宣告信仰-Confession of Faith 我們宣告並承認只有一位上帝,祂是我們唯一必須依靠的、唯一必須事奉的,唯一必須敬拜的;我們唯獨信靠祂。祂是永恆的、無限的、廣大無邊的、無法測透的、無所不能的、不可見的;具有同本體的三個不同的位格:父、子、聖靈。我們宣告並相信,天地之內的有形和無形的一切受造之物,它們的存有都靠祂的維護,並受到祂莫測高深之照管所統治和引導,為了祂永恆的智慧、良善和公義所指定的目的,以彰顯祂自己的榮耀。——《蘇格蘭信仰告白》第一章,論上帝。
-難到我們不曉得追求聖靈而來的生命和追求從耶穌而來的生命,事實上是同一回事,只是名目不同而已? -每個基督徒的生命都是一場持久戰,要不斷對抗來自世界、肉體和魔鬼的種種試誘壓力;同時,那追求活像基督(就是智慧、忠心、愛心和公義的生活)的爭戰是嚴苛的,是永遠不停息 巴刻 (J. I. Packer) 《活在聖靈中》Keep in Step With the Spirit
Quest. 31. What is effectual calling? Ans. 31. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit,(1) whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery,(2) enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ,(3) and renewing our wills,(4) he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.(5)
Quest. 32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life? Ans. 32. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification,(1) adoption,(2) and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.(3)
Quest. 33. What is justification? Ans. 33. Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us,(3) and received by faith alone.
Quest. 34. What is adoption? Ans. 34. Adoption is an act of God's free grace,(1) whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the Sons of God.(2)
Quest. 35. What is sanctification? Ans. 35. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace,(1) whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God,(2) and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.(3)