给巴特尔克里克教会的特别证言(1896)
1.拒绝真理的危险
1896年5月30日
写于澳大利亚新南威尔士州，库兰邦，森尼赛德
亲爱的某弟兄：
我已经从祷告会回来了。代求的灵临到我身上，我就为巴特尔克里克的人发出最恳切的祈求。我知道他们的危险。圣灵以一种特别的方式感动我为他们发出恳求。{PH154 3.1}
上帝并不是任何有罪事物的创始者。谁也不该担心因履行本分所需而成为独特的人。如果我们因避免犯罪而成为独特的人，那么我们的独特性正体现了洁净与不洁净、义与不义的区别。难道我们因大众选择犯罪的道路，就随波逐流吗?圣经明明告诉我们：“不可随众行恶”(出23:2)。我们应该清楚地说出自己的立场：“至于我和我家，我们必定侍奉耶和华”(书24:15)。{PH154 3.2}
圣灵的能力
“太初有道，道与上帝同在，道就是上帝。这道太初与上帝同在。万物是藉着祂造的;凡被造的，没有一样不是藉着祂造的。生命在祂里头，这生命就是人的光。光照在黑暗里，黑暗却不接受光。”“道成了肉身，住在我们中间，充充满满的有恩典有真理。我们也见过祂的荣光，正是父独生子的荣光”(约1:1-4,14)。但愿每一个名字登在教会名册的人都从心里说出这番话。教友们需要从经验上知道圣灵会为他们做什么。圣灵会赐福领受的人，并使他成为一个福气。可悲的是并非每个人都祈求圣灵生命的气息。这气息如果不吹在我们身上，我们就会死亡。{PH154 4.1}
我们当祈求赐予圣灵作为医治人罪病的良方。教会需要归正。我们既为教会的代表，为何不俯伏在恩典的宝座前，以破碎的心和痛悔的灵，恳求圣灵从高天沛降在我们身上呢?让我们祈求在圣灵惠然赐下时，我们冰冷的心会得到振奋，我们会有眼光认出祂是来自上帝，并欢乐地接纳祂。有些人将圣灵视为不受欢迎的客人，不肯领受这丰富的恩赐，拒绝承认祂，并且转离祂，将祂称之为狂热。当圣灵在人间的代表身上运行时，祂不需问我们该以什么方式来工作。祂往往以出人意料的方式采取行动。基督并没有按犹太人所期待的方式来到世上。祂并没有以荣耀他们民族的方式来到。祂的先锋来为祂预备道路，是藉着呼吁人们悔改己罪、归正并且受洗。基督的信息是：“日期满了，上帝的国近了，你们当悔改、信福音”(可1:15)。犹太人拒绝接受基督，因为祂来的方式与他们所期待的不一样。有限之人的观点因为日久岁深而被认为是正确无误的。今日的教会正处在这种危险中，就是有限的人类用他们的种种发明，为圣灵降临划定详尽的方式。虽然他们不愿意承认此事，但有些人已经这么做了。由于圣灵降临不是要称赞人，或吹捧他们错误的理论，而是要使世人为罪、为义、为审判而自责，许多人就对祂感到厌恶。他们不愿意脱去自以为义的衣服，不愿意把他们自己的义换成基督的义。他们自己的义就是不义，而基督的义则是纯正无杂质的真理。圣灵不奉承任何一个人，也不按照任何人的计划行事。有限的罪人不应该操纵圣灵。当圣灵藉着上帝所愿意拣选的代表发出责备的时候，人的本分就是聆听并顺从祂的声音。{PH154 4.2}
圣灵的作为藉着门徒彰显
基督在离开门徒之前应许他们说：“圣灵降临在你们身上，你们就必得着能力，并要在耶路撒冷、犹太全地，和撒玛利亚，直到地极，作我的见证。”“所以，你们要去使万民作我的门徒，奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗：凡我所吩咐你们的，都教训他们遵守，我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了”(徒1:8;太28:19,20)。祂正在说这些话时，就升天了。一群天使来接祂，护送祂到上帝的城。门徒们回到耶路撒冷，现在确知耶稣是上帝的儿子。他们的信心明朗了。他们等候着，藉着祈祷和在上帝面前谦卑己心预备自己，直到圣灵之洗的来到。{PH154 6.1}
“五旬节到了，门徒都聚集在一处。忽然，从天上有响声下来，好像一阵大风吹过，充满了他们所坐的屋子，又有舌头如火焰显现出来，分开落在他们各人头上。他们就都被圣灵充满，按着圣灵所赐的口才说起别国的话来”(徒2:1-4)。在那次聚会中有一些讥诮的人，没有认出圣灵的运行，就说：“这些人无非是新酒灌满了”(13节)。“彼得和十一个使徒站起，高声说：犹太人和一切住在耶路撒冷的人哪，这件事你们当知道，也当侧耳听我的话。你们想这些人是醉了;其实不是醉了，因为时候刚到巳初。这正是先知约珥所说的”(徒2:14-16)。请阅读历史。主以祂自己的方式行事。但假如在我们这些临近末日的人中也有这样的显现，有人岂不会像在那次一样说讥诮的话吗?那些没有受圣灵影响的人是不认识祂的。对这类人来说，门徒们就像是喝醉了的人。{PH154 6.2}
圣灵沛降之后，门徒们穿上上帝的全副军装出去作见证人，传讲马槽和十字架的奇妙故事。他们虽是卑微的人，却带着真理出去。主受死以后，他们曾是一群无助、失望、灰心的人，如同没有牧人的羊一般;但如今他们却出来为真理作见证，没有携带武器，只带着上帝的道和圣灵，去战胜一切反对的势力。{PH154 7.1}
他们的救主曾被人厌弃、定罪，钉死在耻辱的十字架上。犹太的祭司和官长们曾轻蔑地宣告说：“祂救了别人;不能救自己。如果祂是以色列的王，现在可以从十字架上下来，我们就信祂”(太27:42)。但是十字架，就是那耻辱和痛苦的刑具，却将盼望和救恩带给世界。信徒们振作起来了。他们的失望和无助感不翼而飞。他们的品格改变了，并且在基督之爱的纽带中合一。他们虽然没有财富，在世人眼中不过是无知的渔夫，但他们却被圣灵塑造成为基督的见证人。他们虽然没有属世的尊荣和名望，却是信心的英雄。从他们的唇舌所发神圣而雄辩有力的话语震撼了世界。{PH154 7.2}
《使徒行传》第三、四、五章记录了他们的见证。那些弃绝和钉死救主的人，原以为祂的门徒会灰心沮丧，准备放弃他们的主。不料却惊讶地看到他们满有圣灵的能力，清楚大胆地为主耶稣作见证。门徒们的话语和工作代表了他们夫子的话语和工作。凡听见他们说话的人都说他们是向学耶稣学过的。他们说话就像祂说话一样。“使徒大有能力，见证主耶稣复活;众人也都蒙大恩”(徒4:33)。{PH154 8.1}
使徒的被捕和拘禁
祭司长和官长们以为自己有资格决定使徒应该做什么教导什么。当他们到各处去传扬耶稣时，这些被圣灵所感动的人行了许多犹太人所不高兴的事。拉比们的观点和教义有名誉扫地的危险。使徒们正在造成奇妙的兴奋。百姓把他们的病人和污鬼所附的人带到街上;众人聚集在他们周围，而那些已蒙医治的人则在大声赞美上帝并荣耀耶稣的名。犹太人曾定耶稣的罪，嘲笑祂，唾弃祂，给祂戴上荆棘冠冕，鞭打祂，把祂钉在十字架上。现在耶稣受到的颂扬高过了祭司和官长。使徒们甚至宣称祂已经从死里复活了。犹太官长决定必须立即制止这种工作，因为它在证明他们犯了流耶稣血的罪。他们看到悔改信从这道的人不断增加。“信而归主的人越发增添，连男带女很多”(徒5:14)。{PH154 8.2}
“于是大祭司和他的一切同人，就是撒都该教门的人，都起来”(徒5:17)。他们不相信死人复活的事。使徒们断言他们在耶稣复活后曾见过祂，还说祂已经升到了天上，这是在颠覆撒都该教义的基本原则，是不容许的。祭司和官长们满心忌恨，就下手拿住使徒们，收在外监。门徒们并没有被吓倒或沮丧。他们想起了基督在祂最后的教训中对他们所讲的话：“有了我的命令又遵守的，这人就是爱我的;爱我的必蒙我父爱他，我也要爱他，并且要向他显现。”“但我要从父那里差保惠师来，就是从父出来真理的圣灵;祂来了，就要为我作见证。你们也要作见证，因为你们从起头就与我同在。我已将这些事告诉你们，使你们不至于跌倒。人要把你们赶出会堂，并且时候将到，凡杀你们的就以为是事奉上帝。他们这样行，是因未曾认识父，也未曾认识我。我将这事告诉你们，是叫你们到了时候可以想起我对你们说过了”(约14:21;15:26,27;16:1-4)。{PH154 9.1}
讲道与传统教义相违
“但主的使者夜间开了监门，领他们出来，说：你们去站在殿里，把这生命的道都讲给百姓听”(徒5:19,20)。我们在这里看到不一定要顺从权威人士，即便他们自称为圣经道理的教师。现今有许多人，若遇有人在信仰问题上发出与他们观点不同的声音，就感到愤愤不平。他们不是长期宣称自己的观点为真理了吗?所以使徒时代的祭司和拉比们推论说：这些没有学识的小民有什么了不起?他们中有些人不过是渔夫而已。他们所传讲的观点竟与饱学的祭司和官长们教导百姓的教义相反。他们无权扰乱我们信仰的基本原则。但是我们看到天上的上帝有时委托人去教导与传统教义相反的道理。由于真理原来的保管人不忠于他们的神圣委托，主就拣选其他愿意领受公义日头的明亮光线，宣传与宗教领袖们不同观点之真理的人。这些领袖既是瞎了心眼，就完全被自以为正义的愤怒所支配，反对那些抛弃他们所喜爱之寓言的人。他们的行为像是丧失了理智的人。他们没有考虑到自己对真道的理解可能不正确。他们不愿睁开眼睛看看他们曲解和误用圣经、创建虚假的理论、将之称为信仰的基本要道的事实。{PH154 10.1}
