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2021-08-15

 

 

什么人可以施圣礼?
Who can administer the sacraments?

作者: R.C. Sproul  译者:  Virginia Yip
https://www.facebook.com/groups/462030323850206/posts/4178495155537019/
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/462030323850206聖經神學研究推廣小組
 
“我们的主基督在福音中所设立的圣礼只有两个,即洗礼和圣餐:它们除由合乎圣经按立的牧师施行以外,任何人不得施行。” (注一)
There be only two sacraments ordained by Christ our Lord in the Gospel; that is to say, baptism, and the Supper of the Lord: neither of which may be dispensed by any, but by a minister of the Word lawfully ordained.[1]
 
以上这句话的下半句:“它们除由合乎圣经按立的牧师施行以外,任何人不得施行”,尤其成为当代基督徒经常争议的点。早在十九世纪60年代和70年代,许多年轻人起来反对传统权威和权威架构,他们建立起他们的地下教会,教会中废弃一切循常规按立的圣职人员。他们会围绕在游泳池旁,由演艺界明星帕特·布恩(Pat Boone)或者由别的什么知名人士为信徒施洗。当时教会的领袖都被他们这种做法弄得目瞪口呆,无不摇头叹息,并宣称这些圣礼的施行是单单属于正规授权施圣礼者--例如被按立的牧师--的权限范围的。他们之所以会随便让一个普通人来施行圣礼,其实乃反映出他们对圣礼这件事看的很随意,觉得这些教会的圣礼并非什么神圣不可侵犯的事,用不着劳烦正式被按立的圣职人员。The final clause of section 4 is frequently disputed among Christians: neither of which may be dispensed by any, but by a minister of the Word lawfully ordained. In the so-called Jesus movement of the 1960s and 1970s, young people reacted against traditional authority structures and created an underground church that dispensed with regularly ordained clergy. People gathered around swimming pools and were baptized by Pat Boone or other celebrities. Church officials were unnerved by these practices and claimed that the sacraments are only to be administered by duly authorized individuals, such as ordained clergy. Over against that was an informal view of the matter that saw little need for ordained clergy.
 
与之同时,教会又加上受到了了灵恩运动的冲击。灵恩运动讲的是信徒可以领受特殊的属灵恩赐,足以让他们从事圣工。大部分新约圣经中有关“圣灵的恩赐”(希腊文 Charismata)乃来自保罗写给哥林多教会的书信。在哥林多教会,那些领受了圣灵恩赐的人,挑战那些按照常规被分别出来从事圣工的传道者,而保罗写给哥林多教会的两封书信都在处理他们教会当中因此产生的内部矛盾。Added to that was the impact of the charismatic movement, in which people supposedly receive special gifts from the Holy Spirit that empower them for ministry. Most of the New Testament information that we have about the gifts of the Spirit (Greek charismata) comes from Paul’s letters to the Corinthian church. In Corinth, people who received gifts from the Spirit challenged the authority of those who had been, under normal circumstances, set apart and consecrated for ministry. Paul’s two epistles to the Corinthian community deal with that internal disruption.
 
后来,到了第一世纪末了,罗马的主教革利免也写了一封书信给住在哥林多的信徒群体,因为他们当中的问题在保罗离世后越发变得严重了,因为哥林多的教会那时简直就是落到了一种个人灵性与教会组织上的大混乱中。革利免告戒哥林多的信徒,要他们回去再好好看看使徒保罗给他们的书信,并要他们重视保罗的教导。在第一世纪末,教会所争论的问题就是,到底按常被按立的教会圣职人员与自称有灵恩的信徒领袖之间有没有什么区别。
At the end of the first century, Clement, bishop of Rome, wrote an epistle to the Corinthian community because the crisis had actually worsened after the death of the Apostle Paul. The Corinthian church was in a state of spiritual and ecclesiastical chaos. Clement told the Christians at Corinth to go back and heed the teaching of the Apostle Paul. At the end of the first century, the debate had to do with regular ministers of the church as distinguished from charismatic leaders.
 
在旧约,圣灵的恩赐往往是为了让人去完成某一项特殊任务才在某一个特殊的时刻临时赐下给某些人的。我们在旧约中读到,耶和华的灵降在耶利米或者以西结等人的身上。他们都是上帝特别分别出来,为要执行他们先知的灵恩职分的。以色列的君王是由祭司来膏立的,用油膏立乃象征了圣灵的膏立,他们被膏立乃表明上帝要他们以敬虔的方式执行他们为王的职分。在此之前,上帝兴起士师,如参孙和基甸,他们都是被膏立、拥有灵恩的领袖,为要成为当时架构较为松散的以色列各支派联邦的领袖,尤其为要带领他们对付他们的仇敌非利士人。摩西也是一个满有灵恩的领袖,在他身上有来自圣灵的特殊恩赐。上帝又膏立亚伦,让他成为祭司,并设立他后裔中一切的男丁继承他成为祭司。整个利未支派都是被上帝特别分别出来担任祭祀的职分,而这种的设立乃是旧约圣工架构的一个常态。
In the Old Testament, the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to people for special tasks at particular times. We read that the Spirit of the Lord came on Jeremiah or on Ezekiel. They were set apart by God for the special charismatic office of the prophet. The kings of Israel were anointed by the priest, as a sign of their anointing by the Spirit, to exercise their office in a godly manner. Before that, God raised up judges like Samson and Gideon as anointed, charismatically gifted leaders to provide some leadership to the loose federation of the tribes of Israel and especially to lead them against an enemy like the Philistines. Moses was also a charismatic leader who was endowed by the Holy Spirit with special gifts. God then anointed Aaron as the high priest and instituted his male descendants as the priesthood. The entire tribe of Levi was set apart for priestly duties and became part of the regular order of the Old Testament ministry.
 
在新约,基督徒信仰群体中具有属灵恩赐的领袖是使徒。他们乃是与旧约的先知平起平坐的。圣灵的能力临到他们,他们就成为上帝启示的代理人。当使徒保罗建立起一间教会后,他总是会按常规给教会指示,要他们选出长老,分别为圣,治理教会。我们在保罗写给提摩太和提多的书信中看到,保罗非常仔细地勾画出担任圣职的标准和要求。长老和执事就成为了教会常规性的圣职,而这些常规性的圣职人员乃担负起牧养照顾羊群的职责。
In the New Testament, the charismatically endowed leaders of the Christian community were the Apostles. They were on the same level as the Old Testament prophets. The power of the Holy Spirit came on them, and they became agents of revelation. When the Apostle Paul established a church, he customarily instructed his assistants to set apart elders who were called to the office of ministry. We find this in his epistles to Timothy and Titus, where he delineates the standards for office. The elders and deacons became the regular officers of the church, and the ordinary ministers were given the responsibility to care for the spiritual needs of the flock.
 
