舊約敬拜的禮儀

舊約有敬拜的禮儀和地上的聖幕。 建成後的聖幕共分兩間,外面的一間稱為聖所,擺設了燈臺、桌子和聖餅。 在第二道幔子後面的那一間叫至聖所, 裡面有純金的香壇和包金的約櫃。約櫃裡珍藏著盛嗎哪的金罐、亞倫那根發過芽的手杖和兩塊刻著十誡的石版, 上面有榮耀的基路伯天使,高展翅膀蓋著約櫃上面的施恩座。關於這些事,現在不能一一細說。

這些東西都齊備了,祭司們便經常進入聖所,舉行敬拜。 可是,只有大祭司有資格每年一次獨自進入至聖所,而且每次都要端著血進去,為自己和以色列人的過犯獻上。 聖靈藉此指明,只要頭一個聖幕還在,進入至聖所的路就還沒有開啟。 這件事是一個象徵,告訴現今的世代:所獻的禮物和祭物都不能使敬拜的人良心純全, 10 因為這些不過是關於飲食和各樣潔淨禮儀的外在規條,等新秩序的時代一到,便不再有效了。

美好新約

11 現在基督已經來到,作了美好新約的大祭司,祂進入了那更偉大、更全備、非人手建造、不屬於這個世界的聖幕。 12 祂只進入至聖所一次便完成了永遠的救贖,用的不是山羊和牛犢的血,而是自己的血。 13 如果把山羊血、公牛血和母牛犢的灰灑在污穢的人[a]身上,就可以使他們聖潔,身體得到潔淨, 14 更何況基督藉著永恆的靈把自己毫無瑕疵地獻給上帝呢?祂的血豈不更能洗淨我們的良心,使我們脫離導致滅亡的行為,以便事奉永活的上帝嗎?

15 因此,祂是新約的中保,藉著死亡救贖了觸犯舊約的人,好叫那些蒙召的人得到所應許的永恆基業。

16 凡是遺囑[b],必須等到立遺囑的人死了以後才能生效。 17 如果立遺囑的人依然健在,遺囑就不能生效。 18 正因如此,連立舊約也需要用血才能生效。 19 摩西依照律法向猶太人頒佈所有誡命之後,便用紅色的羊毛和牛膝草蘸了牛犢和山羊的血以及水,灑在律法書和百姓身上, 20 說:「這是上帝用來與你們立約的血。」 21 他又照樣把血灑在聖幕和所有用來獻祭的器具上。 22 根據律法,幾乎所有的器具都要用血來潔淨,因為若不流血,罪就得不到赦免。

23 既然仿照天上的樣式所造的器具需要用祭牲的血來潔淨,天上的原物當然要用更美的祭物來潔淨。 24 因為基督並非進入了人手所造的聖所,那只是真聖所的縮影,祂是進入了天堂,替我們來到上帝面前。 25 祂在天上不必一次又一次地把自己獻上,好像那些大祭司年年都帶著牛羊的血進入至聖所。 26 否則,自創世以來,祂不知道要受難多少次了。但如今在這世代的末期,祂只一次獻上自己,便除去了人的罪。 27 按著定命,人人都有一死,死後還有審判。 28 同樣,基督為了承擔世人的罪,也曾一次獻上自己。祂還要再來,不是來除罪,而是來拯救那些熱切等候祂的人。

Footnotes

  1. 9·13 污穢的人」指在猶太人的宗教禮儀上被視為不潔淨的人。
  2. 9·16 遺囑」希臘文和「約」是同一個字。

2 Comparing the form of the Tabernacle, 10 and the ceremonies of the Law, 11 unto the truth set out in Christ, 15 he concludeth that now there is no more need of another Priest, 24 because Christ himself had fulfilled these duties under the new covenant.

Then [a]the first Testament had also ordinances of religion, and a [b]worldly Sanctuary,

For the first Tabernacle was made, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread, which Tabernacle is called the Holy places.

And after the [c]second veil was the Tabernacle, which is called the [d]Holiest of all,

Which had the golden censer, and the Ark of the Testament overlaid round about with gold, wherein the golden pot, which had Manna, was, and (A)Aaron’s rod that had budded, and the (B)tables of the Testament.

(C)And over the Ark were the glorious Cherubims, shadowing the [e]mercy seat: of which things we will not now speak particularly.

[f]Now when these things were thus ordained, the Priest went always into the first Tabernacle, and accomplished the service.

But into the second went the (D)high Priest alone, once every year, not without blood which he offered for himself, and for the [g]ignorances of the people.

[h]Whereby the holy Ghost this signified, that the way into the Holiest of all was not yet opened, while as yet the first tabernacle was standing,

[i]Which was a figure [j]for that present time, wherein were offered gifts and sacrifices that could not make holy, concerning the conscience, him that did the service,

10 [k]Which only stood in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal rites, [l]which were enjoined, until the time of reformation.

