Defending Your Faith

Defending Your Faith

Servants Preparation ClassMay 20, 2014

Question #1How can you have priests and call them “Father” when Jesus said the following? Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. (Matthew 23:9-10)

Question #1These verses cannot be taken literally!

This would destroy natural fatherhood

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: (Ephesians 6:1-2)

Question #1These verses cannot be taken literally!

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Question #1This verse is related to spiritual fatherhood

And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. (2 Kings 2:12)

Many other OT references

Question #1St. Paul Calls Titus, Timothy and Onesimus his sons.(1 Tim 1:2) (2 Tim 1:4)(2 Tim 2:1)(Titus 1:4)(Philemon 1:10)

Question #1

St. Peter and St. John also make references to their spiritual children.

(1 Pet 5:13)(1 John 2:1)(3 John 1:4)

Question #1 Matthew 23 was aimed at dismantling the

authority of the scribes and Pharisees This verse was spoken directly to the

Apostles because they were going to be the pillars“having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,” (Ephesians 2:20)

Question #2

Doesn’t using icons in church violate the 2nd commandment not to worship graven images?

Question #2 “You shall not make for yourself a carved

image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. (Exodus 20:4,5)

“I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur … I have filled him with the Spirit of God … to design artistic works …” (Exodus 31:2-4)

Question #2 God commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent and

put it on a pole (Numbers 21:8) for the people to look at and be healed from the snakebites.

Our Lord referred to this serpent and considered it a symbol of His death on the cross (John 3:14)

God instructed Moses to make two cherubim of gold at the two ends of the mercy seat (Ex 25:18)

It was written about King Solomon, “Then he carved all the walls of the temple all around … with carved images of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers … The two doors were of olive wood; and he carved on them figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold” (1 King 6:29-31).

Question #2 Conclusion: religious artistic work is not forbidden as

long as it is not to be worshipped.

“Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell on earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until evening” (Josh 7:6).

Likewise, King David’s veneration of the Ark (2 Sam 6:12-15) was never viewed as idolatry. In fact, Michal who criticized her husband for belittling himself by dancing in front of the Ark was punished by the Lord (2 Sam 6:23).

Icons = Windows to Heaven, purify our senses Tradition tells us that St. Luke drew the first icon of St.

Mary

Question #3

Why do you pray to saints? Isn’t this idol worship?

Question #3 Worship is given to God alone We do not pray to the saints but ask for their

prayers, intercessions and fellowship We are one church “I am the God of Abraham,

the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Matthew 22:32

Two main conceptso Venerationo Intercession

Veneration “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this

gospel is preached throughout the whole world, what this woman did will also be spoken of as a memorial to her.” (Mark 14:9)

For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. (Luke 1:48)

The bones of Elisha raised a dead man (2 Kings 13:21)

Intercession (Gen 20:1-7) Abimelech King of Gerar took

Sarah to his palace because our father Abraham said that she was his sister. However God rebuked him and ordered him to restore Sarah to her husband and said to him, “…he [Abraham] will pray for you and you shall live” (Gen 20:7).

(Job 42:7,8) God made the prayer of Job the Righteous on behalf of the three friends a condition for their forgiveness.

(Ex 32:7-14) We read about Moses the Prophet interceding on behalf of the people with God.

IntercessionBiblical examples about the intercession of saints who have already departed: (Ex 32:13) Moses the Prophet is asking God to act

for the sake of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. (1 Kg 11:12,13) God declares that He will not tear

the kingdom away in the days of King Solomon “for the sake” of his father David the Prophet who had already departed.

(Jer 15:1) God, wanting to illustrate how severe His wrath towards the people, said, “Even if Moses and Samuel [who had already departed] stood before Me, My mind would not be favorable toward this people.”

Question #3 The interaction between the heavenly hosts

(saints & angels) and the Church in this world is a practical reality that we can experience

Lazarus and the rich man (sending of Abraham, Luke 16)

But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:13,14)

Question #4

Why do you baptize infants when Jesus was 30 years old when He was baptized? Don’t they need to believe first?

Question #4 Baptism is essential for salvation: “Most assuredly

I say to you, unless a person is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

Circumcision was a symbol of baptism (Col 2:11-13). Now if God commanded that infants enter in the Old Covenant with Him, should we prevent them from entering in the New Covenant?

Crossing the Red Sea was also a symbol of baptism (1 Cor 10:1-2). Undoubtedly, infants crossed the sea with their parents so why should today’s infants be prevented from being baptized?