于是,他们的事工就不再依靠特殊的灵恩了。在旧约,圣灵只会将其能力局部地降在一个圣约团体中。但到了五旬节,祂降到了每一个聚会者的身上。之后更是降到了外邦信徒身上。使徒们见此情景得出的结论就是,所有的信徒,无论是犹太人还是外邦人,在基督的身体上所占据的地位和身份都是一样。圣灵现在不再是局部地而是全部地降下能力给整个教会,使每个人都能参与在基督的事工中。这也就是为什么路德要坚持信徒皆祭司的观点。路德说,福音事工是主托付给整个教会的,而不仅仅是某些少数人的。然而,路德也同时明白新约圣经有设立常规性的教会圣职职分,为的是要执行圣道和圣礼的职分以及为会友的灵性需要提供照料。
Their ministry was no longer dependent on a special charismatic gift. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit endowed with power only part of the covenant community. At Pentecost, He fell upon everyone assembled, and later He came on the gentile converts. The inference drawn by the Apostles was that all believers, Jew and gentile alike, had the same full membership and status in the New Testament body of Christ. The Holy Spirit has now empowered the entire church to participate in the ministry of Christ. That was why Luther held his view of the priesthood of all believers. Luther said that the ministry of the gospel was entrusted to the whole church, not just to a few people. But Luther also understood that the New Testament established regular church offices for the ministry of the Word and sacrament and for the spiritual care of the people.
 
这些圣礼 “除由合乎圣经按立的牧师施行以外,任何人不得施行。” 当复活的主把大使命托付下来时,祂对使徒们,即首批的圣职人员,说: “所以你们要往普天下去是万民作我的门徒,奉父、子、圣灵的名为他们施洗” (太二十八19)。在哥林多前书十一章20-23节那里,保罗陈明,他所领受的有关设立主餐的事宜是他亲自从主那里领受的。他在哥林多前书四章1节那里说:“人应当以我们为基督的执事,为神奥秘事的管家。”在这里 “神奥秘事的管家” 这句话尤其关键。希伯来书五章4节告诉我们: “这大祭司的尊荣没有人自取,唯要蒙神所召,像亚伦一样。” 我在这里看到一个原则,就是从事教会事工的人,是由上帝所呼召的人所担任的,以及没有人有权擅自把这样的圣职拿来归给自己。而这些职分所附带的条件,就是要尽做上帝奥秘事管家的责任。就如在旧约时代,祭司是上帝奥秘事的管家,在新约,同样的职责则由教会的牧者来担任了。
Neither sacrament may be dispensed by any, but by a minister of the Word lawfully ordained. When the resurrected Jesus gave the Great Commission, He told the Apostles, the first Christian ministers, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). In 1 Corinthians 11:20–23, Paul states that he received from the Lord the words of institution for the Lord’s Supper. He says in 1 Corinthians 4:1, “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” The phrase “stewards of the mysteries of God” is critical. Hebrews 5:4 tells us, “No one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.” We see here a ministry in the church that is instituted by the call of God, and that no one has the right to take it for himself. Included in this ministry is the responsibility of being stewards of the mysteries of God. Just as Old Testament priests were “stewards” of God’s mysteries, so that task is also carried out by New Testament ministers.
 
“管家” 这个词在希腊文是 oikonomia. 英文中 economy (注二) 这个词,就是从这个希腊文的词演变过来的,这个词是将 oikos,即 “家” nomos,即 “法则、规矩” 这两个词连接在一起的。 所以,oikonomia 直译就是 “家规”/ “理家” 的意思。因此, “管家” 在圣经中的意思,就是指一个负责管理一个家庭中各样事物的仆人。而当我们说到基督徒的管家观念时,我们指的是我们如何管理好上帝托付给我们各样资源的责任。
The word stewardship translates the Greek word oikonomia. Our English word economy derives from that word. It combines the word oikos, meaning “house,” and the word nomos, meaning “law.” So oikonomia means “house rule” or “house law.” Thus, a steward in the biblical sense is a servant who is responsible for managing the affairs of the household. When we speak of Christian stewardship, we are referring to our responsibility to manage the resources that God has entrusted to us.
 
圣经告诉我们,上帝把管理祂神圣奥秘之事的管家职分交给了圣职人员,当保罗提到 “上帝奥秘事的管家” 一词时,收信的教会立即会明白这些是即包括“圣礼之事的管家”。虽然我们不能把新约中对 “奥秘” 一词的用法与 “圣礼” 完全划上等号,但我们依然不能忽略在教会圣经翻译史上,拉丁文的 “圣礼” sacrementum 一词,乃是教会用来直接翻译希腊文的 “奥秘” mystērion 一词。牧师在教会中的职务之一,就是要确保圣礼的正确施行。
The Scriptures teach that God gives to ministers the management or stewardship of the sacred mysteries. When Paul refers to “stewards of the mysteries of God,” the church understands that to include being “stewards of the sacraments.” Though we must not make an identity between the New Testament use of the word mystery and our word sacrament, there remains a historic link between the words as the Latin sacramentum was used by the church to translate the Greek mystērion. One of the pastor’s responsibilities in the life of the church is to oversee the sacraments.
 
虽然,关于圣礼是否必须由正式按立的牧师来施行一事,我们不能说圣经给了我们大量且直接明确、叫人无可反驳的证据,但根据以上引述的圣经证据,我们似乎可以很合理的得出结论:只有被按立的圣职人员才有施行圣礼的权柄。除了圣经一切有关教会监督的观念、长老的职责等各方面的教导外,主的教会在历史发展中也得出同样合宜的结论,就是主的圣礼是十分神圣的,以至于人们必须慎重对待之,不得用草率或轻慢的态度和方式处理圣礼。这一点,在我们思想到保罗对不按理(用不合适的方式)领受主餐之人的告诫时,尤其明显了。
Though the biblical evidence is not overwhelming, it seems best to conclude that only ordained people have the authority to administer the sacraments. In addition to biblical references and the biblical concept of what it means to be a bishop, and the responsibilities of eldership as set forth in the New Testament, the church, in her own development, rightly came to the conclusion that the sacraments are so holy that they must be guarded from frivolous or cavalier usage. That becomes particularly clear when we consider the warning not to partake of the Lord’s Supper unworthily.
 
保罗在哥林多前书十一章30节警告那些不按理吃喝主餐的人说:这就是为什么 “你们中间有好些软弱的与患病的,死的也不少。” 新约学者 Oscar Cullmann 注意到,这一节经文是整本新约圣经中被人最忽略的一节。他认为保罗对哥林多教会的信徒说话的意思就是: “你们当中有人病了,甚至病死了,都是跟你们没有分辨领受主的身体乃是一件神圣的事这件事有直接的关系。” 对此事所需要的分辨力,跟对其他事情所需要的分辨力一样,都是取决教会如何看待怎样才能更有效保护信徒这件事上——保护他们免受因对圣餐不适当的施行而造成的负面影响。所以,圣礼必须由那些被正式分别出来担任教会圣职的人员来负责,并非谁都能施行圣礼的。而维护圣礼的职责,也是交在了圣职人员的手里。当然,这不表示圣礼就从此不会被误用/滥用,但是不这么做的后果会更严重。
Paul warns about eating and drinking unworthily in 1 Corinthians 11:30: “That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.” The New Testament scholar Oscar Cullmann observed that this is one of the most neglected verses in the entire New Testament. He suggested that Paul was saying to the Corinthians, “Some of you people have fallen ill, even unto death, directly as a result of your failure to discern the Lord’s body in this most holy event.” This need for discernment, along with other concerns, lay behind the church’s decision to protect the people from the negative effects of mishandling the sacraments. Therefore, the sacraments must be administered by those who have been set apart for the task of ministry in the church. Not just anyone can administer the sacraments. The responsibility to guard the sacraments is put into the hands of the clergy. That is no guarantee that there will not be abuses, but the situation could otherwise be much worse.
 
