中英對照/福音原則/第17章
耶穌基督今日的教會
The Church of Jesus Christ Today
耶穌基督的教會從世上被取走
The Church of Jesus Christ Was Taken from the Earth
● 耶穌基督的教會為什麼在救主死亡和復活後不久就從世上被取走?
• Why was the Church of Jesus Christ removed from the earth shortly after the Savior’s death and Resurrection ?
耶穌在世時,建立了祂的教會,也就是唯一真實的教會。
When Jesus lived on the earth, He established His Church, the only true Church.
祂組織祂的教會讓福音的真理能夠教導給所有人民,讓福音的教儀能夠經由權柄正確地執行。
He organized His Church so the truths of the gospel could be taught to all people and the ordinances of the gospel could be administered correctly with authority.
透過這個組織,基督可以把救恩的祝福帶給全人類。
Through this organization, Christ could bring the blessings of salvation to mankind .
救主升天後,人們改變了祂和使徒們所制定的教儀和教義。
After the Savior ascended into heaven, men changed the ordinances and doctrines that He and His Apostles had established.
由於叛教的緣故,再也沒有從神而來的直接啟示。
Because of apostasy, there was no direct revelation from God.
真實的教會不再存於世上。
The true Church was no longer on the earth.
人們組織了許多不同的教會,都自稱是真實的教會,但卻教導矛盾的教義,因此在宗教方面有許多混亂及爭論。
Men organized different churches that claimed to be true but taught conflicting doctrines. There was much confusion and contention over religion.
主已預見這些叛教的情況,祂說會有「饑荒降在地上。人飢餓非因無餅,乾渴非因無水,乃因不聽耶和華的話。
The Lord had foreseen these conditions of apostasy, saying there would be “a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.
他們……尋求耶和華的話,卻尋不著」(阿摩司書8:11-12)。
…They shall … seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it” (Amos 8:11–12) .
● 阿摩司書8:11-12 談到的饑荒對人民有何影響?
• How does the famine spoken of in Amos 8:11–12 affect people ?
主應許會復興祂真實的教會
The Lord Promised to Restore His True Church
● 當時世界上有哪些狀況為福音的復興預備了道路?
•What were some of the conditions in the world that prepared the way for the Restoration of the gospel ?
救主應許會在後期時代復興祂的教會。
The Savior promised to restore His Church in the latter days.
祂說:「我在這百姓中要行奇妙的事,就是奇妙又奇妙的事」(以賽亞書29:14)。
He said, “I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder” (Isaiah 29:14) .
人們在靈性的黑暗中生活了許多年。
For many years people lived in spiritual darkness.
大約在主後1,700 年,人們愈來愈有興趣想要了解有關神和宗教方面的真理。
About 1,700 years after Christ, people were becoming more and more interested in knowing the truth about God and religion.
有些人可以看出當時世上並沒有耶穌所教導的福音。
Some of them could see that the gospel Jesus taught was no longer on the earth.
有些人認清當時並沒有啟示和真正的權柄,基督所組織的真實教會也不存於世上。
Some recognized that there was no revelation and no true authority and that the Church that Christ organized did not exist on the earth.
在世上復興耶穌基督真實教會的時刻已經來到。
The time had arrived for the Church of Jesus Christ to be restored to the earth .
● 圓滿福音的復興何以是一件「奇妙的事」?
• In what ways is the Restoration of the fulness of the gospel a “marvellous work” ?
來自神的新啟示
New Revelation from God
● 約瑟.斯密得到第一次異象時,對神有了哪些認識?
• When Joseph Smith received his First Vision, what did he learn about God ?
1820 年的春天,發生了世界歷史上一件重要無比的事。
In the spring of 1820, one of the most important events in the history of the world occurred.
主所說的要發生奇妙又奇妙的事的那個時刻已經到了。
The time had come for the marvelous work and wonder of which the Lord had spoken.
少年約瑟.斯密想知道在所有的教會中,哪一個是耶穌基督真實的教會。
As a young boy, Joseph Smith wanted to know which of all the churches was the true Church of Jesus Christ.
