【时代论坛讯】荣光敬拜事工于昨晚（31日）Facebook专页发布了一则《香港基督徒回应国安法联署声明》帖文，并欢迎联署（网址：https://bit.ly/2MhmUSf），内容强调这是一班香港基督教教牧和信徒对「港区国安法」草案制定深表愤慨，会无畏无惧郑重向社会各界作出的认信和承诺，包括对天国福音的完全拥抱、对教会缺失的真诚悔罪、对威权管治的拒绝屈从，和对香港社会的守望同行。事工发起人王礽福传道希望借此声明凝聚群体，又纠正信徒对福音的理解，知道如何以信仰角度发声。
王礽福接受本报访问时，提到荣光敬拜事工发起此声明的内容上针对性较强，针对中国对香港管治介入的现况，与早前的《香港2020福音宣言》有呼应性。发起声明的原因，是发现香港教会群体或组织对不公义的情况发声不足，望以此声明凝聚人的心；同时让大家重新思考福音的内涵，帮助弟兄姊妹纠正其对福音的理解，让他们在基础上懂得如何以信仰角度去发声发言，又带有信心。
他坦言，若我们说信仰是一个全人的信仰，那应该关心所有方面包括政治的部份，不应噤声。「对社会的关怀，是对公义的表现，因为我们爱护邻舍。邻舍被打压时，你说你爱邻舍，但你不作声，这很荒谬。」王礽福提醒，爱上帝也在于你如何爱邻舍。他表示，联署后的行动现在还没有详细计划，即使此刻未必看见很多可做的事，希望当信念和人心凝聚后，当中弟兄姊妹有智慧的，或能提供不同的想法、点子，到时一起做。
声明内容提到，这是由一班香港基督教教牧和信徒发起，他们对中国就港区国安法决定草案的制定深表愤慨，认为彻底破坏中国对港人及国际社会有关「一国两制、港人治港、高度自治」的承诺。联署发起人又在声明中表示，向社会各界作出认信和承诺，包括： 一、对天国福音的完全拥抱：相信耶稣基督的救赎带来社群关系的更新，也带来社会制度和文化的提升，「耶稣基督的救赎旨意，就是要让天国子民成为经历更新的新人类，把天国的价值观和爱人如己的生命特质，活现于日常生活中。」二、对教会缺失的真诚悔罪：在主面前为部份明哲保身或对当权者各样恶行，及受欺压者的生命及权益被践踏和剥夺而只置若罔闻的教会悔罪，愿主宝血遮盖我们的污秽并赐悔改的心，立志重新遵主旨，不再独善其身；并追求公义怜悯，谦卑与主同行。三、对威权管治的拒绝屈从：立志效法基督舍己背十架，效法历代众多因坚守信仰而受苦殉道的先贤，「直至我们打完美好的仗，跑完当跑的路，守住所信的道。」四、对香港社会的守望同行：承诺无论环境险恶都坚持教会本份，与所有香港人同行，见证上主确与处身困苦危难中的人同在同行。
「我们坚信，虽然香港正值风云变色的日子，但满有公义、慈爱、怜悯的上帝，必引领香港人渡过漫长黑夜，直至黎明来到。历史必将再次证明，唯有他拥有至高权柄，废王立王，兴邦丧邦。我们祈盼耶稣基督王者再临的那日，扭转干坤，拨乱反正，不单死亡被摧毁，恶人被惩处，更带来眼泪被抹干，离别得重聚，关系得和好，世界得光复，被称为新天新地的日子。」
截至六月二日下午，逾二千一百人签署联署声明，当中包括教内领袖如郭鸿标、刘少康、邢福增、郭伟联、马保罗、赵善荣、王少勇、洪国谦等等。
联署全文的中英译本如下：
《香港基督徒回应国安法联署声明》
Statement by Hong Kong Christians in Response to National Security Law我们是一班香港基督教教牧和信徒，对于中国政府在2020年5月28日的全国人大会议，通过港区国安法决定草案，欲以规管颠覆政权、分裂国家、恐怖活动，以及勾结外国势力之名，于香港实施威权管治，进一步剥夺港人的自由和人权，我们深表愤慨。中国政府此举，彻底破坏其对港人及国际社会有关「一国两制、港人治港、高度自治」的承诺，摧毁香港作为国际金融中心和自由城市的根基。
值此「黑暗遮盖大地，幽暗遮盖万民」的日子，我们无畏无惧，并郑重向社会各界作出以下认信和承诺，包括对天国福音的完全拥抱、对教会缺失的真诚悔罪、对威权管治的拒绝屈从、和对香港社会的守望同行。
天国福音
我们坚信，耶稣基督透过其降世、传道、服侍和牺牲，要向世人传达的好消息，就是：「日期满了，上帝的国近了，你们当悔改，信福音﹗」（马可福音一章十五节）作为上帝儿子、永活真神、天国君王，基督的来临表明上帝要显明他的管治、权柄、荣耀，和他对世人的怜悯、恩典、救赎。天国君王的管治，并不在于他对世人的操权管束，而是展现于他对世人的眷爱和谦卑服侍，什至他虽为君王却甘愿为其子民牺牲，死在十字架上，成全救赎，叫所有人能领受宽恕，与上帝和好，重拾个人的尊严和自由。所以耶稣基督作为天国君王，他宣告的施政蓝图，是向贫穷人传讲好消息，宣告被掳的得释放，患病的得医治，和受辖制的得自由，并宣告上帝悦纳人的禧年。（路加福音四章十八至十九节）
