26/03/2020 | Chase R. Kuhn 蔡斯·庫恩
Translated by Peter Chan
Bilingual with Traditional Scripts
疫情中的教會：如果我們不能見面，我們還是教會嗎？
In the last week or two, many of us have had announcements that our churches would not be meeting as usual. There is a shift for the months ahead where many Christians will be meeting virtually, or not at all. For all of us this raises important theological questions about what we believe the church is, and whether the church continues when we are commanded not to ‘gather’.
過去的一兩週，我們大都收到教會宣布，聚會不會如常在教堂進行。接下來幾個月的轉變，就是許多基督徒將要虛擬聚會，否則不可聚會。於我們來說，這引發了重要神學的問題: 我們認為教會是什麼，當不准「聚會」的時候，教會是否繼續存在。
Throughout the Bible the people of God are depicted as the people called into a covenant relationship with God. One of the key identifiers of this people is the fact that they meet together with one another, in the presence of God, to hear from God’s word. This is what the Bible teaches is the ‘church’: the gathering of God’s people. God called the Israelites to be his people, and he assembled them (gathered them) together in his presence to receive his word (Deut 4:10). It was at this assembly, in the first instance, that God established his covenant with the people (Ex 19:4-6). Likewise, new covenant believers are charged to continue meeting (Heb 10:23-25). Historically, the distinctive marks of the church are the word preached and the sacraments duly administered—these sacraments being signs of the new covenant in Christ.
整卷聖經描述神的子民是受神呼召進入聖約關係的。他們主要特徵是，在神面前互相見面，聽從神的話。這就是聖經所教導的「教會 」，即神子民的聚會。神呼召以色列人成為祂的子民，把他們招聚（聚集）在一起，在神面前接受他的話（申4:10）。神在這次大會上首次與祂的子民立約（出19：4-6）。同樣，新約的信徒也不可停止聚會（來10：23-25）。從歷史上看，教會的獨特記號就是宣講神的話語和妥善施行聖禮，這些聖禮是基督新約的標誌。
But if gathering together is something so crucial for the people of God, what are we to do—and believe—in times such as these, where meeting together physically is not possible?
但是，如果聚會對於神的子民是這麼重要，此時此刻，實體聚會不可能的時候，我們該做什麼…和相信…什麼呢？
I want to consider four abiding theological truths about the church, before turning to four practical implications for our lives today.
我想先與大家討論四個關於教會的不變的神學真理，然後再談這對我們今天實際生活的四個含義。
1. Our identity is Primarily in Christ我們的身分是在基督裡
First, it is Christ who establishes us as a people. This statement is important because of its ordering. Our identity as the church is to be a collection of God’s people, brought together because of our union with Christ. This union is what is celebrated in the sacraments. But the union is not dissolved because of our inability to gather. Rather, we gather because of a union that transcends time and space. This should be deeply reassuring to Christians: your identity isn’t fundamentally as a church member, but as a person united to Jesus. Right now—in this very moment—you are part of the people of God. And, it is precisely because you are one of God’s people by faith—not insignificantly, a faith given to you by the Spirit (Gal. 4:6)—that you meet with other Christians regularly.
首先，是基督使我們成為神的子民。 該句話很重要是因為它的次序。 我們作為神子民的總體就是教會的身份，我們的結連是建基於我們在基督裡的結連。 這結連就是聖禮所紀念的。 但這結連並不因我們無法聚會而消失。 反之，我們的聚集是因著一個超越時空的結合。 這應該使基督徒深感安心：您的基本身分不是教會的成員，而是與基督結合的人。 現在…就在這一刻…您是神的子民的一份子。 而且，正因為您是憑著信心成為神的子民，更是從聖靈領受這信心（加4：6），您才定期與其他基督徒聚會。
2. Our Life is Defined by The Word 我們的生命是被神的話所界定
Second, the definitive marker of our life together is hearing God’s word—the word that saves us and tells us who we are by the grace and mercy of God. In Scripture, God communicates rich truth about who he is, the way he has made for us to relate to him, and what it means to live in that relationship. The word of God transcends the inestimable chasm between God’s transcendent, infinite holiness and our fallenness and finitude.
