第21章 作出决定
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第21章 作出决定
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Chapter 21—Getting Decisions
§3
许多人正等着被收集--这个埃塞俄比亚人代表一大批需要帮助的人。他们需要一些象腓利一样愿意听从上帝并愿到祂所差遣的地方去的人来教导他们。现今有许多人正在阅读圣经而不能明白其真实的意义。世界各地有无数男女在眼巴巴地望着上天。他们的祷告，眼泪和询问上达天庭。他们渴望得到亮光、恩惠和圣灵。许多人已经站在天国的边缘，等着有人把他们领进去。--AA109.{PaM 125.1}[1]
§4
Many are waiting only to be gathered in—This Ethiopian represented a large class who need to be taught by such missionaries as Philip—men who will hear the voice of God and go where He sends them. There are many who are reading the Scriptures who cannot understand their true import. All over the world men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in.—The Acts of the Apostles, 109.?{PaM 125.1}[1]
§5
悔改的方式不都是一样的--人长得都不一样。悔改的方式也是这样。耶稣感动人心，罪人重生获得了新生命。人被吸引到基督面前时，往往并不伴随悔悟至极，肠断心碎，懊恼惊恐。他们仰望被举起来的救主而存活。他们看到心灵的需要；看到救主有足够的恩典，也看到祂的要求。他们听到祂的声音说：“来跟从我”（太4:19），便起身跟从了祂。这种悔改是真诚的。他们的宗教生活和其他经受剧烈痛苦过程的人是一样肯定的。--1SM177.{PaM 125.2}[2]
§6
Conversions are not all alike—All are not constituted alike. Conversions are not all alike. Jesus impresses the heart, and the sinner is born again to new life. Often souls have been drawn to Christ when there was no violent conviction, no soul rending, no remorseful terrors. They looked upon an uplifted Saviour, they lived. They saw the soul’s need, they saw the Saviour’s sufficiency, and His claims, they heard His voice saying, “Follow Me,” and they rose up and followed Him. This conversion was genuine, and the religious life was just as decided as was that of others who suffered all the agony of a violent process.—Selected Messages 1:177.?{PaM 125.2}[2]
§7
有些决定若推迟了，切莫灰心--祭司们不得不相信救主的神能。他们得有机会认识真理，并从亮光得帮助。如果他们拒绝真理，这机会就必一去而永不再来了。祭司中固然有许多人拒绝真光，然而这次的光照并不是徒然的。另有不少人心里受到感动，当时却没有什么表示。救主在世时，祂的工作在祭司和教师们身上似乎没有引起什么爱的表示，但在祂升天之后，“也有许多祭司信从了这道”（徒6:7）。--DA266.{PaM 125.3}[3]
§8
Do not be discouraged if some decisions are delayed—The priests were convinced of the divine power of the Saviour. Opportunity was granted them to know the truth and to be profited by the light. Rejected, it would pass away, never to return. By many the light was rejected; yet it was not given in vain. Many hearts were moved that for a time made no sign. During the Saviour’s life, His mission seemed to call forth little response of love from the priests and teachers; but after His ascension “a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”—The Desire of Ages, 266.?{PaM 125.3}[3]
§9
【公开见证】
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为作出决定，必须把基督放在理论之上--我们许多的传道人在讲道时，全篇都是辩论，这是大错。人们来听真理的理论，受所讲凭据的感动，然后若有一段道理提到基督是世人的救主，那么，所撒的种子就必发芽，长大，结出果子来荣耀上帝。可惜许多的讲道没有把基督的十字架呈示人前。有些人也许是生平最后一次听道，有些人或许不会再有真理之链垂于他们之前，并切实应用在他们的心上。黄金般的机会将一去不复返。我们若高举基督和祂救赎的爱，结合真理的理论，就可使人稳站在主的一边。--4T393.{PaM 125.4}[4]
§11
【Public】
§12
To get decisions, Christ must be placed above theory—Many of our ministers have made a great mistake in giving discourses which were wholly argumentative. There are souls who listen to the theory of the truth and are?impressed with the evidences brought out, and then if a portion of the discourse presents Christ as the Saviour of the world, the seed sown may spring up and bear fruit to the glory of God. But in many discourses the cross of Christ is not presented before the people. Some may be listening to the last sermon they will ever hear, and some will never again be so situated that they can have the chain of truth brought before them and a practical application made of it to their hearts. That golden opportunity lost is lost forever. Had Christ and His redeeming love been exalted in connection with the theory of truth, it might have balanced them on His side.—Testimonies for the Church 4:393.?{PaM 125.4}[4]
§13
