比利时信条 ,王志勇牧师译注The Belgic Confession (1561)
https://plus.google.com/u/3/105106813742373627205/posts/EWqDmDc2r8j
第廿一条 我们独一的大祭司基督为我们作出的补赎
21. Of the
satisfaction of Christ, our only High Priest, for us.
第廿二条 论我们因信耶稣基督而称义
22. Of Faith in Jesus Christ
第廿三条 我们在上帝面前称义的含义
23. Of Justification
第廿四条 人的成圣与善行
24. Of man’s Sanctification and God Works
第廿五条 礼仪律的废止
25. Of the abolishing of the Ceremonial
Law
第廿六条 基督的代求
26. Of Christ’s Intercession
第廿七条 大公基督教会
27. Of the Catholic Christian Church
第廿八条 人人都当加入真教会
28. That every one is bound to join
himself to the true Church
第廿九条 区分真教会与假教会的标记
29. Of the marks of
the true Church, and wherein she differs from the false Church
第三十条 教会的治理与职分
30. Concerning the
Government of, and Offices in the Church
第廿一条 我们独一的大祭司基督为我们作出的补赎
21. Of the satisfaction of Christ, our only
High Priest, for us.
我们相信:耶稣基督是按着麦基洗德的等次,用起誓被立为永远的大祭司 (1);祂代表我们,把自己呈献在上帝的面前,藉着祂完美的补赎,平息上帝的愤怒(2),藉着祂在十字架上的献祭和倾洒的宝血,洗除我们一切的罪,正如先知所预言的那样。因为经上记着说:“祂为我们的过犯受害,为我们的罪孽压伤;因祂受的刑罚我们得平安,因祂受的鞭伤我们得医治。祂如羊被带到宰杀之地,被列在罪犯之中”(3);祂被彼拉多定为罪犯,尽管衪一 开始就声称祂是无辜的(4)。因此,“祂没有抢夺的,祂偿还”(5);“义 的代替不义的”(6)。祂在身体和灵魂中承受了我们的罪所当受的可怕刑 罚。因此,衪的“汗珠如大血点滴在地上”(7)。祂喊道:“我的上帝,我 的上帝,祢为什么离弃我?”(8)。祂承受这些苦,都是为了使我们得赦 免。 所以,我们当与保罗一起说:“我们不知道别的,只知道耶稣基督并衪钉 十字架”(9);“我以认识我主基督耶稣为至宝。我为衪已经丢弃万事,看作粪土,为要得着基督”(10)。在祂的创伤中,我们得着各种形式的安慰。 要与上帝和好,我们唯一需要的就是基督的这一献祭,一次献上,就使得所有 信徒都得以永远完全(11)。我们无须在此之外寻求或发明其他任何方法。所以,祂被上帝的天使称为“耶稣”,即“救主”,因为祂要把祂的子民从他们 的罪恶中拯救出来(12)。
We believe that Jesus Christ
is ordained with an oath to be an everlasting High Priest, after the order of
Melchisedec; and that he has presented himself in our behalf before the Father,
to appease his wrath by his full satisfaction, by offering himself on the tree
of the cross, and pouring out his precious blood to purge away our sins; as the
prophets had foretold. For it is written: He was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our
peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. He was brought as a
lamb to the slaughter, and numbered with the transgressors, and condemned by
Pontius Pilate as a malefactor, though he had first declared him innocent.
Therefore: he restored that which he took not away, and suffered, the just for
the unjust, as well in his body as in his soul, feeling the terrible punishment
which our sins had merited; insomuch that his sweat became like unto drops of
blood falling on the ground. He called out, my God, my God, why hast thou
forsaken me? and has suffered all this for the remission of our sins. Wherefore
we justly say with the apostle Paul: that we know nothing, but Jesus Christ,
and him crucified; we count all things but loss and dung for the excellency of
the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, in whose wounds we find all manner of
consolation. Neither is it necessary to seek or invent any other means of being
reconciled to God, than this only sacrifice, once offered, by which believers
are made perfect forever. This is also the reason why he was called by the
angel of God, Jesus, that is to say, Saviour, because he should save his people
from their sins.