11 [m]But Christ being come an high Priest of good things to come, [n]by a [o]greater and a more perfect Tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this building,

12 [p]Neither by the blood of [q]goats and calves: but by his own blood entered he in once unto the holy place, and obtained eternal redemption for us.

13 (E)[r]For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer, sprinkling them that are unclean, sanctifieth as touching the [s]purifying of the flesh,

14 How much more shall the (F)blood of Christ which through the eternal Spirit offered himself without fault to God, (G)purge your conscience from [t]dead works, to serve the living God?

15 [u]And for this cause is he the Mediator of the new Testament, that through (H)death which was for the redemption of the transgressions that were in the former Testament, they which were called, might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

16 [v]For where a Testament is, there must be the death of him that made the Testament.

17 (I)For the Testament is confirmed when men are dead: for it is yet of no force as long as he that made it, is alive.

18 [w]Wherefore, neither was the first ordained without blood.

19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to the people, [x]according to the Law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water and purple wool and hyssop, and [y]sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

20 (J)Saying, This is the blood of the Testament, which God hath appointed unto you.

21 Moreover, he sprinkled likewise the Tabernacle with blood also, and all the ministering vessels,

22 And almost all things are by the Law purged with blood, and without shedding of blood is no remission.

23 It was then necessary, that the [z]similitudes of heavenly things should be purified with such things: but the heavenly things themselves are purified with better sacrifices than are these.

24 [aa]For Christ is not entered into the holy places that are made with hands, which are similitudes of the true Sanctuary: but is entered into very heaven, to appear now in the sight of God for us,

25 [ab]Not that he should offer himself often, as the high Priest entered into the Holy place every year with others’ blood,

26 [ac](For then must he have often suffered since the foundation of the world) but now in the [ad]end of the world hath he been made manifest, once to put away [ae]sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed unto men that they shall [af]once die, and after that cometh the judgment:

