2016-12-08

36 耶穌的稱號  The Title Of Jesus

作者: 史鮑爾 (R.C. Sproul) 譯者: 姚錦榮
摘自《神學入門》《Essential Truths of the Christian FaithP95 ,更新傳道會出版http://www.crmnj.org/

 拿撒勒人耶穌是在歷史上擁有最多稱號的人,今概述如下:基督、主、人子、救主、大衛的子孫、尊榮的大祭司、神的兒子、阿拉法、俄梅戛、夫子、拉比、義者、先知、沙芲的玫瑰花、谷中的百合花、中保、猶大的獅子、神的羔羊、第二個亞當。    

耶穌主要的稱號有:

1. 基督。基督這稱號常與耶穌並提,以致有人甚至誤以基督為耶穌的姓。基督其實不是名字,也不是姓,而是一個稱號,這稱號指出耶穌之彌褰亞的身分和工作。基督一詞來自希臘文Christos, 譯自希伯來文彌賽亞一詞。基督和彌賽亞都是「受膏者」之意。

舊約聖經對有關這位應許將要來臨、且要受聖靈特別膏抹的彌賽亞,所持之觀念是多面且複雜的,因此猶太人對彌賽亞並沒有一致的看法。

其中一個有關彌賽亞的概念是,祂是王,是受膏的大衛子孫,是猶大的獅子,將會恢復大衛王沒落的國度(這個概念使猶太人格外興奮,以致他們熱切地盼望有一位政治領袖降臨,拯救他們脫離羅馬的奴役)。

然而,這位彌賽亞又被稱作神的仆人-----------即以賽亞預言中那位受苦的仆人。這兩個不同的概念,看似無法融合在同一人身上,但卻明顯地集於耶穌一身。

這位彌賽亞是屬天的(人子),與父神有極獨特的關系(神子),而且要同時作祭司和先知。當我們愈了解彌賽亞概念的複雜性,便會愈訝異這許多概念,竟能如此融匯交織在耶穌的位格和工作上。

2. 主。新約聖經中第二個最常用在耶穌身上的稱號是主。這稱號對認識新約所描繪的耶穌十分重要。主一詞在新約中有三種不同的用法:第一種是常用的禮貌稱謂,一如文𥚃的「先生」;第二種是奴隸對主人的稱謂,象征耶穌是我們的主人。第三種是皇室用語,用來指統治者。

第一世紀時,羅馬君王要求臣民宣誓效忠,誓言是:「該撒是主。」但基督徒們寧願殉道也不依從,相反地,他們宣示了第一條基督徒信經:「耶穌是主。」稱耶穌為主,不但對羅馬人來說是非常激進的,對猶太人更是如此,因為這稱號在舊約時代只能用在神身上。

主的稱號是父神賜給耶穌的,它也正是保羅在腓立比書二章9節所說,那「超乎萬名之上的名」。

3. 人子。這是耶穌最奇妙的稱號,但也可能是最易被人誤解的一個稱號。因為教會認信耶穌的神人二性,肯定耶穌是真人、也是真神。加上聖經稱耶穌為人子和神子,所以很容易使人以為人子的稱號是表明耶穌的人性,而神子的稱號是表明耶穌的神性。但事實並非如此,雖然人子的稱號包含了人性的成分,但這稱號主要是用來說明耶穌的神性;神子的稱號也包含神性的成分,但這稱號主要是用來描述耶穌如同兒子一樣的順服。

人子之稱號的另一個重要性,是它雖然是新約中第三個最常用的耶穌稱號(在基督和主之後),但卻是耶穌自己用得最多(廣義上來說)的一個稱號。耶穌喜歡以人子自稱。

人子的稱號之所以重要,乃與舊約的但以理書(見但7章)有關,該處很清楚地用人子一詞來指一位屬天的宇宙審判者。在耶穌的口中,人子並不是一種虛假的謙稱,而是對自己擁有神聖權柄的大膽宣告,例如,耶穌即宣稱人子擁有赦罪的權柄(可210),是源自神,也是安息日的主(可228)。