其次，那確定我們的共同生命的記號，就是我們一起聆聽神的話…那藉著神的恩典和憐憫，拯救我們和讓我們得知我們是誰的神的話。 在聖經中，神讓我們知道寶貴的真理: 祂是誰，我們與祂相交的方法，並且活在這關係中意味著什麼。 神的話語超越了神與神的子民之間無法估量的鴻溝，也就是神無限的聖潔與我們的墮落與有限。
3. Christ’s Promised Presence 基督應許的同在 Third, God promises his presence amongst us when we gather together. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus made it clear that he is with believers whenever two or more are gathered. This is intended to reassure us of Christ’s abiding presence with us corporately, even in the tiniest gathering. Furthermore, the Apostle John tells us that though no one has ever seen God, he is manifested to us in our love for one another in the Spirit (1 John 4:12-13). This means that life-together presents us with more than may initially meet the eye: God’s presence is known through the presence of others, as we demonstrate mutual love for one another.
第三，神應許當我們聚集是的時候，祂就住在我們中間。 耶穌在馬太福音18:20中明確指出，只要有兩個或以上的基督徒奉祂的名聚會，耶穌就與他們同在。 這是為了使我們放心，即使是在最小的聚會中，基督也一直與我們同在。 此外，使徒約翰告訴我們，雖然沒有人見過神，但當
我們在靈裡彼此相愛，祂就在我們當中顯現（約一4：12-13）。 這意味著我們的共聚遠超肉眼所見：當我們彼此相愛的時候，神的同在是藉著我們與別人共聚而顯現。
4. Mutual Dependence 相互依存
Finally, our Christian growth and maturity depends upon our relationships with others. We don’t simply grow through receiving from others, but also giving—by assuming our proper place in the body. Put simply, the Christian life requires both active and passive participation: other people need you, and you need others. God’s plans for the church are illustrated wonderfully in several of the key metaphors used in the New Testament for the church. The temple (Eph. 2:21-23) depicts a place where God’s presence dwells, and a place that is being built of many different pieces (people). This image highlights how we are being constructed together, and the wonderful promise of the presence of God in the midst of our life together. The body (1 Cor. 12:12-26; Rom. 12:3-8; Eph. 4:11-16) depicts a unity of purpose and mutual dependence on one another. There is an interconnectedness that is indispensable. There is a building and developing as we ‘grow up together’ into Christ our head.
最後，我們基督徒的成長和成熟取決於我們與他人的關係。 我們的成長不僅是通過接受別人的幫助，而且是通過服侍…就是在基督身體中活出適當的位置。簡而言之，基督徒的生命需要主動和被動的參與：別人需要你，而你也需要別人。 新約聖經中幾個主要的隱喻精采地說明神對教會的計劃。聖殿（弗2：21-23）描繪神居住的所在，是由許多不同的部分（人）建造的。 這圖像突出了我們如何一起 構建，以及神在我們生命中同在的美好應許。 身體（林前12：12-26；羅1，：3-8；弗4：11-16）描繪教會的信徒擔當著同一使命並相互依存。 教會存在著一種不可或缺的相互聯繫。 當我們「共同成長」 效法基督我們的頭，這就是造就與建立。
Four Practical Implications for Christians Today 對今天基督徒的四個提醒
First, don’t despair that you can’t meet as usual. You are still in Christ! But precisely because you are in Christ, seek out ways to ‘meet’ with others. We have unprecedented opportunities to gather virtually as a church. So, even in days like these, we should not forsake coming together. In fact, especially in days like these we should be all the more diligent to seek out opportunities to meet together. Because the times demand change for us, we must be patient and persistent. And we must remember that there is great promise even in few numbers; even where two or three are gathered, for Christ has promised us his presence.
