分类： 《威斯敏斯特大教理问答》

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。

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）。

61问：是否所有听过福音，又参加教会生活的人，都能得救？

答：不是的，不是所有听过福音，又参加有形教会之生活的人，都能得救；唯独作为无形教会真实肢体的人才能得救（约12:38-40；罗9:6；太22:14；太7:21；罗11:7）。

Question 61: Are all they saved who hear the gospel, and live in the church?

Answer: All that hear the gospel, and live in the visible church, are not saved; but they only who are true members of the church invisible.

 

60问：如此，那些从未听闻福音，所以不认识、也不相信耶稣基督的人，是否能因为按照自然之光生活为人而得救？

答：那些从未听过福音（罗10:14），所以不认识、也不相信耶稣基督的人（帖后1:8-9；弗2:12；约1:10-12），是不可能得救的（约8:24；可16:16）。因为他们实在没有办法完全按照自然之光（林前1:20-24），或按照自己所奉为宗教的诫律，有效地规划自己的生活（约4:22；罗9:31-32；腓3:4-9），更何况除了除了作为教会之身体及教会之救主（弗5:23）以外，天下人间，别无拯救（徒4:12）。

Question 60: Can they who have never heard the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ, nor believe in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature?

Answer: They who, having never heard the gospel, know not Jesus Christ, and believe not in him, cannot be saved, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, or the laws of that religion which they profess; neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ alone, who is the Savior only of his body the church.

 

57问：基督借其中保之工，为信徒所取得的好处是什么？

答：基督借其中保之工，为信徒带来了救恩（来9:12），以及其他恩典之约中一切的好处（林后1:20）。

Question 57: What benefits has Christ procured by his mediation?

Answer: Christ, by his mediation, has procured redemption, with all other benefits of the covenant of grace.

58问：我们如何能有份于基督所买赎的恩惠呢？

答：我们所以能有份于基督所买赎的恩惠（约1:11-12），主要是凭借圣灵上帝在我们的身上所施予的浇灌与更新之工（多3:5－6）。

Question 58: How do we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ has procured?

Answer: We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ has procured, by the application of them unto us, which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost.

59问：谁能有份于基督的救赎呢？

答：凡基督所买赎的人，到了时候，都必照福音所言，在圣灵的帮助下，借着有效的传讲，因相信基督（弗2:8；林后4:13），得着救恩（弗1:13－14；约6:37，39；10:15-16）。

Question 59: Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ?

Answer: Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, to all those for whom Christ has purchased it; who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ according to the gospel.

 

56问：基督如何在祂再回来审判世界的事上被升为高？

答：基督在祂再回来审判世界的事上被升为高，指的是基督固然曾遭受恶人不义之审判与定罪（徒3:14-15），末了却必带着能力与权柄，在自己与父完全之荣耀中降临（太24:30），和众圣天使（路9:26；太25:31），在呼叫的声音、天使长的声音，以及上帝的号角声中（帖前4:16），以公义审判世界（徒17:31）。

Question 56: How is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world?

Answer: Christ is to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world, in that he, who was unjustly judged and condemned by wicked men, shall come again at the last day in great power, and in the full manifestation of his own glory, and of his Father’s, with all his holy angels, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, to judge the world in righteousness.

 

55问：基督如何为我们代求？

答：基督一直以我们的本相来到天父的面前（来9:12，24），本着祂在地上顺服与牺牲的功劳（来1:3），为我们代求，宣告祂必赐予信徒一切恩赐与恩典的意愿（约3:16；17:9，20，24）；驳回所有一切对他们的控告（罗8:33-34），使他们能以在每日软弱跌倒的事上（罗5:1-2；约壹2:1-2），存着无亏的良心（彼前3:16，21），坦然无惧地来到神的施恩宝座前（来4:16），不论名份（弗1:5）或服事如何，都得蒙悦纳（彼前2:5）。

Question 55: How does Christ make intercession?

Answer: Christ makes intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven, in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth, declaring his will to have it applied to all believers; answering all accusations against them, and procuring for them quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings, access with boldness to the throne of grace, and acceptance of their persons and services.

 

51问：基督被升为高的情形是怎样的？

答：基督被升为高的事，涵盖了祂的复活（林前15:4）、升天（可16:19）、坐在父的右边（弗1:20），以及将来祂要再回来审判世界之事（徒1:11；17:31）。

Question 51: What was the estate of Christ’s exaltation?

Answer: The estate of Christ’s exaltation comprehends his resurrection, ascension, sitting at the right hand of the Father, and his coming again to judge the world.

