But what has that divine power of the Holy Spirit already made available to us? The text says, "All things that pertain unto life and godliness." Doesn't that stagger your mind? It is like a blank check on the bank of heaven, isn't it? It is not for material things like houses, cars, and lands, but it absolutely includes anything and everything you might need to live a godly life.

但是圣灵那神圣的能力已经为我们提供了什么呢？经上说：“一切关乎生命和虔敬的事”，这难道不使我们吃惊吗？就像是天国银行里一张任你填写取款数额的支票，不是吗？这不是指物质的东西如房屋、汽车、土地，而是绝对包括你过一个虔诚生活所需要的所有任何东西。

Have you longed for victory over sin, for sanctification, holiness, Christlikeness, purity, and perfection of character? It is included in the "all things" of this verse. And don't try to reason away the words and make them say something besides what they say.

你曾经渴望战胜罪恶、得洁净、成圣，像耶稣一样纯洁无瑕疵的品格吗？这都包括在这节经文的“一切”中。请不要试图从语句之外去理解，以期获得另外的解释。

Faith Brings the Power

I repeat that this is a signed check from God drawn on the mighty, inexhaustible resources of the bank of heaven. God tells us to fill it in as to the amount. It is already signed and certified by Him. What a promise! But you might ask, "How is this check to be processed?" The next verse explains the cashing procedures. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." Verse 4.

信心带来能力

我再强调这是上帝从天上银行大能无穷尽的资源中取出的一张盖了印章的支票。上帝让我们自己去填写金额。上帝已经盖章并授权于我们的。何等的应许！但是你或许会问：“这张支票可以怎么处理呢？”下一节经文就解释了兑现的程序。“因此他已将又宝贵又极大的应许赐给我们，叫我们既脱离世上从情欲来的败坏，就得与神的性情有分。”（ 彼后1：4）。

There it is! The power is in the promise itself. As soon as we believe it our lives may immediately begin to share in His divine nature. Can there be any higher privilege than to actually participate in the very life of our Lord Jesus? His omnipotence is joined to our finite weakness, and we are empowered to live out the victory He gained when "tempted in all points like as we are tempted." We do not have to yield to corruptions and lusts of the world; we can "escape" them by claiming the "divine power" of that "divine nature."

这就是了！能力就在应许本身之中。我们一相信，生命就立刻与上帝神圣的性情有分。还有什么权利比切实地参与主耶稣的实际生活更高？他的大能连接着我们有限人类的软弱，我们也从他那取了得胜的能力，就如他“曾凡事受过试探，与我们一样”而得了胜。我们不必顺从世上从情欲来的败坏，我们借着“神的神能”就可“脱离”。

Many professed Christians cannot muster the faith to believe promises like this. They prefer to believe that our fallen natures are just too depraved to ever be totally victorious over sin, even through the power of the gospel. What a tragedy! They have to trust the words of Scripture to mean something besides what they actually say. In essence, they are magnifying the power of Satan over the power of God, and making it impossible to ever fully stop sinning.

许多已立志归主的基督徒不能像这样相信上帝的应许来把握他们的信心。他们宁愿相信犯罪的人类由于太堕落以致不能完全战胜罪恶，尽管有福音的大能。何其可悲！其实，他们是在夸大撒旦的能力超过上帝的能力，所以使得他们不能完全停止犯罪。

Incredible Promises

Now consider with me one of the most extraordinary promises found anywhere in the counsels of God. "That he would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19.

难以置信的应许

现在我们一起来思考在上帝的任何劝诫中都可以找到的一个特别的应许。“他按着他丰盛的荣耀，借着他的灵，叫你们心里的力量刚强起来，使基督因你们的信，住在你们心里，叫你们的爱心，有根有基，能以和众圣徒一同明白基督的爱，是何等长阔高深，并知道这爱是过于人所能测度的，便叫神一切所充满的，充满了你们。”（弗3：16－19）

It is that last phrase that we need to examine carefully. How could such a statement be true? I don't begin to grasp the magnitude of those words. In fact, I seem to be standing on the shore of a vast restless ocean, watching the waves receding into infinity. To be filled with all the fullness of God is one of those unsearchable gems of Truth that we can only accept by faith. We will never be able to understand it, but we can believe it anyway.

