恩約   Covenant

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》P65 ,更新傳道會出版

神與其子民所建立的關系，其基本結構就是恩約（covenant) 。一般人想像中的約是合約（contract) ; 雖然恩約與合約有些相似，但二者之間也有很重要的差異。兩者都有約束力的協議，而合約是由地位平等的雙方訂立的，雙方都有權不去簽約。恩約也是一種協議，但是聖經時代的約不是由地位平等的雙方訂立的；反之，恩約很像古時近東的宗主國與附庸國所立的條約，由一個戰勝的君王與一個被征服的君王訂立（常見於赫人諸王之間），雙方沒有談判的余地。

恩約的第一部分內容是引子，介紹雙方。出埃及記二十章2節開宗明義說：「我是耶和華你的神。」神是宗主，以色列民是附庸。第二部分是歷史序文，介紹宗主（耶和華）所曾作過配受尊崇的事，例如帶領希伯來人離開為奴的埃及。用神學的名詞來說，這部分的內容是恩典。

在下一部分，耶和華說出了祂對自己所統治的百姓的要求。出埃及記二十章記下了十誡，毎一誡對於整個立約群體來說都有道德約束力。

這類型的約之最後一部分會列舉祝福與咒詛。耶和華說明附庸之民在謹守本約之後的祝福；第五誡是一例，神應許以色列民若孝敬父母，便能在應許之地上曰子長久。這恩約也說出了子民不能履行責仼時的咒詛；神警告以色列民若不尊敬祂的名，祂便不以他們為無罪。恩約的基本形式，在神與亞當、挪亞、亞伯拉罕和摩西的約，以及耶穌與教會所立的約中明顯可見。

在聖經時代，約是用血確立的。習慣上，立約雙方都要從切開的祭牲中走過，以表示他們同意立約條款（見耶34：18）。創世記十五章21節記載了這種立約例子：神以所獻的祭牲去確立對亞伯拉罕的應許，然而，只有神從祭牲中經過，表明祂以嚴肅的誓言約束自己必定完全這約。

至於新約，也就是恩典之約，是用基督在十字架上所流的血確立的。這個恩約的核心是神救贖的應許。神不只應許要救贖所有相信基督的人，並且以最神聖的誓言為此應許的憑據；我們所事奉的神，必定向我們成就完全的救贖。

總結

約的內容：

1. 引子：介紹宗主。

2. 歷史序文：重述雙方關系的歷史。

3. 條文：列出約的條款。

4. 誓言：約束雙方遵行條款的應許。

5. 制裁：訂立守約與背約的祝福和咒詛（賞賜與懲罰）。

6. 確立：以立約之血-------祭牲或基督的死-------為憑據。

思考經文

創15章；出20章；耶31：31-34；路22：20；來8章；來13：20-21

Covenant

The basic structure of the relationship God has established with His people is the covenant. A covenant is usually thought of as a contract. While there surely are some similarities between covenants and contracts, there are also important differences. Both are binding agreements. Contracts are made from somewhat equal bargaining positions, and both parties are free not to sign the contract. A covenant is likewise an agreement. However, covenants in the Bible are not usually between equals. Rather, they follow a pattern common to the ancient Near East suzerain-vassal treaties. Suzerain-vassal treaties (as seen among the Hittite kings) were made between a conquering king and the conquered. There was no negotiation between the parties.

The first element of these covenants is the preamble, which lists the respective parties. Exodus 20:2 begins with "I am the LORD your God." God is the suzerain; the people of Israel are the vassals. The second element is the historical prologue. This section lists what the suzerain (or Lord) has done to deserve loyalty, such as bringing the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt. In theological terms, this is the section of grace.

In the next section, the Lord lists what He will require of those He rules. In Exodus 20, these are the Ten Commandments. Each of the commandments were considered morally binding on the entire covenant community.

The final part of this type of covenant lists blessings and cursings. The Lord lists the benefits that He will bestow upon His vassals if they follow the stipulations of the covenant. An example of this is found in the fifth commandment. God promises the Israelites that their days will be long in the Promised Land if they honor their parents. The covenant also presents curses should the people fail in their responsibilities. God warns Israel that He will not hold them guiltless if they fail to honor His name. This basic pattern is evident in God's covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and the covenant between Jesus and His church.

In biblical times, covenants were ratified in blood. It was customary for both parties to the covenant to pass between dismembered animals, signifying their agreement to the terms of the covenant (see Jeremiah 34:18). We have an example of this kind of covenant in Genesis 15:7-21. Here, God made certain promises to Abraham, which were ratified by the sacrificing of animals. However, in this case, God alone passes through the animals, indicating that He is binding Himself by a solemn oath to fulfill the covenant.

The new covenant, the covenant of grace, was ratified by the shed blood of Christ upon the cross. At the heart of this covenant is God's promise of redemption. God has not only promised to redeem all who put their trust in Christ, but has sealed and confirmed that promise with a most holy vow. We serve and worship a God who has pledged Himself to our full redemption.

Elements of a covenant:

1.         Preamble: identifies the sovereign.

2.         Historical prologue: rehearses the history of the relationship between the parties.

3.         Stipulations: outline the terms of the covenant.

4.         Oaths/Vows: the promises that bind the parties to the terms.

5.         Sanctions: the blessings and curses (rewards and punishments) to be enacted for keeping or breaking the covenant.

6.         Ratification: the sealing of the covenant by blood, i.e., animal sacrifice or the death of Christ.