作者:
Julius J. Kim 譯者:
Maria Marta
根據字典，矛盾修辭法的定義是「一種把互相矛盾或不調和的詞合在一起的修辭手法」，如「殘忍的仁慈」
(cruel kindness)或「內疚的歡愉」（guilty pleasure）等，「沒有教會的基督徒」(churchless
Christian)是一種矛盾修辭法嗎？雖然聖經沒有一句特別的經文明確聲明所有基督徒必需是教會的會友，但聖經到處都有這樣的段落，教導你一旦成為基督徒，你應該成為有形教會的宣信成員。簡單來說，那些藉著信心在基督裡與基督聯合的人，也是基督的身體，教會的一員。地方教會的成員不僅領受奇妙的特權，而且也肩負著特殊的責任。
成為教會的一名成員是什麼意思？教會的成員資格至少揭示了三個真理：1. 順服上帝；2. 順服上帝提供的方法；3. 通過運用恩賜來服事其他成員。
順服上帝
基督時代之後的幾百年，一位早期的基督教作家曾大膽表示，基督徒「不能再以上帝為父，卻沒有教會為母」，他深信聖經關於「教會會員資格的必要性」的教導非常清楚。地方教會的成員身分顯示了基督徒對聖經教導的順服。
新約形容教會所用的字ekklēsia，與舊約形容上帝的百性以色列人的聚集或會眾所用的字qahal有明顯的連接。在舊約，上帝的百性被「呼召」聚集在一起敬拜上帝（申十二5-12; 卅一11–12；詩廿二22；一0七 : 32）。在新約，我們讀到早期教會遵循這個集體敬拜的聚會模式（徒二46；廿7；林前十六2）。
上帝命令以色列人與祂建立特殊的盟約關系。作為這個團體的一員，其部分特權包括順服上帝為他們制定的律法。根據這個模式，教會是由基督建立的聖約團體（太十六18）。因此，在基督的教會裡，特別在集體的敬拜中，成員資格和加入教會不是一種選擇，而是一種要求（來十24-25）。
順服領袖
「身為教會的一名成員」包含了領受上帝為我們成長和成熟而提供的福份的權利，尤其在我們順服教會領袖的時候。上帝為教會建立一個牧養監管(pastoral oversight)和屬靈領袖的架構。教會成員像弱小無助的羊，他們蒙賜福得到牧羊人的指引和保護。希伯來書十三章17節呼籲基督徒「聽從那些領導你們的人，也要順服他們。」為什麼？「因為他們為你們的靈魂警醒，好像要交帳的人一樣。」 牧師和教會的長老蒙被吩咐要照顧上帝的「羊群」，同時他們要遵循基督，牧長所設立的模式（彼前五1–5）。
作為基督和聖經權柄底下的領袖，牧師和長老被吩咐要推进真教會記號的落实到位：忠心宣講福音；施行純正的聖禮；正確執行教會的紀律。藉此，教會成員在基督裡領受上帝的恩典。
服事其他人
身為教會的成員，基督徒是基督身體的肢體，為了頭的榮耀和身體的好處，每個肢體都要一起發揮功能（羅十二4–5）。這現實------我們都是一個身體的肢體，我們被吩咐要運用上帝賜給我們的恩賜和技能彼此服事，「沒有教會」的基督徒是一種矛盾修辭法。
聖經沒有個別成員與整個身體分開的教導。作為與基督聯合的人，我們蒙吩咐要通過我們在一起的生活來服事基督的身體。當我們參加崇拜、奉獻、彼此代禱，和相互監督時，我們向世界展示出一種恩典-激勵，自我-犧牲的委身與彼此交接（fellowship）的反主流文化的榜樣。
教會不象任何其他團體或機構。它是由上帝聖言掌管的組織，其成員在牧師和長老的監督下，運用他們的恩賜彼此祝福。雖然聖徒相通包括每一個地方，不論去世或在生的所有基督徒，但當個體成員在有形的地方教會以愛心彼此服事時，聖徒相通得到最充分的實現。
當基督徒成為教會成員時，他們要遵守上帝的話語，順服教會的領袖，以愛心彼此服事。如此，他們便證明了他們對基督的忠誠，顯示出他們彼此的團結。
本文原刊於Tabletalk雜誌。
Is
a “Churchless Christian” an Oxymoron?