最后一句值得我们去细细查考。这样一个声明怎么可能是真实的呢？我不必去理会这经文中的词语有多少广大。事实上，我好像站在一个无边无际的大海边上，看着海浪向见不到边际的另一岸退去。被“上帝一切所充满的”充满的是上帝诸多奥秘中的一颗珍珠，也就是我们单单凭着信心去接受。我们从来没有能力去明白，但是我们无论如何都可以去相信。

What is all the fullness of God? Surely it includes His righteousness, His victory, and His divine nature. We can only begin to comprehend the scope of this promise. Apparently, He wants us to receive and share all that He has. As sons and daughters of God we belong to a royal family, and are fully entitled to participate in all its divine prerogatives.

什么是“神一切所充满的”？当然包括他的义、他的得胜及他的神性。我们只能初步理解这应许的范围。显然，上帝愿意我们接受并分享他一切所有的。作为上帝的儿女，我们属于皇室成员，并被完全赋予所有神圣特权。

But now let's read the grand climax of this pyramid of promises in Ephesians 3. Paul writes, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Verse 20. And what is that power? The Holy Spirit, of course. When we analyze this verse our amazement increases.

现在让我们读以弗所书3章中的这一金字塔形应许的最重要高潮的部分。保罗写道：“神能照着运行在我们心里的大力，充充足足的成就一切超过我们所求所想的（20节）。”那是什么能力？当然是圣灵的能力。当我们分析这一节经文，我们就更加稀奇上帝的恩典。

Wouldn't it be wonderful enough if God just promised to give us all that we asked for? Surely such an open-ended offer could be limited only by our reluctance to ask. But our wonderful, beneficent Father assures us in this text that He is willing to give "above" all that we ask. He must realize that we are too easily satisfied, and would not be bold enough in our petitions. In fact, He not only will exceed "all" our requests for spiritual blessings, but will bestow "abundantly" above all we could ask. But that is not all! In the fervency of His love for us, God promises to do "exceeding abundantly above all" we could ask. What a dramatic parade of powerful adjectives to describe the spiritual riches so easily available to all of us. And you could add twenty or a hundred more colorful words and it would not make the promise any more certain than it now stands.

如果上帝给我们所有我们向他祈求的，难道不更好吗？当然这样无止境的提供只会因我们不愿意去求而受限。但是我们奇妙慈爱的天父在这节经文中向我们保证，他愿意给我们一切“超过”我们所求的。他必定知道我们太容易满足，不会大胆的去祈求。事实上，他不只是超过“一切”我们所求的属灵福气，更会“充充足足”的超过一切我们所求的。但这还不是所有！他对我们炽热的爱，应许“充充足足的成就一切超过我们所求的”。这是一个多么生动有力的形容词，描述属灵福气可以如此容易的被我们所有人得到。即使你再加上数十数百个华丽的词语也不可能使这应许像现在这样坚定。

If you feel that nothing could make this text more fantastic than what we have already observed, take another look. Two more little words in the verse make it the most astonishing in all the Bible - "or think." Not only will He supply "exceeding abundantly above all" we can ask, but even above all we could imagine in our wildest dreams. Unbelievable! Sometimes we have deep spiritual longings which are too intense to express. We fear it would be presumptuous to even utter the words. Yet, our loving God desires to surpass the most profound reaching out of the soul for spiritual help. We stand awed and ashamed in the light of His extravagant provision for our needs. What a Saviour!

如果你觉得我们所读的这节经文再没有什么能更吸引人，那就请再看一眼。这节经文中的另两个字使得这个应许成为整本圣经中最令人惊讶的――“所想”。上帝不只是给我们“超过我们一切所求的”，更超过我们最富想象力的大脑所想的。难以相信！有时候我们深处的心灵需求太强烈以致无法表达，我们怕我们的需求太过分甚至不敢开口。但是，我们慈爱的上帝愿意超越最深处心灵的需求来帮助我们。面对他如此丰盛的提供，我们又敬畏又惭愧。何等的救主！

A Taste of Heaven Now

At this point it would seem wise to read the Bible definition of the Spirit's sealing work upon the soul. One of the shortest and most succinct descriptions is found in Ephesians 1:13, 14. "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance. " There it is in four simple words! The sealing or filling of the Holy Spirit is the "earnest of our inheritance." What does that mean? What is our inheritance? And, what is an earnest?