首先，不要為無法像往常一樣聚會而失望。 你仍然在基督裡！ 而正因為你在基督裡，你要尋求與他人「聚會」的方法。我們擁有前未所有的機會以虛擬教會聚會。 因此，即使在這樣的日子裡，我們也不應放棄一起聚會。 實際上，尤其 是在這樣的日子裡，我們應該更努力把握 時機一起聚會。因為時代需要我們改變，我們必須有耐心並堅持不懈。 我們必須謹記，即使聚會人數很少 也是滿有神的應許。 因為基督已經應許我們，即使 只有兩三個人聚集，基督也必與同在。
Second, when you ‘meet’ with others, don’t forsake the significance of hearing from God’s word. The word of God is the richest thing we can offer to someone. We should find ways to mutually encourage one another from the truth, especially when the world seems turned upside down. Helping brothers and sisters to fix their eyes on Christ once more will prove to be an anchor in the midst of much turbulence.
其次，當您與其他人「聚會」時，不要忘記聽從神聖言的重要。神的話是我們能提供給別人最豐富的東西。我們應該盡量在真理中互相鼓勵，尤其在世界似被顛倒的時候。幫助弟兄姊妹再次將目光投向基督，猶如大風暴中的錨。
Third, recognise how important we are to one another. On our worst ‘usual’ Sundays together, we allow church to be a passive experience for the majority of the congregation. Now more than ever we are in danger of only ‘receiving’. But in the midst of change, we should expect different people to exercise gifts that may otherwise lie dormant in church life. We must prayerfully consider the needs of others and how we might serve our brothers and sisters. In particular, we should be mindful of those in our churches that will be most needy in times of isolation. In times of forced seclusion, there is a temptation to turn inward and only think about our individual needs in the confines of our own bubble. But we must pursue a thoughtful awareness of others. This will be an opportunity for us to be appropriately counter-cultural, rejecting the panic-hoarding of the world around us, and turning instead to think of our neighbours. And, as people serve us, we should be prepared to offer them encouragement and gratitude.
第三，認識到我們彼此的重要性。在最糟糕的「正常」星期日，我們由得教會的大多數會眾很被動的參與。現今，我們面臨會眾只會「接收 」的危險，尤甚於前。但是，在變革之中，我們應該期望一群不同的弟兄姐妹用在平常教會生活可能是處於休眠狀態的恩賜來侍奉。我們必須虔誠地在禱告中考慮他人的需要，以及我們如何服侍弟兄姐妹。自我隔離中，我們尤其要謹記教會内最有需要的弟兄姊妹。在被迫與人隔離的時候，會有一種自我中心的誘惑，活在自己的世界裡，只考慮個人的需要。但我們必須追求用心地體貼他人的需要。這將是我們進行適當的抗衡文化活動的機會，拒絕我們身邊的恐慌性的囤積搶購，反倒掛念我們的鄰居。而當別人服侍我們的時候，我們也應給予他們鼓勵和感恩。
But we also should consider how we can help others be more aware of needs. People will both need to seek others out, but also communicate openly when they are struggling and have practical requirements.
另外，也要考慮如何幫助他人對需要更敏感。我們既要關心有需要的人，但有困難和實際需要時，也要坦誠向別人道出。
Finally, we should not lose hope. Though things look, feel, and certainly are very different during this pandemic, we must remember the promise that Christ gave us: he is building his church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Even if we are unable to physically gather, we can still ‘gather’ together under the word. As we do, even then as we meet virtually or in few number, Christ has promised to be with us. And, when we meet under the word of God, in the presence of Christ, we can be assured that He is maturing us as his people.