路德在他第一次施圣餐时,吓得不能动弹。洗礼也是一件极其严肃的事,其严肃程度远远超过可以随便在谁家的游泳池(译注:或浴室)里来举行。洗礼应该在教会的监督和规范下举行。我们的信仰告白也延续历史历代教会施行圣礼的传统,它说圣礼必须有那些拥有圣职权柄、按照规矩合宜地被按立成为上帝话语的教导者来施行才对。 (注三)
Luther was paralyzed by fear when he sought to administer the Lord’s Supper for the first time. Baptism is too important to do at a party in someone’s swimming pool. It belongs under the rule and supervision of the church. The confession, following the church practice through the ages, says that the sacraments are to be administered by those who are in positions of ordained authority, the lawfully ordained ministers of the Word.[2]
 
———
注一:《威斯敏斯特信仰告白》二十七章4段。
注二:译注:Economy 中文直译是“经济”,但英文的意思有“家政、家务协调分配管理”的意思。
注三:这段节录选自司布尔的 Truths We Confess 一书的 584-587 页。(译注:原稿网络版发表于https://www.ligonier.org/learn/qas/who-can-administer-the-sacraments 中文翻译为译者用来教学用。

Virginia Yip 叶老师敬拜课程

 

Virginia Yip 叶老师敬拜课程

2020-03-15

 77 圣礼——基督设立了两个圣约的印记Sacraments - Christ institutedtwo seals of God's covenant

《简明神学》Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs,巴刻(J. I. Packer)著/張麟至译,更新传道会,2007年。


77 圣礼——基督设立了两个圣约的印记
Sacraments - Christ instituted two seals of God's covenant

[亚伯拉罕]受了割礼的记号,作他受到割礼的时候因信称义的印证。(罗4:11

基督设立了两个礼仪,要跟随祂的人遵守;洗礼和主的晚餐。前者是给初信者一次且永远有效的礼仪(太28:19;加3:27),后者是定期记念主的礼仪(林前11:23-26)。这些礼仪在西方教会称为[圣礼]。在东正教教会中则称为[奥秘],而有一些更正教徒则认为以上两个字眼都染有无益的联想,因此称之为[仪式]。圣经对这两个礼仪并没有一个总类的名称。它们在旧约圣经中相对应的礼仪有二:一是男子所受的割礼,这是一种入会仪式(创17:9-14,23-27);另一是一年一度的逾越节,则属记念性的礼仪(出12:1-27)。不过,圣经的教训是将它们都归类为与神发生恩约关系的记号与印记。


圣礼(Sacrament)一字出自拉丁文Sacramenturn,通指一种神圣的仪式,但也可专用来指军人效忠时所发的神圣誓言。研究这些仪式本身可带给我们以下这个观念:圣礼乃是基督所设立的一种仪式,信徒在其中籍着感官所感受到的讯号,明瞭神已将在基督里的恩典与祂恩约的祝福赐给我们,这些圣礼将那些祝福告之信徒,打上印记、

并使他们确知自己已经得着了;信徒则籍着领受这圣礼,来表达他们对神的信心与顺服,领受圣礼的意义乃是要[叫属于教会的人和世上其他人,有明显的分别;并使属教会的人能严肃地按着祂的话,在基督里侍奉神。]《西敏斯特信仰告白》XXVII.1

将其他另外五种礼仪(坚信礼,忏悔礼、婚礼、按立礼、以及临终抹油礼)也列为圣礼,是一项从中世纪开始的错误。它们既不是与神立约关系的印记,也[未具像洗礼和主餐那种圣礼的性质,因为他们没有任何神所设定、明显的记号货仪式。]圣公会《三十九信条》XXV

这些圣礼被视为得恩典的途径是对的,因为神用它们作为通往信心的方法,使用他们来强化人对祂应许的信靠,并引出信心的行为,好得着圣礼象征的美好恩赐。圣礼要达到此印效,绝不是靠实行者的信心或美德,而全在于曾赐下这些圣礼、又乐于使用他们之神的信实。基督和使徒既明乎此,当他们论圣礼的表记时,就不只是说到它是实物的象征,也说到领受作为表记的前者就如同领受后者一样(如,太26:26-28;林前10:15-21;彼前3:21-22)。正如神道德传扬怎么样使福音叫人听见,圣礼也使人得以看见福音;神籍着这两种圣礼激励人的信心。

圣礼将基督徒的信仰与我们感官的见证联系起来,从而坚固我们的信心。《爱德堡要理问答》在第七十五问里将这道理表明出来,其论字是[其真确正如]

基督命令我们.....要吃这劈开的饼、喝这杯,为的是记念祂;于是祂就保证我们:第一,祂的身体在十字架上为我......舍了,而且祂的血为我而流出,[其真确正如]我凭自己的双眼看见为我劈开的......饼和递给我的杯。尤有进者,祂自己以钉十字架的身体和流出的血,喂养滋润我的灵魂知道永生,[其真确正如]我拿起并口尝这饼、这杯......这些[真确正如]基督身体与血的信物,是神赐给我的。

圣礼不折不扣地按着[眼见为(如,引向)凭]的原则,发挥它为施恩方法的功能。


SACRAMENTS
CHRIST INSTITUTED TWO SEALS OF GOD’S COVENANT

[Abraham]... received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. ROMANS 4:11
Christ instituted two rites that his followers were to observe: baptism, a once-for-all rite of initiation (Matt. 28:19; Gal. 3:27), and the Lord’s Supper, a regular rite of remembrance (1 Cor. 11:23-26). These are called “sacraments” in the Western church, “mysteries” in the Eastern Orthodox church, and “ordinances” by some Protestants who see the other two words as tainted with unhelpful associations. Scripture has no category-word for these two rites and their Old Testament counterparts, namely circumcision of males as a rite of initiation (Gen. 17:9-14, 23-27) and the annual Passover as a rite of remembrance (Exod. 12:1-27). Biblical teaching, however, warrants classifying them all together as signs and seals of a covenant relationship with God.

Sacrament is from the Latin word sacramentum, meaning a holy rite in general and in particular a soldier’s sacred oath of allegiance. Study of the rites themselves yields the concept of a sacrament as a ritual action instituted by Christ in which signs perceived through the senses set forth to us the grace of God in Christ and the blessings of his covenant. They communicate, seal, and confirm possession of those blessings to believers, who by responsively receiving the sacraments give expression to their faith and allegiance to God. The effect of receiving the sacraments is “to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the church and the rest of the world, and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his word” (Westminster Confession XXVII.1).