但圣灵会时常藉着祂所拣选的使者显示真理。任何人，哪怕祭司或官长，都无权说，你不可发表你的观点，因为我不相信。这个奇怪的“我”可能试图阻止圣灵的教导。人也许能在一段时间内试图抑制和扼杀它;但这样做不会使谬论成为真理，也不会使真理成为谬论。爱好想象的人提出了各种猜测的意见。当圣灵将亮光照进人心里的时候，祂并不管人对真道原来作何理解。上帝感动祂的仆人们去传讲真理，是不考虑人曾理所当然地视为真理的东西的。{PH154 11.1}
现在的危险
甚至安息日复临信徒也有危险闭目不看耶稣里的真理，因为它与他们已理所当然地视为真理的东西相抵触，但圣灵教导说，他们原来所认定的并不是真理。但愿所有的人都非常谦虚诚恳地高举耶稣，而不考虑自己。大多数宗教方面的矛盾，其根源就在于自我在争取作主。争什么呢?争论并不重要的问题。它们被视为重要只是因为人们重视它们。(见太12:31-37;可14:56;路5:21;太9:3)。{PH154 11.2}
使徒的工作遭到指责
让我们追溯犹太祭司和官长们所视为危险分子的历史吧，因为他们所传新奇的道理几乎涉及每一个神学题目。使徒们服从了圣灵所发的命令：“你们去站在殿里，把这生命的道都讲给百姓听”;“使徒听了这话，天将亮的时候就进殿里去教训人。大祭司和他的同人来了，叫齐公会的人，和以色列族的众长老，就差人到监里去，要把使徒提出来。但差役到了，不见他们在监里，就回来禀报说：我们看见监牢关得极妥当，看守的人也站在门外;及至开了门，里面一个人都不见。守殿官和祭司长听见这话，心里犯难，不知这事将来如何。有一个人来禀报说：你们收在监里的人，现在站在殿里教训百姓。于是守殿官和差役去带使徒来，并没有用强暴，因为怕百姓用石头打他们”(徒5:20-26)。如果祭司和官长们胆敢把他们对使徒的仇恨付诸行动，历史就会改写了;因为上帝的天使正在场守望着，如果对祂的仆人们施暴，天使就要彰扬祂的名。{PH154 12.1}
使徒的回答
“带到了，便叫使徒站在公会前;大祭司问他们说：我们不是严严的禁止你们，不可奉这名教训人吗?你们倒把你们的道理充满了耶路撒冷，想要叫这人的血归到我们身上!”(徒5:27,28。见太23:34,35)。“彼得和众使徒回答说：顺从上帝，不顺从人，是应当的。你们挂在木头上杀害的耶稣，我们祖宗的上帝已经叫祂复活。上帝且用右手将祂高举，叫祂作君王，作救主，将悔改的心和赦罪的恩赐给以色列人。我们为这事作见证;上帝赐给顺从之人的圣灵也为这事作见证。公会的人听见就极其恼怒，想要杀他们”(徒5:29-33)。{PH154 13.1}
于是圣灵感动了一位法利赛人迦玛列，“是众百姓所敬重的教法师。”他劝大家说：“不要管这些人，任凭他们吧!他们所谋的、所行的，若是出于人，必要败坏;若是出于上帝，你们就不能败坏他们，恐怕你们倒是攻击上帝了。公会的人听从了他”(徒5:33,38-40)。{PH154 13.2}
当权者的偏见
可是撒但的品性牢牢地控制了他们的心。尽管有医治病人和上帝的仆人从监牢里被救出来的神迹，祭司和官长们还是充满了成见和仇恨，几乎无法抑制。“公会的人……便叫使徒来，把他们打了，又吩咐他们不可奉耶稣的名讲道，就把他们释放了。他们离开公会，心里欢喜，因被算是配为这名受辱。他们就每日在殿里、在家里、不住的教训人，传耶稣是基督”(徒5:40-42)。{PH154 13.3}
上帝仁慈的体现
我们可以看到，祭司和官长们已经得到了证据，但他们坚决抗拒上帝的灵。那些自称智慧和虔诚出众的人，既然让自己的心灵接受另一个势力的陶冶，走抗拒圣灵的道路，就犯下了最可怕最致命的错误。圣灵代表主耶稣出席了那次集会，但他们没有认出来。他们一时受了圣灵的感动，确信耶稣是上帝的儿子。但他们抑止了这种感动，更加盲目，更加心硬了。即使在他们钉死救主之后，上帝仍本着祂的仁慈，藉着使徒们所行的事给了他们新的证据。在使徒们对他们提出可怕的指控，说他们杀害了生命之君的事上，上帝也再一次向他们发出悔改的呼吁。{PH154 14.1}
使他们与救恩隔绝的，不只是杀害上帝儿子的罪，也因为他们顽固拒绝圣灵给他们的感悟和亮光。悖逆之子心中运行的灵在他们里面运行，诱导他们侮辱上帝藉以赐给他们见证的人们。反叛的恶毒再次出现了，并且在继续抵制上帝的仆人和祂赐他们所传信息的每一行动上得到了强化。{PH154 14.2}
抵制真理
每一次抵制的行动都使人更难顺服。祭司和官长们既是百姓的领袖，就感到必须为自己的行径辩护。他们必须证明自己是对的。他们既致力于反对基督，每一次抵制的行动都会促使他们更加坚持走这样的道路。他们过去生活中反对主的事件成了他们小心看护的宝贵财产。策动那些行为的仇恨和恶毒全都用来对付使徒们了。{PH154 15.1}
上帝的灵向那些不怕人也不讨人欢心，宣扬所托真理的人显现。在圣灵大能的明证下，犹太人看到了自己拒绝上帝所赐证据的罪;但他们不愿放弃恶意的抗拒。他们的顽梗越来越坚决了，造成了他们灵魂的毁灭。并不是因为他们不能放弃抗拒，他们是能够放弃的，但他们不愿意。不只是因为他们有罪，该受报应，而且因为他们用撒但的品性武装自己，决意继续反对上帝。他们天天拒绝悔改，重新反叛。他们在准备收获他们所种的。上帝的忿怒显在人身上，不仅因为他们所犯的罪，也因为人选择继续处于抵抗的状态。虽然他们拥有亮光和知识，却重犯他们以往的罪恶。他们如果愿意顺从，就会得蒙赦免;但是他们决定不屈服。他们以自己的固执藐视了上帝。这些人已经献身给撒但。撒但则按着自己的意志控制了他们。{PH154 15.2}
洪水以前世界叛逆的居民怎么样呢?他们拒绝了挪亚的信息之后，陷入了比过去更放纵的罪中。他们败坏的行为变本加厉。那些不肯藉着接受耶稣而改变的人，在罪中不觉得有什么需要改变的;他们的心坚持反叛的精神，现在和将来都不愿意受感顺服。上帝给洪水前世人的惩罚，表明了他们的不可救药。所多玛的毁灭也说明了世上最美之地的居民在罪中已无药可救了。从天上降下来的火与硫磺烧毁了除罗得、他的妻子和两个女儿以外的一切。罗得的妻子也因不顾上帝的命令回头观望，而变成了一根盐柱。{PH154 16.1}
当犹太民族埋怨悖逆，违犯安息日和其它每一条律例时，上帝是多么厌烦啊!祂再三宣称他们比外邦人还坏。每一代的罪恶都超过了前一代。主允许他们被掳，但他们得救之后，又忘记了祂的要求。祂要这个民族视为神圣的一切事物都被悖逆之人的种种发明所曲解或取代了。基督对当时的犹太人说：“摩西岂不是传律法给你们吗?你们却没有一个人守律法。”这些人却自立为法官，审查那些圣灵所感动向百姓传讲上帝之道的人(见约7:9-23, 27, 28;路11:37-52)。{PH154 16.2}
不要阻碍圣灵
要向人宣读这些经文。要认真严肃地读。在你宣读的时候，圣灵会在你旁边感化人心。在宣读的时候要用心思考这些话的真实意义。上帝既藉着我说话，这些经文对听见的人而言就意味深长。{PH154 17.1}
有限的人类务要当心，不要企图控制自己的同胞，篡夺圣灵的工作。人们不要觉得自己有权向世人传达他们所以为的真理，拒绝与他们观点不同的一切东西。这不是他们的工作。那些自以为对圣经的解释永远正确的人所不接受的许多东西，将被证明为真理。一些人所认为天衣无缝的观念，将不得不作出最具决定性的改变。这些人在许多方面都表明他们是容易犯错误的。他们坚持上帝的道所否定的原则。使我感受最深，并意识到他们的做法不出于上帝的，乃是他们觉得自己有权管辖自己的同胞。上帝没有授权别人管辖他们，也没有授权他们去管辖别人。那些企图控制自己同胞的人，是把一项只能交给上帝的工作抢到自己有限的手里。{PH154 17.2}
抱着明尼阿波利斯所弥漫的精神不放是得罪上帝的。全天庭都对我们在巴特尔克里克出版机构多年来所表显的精神感到愤慨。所行的不义上帝必不再容忍。祂要对这些事施行报应。已经有声音发出，奉主的名指出错误，恳劝作出根本的改变。但是有谁听从了所赐的指示呢?有谁谦卑己心，除掉自己邪恶压迫的精神了呢?我一直有很大的负担，要把这些事的实况摆在人们面前。我知道他们会看到这些事。我知道那些读到这事的人会认识自己的罪。{PH154 18.1}
基督对教会的爱
基督的教会虽然看起来可能是虚弱、有缺点的，却是祂在地上特别关爱的对象。教会乃是祂恩典的剧场，祂喜欢在其中在人心上作祂怜悯的实验。圣灵是祂的代表，祂的运行使人产生如此奇妙的转变，以致天使都惊喜地观看着。当他们看到人类家庭的成员彼此充满同情怜悯，彼此相爱像基督爱了他们一样时，天上就充满了喜乐。教会是上帝在这个叛逆世界上所设立的堡垒——祂的逃城。任何出卖教会的行为，就是背叛了那位曾用自己独生子的宝血买了教会的上帝。{PH154 18.2}
