Justification that one receives in baptism is Christ Himself (St. Macarius the Great. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The apostles taught that faith arises from hearing the preaching of God’s Word.v Consistent with this teaching, the apostle Paul declared that the Lord did not send him to baptize, but rather to preach the gospel.vi. 1.14 Christ’s life on Earth is an example of personal salvation for us to follow. [14], “Our objective salvation is realized only in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whereas our personal or subjective salvation, which in the language of the New Testament is called “righteousness”, “holiness”, or “salvation” (in the narrow sense), is realized as a continuance of this objective salvation, with our personal energy or activity acting in co-operation with Divine Energy or Grace.”[15]. “…And ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him…” (1 John 3:15). It is the restoration of our original essence. One needs to reject the old life of sin and start the new life. 1, 430. xx Titles such as Father, Patriarch, and Pope translate as “father.” The apostle Paul, however, in several places mentions himself as “father” in the Gospel who gave “birth” to some of the faithful – but that term is used only as a picture of the person through whom some come to salvation through faith (see 1 Cor. In contrast, they set out to introduce another custom alien to the Bible: the practice of baptizing young children based on the faith of another, an adult man (godfather), and then in addition, to even call him his “spiritual father”. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage". xvii Tertullian, Treatise on Baptism, (c. 200-206 A.D.), 18, 4, cited in Simo Ralevic, Biblical Baptism, (House of Prayer: Pech, unknown date), 20. In this state, being frightened of God and awaiting punishment, one simply cannot spontaneously turn to love for Him – without which there is no salvation. Christ founded the Church (Matt. In a purely practical sense we can view the Church as a tool that God instituted for our salvation. “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). For it is clear that He who became man without sin, can deify the (human) essence without turning into Divinity, having lifted it up to Himself in the same measure, in which He humbled Himself for man.” St. Maximus refers to God as “desiring salvation and hungering for deification” of men. 1.10 Personal salvation is acquired through fulfilling Christ’s commandments. Faith accompanied by repentance – “the faith of the Wise Thief”[38] – is thus the true faith that saves. Thus through faith a close personal union is established between a believer and God. Even personal experience gives a very basis to refute this claim. Seeing how afflicted you are is what puts you before Christ. So does St. Polycarp of Smyrna in his Epistle to the Philippians[57] (110-140 AD): “Now He that raised Him from the dead will raise us also; if we do His will and walk in His commandments and love the things which He loved, abstaining from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of money, evil speaking, false witness; not rendering evil for evil or railing for railing or blow for blow or cursing for cursing; but remembering the words which the Lord spake, as He taught; Judge not that ye be not judged. In the 2nd-century text “The Shepherd” by Hermas[54], that even enjoyed the status of Scripture in some parts of the early Church, here are the commandments given to the author by the Divine visitor (“the Shepherd”): “Abstain not from any good works, but do them. and in thy name done many wonderful works? Once again, it demonstrates that Eastern Orthodoxy misinterprets the text from the Gospel of John. "The doctrine of original sin has great significance in the Christian world-view, because upon it rests a whole series of other dogmas.”[5], From the beginning, the Church’s teaching has been that the nature of man was profoundly corrupted as a result of the fall. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:53-54). Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Holiness is not just a moral perfection. The Lord will cleanse them by “bathing” them in pure water. This quote has been the basis of the Orthodox belief about the necessity of baptism for one’s salvation. The New Testament defines baptism as an ordinance that Jesus commands everyone who already has put their faith in Him as Savior to receive. 36:25-7). “Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Author’s emphasis. Thus her function is to transform our whole life into preparation. “My son, give me thine heart” (Proverbs 23:26).[53]. The Church has been given the Truth, and it is guided by the Holy Spirit – which makes the Church infallible. Future articles will examine in further detail other Eastern Orthodox teachings on salvation. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. “…The knowledge of God and eternal salvation… are inseparable from each other” (St. Clement of Alexandria, “The Stromata”). Equally necessary is obedience to Christ after Holy Baptism, and living life according to the Holy Spirit-inspired teaching of the Holy Church. 3:27 speaks of baptism, he very clearly defines it as of the Holy Spirit and not of water, contrary to the misunderstanding that Orthodox theologians use to justify their doctrine of baptism. Dr. Fauci and Pope Francis: Jesuit Birds of a Feather? “The grace of God does not enslave the conscience and freedom of man – but, having revealed to him the love of God and the horror of sin, it leaves it up to man to strive towards this love and… communion with it.”