口才可能会掩盖真理，没有帮助人作出决定--凡讲雄辩话语的人，只会使人们忘记与他的演讲术结合在一起的真理。及至兴奋过去之后，便发现人们没有领会上帝的道，愚人也没有通达。人们离开教会之后中，或许会羡慕对他们讲道之人的演讲才能，但他们却没有信服真理，也没有更想作决定。他们说到所讲的道就象说到一场演出一样，说到传道人就象说到戏院的演员一样。他们或许会再来听同样的讲道，走的时候仍旧没有受感动，也没有得到喂养。--VSS283.{PaM 126.1}[5]
§14
Eloquence may mask truth and not produce decisions—He who presents eloquent words, simply causes the people to forget the truth that is mingled with his oratory. When the excitement passes away, it is found that the Word of God has not been fastened upon the mind; nor have the simple gained in understanding. The people may go away from the church and may speak in admiration of the oratorical powers of the man who has preached to them, but they may not be convicted by the truth or brought any nearer to the point of decision. They speak of the sermon in the same way as they would of a play, and of the minister in the same manner as they would of an actor at a theater. They may come again to listen to the same kind of discourse, and may again go away unimpressed and unfed.—The Voice in Speech and Song, 283.?{PaM 126.1}[5]
§15
在每一次聚会中，都要呼吁作出决定--迅速、积极而热心的行动可以救一个犹豫不决的人。无人能断定没有圣灵的恩膏而试图讲道会造成多少损失。在每一次聚会中，都有人犹豫不决，几乎听劝，要完全归向上帝。这种决定涉及今生永世。然而传道人心中往往没有真理信息的精神及能力，因此没有对犹豫不决的人发出直接的呼吁。结果感受己罪的人心中未能获得深刻的印象。他们在离开聚会时，没有比来时更愿意接受基督的功劳。他们决定等到更合适的机会，然而机不再来。那种不虔诚的讲道象该隐的祭物一样，没有救主。绝好的机会失去了，这些生灵的案件决定了。以漠然的态度讲道，感觉不到对生灵的负担，这岂不是太危险了吗？--4T446.{PaM 126.2}[6]
§16
Decisions should be called for in every meeting—Prompt, energetic, and earnest action may save an undecided soul. No one can tell how much is lost by attempting to preach without the unction of the Holy Spirit. There are souls in every congregation who are hesitating, almost persuaded to be wholly for God. The decision is being made for time and for eternity; but it is too often the case that the minister has not the spirit and power of the message of truth in his own heart, hence no direct appeals are made to those souls that are trembling in the balance. The result is that impressions are not deepened upon the hearts of the convicted ones, and they leave the meeting feeling less inclined to accept the service of Christ than when they came. They decide to wait for a more favorable opportunity, but it never comes. That godless discourse, like Cain’s offering, lacked the Saviour. The golden opportunity is lost, and the cases of these souls are decided. Is not too much at stake to preach in an indifferent manner and without feeling the burden of souls?—Testimonies for the Church 4:446.?{PaM 126.2}[6]
§17
邀请人们到前面来——主特别赐福星期日下午的讲道。大家都怀着极大的兴趣在听。在结束的时候，邀请所有渴望成为基督徒的人，所有感到自己与上帝没有活泼联络的人到前头来，与我们一起祷告，祈求上帝赦免罪恶，赐下恩典抵挡试探。这对于我们许多欧洲的弟兄来说是一个新的体验，但他们没有犹豫。似乎全会众都站了起来，所以他们所能做的就是最好坐下来，大家一起寻求主。在这里全体会众都表明决心抛弃罪恶，极其恳切地参与寻求上帝。在每一个团体中都有两类人：自满的和自我厌恶的。福音对于头一类人没有吸引力，除非他们发现其中有迎合他们虚荣心的内容。他们陶醉于自以为具有的高尚品德。但是许多人既看见耶稣品格的完全，就觉悟到自己的不完全，于是他们几乎绝望了。这里的情形就是如此；但是主在现场根据情况需要加以指导和责备，安慰和赐福。然后我们献上恳切的祈祷，不是为一时欢悦的感觉，而是为我们真实的罪恶感，为若没有祂救赎的牺牲我们所处的绝望状态。耶稣似乎从未比这个场合更加可爱。全会众都哭了。他们抓住了应许“到我这里来的，我总不丢弃他”（约6:37）。如果帘幕能够揭开，我们就会看见上帝的天使在侍立着服侍谦卑痛悔的人。祷告之后，作了一百个见证。其中许多人表明在上帝的事上有真实的经验。--RH1885.11.3{PaM 126.3}[7]
§18
Give an invitation for people to come forward—The Lord especially blessed in speaking Sunday afternoon. All listened with the deepest interest, and at the close of the discourse an invitation was given for all who desired to be Christians, and all who felt that they had not a living connection with God, to come forward, and we would unite our prayers with theirs for the pardon of sin, and for grace to resist temptation. This was a new experience?for many of our brethren in Europe, but they did not hesitate. It seemed that the entire congregation were on their feet, and the best they could do was to be seated, and all seek the Lord together. Here was an entire congregation manifesting their determination to put sin away, and to engage most earnestly in the work of