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七十九、圣礼与外在方式

161问：圣礼怎样成为救赎的有效工具呢？

答：圣礼成为救赎的有效工具，并非因其本身有什么权能，也不是因为源自施行者的敬虔或动机而发出的力量，而是惟独因着圣灵的运行和基督的祝福，祂是圣礼的设立者（彼前3:21；徒8:13，比较徒8:23；林前3:6－7；12:13）。

Q. 161. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?

A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not by any power in themselves, or any virtue derived from the piety or intention of him by whom they are administered, but only by the working of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ, by whom they are instituted.

162问：圣礼是什么？

答：圣礼是基督在其教会中所设立的神圣的外在方式（创17:7，10；出12；太28:19；26:26－28），向那些在恩典之约中的人（罗15:8；出12:48），

  1. 象征、印证、表明（罗4:11；林前11:24－25）祂中保的恩惠（徒2:38；林前10:16）；
  2. 坚固、增强他们的信心，以及其它各样的美德（罗4:11；加3:27）；
  3. 要求他们顺服（罗6:3－4；林前10:21）；
  4. 见证、珍惜他们彼此之间的爱心和交通（弗4:2－5；林前12:13）；
  5. 并使他们与那些不得参与的人分别出来（弗2:11－12；创34:14）。

Q. 162. What is a sacrament?

A. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his church, to signify, seal, and exhibit unto those that are within the covenant of grace, the benefits of his mediation; to strengthen and increase their faith, and all other graces; to oblige them to obedience; to testify and cherish their love and communion one with another; and to distinguish them from those that are without.

163问：圣礼有哪几方面？

答：圣礼有两方面，

  1. 一方面是外在的有形的记号，是根据基督的吩咐而使用的；
  2. 另一方面是其所象征的内在属灵的恩惠（太3:11；彼前3:21；罗2:28－29）。

Q. 163. What are the parts of a sacrament?

A. The parts of a sacrament are two; the one an outward and sensible sign, used according to Christ’s own appointment; the other an inward and spiritual grace thereby signified.

164问：在新约时代，基督在其教会中设立了多少圣礼？

答：在新约时代，基督在其教会中只设立了两大圣礼：一是洗礼，一是圣餐（太28:19；林前11:23；太26:26-28）。

Q. 164. How many sacraments hath Christ instituted in his church under the New Testament?

A. Under the New Testament Christ hath instituted in his church only two sacraments, baptism and the Lord’s supper.

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