77. 真教會的標記The Marks Of a True Church
作者: 史鮑爾 (R.C. Sproul) 譯者: 姚錦榮
摘自《神學入門》《Essential Truths of the
Christian Faith》p.207, 更新傳道會出版
因為世界上有無數自稱為教會的機構，而且無論個人或機構都可能會背離真道，所以辨識真正、且是正規的看得見之教會（誠之按：有形教會）的特質，是十分重要的。沒有教會不犯錯或不犯罪，只有天上的教會才是完全的，但是教會的腐敗與背道，兩者間卻有重大的分別。為了保護神子民得到牧養和照顧，界定真教會的標記是一件重要的事。
歷史上界定真教會的標記有以下這些：一、真實地傳講神的話；二、正確地執行聖禮；三、實施教會紀律。
一、傳講神的話。雖然教會在神學的細節解釋上各有分歧，在教義的純一上也有程度之別，但是一個真教會必會持守基督教信仰所有重要的真理。而假的以及屬乎異端的教會，則會否認基督教的幾個重要教義，如基督的神性、三位一體、因信稱義、救贖，以及其它與救恩有關的教義。例如，宗教改革運動所爭辯的就非小節問題，而是有關救恩的最重要教義。
二、執行聖禮。否定或褻瀆基督所設立的聖禮，就是扭曲教會真理。輕慢主的晚餐，或者故意提供主餐聖禮給公然不信的人，都不是真教會所行的事。
三、實施教會紀律。教會不僅在施行紀律的寬嚴程度上會犯錯，有時教會紀律也會遭破壞到一個程度，令人以為實施管教是錯誤的。例如，如果有教會公開、並且不知悔悟地讚成、同犯，或甚至拒絕處分一些重大的罪行，它就失去了真教會的標記。
雖然聖經嚴肅地提醒基督徒，不可紛爭，也不可分門結黨或爭競，但基督徒也有責任，將自己從錯誤和背道的團契中分別出來。每個真教會都或多或少地該表露出真教會的標記。教會的更新是一件無止境的工作，我們所追求的是愈來愈忠實地響應聖經的呼召：真實宣講真理，正確執行聖禮和實施教會紀律。
總結：
1．一個真教會必有人眼可見的標記，讓人分辨出她不是錯誤的和背道的教會。
2．傳講福音是正規教會必須做的事。
3．正確地執行聖禮而不褻慢，是真教會的標記。
4．對異端和重大罪行實施教會紀律，是教會必須履行的任務。
5．教會需要不斷地根據神的話語來更新。
思考經文：
太18：15-17；羅11：13-24；林前1：10-31；弗1：22-23；彼前2：9-10
77.
The Marks Of A True Church
Since
the world is dotted with thousands of distinct institutions called churches,
and since it is possible for institutions as well as individuals to become
apostate, it is important to be able to discern the essential marks of a true
and legitimate visible church. No church is free from error or sin. Only in
heaven will the church be perfect. But there is a significant difference
between corruption, which affects all institutions, and apostasy. Therefore, to
protect the care and nurture of the people of God, it is important to define
the marks of a true church.
Historically
the marks of a true church have been defined as: (1) the true preaching of
God’s Word, (2) the use of the sacraments in accordance with their institution,
and (3) the practice of church discipline.
(1)
The Preaching of God’s Word. Though churches differ in details of theology and
in levels of purity of doctrine, a true church affirms all that is essential to
the Christian faith. Likewise, a church is false or apostate when it officially
denies an essential tenet of the Christian faith such as the deity of Christ,
the Trinity, justification by faith, the Atonement, or other doctrines
essential to salvation. The Reformation, for example, was not a struggle over
trifles but over a cardinal doctrine of salvation.
(2)
Administration of Sacraments. To deny or defame the sacraments instituted by
Christ is to falsify the church. The profanation of the Lord’s Supper or the
willful offering of the sacraments to professed unbelievers would disqualify a
church from being recognized as a true church.
(3)
Church Discipline. Though the exercise of church discipline may at times err in
the direction of either severity or latitude, it can become so perverted as to
no longer be recognized as legitimate. For example, if a church openly and
impenitently endorses, practices, or refuses to discipline gross and heinous
sin, it fails to exhibit this mark of a true church.
Though
Christians should be solemnly warned not to be schismatic in spirit or given to
divisive or quarrelsome spirits, they must also be warned of the obligation to
separate themselves from false or apostate communions. Every true church
exhibits the true marks of a church to a greater or lesser degree. The
reformation of the church is a never-ending task. We seek more and more to be
faithful to the biblical call to preaching, the sacraments, and church
discipline.
Summary
1. A true church has visible marks that distinguish it from a false or apostate
church. 2. The preaching of the gospel is necessary for a church to be
legitimate. 3. The proper administration of the sacraments, without
profanation, is a mark of the church. 4. Discipline against heresy and gross
sin is a necessary task of the church. 5. The church is always in need of being
reformed in accordance with the Word of God.
Biblical
passages for reflection:
Matthew
18:15-17 Romans 11:13-24 1 Corinthians 1:10-31 Ephesians 1:22-23 1 Peter 2:9-10