 

52问：基督如何在祂的复活中被升为高？

答：基督在祂的复活中被升高，指的是：1）因祂原不能被死亡拘禁（徒2:24，27），所以没有在死亡中见朽坏，反倒于第三天，以祂同一个受苦的身体，就是以祂同一个具有除了朽坏和软弱之外基本人性特征的身体（路24:39），凭借祂自己的权柄，的的确确与祂的灵魂联合（罗6:9；启1:18），从死里复活（约10:18）；2）祂借此宣告自己是上帝的儿子（罗1:4），满足了上帝的公义的要求（罗8:34），消灭了死亡以及死亡权势的掌控者（来2:14），成为活人及死人的主（罗14:9）；3）祂公然以教会元首的身份（弗1:20，22－23；西1:18）宣告祂的所成，为的是叫信徒得称为义（罗4:25），在恩典中活过来（弗2:1，5－6；西2:12），靠圣灵征服所有仇敌（林前15:25－27），确保自己在末日必从死里复活（林前15:20）。

Question 52: How was Christ exalted in his resurrection?

Answer: Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, not having seen corruption in death (of which it was not possible for him to be held), and having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties thereof (but without mortality, and other common infirmities belonging to this life), really united to his soul, he rose again from the dead the third day by his own power; whereby he declared himself to be the Son of God, to have satisfied divine justice, to have vanquished death, and him that had the power of it, and to be Lord of quick and dead: all which he did as a public person, the head of his church, for their justification, quickening in grace, support against enemies, and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead at the last day.

53问：基督如何在祂升天的事上被升为高？

答：基督在祂升天的事上被升为高，指的是：1）祂在复活之后，常向门徒显现交谈，谈论神国的事（徒1:2－3），又赐给门徒向列国传福音的使命（太28:19－20）；2）祂作为我们的元首（来6:20），于复活四十天之后，就以我们的本相，胜过一切仇敌（弗4:8），在众目睽睽之下升上高天，替我们领受了诸多的恩赐（徒1:9－11；弗4:10；诗68:18），将我们的情感提升到祂那里去（西3:1－2）；3）祂一直在为我们预备与祂永远同在的地方（约14:3），直到祂于世界的末了再次降临之时为止（徒3:21）。

Question 53: How was Christ exalted in his ascension?

Answer: Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having after his resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations, forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature, and as our head, triumphing over enemies, visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men, to raise up our affections thither, and to prepare a place for us, where himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world.

54问：基督如何于坐在父神右边之事上被升为高？

答：基督坐在父的右边被升为高，指的是：1）基督作为神人，晋升到蒙父上帝至高宠悦的地位（腓2:9），拥有天上地下一切的权柄（弗1:22；彼前3:22），洋溢着丰盛的喜乐（徒2:28；诗16:11）和荣耀（约17:5）；2）祂招聚、护卫自己的教会，制服教会的仇敌；以诸般恩赐和恩典（弗4:10－12；诗110:1）装备祂的圣仆和圣民，并为他们代求（罗8:34）。

Question 54: How is Christ exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God?

Answer: Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man he is advanced to the highest favor with God the Father, with all fulness of joy, glory, and power over all things in heaven and earth; and does gather and defend his church, and subdue their enemies; furnishes his ministers and people with gifts and graces, and makes intercession for them.

 

46问：基督降卑的情形是怎样的？         

答：基督为我们的缘故降卑，倒空了自己的荣耀，取了奴仆的形象，于成孕、降生、活着、钉死，以至于死后直到复活之前，一直都处于极卑微的地位上（腓2:6－8；路1:31；林后8:9；徒2:24）。

Question 46: What was the estate of Christ’s humiliation?

Answer: The estate of Christ’s humiliation was that low condition, wherein he for our sakes, emptying himself of his glory, took upon him the form of a servant, in his conception and birth, life, death, and after his death, until his resurrection.

47问：基督在祂成孕和降生的事上如何自我降卑？

答：基督在祂成孕和降生的事上自我降卑，指的是祂作为上帝从亘古以来的儿子，却甘心从父的怀中，于日期满足之时，经由一位卑微的女子所生，成为人子，并情愿生于比一般人更为屈辱窘迫的处境里（约1:14，18；加4:4；路2:7）。

Question 47: How did Christ humble himself in his conception and birth?

Answer: Christ humbled himself in his conception and birth, in that, being from all eternity the Son of God, in the bosom of the Father, he was pleased in the fulness of time to become the son of man, made of a woman of low estate, and to be born of her; with divers circumstances of more than ordinary abasement.

48问：基督活着的时候如何自我降卑？

答：基督活着的时候自我降卑，指的是祂完全服在律法之下（加4:4），彻底成全了律法的要求（太5:17；罗5:19）；战胜了所面对世上的屈辱（诗22:6；来12:2－3）、撒但的试探（太4:1－12；路4:13），以及肉身的软弱，包括祂作为人一般性的软弱，以及伴随着祂降卑之特殊情况中的软弱（来2:17－18；4:15；赛52:13－14）。

Question 48: How did Christ humble himself in his life?

Answer: Christ humbled himself in his life, by subjecting himself to the law, which he perfectly fulfilled; and by conflicting with the indignities of the world, temptations of Satan, and infirmities in his flesh, whether common to the nature of man, or particularly accompanying that his low condition.

