善。他要本着基督的精神随时准备向疲乏的人说合宜的话。CEv 59.2[2]
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【Not to Dwell upon Doctrinal Subjects】
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We think that there is truth in both the statements—that canvassers find favorable opportunities for leading the people to a better understanding of the Bible, and that, because of the way in which they meet these opportunities, prejudice is aroused, and the work hindered. When the canvasser enters upon his work, he should not allow himself to be diverted, but should intelligently keep to the point with all diligence. And yet while he is faithful in his canvassing, he should not neglect opportunities to help those who are seeking for light and who need the consolation of the Scriptures. If the canvasser walks with God, if he prays for heavenly wisdom that he may do good and only good in his labor, he will be quick to discern the needs of those with whom he comes in contact. He will make the most of his opportunities?to draw souls to Christ, not dwelling upon doctrinal subjects, but upon the love of God, upon His mercy and goodness in the plan of salvation. In the spirit of Christ he will be ready to speak a word in season to him that is weary.?{CEv 59.2}[2]
§9
人心的大需要就是认识上帝和祂所差来的耶稣基督。圣经充满实际的教训，是文字布道士可以安全讲解的。他若是能用这种方法传授实际信仰的知识，就会使人得食，因为他们所需要的就是这种宝贵的食物。CEv 60.1[3]
§10
The great need of the soul is to know God and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. The Bible abounds in practical lessons, which the canvasser may safely present. If he can by this means impart a knowledge of practical religion, he will be feeding the people, who need just such precious food.?{CEv 60.1}[3]
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【需要上帝的指导】
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上帝的要求应当总是摆在我们面前。我们决不应该忘记：我们要为本身所行为向上帝交账。文字布道士既负有这种思想，就会为灵魂警醒，就会从没有诡诈的口中祈求智慧好向需要帮助的人说合宜的话。这种工人必不断藉着顺从真理而提高和净化心灵。他们必真实地意识到灵魂的价值，且会充分利用每一个机会使人知道基督恩典的丰盛。文字布道士们要向前去，口中祈祷说：“主啊，祢要我做什么？”他要作工象在上帝眼前和天使面前一样；他要渴望在一切事上蒙上帝嘉许；他的工作也必有果效。CEv 60.2[4]
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【Need of Divine Guidance】
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The claims of God are to be ever before us. We should never forget that we are to give an account for the deeds done in the body. Weighted with this thought, canvassers will watch for souls, and their prayer will go forth from unfeigned lips for wisdom to speak a word in season to those in need of help. Such workers will continually be elevating and purifying the soul through obedience to the truth. They will have a true sense of the value of the soul, and will make the most of every opportunity to make known the riches of the grace of Christ. Let the canvasser go forth with the prayer upon his lips, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” Let him labor as in the sight of God, and in the presence of heavenly angels; let him desire in all things to be approved by God; and his work will not be fruitless.?{CEv 60.2}[4]
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【更少辩论，更多基督】
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我们需要大大减少争论，而多多宣扬基督。我们的救赎主乃是我们一切信仰与希望的中心。那些能传扬祂无比之爱，感动人心，使人把至美至圣的爱情奉献给主的人，乃是在从事伟大圣洁的工作。文字布道士藉着殷勤推销书报，忠心向人介绍髑髅地的十字架，就要加倍其效力。 CEv 60.3[5]
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【Less Controversy, More of Christ】
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We need far less controversy, and far more presentation of Christ. Our Redeemer is the center of?all our faith and hope. Those who can present His matchless love, and inspire hearts to give Him their best and holiest affections, are doing work that is great and holy. By diligence in canvassing, by faithfully presenting to the people the cross of Calvary, the canvasser doubles his usefulness.?{CEv 60.3}[5]
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【温柔地提到耶稣的名字】
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然而在我们提出这些工作方法之时，我们却不能定下一成不变的路线给每个人去遵循，因为环境时势将使各种情形有所变动。上帝必感动那些向真理打开心门及渴望指导的人。祂会对作祂代表的人说：“对这人或对那人讲论耶稣的爱吧。”当本着爱和温柔提到耶稣的名字时，上帝的天使就走近来，软化并折服人心。CEv 61.1[6]
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【The Names of Jesus in Tenderness】
