Bring it on!

[HandmaidenOfGod]

If that were true, then why did God instruct the Jews how to build the Temple, what it was to look like, and how they were to worship in it? Worship, praxis, and dogma are important. God has outlined how we are to worship. Organized religion wasn't made by man; it was made by God.

 

[Remy Sheppard]

If that were true, then why did God instruct the Jews how to build the Temple, what it was to look like, and how they were to worship in it? Worship, praxis, and dogma are important. God has outlined how we are to worship. Organized religion wasn't made by man; it was made by God.

Because the Jews were not yet "made righteous and holy, pure before God through Christ" as Paul talked about, and because they had not yet an advocate before God should they sin, as John says, they had to have religion exactly right or they would be struck dead. I can enter the presence of God at this very moment, have his glory shine all around me and my house shake at the foundations from his voice and I can do so with all love, confidence, boldness, and courage, knowing that Christ has made a way -- because he is, indeed, The Way, The Truth, and The Life. I will not be struck dead, for by Christ I am sinless and clean.

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Because the Jews were not yet "made righteous and holy, pure before God through Christ" as Paul talked about, and because they had not yet an advocate before God should they sin, as John says, they had to have religion exactly right or they would be struck dead. I can enter the presence of God at this very moment, have his glory shine all around me and my house shake at the foundations from his voice and I can do so with all love, confidence, boldness, and courage, knowing that Christ has made a way -- because he is, indeed, The Way, The Truth, and The Life. I will not be struck dead, for by Christ I am sinless and clean.

While it is true that we are not saved by the law, but rather by the grace of God, liturgical worship is so important that the Apostles (the first Bishops of the Church) used it when instructing others in the teachings of Christ.

After Pentacost, the Apostles didn't go to the upper room and worship God by singing koom-by-ya. They went to the Temple to worship. The same place they had worshipped all their lives. The differenence is they began to preach and teach about the resurrection, and Christ's saving grace.

And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:40-47 (Bold font added)

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Acts 3:1-10

So you see, the Apostles didn't just abandon what they had been taught in their Judaic faith, rather they just added Christ to the equation. Like a key to a lock if you will, the pieces fitting perfectly.

I do not wish to paint some image of worship of Rabbi's and men with prayer shawls; our worship is not like that. Rather, our worship is one that draws from the rich heritage that God gave us in the Old Testament and rejoices in the joy and truth of Christ in the New Testament.

In the Orthodox Church, Easter is known as "Pascha" -- the new Passover. Every Sunday in the Orthodox Church is known as a "mini-Pascha" because we celebrate Christ's Ressurection every Sunday.

The best thing I could tell you to do is "Come and See." Go to Orthodoxyinamerica.org and find an Orthodox Church near you to "come and see." It is a worship that uses all five senses and is true Trinitarian Worship.

When Prince Vladimir of the Slavs in 988 AD was looking for a religion for his pagan nation, he sent out diplomats to all corners of the known world. Some went to the West, some went to the East, and some went a little bit South to Constantinople, which at that time, was part of the Byzantine Empire.

After witnessing the worship at the Church of the Hagia Sophia (The Church of Eternal Wisdom), the Slavic diplomats wrote to Prince Vladimir that they did not know if they were "in heaven or on earth," they were so amazed by what they saw. Soon after, Prince Vladimir had Greek theologians come and educate his people in the teachings of Christ, and had his people baptised in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. To this day (despite 80+ yrs of Communism) the Russian Orthodox Church is the second largest church in the world.

God bless,

Maureen

 

[toastface_grillah]

Maureen, did you grow up Orthodox, or did you convert later in life? If you did convert, what led you to it?

 

[scuba_mikey_pc_2008]

Have you been to Russia?

 

[127.0.0.1]

If you could go back in time...

A) When
B) Where

Curious minds wanna know.