It was a medieval mistake to classify as sacraments five more rites (confirmation, penance, marriage, ordination, and extreme unction). In addition to their not being seals of a covenant relationship with God, they “have not like nature of sacraments with Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, for that they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God” (Thirty-Nine Articles XXV).

The sacraments are rightly viewed as means of grace, for God makes them means to faith, using them to strengthen faith’s confidence in his promises and to call forth acts of faith for receiving the good gifts signified. The efficacy of the sacraments to this end resides not in the faith or virtue of the minister but in the faithfulness of God, who, having given the signs, is now pleased to use them. Knowing this, Christ and the apostles not only speak of the sign as if it were the thing signified but speak too as if receiving the former is the same as receiving the latter (e.g., Matt. 26:26-28; 1 Cor. 10:15-21; 1 Pet. 3:21-22). As the preaching of the Word makes the gospel audible, so the sacraments make it visible, and God stirs up faith by both means.

Sacraments strengthen faith by correlating Christian beliefs with the testimony of our senses. The Heidelberg Catechism illustrates this in its answer to Question 75. The key words are as sure as.

Christ has commanded me... to eat of this broken bread and to drink of this cup in memory of him, and therewith has given assurance: first, that his body was... broken on the cross for me, and his blood shed for me, as sure as I see with my eyes the bread... broken for me and the cup communicated to me; and, further, that with his crucified body and shed blood he himself feeds and nourishes my soul to eternal life, as sure as I take and taste the bread and cup... which are given me as sure tokens of the body and blood of Christ.
Sacraments function as means of grace on the principle that, literally, seeing is (i.e., leads to) believing.



75 圣道与圣礼——真教会的标记Sacraments- Christ instituted two seals of God's covenant

《简明神学》Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs,巴刻(J. I. Packer)著/張麟至译,更新传道会,2007年。
https://yibaniba.blogspot.com/2020/01/blog-post_98.html


圣道与圣礼——真教会的标记
Sacraments - Christ instituted two seals of God's covenant

你要写信给以弗所教会……给士每拿教会……给别迦摩教会……给推雅推喇教会……给撒狄教会……给非拉铁非教会…….给老底嘉教会……(启2:1,8,12,183:1,7,14

每一个地方教会都是宇宙性教会的表露;她要能彰显后者的本质,叫人看出她是父神所重生的家庭,是基督所服事的身体,是靠圣灵所维持的团契。这世上有不少自封为教会的团体,它们的背景值得怀疑(如,统一教和摩门教,两者都否认三位一体)。甚至,有些以往曾毫不含糊地持守真道的会众,却堕落到一个程度,叫人难以知道如今还能不能算是教会。辨识因此是必须的。当改教家们反对教皇制,并与罗马天主教分道扬镳时,他们需要决定什么是真教会的标记。他们从圣经里找到了答案,这标记有两个标准:

第一:肯忠实地传讲神道:其意为,受质疑的团体必须肯根据圣经,教导基督教福音的基要之道。举例来说,举凡否认三位一体、基督的神性、背负人罪的救赎和因信称义等教义的教会,就属现代信仰偏差的团体,相当于古代与正统教会有别的幻影派——因后者亦否认主的道成肉身和赎罪的道理(约一4:1-3),两者均属约翰所说的那种人:[他们……不是属我们的。](约一2:19

第二,能正确使用圣礼:其意为,人可从洗礼和主的晚餐这两种圣礼中看出并了解到,教会持行这些圣礼是为陈述福音,期能唤起、肯定并坚固信徒在基督里的信心。将圣礼变为魔术般的礼仪、以至窒息会众信心的迷信行为,是令人忍无可忍的。这种迷信就像任何其他会阻拦信徒在基督里之信心的事物一样,会给教会的身份带来致命的一击。蒙接纳进入可见的教会,是受洗意义的一部分;而籍着让一个人有份于主的晚餐来肯定此人在教会中的地位,则是主的晚餐之意义的一部分。正确的使用圣礼还包括执行教会纪律,籍此纪律,信徒对信仰的认信得以试验,公开的行为得以受到审核。

理想上来说,一个属基督的团体除了至少要有这两个标记外,还需要展现教会的其他标记。路德指出,它包括执行纪律的权柄(太16:19),带权柄的服事(徒14:2320:28)、公众的崇拜(来10:25),以及背十架受苦(徒14:2220:29)。改革宗教会则指出,教会应具有执行纪律功能的系统,而且认为纪律是可见之教会的第三个标准或标记(多1:132:153:10)。今日灵恩派和其他的团体则指出,每一位成员都积极参与服事,是真教会的另一个标记(弗4:7-16)。

不过,这些其他的记号的重要性, 与以上所提两个最起码者的重要性不可等价齐观。教会少了其他那些标记,必定是有所缺憾;但要说少了那些标记的教会就完全不是个教会,也是不对的。


SACRAMENTS
CHRIST INSTITUTED TWO SEALS OF GOD’S COVENANT

[Abraham]... received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. ROMANS 4:11

Christ instituted two rites that his followers were to observe: baptism, a once-for-all rite of initiation (Matt. 28:19; Gal. 3:27), and the Lord’s Supper, a regular rite of remembrance (1 Cor. 11:23-26). These are called “sacraments” in the Western church, “mysteries” in the Eastern Orthodox church, and “ordinances” by some Protestants who see the other two words as tainted with unhelpful associations. Scripture has no category-word for these two rites and their Old Testament counterparts, namely circumcision of males as a rite of initiation (Gen. 17:9-14, 23-27) and the annual Passover as a rite of remembrance (Exod. 12:1-27). Biblical teaching, however, warrants classifying them all together as signs and seals of a covenant relationship with God.

Sacrament is from the Latin word sacramentum, meaning a holy rite in general and in particular a soldier’s sacred oath of allegiance. Study of the rites themselves yields the concept of a sacrament as a ritual action instituted by Christ in which signs perceived through the senses set forth to us the grace of God in Christ and the blessings of his covenant. They communicate, seal, and confirm possession of those blessings to believers, who by responsively receiving the sacraments give expression to their faith and allegiance to God. The effect of receiving the sacraments is “to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the church and the rest of the world, and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his word” (Westminster Confession XXVII.1).

It was a medieval mistake to classify as sacraments five more rites (confirmation, penance, marriage, ordination, and extreme unction). In addition to their not being seals of a covenant relationship with God, they “have not like nature of sacraments with Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, for that they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God” (Thirty-Nine Articles XXV).

The sacraments are rightly viewed as means of grace, for God makes them means to faith, using them to strengthen faith’s confidence in his promises and to call forth acts of faith for receiving the good gifts signified. The efficacy of the sacraments to this end resides not in the faith or virtue of the minister but in the faithfulness of God, who, having given the signs, is now pleased to use them. Knowing this, Christ and the apostles not only speak of the sign as if it were the thing signified but speak too as if receiving the former is the same as receiving the latter (e.g., Matt. 26:26-28; 1 Cor. 10:15-21; 1 Pet. 3:21-22). As the preaching of the Word makes the gospel audible, so the sacraments make it visible, and God stirs up faith by both means.

Sacraments strengthen faith by correlating Christian beliefs with the testimony of our senses. The Heidelberg Catechism illustrates this in its answer to Question 75. The key words are as sure as.