最後，我們不應失去盼望。儘管在全球疫情中，情況看起來，感覺上，並事實上都大有不同，但我們必須記住基督給我們的應許：祂 正在建造屬於祂 的教會，地獄之門不能勝過它。即使我們無法面對面聚會，我們仍然可以在神的話中「聚在一起」。當我們這樣實踐，無論是在虛擬的教會, 或是一個非常小的聚會，基督都應許與我們同在。而且，當我們在神的聖言下，在基督的面前，相遇時，我們可以確定祂正在造就祂的子民。
Bilingual with Simplified Scripts
疫情中的教会：如果我们不能见面，我们还是教会吗？
In the last week or two, many of us have had announcements that our churches would not be meeting as usual. There is a shift for the months ahead where many Christians will be meeting virtually, or not at all. For all of us this raises important theological questions about what we believe the church is, and whether the church continues when we are commanded not to ‘gather’.
过去的一两周，我们大都收到教会宣布，聚会不会如常在教堂进行。接下来几个月的转变，就是许多基督徒将要虚拟聚会，否则不可聚会。于我们来说，这引发了重要神学的问题: 我们认为教会是什么，当不准「聚会」的时候，教会是否继续存在。
Throughout the Bible the people of God are depicted as the people called into a covenant relationship with God. One of the key identifiers of this people is the fact that they meet together with one another, in the presence of God, to hear from God’s word. This is what the Bible teaches is the ‘church’: the gathering of God’s people. God called the Israelites to be his people, and he assembled them (gathered them) together in his presence to receive his word (Deut 4:10). It was at this assembly, in the first instance, that God established his covenant with the people (Ex 19:4-6). Likewise, new covenant believers are charged to continue meeting (Heb 10:23-25). Historically, the distinctive marks of the church are the word preached and the sacraments duly administered—these sacraments being signs of the new covenant in Christ.
整卷圣经描述神的子民是受神呼召进入圣约关系的。他们主要特征是，在神面前互相见面，听从神的话。这就是圣经所教导的「教会 」，即神子民的聚会。神呼召以色列人成为祂的子民，把他们招聚（聚集）在一起，在神面前接受他的话（申4:10）。神在这次大会上首次与祂的子民立约（出19：4-6）。同样，新约的信徒也不可停止聚会（来10：23-25）。从历史上看，教会的独特记号就是宣讲神的话语和妥善施行圣礼，这些圣礼是基督新约的标志。
But if gathering together is something so crucial for the people of God, what are we to do—and believe—in times such as these, where meeting together physically is not possible?
但是，如果聚会对于神的子民是这么重要，此时此刻，实体聚会不可能的时候，我们该做什么…和相信…什么呢？
I want to consider four abiding theological truths about the church, before turning to four practical implications for our lives today.
我想先与大家讨论四个关于教会的不变的神学真理，然后再谈这对我们今天实际生活的四个含义。
1. Our identity is Primarily in Christ我们的身分是在基督里
First, it is Christ who establishes us as a people. This statement is important because of its ordering. Our identity as the church is to be a collection of God’s people, brought together because of our union with Christ. This union is what is celebrated in the sacraments. But the union is not dissolved because of our
inability to gather. Rather, we gather because of a union that transcends time and space. This should be deeply reassuring to Christians: your identity isn’t fundamentally as a church member, but as a person united to Jesus. Right now—in this very moment—you are part of the people of God. And, it is precisely because you are one of God’s people by faith—not insignificantly, a faith given to you by the Spirit (Gal. 4:6)—that you meet with other Christians regularly.
首先，是基督使我们成为神的子民。 该句话很重要是因为它的次序。 我们作为神子民的总体就是教会的身份，我们的结连是建基于我们在基督里的结连。 这结连就是圣礼所纪念的。 但这结连并不因我们无法聚会而消失。 反之，我们的聚集是因着一个超越时空的结合。 这应该使基督徒深感安心：您的基本身分不是教会的成员，而是与基督结合的人。 现在…就在这一刻…您是神的子民的一份子。 而且，正因为您是凭着信心成为神的子民，更是从圣灵领受这信心（加4：6），您才定期与其他基督徒聚会。
2. Our Life is Defined by The Word 我们的生命是被神的话所界定
Second, the definitive marker of our life together is hearing God’s word—the word that saves us and tells us who we are by the grace and mercy of God. In Scripture, God communicates rich truth about who he is, the way he has made for us to relate to him, and what it means to live in that relationship. The word of God transcends the inestimable chasm between God’s transcendent, infinite holiness and our fallenness and finitude.