即尝天国

在这一小节我们需要去读圣经中有关圣灵在人心灵印记的定义。其中一处最简洁明了的描述在弗1：13、14。“你们既听见真理的道，就是那叫你们得救的福音，也信了基督，既然信他，就受了所应许的圣灵为印记。这圣灵，是我们得基业的凭据。”这几个简单的字就包含了其含义！圣灵充满的印记就是“得基业的凭据”。这是什么意思？什么是我们的的基业？什么又是凭据？

Simply speaking, heaven is our inheritance. That includes eternal life and fellowship with Jesus. This is our reward or inheritance which shall be fully realized when Jesus returns. But, in the meantime we may receive an "earnest" of that inheritance through the filling of the Spirit. An earnest is a down payment which constitutes a guarantee that the full amount will be paid when the job is done.

简单的说，天国就是我们的基业，包括永生以及和主耶稣的关系。这是我们的奖赏或作基业，当主耶稣再来的时候就完全实现了。但同时我们通过被圣灵充满得到一个得那基业的“凭据”。凭据就是预付定金，包含一个当工作完成时将得到全部报酬的一个保证。

So, putting it all together, we have an astounding statement that heaven can begin right here on the earth while we wait for Jesus to come. Through the Spirit-filled life we may experience an actual foretaste of the immortal joys and thrills of being in the presence of our Saviour.

这样，我们把所有的总括起来。我们得到一个令人惊骇的声明：在现今世界上等耶稣再来的时期中我们就可以得到天国。通过圣灵的充满，我们就可以体验实际的超前品尝的不朽的快乐以及与我们的救主同在的奋兴。

Someone may object that such heavenly bliss is reserved only for the redeemed, and that the Bible itself declares that "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard; neither hath it entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9. But such fail to take into account the next verse which continues, "But God hath revealed them into us by His Spirit." Verse 10.

有人可能提出反对意见，认为天国的祝福只是为被赎子民预留的，因为圣经本身就声称：“神为爱他的人所预备的，是眼睛未曾看见，耳朵未曾听见，人心也未曾想到的。”（林前2：9）。这是因为他们没有看到紧接着的下一节经文（林前2：10）：“只有神借着圣灵向我们显明了。”

In other words, through the divine anointing of the Holy Spirit we may now begin to experience a measure of that quality of life which is designated in the Bible as "eternal life." What an exciting concept! Please keep in mind that we are still only talking about an advance deposit on the real thing, and heaven itself will be far in excess of anything we can experience here.

也就是说，通过圣灵的神圣恩膏，我们现在就开始经历圣经所指的丰盛的“永生”的基本生活。多么振奋人心的消息！请记住我们还只是谈论所谓的预付定金，天国本身要远远超过我们现在所经历的。

Purpose of the Latter Rain

But what is the purpose of this baptism of the Spirit's power? We often hear it spoken of as the "times of refreshing," the anointing, the latter rain, or the promise of the Spirit. The Scripture often uses the Middle Eastern terminology for the seed-sowing and harvesting. Soon after planting, a seasonal rain provided moisture for germination and initial growth. This was called the "early rain." Later, near the time for harvest, another copious watering was referred to as the "latter rain." Biblical writers adopted these expressions to describe the visitation of the Holy Spirit upon the church in a dispensational sense. The "early rain" came at Pentecost to give impetus and vigor to the inaugural witness of the gospel. Another such prodigious outpouring is scheduled near the reaping of earth's final soul harvest, just prior to Christ's return.

晚雨圣灵的功效

受圣灵能力的洗到底有何功效？我们经常听到有关“复兴时期”、恩膏、晚雨圣灵或圣灵的应许。圣经经文经常使用中东地带关于撒种收割的术语。播种后不久，会有一场季节性的雨水滋润农作物，提供萌芽、初期生长之需。这场雨就是所谓的“早雨”。随后，再接近收割的时候，另一场更丰盛的降雨称为“晚雨”。圣经的作者采用这些表达方式描述在教会各时期圣灵降临的工作。“早雨圣灵”在五旬节时期推动并加强了早期教会福音的见证。另一次如此巨大的能力倾降预定在主基督再来之前，地上灵魂最后大丰收时期。

Some may assume that the purpose of such an end-time bestowal of spiritual blessing is to provide victory over sin, preparatory to translation. But this is not the case. The truth is that no one will receive the "latter rain" who does not already have the victory over sin through the "early rain" deployment of power.