Christ has commanded me... to eat of this broken bread and to drink of this cup in memory of him, and therewith has given assurance: first, that his body was... broken on the cross for me, and his blood shed for me, as sure as I see with my eyes the bread... broken for me and the cup communicated to me; and, further, that with his crucified body and shed blood he himself feeds and nourishes my soul to eternal life, as sure as I take and taste the bread and cup... which are given me as sure tokens of the body and blood of Christ.

Sacraments function as means of grace on the principle that, literally, seeing is (i.e., leads to) believing.


2019-01-11


《基督教要義每日靈修版》卷四十九章,呂沛淵牧師編著

卷四  神藉著外在的施恩媒介召請我們進入主基督裡的團體,  並保守我們在其中。
第十九章  天主教的彌撒:不僅褻瀆而且毀滅了聖餐

目錄
卷一 卷三
卷四1~卷

第十九章  錯稱為聖禮的五種儀式及其性質
19. Of the Five Sacraments, falsely so called. Their spuriousness proved, and their true character explained.

[4.19.1a] 問題不僅是「聖禮」的用詞而已
[4.19.1b-2] 唯有神才能設立聖禮
[4.19.3] 古代教會根本沒有七種聖禮
[4.19.4] 古代教會的堅振禮並非聖禮
[4.19.5-8] 天主教的堅振禮變質且冒用聖禮之名 ,也貶低了洗禮
[4.19.9-11] 天主教看重堅振禮勝過洗禮,我們當撥亂反正
[4.19.12-13] 古代教會留下來的真實堅振禮
[4.19.14-17] 古代教會的悔罪禮
[4.19.18-21] 臨終抹油禮不是聖禮,沒有任何經文支持

———

[4.19.1a] 問題不僅是「聖禮」的用詞而已
DAY 331 西220-23 2/1/2019
       
我們以上對聖禮的教導應當足以說服一切冷靜和有受教之心的人不可放縱自己的好奇心不偏離聖經去接受人為的聖禮只接受洗禮和聖餐因為知道唯有此二聖禮是主親自設立的。然而七聖禮是天主教流行普遍的觀念,也滲入各學派以及教會的教導中,其根源來自中世紀,仍然深植人心。因此,我們要分別詳細察考天主教所宣稱的「堅振禮、悔罪告解禮、臨終抹油禮、聖職禮、婚禮」,這五種被他們視為主的聖禮。我們揭露這些儀式的偽裝假像,叫單純的民眾都能看清其真相,明白天主教所視為聖禮的這五儀式,是魚目混珠。
       
首先,我們願意向一切敬虔的人聲明:這樣辯明並非出於好辯的心,乃是因為非常重要的理由,指明這些禮儀的濫用。我們知道信徒是使用言詞與萬事之人,因此他們可以選擇言詞來運用在事物上,只要他們保持敬虔的心意。雖然他們說話可能有些用語不當,我們承認這一現實情況,然而言詞是用來陳述現實,不是現實遷就言語。「聖禮」此詞不可妄用濫用,因為那些主張教會有「七聖禮」的人,主張這七儀禮都是聖禮,即那無形恩典的有形象徵;他們相信這些儀禮都是聖靈的器皿,賜人公義並使人蒙恩的工具。
       
事實上,主張七聖禮的經院哲學大師,否認摩西律法中的儀禮應當被稱為「聖禮」,因為那些儀禮並非傳達給人其所預表的恩典實體。那麼,有人將主親口所分別為聖的洗禮與聖餐(他以何其美的應許加在這些記號上)不視為聖禮,也有人將聖禮的尊榮加在人所捏造或不是來自神清楚吩咐的儀式上,我們豈能忍受呢?因此,他們應當或是改變他們所謂「聖禮」此詞的定義,或著禁用「聖禮」此專有名詞在這些儀式上,因為他們所作的導致錯誤與荒謬的看法。

[4.19.1b-2] 唯有神才能設立聖禮
DAY 332 4013;羅1134 2/2/2019
       
教皇黨徒將一般的禮儀主張為聖經所說的聖禮。例如他們說「臨終抹油禮」代表無形的恩典,使人因這儀式得著恩典,因為它是聖禮。我們既然完全不能接受他們這樣的教導,就必須公開提出挑戰,不可將「聖禮」此詞用在這儀式上,因為若是容忍他們如此作,就是容讓錯謬誤導且危害人。此外,他們認證此儀式為聖禮,編造理由說此儀式包括外在記號和聖道言語。但是事實上,此儀式沒有神的吩咐,也沒有神的應許,我們能作甚麼呢?只有反對他們的謬論!我們這裡所爭辯的不是言詞,乃是指出言詞所說的事實真相,這是必要的。我們必須堅持上述無法駁倒的真理,即設立聖禮的決定唯獨在神的手中。事實上,聖禮藉著神確實可靠的應許,是鼓勵和安慰信徒的良心,良心不可能從人的說法得到確信。聖禮對我們而言,是神對我們施恩的見證,所以沒有任何人或天使能作這見證,因為誰曾作過神的謀士指教它呢?(賽4013;羅1134)。因此,唯獨神自己才有真正的權威,藉著他的話語向我們見證他自己。聖禮是印記,藉此印證神的聖約或應許。但是神的聖約不可用物質或地上事物作印記,除非神藉著他的大能定規與設立。所以,人不能設立聖禮,因為神的聖禮奧秘是如此偉大超越,人無能力將之隱藏在這麼卑微的事物之下。聖禮必須先有神的聖道,使之成為聖禮,這也是奧古斯丁所敘述的。
       
進一步說,將聖禮和其它的儀式作區分是必須且有用的,不然我們將會落入許多謊謬裡。例如使徒屈膝禱告(徒76094020362152614);因此有人說屈膝是聖禮。據說門徒向東邊禱告,有人會說向東邊禱告,也應該是一個聖禮。保羅願我們舉起聖潔的手,隨處禱告(提前28),而且古時聖徒經常舉手禱告(詩63488914121436),所以有人會說應該把舉手禱告當作一聖禮。到最後,聖徒一切的姿勢都將成為聖禮。這樣一來,亂用這些儀式、妄稱這些習俗作法為聖禮,必衍生出無數的迷信與偶像崇拜。


[4.19.3] 古代教會根本沒有七種聖禮
DAY 333 1129-31 2/3/2019
       
教皇黨徒若想用古代教會的權威壓制我們,這是他們的欺哄。因為早期教會的教父作品中從未發現有「七」聖禮。這「七聖禮」說法是何時混進教會,我們無法確知。我們承認教父們有時使用「聖禮」此詞是廣義的,但他們的意思是什麼呢?他們用聖禮指一切儀禮與外在儀式,以及一切敬虔的舉動。然而當他們論及見證神施恩給我們的媒介時,他們說只有這兩個聖禮,洗禮和聖餐。
       
