重要的证言
始终应当在基督耶稣基督里团结如一个教会的众教会亲爱的弟兄姐妹们：
“你们还没有接受上帝的旨意本来要你们接受的教育，因为你们没有一直在吃那从天上降下来的生命的粮。要是你们殷勤地研究了上帝的道，你们原会确信：如果你们愿意在恩典和真理的知识上长进，就应当始终保持团结和谐的行动。如果你们的悟性曾受到启迪，你们的眼目单单关注上帝的荣耀，你们自己那些自私的想法原会被打消;你们悟性的眼睛原会打开，看明教会中各大属灵机构的奥秘。你们的分离——一个小教会从另一个小教会分开——已经使上帝的圣灵担忧。多年来，天国的计划没有实现，时间已削弱了信息的影响力。你们已经认识上帝律法的约束性要求之人现在的任务是达到比迄今所达到的更高的标准。已经存在的分歧给参加你们聚会的人留下了不好的印象。{PH038 1.1}
通过言语上流露的肉欲，演讲的才干已给宝贵的现代真理圣工带来了伤害。时候已到，必须完全彻底地抛弃一切分歧;而今应当毫不拖延地为一个伟大的目标作出一致、系统的努力：藉着耶稣基督成圣，以致顺从真理。“求祢用真理使他们成圣;祢的道就是真理”(约17:17)。一个人的影响要多久才能成为所有人的影响?热心、虔诚和智慧会藉着一种联合运动中的使人成圣的真理调和在归正之人的心中。基督的福音将在有力的行动中发挥其决定性的影响，证明上帝使人得救的大能。在工作中会有深切的热心，更多的联合和积极的努力，利用你们所有的精力，在我们的各城中拓展上帝国度疆界的工作中，彼此互相扶持。将会看到认真的结果，且会向天举手祷告，说：“这事谁能当得起呢”(林后2:16)?{PH038 2.1}
必须挑选上帝所拣选的代表从事所指定给他们的工作，他们的工作必须靠门徒们的祷告和奉献来维持，这些门徒可以继续在他们的工作岗位上工作，从而获得必要的资金来支持那些努力完成上帝所指定的计划的人。一个联合的、归正的教会的工作，以祷告和禁食来求上帝圣灵的显现，会使天上的媒介非常接近。当门徒“事奉主、禁食的时候，圣灵说：‘要为我分派巴拿巴和扫罗，去做我召他们所做的工’”(徒13:2)。如果我们个别地与祂合作，上帝在我们的日子里也会做同样多的工作。每个人都应该努力加强其他认真工作者的信心。上帝并没有赋予我们任何一个人使命，去阻碍和阻止任何一个能在伟大元首的监管下为宣扬圣经的真理和拯救将亡之人而抱着兴趣工作的人。我们现在必须为真理的扩展而努力，结果许多灵魂将在我们迄今未工作的城市中获得真理的知识。教会中最好的工具应当被挑选出来并派往各地，并在扩展传道努力的过程中得到维持。{PH038 2.2}
“于是禁食祷告，按手在他们头上，就打发他们去了”(徒13:3)。他们前往所指定给他们的工作园地。工人们在神圣的权威下行动。这些人必须自己知道他们要在其中作工的最好的园地。一些人和家人在一起时能工作得更好。家庭教会可能需要一位敬畏上帝的父亲的影响，他会正确地管教和训练他的孩子。上帝不会无情地让人被派到远离家人的园地里。一些没有家庭的人可以更方便地去遥远的园地，让父亲们和他们的家人留在一起。在派基督徒去各处工作的时候，要先征求他们父母的意见，然后再指定工作园地。家中的羊群不应因为没有父亲的明智影响而陷入困境。{PH038 3.1}
主说：“要扩大你们的边界。” 福音的力量是广泛的。人们应当成为献身拯救灵魂的人，应当为他们的工作有所表现。要是工人没能结果子，树就可能出了问题。葡萄园的工作费用必须尽可能少，因为有广大的领域要开发。当人们在不同的地方工作时，他们应当始终得到照顾，好看到他们的劳动成果。如果树不结果子，可能是因为它需要移植。如果经过适当的劳动，它仍然没有结果子，就要让它被移除;那在救灵的工作上无用的仆人应该被解雇，并受到鼓励从事某种业务，从而挣到钱来尽自己的本分，支持能成功作工的工人——有机智和智慧的人，能本着敬畏上帝的心得人归于基督的人。{PH038 4.1}
应当建立教会。不要建立像巴特尔克里克那样的大中心;然而在大城市里，还会有一些重要的教堂和集会场所，方便容纳各地的信徒。不应该要求牧师在我们的教堂里安顿下来，而要让真理赐人生命的能力打动其个人成员去行动，在那个地方进行一项有效的传道工作。作为上帝的手，教会应当接受教育和训练，以便从事有效的工作。其成员应当成为主献身的基督徒工人。教会太过片面了。{PH038 5.1}
纽约市有着巨大的利益，而纽约则包含一个广阔的园地。将纽约作为一个单独的区会工作是明智的。这是一个伟大的传道园地。这将需要比现在预期的更多的开支。如果纽约本身处于一个断开的园地、一个与其它领域和利益相分离的园地的一般运作之下，我们就可以使这一领域成为一个专门领域，并将取得更多的成就。还将避免许多混乱。{PH038 5.2}
有这样一种情况，就是工人们互相妨碍，在准备做一些应该立即做的事情时浪费了时间。对纽约城动工的最佳时间就是现在，是目前;要尽量把道路修直，好完成工作，同时要让大家都关心在附近地区引起的慕道兴趣。{PH038 6.1}
那些在大纽约工作的人必须有特别的计划来从事这一园地的工作，总体的工作力量应当在建立总体利益的问题上团结起来。{PH038 6.2}
在大纽约的工作要以会适当地表现上帝真理的神圣和圣洁的方式开展起来。素食餐馆、治疗室和烹饪学校要建立起来。人们要受教知道如何预备健康食物。要向他们说明必需丢弃茶、咖啡和肉食。{PH038 6.3}
比起周围的地区和不同的权益，大纽约必须与总会有不同的关系，而且就传道工作来说，也要不得不以不同的眼光予以考虑。大纽约本身就是一个世界。在某些方面，管理的方法应与周围的地方不一样。{PH038 6.4}
上帝有祂指定的媒介来扩大我们的影响范围，增加愿意作真正的传道士——为拯救同胞的灵魂而作工之人的人数。那些人不应设定任何界限以限制他们的工作范围。基督的教会必总是想着前进，必总是教育工人为基督取得进一步的胜利。它应该始终不停地活动，直到把真理传到世界各地。{PH038 6.5}
保罗和巴拿巴是怎么工作的呢?他们访问了每一个能进入的地方，成功地救人归于耶稣基督。在一大片土地被开垦后，他们就访问他们曾栽培的各教会，然后回到安提阿，就是藉着祈祷和会议推荐他们从那里出发去作工的地方。{PH038 7.1}
现在也要以同样的方式进行这项工作。要让那些准备作工的人学习《使徒行传》第14章。要让他们熟悉这一整章，因为那些将在这些末后的日子成为上帝同工的人必体验到第十九节中所记载的那些人的经验。“但有些犹太人从安提阿和以哥念来，挑唆众人，就用石头打保罗，以为他是死了，便拖到城外。门徒正围着他，他就起来，走进城去。第二天，同巴拿巴往特庇去，对那城里的人传了福音，使好些人作门徒，就回路司得、以哥念、安提阿去。”他们就这样履行了马太福音28:19,20的使命：“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。”他们的特别工作是，“坚固门徒的心，劝他们恒守所信的道;又说：‘我们进入上帝的国，必须经历许多艰难。’” 徒14:22-28。这些经验对各教会有很大的价值。{PH038 7.2}
主原希望纽约和它周围的地区及各城多年前就开工了，而今机会既然更加显明了，就应在各地区各教会吸引人心参与推进福音信息的工作。在葡萄园中凡遭到忽视的地区，人心都应因真正的、活泼的经验而激动。而今既有一项大工启动，就不可有一个人抱着手，而要人人都满有兴趣地关注教会的每一个举动。在大纽约各区的各教会如今要感到他们天赐的神圣责任。主的话语是要他们在这个广大的传道园地忠心作工，一切批评、挑剔和弟兄间离心离德的事都要停止。各样偏见，他们的恶思恶言都要抛弃。上帝不会再容忍一直在我们纽约的各教会支配事物的那种精神。这里的园地已经准备好收割。我们无论往哪个方向看，都要看到我们的弟兄们在做所指定给他们的工作，这工作延伸到不可测量的大范围。不要听从那些愿意怀存和培育偏见的人。工作要在上帝的指导之下前进，那些想要保持不和精神的人应该让开道路，让上帝的工作前进。{PH038 8.1}