4. 道(Logos)。在第一至三世紀時,耶穌的稱號沒有一個比這個稱號引起更多哲學和神學的探究。道是初期教會基督論之發展的核心。約翰福音的開場白對我們了解以道為核心的基督論是十分重要的;約翰寫道:「太初有道,道與神同在,道就是神。」(約11

這段重要的經文表明出道既與神有別(「道與神同在」),卻又在各方面完全是神(「道就是神))。此看似矛盾的說法對三位一體教義的發展有很大的影響,道被視為三位一體的第二位,祂與父神的位格不同,但本質相同。

基督教哲學家傾心於以道作為耶穌的稱號是可以理解的。道雖然可以直譯為「話」(word),  但因道這詞一直被哲學家所使用,所以蘊含著很豐富的意義。古希臘人關切對宇宙的認識,追求了解「終極的實存」(形上學),他們的哲學家探尋那使得具有多樣性的受造界和諧又有秩序的統合因由和力量(宇宙論);他們尋找萬物秩序歸向的理性原理(nous), 希臘人稱這個具統合性的終極實存為道(logos): 道使實存界能協調或有邏輯,這個觀念也被早期的赫拉克利特(Heraclitus) 和後來的斯多噶派(Stoic) 所採納,視道為抽象的宇宙定律。

雖然道這個滿載了基督教發展之前的希臘哲學思維,但聖經對道一詞的用法卻是超越哲學的。創世記一章3節及其下經文說:「神說......就有了........ 」可見神的話使得實存界被創造出來。對於道的關念,新約聖經與希臘哲學最大的區別,就是新約中的道是有位格的---------道成為人,生於世上,死於世上。

總結

1. 彌賽亞是「受膏者」之意,耶穌的這個稱號表明,祂同時擔當了君王和受苦之仆的角色。彌賽亞是最常被用來稱呼耶穌的稱號。
2. 主是第二個最常用的耶穌的稱號,這稱號表明耶穌為宇宙之主宰,擁有最高的權柄。
3. 人子是耶穌最常用的自稱,這稱號主要是用來指耶穌是宇宙的審判者。
4. 道一字無論在希伯來和希臘文化傳統中均有很豐富的意義。耶穌是道,是宇宙的創造者,是宇宙背後的終極實存,也是維持宇宙的那一位。

思考經文:
11-23 ;太91-8;太1613-21;約11-18;啟1911-16


36. The Title Of Jesus

Jesus of Nazareth was given more titles than any other person in history. A
brief sampling would include the following:

ChristLordSon of ManSaviorSon of DavidGreat High PriestSon of GodAlpha & Omega MasterTeacherRighteousnessProphetRose of SharonLily of the ValleyAdvocateLion of JudahLamb of GodSecond Adam

The chief titles given to Jesus are:

1. Christ. The title Christ is so often given to Jesus that people often mistake it for his last name. It is, however, not a name, but a title that refers to his position and work as Messiah. The term Christ comes from the Greek Christos, which is used to translate the Hebrew word for Messiah. Both Christ and Messiah mean “Anointed One.”

 In the Old Testament the concept of the promised Messiah, who would be uniquely anointed by the Holy Spirit, was a many-sided and complex idea. The Jews did not all have the same idea about the Messiah.

One concept of the Messiah was that he would be a king. He would be the anointed Son of David, the Lion of Judah, who would restore the fallen kingdom of David. (This aspect greatly excited the Jews and fanned the flames of their hope for a political ruler who would free them from their bondage to Rome.)

But the Messiah was also called to be the Servant of God, indeed the Suffering Servant spoken of in Isaiah’s prophecy. These two strands seemed virtually impossible to unite in one person, though in Jesus they obviously were.

The Messiah would also be a heavenly being (Son of Man) and would be uniquely related to God the Father (Son of God). He would be both priest and prophet as well. The more we realize how complex the concept of Messiah was, the more amazed we are at the intricate way in which all these strands were woven together in the person and work of Jesus.

2. Lord. The second most frequently used title for Jesus in the New Testament is the title Lord. This title is of supreme importance to understanding the New Testament portrait of Jesus. The term lord is used in three distinct ways in the New Testament. The first is as a common form of polite address, similar to the English word sir. The second usage refers to a slave owner or “master.” Here it is applied in a figurative sense to Jesus. He is our master. The third usage is the imperial usage. Here it refers to one who is sovereign.