(1) 诗 110:4;来 5:10 (2) 西 1:14;罗 5:8-9;西 2:14;来 2:17;9:14;罗 3:24;8: 2;约 15:3;徒 2:14;13:28;约 3:16;提前 2:6 (3) 赛 53:5,7,12 (4) 路 23:22,24;徒 13:28;诗 22:16;约 18:38;诗 69:5;彼 前 3:18 (5) 诗 69:5
(6) 彼前 3:18 (7) 路 22:44 (8) 诗 22:2;太 27:46 (9) 林前 2:2 (10)腓 3:8 (11)来 9:25-26;10:14 (12) 太 1:21;徒 4:12
第廿二条 论我们因信耶稣基督而称义
22. Of Faith in Jesus Christ
我们相信:为了使我们得到关于这个大奥秘的真知识,圣灵在我们心中生 发正直的信心,使我们接受耶稣基督及其一切功德,得着他(1),在祂之 外,别无所求(2)。因为凡为我们的得救所必需的一切,或是在耶稣基督 里,或是不在耶稣基督里,所以那些藉着信心而得着耶稣基督的人,就在祂里 面得了完全的救恩(3)。
We believe that, to attain
the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Ghost kindles in our hearts
an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits,
appropriates him, and seeks nothing more besides him. For it must needs follow,
either that all things, which are requisite to our salvation, are not in Jesus
Christ. or if all things are in him, that then those who possess Jesus Christ
through faith, have complete salvation in him. Therefore, for any to assert,
that Christ is not sufficient, but that something more is required besides him,
would be too gross a blasphemy: for hence it would follow, that Christ was but
half a Saviour.
因此,如果有人声称基督是不够的,在祂之外还需 要什么,那就是极大的亵渎;因为这就等于说基督只是一半的救主。 因此,我们当与保罗说:我们称义是唯独藉着信心,是藉着信心,不是藉 着行为(4)。当然,说得清楚一些,我们不是说信心本身使我们称义,因为 信心只是一种工具,我们藉着信心接受基督为我们的义。耶稣基督就是我们的 义,是祂把祂为我们并代表我们而做的一切功德和圣工都归给我们(5)。信 心是一种工具,使我们与基督联合,享有祂的一切恩惠。基督的一切恩惠一旦 成为我们的,要赦免我们的罪就绰绰有余。
Therefore we justly say with
Paul, that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith without works. However,
to speak more clearly, we do not mean, that faith itself justifies us, for it
is only an instrument with which we embrace Christ our Righteousness. But Jesus
Christ, imputing to us all his merits, and so many holy works which he has done
for us, and in our stead, is our Righteousness. And faith is an instrument that
keeps us in communion with him in all his benefits, which, when become ours,
are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins.
(1) 腓 3:16-17;诗 51:13;腓 1:17-18;林前 2:12 (2) 林前 2:2;徒 4:12;加 2:21;耶 23:6;林前 1:30;耶 31: 10 (3) 太 1:21;罗 3:27;8:1,33 (4) 罗 3:27;加 2:6;彼前 1:4-5;罗 10:4 (5) 耶 23:6;林前 1:30;提后 1:2;路 1:77;罗 3:24-25;4: 5;诗 32:1-2;腓 3:9;多 3:5;提后 1:9
第廿三条 我们在上帝面前称义的含义
23. Of Justification
我们相信:我们的救恩在于因着基督的缘故而罪得赦免,并在上帝面前称 义。正如大卫与保罗所教导我们的,在上帝面前,不是凭着行为,而是被算为 义的人是有福的(1)。保罗又说:“蒙上帝的恩典,因基督耶稣的救赎,就 白白的称义”(2)。
We believe that our salvation
consists in the remission of our sins for Jesus Christ’s sake, and that therein
our righteousness before God is implied: as David and Paul teach us, declaring
this to be the happiness of man, that God imputes righteousness to him without
works. And the same apostle says, that we are justified freely by his grace, through
the redemption which is in Jesus Christ.