每一个教会都应当按照上帝的命令行动，遵循祂关于圣餐和基督徒合一的计划。信徒的整个团体都应当在灵里合一。他们都是耶稣基督的教会。站在这个广袤的传道领域，教会应该召唤罪人来看上帝的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的。这项工作应当前进。那些自己带着量绳以便衡量一切，并说事情应该如何进行的人，现在可以免除这一责任。{PH038 9.1}
应当高举髑髅地的十字架，凡愿意吸引人们到十字架，使信徒的圈子越来越大的人，都将拥有基督，拯救的力量。应当显明对上帝的能力和荣耀的热心。{PH038 9.2}
人人都应明白，我们现在应当除掉一切苦毒怨恨，要有成圣的热心，拯救将亡的人。我们需要更多圣灵的引导。{PH038 10.1}
怀爱伦夫人
上述证言于1901年11月25日收到，并在教会中宣读。{PH038 10.2}
在大纽约的工作
(1902年9月1日写于加利福尼亚州圣赫勒那)
时候已到，要付出坚决的努力，在我们的大城市中传播真理。要以使听众信服的能力来宣讲信息。上帝要兴起工人来做这工作。不要让任何人阻碍上帝所命定的这些人。不要禁止他们。上帝已赐给他们要做的工作。他们将拥有独特的影响范围，并且要把真理带到最没有希望的地方。有些一度曾是仇敌的人，将成为有价值的帮助者，并用他们的财力和影响力推进圣工。{PH038 11.1}
在这些大城市中，当建立布道区，使工人们能受训练把这时代的特别信息传给人。他们需要获得这些布道区能给与的一切教导。{PH038 11.2}
在上帝的引导下，纽约市的布道工作已经开始。这项工作应当靠着引导其建立的同一位圣灵的大能继续进行。在大纽约承担工作重担的人，应得到最好工人的帮助。在这里要创立上帝圣工的一个中心，让所成就的工作成为一种标志，表明主希望见到在全世界所成就的工作。{PH038 11.3}
医疗布道工作如果能由有经验的人在这大中心建立起来，正确地代表真正的医疗布道原则，就会大有能力，给人们留下正确的印象。{PH038 12.1}
在所进入的每一座城市中，我们都应为永久的工作打下坚实的基础。应当效法主的办法。藉着挨家挨户作工，藉着在家庭中给人查经，工人可接近许多寻找真理的人。藉着打开圣经、藉着祈祷、藉着运用信心，他可以教导人主的道路。{PH038 12.2}
在大纽约，主有许多宝贵的生灵，是没有向巴力屈过膝的;还有那些因无知而行走错误之途的人。真理的亮光要照在这些人身上，好使他们可以看到基督乃是道路、真理、生命。{PH038 12.3}
我们应该本着基督的爱传扬真理。不应把任何的奢侈铺张或炫耀掺杂到这项工作中。要按照基督的命令做成这工作。要存心谦卑，本着福音的简朴发扬这工作。但愿工人们不被外界的表现所胁迫，无论多么可怕。要教导人圣经，而主必藉着祂的圣灵使听的人信服。(《教会证言》卷七37、38页){PH038 12.4}
PH038 - Important Testimony
Dear Brethren and Sisters in the Churches which are always to be united as one Church in Christ Jesus:You have not received that education which it is the will of God that you should have received, because you have not been eating of the Bread of Life which came down from heaven. Had you studied the Word of God diligently, you would have been convinced that unity and harmonious action is always to be preserved if you would advance in the grace and the knowledge of the truth. If your understanding had been enlightened, and your eye single to the glory of God, your own selfish ideas would have been dispelled; the eyes of your understanding would have been opened to the secrets of the great spiritual agencies in the church. Your drawing apart—one small church from another small church—has grieved the Holy Spirit of God. For years the plan of heaven has not been met, and time has weakened the influence of the Message. The commission to you who have come to a knowledge?of the binding claims of the law of God, is?now?to reach a higher standard than that which has hitherto been reached. The differences which have existed have left an unfavorable impression upon the minds of those who attend your meetings.?{PH038 1.1}[1]
By a carnality in words the talent of speech has been an injury to the precious cause of present truth. The time has come when all the differences must be put away fully and thoroughly; and now, without delay attempt a united, systematic effort for the one great object: sanctification through Jesus Christ to the obedience of the truth. “Sanctify them through Thy Word; Thy Word is truth.” How long would it be before the influence of one would be the influence of all? Zeal, piety and wisdom would blend in the converted souls through sanctification of the truth in a combined movement. The gospel of Christ would be exerting its decided influence in vigorous action, demonstrating the power of God unto salvation. There would be deep earnestness in the work, more combined and vigorous efforts, a using of all your energies, sustaining one another in the work of enlarging the territory of the kingdom of God in our cities. Earnest results would be seen, and prayers and hands would be uplifted to heaven, saying, “Who is sufficient for these things?”?{PH038 2.1}[2]