基督称撒但所主持的教会为撒但一会的人，其中的成员为悖逆之子。他们喜爱犯罪，选择犯罪，总是努力废弃上帝圣洁、公义、良善的律法。撒但的工作就是要混淆是非，颠倒黑白。基督则要教会分别善恶，信徒们不得故意容忍恶行，而要把它从心灵和生活中驱除。我们在评定别人的工作时应该多么小心啊，免得犯把罪恶的媒介当成圣灵显现的罪。怀爱伦夫人。{PH154 19.1}
PH154 - Special Testimony to Battle Creek Church
《Danger of Rejecting Truth》
(“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, N.S.W.,May 30, 1896.)
Dear Brother -----,I have returned from our season of prayer. The spirit of intercession came upon me, and I was drawn out in most earnest prayer for souls at Battle Creek. I know their peril. The Holy Spirit has in a special manner moved me to send up my petitions in their behalf.?{PH154 3.1}[1]
God is not the author of anything sinful. None should fear to be singular if the fulfilment of duty requires it. If it makes us singular to avoid sin, then our singularity is merely the distinction between purity and impurity, righteousness and unrighteousness. Because the multitude prefer the path of transgression, shall we choose the same? We are plainly told by inspiration, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.” Our position should be clearly stated, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”?{PH154 3.2}[2]
【Power of the Holy Spirit】
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.” Would that every one whose name is written in the church books could from the heart utter these words. The church-members need to know from experience what the Holy Spirit will do for them. It will bless the receiver, and make him a blessing. It is sad that every soul is not praying for the vital breath of the Spirit; for we are ready to die if it breathe not on us.?{PH154 4.1}[3]
We are to pray for the impartation of the Spirit as the remedy for sin-sick souls. The church needs to be converted, and why should we not prostrate ourselves at the throne of grace, as representatives of the church, and from a broken heart and contrite spirit make earnest supplication that the Holy Spirit shall be poured out upon us from on high? Let us pray that when it shall be graciously bestowed, our cold hearts may be revived, and we may have discernment to understand that it is from God, and receive it with joy. Some have treated the Spirit as an unwelcome guest, refusing to receive the rich gift, refusing to acknowledge it, turning from it, and condemning it as fanaticism. When the Holy Spirit works the?human agent, it does not ask us in what way it shall operate. Often it moves in unexpected ways. Christ did not come as the Jews expected. He did not come in a manner to glorify them as a nation. His forerunner came to prepare the way for him, by calling upon the people to repent of their sins, and be converted, and be baptized. Christ’s message was, “The kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” The Jews refused to receive Christ, because he did not come in accordance with their expectations. The ideas of finite men were held as infallible, because hoary with age. This is the danger to which the church is now exposed,—that the inventions of finite men shall mark out the precise way for the Holy Spirit to come. Though they would not care to acknowledge it, some have already done this. And because the Spirit is to come, not to praise men or to build up their erroneous theories, but to reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment, many turn away from it. They are not willing to be deprived of the garments of their own self-righteousness. They are not willing to exchange their own righteousness, which is unrighteousness, for the righteousness of Christ, which is pure, unadulterated truth. The Holy Spirit flatters no man, neither does it work according to the devising of any man. Finite, sinful men are not to work the Holy Spirit. When it shall come as a reprover, through any human agent whom God shall choose, it is man’s place to hear and obey its voice.?{PH154 4.2}[4]