In the first century, the Roman emperors demanded a loyalty oath fromtheir subjects by which they were required to confess the formula “Caesaris Lord.” Christians were martyred for refusing to comply. Instead, they proclaimed the first Christian creed, “Jesus is Lord.” To call Jesus “Lord” was radical not only from a Roman standpoint but especially from a Jewish standpoint, for it is the title given to God Himself in the Old Testament.

The title Lord was bestowed upon Jesus by God the Father. It is the “name which is above every name” that Paul speaks of in Philippians 2:9.

3. Son of Man. This title is one of the more fascinating titles given to Jesus and perhaps the one most frequently misunderstood. Because the church confesses the dual nature of Jesus, that He is truly man and truly God, and because the Bible describes Jesus as Son of Man and Son of God, it is tempting to assume that Son of Man refers to Jesus’ humanity and Son of God refers to His deity. This, however, is not exactly the case. Though the
title Son of Man includes an element of humanity, its primary reference is to Jesus’ divine nature. The title Son of God also includes a reference to deity but its primary focus is on Jesus’ obedience as a son.

This title, Son of Man, takes on added importance when we realize that though it ranks third (well down the list) in terms of frequency of usage in the New Testament (behind Christ and Lord), it ranks first (by a wide margin) of Jesus’ use of titles for Himself. Son of Man is far and away Jesus’ favorite designation for Himself.

The importance of this title is drawn from its link to Daniel’s use of it in the Old Testament (see Daniel 7). Here Son of Man clearly refers to a heavenly being who functions in the role of cosmic Judge. On Jesus’ lips the title is not an exercise in false humility, but a bold claim to divine authority. Jesus claimed, for example, that the Son of Man had authority to
forgive sins (Mark 2:10), a divine perogative, and was Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28).

4. The Logos. No title for Jesus engendered more intense philosophical and theological interest in the first three centuries than the title Logos.  Logos was central to the early church’s development of Christology. The prologue of John’s Gospel is crucial to this Christological understanding of the Logos. John writes, “In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Word (Logos) was with God, and the Word (Logos) was God” (John
1:1).

In this remarkable passage the Logos is both distinguished from God (“was with God”) and identified with God (“was God”). This paradox had great influence on the development of the doctrine of the Trinity, whereby the Logos is seen as the Second Person of the Trinity. He differs in person from the Father, but is one in essence with the Father.

That Christian philosophies were drawn to the logos concept as a title for Jesus is easy to understand. Though the term logos can be translated simply “word,” it had a history of technical philosophical usage which gave logos a rich meaning. The ancient Greeks were concerned about making sense of the universe and thus embarked on a quest for “ultimate reality” (metaphysics). Their philosophers sought the unifying factor or power that brought order and harmony to the wide diversity of the created realm (cosmology). They searched for a nous (mind) to which (or whom) they could attribute the order of all things. To this unifying ultimate reality the Greeks gave the name logos. It provided the coherence or “logic” of reality. The concept was used by Heraclitus and later by Stoic philosophy, where it was used as a cosmic, abstract law.

Though the term is thus loaded with pre-Christian Greek philosophical baggage, the biblical use of logos goes well beyond the Greek usage. In Genesis 1:3ff. we are told that “God said . . . and there was.” Thus, it is by God’s word that creation came into being. What sets the logos concept apart most significantly from Greek philosophy, however, is that the New Testament “logos” is personal—the Word became a man who lived and
died in our world.

Summary
1. Messiah means “anointed one” and is used as a title for Jesus to signify His role as both King and Suffering Servant. Messiah is the title most frequently used for Jesus.
2. Lord is the second most frequently used title for Jesus and refers to His supreme authority as Sovereign of the universe.
3. Son of Man is the title Jesus used most often in reference to Himself. This title primarily refers to Jesus’ role as Judge of the whole cosmos.
4. The title Logos has a rich heritage in both Hebrew and Greek culture. Jesus is the Logos—the Creator of the universe, the ultimate reality behind the universe, and the One who is constantly sustaining the universe.