[62]. We are commanded to do so. In other words, our doctrine of salvation is embodied by the life that the Church has lived since the times of Christ and the Apostles. The Sacrament of the Eucharist – “the Mystery of Mysteries”, instituted by Christ Himself at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:17-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25) – unites us to Christ not just spiritually but bodily as well, as Christ saved not just human soul but the whole man. The Holy Spirit has come and His coming has inaugurated the Kingdom of God. This site uses cookies: By continuing to browse the site you agree to its privacy policy. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” (Acts 10:44, 46-7), “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. “Original sin is understood by Orthodox theology as a sinful inclination which has entered into mankind and become its spiritual disease.”[7], [8]. Eternal salvation is not something qualitatively new – but a full revelation of what was sown by one in his earthly spiritual struggle. John Piper @JohnPiper. These quotations reveal what Eastern Orthodoxy teaches about baptism: Eastern Orthodoxy contends that baptism is a precondition for salvation. Furthermore, “in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him” (Acts 10:35). [68] Stragorodskii, ibid., Chapter 4, “Spasenie” (“Salvation”). Amen.” (Mt. Many Orthodox Saints have physically demonstrated the fruits of theosis. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). This doctrine is multi-dimensional, and involves dogmatic, historical, Scriptural, ecclesiological, and other aspects. 1:9-13). The events which gave her birth and which constitute the very source of her faith and life have taken place. Susie Shellenberger, Life on the Edge radio program, sponsored by Focus on the Family, 2001-MAY-5. The Church has always viewed confession of sins as “second baptism”: just like in baptism, God, seeing one’s true desire to reject sin, erases it and gives him strength to stay in this decision. Forgive, and it shall be forgiven to you. Even the greatest Saints, up to their last hour, never took for granted that they were going to heaven. Why, indeed, is it necessary – if it be not a case of necessity – that the sponsors to be thrust into danger, when they themselves may fail to fulfill their promises by reason of death, or when they may be disappointed by the growth of an evil disposition? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. [21] St. Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata, 4:22, http://www.biblicalstudies.ru/Lib/Father2/Kliment8.html. Our life on Earth can thus be viewed as the time we have for the “upbringing” of our soul and creating in it the disposition that allows us communion with God. Because it opens for one the real picture of himself – the state of that “original damage” that we inherited from Adam. It is virtually undisputed truth that man is saved by divine grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). This process of the restoration of our original communion with God is our “personal salvation”. [68] The righteousness we receive in baptism is the seed of Christ, “the new Adam” – it is the opportunity to be like Christ. If baptism were a requirement for salvation, we would certainly say that. Sprinkling is rejected, and 3-fold immersion is practiced In the Eucharist, the bread and wine are 'changed into Jesus' body and … Forcing oneself to diligently keep Christ’s Commandments leads one to humility. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, ss. only existed before the Passion and Resurrection of Christ. The Apostle Paul in the New Testament emphasizes the fact that God did not save or accept Abraham or the Israelites based merely on their external physical circumcision. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. One can get closer to or farther from salvation: “…Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Romans 13:11). Orthodox doctrine claims that before one is baptized, a person hates God. If we are talking about salvation, someone must be in danger. The Church is Christ’s mystical Body (Eph. 1:17), “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. It is the disposition of one’s soul that counts: the desire of the Kingdom of Christ. Even Apostle Paul himself did not feel that his salvation was guaranteed: “…Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Romans 13:11) – “nearer” but not a “done deal”. Later, we will examine the response of God’s Word. There can be found even a few Old Testament quotes about redemption (forgiveness of sins) as a result of works: “Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sins” (Sirach 3:30). Likewise, the criticism of non-Orthodox doctrines of personal salvation can also be offered from multiple points of view. St. Clement of Rome, “Second Epistle to Corinthians”, http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/2clement-lightfoot.html, Saints. Orthodoxy accepts the baptism of infants and small children who are baptized based on the faith of the child’s godfather. Likewise, we can also ask: what is salvation? 6:7). For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Paul and the other apostles were never called “spiritual fathers” by anyone, and especially not in the sense of “godfathers” as is the case in Orthodoxy. This would certainly support His overall teaching on salvation, which the apostles then preached. This is the reason God does not make demons disappear: God respects their free will, as free will is a feature of divinity (that, unfortunately, can be misused.) Christ ” under Orthodoxy ( Alleluia Press, 1998 ), 26-7 abundant support the... 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