【Manifest Working of the Holy Spirit with the Disciples】
Just before he left them, Christ gave his disciples the promise, “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” While these words were upon his lips, he ascended, a cloud of angels received him, and escorted him to the city of God. The disciples returned to Jerusalem, knowing now for a certainty that Jesus was the Son of God. Their faith was unclouded, and they waited, preparing themselves by prayer and by humbling their hearts before God, until the baptism of the Holy Spirit came.?{PH154 6.1}[5]
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” In that assembly there were mockers, who did not recognize the work of the Holy Spirit, and they said, “These men are full of new wine.?But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.” Read the history. The Lord was at work in his own way; but had there been such a manifestation among us, upon whom the ends of the world are come, would not some have mocked, as on that occasion? Those who did not come under the influence of the Holy Spirit, knew it not. To this class the disciples seemed like drunken men.?{PH154 6.2}[6]
After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the disciples, clothed with the divine panoply, went forth as witnesses, to tell the wonderful story of the manger and the cross. They were humble men, but they went forth with the truth. After the death of their Lord, they were a helpless, disappointed, discouraged company,—as sheep without a shepherd; but now they go forth as witnesses for the truth, with no weapons but the word and Spirit of God, to triumph over all opposition.?{PH154 7.1}[7]
Their Saviour had been rejected and condemned, and nailed to the ignominious cross. The Jewish priests and rulers had declared, in scorn, “He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.” But that cross, that instrument of shame and torture, brought hope and salvation to the world. The believers rallied; their hopelessness and conscious helplessness had left them. They were transformed in character, and united in the bonds of?Christian love. Although without wealth, though counted by the world as mere ignorant fishermen, they were made, by the Holy Spirit, witnesses for Christ. Without earthly honor or recognition, they were the heroes of faith. From their lips came words of divine eloquence and power that shook the world.?{PH154 7.2}[8]
The third, fourth and fifth chapters of Acts give an account of their witnessing. Those who had rejected and crucified the Saviour, expected to find his disciples discouraged, crestfallen, and ready to disown their Lord. With amazement they heard the clear, bold testimony given under the power of the Holy Spirit. The words and works of the disciples represented the words and works of their Teacher; and all who heard them, said, They have learned of Jesus, they talk as he talked. “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.”?{PH154 8.1}[9]
【Arrest and Imprisonment of the Apostles】
