“你们在他里面，也受了不是人手所行的割礼，… 你们既受洗与他一同埋葬，也就在此与他一同复活 …。” – 西 2:11-12
圣经始终在讲述一个恒久不变的故事，是关于神如何以慈爱对待衪子民的故事。故事从亚伯拉罕开始，神邀请他与衪缔结一个特别的关系。旧约圣经以割礼的仪式作为这个盟约的象征；而在新约圣经中，教会以在基督里接受洗礼作为有份于神的约的象征。与神的约有份不再局限于犹太男丁，凡相信基督为救主的人，现在都可以有份于这个约了。
洗礼的水成了一个人一生身份的标志 － 它提醒他们自己的身份和归属。这个由神设立的圣礼是蒙福的管道、是得恩典的途径、是向我们保证神应许实现的圣礼。藉着洗礼，神应许我们 － 衪的儿女 － 必然保证祂所订立的约。接受洗礼能坚定和加添我们的信心。
歌罗西书2章教导我们，割礼指向将来那一天，耶稣会为我们流出衪的宝血。因着衪一次的牺牲，我们从此不再需要流血献祭了。现今，水已经成为在基督里的死里复活的象征，它使我们与神的应许永远联系起来。假若你仍然未踏出这一步，现在就是最好的时候，来相信祂，来奉祂名受洗，来得基督里的新生命。
祷告
主耶稣，你奇妙的恩典邀请我们参与到你的故事中，并进入你为我们赢取的得胜。求你帮助我们满有忠心，为你而活。阿们。
创世记 17:23-27
23正当那日，亚伯拉罕遵着神的命，给他的儿子以实玛利和家里的一切男子，无论是在家里生的，是用银子买的，都行了割礼。
24亚伯拉罕受割礼的时候，年九十九岁。
25他儿子以实玛利受割礼的时候，年十三岁。
26正当那日，亚伯拉罕和他儿子以实玛利，一同受了割礼。
27家里所有的人，无论是在家里生的，是用银子从外人买的，也都一同受了割礼。
Marked By The Waters Of Baptism
“In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands . . . having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him. . . .” – Colossians 2:11-12
The Bible tells one consistent story of God’s gracious dealings with his people. Beginning with Abraham, God invites them into a special relationship with him. The Old Testament sign of this covenantal bond was the rite of circumcision. In the New Testament the church has received baptism in Christ as the sign of belonging in God’s covenant. Participation is no longer limited to Jewish males but is now open to all who believe in Christ as Savior.
The waters of baptism mark a person’s life—letting them know who they are and to whom they belong. This God-ordained sacrament is a channel of blessing, a means of grace, a way of assuring us of God’s promises. Through baptism God makes promises to us. He signs and seals his covenant with us, his children. Our faith is confirmed and strengthened by our participation in it.
Colossians 2 teaches that the rite of circumcision pointed forward to the day when Jesus’ own blood would be shed for us. Because of his once-for-all sacrifice, the shedding of blood is no longer required. Instead, water now becomes the symbol of both death and resurrection in Christ, forever binding us with the promises of God. If you have not yet done so, there is no better time than right now to believe and be baptized to new life.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, your amazing grace invites us into your story and your victory over sin for us. Help us to live faithfully for you. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