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But while we present these methods of work, we can not lay out an undeviating line for every one to follow. Circumstances alter cases. God will impress those who are longing for guidance. He will say to His human agent, “Speak to this one or that one of the love of Jesus.” No sooner is the name of Jesus mentioned in love and tenderness than angels of God draw near, to soften and subdue the heart.?{CEv 61.1}[6]
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【讲述基督的爱】
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传讲教义问题往往没有特别的果效；在因为听的人早已料到讲的人要力传他们的要道；然而若是细述基督无与伦比的爱，祂的恩典就会感动人心。有许多人诚心寻求亮光，他们不知道应当怎样行才能得救。要向他们述说上帝的爱，和祂为拯救将亡的人而在髑髅地的十字架上所作的牺牲！要告诉他们把自己的心意放在上帝的旨意这一边；“人若立志遵着祂的旨意行，就必晓得这教训或是出于上帝”（约7:17）。CEv 61.2[7]
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【Speak of Christ’s Love】
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Often doctrinal subjects are presented with no special effect; for men expect others to press upon them their doctrines; but when the matchless love of Christ is dwelt upon, His grace impresses the heart. There are many who are sincerely seeking for light, who know not what they must do to be saved. Oh, tell them of the love of God, of the sacrifice made on Calvary’s cross to save the perishing! Tell them to place their will on the side of God’s will; and “if any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God.”?John 7:17.?{CEv 61.2}[7]
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【当他们仰望基督时】
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人若不自己先解决了投诚于上帝的问题，就不能成为一个能成功得人的人。我们个人要披戴主耶稣基督。祂必须成为智慧、公义、圣洁、救赎，才能教导我们中的每一个人。当我们的信心持定基督为我们个人的救主时，我们才会将祂以一种新的亮光摆在他人面前。及至人们仰望基督的本体，他们就不会就教义问题争论，而会逃向祂求赦免、纯洁和永生。CEv 61.3[8]
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【When They Behold Christ】
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No one can be a successful soul winner till he himself has settled the question of surrender to?God. We are individually to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. To each one of us He must become wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. When our faith lays hold upon Christ as our personal Saviour, we shall place Him before others in a new light. And when the people behold Christ as He is, they will not wrangle over doctrines; they will flee to Him for pardon, purity, and eternal life.?{CEv 61.3}[8]
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【最可怕的困难】
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最可怕的困难是遇到这些爱询问之人的文字布道士自己还没有悔改；他自己还没有凭经验知道基督无法测度的爱。他自己若是还没有这种知识，又怎么能告诉别人那古老的宝贵故事呢？人们需要受教知道真信心的本质，就是接受基督和信靠祂为个人救主的方法。他们需要知道可以怎样跟随祂的脚踪行，无论祂往哪里去。工人的脚要亦步亦趋跟随耶稣的脚踪，没有其它的路可以走向天国。CEv 62.1[9]
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【The Difficulty Most Dreaded】
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The difficulty most to be dreaded is that the canvasser who meets these inquiring souls has not himself been converted; that he does not himself know by experience the love of Christ which passes knowledge. If he himself has not this knowledge, how can he tell others the precious old, old story? The people need to be taught the very essence of true faith, the way to accept Christ and to confide in Him as their personal Saviour. They need to know how they may follow His steps whithersoever He goes. Let the feet of the worker follow step by step the footprints of Jesus, and mark out no other way in which to proceed heavenward.?{CEv 62.1}[9]
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【把人带给耶稣会得到安全的保守】
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当藉着这种个人之工把一个人带给基督时，就要把这个内心已经降服、谦卑的人留给上帝去作工；要让上帝督促他做祂看为合适的服务。上帝已应许，祂的恩典足够每一个愿意到祂面前来的人使用。那些投诚于耶稣、敞开心门邀请祂进来的人，必定得蒙安全的保守。祂说：“我就是道路、真理、生命”（约14:6）。他们既拥有耶稣，就拥有了真理。他们必在祂里面得以完全。CEv 62.2[10]
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【Soul Brought to Jesus in Safe Keeping】
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When a soul has been brought to Christ through this personal labor, leave the surrendered, humbled heart for God to work with; let God urge upon him just such service as He sees fit. God has promised that His grace shall be sufficient for everyone who will come unto Him. Those who surrender to Jesus, who open the door of the heart and invite Him in, will be in safekeeping. He?says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”?John 14:6. Possessing Jesus, they will possess truth. They will be complete in Him.?{CEv 62.2}[10]