因此,我们始终持守这一根基,将一切荣耀都归给上帝(3),在祂面前 谦卑自己,承认我们自己到底是什么样的人,既不敢信靠自己身上的任何东 西,也不敢信靠我们自身的任何功德(4),唯独仰望被钉死在十字架上的基 督的顺服(5)。当我们信靠基督的时候,祂的顺服就成为我们的(6)。基督 的顺服足以遮盖我们一切的罪孽,使我们坦然无惧地来到上帝面前(7);使 我们的良心得自由,摆脱忧虑、威胁与恐惧的捆绑,不再像我们的祖宗亚当那 样,颤抖着企图用无花果树上叶子来遮掩自己(8)。确实,如果我们要靠自 己或其他任何受造之物来到上帝面前,哪怕仅仅是稍稍依靠一点,我们就必 灭亡(9)。因此,人人都须像大卫那样祈祷:“求祢不要审问仆人,因为在 祢面前凡活着的人,没有一个是义的”(10)。
And therefore we always hold
fast this foundation, ascribing all the glory to God, humbling ourselves before
him, and acknowledging ourselves to be such as we really are, without presuming
to trust in any thing in ourselves, or in any merit of ours, relying and
resting upon the obedience of Christ crucified alone, which becomes ours, when
we believe in him. This is sufficient to cover all our iniquities, and to give
us confidence in approving to God; freeing the conscience of fear, terror and
dread, without following the example of our first father, Adam, who, trembling,
attempted to cover himself with fig-leaves. And verily if we should appear
before God, relying on ourselves, or on any other creature, though ever so
little, we should, alas! be consumed. And therefore every one must pray with
David: O Lord, enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall
no man living be justified.
(1)路 1:77;西 1:14;诗 32:1-2;罗 4:6-7 (2)罗 3:23-24;徒 4:12 (3)诗 115:1;林前 4:7;罗 4:2 (4)林前 4:7;罗 4:2;林前 1:29,31 (5)罗 5:19 (6)来 11:6-7;腓 2:8;林后 5:19;提前 2:6 (7)罗 5:1;腓 3:12;约壹 2:1 (8)创 3:7 (9)赛 33:14;申 27:26;雅 2:10 (10)诗 130:3;太 18:23-26;诗 143:2;路 16:15
第廿四条 人的成圣与善行
24. Of man’s Sanctification and God Works
我们相信,这种真信心既然来自聆听上帝的话语和圣灵的工作(1),就 确实使人重生,成为新人,使人过一种新生活(2),脱离罪的捆绑(3)。假 如说这种使人称义的信心,使人疏忽敬虔与圣洁的生活,乃是大错特错的 (4)。相反,没有这种信心,他们就绝不会出于对上帝的爱而作任何事,只 是出于自爱或惧怕刑罚。因此,这种圣洁的信心,在人里面不结果子是不可能 的;因为我们所说的不是虚假的信心(5),而是圣经中所说的“生发仁爱的信心”(6),就是激励人行上帝在圣经中所吩咐的善行的信心。这些工作出 自信心的善根,在上面前是善良、可喜悦的。它们之所以被分别为圣乃是藉着 上帝的恩典,但是对于我们的称义却算不了什么(7)。因为我们称义乃是藉 着在基督里的信心,甚至在我们做任何善行之前就已经称义了(8)。否则, 它们就不是善行,正如在有好树之前不会有好果子一样(9)。
We believe that this true
faith being wrought in man by the hearing of the Word of God, and the operation
of the Holy Ghost, does regenerate and make him a new man, causing him to live
a new life, and freeing him from the bondage of sin. Therefore it is so far
from being true, that this justifying faith makes men remiss in a pious and
holy life, that on the contrary without it they would never do anything out of
love to God, but only out of self-love or fear of damnation. Therefore it is
impossible that this holy faith can be unfruitful in man: for we do not speak
of a vain faith, but of such a faith, which is called in Scripture, a faith
that worketh by love, which excites man to the practice of those works, which
God has commended in his Word. Which works, as they proceed from the good root
of faith, are good and acceptable in the sight of God, forasmuch as they are
all sanctified by his grace: howbeit they are of no account towards our
justification. For it is by faith in Christ that we are justified, even before
we do good works; otherwise they could not be good works, any more than the
fruit of a tree can be good, before the tree itself is good.