The chief priests and rulers thought themselves competent to decide what the apostles should do and teach. As they went forth preaching Jesus everywhere, the men who were worked by the Holy Spirit did many things that the Jews did not approve. There was danger that the ideas and doctrines of the rabbis would be brought into disrepute. The apostles were creating a wonderful excitement. The people were bringing their sick folk, and those that were vexed with unclean spirits, into the streets; crowds were collecting around them, and those that had been healed were shouting the praises of God, and glorifying the?name of Jesus, the very one whom the Jews had condemned, scorned, spit upon, crowned with thorns, and caused to be scourged and crucified. This Jesus was extolled above the priests and rulers. The apostles were even declaring that he had risen from the dead. The Jewish rulers decided that this work must and should be stopped; for it was proving them guilty of the blood of Jesus. They saw that converts to the faith were multiplying. “Believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.”?{PH154 8.2}[10]
“Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees).” who held that there would be no resurrection of the dead. The assertions made by the apostles that they had seen Jesus after his resurrection, and that he had ascended to heaven, were overthrowing the fundamental principles of the Sadducean doctrine. This was not to be allowed. The priests and rulers were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. The disciples were not intimidated or cast down. The words of Christ in his last lessons to them were brought to mind: “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the?synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them.”?{PH154 9.1}[11]
【Preaching Contrary to Established Doctrines】
“The angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” We see here that the men in authority are not always to be obeyed, even though they may profess to be teachers of Bible doctrine. There are many today who feel indignant and aggrieved that any voice should be raised presenting ideas that differ from their own in regard to points of religious belief. Have they not long advocated their ideas as truth? So the priests and rabbis reasoned in apostolic days: What mean these men who are unlearned, some of them mere fishermen, who are presenting ideas contrary to the doctrines which the learned priests and rulers are teaching the people? They have no right to meddle with the fundamental principles of our faith. But we see that the God of heaven sometimes commissions men to teach that which is regarded as contrary to the established doctrines. Because those who were once the depositaries of truth became unfaithful to their sacred trust, the Lord chose others who would receive the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and would advocate truths that were not in accordance with the ideas of the religious leaders.?And then these leaders, in the blindness of their minds, give full sway to what is supposed to be righteous indignation against the ones who have set aside cherished fables. They act like men who have lost their reason. They do not consider the possibility that they themselves have not rightly understood the word. They will not open their eyes to discern the fact that they have misinterpreted and misapplied the Scriptures, and have built up false theories, calling them fundamental doctrines of the faith.?{PH154 10.1}[12]
But the Holy Spirit will, from time to time, reveal the truth through its own chosen agencies; and no man, not even a priest or ruler, has a right to say, You shall not give publicity to your opinions, because I do not believe them. That wonderful “I” may attempt to put down the Holy Spirit’s teaching. Men may for a time attempt to smother it and kill it; but that will not make error truth, or truth error. The inventive minds of men have advanced speculative opinions in various lines, and when the Holy Spirit lets light shine into human minds, it does not respect every point of man’s application of the word. God impressed his servants to speak the truth, irrespective of what men had taken for granted as truth.?{PH154 11.1}[13]