我們引用奧古斯丁的話作見證。他說:「我們的主基督(就如他在福音書中親自說的)將容易的軛以及輕省的擔子擺在我們的肩膀上(太1129-31)。因此,基督藉著聖禮,來連結新造的子民為教會團體,聖禮的數目極少、非常容易遵守、意義極為奇妙。這些聖禮是洗禮(以三位一體的聖名所分別為聖的)以及聖餐(記念主的身體和血的相交團契)。任何聖禮都是聖經正典所證明的」。
       
奧氏在其著作《論基督教教義》中說:「自從主復活以來,主自己和使徒的教訓的權柄,設立了極少的聖禮記號,並非許多,這些是很容易施行、有深奧的意義、要聖潔的遵守。這些聖禮是洗禮和聖餐(慶祝主的身體和血) 」。他為何沒有提到「七」聖禮,這數字呢?若是當時教會已經設立了七聖禮,他豈不提到這事嗎?特別是因他一般是喜歡提到數字的。事實上,他提到洗禮和聖餐,卻沒有提及其它儀式,這豈不充分暗示這兩個奧秘聖禮是獨特尊貴與眾不同,其它儀式淪為次等嗎?所以,這些主張七聖禮的神學家們,不論他們怎樣大聲誇耀此假冒謬論,真相是他們不僅是完全沒有聖經根據,也沒有古代教會的同意。然而我們現在要開始探討他們所視為聖禮的儀式。


[4.19.4] 古代教會的堅振禮並非聖禮
DAY 334 1:4;箴22:6 2/4/2019
       
在早期教會時,基督徒的孩子長大後,要將他們帶到監督面前,盡其公開告白信仰之職責,正如成人悔改信主者必須公開信仰告白,才能領受洗禮一樣。成人初信者必須參加學道班,學習真道的奧秘,然後才能在監督和會眾面前告白自己的信仰。所以,那些受過嬰兒洗禮的人,因為他們尚未在教會中告白自己的信仰,就應該在童年結束時或青少年期開始時,由自己的父母帶到監督面前,學習要理問答。當時學習要理問答有固定形式,也是普遍通用的。
       
然而為了讓此重要和聖潔的作法,更加以敬畏與嚴謹之心來施行,教會加上了按手的儀式。因此,這青少年告白其信仰,受到教會的確認之後,就以莊嚴的祝福作為此堅振禮的結束。古代教父們常常提到此禮儀作法。第五世紀羅馬主教利歐說「若任何人從異端轉回歸向神,他不需要重新受洗,乃是要藉監督按手,叫他領受當初受洗時所缺乏的聖靈的大能」。
       
反對者在此會吼叫說,使人領受聖靈的儀式被稱為聖禮,是妥當的事。然而利歐自己在別處解釋他說這話的意思是:「那些在異端教派中受洗的人,悔改歸正後,不要讓他們重新受洗,乃是要奉聖靈的名按手在他身上好確認他的信仰;因為他當初只是領受了洗禮的形式,卻沒有成為聖潔」。耶柔米也有同樣的教導,雖然耶柔米描述這按手儀式為使徒傳下來的,這是沒有根據的。然而他的錯誤與教皇黨徒的愚昧謬論相去甚遠。而且他解釋說,此按手祝福的禮,惟獨交給監督來施行,是為了尊榮監督的職分,不是因為律法上的必須。所以,我們贊成按手的儀式,因為這不過是祝福的形式。我們希望現今能恢復使用這原先潔淨的儀式,不為天主教的迷信所敗壞。



[4.19.4] 古代教會的堅振禮並非聖禮
DAY 334 1:4;箴22:6 2/4/2019
       
在早期教會時,基督徒的孩子長大後,要將他們帶到監督面前,盡其公開告白信仰之職責,正如成人悔改信主者必須公開信仰告白,才能領受洗禮一樣。成人初信者必須參加學道班,學習真道的奧秘,然後才能在監督和會眾面前告白自己的信仰。所以,那些受過嬰兒洗禮的人,因為他們尚未在教會中告白自己的信仰,就應該在童年結束時或青少年期開始時,由自己的父母帶到監督面前,學習要理問答。當時學習要理問答有固定形式,也是普遍通用的。
       
然而為了讓此重要和聖潔的作法,更加以敬畏與嚴謹之心來施行,教會加上了按手的儀式。因此,這青少年告白其信仰,受到教會的確認之後,就以莊嚴的祝福作為此堅振禮的結束。古代教父們常常提到此禮儀作法。第五世紀羅馬主教利歐說「若任何人從異端轉回歸向神,他不需要重新受洗,乃是要藉監督按手,叫他領受當初受洗時所缺乏的聖靈的大能」。
       
反對者在此會吼叫說,使人領受聖靈的儀式被稱為聖禮,是妥當的事。然而利歐自己在別處解釋他說這話的意思是:「那些在異端教派中受洗的人,悔改歸正後,不要讓他們重新受洗,乃是要奉聖靈的名按手在他身上好確認他的信仰;因為他當初只是領受了洗禮的形式,卻沒有成為聖潔」。耶柔米也有同樣的教導,雖然耶柔米描述這按手儀式為使徒傳下來的,這是沒有根據的。然而他的錯誤與教皇黨徒的愚昧謬論相去甚遠。而且他解釋說,此按手祝福的禮,惟獨交給監督來施行,是為了尊榮監督的職分,不是因為律法上的必須。所以,我們贊成按手的儀式,因為這不過是祝福的形式。我們希望現今能恢復使用這原先潔淨的儀式,不為天主教的迷信所敗壞。


[4.19.5-8] 天主教的堅振禮變質且冒用聖禮之名 ,也貶低了洗禮
DAY 335 2125-27 2/5/2019
       
後來到了中世紀時代,教皇黨徒抹殺了堅振禮儀式的本意,設立了虛構的天主教堅振禮,而稱之為神的聖禮。他們錯誤教導堅振禮的功效,是賞賜聖靈,增加恩典,堅固他們從事屬靈爭戰。他們還加上了抹膏油與奉主名宣告,這些都是美麗動人的裝飾,然而聖經那裡說到有聖靈的降臨同在呢?他們用的膏油,怎能保證是聖靈的工具呢?只不過是膏油罷了。若沒有聖道的吩咐施行,怎能說是聖禮呢?傳道人首先要遵從聖經,否則甚麼都不應該作!教皇黨徒說不出來他們的堅振禮有任何聖經根據,他們的膽大妄為是無可原諒的。
       
正如主問法利賽人,約翰的洗禮是從天上來的,或是從人間來的。當時法利賽人若說約翰洗禮是從人間來的,就等於是承認它是虛空無用的;如果是承認是從天上來的,就必須承認約翰的教訓。他們怕得罪百姓,不敢回答是人間來的(太2125-27)。同理,教皇黨徒的堅振禮若是從人間來的,就證明是虛空無用。他們若想勸服我們相信那是天上來的,就請他們拿出聖經證據來!
       