Agents must be selected, chosen of God, for?spheres of labor appointed them and their work must be sustained by the prayers and the contribution of the disciples who may remain in their business stations, thus earning the means necessary to sustain those laboring to work out God’s appointed plan. The work of a united, converted church, with prayer and fasting for the holy spirit of God to be revealed, will bring the angelic agencies very near. As the disciples “ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” God will work just as much in our day, if we will individually co-operate with him. Each should labor to strengthen the faith of the other earnest workers. God does not give to any of us the commission to hinder and discourage any soul who can work interestedly under the supervision of the Great Head for the presentation of Bible truth, and the saving of souls ready to perish. We must labor?now?for the extension of the truth and as a result many souls will come to a knowledge of the truth in our hitherto unworked cities. The very choicest instrumentalities the church contains should be selected and sent forth, and sustained in extending missionary efforts.?{PH038 2.2}[3]
“And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” They went to their appointed field of labor. The laborers moved under divine?authority. These men must know for themselves the best fields in which to work. Some men can work better when they can be with their families. The home church may need the influence of a God-fearing father who disciplines and trains his children aright. God would not have men ruthlessly sent to fields far away from their families. Some without families can go more conveniently to distant fields, letting the fathers remain with their families. In sending Christian workers from post to post, let the fathers and mothers be consulted before the field is appointed. The home family flock is not to be left distressed for the want of a father’s judicious influence.?{PH038 3.1}[4]
The Lord says, “Enlarge your borders.” The power of the Gospel is expansive. Men are to be devoted soul-savers, and should have something to show for their labors. If the workers fail to produce fruit, something may be wrong with the tree. The cost of working the vineyard must be made as little as possible, because there is a large territory to be worked. As men are employed in different places they should always be looked after to see what is the result of their labor. If the tree bears no fruit, it may be because it needs to be transplanted. If after proper labor it still has no fruit to bear, let it be removed; let the laborer be dismissed as an unprofitable servant in the work of soul saving, and encouraged to go into?some business, by which he can earn means to act his part in sustaining laborers which can work successfully—persons with tact and wisdom, who, in the fear of God, will win souls to Christ.?{PH038 4.1}[5]