他走進住家附近的樹林,謙卑且專注地向天父禱告,求問應該加入哪一個教會。
He went into the woods near his home and prayed humbly and intently to his Heavenly Father, asking which church he should join.
那天早上,發生了一件奇妙的事情。
On that morning a miraculous thing happened.
天父和耶穌基督向約瑟.斯密顯現。
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith.
救主告訴他不要加入任何教會,因為這世上沒有真實的教會。
The Savior told him not to join any church because the true Church was not on the earth.
祂也說,當時教會所教導的教條「在祂看來都是可憎的」(約瑟.斯密──歷史1:19;亦見第7-18,20 節)。
He also said that the creeds of present churches were “an abomination in his sight” ( Joseph Smith— History 1:19; see also verses 7–18, 20).
從這件事開始,又開始有了直接來自天上的啟示。
Beginning with this event, there was again direct revelation from the heavens.
主揀選了一位新的先知。
The Lord had chosen a new prophet.
從那時開始,諸天再也沒有關閉過。
Since that time the heavens have not been closed.
透過祂所揀選的每一位先知,啟示一直到今日都不曾間斷。
Revelation continues to this day through each of His chosen prophets.
約瑟要協助復興耶穌基督的真實福音。
Joseph was to be the one to help restore the true gospel of Jesus Christ .
● 第一次異象為什麼是世界史上最重要的事件之一?
• Why was the First Vision one of the most important events in the history of the world ?
復興來自神的權柄
Authority from God Was Restored
● 為什麼一定要復興亞倫聖職和麥基洗德聖職?
• Why was the restoration of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods necessary ?
神在復興福音時,再次把聖職賜給世人。
In restoring the gospel, God again gave the priesthood to men .
1829 年,施洗約翰前來授予約瑟.斯密和奧利佛.考德里亞倫聖職(見教約第13 篇;27:8)。
John the Baptist came in 1829 to confer the Aaronic Priesthood on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (see D&C 13; 27:8).
後來,古代教會的會長團──彼得、雅各、約翰──來把麥基洗德聖職及神國度的鑰權交給約瑟.斯密和奧利佛.考德里(見教約27:12-13)。
Then Peter, James, and John, the presidency of the Church in ancient times, came and gave Joseph and Oliver the Melchizedek Priesthood and the keys of the kingdom of God (see D&C 27:12–13).
此後,天上的使者,如摩西、以利亞、以來加等人,復興了其他的聖職鑰權(見教約110:11-16)。
Later, additional keys of the priesthood were restored by heavenly messengers such as Moses, Elias, and Elijah (see D&C 110:11–16).
透過福音的復興,聖職又重回世上。
Through the Restoration, the priesthood was returned to the earth.
今日,凡持有這聖職的人都有權柄去執行洗禮等教儀。
Those who hold this priesthood today have the authority to perform ordinances such as baptism.
他們也有權柄去領導主在世上的國度。
They also have the authority to direct the Lord’s kingdom on earth .
基督的教會再次建立
Christ’s Church Was Organized Again
● 哪些事件使得教會得以再次在世上建立?
• What events led to the organization of the Church on the earth again ?
1830 年4 月6 日,救主再次指導祂教會在世上的組織事宜(見教約20:1)。
On April 6, 1830, the Savior again directed the organizing of His Church on the earth (see D&C 20:1).
祂的教會稱為耶穌基督後期聖徒教會(見教約115:4)。
His Church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (see D&C 115:4) .
基督是今日祂教會的元首,就如同祂在古代一樣。
Christ is the head of His Church today, just as He was in ancient times.
主說過,「我,主,整個地面上唯一真實而活著的教會極為喜悅」(教約1:30)。
The Lord has said that it is “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased” (D&C 1:30) .
約瑟.斯密被支持為先知和教會的「第一位長老」(見教約20:2-4)。
Joseph Smith was sustained as prophet and “first elder” of the Church (see D&C 20:2–4).
後來組成了總會會長團,他被支持為總會會長。
Later the First Presidency was organized, and he was sustained as President.
教會成立之初,只確立了架構。
When the Church was first organized, only the framework was set up.