教皇黨徒想要訴諸使徒曾經按手的例子,來支持他們將按手堅振禮設立為聖禮,這是站不住腳的。因為聖經所記載的使徒按手,只是在當時將所設立的執事或傳道人,呈獻與神,求神使用他承擔聖職。第一世紀的使徒時代,神藉著使徒按手施行神蹟奇事(徒66817196)。如今,教會已經建立,不再有使徒,主藉著聖靈與聖道治理教會,不再有使徒按手。因此今日,若有人說他是使徒給人行按手禮,與使徒時代一樣有特別效力,就是大發謬論了。
       
天主教的堅振禮用油膏抹受禮者,吹噓這是救恩之油,這油本身有法力,假冒這是聖禮。救恩怎麼可能在這物質且必朽壞的膏油中呢?
       
他們狡辯說:正如洗禮的水、聖餐的餅杯,本身就有聖禮的能力,所以堅振禮的油本身有能力。我們根據回答說:主親自設立的洗禮與聖餐,是以有形的物質作為記號,其本身無能力;主的聖道使聖禮的記號印證所指向的實體,這是記號的目的和功用。物質記號本身都必廢壞(林前613)且都必過去(林前731);然而由聖道所聖化的物質作為聖禮的記號,則超越物質的限制,教導我們屬靈的意義。
       
至於天主教的抹油堅振禮,則是冒充聖禮的贗品。教皇黨徒以抹油行堅振禮,他們說:洗禮使人得著聖靈,使他們罪得赦免,堅振禮中聖靈增加恩典給人;在洗禮中人們得新生命,在堅振禮中人們得裝備作戰。如此說來,他們等於是說,若無此堅振禮,則洗禮的果效無法完成!這是何等邪惡的說法,因為貶低了洗禮。
       
我們是藉著洗禮與基督一同歸入死,也在他的死裡有分,叫我們在他復活的形狀上與他聯合(羅64-5)。此外,保羅將我們在基督的死和復活中有分,解明是肉體的治死以及聖靈的更新,因為「我們的舊人和他同釘十字架」(羅66),「叫我們一舉一動有新生的樣式」(羅64)。這清楚顯示洗禮是裝備我們從事屬靈爭戰,並非靠堅振禮才能從事屬靈爭戰。
       
教皇黨徒違背神的聖道,他們假裝尊敬教會會議,希望在各方面被看待是服從教會會議的人。然而他們卻不聽從米利維斯會議(主後416年)的決議。此會議的決議說:「凡是說神設立洗禮,只是為了赦罪,而沒有得到神恩典來幫助,就當被咒詛」。這正是教皇黨徒的論調,當被定罪。他們說洗禮沒有帶給信徒恩典裝備,從事屬靈爭戰,無法堅振人的信心。這實在是大大貶低了洗禮的功效。


[4.19.9-11] 天主教看重堅振禮勝過洗禮,我們當撥亂反正
DAY 336 2819-20 2/6/2019
       
教皇黨徒說堅振禮對救恩是必須的,這是胡說。他們說:眾信徒在受洗之後,應當藉按手領受這禮,好叫他們成為完整的基督徒;因為若基督徒不是在堅振禮中被監督用聖油所膏抹,就不算為完全得救。這是他們自以為是所說的謬論。基督教會的一切教導都必須根據聖經。他們的教導卻都是來自聖經之外。依照他們的堅振禮謬論,神的智慧、天上的真理、基督的全部教導,只能叫人開始作基督徒,必須加上聖油的堅振禮,才使他們完全得救。
       
然而,這樣的說法等於是定了眾使徒和許多殉道者的罪,因為他們一定沒有受過油的膏抹,因為當時還沒有如此的聖油倒在他們身上,使他們完全得救。如此說來,他們都不是真正完全得救的基督徒。這些教皇黨徒簡直是自咂腳跟,因為天主教徒當中,有百分之多少在受洗之後受膏抹的堅振禮呢?那麼他們為何允許這些半吊子的信徒(未受堅振禮者)繼續在他們當中?他們為何允許人忽略堅振禮,這豈不是容讓信徒犯大罪麼?他們為何不嚴厲要人人領受這使人得救的必要儀式呢?他們既然讓許多人隨便輕視這個儀式,等於默認這儀式沒有他們所宣稱的那麼重要。
       
教皇黨徒主張這聖膏油的堅振禮是在洗禮之上,更為重要,因為必須是高位的主教才能施行這儀式,一般的神甫只能施行洗禮。因為抹油堅振禮是由更高貴的主教所施行的,而且這油抹在身體更光榮的地方上,即前額;這儀式比洗禮更能增加人的美德。而洗禮只是提供赦罪而已。他們主張堅振禮比洗禮更有價值的這些理由,實在是非常幼稚愚昧。他們故意在堅振禮中將油擦在前額上,在洗禮中將油抹在頭頂上。這些都是天主教發明的作法,簡直是無理取鬧,等於說洗禮是用油而不是用水所施行的!至於他們胡說堅振禮比洗禮賞賜人更多的美德,這謬論不過是揭露自己的不敬虔。

[4.19.12-13] 古代教會留下來的真實堅振禮
DAY 337 64-9;詩781-7 , 2/7/2019
       
天主教知道自己編造的抹油堅振禮沒有聖經根據,就假裝說這是古老的教會儀式。即便如此,他們仍無法自圓其說。因為真聖禮不是屬地,乃是屬天;不是來自人,乃是惟獨來自神。他們說抹油堅振禮是古老的聖禮,也是毫無根據。因為古代教父論到聖禮時,都承認只有洗禮與聖餐。他們提到按手,但是絕未將按手儀式視為聖禮。奧古斯丁教導按手儀式只是為了禱告,並非堅振禮的按手,乃是醫治和好的按手。因他所指的是那些在分裂之後歸回教會的人。他否認他們應該重新受洗,認為按手禱告就夠了,叫他們竭力保守聖靈所賜合一的心。他說按手就是特別為某一人禱告。他又說「為了在愛中連結,愛是聖靈所賜的最偉大恩賜,而且若沒有愛,即使人有其它一切恩賜,也失去價值無法使人蒙恩。教會應當按手在從異端悔改歸正者身上」。
       
我們真希望古代教會的作法保存到如今,後來教皇黨徒將抹油堅振禮混入教會。古代的堅振禮並非天主教所說的聖禮,天主教堅振禮貶低了洗禮。古代教會的堅振禮是要理問答儀式,給教會的兒童青少年在會眾面前作公開信仰告白。教導要理問答的最佳方式,是編寫問答手冊,將我們所共信的純正基要真理,以簡明方式來問答,這是全教會信徒都應當認同的。十歲小孩在會眾面前公開告白其信仰,要詢問要理問答的各項,他要一一回答。他若是有所不知或不明,就要繼續受教導。會眾作為證人,他告白這純真的信仰,就是信徒同心敬拜獨一真神的信仰。假若這操練敬虔的紀律存留至今日,則懶惰的父母必被喚醒,因為他們大意地忽略教導自己兒女,不關心教導兒女敬虔的真理。如果教會規定兒童要在會眾面前以要理問答告白其信仰,則家長就不敢忽略此神聖責任,以免他們在會眾面前自覺羞辱。這樣,基督徒彼此間在真道信仰上會更合一,也不會有那麼多不受教與無知的會友,也很少人會輕易的被異教之風吹的飄來飄去。簡言之,所有信徒都會在基督教教義上得到系統完整的教導。