Churches are to be planted. No great centers are to be made, as at Battle Creek; and yet there will be some important churches established, and meeting houses provided in large cities favorable to accommodating the believers in each locality. There should not be a call to have settled pastors over our churches, but let the life-giving power of the truth impress its individual members to act, carrying on an efficient missionary work in that locality. As the hand of God, the church is to be educated and trained to do effective work. Its members are to be the Lord’s devoted, Christian workers. The church is too one-sided.?{PH038 5.1}[6]
There are large interests in New York City, and New York embraces a large field. It would be wise to have New York worked as a separate conference. It is a great missionary field. It will require a much larger outlay of means than is now anticipated. If New York proper should come under the general workings of a set-off field, a field to be worked separately from the other territory and interests, we can make a specialty of this field, and more will be accomplished. Much confusion will also be avoided.?{PH038 5.2}[7]
There is such a thing as workers getting in one another’s way, and losing time in making preparations to do something that ought to be done promptly. The best time to work New York City is now, the present?now; and let the path be made as straight as possible for the work to be done, and at the same time let all be interested in every interest created in adjoining localities.?{PH038 6.1}[8]
Those working Greater New York must have special plans by which to work that field, and the general working forces should unite in the matter of building up the general interest.?{PH038 6.2}[9]
The work in Greater New York is to be carried on in a way that will properly represent the sacredness and holiness of the truth of God. Vegetarian restaurants, treatment rooms and cooking schools, are to be established. The people are to be taught how to prepare wholesome food. They are to be shown the need of discarding tea, coffee and flesh-meat.?{PH038 6.3}[10] Greater New York must stand in a different relation to the General Conference than the surrounding territory and interests which are different, and will have to be considered in a different light as far as missionary work is concerned. Greater New York is a world of itself, and should have in some respects different management from that of the surrounding localities.?{PH038 6.4}[11]
God has his appointed agencies for the?enlargement of our circle of influence, and for the increasing of the number of workers who will be missionaries indeed—laborers for the saving of the souls of their fellow-men. Those should set no boundaries to limit the sphere of their labors. The Christian church will ever meditate advance moves; it will ever be educating workers for further conquests for Christ. It should ever be moving on and on, that the truth may extend to all parts of the globe.?{PH038 6.5}[12]
