洗礼是什么意思？必须受洗才能得救吗？
What is baptism? Must you be baptized to be saved?
简答 Short Answer
洗礼是基督设立的圣礼，象征信徒与基督同死同复活、罪被洗净、加入教会。洗礼不是得救的条件，但它是每位信徒应当顺服的命令。
Baptism is a sacrament instituted by Christ, symbolizing the believer's union with Christ in death and resurrection, cleansing from sin, and entrance into the church. It's not a requirement for salvation, but a command every believer should obey.
详细解答 Detailed Answer
洗礼是主耶稣亲自设立的圣礼，也是基督徒信仰生活的起点。
1.【洗礼的意义】 - 与基督联合：罗马书6:3-4说我们「受洗归入基督的死……与祂一同复活」。浸入水中象征与基督同死，从水中出来象征与基督同复活。 - 罪的洗净：洗礼象征内在的属灵洁净，就是圣灵洗去我们的罪（徒22:16、多3:5）。 - 加入教会：洗礼是加入基督可见教会的公开标记，宣告从此属于基督和祂的子民。
2.【洗礼与得救的关系】圣经清楚教导人是因信称义（弗2:8-9），不是因洗礼称义。十字架上的强盗在没有受洗的情况下得到耶稣的应许「今日你要同我在乐园里了」（路23:43）。洗礼是得救后的顺服之举，而不是得救的手段。
3.【不同传统的理解】基督教内部对洗礼有不同的做法： - 浸礼派认为只有信主后全身浸水才是正确的洗礼 - 改革宗和长老会也给信徒的婴儿施洗，视为约的记号（类似旧约的割礼） - 天主教和东正教认为洗礼本身具有重生的功效
4.【大使命的命令】耶稣吩咐「奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗」（太28:19）。虽然洗礼不是得救的条件，但刻意拒绝洗礼是对基督命令的不顺服。每位真正的信徒都应当尽快受洗。
Baptism is a sacrament personally instituted by Jesus and the starting point of Christian life.
1. **Meaning of baptism**: - Union with Christ: Romans 6:3-4 says we were 'baptized into his death... raised with him.' Immersion symbolizes dying with Christ; rising from water symbolizes rising with Him. - Cleansing from sin: Baptism symbolizes inner spiritual cleansing by the Spirit (Acts 22:16, Titus 3:5). - Entrance into the church: Baptism is the public mark of joining Christ's visible church, declaring one belongs to Christ and His people.
2. **Baptism and salvation**: Scripture clearly teaches justification by faith (Eph 2:8-9), not by baptism. The thief on the cross received Jesus' promise 'Today you will be with me in paradise' (Luke 23:43) without baptism. Baptism is an act of post-salvation obedience, not a means of salvation.
3. **Different traditions**: - Baptists hold that only believer's immersion is proper baptism - Reformed and Presbyterian churches also baptize believers' infants as a covenant sign (analogous to OT circumcision) - Catholic and Orthodox traditions view baptism as effecting regeneration
4. **The Great Commission command**: Jesus commanded to 'baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit' (Matt 28:19). While not a condition of salvation, deliberately refusing baptism is disobedience to Christ's command. Every genuine believer should be baptized promptly.
📖 经文引用 Bible Verses
📚 推荐阅读 Related Readings
- •The Christian Sacraments (Hugh Thomson Kerr)
- •Baptism and Fullness (John Stott)
- •Christian Baptism (John Murray)