【Present Dangers】
Even Seventh-day Adventists are in danger of closing their eyes to truth as it is in Jesus, because if contradicts something which they have taken for granted as truth, but which the Holy Spirit teaches is not truth. Let all be very modest, and seek most earnestly to put self out of the question, and to exalt Jesus. In most of the?religious controversies, the foundation of the trouble is, that self is striving for the supremacy. About what?—About matters which are not vital points at all, and which are regarded as such only because men have given importance to them. (See?Matthew 12:31-37;?Mark 14:56;?Luke 5:21;?Matthew 9:3.)?{PH154 11.2}[14]
【Condemnation of the Work of the Apostles】
But let us follow the history of the men whom the Jewish priests and rulers thought so dangerous, because they were bringing in new and strange teaching on almost every theological subject. The command given by the Holy Spirit, “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life,” was obeyed by the apostles; “they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, saying. The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.”?If the priests and rulers had dared act out their own feelings toward the apostles, there would have been a different record; for the angel of God was a watcher on that occasion, to magnify his name if any violence had been offered to his servants.{PH154 12.1}[15]
【Answer of the Apostles】
“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” (See?Matthew 23:34, 35.) “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.”?{PH154 13.1}[16]
Then the Holy Spirit moved upon Gamaliel, a Pharisee, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people. His advice was, “Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed.”?{PH154 13.2}[17]
【Prejudice of those in Authority】
Yet the attributes of Satan so controlled their minds, that notwithstanding the wonderful miracles?that had been wrought in healing the sick and in releasing God’s servants from prison, the priests and rulers were so filled with prejudice and hatred that they could hardly be restrained. “When they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”?{PH154 13.3}[18]
【Mercy of God Exemplified】
We can see what evidence was given the priests and rulers, and how firmly they resisted the Spirit of God. Those who claim superior wisdom and piety may make most terrible and (to themselves) fatal mistakes if they allow their minds to be molded by another power, and pursue a course in resistance to the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus, represented by the Holy Spirit, was in the presence of that assembly, but they did not discern him. For a moment they had felt the conviction of the Spirit, that Jesus was the Son of God, but they stifled conviction, and became more blind and hardened than before. Even after they had crucified the Saviour, God in his mercy had sent them additional evidence in the works wrought through the apostles. He was giving them another call to repentance, even in the terrible charge brought against them by the apostles, that they had killed the Prince of Life.?{PH154 14.1}[19]
It was not alone the sin of putting to death the Son of God that cut them off from salvation, but their persistence in rejecting light and the conviction?of the Holy Spirit. The spirit that works in the children of disobedience worked in them, leading them to abuse the men through whom God was giving a testimony to them. The malignity of rebellion reappeared, and was intensified in every successive act of resistance against God’s servants and the message he had given them to declare.{PH154 14.2}[20]