我们坚信，自耶稣基督受死、复活和升天以后，他差派教会往普天下传扬天国福音，让全人类领受救赎和盼望。天国的福音不单关乎个人幸福，更关乎全球福祉；不单带来个人灵魂的得救，也带来社群关系的更新；不单带来个人品格的提升，也带来社会制度和文化的提升。耶稣基督的救赎旨意，就是要让天国子民成为经历更新的新人类，把天国的价值观和爱人如己的生命特质，活现于日常生活中。
真诚悔罪
我们在上主面前，愿意诚恳悔罪。我们承认香港教会自一九九七年主权移交以来，过度关注教内事务发展，少有关注和寻求社会公义，也少为受剥削打压的弱势群体发声。面对当权者的强势管治和对异见人士的迫害打压，教会往往存明哲保身心态，宁可自我审查和对当权者各样恶行噤声，只求教内事工顺利平安，最终对受欺压者的生命尊严被践踏，和基本权益被剥夺，置若罔闻。
我们求主施恩怜悯，赦免我们的自私自利、冷血麻木、假冒为善。愿主耶稣的宝血遮盖我们一切污秽，并赐我们悔改的心，重新遵行主的旨意，不再独善其身，更能痛定思痛，追求公义怜悯，谦卑与主同行。
忠于基督
我们宣告，耶稣基督是教会唯一的元首和唯一效忠的对象。作为上帝话语和启示的《圣经》，则是教会一切信仰规範、伦理辨识和待人处事的最高权威。我们立志遵从圣经的教导﹕「除了我（耶和华上帝）以外，你不可有别的上帝。」（出埃及记二十章三节） 还有「当拜主你的上帝，单要事奉他。」（马太福音四章十节）我们不会让任何地上的权势，不论是政府、政党、领导人或任何威权组织、部门，位居耶稣基督之上，成为指导教会传道牧养工作的权威。即使面对威权管治并各式各样的逼迫和打压，我们不会向任何地上权势屈膝敬拜。任何政党的意志或政府的法令，若违背《圣经》的教导，我们有责任遵从使徒的教导﹕「顺从上帝，不顺从人，是应当的。」（使徒行传五章二十九节）
我们立志，效法耶稣基督，甘心舍己，背十架，走窄路，也乐意效法历代以来众多因为坚守信仰而受苦、殉道的先贤，直至我们打完美好的仗，跑完当跑的路，守住所信的道。
守望同行
我们坚信，教会的基本使命，是宣扬福音，建立门徒，服侍世人，见证基督。教会不是政党或政治团体，因此任何政治议题或诉求不应成为教会关注焦点，但当面对社会上的不义和邪恶，教会仍需作社会良知和尽其先知职份，指斥不义，宣告上帝旨意，为真理和真相作见证。
我们亦承诺，无论环境如何险恶，将坚守教会本份，与所有香港人同行，并继续为香港作守望祷告和牧养关怀的服侍，见证「以马内利」临到，即上主确与处身困苦危难中的人同在同行。
我们坚信，虽然香港正值风云变色的日子，但满有公义、慈爱、怜悯的上帝，必引领香港人渡过漫长黑夜，直至黎明来到。历史必将再次证明，唯有他拥有至高权柄，废王立王，兴邦丧邦。我们祈盼耶稣基督王者再临的那日，扭转干坤，拨乱反正，不单死亡被摧毁，恶人被惩处，更带来眼泪被抹干，离别得重聚，关系得和好，世界得光复，被称为新天新地的日子。
主历二零二零年五月三十一日
发起团体
荣光敬拜事工We are a group of Christian pastors and believers in Hong Kong. On 28 May 2020, at the National People’s Congress, the Chinese government passed the draft decision on establishing national security law in Hong Kong. The legislature attempts to enforce authoritarian government in Hong Kong in the name of banning subversion, separatism, terrorism and collusion with external forces, further depriving Hong Kong of freedom and human rights. We express extreme outrage towards such decision. The Chinese government is completely destroying its promise to Hong Kong and the world at large regarding “one country, two systems, Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong and a high degree of autonomy”, as well as smashing the foundations for Hong Kong as an international financial center and a liberal city.
