The Lord’s Supper Under Extenuating Circumstances 在特殊情況下的主餐

During our Thursday Bible class, an interesting question was raised:

在週四的聖經課中，我們討論到一個有意思的問題：

Can a Christian partake of the Lord’s Supper alone when no congregation is available?

當一位基督徒在沒有教會可聚集的情況下，是否可以獨自領主餐呢？

This is not a question that most Christians face regularly.

這並不是大多數基督徒經常面對的問題。

However, situations such as military deployment, scientific research in remote locations, imprisonment, or working in isolated regions may create unusual circumstances.

然而，軍事派駐、偏遠地區研究工作、監禁，或在極度隔離的地區工作，都可能造成特殊情況。

These are what we might call **extenuating circumstances**.

這些就是所謂的 **特殊情況（extenuating circumstances）**。

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## How Does the Bible Teach? 聖經是如何教導的？

In our study, we were reminded that biblical authority is commonly established through three avenues:

在課堂中，我們也學到，聖經的權威通常透過三種方式建立：

### 1. Direct Command 直接命令

A direct statement or instruction from Scripture.

聖經直接給出的命令或教導。

### 2. Necessary Inference 必要推論

A conclusion that must logically follow from what Scripture teaches.

根據聖經所教導的內容，必然得出的結論。

### 3. Approved Example 認可的榜樣

A pattern demonstrated by faithful believers and approved within Scripture.

聖經中忠心信徒所留下、並受到認可的榜樣。

Examples may be incidental or binding.

榜樣又可分為偶發性的（incidental）與具有約束力的（binding）。

An incidental example records something that happened.

偶發性的榜樣只是記載某件事情發生過。

A binding example demonstrates a pattern intended for Christians to follow.

具有約束力的榜樣則顯示神要信徒遵循的模式。

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## The Normal Pattern of the Lord’s Supper 主餐的正常模式

The New Testament consistently connects the Lord’s Supper with Christians assembling together.

新約一貫將主餐與信徒聚集連結在一起。

Acts 20:7 records believers gathering on the first day of the week to break bread.

使徒行傳 20:7 記載信徒在七日的第一日聚集擘餅。

First Corinthians 11 discusses the Lord’s Supper in the context of the church coming together.

哥林多前書第11章也是在教會聚集的背景下談論主餐。

Therefore, the normal biblical pattern is congregational observance.

因此，聖經中的正常模式是教會共同領主餐。

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## Paul’s Example 保羅的榜樣

An important observation was also made regarding the Apostle Paul.

課堂中也提到使徒保羅的一個重要榜樣。

Throughout his travels, Paul consistently sought out brethren wherever he went.

在他的宣教旅程中，保羅總是尋找當地的弟兄姊妹。

He desired fellowship and worship with Christians rather than remaining isolated.

他渴望與信徒團契、敬拜，而不是獨自一人。

This appears to be more than an incidental example.

這似乎不只是偶發性的例子。

It reflects a recurring pattern of Christian life.

而是一種反覆出現的基督徒生活模式。

For that reason, many would regard it as a binding example.

因此，許多人會將其視為具有約束力的榜樣。

The Christian life was never intended to be lived alone when fellowship is available.

當團契是可得的時候，基督徒的生活從來不是設計成獨自進行的。

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## What About Extreme Situations? 那麼極端情況呢？

This is where the discussion becomes more difficult.

這正是問題較困難的地方。

The Bible clearly provides examples of Christians gathering for the Lord’s Supper.

聖經清楚提供了信徒聚集領主餐的榜樣。

However, Scripture does not explicitly address a believer who is completely isolated for an extended period of time.

然而，聖經並沒有直接討論一位長期完全孤立的信徒該如何做。

There is no passage that specifically says, “A solitary Christian may partake alone.”

沒有經文明確說：「孤單的基督徒可以獨自領主餐。」

Neither is there a passage that specifically says, “A solitary Christian must never partake alone.”