28 So (K)Christ was once offered to take away the sins of [ag]many, [ah]and unto them that look for him, shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 9:1 A division of the first Tabernacle which he calleth worldly, that is to say, transitory and earthly into two parts, to wit, into the holy places and the Holiest of all.
  2. Hebrews 9:1 An earthy and a flitting.
  3. Hebrews 9:3 He calleth it the second veil, not because there were two veils, but because it was behind the Sanctuary or the first Tabernacle.
  4. Hebrews 9:3 The holiest Sanctuary.
  5. Hebrews 9:5 The Hebrews call the cover of the Ark of the covenant, the mercy seat, whom both the Greeks and we follow.
  6. Hebrews 9:6 Now he cometh to the sacrifices which he divideth into those daily sacrifices, and that yearly and solemn sacrifice, with the which the high Priest only, but once every year entering into the Holiest of all with blood, offered for himself and the people.
  7. Hebrews 9:7 For the sins. See Heb. 5:2.
  8. Hebrews 9:8 Of that yearly rite and ceremony he gathereth that the way was not by such sacrifices opened into heaven, which was shadowed by the Holiest of all. For why did the high Priest alone enter in thither, shutting out all other, and that to offer sacrifices there both for himself and for others, and after did shut the Holiest of all again?
  9. Hebrews 9:9 An objection: If the way were not opened into heaven by those sacrifices (that is to say, If the worshippers were not purged by them) why then were those ceremonies used? to wit, that men might be called back to that spiritual example, that is to say, to Christ, who should correct all those things at his coming.
  10. Hebrews 9:9 For that time that that figure had to last.
  11. Hebrews 9:10 Another reason why they could not make clean the conscience of the worshipper, to wit, because they were outward and carnal or corporal things.
  12. Hebrews 9:10 For they were as you would say a burden, from which Christ delivered us.
  13. Hebrews 9:11 Now he entereth into the declaration of the figures, and first of all comparing the Levitical high Priest with Christ, (that is to say, the figure with the thing itself) he attributeth to Christ the administration of good things to come, that is, everlasting, which those carnal things had respect unto.
  14. Hebrews 9:11 Another comparison of the first corruptible Tabernacle with the latter (that is to say, with the human nature of Christ) which is the true incorruptible Temple of God, whereinto which the Son of GOD entered, as the Levitical high Priests into the other which was frail and transitory.
  15. Hebrews 9:11 By a more excellent and better.
  16. Hebrews 9:12 Another comparison of the blood of sacrifices with Christ. The Levitical high Priests entering by their holy places into the Sanctuary, offered corruptible blood for one year only: but Christ entering into that holy body of his, entered by it into heaven itself, offering his own most pure blood for an everlasting redemption: For one selfsame Christ answereth both to the high Priest, and the Tabernacle, and the sacrifices, and offering themselves, as the truth to the figures, so that Christ is both the high Priest, and Tabernacle, and Sacrifice, yea, all these both truly, and forever.
  17. Hebrews 9:12 For in this yearly sacrifice of reconciliation, there were two kinds of sacrifices, the one a goat, the other a heifer, or calf.
  18. Hebrews 9:13 If the outward sprinkling of blood and ashes of beasts, was a true and effectual sign of purifying and cleansing, how much more shall the thing itself and the truth being present, which in times past was shadowed by those external Sacraments, that is to say, his blood which is in such sort man’s blood, that is also the blood of the Son of God, and therefore hath an everlasting virtue of purifying and cleansing, does it?
  19. Hebrews 9:13 He considereth the signs apart, being separate from the thing itself.
  20. Hebrews 9:14 From sins which proceed from death, and bring forth nothing but death.
  21. Hebrews 9:15 The conclusion of the former argument: therefore seeing the blood of beasts did not purge sins, the new Testament which was before time promised, whereunto those outward things had respect, is now indeed established, by the virtue whereof all transgressions might be taken away, and heaven indeed opened unto us: whereof it followeth that Christ shed his blood also for the Fathers: For he was shadowed by those old ceremonies, otherwise, unless they had served to represent him, they had been nothing at all profitable. Therefore this Testament is called the latter, not concerning the virtue of it, (that is to say, remission of sins) but in respect of that time, wherein the thing itself was finished, that is to say, wherein Christ was indeed exhibited to the world, and fulfilled all things which were necessary to our salvation.
  22. Hebrews 9:16 A reason why the Testament must be established by the death of the Mediator, because this Testament hath the condition of a Testament or gift, which is made effectual by death, and therefore that it might be effectual, it must needs be that he that made the Testament, should die.
  23. Hebrews 9:18 There must be a proportion between those things which purify, and those which are purified: Under the Law all those figures were earthly, the Tabernacle, the book, the vessels, the sacrifices, although they were the figures of heavenly things. Therefore it was requisite that all those should be purified with some matter and ceremony of the same nature, to wit, with the blood of beasts, with water, wool, hyssop. But under Christ all things are heavenly, an heavenly tabernacle, an heavenly sacrifice, an heavenly people, an heavenly doctrine, and heaven itself is set open before us for an eternal habitation. Therefore all these things are sanctified in like sort, to wit, with the everlasting offering of the quickening blood of Christ.
  24. Hebrews 9:19 As the Lord had commanded.
  25. Hebrews 9:19 He useth to sprinkle.
  26. Hebrews 9:23 The similitudes of heavenly things were earthly, and therefore they were to be set forth with earthly things, as with the blood of beasts, and wool, and hyssop. But under Christ all things are heavenly, and therefore they could not but be sanctified with the offering of his lively blood.
  27. Hebrews 9:24 Another double comparison: the Levitical high Priest entered into the Sanctuary, which was made indeed by the commandment of God, but yet with men’s hands, that it might be a pattern of another more excellent, to wit, of the heavenly place. But Christ entered even into heaven itself. Again, he appeared before the Ark, but Christ before God the Father himself.
  28. Hebrews 9:25 Another double comparison: the Levitical high Priest offered other blood, but Christ offered his own: he every year once iterated his offering: Christ offering himself but once, abolished sin altogether, both of the former ages and of the ages to come.
  29. Hebrews 9:26 An argument to prove that Christ’s offering ought not to be repeated: Seeing that sins were to be purged from the beginning of the world, and it is proved that sins cannot be purged, but by the only blood of Christ: he must needs have died oftentimes since the beginning of the world. But a man can die but once: therefore Christ’s oblation which was once done in the latter days, neither could nor can be repeated. Seeing then it is so, surely the virtue of it extendeth both to sins that were before, and to sins that are after his coming.
  30. Hebrews 9:26 In the latter days.
  31. Hebrews 9:26 That whole root of sin.
  32. Hebrews 9:27 He speaketh of the natural state and condition of man: For as for Lazarus and certain others that died twice, that was no usual thing but extraordinary, and for them that shall be changed, their changing is a kind of death, 1 Cor. 15:51.
  33. Hebrews 9:28 Thus the general promise is restrained to the elect only: and we have to seek the testimony of our election: not in the secret counsel of God, but in the effects that our faith worketh, and so we must climb up from the lowest step to the highest, there to find such comfort as is most certain, and shall never be moved.
  34. Hebrews 9:28 Shortly by the way he setteth out Christ as Judge, partly to terrify them, which do not rest themselves in the only oblation of Christ once made, and partly to keep the faithful in their duty, that they will go not back.

Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.