【Resistance of Truth】
Every act of resistance makes it harder to yield. Being the leaders of the people, the priests and rulers felt it incumbent on them to defend the course they had taken. They must prove that they had been in the right. Having committed themselves in opposition to Christ, every act of resistance became an additional incentive to persist in the same path. The events of their past career of opposition are as precious treasures to be jealously guarded. And the hatred and malignity that inspired those acts are concentrated against the apostles.?{PH154 15.1}[21]
The Spirit of God revealed its presence unto those who, irrespective of the fear or favor of men, declared the truth which had been committed to them. Under the demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power, the Jews saw their guilt in refusing the evidence that God had sent; but they would not yield their wicked resistance. Their obstinacy became more and more determined, and worked the ruin of their souls. It was not that they could not yield, for they could, yet would not. It was not alone that they had been guilty, and deserving of wrath, but that they armed themselves with the attributes of Satan, and determinedly continued to be opposed to God. Every day, in?their refusal to repent, they took up their rebellion afresh. They were preparing to reap that which they had sown. The wrath of God is not declared against men merely because of the sins which they have committed, but for choosing to continue in a state of resistance, and, although they have light and knowledge, repeating their sins of the past. If they would submit, they would be pardoned; but they are determined not to yield. They defy God by their obstinacy. These souls have given themselves to Satan, and he controls them according to his will.?{PH154 15.2}[22]
How was it with the rebellious inhabitants of the antediluvian world? After rejecting the message of Noah, they plunged into sin with greater abandon than ever before, and doubled the enormity of their corrupting practises. Those who refuse to reform by accepting Christ, find nothing reformative in sin; their minds are set to carry their spirit of revolt, and they are not, and never will be, forced to submission. The judgment which God brought upon the antediluvian world, declared it incurable. The destruction of Sodom proclaimed the inhabitants of the most beautiful country in the world, incorrigible in sin. The fire and brimstone from heaven consumed everything except Lot, his wife, and two daughters. The wife, looking back in disregard of God’s command, became a pillar of salt.?{PH154 16.1}[23]
How God bore with the Jewish nation while they were murmuring and rebellious, breaking the Sabbath and every other precept of the law! He repeatedly declared them worse than the heathen. Each generation surpassed the preceding in guilt. The Lord permitted them to go into captivity;?but after their deliverance, his requirements were forgotten. Everything that he committed to that people to be kept sacred, was perverted or displaced by the inventions of rebellious men. Christ said to them in his day, “Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law?” And these were the men who set themselves up as judges and censors over those whom the Holy Spirit was moving to declare the word of God to the people. (See?John 7:19-23, 27, 28;?Luke 11:37-52.)?{PH154 16.2}[24]
【Holy Spirit to be Left Untrammeled】
