Questions about your Church!!

[Philip]

No offense now; But dont you think there is a danger in putting so much faith into an establishment; like any particular church?

I understand your concern. If the Church were a human organization, then there could be problems. However, we believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, the Temple of God, and the Pillar and Support of Truth. We believe she is guided and protected by the Holy Spirit. She can not err.

If I asked the same question to Catholics they would say they are the true church.

Indeed, they would. However, we would suggest that if you compare the faiths of the Orthodox and the Catholic to the ancient Church, you will see that it is the Orthodox Church which has preserved (or, rather, been preserved in) the fullness of the Christian Faith.

I believe the collective body of believers whether; Orthodox, Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, or Methodist is the Chruch.

I would suggest that while they may be members of the Church, they are not the visible Church.

Its about Christ not the Church, correct?

I don't see the distinction. It is in the Orthodox Church that I find Christ.

 

[Isaiah 53]

Indeed, they would. However, we would suggest that if you compare the faiths of the Orthodox and the Catholic to the ancient Church, you will see that it is the Orthodox Church which has preserved (or, rather, been preserved in) the fullness of the Christian Faith. And where could I find the doctrine of the ancient Chruch? I thought the only difference was the pope?

I would suggest that while they may be members of the Church, they are not the visible Church. Good point..That is the best explaination I have ever heard!!! What does the Orthodox Church do differently then say a Baptist or Methodist Church?

I don't see the distinction. It is in the Orthodox Church that I find Christ.
Understood, the orthodox church is where you found Christ; the Baptist Chruch is where I found Christ; some find Christ in prison. Its not the establishment that counts; its Christ!!

PEACE IN CHRIST!!!!

 

[Oblio]

Understood, the orthodox church is where you found Christ; the Baptist Chruch is where I found Christ; some find Christ in prison. Its not the establishment that counts; its Christ!!

But Christ will always be in the Orthodox Church !

This is similar to the earlier statement concerning where the Church is. We know where God is (in the Church), we do not know where he is not.

 

[Isaiah 53]

Point taken!!

PEACE IN CHRIST!!!!

 

[Philip]

And where could I find the doctrine of the ancient Chruch?

The writings of the Early Fathers. You can trace the Christian faith from the Apostles to the present day. I would suggest starting with St Ignatius of Antioch. He was a disciple of the Holy Apostles John and Peter. It is likely that he knew Sts Paul and Barnabas as well.

I thought the only difference was the pope?

The Pope is the most obvious difference. It is not the sole differences, but most of the other differences are derived from Papal authority.

Good point..That is the best explaination I have ever heard!!!

What does the Orthodox Church do differently then say a Baptist or Methodist Church?

I'm not sure what to are asking? Do you mean in worship?

 

[Isaiah 53]

The writings of the Early Fathers. You can trace the Christian faith from the Apostles to the present day. I would suggest starting with St Ignatius of Antioch. He was a disciple of the Holy Apostles John and Peter. It is likely that he knew Sts Paul and Barnabas as well. Thank you, I will do some reading!



The Pope is the most obvious difference. It is not the sole differences, but most of the other differences are derived from Papal authority. What about confession and pentance? The rosary? Praying to Mary? Faith and works based Salvation? For starters..

I'm not sure what to are asking? Do you mean in worship? Not worship; but how is it more visible as the Church then any other denomination?

PEACE IN CHRIST!!!

 

[Philip]

What about confession and pentance?

We confess our sins to Christ in the presence of a priest. As part of the priest's pastoral role, he listens to our confessions aand offers guidence. The priest offers reassurance that God forgives us our sins.

The rosary? Praying to Mary?

We do not use the rosary. Some Orthodox use a prayer rope (a circle of rope with knots in it) to pray the Prayer of the Heart (see my sig).

We do honor the Saints and ask them to pray for us. We do not worship them or expect them to help us by their power.

Faith and works based Salvation?

Salvation is by the grace of God alone. God provides that grace to us in a variety of ways. We consider salvation to be a process by which we become more Christ-like. This process must include (time permitting) "good works" for faith without works is dead. These works do not earn salvation in any way. Through them, we continue the process of salvation.

but how is it more visible as the Church then any other denomination?

Hmm, not sure how to answer this. I would say that it is in our unity. To the ancient Church, the visible church was the Church gathered around the bishop to celebrate the Eucharist. It is, in both a symbolic and mysterious way, a celebration of our unity with Christ as our Head. I think this emphasis on unity, how our faith helps one another, how the Glorified Church helps those of us still on earth, how the whole Church, not just some individuals, preserves the faith may be what separates us.

I'm not sure if I am addressing you question. Maybe Oblio can help out? (Hint )

 

[Isaiah 53]

What about evangalism? Or missions?