Biblical passages for reflection:
Genesis 1:1-2:3Matthew 9:1-8Matthew 16:13-21John 1:1-18 Revelation 19:11-16




转载自:



2016-12-07

 以「宗教改革的精神」研讀聖經

/方鎮明博士
摘錄自《新譯本研讀版聖經》p. 2068環球聖經公會(2013

引言

基督教(Protestantism,或稱基督新教)是十六世紀宗教改革(reformation)的結果。當時,宗教改革家認為羅馬天主教在中古時期發展出來的一連串教義,違背了聖經的教導和初期教會所奠定的基礎,特別在對救恩的理解上,與聖經原本的意思背道而馳。他們積極在羅馬天主教內推行宗教改革,期後因改革不遂而創立了基督教。所以,如果要理解基督教,必須清楚認識「宗教改革的精神」與聖經的關系。

改革家加爾文亦「唯獨聖經」(sola Scriptura)這口號表達「宗教改革的精神」,這口號指出改革的精神建基於兩方面:

第一,高舉聖經的權威,這權威是超越羅馬教宗的權柄或天主教建基於聖經以外的「人為傳統」或「額外傳統」,[1] 並且認為聖經本身是神的話語或神的啟示(太5:18;約10:35),聖經是「尋找神的最佳方法」、[2]是一切屬靈經驗、神學教義和道德標準的最終權威,只有通過聖經的內容,人才能夠正確的認識神,並正確地構建合乎真理的「交易傳統」。

第二,「宗教改革的精神」強調使用建基於聖經權威的「聖經批判研究」和「教義傳統」去詮釋聖經。本文探索這兩種方法如何成為推動宗教改革的動力。


源自宗教改革的「聖經批判研究」

「聖經批判研究」或稱為「聖經評鑒研究」(Biblical Criticism)是一種深入研究和評論聖經(神的話語)的文體、字句、寫作性質、資料來源、日期和作者等問題的方法,這方法本身是中性的,並沒有必然反對聖經的神跡。改革家借這方法測試和分辨教義傳統是否建基於聖經,這方法幫助他們糾正羅馬天主教在中古時期發展出來錯誤的「人為傳統」(例:「因功德稱義」、售賣贖罪卷、煉獄及聖餐是獻祭等等),並從聖經中發現「新」的真理。

改革家解釋「人為傳統」並不是建基於聖經的教義,這些傳統並沒有絕對的權威,只有聖經(即神的話語)本身才是權威的來源。因此,一切「教義傳統」都不是無誤的(Infallible),並不能從聖經分隔出來而獨自存在,必須受聖經本身所評估,只要借信徒根據聖經的標準發現任何一條教義並不是從聖經產生的,其權威也必然消失。簡言之,教義的權威是聖經賦予的、是建基於聖經而產生出來的,所以,教義的地位是次要的,並不能取代聖經的地位而成為信仰團體的標準,它的角色是仆人而不是主人。

面對天主教錯誤曲解聖經而發展出大量的「人為傳統」,改革家馬丁路德解釋,有時候神喜歡使用屈曲的棍子打擊教會,這打擊對教會的成長是非常重要的,因它幫助教會知道基督教信仰群體並不能簡單地接收教會的「教義傳統」而又靜態地把它傳遞給後世,相反,每一個世代的基督徒必須註重聖經的權威,並根據聖經權威發展出來的「聖經批判研究」去詮釋聖經的信息,把聖經的真正意義發掘出來,並把錯誤的「人為傳統」除去。


受啟蒙運動影響的「聖經批判研究」

然而,「聖經批判研究」大概在十七世紀五十年代出現轉變,到了十八和十九十九的歐洲,「開放派」的聖經學者和神學家受啟蒙運動的理性主義影響,他們否定聖經的世界觀,並預設宇宙世界是封閉的,世界的運作全然由當中的自然定律所帶動,創造世界的神不會和不能參與這個世界,因此,神跡事件沒有可能在這世界內發生,歷史也只不過是一連串因果關系構成的事件所組成的。

