【双语灵修】洗礼BAPTISM

罗马书6:1-10

这样，怎么说呢？我们可以仍在罪中，叫恩典显多吗？ 断乎不可！我们在罪上死了的人，岂可仍在罪中活着呢？ 岂不知我们这受洗归入基督耶稣的人，是受洗归入他的死吗？ 所以，我们藉着洗礼归入死，和他一同埋葬，原是叫我们一举一动有新生的样式，像基督藉着父的荣耀从死里复活一样。 我们若在他死的形状上与他联合，也要在他复活的形状上与他联合。 因为知道，我们的旧人和他同钉十字架，使罪身灭绝，叫我们不再做罪的奴仆， 因为已死的人是脱离了罪。 我们若是与基督同死，就信必与他同活。 因为知道，基督既从死里复活，就不再死，死也不再做他的主了。 他死是向罪死了，只有一次；他活是向神活着。

10月19日

洗礼

所以，你们因信基督耶稣都是 神的儿子。 你们受洗归入基督的都是披戴基督了。(加拉太书3:26-27)

在教会中，基督赐给我们两大圣礼：洗礼与圣餐（圣体圣事）。

洗礼象征着我们旧有罪性的死亡和埋葬，以及与基督同复活的新生命。正如我们用水洁净身体，洗礼的水象征着耶稣宝血洗净我们的罪。而正如水是生命所必需的，洗礼之水也代表我们藉着圣灵在基督里获得的新生命。

除了这些美好的画面，洗礼还象征神应许的信实印记—凡悔改并信靠耶稣的人都能得救。尽管人类常背弃诺言，神却永不食言。洗礼向我们保证：我们归属于这位信实的神，祂已在基督里，收养我们做祂永远的儿女。

洗礼能拯救我们或确保我们得救吗？不能，洗礼并不能取代信心。但神向我们保证：凡信靠祂的人必不至羞愧。而洗礼正是对这应许的荣耀提醒和确据。

通过洗礼，神宣告我们属于祂，是祂教会与国度的子民。祂的命令清晰而简明：信靠我，与我同住直到永远！

祷告

主啊，感谢你赐下洗礼的恩典。感谢你用洗礼作为标记，宣告我们是属你的子民。求你帮助我们活在喜乐与信实中与你同行。阿们。

Romans 6:1-10

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19

BAPTISM

In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. —Galatians 3:26-27

In the church we have two sacraments given to us by Christ: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (holy communion).

Baptism symbolizes the dying of our old sinful nature and its being buried with Christ, as well as our rising to new life in Christ. Just as we use water to wash our bodies, the waters of baptism represent the washing away of our sin by the blood of Jesus. And just as water is necessary for life, the water of baptism represents the new life we have in Christ through the Holy Spirit.

In addition to these beautiful pictures, baptism stands as a sign and seal of God’s faithfulness to his promises that salvation comes to all who repent and believe in Jesus. Though people are prone to break promises, God is not. Baptism assures us that we belong to the faithful God, who has adopted us in Christ to be his children forever.

Does baptism save us or guarantee our salvation? No, baptism does not nullify the need for faith. But God guarantees us that if we trust in him, we will never be put to shame. And baptism is a glorious reminder and guarantor of that promise.

In baptism God declares that we belong to him and are part of his church and kingdom. His command is clear and simple: trust me and live with me forever!

Lord, thank you for the gift of baptism. Thank you for using baptism to signify that you claim us as your own. Help us to live with you in joy and faithfulness. Amen.