有人可能认为末时期这么大的属灵祝福降临是为了提供战胜罪恶的能力，预备悔改。事实不可能是这样。实际上，如果不是已经借着“早雨圣灵”的能力战胜罪恶，没有人能接受“晚雨圣灵”。

On an individual basis each Christian experiences his own Pentecost at the time of conversion. Under the strength of that spiritual baptism, power is available for complete sanctification. As we consider the purpose of the "latter rain" it becomes even more clear why separation from sin is required under the early rain (conversion) ministration.

就基督徒个人来说，在他们蒙恩归主时期就是经历他们自己的五旬节。在圣灵施洗的力量下，可以获得全然成圣的能力。当我们思考“晚雨圣灵”的功效时，为什么罪恶必须在早雨圣灵的工作下（蒙恩归主时）去除就变得十分明朗。

Jesus enunciated clearly why the Spirit is needed in its fullness. "But 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." Acts 1:8.

为什么必须要有圣灵充满，耶稣讲的非常明白。“但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。”（徒1：8）。

How interesting that the promised blessing has nothing to do with sensation or personal achievement. It is to qualify believers as witnesses. It is to provide power for them to tell something. A witness, of course, is someone who can personally verify an act or event. No judge would accept the testimony of a witness who had only second or third hand information to share.

那应许的福气凭着感觉或是个人的才干却毫无所成，这是多么有趣！为的是要使相信者成为见证者，以提供能力让他们可以讲述。一个见证者，当然是要自己亲身经历或做过某件事才能去见证。没有哪个法官会接受一个道听途说者的见证。

What do we have to share from our personal experience which merits the mighty witness of the Spirit of God? I'm afraid that too many of God's people need something to tell more than they need the power to tell it. They already have all the power they need to tell about their defeat and discouragement.

对于上帝圣灵的大能我们有什么亲身经历可以来见证分享？恐怕有太多的上帝子民要来见证，而不需要赐下能力让他们讲述。他们已经得到他们所需的能力去讲述他们的失败和气馁。

The Blessing of Abraham

One of the clearest texts in the New Testament gives an exact description of what we are required to know and experience before we can qualify as a Spirit-filled witness. The amazing mandate laid down in this verse identifies the only group who will receive the latter rain. "That the blessing of Abraham may come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Galatians 3:14.

亚伯拉罕的祝福

新约圣经中有一处经文非常清晰确切的向我们描述，什么是我们有资格做一个被圣灵充满的见证人之前所必须知道和经历的。这节经文所隐含的命令定义了惟有一类人才能接受晚雨圣灵。“这便叫亚伯拉罕的福，因基督耶稣可以临到外邦人，使我们因信得着所应许的圣灵。”（加3：14）。

A careful analysis of this verse reveals that only those who possess the "blessing of Abraham" will receive the "promise of the Spirit." One thing is given (the blessing of Abraham) in order that we might receive another thing (the promise of the Spirit).

细致分析这节经文可以发现，只有那些拥有“亚伯拉罕的福”的人才能领受“所应许的圣灵”。给了一样东西（亚伯拉罕的福），为的是让我们能得另一样（所应许的圣灵）。

Since this is such a crucial verse we need to study it most carefully. What is the "promise of the Spirit"? We have already determined that it is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in its fullness to empower us for witnessing. But, according to this text, one must first receive the "blessing of Abraham" in order to be baptized with the Spirit. Whatever that "blessing" includes it surely must be the most urgent need of every life. Here is an absolute requirement for every soul who aspires to being filled with the "latter rain" experience.

既然这是一节至关重要的经文，我们需要深入研究。什么是“所应许的圣灵”？我们已经明确定义，就是圣灵完全倾降使我们有能力作见证。但是，根据这一经文，必须先得到“亚伯拉罕的福”才能受圣灵的洗。不管那一“福”包括什么，必定是每天生活所必须的。对于渴望被“晚雨圣灵”充满的每一个人，这一经历是绝对必须的。

To understand the blessing of Abraham we must carefully read Romans 4:19-22. "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness."