「開放派」人士根據以上的預設研究聖經,發展出一種源自啟蒙運動的「聖經批判研究」。根據這具有預設性的「聖經批判研究」,開放派認為一位「客觀」的學者必須完全拒絕聖經的神跡奇事(例:耶穌復活)因這些神跡是不科學或不合理的。結果,開放派完全拒絕宗教改革家提出的教義和對聖經的理解,認為只有根據開放派所謂「客觀」(或「非神跡化」)態度去研究聖經,人才能夠明白聖經「真正」要表達的信息。然而「開放派」這種開放的「聖經批判研究」與宗教改革家那種註重聖經權威的「聖經批判研究」截然不同,它們的不同在預設上:

一方面,開放派預設歷史中的神跡(例:耶穌復活)是不真實或可商榷的,並根據這預設去詮釋聖經和對神的體驗。然而,這預設忽略了基督教是建基於歷史的,這「歷史的基督教」建基於過去的聖徒(特別是初代教會的使徒權威、大公教會的信經、宣言、教父著作的遺產所達成的一致意見)對聖經的理解。

另一方面,宗教改革家注重聖經本身的權威,因而肯定聖經記載的神跡是真實的,改革家認為聖經本身的權威高於啟蒙運動理性主義的預設,聖經的權威也高於任何詮釋聖經的方法、傳統的教義和宣言(Confessions)等等。


強調「教義傳統」對聖經的詮釋

如果教義傳統的權威是次要的,為什麽「宗教改革的精神」強調「教義傳統」對聖經的詮釋呢?「宗教改革的精神」並不是要廢去「教義傳統」在詮釋聖經中的地位,也沒有忽視二千年來神在歷史中,興起了先賢先聖對聖經的理解,和對神的體驗所形成的「教義傳統」對聖經的詮釋。雖然有時候某些「教義傳統」被錯誤的「人為傳統」汙染,但是這並不是說所有「教義傳統」都是錯誤。改革家強調是建基於聖經的「教義傳統」(或「教義」都是好的,這些教義是從聖經產生出來的,以便信徒正確詮釋聖經,教義就像研讀聖經的地圖,幫助人發掘聖經的真理。因此,信徒應該以誠實和負責任的態度聆聽教義對聖經的詮釋,不應該隨意把它丟掉。

基於以上的理解,改革家把「人為傳統」丟掉,但卻主動制定和發展「教義傳統」;他們指出教義的出現,是由於人渴望能夠在聖經的基礎下,有系統的把信仰群體對神的理解傳遞給後世信徒,因此,教義的制定並不是要高舉個人對聖經的理解和體驗,乃是出於回應神的話語或經驗神的真實後的自然反應,為的是要幫助信徒正確的理解和經驗神。換言之,教義本身是詮釋聖經的架構,教會制定和發展教義的目的,是要確立正確詮釋聖經的方法,讓信徒更容易理解和掌握聖經的真理。

例如「因信稱義」的教義能夠有效詮釋有關法利賽人和稅吏在聖殿禱告的故事(路189-14),讓我們認識神是鑒察人心的主,神看重的不是只有外表的敬虔生活(例:法利賽人)乃是願意完全依靠神恩典的人(例:罪人稅吏)。另一方面,如果人要更有效理解「因信稱義」的教義,稅吏的故事提供適切的例子具體說明這概念,使我們確實知道應該怎樣過一種蒙恩的生活。

以上例子說明聖經和(那些穩妥地建基聖經的)教義傳統是互相補足的。教義遺產不僅在初代教會的使徒傳統上發展出來,更有承先啟後的作用,幫助後世的信徒知道應該如何詮釋和理解聖經的真理。面對這些屬靈的遺產,加爾文指出我們應該看自己是偉大「教義傳統」的一分子,尊敬地探索歷代先賢先聖所建立的「教義傳統」如何能幫助我們理解聖經。


總結

面對「宗教改革的精神」,今日的基督教理應讓聖經的權威、「聖經批判研究」和過去的「教義傳統」成為建構今日神學的重要元素。宗教改革家強調他們推行的宗教改革和提出的教義,並不是要「創新」,相反,乃是根據聖經而發展,並且秉承傳統,不斷改革,向前發展。改革家給今日的教會留下寶貴的屬靈遺產,幫助我們正確詮釋和理解聖經的真理,而書的出版就反映宗教改革時期在這方面的重要發展。
作者: Burk Parsons   譯者: Maria Marta  

