《比利时信条》第三十六条 论民事政府

《比利时信条》第三十六条 论民事政府

　　我们相信，出于人败坏的缘故，我们恩慈的神就设立了君王、诸侯和地方官长1。祂想要世人受律例和法度的治理，是为了人的任意妄为可以受到约束2，并且一切事情能以良好的次序进行3。为此缘故，祂赐给执政者权柄，去刑罚作恶的人并保护那些行善者。他们惩恶扬善的责任并不限定于维护公共秩序，也包括了要保护教会及其牧师的传道工作4，为了预备基督国度的到来，福音可以在各处传扬，也使各人能按着圣经的吩咐去荣耀侍奉神。

　　此外，每个人无论他是什么身份、条件或阶层，都应当顺服执政掌权者，向其纳税，尊敬他们，并在不违背神话语5的事上6顺服他们。我们应当为他们祷告，求神在凡事上带领他们，也求神使我们可以敬虔、端正，平安无事地度日。

　　因此，我们强烈谴责重洗派和其他反叛者，以及一切抗拒执政掌权者和民事官长的人，暗中破坏公义7，推行凡物公用，混乱了神为人所设立的规范。

　　 1.箴8:15; 但2:21; 约19:11; 罗13:1.
　　 2.出18:20.
　　 3.申1:16; 申16:19; 士21:25; 诗82; 耶21:12; 耶22:3; 彼前2:13, 14.
　　 4.诗2; 罗13:4; 提前2:1-4.
　　 5.太17:27; 太22:21; 罗13:7; 多3:1; 彼前2:17.
　　 6.徒4:19; 徒5:29.
　　 7.彼后2:10; 犹8

英文对照：

　　We believe that, because of the depravity of mankind, our gracious God has ordained kings, princes, and civil officers. He wants the world to be governed by laws and policies, in order that the licentiousness of men be restrained and that everything be conducted among them in good order. For that purpose He has placed the sword in the hand of the government to punish wrongdoers and to protect those who do what is good. Their task of restraining and sustaining is not limited to the public order but includes the protection of the Church and its ministry in order that1 the kingdom of Christ may come, the Word of the gospel may be preached everywhere, and God may be honoured and served by everyone, as He requires in His Word.

　　Moreover, everyone – no matter of what quality, condition, or rank – ought to be subject to the civil officers, pay taxes, hold them in honour and respect, and obey them in all things which do not disagree with the Word of God. We ought to pray for them, that God may direct them in all their ways and that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.

　　For that reason we condemn the Anabaptists and other rebellious people, and in general all those who reject the authorities and civil officers, subvert justice, introduce a communion of goods, and confound the decency that God has established among men.