要明白亚伯拉罕的福，我们必须认真读罗4：19－22。“他将近百岁的时候，虽然想到自己的身体如同已死，撒拉的生育已经断绝，他的信心还是不软弱。并且仰望神的应许，总没有因不信，心里起疑惑。反倒因信，心里得坚固，将荣耀归给神。且满心相信，神所应许的必能作成。所以这就算为他的义。”

From these words we understand that the blessing of Abraham was righteousness by faith. Can we reduce that phrase to a more simple equation? Consider the promise God made to this aged patriarch and his 90-year-old wife. How could Sarah conceive and bear a son when the Scripture clearly states that her womb was dead? Both of them knew, beyond any question, that they were too old to have any children. It was a physical, biological impossibility for Sarah to become a mother. Yet, God had said she would bear a son!

这些话告诉我们亚伯拉罕的福就是因信称义。我们是否可以把这句话变得更简洁？来思考上帝给这位年老的先祖和他九十多岁的妻子的应许。他们都知道，毫无疑问，他们俩年纪都太大了不可能再生育。让撒拉成为母亲，在生理学、生物学上都不可能。然而，上帝说她将要生个儿子！

What did Sarah finally do as doubts continued to assail her concerning the promise? She proposed to Abraham that he take Hagar, her handmaid, and try to have a son by her! If it worked, at least a part of God's promise would be fulfilled. It seems that Sarah was trying to bail God out of a very embarrassing situation in which He had gotten Himself. Even if she couldn't produce the child, it just might be that Abraham could be a father, and thus partially salvage the integrity of God.

对于这个应许，当怀疑不断向她进攻时，最后撒拉作了什么事？她建议亚伯拉罕娶她的使女夏甲，为他生子立后！如果成功，上帝的应许起码成全了一半。撒拉似乎在帮助上帝解决一个上帝自找的无法摆脱的困境。即使她不能生个孩子，但是亚伯拉罕可以作父亲，这也一定程度上挽救了上帝的信实。

As we all now recognize, Abraham did have a son by Hagar whose name was Ishmael, but did God ever acknowledge that son as the child of promise? Never. He came back to the old couple and reaffirmed His promise that they would have a baby. And this time they began to believe that if God said it, the miracle would have to take place. In simple, raw faith they stepped out on the promise as though it had already happened. And, by a creative act of God Sarah brought forth the son from whose descendants the Saviour of the world would be born.

众所周知，亚伯拉罕通过夏甲确实生了一个儿子名叫以实玛力，但是上帝承认那是他所应许的儿子吗？决不会！上帝再次来到这对年老的夫妇那里向他们重申他的应许，他们将要得个孩子。这一次他们开始相信，上帝既然说了奇迹就会发生。非常简单 ，他们凭着单纯的信心向前进，好像应许已经实现。结果，上帝创造的大能使撒拉怀孕生子，这一儿子的后裔中有世界的救赎主诞生。

Because of his absolute confidence in the Word of God - trusting it to be fulfilled against all odds - Abraham became the "father of the faithful." God imputed to him credit for right-doing because he counted things that were not, as though they already existed.

就因为他对上帝话语绝对的信心――不管成败相信肯定会实现――亚伯拉罕成为“信心之父”。上帝算他为义，因为他把那不可能的当作可能，好像已经实现一样。

This explains the "blessing of Abraham" as far as the patriarch was concerned, but what is it as far as we are concerned? We have learned from Galatians that none of us can receive the baptism of the Spirit unless we first experience the "blessing of Abraham," or righteousness by faith, also.

关于先祖，以上解释了“亚伯拉罕的福”，至于我们呢？我们从加拉太书认识到，没有人能领受圣灵的洗，除非我们先经历“亚伯拉罕的福”，也就是因信称义。

How do we meet this precondition for the Holy Spirit baptism? Have we also had some incredible promises made to us? Indeed we have, and some are so extravagant that we struggle, like Sarah, to believe that they mean what they say.

我们如何达到受圣灵洗礼的先决条件？是否也有一些难以置信的应许在我们身上实现？肯定有。有人也会像撒拉那样因为应许太超然而挣扎，又相信所说的。

One such promise is found in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." What an unrestricted assurance! But how do we know that forgiveness has taken place? Only through faith in the promise. Like Abraham we must accept the Word of God as already accomplished, just because God said so. We refer to that faith transaction by the theological name "justification by faith." It simply means that through repentance and confession we have been forgiven for all past sins, and have entered the new born-again relationship.