Question #4 St. Peter said to the people on Pentecost, “Be baptized… and

you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children” (Acts 2:38-39). This is a clear implication that children are accepted in baptism.

Holy Scripture records several occasions where families and entire households were baptized together (Acts 11:13-14, 16:14-15, 33; 1 Cor 1:16).

There is not a single biblical verse that supports the prevention of infants’ baptism. On the contrary, our Lord said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 19:14), and “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven” (Mt 18:10)

Question #4 Jesus was baptized at 30 because at that time the

Old Covenant was still in effect which is why He was circumcised on the 8th day.

Once He began His public ministry, the first thing He did was get baptized and go into the wilderness

Question 5

Why do other denominations have to baptized in order to take communion in Orthodoxy?

One in All things

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you[a] all. Eph 4:4-6

Question 5An Ancient Practice The policy of a "closed Communion" is nothing new; in fact it goes

back to the earliest Christians. The Didache, a book of Church discipline dating back to the late first century A.D., clearly states that only Christians can receive the Eucharist:

"But let no one eat or drink of this eucharistic thanksgiving, but they that have been baptized into the name of the Lord". -Didache 9:10-12

So the concept of a closed Communion goes all the way back to the Church of Apostolic times!. Those churches which observe it today are merely being faithful to the practice of the earliest Christians.

Note that this text only explicitly excludes non-Christians from the Sacrament. Back then the Church was united; there were no "denominations" to exclude. However, as tragic divisions started to form within Christendom itself, it soon became necessary to close access to the Lord's Table even to some baptized Christians.

Question 5A Sacrament of Unity Because the Eucharist is the Sacrament of our unity in Christ.

Those who receive it must have unity in the Faith. Those who are not in unity cannot receive.

Even back then some Christians were excluded from the Sacrament, as the following quote from the Didache indicates:

And on the Lord's own day gather yourselves together and break bread and give thanks, first confessing your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. And let no man, having his dispute with his fellow, join your assembly until they have been reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be defiled; for this sacrifice it is that was spoken of by the Lord; "In every place and at every time offer Me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great king, saith the Lord and My name is wonderful among the nations". -Didache 14:1-5

Question 5 Any Christian who had a dispute with a fellow

Christian was not allowed to receive the Eucharist with the rest of the community until the dispute was reconciled.

Why? Because Jesus once said "If you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24).

God wants us to worship Him in love, humility and unity, not with prideful divisions among us, rooted as they are in sin.

Question 6

Why do I need to go to church can't I just have a relationship with Jesus?

The ‘do-it-yourself’ Salvation:

“Suppose you take a trip to Cairo, Egypt. You’re sitting one afternoon at a table in a crowded sidewalk cafe having tea. A young man walks up and, with a heavy accent, asks to join you. A bit surprised, you invite him to sit down. You discover his name is Wong Lee, and he is an outspoken communist from China who is in Cairo for a brief summer tour. Wong Lee asks you to tell him something about life in America, including what it’s like to live in a democracy. You begin by talking about various opportunities in the business world, the possibility of owning property. Then you move on to the political arena, voting and electoral process. You tell him about the checks and balances of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the federal government and something of how state and local governments work as well. You’re honest about the shortcomings of the system, too, and start to wrap up your remarks about the essential freedoms under a democracy.


But before you can finish, Lee interrupts. “That’s it!” he exclaims with the first real excitement of the afternoon in his voice. “This is what I want!” What do you mean?” you ask, bewildered. “I mean, I want to embrace democracy! It’s better than what we have as communists. Far better. Right now at this moment, I am telling you I am committing myself to democracy!” “You’re stunned. You’ve never seen anything like this in your life. Half an hour ago, you barely knew this man. Now you have a new convert to democracy on your hands. You collect your thoughts for a minute, and then begin to offer some direction. “Well, let’s see, Lee. This is going to mean that we’ll have to make arrangements to bring you into the country and make you an American citizen.” “What do you mean?” Lee asks. “Why should I move?” “So you can live out your life under a democracy, so you can experience this freedom and opportunity,” you explain. “But my home is in Beijing,” Lee retorts. “I have no intention of moving away from there. I’ll study about democracy and learn on my own. I will memorize the Constitution and learn the Bill of Rights. And I can subscribe to the Congressional Record.”