其次，那确定我们的共同生命的记号，就是我们一起聆听神的话…那借着神的恩典和怜悯，拯救我们和让我们得知我们是谁的神的话。 在圣经中，神让我们知道宝贵的真理: 祂是谁，我们与祂相交的方法，并且活在这关系中意味着什么。 神的话语超越了神与神的子民之间无法估量的鸿沟，也就是神无限的圣洁与我们的堕落与有限。
3. Christ’s Promised Presence 基督应许的同在 Third, God promises his presence amongst us when we gather together. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus made it clear that he is with believers whenever two or more are gathered. This is intended to reassure us of Christ’s abiding presence with us corporately, even in the tiniest gathering. Furthermore, the Apostle John tells us that though no one has ever seen God, he is manifested to us in our love for one another in the Spirit (1 John 4:12-13). This means that life-together presents us with more than may initially meet the eye: God’s presence is known through the presence of others, as we demonstrate mutual love for one another.
第三，神应许当我们聚集是的时候，祂就住在我们中间。 耶稣在马太福音18:20中明确指出，只要有两个或以上的基督徒奉祂的名聚会，耶稣就与他们同在。 这是为了使我们放心，即使是在最小的聚会中，基督也一直与我们同在。 此外，使徒约翰告诉我们，虽然没有人见过神，但当我们在灵里彼此相爱，祂就在我们当中显现（约一4：12-13）。 这意味着我们的共聚远超肉眼所见：当我们彼此相爱的时候，神的同在是借着我们与别人共聚而显现。
4. Mutual Dependence 相互依存
Finally, our Christian growth and maturity depends upon our relationships with others. We don’t simply grow through receiving from others, but also giving—by assuming our proper place in the body. Put simply, the Christian life requires both active and passive participation: other people need you, and you
need others. God’s plans for the church are illustrated wonderfully in several of the key metaphors used in the New Testament for the church. The temple (Eph. 2:21-23) depicts a place where God’s presence dwells, and a place that is being built of many different pieces (people). This image highlights how we are being constructed together, and the wonderful promise of the presence of God in the midst of our life together. The body (1 Cor. 12:12-26; Rom. 12:3-8; Eph. 4:11-16) depicts a unity of purpose and mutual dependence on one another. There is an interconnectedness that is indispensable. There is a building and developing as we ‘grow up together’ into Christ our head.
最后，我们基督徒的成长和成熟取决于我们与他人的关系。 我们的成长不仅是通过接受别人的帮助，而且是通过服侍…就是在基督身体中活出适当的位置。简而言之，基督徒的生命需要主动和被动的参与：别人需要你，而你也需要别人。 新约圣经中几个主要的隐喻精采地说明神对教会的计划。圣殿（弗2：21-23）描绘神居住的所在，是由许多不同的部分（人）建造的。 这图像突出了我们如何一起 构建，以及神在我们生命中同在的美好应许。 身体（林前12：12-26；罗1，：3-8；弗4：11-16）描绘教会的信徒担当着同一使命并相互依存。 教会存在着一种不可或缺的相互联系。 当我们「共同成长」 效法基督我们的头，这就是造就与建立。
Four Practical Implications for Christians Today 对今天基督徒的四个提醒
First, don’t despair that you can’t meet as usual. You are still in Christ! But precisely because you are in Christ, seek out ways to ‘meet’ with others. We have unprecedented opportunities to gather virtually as a church. So, even in days like these, we should not forsake coming together. In fact, especially in days like these we should be all the more diligent to seek out opportunities to meet together. Because the times demand change for us, we must be patient and persistent. And we must remember that there is great promise even in few numbers; even where two or three are gathered, for Christ has promised us his presence.