约一1：9有这样一个应许：“我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义。”多么坚定的保证！但我们如何知道那一赦免已经发生？只有通过相信应许。我们所指的信心交易用神学术语即是“因信得赦”。也就是因着认罪悔改，我们过去所有的罪都得到赦免，并进入重生的关系。

Justification and Sanctification Together

Now the question: Is this experience of justification by faith the same as righteousness by faith? The answer must be no. It is only a part of righteousness by faith, and so the two things are not exactly equivalent. The truth is that we all need more than just forgiveness for the past; we need power for the future also. There are more promises in the Bible, and they apply to victory over sin. For example: "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy." Jude 24.

因信得赦与成圣相结合

现在有个问题：因信得赦的经历是否与因信称义一样？答案当然是否定的。那只是因信称义的一部分，因此这两件事并不等同。事实是，我们都远远不只是需要过去的罪得赦免，我们也需要有能力对付将来。圣经中有更多的应许适用于战胜罪恶。如：“那能保守你们不失脚，叫你们无瑕无疵，欢欢喜喜站在他荣耀之前的，我们的救主独一的神。”（犹24）。

What happens when we kneel in faith and claim the power to stop yielding to sin? God places a reservoir of strength in our life, and in that moment we can claim deliverance from any habit of sin. A long theological title has been attached to this experience by the scholars - sanctification. It simply means that God has now entered the life to impart power over the inherited and cultivated tendencies of the fallen nature. Like justification it is also received by faith in the promises.

当我们凭信跪下祈求得那不再屈服于罪恶的能力时，会发生什么事？上帝在我们的生命中安置了一个力量的泉源，那一刻我们可以宣告我们脱离了所有罪恶的习惯。这一经历被学者赋予了一个长长的神学名字――“成圣”。也就是上帝开始进入人心，给人力量以战胜先天的及后天形成的堕落的倾向。就像称义一样，成圣也需要凭信心接受应许。

Now we are ready to put these two faith processes together and get the true definition of righteousness by faith. When justification and sanctification unite to function in an ongoing love relationship with Christ, you see the "blessing of Abraham" in the full sense. Now you really have something to tell! And according to Paul you also qualify to receive the power to tell it.

现在我们可以把信心的这两个进程结合起来去理解因信称义的真正含义。当赦罪与成圣相结合在一个不断与基督建立爱的关系的生活中起作用时，你就可以看到“亚伯拉罕的福”的全部意义。现在你就有话可讲了！根据保罗所说的你也具备了接受这一能力去讲述的资格。

If you meet someone who has not accepted Christ as Savior you can mightily bear witness to your own personal joy and assurance in Him. You can also give first-person witness to the simple steps which lead from death to life!

如果你碰到某人没有接受基督作他的救主，你就可以大胆的向他见证你个人在基督里的喜乐与安全感。你也可以以第一人称的方式见证如何从死亡走向生命的简单步骤！

On the other hand, if you meet someone who is struggling with a personal weakness or habit, you can powerfully share the secret of claiming victory through the self-fulfilling promises. By experiential involvement in these two prerequisite relationships you are now ready to apply for the final step of Holy Spirit baptism. Please take note that this infilling also is received as "the promise of the Spirit through faith." Galatians 3:14. This gives us a clear conception of how and when it is bestowed. It must come by promise, and it has to be by faith.

另一方面，你如果碰到某人正在自己的软弱或习惯中挣扎，你可以大有能力的与他分享通过完全成就的应许宣告胜利的秘诀。在经历了这两个必须的属灵关系后，你现在可以请求最后一步，即圣灵的洗。请注意这圣灵充满也称作“因信得着所应许的圣灵”（加3：14）。这就给我们一个非常清楚的概念，怎么样及什么时候去得到。即必须通过应许，也必须因着信。

Immediately we can see that many modern churches have a distorted understanding of this subject. Those groups who demand some physical "evidence" of the baptism are not biblical. Faith and feeling are opposed to each other in this setting. The purpose of this anointing is not for sensation, but for service. To require some sensory or emotional feeling is to negate the explicit designation, "by faith."

Is this failure to claim the gift of righteousness by faith responsible for the lack of power in the church today? To a very large extent it certainly is true. The Scriptures repeatedly assert that the Holy Spirit cannot dwell with those who are disobedient. "And we are his witnesses of these things and so also is the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." Acts 5:32.

