改革宗神学探讨（旧文整理 24） / Reformed Theology Studies (Archive 24)

It does not mean

that we change God's time.

而是神已经预定：

Instead,

God has ordained

不仅预定结果，
not only the result,

也预定达到结果的方法。
but also the means

to reach that result.

例如：

For example,

神预定：

God has ordained

世界各国都会听见福音。

that all nations

will hear the gospel.

所以，

Therefore,

教会努力宣教。

the church

works hard

to preach the gospel.

不是因为

Not because

神不知道将来。
God does not know the future.

而是因为

But because

神决定

God has decided

借着教会完成这件事情。

to accomplish His purpose

through His church.

第四处经文
Fourth Scripture

马太福音 24:14
Matthew 24:14

中文（和合本）

这天国的福音，

要传遍天下，

对万民作见证，

然后末期才来到。

English (NCV)

The Good News

about God's kingdom

will be preached

in all the world,

to every nation.

Then the end will come.

经文解释
Explanation

中文：

这里告诉我们：

神已经决定：

福音要传遍天下。

然后末期来到。

所以，

教会努力宣教，

并不是改变神的计划。

而是在完成神的计划。

English (ESL):

This verse teaches

that God has decided

the gospel

will be preached

to all nations.

Then

the end will come.

When Christians preach,

they are not changing God's plan.

They are carrying out

God's plan.

神不仅预定结果，也预定方法
God Ordains Both the End and the Means

这是改革宗最重要的教义之一。
This is one of the most important teachings

of Reformed theology.

例如：

For example,

神预定：

God has ordained

有人得救。

some people

will be saved.

同时，

At the same time,

神也预定：
God has also ordained

借着传福音，

through the preaching

of the gospel,

他们得救。

they will be saved.

第五处经文
Fifth Scripture

罗马书 10:13-15
Romans 10:13–15

中文（和合本）

因为"凡求告主名的，

就必得救。"

然而，

人未曾信他，

怎能求他呢？

未曾听见他，

怎能信他呢？

没有传道的，

怎能听见呢？

若没有奉差遣，

怎能传道呢？

English (NCV)

Everyone

who calls on the Lord

will be saved.

But before people

can ask the Lord for help,

they must believe in Him.

Before they can believe,

they must hear about Him.

Before they can hear,

someone must tell them.

And before anyone can go,

someone must send them.

经文解释
Explanation

中文：

神可以直接救人吗？

当然可以。

但是，

神选择

借着教会传福音。

所以，

传福音

就是神所预定的方法。

English (ESL):

Can God

save people directly?

Yes.

But

God chooses

to use His church

to preach the gospel.

Preaching

is God's appointed way.

《威斯敏斯特信条》的教导
The Westminster Confession

《威斯敏斯特信条》第三章第五条指出：

> 神从永恒里拣选人得救，并且也预定了一切达到这个目的的方法。

English:

The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 3, teaches that God not only chose His people for salvation from eternity, but also ordained all the means by which they would come to salvation.

这正是改革宗常说的一句话：
This is why Reformed Christians often say:

> 神不仅预定终点，也预定道路。
>
> God ordains not only the end, but also the means.

第一部分小结（一）
Summary (Part 1)

中文

彼得后书3:12中的"催促神的日子来到"，并不是说基督徒能够改变神早已决定的时间。