Read these scriptures to the people. Read carefully, solemnly, and the Holy Spirit will be by your side, to impress minds as you read them. But do not fail to read with the true sense of the word in your own heart. If God has ever spoken by me, these scriptures mean very much to those who shall hear them.?{PH154 17.1}[25]
Finite men should beware of seeking to control their fellow men, taking the place assigned to the Holy Spirit. Let not men feel that it is their prerogative to give to the world what they suppose to be truth, and refuse that anything should be given contrary to their ideas. This is not their work. Many things will appear distinctly as truth, which will not be acceptable to those who think their own interpretations of the Scripture always right. Most decided changes will have to be made in regard to ideas which some have accepted as without a flaw. These men give evidence of fallibility in very many ways; they work upon principles which the word of God condemns. That which makes me feel to the very depths of?my being, and makes me know that their works are not the works of God, is that they suppose they have authority to rule their fellow men. The Lord has given them no more right to rule others than he has given others to rule them. Those who assume the control of their fellow men, take into their finite hands a work that devolves upon God alone.?{PH154 17.2}[26]
That men should keep alive the spirit which ran riot at Minneapolis, is an offense to God. All heaven is indignant at the spirit that for years has been revealed in our publishing institution at Battle Creek. Unrighteousness is practised that God will not tolerate. He will visit for these things. A voice has been heard pointing out the errors, and in the name of the Lord, pleading for a decided change. But who have followed the instruction given? Who have humbled their hearts, to put from them every vestige of their wicked, oppressive spirit? I have been greatly burdened to set these matters before the people as they are. I know they will see them. I know that those who read this matter will be convicted.?{PH154 18.1}[27]
【Christ’s Love for the Church】
The church of Christ, enfeebled, defective as she may appear, is the one object on earth upon which he bestows, in a special sense, his love and his regard. The church is the theater of his grace, in which he delights in making experiments of mercy on human hearts. The Holy Spirit is his representative, and it works to effect transformations so wonderful that angels look upon them with astonishment and joy. Heaven is full of rejoicing when the members of the human family?are seen to be full of compassion for one another, loving one another as Christ has loved them. The church is God’s fortress, his city of refuge, which he holds in a revolted world. Any betrayal of her sacred trust is treachery to him who has bought her with the precious blood of his only begotten Son.?{PH154 18.2}[28]
Christ speaks of the church over which Satan presides, as the synagogue of Satan. Its members are the children of disobedience. They are those who love to sin, and choose to sin, always laboring to make void the law of God, which is holy, just, and good. It is Satan’s work to mingle evil with good, and to confuse the distinction between good and evil. Christ would have a church that labors to separate the evil from good, whose members will not knowingly tolerate wrong-doing, but will expel it from their own hearts and lives. How careful should we be in passing judgment on the work of others, how careful lest we become guilty of ascribing to evil agencies the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.?---Mrs. E. G. White{PH154 19.1}[29]
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