我們是健忘的人。我們常常忽略創造的威嚴以及它是如何將我們的視線引向我們主權、聖潔、恩慈的造物主的。我們忘記歸榮耀給創造與維持我們的上帝。我們忘記為所有的福份向上帝感恩。我們忘記向上帝禱告,我們忘記讚美上帝。我們忘記上帝有豐盛的慈愛。我們忘記耶穌基督為了我們,在我們裡面,藉著我們所做的工作。我們忘記耶穌基督成全律法的一生,我們忘記祂贖罪犧牲之死。我們忘記祂的復活,我們忘記我們正在等候復活。我們忘記耶穌基督正在父上帝的右邊,替我們祈求。我們忘記耶穌基督將會回來,審判活人、死人。我們忘記上帝無所不知,祂知道我們的心思意念。我們忘記聖靈的位格和大能。我們忘記聖靈住在我們裡面,我們是上帝的殿。我們忘記上帝按照祂的旨意和良善的美意在我們身上作工。我們忘記上帝使萬事互相效力,叫愛祂的人得益處,就是按祂旨意被召的人。我們忘記我們與基督聯合,在基督裡我們的救恩是保障的。我們忘記我們與耶穌基督一同坐在天上。我們忘記上帝在新天新地把一切都更新。我們忘記上帝的應許。我們忘記法律。我們忘記福音。我們忘記上帝的信實。然而,上帝永遠不會忘記我們。

在整本聖經裡,我們信實,立約的上帝不斷提醒我們:「我記念」(創九15;利廿六42;結十六60)。上帝不會忘記我們,以及祂對我們的永恒的承諾。雖然我們很容易懷疑和忘記上帝,但上帝曾應許,祂決不允許我們在最後會忘記祂。為了幫助我們記住祂,上帝為我們提供了充足的管道,使我們能夠記住祂。上帝賜給我們祂默示、可靠、無誤的聖言,祂賜給我們能力,使我們能夠明白它,愛它,並把它藏在心裡。此外,上帝在耶穌基督的位格與工作中,把祂自己賜給我們。耶穌基督是上帝道成肉身,祂是永恒的道,「是神榮耀所發的光輝,是神本體的真像」(來一3)。對基督的基礎性認識是聖靈的工作,聖靈征服,蘇醒,釋放我們的心,使我們能夠認識耶穌基督。

如果上帝讓我們最後忘記祂,就不會有祂(預先所安排的)兒子的基業(譯按:參弗一4新譯本)。但因為在基督裡上帝不再記念我們的罪,為了基督的緣故,為了祂的榮耀和我們永遠的好處,上帝會讓我們永遠記住祂。

本文原刊於Tabletalk雜誌2016年十二月號 。


God Never Forgets Us
by Burk Parsons

We are a forgetful people. We too often overlook the majesty of creation and how it directs our gaze to our sovereign, holy, and gracious Creator. We forget to give God glory for creating us and for sustaining us. We forget to thank Him for all blessings. We forget to pray to Him, and we forget to praise Him. We forget His steadfast and abounding love. We forget what Christ has done for us, in us, and through us. We forget Christ’s law-fulfilling life, and we forget His sacrificial, atoning death. We forget His resurrection, and we forget that we are awaiting resurrection. We forget that Christ is interceding for us at the right hand of the Father. We forget that Christ is coming back to judge the living and the dead. We forget that God is all-knowing and knows the intentions of our hearts. We forget the person and power of the Holy Spirit. We forget that the Holy Spirit dwells within us and that we are the temple of God. We forget that God is at work in us both to will and to work according to His good pleasure. We forget that God is working all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. We forget that we are united to Christ and that our salvation is secure in Christ. We forget that we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places. We forget that God will make all things new in the new heaven and new earth. We forget God’s promises. We forget the law. We forget the gospel. We forget God’s faithfulness. And yet, God never forgets us.