At a time where “darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples”, we fearlessly and solemnly declare the following confession and promise to our society, including our full embrace of the Gospel of the Kingdom, our sincere repentance towards the Church’s shortcomings, our absolute refusal to authoritarian government, and our determination to walk together with Hong Kong society.
Gospel of the Kingdom
We firmly believe that through his descension, pastoral ministry, service and sacrifice, Jesus Christ proclaims the following good news to the world, “The time has come, the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15) As the son of God, the everlasting living God and the King of Heaven, Christ’s descension exemplifies God’s determination to demonstrate His authority, power, glory, as well as His mercy, grace and salvation to the world. The King of Heaven does not rule by controlling the world, rather, He rules by showing His love and humble servitude. Being the King, He was willing to sacrifice and die on the cross for His people in order to complete the salvation plan, so that all is forgiven and be reconciled to God, reclaiming one’s dignity and freedom. Thus, as the King of Heaven, His political blueprint is “to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)
We firmly believe that after Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, He sends the Church to the ends of the world to preach the gospel, so that everyone may receive salvation and hope. The gospel doesn’t cater only individual happiness, rather, it involves a societal dimension; it doesn’t merely address the salvation of an individual soul, but the transformation of societal relationships; it doesn’t simply enhance an individual’s character, but the enhancement of societal system and culture. The aim of Jesus Christ’s salvation is to turn His chosen people into transformed new human beings, who live out Heavenly values and genuinely love others as much as themselves in their everyday lives.
Sincere Repentance
We willingly offer our sincere repentance before the Lord. Since the handover of sovereignty in 1997, churches in Hong Kong have been too focused on their internal affairs, we seldom focused on and seek social justice, and we rarely spoke up for the oppressed minorities. When facing the authority’s strong governance and the persecution and suppression towards the dissidents, churches often chose to protect themselves. They engaged in self-censorship and remained silent towards the evil deeds of the authority, with their only wish being the smooth and uninterrupted operation of church ministries. As a result, they turned a blind eye towards the robbed dignity of the oppressed, as well as the deprivation of their basic rights.
We ask for mercy from the Lord to forgive our selfishness, cold-bloodedness and hypocrisy. May Jesus Christ’s blood covers all our filthiness, give us a repenting heart to do the Lord’s will, stop sitting on the sidelines, and vow to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with God.
Be Faithful to Christ
We declare that Jesus Christ is the only head of the church and the sole subject of our allegiance. The Bible, being the Word and inspirations of God, serves as the highest code of conduct in regard to all religious, ethical and interpersonal matters. We pledge to follow the Bible’s teachings, “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3) and “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” (Matthew 4:10) We will not allow any earthly authorities, be it government, political party, leaders or any authoritarian organisations or departments, to usurp the authority of Christ and become the authority in administering church pastoral ministry. We will never bow down and worship any form of earthly powers, even in the face of authoritarian government and various forms of persecutions and suppressions. Should the will of a political party or the order of a government go against the teachings of The Bible, it is our duty to follow the apostles’ guidance, “We must obey God rather than human beings.” (Acts 5:29)
We pledge to follow Jesus Christ’s example in denying ourselves, taking up the cross and walking the narrow way. We will also follow the footsteps of the numerous martyrs who have suffered and died for holding fast to our faith, until we have fought the good fight, we have finished the race, we have kept the faith.
Keep Watch and Walk Together
We firmly believe that the fundamental mission of the church is to proclaim the gospel, build disciples, serve the world and be a witness to Christ. The church is neither a political party nor a political organisation, therefore, political agendas or demands should not become the main focus of the church. However, when facing injustice and evilness in the society, the church should act as the social conscience and fulfil its prophetic role to denounce injustice, to proclaim the will of God, and to bear witness to truth.
We also pledge that no matter how tough it gets, we shall hold onto our duty as the church to walk together with all Hongkongers, and to uphold Hong Kong ceaselessly with prayers and pastoral care, as a living testimony of “Emmanuel” – God is here with those who are suffering.
We firmly believe that although Hong Kong is undergoing a time of drastic change, the just and merciful God would lead Hongkongers through the long and dark night until dawn comes. History will once again demonstrate that only He possesses the ultimate power to abolish and rise kings and states. We yearn for the day when Jesus Christ the King returns, where tables are turned and order is brought out of chaos. Not only will death be destroyed and evil be punished, tears will be wiped away, separated ones will be reunited, relationships will be reconciled – the world liberated, as a new heaven and new earth.
31 May 2020
Initiating Organisation
Glorious Worship Ministry