How did Paul and Barnabas labor? They visited every place where they could get an entrance, and they had success in the saving of souls to Jesus Christ. After a large territory was worked, they visited the churches which they had planted, and then returned to Antioch, the place from which they had been recommended by prayer and council for the work.?{PH038 7.1}[13]
In the same way the work is to be carried now. Let those preparing to be laborers study?Acts 14. Let them become familiar with this whole chapter, for those who will become laborers together with God in these last days will realize similar experiences as those recorded in verse nineteen. “And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, (who had so recently refused to be worshiped as a god), drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood about him, he rose up, and came into the?city; and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when he had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch.” Thus they fulfilled the commission given in?Matthew 28:19, 20: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising 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.” Their special work was, “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom of God.”?Acts 14:22-28. These experiences were of great value to the churches.?{PH038 7.2}[14]
The Lord would have had New York with all its surrounding localities and cities worked many years ago, and now, that the opportunity is more plainly revealed, in all localities, in every church, hearts should be drawn out and connected with the progress of the gospel message. In all the neglected parts of the vineyard hearts should be thrilled with a genuine, living experience; and now that there is a great work started, no one must fold his hands, but all must regard with interest every movement of the church. The churches now in different parts of Greater New York are to feel their sacred,?God-given responsibilities. The word of the Lord is for this wide missionary field to be faithfully worked, and every vestige of criticism, and fault-finding and separating of brethren to cease. The prejudices, their thinking and speaking evil are to be put away. God will not tolerate any longer the spirit that has been controlling matters in our New York churches. The fields here are ready for harvest. In whatever direction we look our brethren must do their appointed work, which stretches to a large, unmeasured circumference. Those who would cherish and foster prejudice are not to be listened to. The work is to go forward under the direction of God, and those who wish to keep up the spirit of dissension should take themselves out of the way, and let God’s work move onward.?{PH038 8.1}[15]
Every church shall move in God’s order, following his plan of communion and Christian oneness. The whole body of believers are to be one in spirit. They are collectively the church of Jesus Christ. Standing in this widely extended missionary territory, the church should be calling the sinful to look at the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. This work is to go forward. Those who have taken upon themselves to carry a measuring line that they may measure all, and say how things shall go, may now be excused from this responsibility.?{PH038 9.1}[16]