Throughout Scripture, our faithful, covenant Lord reminds us, “I will remember” (Gen. 9:15; Lev. 26:42; Ezek. 16:60). He will not forget us and His everlasting promises to us. And though we are prone to wander and forget God, God has promised that He will never allow us to forget Him in the end. In order to help us remember Him, our Lord has provided us with abundant means to remember Him. The Lord has given us His inspired, authoritative, and inerrant Word, and He has given us the ability to know it, to love it, and to hide it in our hearts. Moreover, the Lord has given us Himself in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As God incarnate, Christ is the eternal Word, the “radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Heb. 1:3). And foundational to knowing Christ is the work of the Holy Spirit who has made us know Christ by conquering, quickening, and liberating our hearts.


If God were to let us forget Him finally, there would be no inheritance for His Son. But because God remembers our sin no more in Christ, He will, for the sake of Christ, cause us to remember Him now and forever, for His glory and our eternal good.

 使徒:今天還有使徒嗎?

摘錄自《新譯本研讀版聖經》p. 1825環球聖經公會(2013

改革宗神學一直認為現今不會再有具權柄的使徒。然而,某些基督教傳統仍然按立使徒。例如:羅馬天主教堅稱若幹曾屬於使徒的職能和權柄已經透過使徒傳承(或稱使徒統緒)傳給眾主教,盡管個別主教並不像使徒那樣擁有個人的特權。因此,他們認為眾主教以集體的身分保留了對教義作出權威判斷的權力,正如使徒個人所擁有的相同權柄。就這意義來說,他們相信使徒職分以一種不同的形式延續下來。盡管部分新教徒傳統亦相信使徒的職權仍然保留至今,但他們大多把現代使徒和原來的使徒分別開來。

聖經從兩個不同層面采用「使徒」一詞。一方面,它大多指耶穌最初那「十二門徒」之一(太102-4),後來由馬提亞取代加略人猶大(徒115-26),並加入保羅(例:多11)。這個層面的用法所指的是一個行奇跡、由基督任命,並帶著權柄的職權,而這是新約聖經𥚃較常見的用法。在描述使徒職能必備條件的經文𥚃所指的,也是這個層面的意思(徒115-26;林前91-2157-8;林後1212;加11)。這些必備條件包括:見過主耶穌,並接受過祂的教導(徒120-26;林前91;加111-18);行神跡、奇事和大能(林後1212),以及由神親自任命(徒124-26)。當改革宗神學家否認今時今日尚有使徒時,所指的正是這個職能。

改革宗神學家提出以下理由,解釋為何現今不再有具權柄的使徒:(1)保羅是最後一個得見主顯現的人,而此亊發生的情況是很不尋常的,我們不應預期它會重演(林前158)。由於與復活了的主見面成為使徒的條件之一(林前91),故不可能有現代使徒。(2)使徒的職能具創立建基的作用,即是只在教會創立初期適用(林前310-12);弗220)。(3)保羅視使徒位份為最大的屬靈恩賜,並鼓勵信徒追求更大的恩賜(林前1228-31)。然而,他鼓勵信徒追求的最大恩賜卻是次大的恩賜:先知講道的恩賜(林前1228141)。這顯示他假設再無人能擔任使徒的職能。


另一方面,由希臘文翻成「使徒」的詞語亦指十二門徒和保羅以外的人。例如安多尼古和猶尼亞(羅167)、巴拿巴(林前95-6)、沒有提及名字的弟兄(林後823翻譯成「所派的」)、雅各(加119)、以巴弗提(在腓225翻成「差來.......的」),以及西拉和提摩太(帖前26-7;參11)。他們不可能全都符合以上提及的要求;以提摩太為例,他從沒見過復活了的主。再者,聖經並無證據顯示這些人直接由神呼召投身服侍的工作。在這些情況下,「使徒」一詞的含義效為廣泛,指的是由教會委派差遣去辦聖工,或是純粹是信差的工作;他們並沒有基督賦予的權柄。這個含意與使徒的具權柄職能之分別或可見於以下一點:保羅和彼得被稱為「基督耶穌的」使徒(林前11;林後11;弗11;提前11;提後11;參多11;彼前11;彼後11),而某些沒有提及名字的弟兄則被稱為使徒或「眾教會所派的」(見林後(823,在別處譯成「使徒」的希臘文在此翻成「所派的」。這類教會中的使徒職分在今日或仍存在,但現今再也沒有「使徒」的稱謂。