Your heart sinks. What he’s saying will not work, and you know it won’t work. How can anyo ne be committed to democracy and be perfectly satisfied to remain living under communism? It’s impossible. But you can’t get Lee to understand. He’s into democracy merely on a mental level, and it will do him little or no good. Such and worse is the plight of those who try to follow our Lord Jesus Christ – even zealously – but apart from the Church. They may be sincere, but they will never really get to know Him out there. For one must live within the body of Christ, be fed by her sacraments, be instructed in her true faith, and worship at her altar to attain the godliness and righteousness that lead to the Kingdom’s open doors.”(Fr. Peter Gillquist: ‘Entering God’s Kingdom’ published by Conciliar Press).

Question 6‡ St. Cyprian, the great martyr bishop of Carthage, said, “Anyone who leaves the Church of Christ behind cannot benefit from the rewards of Christ. Such people are strangers, outcasts, and enemies. You cannot have God as Father unless you have the Church as mother. If any had been able to escape outside Noah’s Ark, there might have been a way of escape for those who are outside the Church.” There is only one Church, and outside its bounds salvation is impossible: “Extra ecclesiam nulla salus – outside the Church there is no salvation” (St. Cyprian: ‘On the Unity of the Catholic Church’).

Question 6

The Church conveys salvation to people through:

1. The Ministry of the Word (Evangelism):

2. The Ministry of the Sacraments:

3. Genuine Christian Fellowship:

Question 61. The Ministry of the Word (Evangelism): The Church received this ministry from the Lord Himself when

He said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15). So the apostles gave themselves to this ministry and said when they ordained the seven deacons, “But we will give ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4).

Since the first century, heresies started to appear and it was the Church – guided by the Holy Spirit – who stood firm against the heretics and defended the sound apostolic faith teaching the people the correct way of salvation. Champions of the faith like St. Athanasius and St. Cyril kept the faith intact for the following generations. This is another aspect of the ministry of the word without which no one would have been saved since heretics will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Gal l5:19-21).

Question 62. The Ministry of the Sacraments: God made salvation attainable through the work of the Holy Spirit in the

saving Sacraments and He entrusted the Church with these Sacraments. The Sacrament of Baptism is the foremost, the Lord said to the apostles,

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19), He also said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God” (Jn 3:5).

After baptism comes the Sacrament of Holy Unction (Confirmation) by which people receive the Holy Spirit to dwell in them (1Jn 2:20,27).

Unfortunately, we sin after being baptized so God prepared for us the Sacrament of Repentance and Confession. He said to the fathers of the Church, “If you forgive the sin of any they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (Jn 20:23).

Finally, we have the Sacrament of the Eucharist, which the Lord said that it is “for the remission of sins” (Mt 26:28). All these Holy Sacraments leading to salvation are administered to us through the Sacrament of Priesthood; thus, we recognize the importance of the Church and Priesthood for our salvation.

Question 63. Genuine Christian Fellowship: God said, “It is not good that man should be alone” (Gen

2:18). Our Lord taught us to pray saying, “Our Father in heaven...” (Mt 6:9) not “My Father” for Christianity is not an individualistic religion

He also sent his apostles two by two (Mk 6:7; Lk 10:1). Indeed, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up” (Eccl 4: 9-10). Lord Jesus Christ also said, “If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Mt 18:19), no wonder it was written, “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (Acts 12:5).

Question 7

Is there no other way to heaven but Jesus? Why is Christianity so exclusive?

Question 7Heaven is a Perfect Place Is Heaven a Perfect Place? If so then only perfect

people can get in correct? How then can anyone go to heaven if it is only for perfect people?

This is where a need for Christ is.

The Effect of the Fall1. The moral human nature was wounded, weakened and

damaged by sin.

2. The sinful human nature that we inherited is sentenced to death for “the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). Thus death reined over all humanity as St. Paul said, “Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Rom 5:12), “by one man disobedience many were made sinners” (Rom 5:19).

The Effect of the Fall

3. Man Needed a Mediator

Barrier between God and man — “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear” (Is 59:2).

You became for us a Mediator with the Father; And the middle wall of division, You have broken down; And the old enmity you have abolished. St Gregory (words for Liturgy)

So How Am I Saved?

We are saved by faith, and faith is not a hypothesis but a personal relationship; it signifies, not adherence to certain propositions about Christ, but direct trust in Christ Himself. That is to say, salvation is Christ the Savior, whose very name “Jesus” means the one who saves us from our sins (Matt. 1:21). Saving truth is not a set of ideas but a living person: “I am the truth” (John 14:6). When Pilate asked, “What is truth?” (John 18:38), he posed the wrong question, for he should have said, “Who is truth?”; and so it is no wonder that Jesus remained silent. Salvation is not a theory, not an ideology, but this young child whom Symeon sees immediately before him. Salvation is. Christ the Savior. – Kallistos Ware

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Defending Your Faith