传道良助-第84章

  第83章 信仰自由

传道良助-第84章

  Chap. 83 Religious Liberty

传道良助-第84章

  门徒对那不可奉耶稣的名讲道的禁令回答说：“听从你们，不听从上帝，这在上帝面前合理不合理，你们自己酌量吧”（徒4:19）。在这件事上他们所勇敢坚持的原则，也就是后来在宗教改革运动时期那些为福音奋斗的人所努力持守的。当一五二九年德国诸候举行施派尔会议时，会议发表了皇帝的谕旨，限制宗教自由，并禁止人再宣讲宗教改革的教义。那时世界的希望似乎将要消灭了。诸候能接受这个谕旨吗？福音的真光是否被遮蔽，以致不能照耀那些仍然处于黑暗之中的群众呢？那时全世界的命运千钧一发，他们所采取的行动关系重大。于是那些接受改革信仰的人就开了一次会议，作出一致的决定说：“让我们拒绝这个谕旨吧。在良心的问题上，多数人的意见是不能成立的。”（德阿比坚：《宗教改革史》，卷十三第5章）{GW 389.1}[1]

传道良助-第84章

  The principle for which the disciples stood so fearlessly when, in answer to the command not to speak any more in the name of Jesus, they declared, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye," [Acts 4:19.] is the same that the adherents of the gospel struggled to maintain in the days of the Reformation. When in 1529 the German princes assembled at the Diet of Spires, there was presented the emperor's decree restricting religious liberty, and prohibiting all further dissemination of the reformed doctrines. It seemed that the hope of the world was about to be crushed out. Would the princes accept the decree? Should the light of the gospel be shut out from the multitudes still in darkness? Mighty issues for the world were at stake. Those who had accepted the reformed faith met together, and their unanimous decision was, "Let us reject this decree. In matters of conscience the majority has no power." [D'AUBIGNE: "HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION," BOOK 13, CHAP. 5.] {GW 389.1}[1]

传道良助-第84章

  我们在现今的时代也应坚持这个原则。过去各世代中教会的元老和上帝的见证人所高举的真理和宗教自由的旗帜，在今日最后的斗争展开时，已经交在我们手中了。凡蒙上帝赐福明白祂真道的人都有责任保守这个伟大的委托。我们应当接受上帝的话为最高的权威。同时我们也该承认属世的政府是上帝所命定的。在合理的范围之内，教导人顺从政府乃是我们的天职。但当政府的命令与上帝的命令发生冲突时，我们必须顺从上帝，而不顺从人。我们必须承认上帝的话高过世人的法律。我们不可以“教会当局如此说”或“政府当局如此说”来代替“耶和华如此说。”基督的冕旒必须被高举，超过一切地上君王和臣宰。{GW 389.2}[2]

传道良助-第84章

  This principle we in our day are firmly to maintain. The banner of truth and religious liberty held aloft by the founders of the gospel church and by God's witnesses during the centuries that have passed since then, has, in this last conflict, been committed to our hands. The responsibility for this great gift rests with those whom God has blessed with a knowledge of His word. We are to receive this word as supreme authority. We are to recognize human government as an ordinance of divine appointment, and teach obedience to it as a sacred duty, within its legitimate sphere. But when its claims conflict with the claims of God, we must obey God rather than men. God's word must be recognized as above all human legislation. A "Thus saith the Lord" is not to be set aside for a "Thus saith the church" or a "Thus saith the state." The crown of Christ is to be lifted above the diadems of earthly potentates. {GW 389.2}[2]

传道良助-第84章

  上帝不要我们故意反抗掌权的人。我们的言论，不拘是用口说的或用笔写，都应当慎重考虑，免得使人误会我们有反抗政府法令的意思。我们不应当作什么事或讲什么话，使自己受到无谓的障碍。我们只要奉基督的名前进，宣讲主所托付我们的真理。若有人拦阻我们作这样的工作，我们只得像使徒一样地说：“听从你们，不听从上帝，这在上帝面前合理不合理，你们自己酌量吧！我们所看见所听见的、不能不说”（徒4:19-20）。——《使徒行述》第68，69页。{GW 390.1}[3]

传道良助-第84章

  We are not required to defy authorities. Our words, whether spoken or written, should be carefully considered, lest we place ourselves on record as uttering that which would make us appear antagonistic to law and order. We are not to say or do anything that would necessarily close up our way. We are to go forward in Christ's name, advocating the truths committed to us. If we are forbidden by men to do this work, then we may say, as did the apostles, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." [Acts 4:19, 20.]--"The Acts of the Apostles," pages 68, 69. {GW 390.1}[3]

传道良助-第84章

  路德的笔是一种力量，他的著作，散布各处，激动了世界。这同样的工具及其便利增加了百倍，可以由我们使用。我们手中有多种语言的圣经和印刷品，可用以传述现代真理，并可迅速的运送到世界各处。我们既要向世人传出上帝最后的警告，就该何等恳切地研究圣经，何等热心地散布真光啊！——《教会证言》卷六第403页。{GW 390.2}[4]

传道良助-第84章

  Luther's pen was a power, and his writings, scattered broadcast, stirred the world. The same agencies are at our command, with facilities multiplied a hundred-fold. Bibles, publications in many languages, setting forth the truth for this time, are at our hand, and can be swiftly carried to all the world. We are to give the last warning of God to men, and what should be our earnestness in studying the Bible, and our zeal in spreading the light!--"Testimonies for the Church," Vol. VI, page 403. {GW 390.2}[4]

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