49问：基督在祂受死的事上如何自我降卑？

答：基督在祂的受死的事上自我降卑，亲身经历了被犹大出卖（太27:4）、被门徒撇弃（太26:56）、被世人嘲弄拒绝（赛53:2－3）、被彼拉多定罪、被迫害者折磨（太27:26－50；约19:34）等事，并在死亡的恐吓与黑暗的权势下，承担了来自上帝的愤怒（路22:44；太27:46），摆上自己的生命作为赎罪祭（赛53:10），忍受了十字架极其痛苦、至为羞辱、大受咒诅的死亡（腓2:8；来12:2；加3:13）。

Question 49: How did Christ humble himself in his death?

Answer: Christ humbled himself in his death, in that having been betrayed by Judas, forsaken by his disciples, scorned and rejected by the world, condemned by Pilate, and tormented by his persecutors; having also conflicted with the terrors of death, and the powers of darkness, felt and borne the weight of God’s wrath, he laid down his life an offering for sin, enduring the painful, shameful, and cursed death of the cross.

50问：基督死后的降卑涵盖了什么？

答：基督死后的降卑，涵盖了祂被埋葬（林前15:3－4），并一直在死亡的权势下，停留于死亡的状态中，即所谓降到阴间，直到第三天的事实（诗16:10；徒2:24－27，31；罗6:9；太12:40）。

Question 50: Wherein consisted Christ’s humiliation after his death?

Answer: Christ’s humiliation after his death consisted in his being buried, and continuing in the state of the dead, and under the power of death till the third day; which has been otherwise expressed in these words, he descended into hell.

43问：基督如何行使先知的职分？

答：基督自万古以来，总是藉着祂的圣灵和圣言（彼前1:10-12），行使祂作为先知的职分，将上帝一切关乎救赎人与造就人（徒20:32；弗4:11-13；约20:31）的全备旨意（约15:15），多次多方（来1:1-2）向教会启示出来（约1:18）。

Question 43: How does Christ execute the office of a prophet?

Answer: Christ executes the office of a prophet, in his revealing to the church, in all ages, by his Spirit and Word, in divers ways of administration, the whole will of God, in all things concerning their edification and salvation.

44问：基督如何行使祭司的职分？

答：基督行使祭司的职分，首先是藉着祂一次过为子民的罪，将自己作为无瑕无疵的祭物献给上帝（来9:14，28），使他们得与上帝和好（来2:17）；其次，是藉着祂为自己子民没有间断的祷告代求（来7:25）。

Question 44: How does Christ execute the office of a priest?

Answer: Christ executes the office of a priest, in his once offering himself a sacrifice without spot to God, to be a reconciliation for the sins of his people; and in making continual intercession for them.

45问：基督如何行使君王的职分？

答：基督是藉着以下三事行使君王的职分：首先，祂从世界召出一群归属自己的百姓（徒15:14-16；赛55:4-5；创49:10；诗110:3），并通过所赐予他们的职权（弗4:11-12；林前12:28）、律法（赛33:22）和督责的机制，对他们实行看得见的治理（太18:17-18；林前5:4-5）。其次，祂将救恩赐给祂的选民（徒5:31）。顺服的，祂报答（启22:12；2:10），犯罪的，祂纠正（启3:19）；在他们一切的试探和苦难中，祂扶持保守（赛63:9）；在他们一切的仇敌面前，祂抵挡克胜（林前15:25；诗110:1-2）；而与此同时，祂还凭藉祂的权能，使万事都互相效力，叫他们得益处（罗8:28），叫自己得荣耀（罗14:10-11）。第三，祂报应其余那些不认识上帝、不顺从福音的人（帖后1:8-9；诗2:8-9）。

Question 45: How does Christ execute the office of a king?

Answer: Christ executes the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself, and giving them officers, laws, and censures, by which he visibly governs them; in bestowing saving grace upon his elect, rewarding their obedience, and correcting them for their sins, preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings, restraining and overcoming all their enemies, and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory, and their good; and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God, and obey not the gospel.

41问：为何我们的中保名称为耶稣？

答：我们的中保所以名称为耶稣，因为祂要将自己的百姓从罪恶里救出来（太1:21）。

Question 41: Why was our Mediator called Jesus?

Answer: Our Mediator was called Jesus, because he saves his people from their sins.

42问：为何称我们的中保为基督？

答：我们的中保所以称为基督，因为祂曾被膏以无限量的圣灵（约3:34；诗45:7）；被分别为圣，得了天下所有的权柄和能力（约6:27；太28:18-20），可以在祂降卑与升高的地位上（腓2:8-11），为祂的教会行使先知（徒3:21-22；路4:18，21）、祭司（来5:5-7；4:14-15）和君王（诗2:6，太21:5；赛9:6-7）的职分。

Question 42: Why was our Mediator called Christ?

Answer: Our Mediator was called Christ, because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost above measure; and so set apart, and fully furnished with all authority and ability, to execute the offices of prophet, priest, and king of his church, in the estate both of his humiliation and exaltation.