所以我们做善事,不是为了通过行善而建立功德,因为我们能建立什么功 德呢?我们所作的善事都是因为上帝向我们施恩,并不是我们向祂施恩 (10),“因为你们立志行事,都是上帝在你们心里运行,为要成就衪的美 意”(11)。因此,我们当留意圣经中所说的,“你们作完了一切所吩咐的, 只当说,我们是无用的仆人,所作的本是我们应分作的”(12)。
Therefore we do good works,
but not to merit by them, (for what can we merit?) nay, we are beholden to God
for the good works we do, and not he to us, since it is he that works in us
both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Let us therefore attend to what is
written: when ye shall have done all those things which are commended you, say,
we are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do.
同时,我们并不否认上帝赏赐我们的善行,但这是因着上帝的恩典,祂给 祂所赐下的诸般恩赐加上冠冕(13)。另外,虽然我们行善,但我们并不是靠 善行得救(14);因为我们所做的一切都受到我们肉体的污染,都是当受上帝 惩罚的(15)。即使我们能够行善,只要上帝记念我们一个罪,就足以使上帝 拒绝这些善行。因此,我们的一些善行,如果不是依赖我们的救主的受苦和受 死所赢得的功德,都会使我们一直处于疑惑之中,忐忑不安,毫无把握,我们 微弱的良心也要不断地处于烦恼之中(17)。
In the meantime, we not deny
that God rewards our good works, but it is through his grace that he crowns his
gifts. Moreover, though we do good works, we do not found our salvation upon
them; for we do no work but what is polluted by our flesh, and also punishable;
and at though we could perform such works, still the remembrance of one sin is
sufficient to make God reject them. Thus then we would always be in doubt,
tossed to and fro without any certainty, and our poor consciences continually
vexed, if they relied not on the merits of the suffering and death of our
Saviour.
(1) 彼前 1:23;罗 10:17;约 5:24 (2) 帖前 1:5;罗 8:15;约 6:29;西 2:12;腓 1:1,29;腓 2:8 (3) 徒 15:9;罗 6:4,22;多 2:12;约 8:36 (4) 多 2:12 (5) 多 3:8;约 15:5;来 11:6;提前 1:5 (6) 提前 1:5;加 5:6;多 3:8 (7) 提后 1:9;罗 9:32;多 3:5 (8) 罗 4:4;创 4:4 (9) 来 11:6;罗 14:23;创 4:4;太 7:17 (10)林前 4:7;赛 26:12;加 3:5;帖前 2:13 (11)腓 2:13 (12)路 17:10 (13)太 10:42;25:34-35;启 3:12,21;罗 2:6;启 2:11;约贰 8;罗 11:6 (14)腓 2:9-10 (15)赛 64:6
(16)赛 28:16;罗 10:11;哈 2:4
第廿五条 礼仪律的废止
25. Of the abolishing of the
Ceremonial Law
我们相信,因着基督的到来(1),律法书中的礼仪律和预表已经停 止,各种影子都已经成全,所以它们的应用必须在基督徒中废止(2)。但其 所包含的真理与精义仍然在耶稣基督里存留在我们中间,它们都已经由衪成 全。同时,我们仍从律法书与先知书中取用各种见证,在福音的真道上坚固我 们自身(3),并根据上帝的旨意,诚实地规范我们的生活,荣耀上帝。
We believe, that the
ceremonies and figures of the law ceased at the coming of Christ, and that all
the shadows are accomplished; so that the use of them must be abolished amongst
Christian; yet the truth and substance of them remain with us in Jesus Christ,
in whom they have their completion. In the meantime, we still use the
testimonies taken out of the law and the prophets, to confirm us in the
doctrine of the gospel, and to regulate our life in all honesty, to the glory
of God, according to his will.