seeking God. In every company there are two classes, the self-complacent and the self-abhorring. To the first class the gospel has no charms except as they can construe detached portions to flatter their vanity. They love those peculiar features of lofty morality which they think they possess. But many of those who view Jesus in the perfection of His character see their own imperfections in such a light that they are almost in despair. Such was the case here; but the Lord was present to instruct and reprove, to comfort and bless as the several cases required. Earnest prayer was then offered, not for a happy flight of feeling, but for a true sense of our sinfulness, and of our hopelessness without the atoning sacrifice. Never did Jesus seem dearer than on this occasion. There was weeping throughout the congregation. The promise was grasped, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.” If the vail could have been withdrawn, we should have seen angels of God standing to minister to the humble, penitent ones. After prayer, one hundred testimonies were borne. Many of these showed a real, genuine experience in the things of God.—The Review and Herald, November 3, 1885.?{PaM 126.3}[7]
§19
【私下作工】
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私下说出五句话，要比讲一篇道更有效果--聚会结束之后，要亲自向每一个在场的人提问。要问他们对这些真理有什么看法，是否愿意接受真理。然后注意观察有没有人对这一点或那一点发生兴趣。对他们私下说出五句话，要比对他们讲一篇道更有效果。--Ev285.{PaM 127.1}[8]
§21
【Personal】
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Five words spoken privately will do more than a whole public discourse—After the meetings are through, there should be a personal investigation with each one on the ground. Each one should be asked how he is going to take these things, if he is going to make a personal application of them. And then you should watch and see if there is an interest in this one or that. Five words spoken to them privately will do more than the whole discourse has done.—Evangelism, 285.?{PaM 127.1}[8]
§23
牧师需要学会应付各种性情的人--医师如何治疗肉身的疾病，牧师也当如何对待患罪病的人。永生怎样比今世更有价值，牧师的工作也照样比医师的工作更为重要。牧师需要应付各种性情的人。他的本分是要熟悉听他教训的家庭中每一分子，以便确定用什么方法最能感动他们朝着正确的方向前进。--GW338.{PaM 127.2}[9]
§24
Ministers must learn to work differently with each individual type of temperament—As the physician deals with physical disease, so does the pastor minister to the sin-sick soul. And his work is as much more important than that of the physician as eternal life is more valuable than temporal existence. The pastor meets with an endless variety of temperaments, and it is his duty to become acquainted with the members of the families that listen to his teachings in order to determine what means will best influence them in the right direction.—Gospel Workers, 338.?{PaM 127.2}[9]
§25
【查经班】
§26
应当为感兴趣的人举办特别的的聚会教导圣经——讲道不要一个紧接着一个，而要中间穿插一段休息的时间，好让真理能被人牢记在心，也使传道人和听众有机会默想并祈祷。这样，在宗教的知识和经验上都必长进。应当给他们查经，信徒和非信徒都该有机会就他们还未十分明白的要点提问。自称拥护真理的人应当提出问题，其答案要能够引出照在现代真理上的亮光。若有任何一个人提出的问题只会使人心思模糊并撒下疑惑的种子，就当忠告他们忍住不发这类问题，以便别人被带到基督面前。我们必须学会何时说话，及何时保持静默，学会撒播信仰的种子，反射亮光，而非黑暗。应当为那些对真理感兴趣和需要教导的人，安排特别的聚会。--RH1891.6.23{PaM 127.3}[10]
§27
【Bible Class】
§28
Special meetings should be held to give Bible instruction to those interested—Do not immediately follow one discourse with another, but let?a period of rest intervene, that the truth may be fastened in the mind, and that opportunity for meditation and prayer may be given for both minister and people. In this way there will be growth in religious knowledge and experience. Bible readings should be given, and believers and unbelievers should have an opportunity to ask questions on points not fully understood. Those who profess to be advocates of truth, should ask questions that will bring forth answers that will shed light upon the present truth. If any ask questions that serve to confuse the mind, and to sow doubt and questioning, they should be advised to abstain from such questioning, that others may be brought to Christ. We must learn when to speak and when to keep silent, and learn to sow seeds of faith, to reflect light and not darkness. Special meetings should be appointed for those who are interested in the truth, and who need instruction.—The Review and Herald, June 23, 1891.?{PaM 127.3}[10]