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【吸引人归向救赎主】
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许多自称基督徒的人已经远离伟大的中心基督，而以自己为中心；但他们若是想要成功地吸引他人归向救主，他们自己必须先回头逃奔祂，并且认识到自己是全然依赖祂恩典的。撒但竭尽所能要切断使人与上帝连在一起的链条；他想把他们的心灵捆绑在他自己的战车上，使他们作奴隶侍奉他；但我们要作工反对他，并要吸引人们归向救赎主。CEv 63.1[11]
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【Draw Men to the Redeemer】
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Many professed Christians have broken away from Christ, the great center, and they make themselves a center; but if they would be successful in attracting others to the Saviour, they must themselves flee back to Him, and realize their utter dependence upon His grace. Satan has tried to the uttermost to sever the chain that unites men to God; he desires to bind their souls to his own car, and make them slaves in his service; but we are to work against him, and drawn men to the Redeemer.?{CEv 63.1}[11]
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【作忠心的学生】
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文字布道士应当作忠心的学生，学习怎样使其工作成功；在这样学习之时，他们应当打开眼睛，耳朵，及心窍，接受从上帝而来的智慧，以便知道如何帮助那些因缺乏对基督的认识而将要灭亡的人。每位工人应当集中精力，运用其才能来从事万般服务之中最高尚的工作，把人从撒但的罗网中救出来，使之与上帝相联，并用由耶稣基督而成的信靠之链，与那有应许之虹环绕着的宝座牢牢系住。—《文字布道士手册》第35-39页. CEv 63.2[12]
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【Be Faithful Students】
§46
Let canvassers be faithful students, learning how to make their work successful; and while thus employed, let them keep their eyes and ears and understanding open to receive wisdom from God, that they may know how to help those who are perishing for lack of a knowledge of Christ. Let every worker concentrate his energies and use his powers for the highest of all service, to recover men from the snare of Satan and bind them to God, making the chain of dependence through Jesus Christ fast to the throne encircled with the rainbow of promise.—Manual for Canvassers, 35-39.?{CEv 63.2}[12]
§47
【迅速传播信息的工具】
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出版工作是一项伟大的善工，可是它没有一直站在上帝希望它站的崇高圣洁的位置上。因为一些从事这项工作的人把自我带进了工作之中。出版工作应成为一种手段，迅速把现代真理的神圣亮光照到世界上去。我们出版社现在所出的书刊应具有一种性质，就是能巩固圣经和圣灵的启示所确立之信仰的每一根标杆和柱石。 CEv 63.3[13]
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【Means of Quickly Giving the Message】
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The work of bookmaking is a grand and good work; but it has not always stood in the high and?holy position that God designed it should occupy, because self has been interwoven with the work of some who have engaged in it. The book work should be the means of quickly giving the sacred light of present truth to the world. The publications that come forth from our presses today are to be of such a character as to strengthen every pin and pillar of the faith that was established by the word of God and by the revelations of His Spirit.?{CEv 63.3}[13]
§51
上帝在这末日赐给祂子民的真理务要在传假道的人进入教会时依然保持坚定站立。在半个多世纪以来坚定地抵挡了仇敌攻击的真理，将仍然成为上帝子民的信靠和安慰。 CEv 64.1[14]
§52
The truth that God has given for His people in these last days should keep them firm when there come into the church those who present false theories. The truth that has stood firm against the attacks of the enemy for more than half a century must still be the confidence and comfort of God’s people.?{CEv 64.1}[14]
§53
我们向非信徒证明我们拥有圣经真理的证据，表现在严格舍已的生活之中。我们不可使我们的信仰成为笑柄，而要始终仰望主的榜样。祂身为天上之王，却屈尊过一种舍己牺牲的生活，维护祂父圣言的公义。我们每一个人都应下决心尽自己的努力，使我们好行为的光照在世界上。—《教会证言》卷九第69, 70页。CEv 64.2[15]
§54
Our evidence to nonprofessors that we have the truth of the word of God will be given in a life of strict self-denial. We must not make a mockery of our faith, but ever keep before us the example of Him who, though He was the Prince of heaven, stooped to a life of self-denial and sacrifice to vindicate the righteousness of His Father’s word. Let us each resolve to do our best, that the light of our good works may shine forth to the world.—Testimonies for the Church 9:69, 70.?{CEv 64.2}[15]