隨著教會持續地成長,組織也逐漸建立起來。
The organization would develop as the Church continued to grow .
教會組織中的職位,也與古代的教會相同。
The Church was organized with the same offices as were in the ancient Church.
這組織包括使徒、先知、七十員、傳福音的人(教長)、牧師(主領職員)、大祭司、長老、主教、祭司、教師及執事。
That organization included apostles, prophets, seventies, evangelists (patriarchs), pastors (presiding officers), high priests, elders, bishops, priests, teachers, and deacons.
同樣的職位也存在於祂今日的教會中(見信條第6 條)。
These same offices are in His Church today (see Articles of Faith 1:6) .
先知在主的指示下行事,領導教會。
A prophet, acting under the direction of the Lord, leads the Church .
先知也是總會會長。
This prophet is also the President of the Church.
他持有一切必要的全部權柄來帶領主在世上的事工(見教約107:65,91)。
He holds all the authority necessary to direct the Lord’s work on earth (see D&C 107:65, 91).
總會會長由兩位副會長協助。
Two counselors assist the President.
十二使徒是耶穌基督之名的特別證人,在世界各地教導福音,並管理教會事務。
Twelve Apostles, who are special witnesses of the name of Jesus Christ, teach the gospel and regulate the affairs of the Church in all parts of the world .
負責特殊任務的其他總會當局職員,包括總主教團和七十員定額組,都在總會會長團和十二使徒定額組的指導下服務。
Other general officers of the Church with special assignments, including the Presiding Bishopric and the Quorums of the Seventy, serve under the direction of the First Presidency and the Twelve .
聖職的職位包括使徒、七十員、教長、大祭司、主教、長老、祭司、教師和執事。
The offices of the priesthood include apostles, seventies, patriarchs, high priests, bishops, elders, priests, teachers, and deacons.
這些都是在原始教會中就有的相同職位。
These are the same offices that existed in the original Church .
和耶穌時代的教會相比,今日的教會更加壯大。
The Church has grown much larger than it was in the days of Jesus .
隨著教會的成長,主也啟示要增加教會組織中的單位。
As it has grown, the Lord has revealed additional units of organization within the Church.
教會在一個地區的組織完備時,在當地的分部就稱為支聯會。
When the Church is fully organized in an area, it has local divisions called stakes.
各支聯會由一位支聯會會長及兩位副會長主領。
A stake president and his two counselors preside over each stake.
支聯會有12 位高級諮議協助推動主在支聯會中的事工。
The stake has 12 high councilors who help do the Lord’s work in the stake.
在支聯會會長的指導下,支聯會組成麥基洗德聖職定額組(見本書第14 章)。
Melchizedek Priesthood quorums are organized in the stake under the direction of the stake president (see chapter 14 in this book).
各支聯會又分成較小的地區,稱為支會。
Each stake is divided into smaller areas called wards.
各支會由一位主教及兩位副主教主領。
A bishop and his two counselors preside over each ward .
教會在世界各地尚在發展階段的地區,就有區會,就像支聯會一樣。
In areas of the world where the Church is developing, there are districts, which are like stakes.
區會分成較小的單位,稱為分會,就像支會一樣。
Districts are divided into smaller units called branches, which are like wards .
復興重要的真理
Important Truths Were Restored
● 教會的復興帶回了哪些重要的真理?
• What important truths have been brought back with the Restoration of the Church ?
今日教會教導著耶穌時代所教導的同樣原則,並且執行相同的教儀。
The Church today teaches the same principles and performs the same ordinances as were performed in the days of Jesus.
福音的首要原則和教儀是:對主耶穌基督的信心、悔改、浸沒洗禮及為聖靈恩賜的按手禮(見信條第4 條)。
The first principles and ordinances of the gospel are faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Articles of Faith 1:4) .
教會復興後,這些寶貴的真理都圓滿地回復了。
These precious truths were returned in their fulness when the Church was restored .
約瑟.斯密藉著神的恩賜及大能,翻譯了摩爾門經,其中就包含了明白而寶貴的福音真理。
Through the gift and power of God, Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, which contains the plain and precious truths of the gospel.
