First  Catechism: An Introduction to the ShorterCatechism摘錄

誠之編譯

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改革宗教會是這樣教導五歲以下小孩的：用要理問答的形式教導他們信仰的根基，讓他們從小就認識閱讀的基本架構。從問題本身以看出改革宗是從聖約神學的角度來解釋聖經的。現代的成人基督徒恐怕有很多題目都答不出來。

（以下為摘錄，原本的順序是23~48問）

1. What covenant did God make with Adam?

The covenant of life.

23. 上帝和亞當立了什麼約？

答：生命之約。

2. What is a covenant?

A relationship that God establishes with us and guarantees by his word.

24. 什麼是約？

答：上帝與我們建立的關係，有祂的話作保證。

3. In the covenant of life, what did God require Adam to do?

To obey God perfectly.

25. 生命之約要求亞當做什麼？

答：完全順服上帝。

4. What did God promise in the covenant of life?

To reward Adam with life if he obeyed God perfectly.

26. 在生命之約中，上帝應許什麼？

答：如果亞當順服上帝，會得到永生為獎賞。

5. What did God threaten in the covenant of life?

To punish Adam with death if he disobeyed God.

27. 在生命之約中，上帝警告什麼？

答：如果亞當不順服上帝，他必定死。

6. Did Adam keep the covenant of life?

No. He sinned against God.

28. 亞當遵守了生命之約嗎？

答：沒有；他犯罪背叛上帝。

7. What is sin?

Sin is any lack of conformity to, or transgression of, the law of God.

29. 罪是什麼？

答：任何不符合或違背上帝律法的思想、言語、行為。

8. What is meant by lack of conformity?

Not being or doing what God requires.

30. 不符合上帝的律法是什麼意思？

答：沒有照上帝要求我們作的。

9. What is meant by transgression?

Doing what God forbids.

31. 什麼是悖逆上帝的律法？

答：作上帝所禁止的。

10. What does every sin deserve?

The wrath and curse of God.

32. 每一種罪應得的後果是什麼？

答：上帝的震怒和咒詛。

11. What was the sin of our first parents?

Eating the forbidden fruit.

33. 我們的始祖犯了什麼罪？

答：吃了禁果。

12. Who tempted Adam and Eve to this sin?

Satan tempted Eve first, and then he used her to tempt Adam.

34. 誰引誘他們犯這罪？

答：撒但先引誘夏娃，然後夏娃把那果子給了亞當。

13. How did Adam and Eve change when they sinned?

Instead of being holy and happy, they became sinful and miserable.

35. 我們的始祖犯罪以後，他們有了什麼改變？

答：他們不再聖潔、幸福，成為有罪的、的、悲慘的、痛苦的。

14. Did Adam act for himself alone in the covenant of life?

No. He represented the whole human race.

36. 在生命之約裏，亞當只代表他自己嗎？
答：不，他代表全人類。

15. What effect did the sin of Adam have on all people?

We are all born guilty and sinful.

37. 亞當的罪對全人類有什麼影響？

答：全人類生來都是有罪咎的，而且都有犯罪的本性。

16. How sinful are you by nature?

I am corrupt in every part of my being.

38. 你生來就有罪到什麼程度？

答：我的每一部分都是敗壞的。

17. What is the sinful nature that we inherit from Adam called?

Original sin.

39.從亞當所傳承的有罪本質，我們稱之為什麼？

答：原罪。

18. Can anyone go to heaven with this sinful nature?

No. Our hearts must be changed before we can believe in Jesus and go to heaven.

40. 有人能帶著這個犯罪本性上天堂嗎？

答：沒有人；我們的心必須先被改變才會信靠耶穌、去天堂。

19. What is this change of heart called?

The new birth, or regeneration.

41. 你的心被改變的過程稱為什麼？

答：新生或重生。

20. Who can change a sinner's heart?

The Holy Spirit alone.

42. 誰能改變罪人的心呢？

答：只有聖靈能夠。

21. Can anyone be saved through the covenant of life?

No. No one can be saved through the covenant of life.

43. 有人能透過生命之約得救嗎？
答：沒有。沒有人能透過生命之約得救。

22. Why can't anyone be saved through the covenant of life?

Because all have broken it and are condemned by it.

44. 為什麼沒有人可以透過生命之約得救？
答：因為所有的人都違背了生命之約，且被它定罪。

23. How did you break the covenant of life?

Adam represented all people, and so I fell with Adam in his first sin.

45. 你如何違背了生命之約？

答：亞當代表所有的人，在他最初犯的罪裏，我跟他一起墮落了。

24. How, then, can you be saved?

By the Lord Jesus Christ through the covenant of grace.

46. 那麼，你怎樣才能得救呢？

答：通過主耶穌的恩典之約。

25. Whom did Christ represent in the covenant of grace?

His elect people.

47. 耶穌在恩典之約中代表哪些人？

答：蒙祂揀選的人。

26. How did Christ fulfill the covenant of grace?

Christ obeyed the whole law for his people, and then suffered the punishment due for their sins.

48. 耶穌怎樣成全了恩典之約？

答：為了屬祂的人，基督完全遵行上帝全部的律法，並替他們擔當了所有的罪所帶來的刑罰。