The Spirit may convict sinners and draw them to repent, but there can be no ministry of witnessing power until the witness is thoroughly furnished with something to tell. And the Bible defines that something as justification and sanctification. Are there some who have received both of these qualifying experiences who still may not be filled with the promised power? Indeed, it is possible that some have not received simply because they have not asked. We are talking about a very special, specific gift which requires total surrender as well as total faith in asking. Let's review the steps again which head up to this outpouring of power.

这圣灵能叫罪人知罪并引导他们悔改，但是直到彻底被武装才有能力去做这一见证，圣经将其定义为赦罪及成圣之类的事。是否有人在得到这两个经历后仍然没有被所应许的能力充满呢？确实会有人还没有得到，只是因为他们没有求。我们所谈论的是一个及其特别的、明确的礼物，需要全部的自我放弃与全部的凭信祈求才可得到。让我们再次回顾前往这一能力的步骤。

The first level of preparation for this divine anointing is to claim the gift of justification. At that time a measure of the Holy Spirit is supplied to the believer which makes it possible to overcome every inherited or acquired weakness. In the strength of that conversion experience (early rain) the second level of preparation is made possible - sanctification. This consists of appropriating the "early rain" power for Christian character perfection, and reflecting the righteousness of Christ fully. Both justification and sanctification are faith transactions.

为这一神圣的恩膏所作的首要的准备是祈求罪得赦免。那时圣灵的能力将使相信者有能力战胜所有先天的或后天的弱点。在那一改变经历中（早雨圣灵）就为第二步成圣做好了准备。包括改变基督徒品格的早雨圣灵的能力及完全表现基督的义。赦罪和成圣都是通过信心来改变。

Level number three involves an exercise of the same kind of faith for sharing with others the beautiful experiences of levels one and two. It consists of actually claiming the promised power to make our words convicting and fruitful. Nothing is more sterile than a testimony devoid of the Spirit of God, and nothing is more humbling than to see what God can do with the halting speech of a sincere, spirit-filled saint.

第三步同样需要有和别人分享的美好的第一步和第二步经历的信心的兴奋。包括切实的祈求那应许的能力让我们能知罪并结出悔改的果子。没有什么见证比缺少上帝的灵的见证更贫脊，没有什么比看到真诚而被圣灵充满的圣徒讲出迟疑不决的话而上帝可以借此做工更让人觉得羞愧。

Recently a young minister friend told me a story that illustrates what God can and will do for us if we are willing to be used of the Spirit. Tony had been converted from Catholicism on the streets of New York, and almost immediately he came under an inescapable conviction to be a minister. With two small children and little money there seemed to be no possibility for Tony to attend college or seminary. Yet the call was so strong upon the tender heart of this newborn youth that he decided to step out in faith.

最近一位年轻的传道人告诉我一个故事，表明上帝能够并乐意为一个愿意将自己被圣灵使用的人工作。托尼在纽约的大街上从一个天主教堂转变为基督徒，也就在那一刻他感到自己无法逃脱做一个传道人的使命。带着两个年幼的孩子，几乎没什么积蓄，托尼似乎不可能去读大学或神学院。然而这一呼招如此强烈的临到这个柔嫩的新生的年轻人，他决定凭着信心走下去。

Before enrolling at a Christian college Tony promised the Lord that he would accept every opportunity to speak in front of an audience. He realized how much he needed the experience of thinking on his feet, and articulating his thoughts to a listening congregation.

在获准读教会学院之前，托尼向上帝许愿他愿意接受每一个在观众面前讲道的机会。他认识到他非常需要有向听众讲述自己想法的经历。

Soon after moving his family into the college community, Tony learned that there were many small churches surrounding the campus, and that fledgling ministerial students tried their wings in those country chapels. It wasn't very long before Tony was approached on a Friday afternoon with an invitation to preach in one of those churches. Although he had only the evening hours to prepare for the Sabbath appointment, Tony remembered his promise to seize every opportunity for speaking. So he accepted the appointment. He did his best to put a sermon outline together as he prayed and studied late into the night. But, alas, he was only able to produce notes for a ten minute message at the most. Hoping against hope that he might be able to pull some more thoughts into his sermon notes during the Sabbath School class study, Tony left early the next morning for the frightening rendezvous. As a very immature young Christian he had almost no previous experience in pulpit speaking and was almost paralyzed with fear that his ten- minute sermon would be more humiliating than enlightening.