Again I thank you for your answers!!

PEACE IN CHRIST!!!

 

[Rising_Suns]

Isaiah,
I think you'll find the Ordthodox faith very similar to the Catholic faith. I started a thread with the same question about what Orthodox believe a while back. It's a very informative thread.


http://www.christianforums.com/t53223&highlight=orthodox

 

[Isaiah 53]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

PEACE IN CHRIST!!

 

[Philip]

What about evangalism? Or missions?

The Orthodox Church has always be active in spreading the Gospel. I am rather fond of pointing out the Orthodox priests have created alphabets for peoples who did not have a written language so that the Scriptures could be translated into the native tongues. Regrettably, Orthodoxy has been restricted in how it could evangalize in recent times. Much of Orthodoxy has lived under Muslim rule. Throughout most of the XX Century, the majority of Orthodoxy lived under Soviet rule where evangalism and martyrdom were synonymous.

 

[Oblio]

What about evangalism? Or missions?

We are currently missionizing the Middle Ga area.
Deep in the heart of Southern Baptist country, we huddle amoungst ourselves for protection from the natives ...

j/k We have had much support from our Baptist friends as we start the first Orthodox Church within a couple of hours drive (many more if you live south of here).

 

[Rising_Suns]

Dave can attest to that<----lives in Georgia

 

[geocajun]

Indeed, they would. However, we would suggest that if you compare the faiths of the Orthodox and the Catholic to the ancient Church, you will see that it is the Orthodox Church which has preserved (or, rather, been preserved in) the fullness of the Christian Faith.

no need to throw stones, of course Catholics would say the exact same thing about the Catholic Church - and be right.

 

[Oblio]

Russian Orthodox congregation building new church in Bolingbroke
By Liz Fabian
Telegraph Staff Writer

A swath of early-evening sunlight washed through the front doors as church council members toured their new Russian Orthodox church being built in Bolingbroke.

"Every time we come, we just start smiling," said council member Gary Cox of Barnesville.

The small congregation of about a dozen families, who travel from all over Middle Georgia, has plenty to smile about. Their new church is rising up from the dreams of their forefathers in faith.

The church, to be called St. Innocent Orthodox Mission, pays tribute to a missionary priest who became the first Orthodox bishop in North America. St. Innocent traveled by kayak and dog sled from Russia across the Aleutian Islands to bring the faith to natives of Alaska.


The rest of the article on our mission

Note that we are a mission of the Orthodox Church in America and not Russian Orthodox. I think we overwhelmed the author with information and I think we may have focused on our Russian Orthodox heritage a bit too much All in all we think she did a great job for us and got us the front page in the religion section

 

[Amandine]

no need to throw stones, of course Catholics would say the exact same thing about the Catholic Church - and be right.

Yeah... you're confusing the poor Protestant here. I want to join the true church...and both the RCC and EOC make sense...from their point of view.

 

[Rising_Suns]

*cough cough RCC cough*

just kidding guys.

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

*cough cough RCC cough*

just kidding guys.

 

[eleni]

Hi Isaiah ,and welcome.....I'm quite new here and I'll try to help...On the rapture issue..

here is a link..Then we which are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air...
(I Thess. 4:17)


There it is said that an Angel descended from heaven and bound satan for a thousand years and that the souls of those beheaded for their witness of Jesus Christ and the word of God came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. "This is the first resurrection," says the book of Revelation (Rev. 20:5). "When the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations" (Rev. 20:7-8). Soon there follows the judgment of the devil and of those who were deceived by him. The dead will be raised up and judged according to their deeds: "... And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire &#8230; This is the second death" (Rev. 20:14-15). Upon those who have been resurrected in the first resurrection, however, the second death will have no power.

Chiliastic views in antiquity were spread chiefly among heretics. The Second Ecumenical Council in 381 AD., condemning the heretic Apollinarius, condemned his teaching about the thousand-year Kingdom of Christ. To put a stop to further attempts at introducing this teaching, the Fathers of the Council inserted into the Creed the words about Christ: "His Kingdom shall have no end." In other words, when Christ's reign begins there will be no interruptions in His eternal Kingdom.


http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/end_w.htm#_Toc26622240

http://www.holycross-hermitage.com/pages/Orthodox_Life/rapture2.htm

 

[geocajun]

Yeah... you're confusing the poor Protestant here. I want to join the true church...and both the RCC and EOC make sense...from their point of view.

Well you won't be wrong joining either one - both have valid sacraments and valid apostolic succession - the Pope John Paul II called the Orthodox the "right lung of the Church"
Thats about as much as I can say without prostelyzing the Catholic faith on this forum which is not allowed.
You are taking the right approach by asking alot of questions, and I wish you well in your spiritual journey.