同樣也沒有經文明確說：「孤單的基督徒絕不可獨自領主餐。」

Because of this silence, some caution is necessary.

因此，面對聖經的沉默，需要格外謹慎。

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## A Reasonable Conclusion 一個合理的結論

If a faithful Christian has access to a congregation, he should worship and partake with the church.

如果一位基督徒能接觸到教會，他就應當與教會一同敬拜並領主餐。

That is the biblical pattern.

這是聖經所呈現的模式。

However, under genuine extenuating circumstances, the situation may be different.

然而，在真正的特殊情況（extenuating circumstances）下，情況可能有所不同。

Examples might include:

例如：

* A soldier deployed to a remote location for months.

  被派駐偏遠地區數個月的軍人。

* A researcher stationed in Antarctica.

  駐紮南極的研究人員。

* A Christian imprisoned in isolation.

  被單獨監禁的基督徒。

* A worker living in a region with no congregation available.

  居住在沒有教會可聚集地區的工作者。

In such cases, some believe a Christian may choose to remember the Lord’s sacrifice privately.

在這些情況下，有些人認為基督徒可以選擇私下紀念主的犧牲。

Not because it is the normal pattern.

不是因為那是正常模式。

But because the circumstances themselves are extraordinary.

而是因為處境本身極為特殊。

The Case of a Bedridden Christian 長期臥病信徒的情況

Another situation often discussed involves Christians who are permanently bedridden due to illness, age, or disability.

另一種經常被討論的情況，是因疾病、年老或失能而長期臥床的基督徒。

Such believers may sincerely desire to remember the Lord but are physically unable to assemble with the congregation.

這些信徒可能真誠地渴望紀念主，卻因身體因素無法與教會一同聚集。

A son, daughter, or fellow Christian may visit them and help them observe the Lord's Supper.

兒女或弟兄姊妹可能會前去探訪，並協助他們紀念主的晚餐。

The New Testament does not specifically address this situation.

新約聖經並沒有直接處理這種情況。

Neither does it provide an explicit example nor an explicit prohibition.

既沒有明確的榜樣，也沒有明確的禁止。

For this reason, many Christians are cautious about making dogmatic judgments.

因此，許多基督徒對此保持謹慎，不願武斷地下結論。

The biblical pattern remains the gathered church observing the Lord's Supper together.

聖經中的正常模式仍然是教會聚集後一同領主餐。

At the same time, many hesitate to condemn a bedridden believer who seeks to remember Christ under circumstances beyond his or her control.

但同時，許多人也不願意定罪那些因無法控制的處境而只能在病床上紀念基督的信徒。

The issue is not a lack of desire to assemble, but an inability to do so.

問題不在於不願聚會，而是在於無法聚會。

This distinction is important and calls for humility, wisdom, and compassion.

這個區別十分重要，也需要我們以謙卑、智慧與憐憫來看待。

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## A Matter Requiring Humility 一個需要謙卑面對的問題

This is not a subject on which faithful Christians should be dogmatic beyond Scripture.

這不是一個忠心基督徒應當超越聖經所啟示而武斷下結論的議題。

Where Scripture speaks clearly, we should speak clearly.

聖經說得清楚的地方，我們也應當說得清楚。

Where Scripture is silent, we should be cautious.

聖經保持沉默的地方，我們也應當保持謹慎。

The normal pattern remains worshiping and partaking together with fellow Christians.

正常模式仍然是與弟兄姊妹一起敬拜並領主餐。

Yet when unusual circumstances arise, wisdom, conscience, and humility before God become especially important.

然而，當特殊情況出現時，智慧、良心，以及在神面前的謙卑就顯得格外重要。

As Paul wrote:

正如保羅所說：

 “Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.” (Romans 14:5)

 「各人心裡要意見堅定。」（羅馬書 14:5）

May we always seek to honor the Lord while remaining humble where Scripture has not spoken explicitly.

願我們在凡事上都尋求尊榮主，也在聖經沒有明確說明之處，保持謙卑與敬畏。