当搬家到学院社区不久，托尼就知道在校园周围有很多小教堂，那里有初出茅庐的神学生在练习讲道。不久，一个星期五下午托尼接到邀请为其中的一个教会讲道。尽管他只有晚上的几个小时为安息天讲道作准备，托尼记得他曾向上帝许愿要抓住每一个讲道的机会，所以他接受了邀请。他边祷告边学习到深夜尽力列出了讲题的大纲。但是，唉，他只能准备一个至多十分钟的讲道。他寄希望于安息日学课学习能为他的讲章添加一些内容。第二天由于担心他早早离开了家。作为一个不成熟的年轻基督徒，他基本没有在讲台演讲的经历，几乎被恐惧所压倒，因那十分钟的讲章将一定是羞辱多于光荣。

Arriving at the church, Tony slipped into one of the classrooms, hoping for a chance to blend with the group and study his meager notes during the lesson. But it was not to be. In the class that day was an obstreperous man who was creating turmoil. He constantly disputed points with the hard-pressed lady teacher and seemed to do everything possible to embarrass her. Tony spent much of the class time helping her fend off the man's distracting and irrelevant attacks against the issues under discussion.

到了教堂，托尼溜进一间教室，希望能容于学习小组并在课堂中研究他的兆级讲章。然而事实并没那么美好。那天教室里有个任性的男人在捣乱。他不断的与那位辛苦的女老师争吵，似乎要作出任何足以使她尴尬的事情。托尼用了大部分的时间与那位提出问题攻击老师的男同学辩论，为老师解围。

Afterward as he waited to walk onto the platform Tony's mind was still whirling from the emotional confrontation, and even his brief sermon outline was not very clear in his thinking. With earnest prayer he committed himself to God and stepped up to the podium.

Somehow Tony struggled through the ten minutes of sermon notes, and just as he stood desperately groping for further words a loud anguished cry came from the audience. Looking down the center isle Tony saw that a man had fallen out of his seat at the end of the pew and was crawling on hands and knees toward the front of the church. He was weeping at the top of his voice, and his wife was trying in vain to pull him back toward his seat.

One quick glance identified the man as the relentless debater in the Sabbath School class. By then, between broken sobs, he was pleading that the church pray for him. "Your sermon has spoken to my heart and the Holy Spirit has convicted me of my sins. I've been breaking God's law and now I want to make things right. Please pray for me."

托尼很快注意到正是在安息日学课上无理取闹的那一位。那时候，他哽咽着要求教会为他祷告。“你的讲道正对着我的心，圣灵使我知罪。我曾经违背上帝的律法，现在我要悔改归正，请为我祷告。”

In a moment the congregation melted into tears also, and the meeting closed on a glorious note of victory as the audience joined hearts and hands to pray for the penitent seeker.

立刻全会众都被感动了，哭声一片，聚会在全会众齐心协力为这位悔改者祷告的荣耀中结束了。

What an encouragement for a young preacher! Tony told me that he could not even remember a word he spoke that day. But God simply added the Holy Spirit to the stammering efforts of a surrendered heart, and a miracle resulted. When Tony returned to that church a year later he found that man serving as the head elder of the congregation.

对于一个年轻的传道人这是多么大的鼓舞！托尼告诉我那天所讲的他几乎一句话也想不起来。但是上帝的能力愿意加给全然降服的软弱的人，奇迹发生了。一年后，当托尼会到那个教会，他发现那个人正以长老的身份服侍教会。

Do you see now what a difference it makes to be filled with the Spirit? This is God's will for every one of us and He has made it possible through the beautiful promise of Galatians 3:14. Reach out right now and fasten your faith on the blessing of Abraham. In the strength of that righteousness, imputed and imparted by faith, you may be empowered to speak words that will change lives

现在你看到被圣灵充满是多么的不同吗？这是上帝对每个人的旨意，通过加3：14美好的应许使之成为可能。现在就伸出手来，以你的信心紧紧抓住亚伯拉罕的祝福。信心的输入输出，那义的力量将使你有能力讲出改变人生命的话。