§29
配合布道会举办查经班——太快地从一点讲解到另一点，是危险的。应当经常进行短篇的讲解。你的工作不仅仅是讲道，也要服务。你很大的一部分工作应当是为许多家庭和个人所作的个人之工。在你向人打开了真理的宝库之后，还有一项大工要为开始对这些题目感兴趣之人做。在短讲之后，应当变换活动的次序，给愿意的人机会留下来交谈，或是在查经班上，让他们就困扰他们的题目提出问题。在这些圣经课上，你会在与人接触方面取得重大的成功。与传道人一起工作的人，应当耐心温柔地作出特别的努力，引导提问者明白真理。如果你只向一个人讲解真理，那个人完全领悟之后，就会将真光传给别人。这些考验性真理非常重要，会一再传扬出去，感动许多听众的心。人就这些事所做的决定对他们来说意义重大。--SpT-A7,7.{PaM 128.1}[11]
§30
Conduct a Bible class in connection with evangelistic meetings—There is danger of passing too rapidly from point to point. Give short lessons, and often. Your work is not only to preach, but to minister. Personal effort for families and individuals should comprise a large share of your labors. After you have opened to the people the precious mines of truth, there is yet a great work to be done for those who have become interested in the subjects presented. After a short discourse, change the order of the exercises, and give opportunity for all who desire it, to remain for an after-interview, or Bible class, where they can ask questions upon subjects that trouble them. You will find great success in coming close to the people in these Bible lessons. The workers who labor in connection with the minister should make special efforts patiently and kindly to lead inquirers to an understanding of the truth. If you have not more than one to instruct, that one, thoroughly convinced, will communicate the light to others. These testing truths are of so great importance that they may be presented again and again, and impressed upon the minds of the hearers. The decisions men reach in regard to these things mean everything to them.—Special Testimonies, Series A, 7:7.?{PaM 128.1}[11]
§31
【稳定兴趣】
§32
不要离开直到慕道者作出决定，受洗加入教会--多年以来一直有这方面的亮光显示与我，表明保持慕道者兴趣的必要，无论如何不要离开自己的岗位，直到他们坚定信心倚靠真理，有自己悔改受洗的经验，加入某个教会，或他们自己组建一个教会。无论什么环境，都不应使传道人放开传讲真理所产生的兴趣。即便是疾病和死亡，其重要性也比不上生灵的得救，因为基督为救赎他们付出了无比的代价。--2T540.{PaM 128.2}[12]
§33
【Securing Interests】
§34
Do not leave until interests have decided, been baptized, and gotten into a church—For years light has been given upon this point, showing the necessity of following up an interest that has been raised, and in no case leaving it until all have decided that lean toward the truth and have experienced the conversion necessary for baptism and united with some church or formed one themselves. There are no circumstances of sufficient importance to call a minister from an interest created by the presentation of truth. Even sickness and death are of less consequence than the salvation of souls for whom Christ made so immense a sacrifice.—Testimonies for the Church 2:540.?{PaM 128.2}[12]
§35
要作一个点灯的人，而不只是作一个火炬手——在举办一次大型帐篷聚会的地方，要举行多次小型的帐篷聚会。当举办这些帐篷大会的地方建立起组织时，要为他们建一个敬拜的地方。为了使劳动不白费，我们只能这样作，否则就像晚上举着火炬穿越一个地区。火炬手所到之处是光明的，但是他的火炬没有点燃很多蜡烛，成为带给别人光明的真正工作者。--15MR250.{PaM 129.1}[13]
§36
Be a lamplighter, not just a torchbearer—In the place of having one mammoth camp meeting, have several small camp meetings. And when companies are raised up in the places where these meetings are held, let a place of worship be built for them. We cannot do otherwise here, so that labor shall not be lost. To do otherwise is too much like carrying a torch through a district in the night. The places where the torchbearer goes are light, but there are not many tapers kindled from his torch, to become true workers in giving light to others.—Manuscript Releases 15:250.?{PaM 129.1}[13]