(1)罗 10:4 (2)加 5:2-4;3:1;4:10-11;西 2:16-17 (3)彼后 1:19
第廿六条 基督的代求
26. Of Christ’s Intercession
我们相信,除了独一的中保和代言人那义者耶稣基督以外,我们没有任 何来到上帝面前的途径(1)。耶稣基督正是为此而成为人,把神性与人性会 合在一个位格之内,从而使我们得以拥有来到神圣的威严的上帝面前的途径, 否则这一途径就会把我们排除在外。但是,父所安排的上帝与人之间的这位中 保,绝不应因其威严而使我们恐惧,或使我们根据自己的幻想寻求其他中保 (2)。因为不管是在天上,还是在地上,没有任何受造物比耶稣基督更爱我 们(3)。“衪本有上帝的形象,反倒虚己,取了奴仆的形象,成为人的样 式”(4),凡事与衪的弟兄一样。如果我们要寻求另一位爱我们的中保,我 们能找到谁比衪更爱我们呢?衪甚至在我们还与祂为敌的时候,就已经为我们 舍命(5)。如果我们要寻找一位有权能和尊严的,又有谁既坐在天父的右 边,还拥有天上地下一切的权柄呢(6)? 又有谁比上帝自己的独一爱子更蒙 上帝快快垂听呢?
We believe that we have no
access unto God, but alone through the only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ
the righteous, who therefore became man, having united in one person the divine
and human natures, that we men might have access to the divine majesty, which
access would otherwise be barred against us. But this Mediator, whom the Father
has appointed between him and us, ought in no wise to affright us by his
majesty, or cause us to seek another according to our infancy. For there is no
creature either in heaven or on earth who loveth us more than Jesus Christ;
who, though he was in the form of God, yet made himself of no reputation, and
took upon him the form of a man, and of a servant for us, and was made like
unto his brethren in all things. If then we should seek for another Mediator,
who would be well affected towards us, whom could we find, who loved us more
than he, who laid down his life for us, even when we were his enemies? And if
we seek for one who has power and majesty, who is there that has so much of
both as he who sits at the right hand of his Father, and who has all power in
heaven and on earth? And who will sooner be heard than the own well beloved Son
of God?
因此,这种以圣徒为中保的做法完全是出于不信,并不是尊荣圣徒,而是 羞辱他们。从他们的著作来看,这些圣徒从来没有这样做,也没有要求别人这 样做,相反,他们一直按照自己的本分拒绝这种做法(7)。我们也不可以自 己不配为理由,因为我们向上帝祈祷不是基于自己的价值,而是完全因为主耶 稣基督的卓越与价值(8)。藉着信心,祂的义成为我们的义。
Therefore it was only through
distrust that this practice of dishonouring, instead of honouring the saints,
was introduced, doing that, which they never have done, nor required, but have
on the contrary steadfastly rejected according to their bounden duty, as
appears by their writings. Neither must we plead here our unworthiness; for the
meaning is not that we should offer our prayers to God on the ground of our own
worthiness but only on the ground of the excellency and worthiness of the Lord
Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is become ours by faith.
因此,为要除去我们愚顽的恐惧与不信,使徒保罗就说:耶稣基督在凡事 上“与衪的弟兄相同,为要在上帝的事上成为慈悲忠信的大祭司,为百姓的罪 献上挽回祭。为此衪亲自受苦,受试探,衪才能帮助那受试探的人”(9); 使徒保罗又鼓励我们说:“我们既有一位已经升入高天尊荣的大祭司,就是上 帝的儿子耶稣,便当持定所承认的道。因为我们的大祭司并非不能体恤我们的 软弱。衪也曾凡事受过试探,与我们一样,只是没有犯罪。所以,我们只管坦 然无惧地来到施恩的宝座前,为要得怜恤,蒙恩惠,作随时的帮助”(10)。 写这封书信的同一位使徒还说:“我们既然因耶稣的血,得以坦然进入至圣 所;就当存着诚心,和充足的信心来到上帝面前”(11)。照样,基督所拥有 的既然是永远不变的祭司职分,“凡靠着祂进到上帝面前的人,祂都能拯救到 底;因为祂是长远活着,替他们祈求”(12)。
Therefore the apostle, to
remove this foolish fear, or rather mistrust from us, justly says, that Jesus
Christ was made like unto his brethren in all things, that he might be a
merciful and faithful High Priest, to make reconciliation for the sins of the
people. For in that he himself has suffered, being tempted, he is able to
succour them that are tempted; and further to encourage us, he adds, seeing
then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus
the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all
points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in
time of need. The same apostle says, having boldness to enter into the holiest,
by the blood of Jesus; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of
faith, etc. Likewise, Christ has an unchangeable priesthood, wherefore he is
able also to save them to the utter most, that come unto God by him, seeing he
ever liveth to make intercession for them.