The cross of Calvary is to be uplifted, and?all who will be engaged in drawing the people to the cross, enlarging the circumference of the circle of believers larger and larger, will have Christ, the power of salvation. Zeal for the power and glory of God is to be revealed.?{PH038 9.2}[17]
Let all understand that we are now to get rid of everything of bitterness, and have a sanctified zeal for the saving of souls who are ready to perish. We need more of the Holy Spirit’s guidance.?---Mrs. E. G. White {PH038 10.1}[18]
The foregoing testimony was received November 25, 1901, and read in the Churches.?{PH038 10.2}[19]
【The Work in Greater New York】
(St. Helena, Cal.,September 1, 1902.)
The time has come to make decided efforts to proclaim the truth in our large cities. The message is to be given with such power that the hearers shall be convinced. God will raise up laborers to do this work. Let no one hinder these men of God’s appointment. Forbid them not. God has given them their work. They will occupy peculiar spheres of influence, and will carry the truth to the most unpromising places. Some who were once enemies will become valuable helpers, advancing the work with their means and their influence.?{PH038 11.1}[20]
In these large cities missions should be established where workers can be trained to present to the people the special message for this time. There is need of all the instruction that these missions can give.?{PH038 11.2}[21]
Under the direction of God, the mission in New York City has been started. This work should be continued in the power of the same Spirit that led to its establishment. Those who bear the burden of the work in Greater New York should have the help of the best workers that can be secured. Here let a center for God’s work be made, and let all that is done be a symbol of the work the Lord desires to see done in the world.?{PH038 11.3}[22]
If in this great center medical missionary work could be established by men and women of experience, those who would give a correct representation of true medical missionary principles, it would have great power in making a right impression on the people.?{PH038 12.1}[23]
In every city that is entered, a solid foundation is to be laid for permanent work. The Lord’s methods are to be followed. By doing house-to-house work, by giving Bible-readings in families, the worker may gain access to many who are seeking for truth. By opening the Scriptures, by prayer, by exercising faith, he is to teach the people the way of the Lord.?{PH038 12.2}[24]
In Greater New York, the Lord has many precious souls who have not bowed the knee to Baal; and there are those who through ignorance have walked in the ways of error. On these the light of truth is to shine, that they may see Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.?{PH038 12.3}[25]
We are to present the truth in the love of Christ. No extravagance or display should attend the work. It is to be done after Christ’s order. It is to be carried forward in humility, in the simplicity of the gospel. Let not the workers be intimidated by outward-appearances, however forbidding. Teach the word, and the Lord by His Holy Spirit will send conviction to the hearers.?Testimonies for the Church 7:37, 38.{PH038 12.4}[26]
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