2016-12-06

 35.  基督的三重職事 The Threefold Office Of Christ

作者史鮑爾 (R.C. Sproul) 譯者姚錦榮
摘自《神學入門》《Essential Truths of the Christian FaithP91 ,更新傳道會出版http://www.crmnj.org/

基督徒能夠認識基督的三重職事其中一部分功勞要歸于加爾文因是加爾文在其所著的《基督教要義》一書指出基督擁有三重的職事先知、祭司和君王。身為卓越的先知,耶穌基督既是預言的對象,也是預言的主題。祂的身份和工作是舊約預言的焦點,而祂自己又為先知。在耶穌先知性的講論中,神的國和基督在其中的工作是預言的主要題材。先知的主要任務是宣講神的話,而耶穌不單宣講神的話,祂自己就是神的話;祂是神至高的先知,也是神的話成為肉身。

舊約的先知在神和以色列民之間擔任中保的角色,代表神向百姓說話;祭司則代表百姓向神說話,而耶穌也擔負了大祭司的角色。舊約時代,祭司定時獻祭,但耶穌只獻上一次永遠的贖罪祭;祂向父神所獻的祭物就是祂自己。耶穌是祭物,也是獻祭者。

舊約時代,中保的職事包括先知、祭司和君王,這三種任務是由不同的人負責,但耶穌一個人卻擔當了所有的職事。耶穌應驗了詩篇110篇有關彌賽亞的預言,祂是大衛的后裔,也是大衛的主;祂是祭司,也是君王;祂是被殺的羔羊,也是猶大的獅子。要完全明白基督的工作,我們不能只把基督當作先知、或祭司、或君王,因為基督完全地承擔了這三種職事于一身。

總結
1. 耶穌是舊約預言的應驗,而祂自己也是先知。
2. 耶穌是祭司,也是祭物。身為祭司,祂把自己獻上為贖罪祭,成為最完美的祭物。
3.  耶穌是受膏的萬王之王、萬主之主。

思考經文:
110篇; 421-4;路126-38;徒317-26;來55-6


35.  The Threefold Office Of Christ

One of the great contributions to a Christian understanding of the work of Christ is John Calvin’s exposition of the threefold office of Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King.1
 As the prophet of God par excellence, Jesus was both the object and subject of prophecy. His person and His work are the focal point of Old Testament prophecy, yet He Himself was a prophet. In Jesus’ own prophetic statements, the kingdom of God and His role
within the coming kingdom are major themes. A principal activity of a prophet was to declare the Word of God. Jesus not only declared the Word of God, He is Himself the Word of God. Jesus was the supreme Prophet of God, being God’s Word in the flesh.

The Old Testament prophet was a kind of mediator between God and the people of Israel. He spoke to the people on behalf of God. The priest spoke to God on behalf of the people. Jesus also fulfilled the role of the great High Priest. The Old Testament priests offered sacrifices regularly, but Jesus offered a sacrifice of everlasting value once for all time. Jesus’ offering to the Father was the sacrifice of Himself. He was both the offering and the offerer. 
Whereas in the Old Testament the mediating offices of prophet, priest, and king were held by separate individuals, all three offices are held supremely in the one person of Jesus. Jesus fulfilled the messianic prophecy of Psalm 110. He is the one who is both David’s descendant and David’s Lord. He is the Priest who is also the King. The Lamb who is slain is also the Lion of Judah. To gain a full understanding of the work of Christ we must not view Him merely as a prophet, or as a priest, or as a king. All three offices are perfectly fulfilled in Him.

Summary
1. Jesus was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and was Himself
a prophet.
2. Jesus was both Priest and sacrifice. As Priest, He offered Himself as
the perfect sacrifice for sin.
3. Jesus is the anointed King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
Biblical passages for reflection:
Psalm 110 Isaiah 42:1-4 Luke 1:26-38 Acts 3:17-26 Hebrews 5:5-6

1. Calvin, Institutes, bk. II, 1:425-429.

轉載自: