62问:何谓有形的教会?

答:有形的教会就是世界上各时代、各地方所有公开接受基督信仰之人(林前1:2;12:13;罗15:9-12;启7:9;诗2:8;诗22:27-31;诗45:17;太28:19-20;赛59:21)以及他们之儿女(林前7:14;徒2:39;罗11:16;创17:7)所集合而成的社团。

Question 62: What is the visible church?

Answer: The visible church is a society made up of all such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true religion, and of their children.

63问:有形教会有什么特权?

答:有形教会所拥有特权包括:1)蒙受上帝特殊的看顾和管治(赛4:5-6;提前4:10);2)在各时代诸般仇敌的对抗下,得蒙上帝的护庇和保守(诗115;赛31:4-5;亚12:2-4,89);3)享受圣徒间的团契,就是一般上既能为人提供得救机会的团契(徒2:39,42),又能为信徒提供传扬福音之主恩的团契,使信徒能以亲自证实,凡信主的人都必得救(诗147:19-20;罗9:4;弗4:11-12;可16:1516),凡来到主面前的人总不被丢弃(约6:37)。

Question 63: What are the special privileges of the visible church?

Answer: The visible church has the privilege of being under God’s special care and government; of being protected and preserved in all ages, not withstanding the opposition of all enemies; and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary means of salvation, and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel, testifying, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved, and excluding none that will come unto him.