首先，不要为无法像往常一样聚会而失望。 你仍然在基督里！ 而正因为你在基督里，你要寻求与他人「聚会」的方法。我们拥有前未所有的机会以虚拟教会聚会。 因此，即使在这样的日子里，我们也不应放弃一起聚会。 实际上，尤其 是在这样的日子里，我们应该更努力把握 时机一起聚会。因为时代需要我们改变，我们必须有耐心并坚持不懈。 我们必须谨记，即使聚会人数很少 也是满有神的应许。 因为基督已经应许我们，即使 只有两三个人聚集，基督也必与同在。
Second, when you ‘meet’ with others, don’t forsake the significance of hearing from God’s word. The word of God is the richest thing we can offer to someone. We should find ways to mutually encourage one another from the truth, especially when the world seems turned upside down. Helping brothers and sisters to fix their eyes on Christ once more will prove to be an anchor in the midst of much turbulence.
其次，当您与其他人「聚会」时，不要忘记听从神圣言的重要。神的话是我们能提供给别人最丰富的东西。我们应该尽量在真理中互相鼓励，尤其在世界似被颠倒的时候。帮助弟兄姊妹再次将目光投向基督，犹如大风暴中的锚。
Third, recognise how important we are to one another. On our worst ‘usual’ Sundays together, we allow church to be a passive experience for the majority of the congregation. Now more than ever we are in danger of only ‘receiving’. But in the midst of change, we should expect different people to exercise gifts that may otherwise lie dormant in church life. We must prayerfully consider the needs of others and
how we might serve our brothers and sisters. In particular, we should be mindful of those in our churches that will be most needy in times of isolation. In times of forced seclusion, there is a temptation to turn inward and only think about our individual needs in the confines of our own bubble. But we must pursue a thoughtful awareness of others. This will be an opportunity for us to be appropriately counter-cultural, rejecting the panic-hoarding of the world around us, and turning instead to think of our neighbours. And, as people serve us, we should be prepared to offer them encouragement and gratitude.
第三，认识到我们彼此的重要性。在最糟糕的「正常」星期日，我们由得教会的大多数会众很被动的参与。现今，我们面临会众只会「接收 」的危险，尤甚于前。但是，在变革之中，我们应该期望一群不同的弟兄姐妹用在平常教会生活可能是处于休眠状态的恩赐来侍奉。我们必须虔诚地在祷告中考虑他人的需要，以及我们如何服侍弟兄姐妹。自我隔离中，我们尤其要谨记教会内最有需要的弟兄姊妹。在被迫与人隔离的时候，会有一种自我中心的诱惑，活在自己的世界里，只考虑个人的需要。但我们必须追求用心地体贴他人的需要。这将是我们进行适当的抗衡文化活动的机会，拒绝我们身边的恐慌性的囤积抢购，反倒挂念我们的邻居。而当别人服侍我们的时候，我们也应给予他们鼓励和感恩。
But we also should consider how we can help others be more aware of needs. People will both need to seek others out, but also communicate openly when they are struggling and have practical requirements.
另外，也要考虑如何帮助他人对需要更敏感。我们既要关心有需要的人，但有困难和实际需要时，也要坦诚向别人道出。
Finally, we should not lose hope. Though things look, feel, and certainly are very different during this pandemic, we must remember the promise that Christ gave us: he is building his church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Even if we are unable to physically gather, we can still ‘gather’ together under the word. As we do, even then as we meet virtually or in few number, Christ has promised to be with us. And, when we meet under the word of God, in the presence of Christ, we can be assured that He is maturing us as his people.
最后，我们不应失去盼望。尽管在全球疫情中，情况看起来，感觉上，并事实上都大有不同，但我们必须记住基督给我们的应许：祂 正在建造属于祂 的教会，地狱之门不能胜过它。即使我们无法面对面聚会，我们仍然可以在神的话中「聚在一起」。当我们这样实践，无论是在虚拟的教会, 或是一个非常小的聚会，基督都应许与我们同在。而且，当我们在神的圣言下，在基督的面前，相遇时，我们可以确定祂正在造就祂的子民。