[4.19.14-17] 古代教會的悔罪禮
DAY 338 33;徒238 , 2/8/2019
       
天主教也加上告解悔罪禮,作為聖禮。他們有關此儀式的教導是紛亂無序,不知所云。我們已詳細解釋聖經對悔改的教義,在此只需指出教皇黨徒主張告解禮是聖禮,是毫無聖經根據。他們宣稱古代教會以告解禮為聖禮,這是荒謬的。我們查考教會歷史是有益的。在古代教會中,當悔罪者公開認罪且補罪(指經過教會勸戒,結出悔改果子)之後,教會領袖施行莊嚴的按手禮,接納此人與教會和好。過程是由監督按手,其他聖職人員也一起按手。然後悔罪者就恢復領聖餐的會員資格。後來此作法漸漸敗壞,從公開儀式變成私下的告解與除罪,弊端叢生。我們根據聖經,認為古代教會的公開悔罪禮,是有益的,應恢復在今日教會中。至於其按手儀式的細節並非必須,重要的是要清楚這悔罪禮是由人制定的儀式,並非神所立定的。既然悔罪禮儀並非聖經吩咐的,所以不可視為聖禮,不可與洗禮聖餐相提並論。
       
經院哲學家提出令人困惑的理論來支持他們的告解悔罪禮。他們一會兒說外在儀式與內在悔改是單一聖禮,又說是雙重聖禮,令人無所適從。聖禮的真實定義是:「聖禮是主所設立的,以可見的記號指向不可見的實體,用以堅固我們的信心」。天主教的告解悔罪禮,根本沒有外在可見的記號,如何能稱為聖禮呢? 假若可以隨便稱呼悔罪儀式為聖禮,則神甫宣告除罪儀式也可稱為聖禮了。他們將悔罪禮說成是聖禮,真是任意妄為。我們否認悔罪禮是聖禮,理由有二:第一,悔罪禮沒有神的特別施恩應許,沒有聖禮的果效;第二,悔罪禮儀式都是人自己發明的,而聖禮的施行完全是由神親自設定的。教皇黨徒假借耶柔米的不當言論來支持此謬論,說信徒在洗禮之後犯罪,就使洗禮失效,必須藉悔罪禮來恢復,稱悔罪禮是「船破後的第二塊板子」。這樣說是不敬虔的,因洗禮就是悔改的聖禮,洗禮向真心悔罪者保證神赦罪的恩典,並堅固悔罪者的信心。洗禮是信心與悔改的聖禮,因聖經清楚說「悔改的洗禮使罪得赦」(可14;路33;徒238)。


[4.19.18-21] 臨終抹油禮不是聖禮,沒有任何經文支持
DAY 339 514-15, 2/9/2019
       
天主教偽造的第三種聖禮叫作臨終抹油禮。這是只有神甫可施行,給臨終奄奄一息之人的儀式。神甫用監督所分別為聖的油,對臨終之人說:「求神藉這聖潔的膏抹以及藉他慈悲的憐憫,赦免你一生耳、目、鼻、手、口所犯過的一切罪」。他們幻想這儀式具有兩種能力:赦罪以及醫病;若身體無病的話,則拯救人的靈魂。
       
他們說這禮儀是雅各所設立的:「你們中間有病的呢,他就該請教會的長老來;他們可以奉主的名用油抹他,為他禱告。出於信心的祈禱要救那病人,主必叫他起來;他若犯了罪,也必蒙赦免」(雅514-15)。這抹油禮與上述天主教的按手堅振禮儀式一樣,乃是出於捏造,是他們所玩的遊戲。雖然這儀式毫無理由,也全無益處,但是他們卻妄想藉此模仿使徒。
      
 馬可記載使徒初次出去傳福音時,根據主所吩咐他們的,叫死人復活、趕鬼、叫長大麻瘋的潔淨、醫治病人,以及在醫病時用油膏抹。馬可說:「他們用油抹了許多病人,治好他們」(可613)。當雅各說要請教會長老來,用油抹病人,他所指的就是與此有關。
       
只要我們留心注意主和眾使徒在這些外在的事,施行方式並非居泥於固定儀式,就可知道這些儀式並非內涵深奧的奧秘。主叫瞎子看見,有時用唾沫和泥抹在瞎子的眼睛上(約96);有時候用手觸摸來醫治(太929);又有時只說一句話(路1842)。照樣,使徒有時單單藉說話(徒36149-10),有時藉觸摸(徒51216),又有時藉手巾或圍裙(徒1912)醫治人的病。
       
有人說用油膏抹(就如其它方法一樣)可能是因地制宜,用來施行醫治。這我們承認有此可能:但這並非用作醫病的工具,而只是象徵,好教導無知的人認識醫治能力的來源,免得他們將醫病所應得的榮耀歸給使徒。油代表聖靈以及他的恩賜,這是眾所周知的事(詩457)。然而醫病的恩賜,就如其它神蹟,因是主定意暫時施行的,已經不再繼續,好叫福音的傳講顯為奇妙直到永遠。因此,即使我們同意用油膏抹是使徒在第一世紀所施行的、有醫治之大能,然而是與我們無關的,因為主沒有將施行這醫治大能的職分交付我們。
      
 假如按照教皇黨徒的謬論,則可將使徒所行的一切都稱之為聖禮,他們為何將抹油視為聖禮,卻忽略聖經所記載的其他神蹟奇事呢?例如叫病人在池子裡面洗而得醫治(約97);伏在死人身上叫人從死裡復活(徒2010);唾沫和泥醫治瞎眼等,為何不設立這些為聖禮呢?雅各吩咐當時教會領袖可以給病人抹油禱告,並沒有說這是聖禮。
       
天主教宣稱今日的臨終抹油禮具有聖禮的同樣果效,然而經驗告訴我們實情並非如此。他們誇耀自己有醫病的恩賜,不過是令人嘲笑。主確實在每一個時代都與他的百姓同在;他也在今日經常醫治我們的疾病,並不亞於古時;然而他已經不再藉使徒的手施行醫治大能行神跡了。因為那是暫時性的恩賜,使徒時代已經過去了。另一方面是因為人的忘恩負義。
       
 臨終抹油禮不是主所設立的,也沒有聖禮的應許。天主教卻宣稱他們的聖油具有法力,實在是一派胡言。他們美其名是遵照雅各的吩咐去行,其實不然。雅各說抹油在所有的病人,天主教只抹油在臨終奄奄一息的病人;雅各說教會的長老皆可如此施行,天主教說只有神甫可以抹油;雅各說用普通的油,天主教說必須用主教祝聖的聖油;雅各說出於信心的祈禱使病人得痊癒得赦罪,天主教說必須倚靠神甫抹聖油才可。教皇黨徒藉著這可怕的謊言圖利,中飽私囊。他們所倚靠的中世紀史家記載:在奧古斯丁當時的羅馬主教英諾森,他設立抹油禮儀式,吩咐不僅是長老們可施行,任何信徒都可以為周圍有需要的人抹油禱告。由此可見,中世紀的教皇黨徒是自己偽造臨終抹油禮為聖禮,且自己發明偏激的作法,迷惑眾人,危害信徒。