我们还要求什么呢?因为基督亲自说过:“我就是道路、真理、生命,若 不藉着我,没有人能到父那里去”(13)。既然上帝喜悦赐下祂的儿子为我们 的代言人,我们为何还要寻找另外一位中保呢?我们不要舍弃祂而接受另外一 位,也不可再去寻找另一位,却一直无法找到基督。因为当上帝把基督赐给我 们时,祂非常清楚我们都是罪人。
What more can be required?
since Christ himself says, I am the way and the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father but by me. To what purpose should we then seek another
advocate, since it has pleased God, to give us his own Son as an advocate? Let
us not for sake him to take another, or rather to seek after another, without
ever being able to find him; for God well knew, when he gave him to us, that we
were sinners.
因此,根据基督的吩咐,我们藉着耶稣基督我们独一的中保来求告在天上 的父,正如在主祷文中所教导的;基督也向我们保证,我们奉祂的名无论向父 求什么,都必得着(17)。
Therefore according to the
command of Christ, we call upon the heavenly Father through Jesus Christ our
own Mediator, as we are taught in the Lord’s prayer; being assured that
whatever we ask of the Father in his name, will be granted us.
(1) 提前 2:5;约壹 2:1;罗 8:33 (2) 何 13:9;耶 2:13,33 (3) 约 10:11;约壹 4:10;罗 5:8;腓 3:19;约 15:13 (4) 腓 2:7 (5) 罗 5:8 (6) 可 16:19;西 3:1;罗 8:33;太 11:27;28:18 (7) 徒 10:26;14:15 (8) 但 9:17-18;约 16:23;腓 3:12;徒 4:12;林前 1:31;腓 2:18 (9) 来 2:17,18 (10) 来 4:14-16 (11) 来 10:19,22 (12) 来 7:24,25 (13) 约 14:6
(14) 诗 44:21 (15) 提前 2:5;约壹 2:1;罗 8:33 (16) 路 11:2 (17) 约 4:17;16:23;14:13
第廿七条 大公基督教会
27. Of the Catholic Christian
Church
我们相信并承认一个大公或普世教会(1),是由真正的基督信徒所组成的 圣会,他们都一直期盼在基督耶稣里得享救恩,都被基督的宝血洁净,并由圣 灵使之成圣,从圣灵受印记。 基督是永远的君王,假如没有子民就不会如此(2)。因此,很显然,这一 教会从创世之初就已经存在,并且存续到世界的末了(3)。这一神圣教会得 蒙上帝的保守和扶持,抵挡全世界的攻击(4)。虽然这一教会有时显得非常 藐小,在人的眼中被视为乌有(5),正如在亚哈掌权的危险时期,上帝仍然 为衪自己保守了七千人,他们都是未向巴力屈膝(6)。 此外,这一神圣教会并非局限于一个特定的地方、特定的人群,乃是分散 在全世界。但是,藉着信心的大能,这一教会仍然是同心合意地联合为一个整 体,同被圣灵所感(8)。
We believe and profess, one
catholic or universal Church, which is a holy congregation, of true Christian
believers, all expecting their salvation in Jesus Christ, being washed by his
blood, sanctified and sealed by the Holy Ghost. This Church has been from the
beginning of the world, and will be to the end thereof; which is evident from
this, that Christ is an eternal King, which, without subjects, cannot be. And
this holy Church is preserved or supported by God, against the rage of the
whole world; though she sometimes (for a while) appears very small, and in the
eyes of men, to be reduced to nothing; s during the perilous reign of Ahab, the
Lord reserved unto him seven thousand men, who had not bowed their knees to
Baal. Furthermore, this holy Church is not confined, bound, or limited to a
certain place or to certain persons, but is spread and dispersed over the whole
world; and yet is joined and united with heart and will, by the power of faith,
in one and the same spirit.
(1) 赛 2:2;诗 46:5;102:14;耶 31:36 (2) 太 28:20;撒下 7:16 (3) 路 1:32-33;诗 89:37-38;110:2-4 (4) 太 16:18;约 16:33;创 22:17;提后 2:19 (5) 路 12:32;赛 1:9;启 12:6,14;路 17:21;太 16:18 (6) 罗 12:4;11:2,4;王上 19:18;赛 1:9;罗 9:29 (7) 徒 4:32 (8) 腓 4:3-4
第廿八条 人人都当加入真教会
28. That every one is bound
to join himself to the true Church
我们相信:既然这一神圣教会是那些得救之人的聚集,并且在她之外,别 无救恩(1),所以,不管个人处境如何,任何人都不应当退出这一教会,在 她之外自己生活(2)。所有人都有责任加入这一教会,与她联合,保持教会 的合一(3),顺服其中的教义和劝惩,把自己的颈项置于耶稣基督的轭下 (4)。作为同一身体的成员(5),彼此之间当根据上帝赐给各自的才能,使 弟兄得造就。 更当确实遵守的是,所有信徒都有责任,根据上帝的圣言,将自己与那些 不属于教会的人分开(6),并且加入上帝在各处所设立的地方教会(7)。即 使掌权者和国家法令反对,遭受死亡或其它身体方面的刑罚,也当如此。因 此,那些退出真教会,或不加入真教会的人,都是违背上帝的吩咐而行事。
We believe, since this holy
congregation is an assembly of those who are saved, and that out of it there is
no salvation, that no person of whatsoever state or condition he may be, ought
to withdraw himself, to live in a separate state from it; but that all men are
in duty bound to join and unite themselves with it; maintaining the unity of
the Church; submitting themselves to the doctrine and discipline thereof;
bowing their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ; and as mutual members of the
same body, serving to the edification of the brethren, according to the talents
God has given them. And that this may be the more effectually observed, it is
the duty of all believers, according to the word of God, to separate themselves
from all those who do not belong to the Church, and to join themselves to this
congregation, wheresoever God has established it, even though the magistrates
and edicts of princes were against it, yea, though they should suffer death or
any other corporal punishment. Therefore all those, who separate themselves
from the same, or do not join themselves to it, act contrary to the ordinance
of God.
(1) 彼前 3:20;珥 2:32 (2) 徒 2:40;赛 52:11 (3) 诗 22:23;腓 4:3,12;来 2:12 (4) 诗 2:10-12;太 11:29 (5) 腓 4:12,16;林前 12:12,等 (6) 徒 2:40;赛 52:11;林后 6:17;启 18:4 (7) 太 12:30;24:28;赛 49:22;启 17:14 (8) 但 3:17-18;6:8-10;启 14:14;徒 4:17,19;17:7;18:13
第廿九条 区分真教会与假教会的标记
29. Of the marks of the true Church, and
wherein she differs from the false Church
我们相信:我们应当殷勤并且谨慎地根据上帝的圣言分辨何谓真教会,因 为世上所有的异端教派都自取教会之名。但是,我们在此处所说的并不是那些 假冒伪善之人,他们在教会中与那些善良的信徒混在一起,表面上看来是在教 会之中,但实际上并不属于教会(1)。因此,我们所说的真教会的身体与交 通,必须与那些自称是教会的异端派别分别开来。
We believe, that we ought
diligently and circumspectly to discern from the Word of God which is the true
Church, since all sects which are in the world assume to themselves the name of
the Church. But we speak not here of hypocrites, who are mixed in the Church
with the good, yet are not of the Church, though externally in it; but we say
that the body and communion of the true Church must be distinguished from all
sects, who call themselves the Church.
区别真教会的标记如下:是否在这教会中有纯正的福音真道(2);基督 所设立的圣礼是否在这教会中得到纯正的施行(3);是否按教会法规惩处罪 恶(4)。总之,就是凡事都是按照上帝的纯正圣言而行,拒绝与之相悖的一 切(5),承认耶稣基督是教会唯一的元首(6)。从这些标记可以确知一个教 会是否是真教会,任何人都不得从这样的真教会中分离出来。
The marks, by which the true
Church is known, are these: if the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached
therein; if she maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as
instituted by Christ; if church discipline is exercised in punishing of sin: in
short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things
contrary thereto corrected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of
the Church. Hereby the true Church may certainly be known from which no man has
a right to separate himself.
关于真教会的肢体,可以用基督徒的标记,也就是真信心的标记来分辨: 接受耶稣基督为独一的救主(7);离弃罪恶,追求公义(8);热爱真正独一 的真上帝和自己的邻舍;既不偏左,也不偏右;把肉体及其邪情私欲钉死在十 字架上(10)。但这并不是说他们本身就没有极大的软弱,但他们确实在自己 的一生中天天藉着圣灵与自身的各种软弱争战(11),不断地以我们的主耶稣 基督的宝血、受死、受难和顺服为自己的避难所,唯独在衪里面他们才藉着信 而罪得赦免(12)。
With respect to those, who
are members of the Church, they may be known by the marks of Christians:
namely, by faith; and when they have received Jesus Christ the only Saviour,
they avoid sin, follow after righteousness, love the true God and their
neighbour, neither turn aside to the right or left, and crucify the flesh with
the works thereof. But this is not to be understood, as if there did not remain
in them great infirmities; but they fight against them through the Spirit, all
the days of their life, continually taking their refuge in the blood, death,
passion and obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ, “in whom they have remission of
sins, through faith in him.”
至于假教会,乃是更多地将权能和权威归于自己和自己的规定,而不是归 于上帝的圣言(13),也不把自己顺服在基督的轭下(14)。假教会不仅不按 照基督的教训施行圣礼,还按照自己所认为合适的加加减减。她依靠人过于依 靠基督,迫害那些按照上帝的圣言圣洁度日(15),并且责备她的谬误、贪婪 和偶像崇拜的人(16)。这两种教会各不相同,很容易分辨清楚。
As for the false Church, she
ascribes more power and authority to herself and her ordinances than to the
Word of God, and will not submit herself to the yoke of Christ. Neither does
she administer the sacraments as appointed by Christ in his Word, but adds to
and takes from them, as she thinks proper; she relies more upon men than upon
Christ; and persecutes those, who live holily according to the Word of God, and
rebuke her for her errors, covetousness, and idolatry. These two Churches are
easily known and distinguished from each other.
(1) 太 13:22;提后 2:18-20;罗 9:6 (2) 约 10:27;腓 2:20;徒 17:11-12;西 1:23;约 8:47 (3) 太 28:19;路 22:19;林前 11:23 (4) 太 18:15-18;帖下 3:14-15 (5) 太 28:2;加 1:6-8 (6) 腓 1:22-23;约 10:4-5,14
(7) 腓 1:13;约 17:20 (8) 约壹 4:2 (9) 约壹 3:8-10 (10) 罗 6:2;加 5:24 (11) 罗 7:6,17;加 5:17 (12) 西 1:14 (13) 西 2:18-19 (14) 诗 2:3 (15) 启 12:4;约 16:2 (16) 启 17:3,4,6
第三十条 教会的治理与职分
30. Concerning the Government of, and Offices
in the Church
我们相信:此真教会必须按照我们的主在祂的圣言中所教导的属灵原则来治 理,就是说:必须有牧师传讲上帝的圣言,施行各种圣礼(1);同时,也必须有 众长老、执事和牧师一同组成教会治理会(2);正是藉着这些蒙恩之道,真敬虔 得以保存,纯正的教义在各处传讲,犯罪者也按照属灵的方式受到处罚和约束 (3);贫穷和痛苦的人也根据他们的需要得到救济和安慰。藉着这些蒙恩之道, 按照圣保罗在《提摩太前书》所规定的方式选举有忠心的人,教会中各项事务就会 规规矩矩地按照次序行(4)。
We believe, that this true
Church must be governed by that spiritual policy which our Lord has taught us
in his Word; namely, that there must be ministers or pastors to preach the Word
of God, and to administer the sacraments; also elders and deacons, who,
together with the pastors, form the council of the Church: that by these means
the true religion may be preserved, and the true doctrine everywhere propagated,
likewise transgressors punished and restrained by spiritual means: also that
the poor and distressed may be relieved and comforted, according to their
necessities. By these means everything will be carried on in the Church with
good order and decency, when faithful men are chosen, according to the rule
prescribed by St. Paul in his Epistle to Timothy.
(1)腓 4:11;林前 4:1-2;林后 5:20;约 20:23;徒 26:17-18;路 10:16 (2)徒 6:3;14:23 (3)太 18:17;林前 5:4-5 (4)提前 3:1;多 1:5