FROM Julius J. Kim
According to one dictionary, an oxymoron is defined as
“a combination of contradictory or incongruous words,” such as “cruel kindness”
or “sweet sorrow.” Is “churchless Christian” an oxymoron? Though the Bible does
not have one specific verse that states unequivocally that church membership is
required for all Christians, it is replete with passages that teach that once
you become a Christian, you should become a professing member of the visible
church. Simply put, those who are united to Jesus Christ through faith in Him
are also part of His body, the church. Members of local churches not only
receive wonderful privileges but also have special responsibilities.
What does it mean to be a member of the church? Being
a member of a church reveals at least three truths: (1) obedience to God; (2)
submission to the means God has provided; and (3) service to other members
through the use of one’s gifts.
Obedience to God
A few hundred years after the time of Christ, an early
Christian writer boldly stated that a Christian “can no longer have God for his
Father who has not the Church for his mother.” He was convinced that the
Scriptures were clear regarding the necessity of church membership. Being a
member of the local church reveals a Christian’s obedience to what the Bible
teaches.
The word used in the New Testament for church
(ekklēsia) has clear connections to the Old Testament word that was used to
describe the unique gathering or assembly (qahal) of God’s people Israel. In
the Old Testament, God’s people were literally “called out” to gather together
for worship (Deut. 12:5–12; 31:11–12; Pss. 22:22; 107:32). In the New
Testament, we read that the early church followed this pattern of gathering for
corporate worship (Acts 2:46; 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2).
Israel was commanded by God to be in a special
covenantal relationship with Him. Part of the privilege of being part of this
community included obeying the laws that God had established for them.
Following this pattern, the church is a covenant community established by
Christ (Matt. 16:18). As such, membership and participation in Christ’s church,
especially in corporate worship, is not an option, but a requirement (Heb.
10:24–25).
Submission to Leaders
Being a member of the church includes receiving the
blessings God has provided for our growth and maturity, especially as we submit
to the church’s leadership. God established the church with a structure for
pastoral oversight and spiritual leadership. Like weak and defenseless sheep,
members of the church are blessed to have the guidance and protection of
shepherds. Hebrews 13:17 calls on Christians to “obey your leaders and submit
to them.” Why? “For they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will
have to give an account.” The pastors and elders of a church are called to care
for the “flock” of God as they follow the pattern set by Christ, the Chief
Shepherd (1 Peter 5:1–5).
As leaders under the authority of Christ and the
Scriptures, pastors and elders are called upon to promote the marks of a true
church: the faithful preaching of the gospel, the pure administration of the
sacraments, and the true exercise of discipline. Through this, members of the
church receive the grace of God in Christ.
Service to Others
As members of the church, Christians are part of the
body of Christ, with each part functioning together for the glory of the head
and the good of the body (Rom. 12:4–5). This reality—that we are all part of
one body, called to serve one another with the gifts and skills God has given
to us—reveals again that a “churchless Christian” is an oxymoron.
The Scriptures do not separate the individual member
from the whole body. As those who are united to Christ, we are called to serve
the body of Christ through our life together. As we attend worship, give
offerings, pray for one another, and hold each other accountable, we are
displaying to the world a countercultural example of grace-motivated,
self-sacrificial commitment and fellowship.v
The church is unlike any other group or institution.
It is an organization governed by God’s Word whereby members use their gifts to
bless one another under the oversight of pastors and elders. Though the
communion of saints includes all Christians, in every place, both living and
dead, it is best realized when individual members serve one another in love
within the visible, local church.
As Christians become members of the church, they are
obeying God’s Word, submitting to her leaders, and serving one another in love.
They testify to their allegiance to Christ and demonstrate their solidarity
with one other.
This post was originally published in Tabletalk
magazine.