許多其他的啟示隨之而來,記錄在教義和聖約及無價珍珠中,成為經文(見本書第10章)。
Many other revelations followed and have been recorded as scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price (see chapter 10 in this book) .
主復興的其他重要真理如下:
Other important truths that the Lord restored include the following:
1. 天父是一位真實的人物,有可觸摸且完美的骨肉身體,耶穌基督也是一樣。
1.Our Heavenly Father is a real being with a tangible, perfected body of flesh and bones, and so is Jesus Christ.
聖靈是一個靈體的人。
The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit .
2. 我們在前生時就已存在,是神的靈體兒女。
2. We existed in premortal life as spirit children of God .
3. 必須有聖職,才能執行福音的教儀。
3. The priesthood is necessary to administer the ordinances of the gospel .
4. 人為自己的罪受懲罰,並不是為亞當的違誡。
4. We will be punished for our own sins and not for Adam’s transgression .
5. 小孩子在能負責(八歲)以前,不需要受洗。
5. Children do not need to be baptized until they are accountable (eight years old) .
6. 天上有三個不同榮耀的國度,由於主耶穌基督的恩典,世人將按照他們在世上的行為,也按照他們心中的願望得酬賞。
6. There are three kingdoms of glory in the heavens, and through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, people will be rewarded according to their actions on earth and according to the desires of their hearts .
7. 透過聖職的印證權能,家庭關係可以永恆存在。
7. Family relationships can be eternal through the sealing power of the priesthood .
8. 教儀和聖約是獲得救恩的必要條件,不論活人或死者都可以獲得。
8. Ordinances and covenants are required for salvation and are available for both the living and the dead .
● 這些真理對你和其他人產生了什麼影響?
• How have these truths influenced you and others ?
耶穌基督的教會將不再被摧毀
The Church of Jesus Christ Will Never Be Destroyed
● 教會的使命為何?
• What is the mission of the Church ?
耶穌基督後期聖徒教會自1830 年復興以來,教友人數迅速成長。
Since its restoration in 1830, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints has grown rapidly in membership.
世界各國幾乎都有教友。
There are members in nearly every country in the world.
教會將繼續成長。
The Church will continue to grow.
誠如基督所說:「這國度的福音要傳遍全世界,對萬民作見證」(約瑟.斯密──馬太1:31)。
As Christ said, “This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations” ( Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:31).
教會永遠不會再從世上被取走。
The Church will never again be taken from the earth.
教會的使命是把真理傳給每一個人。
Its mission is to take the truth to every person.
主在幾千年前就說,祂「必另立一國,永不敗壞,也不歸別國的人,……這國必存到永遠」(但以理書2:44)。
Thousands of years ago, the Lord said He would “set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, … and it shall stand for ever” (Daniel 2:44) .
● 你曾如何協助推動神國的事工?
• How have you helped in the work of the kingdom of God?
你可以如何繼續推動這事工?
What can you do to continue this work ?
給教師:作見證可以邀請聖靈同在。
For teachers: Bearing testimony invites the Spirit.
為福音的復興作見證,也讓其他人有機會為福音的復興作見證,作為本課的一部分。
As part of this lesson, bear your testimony of the Restoration and give others the opportunity to do the same .
其他經文
Additional Scriptures
● 使徒行傳3:19-21;啟示錄14:6;但以理書2:44-45;以賽亞書2:2-4;尼腓二書3:6-15(預告會有復興)
• Acts 3:19–21; Revelation 14:6; Daniel 2:44–45; Isaiah 2:2–4; 2 Nephi 3:6–15 (Restoration foretold)
● 教約第110 篇;128:19-21;133:36-39,57-58(福音的復興)
• D&C 110; 128:19–21; 133:36–39, 57–58 (Restoration of the gospel)
● 以弗所書2:20(耶穌基督是教會的房角石)
• Ephesians 2:20 ( Jesus Christ the cornerstone of the Church)
● 教約20:38-67(教會職員的職責)
• D&C 20:38–67 (duties of officers of the Church)
● 馬太福音24:14(福音要傳遍萬國)
• Matthew 24:14 (gospel to be preached to all nations)