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Introducing the:
DOCTRINES and BELIEFS OF THE HOLY
COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
of Alexandria, Egypt.
WHAT COPTIC ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS BELIEVE.
by:
Fr. Markos Hanna
INTRODUCTION
THE HOLY TRINITY:
The Christian Creed, which was formulated in the Ecumenical Council of Nicea in 325 AD, which all the Christians believe in, starts as follows:'Truly we believe in One God..' , so we believe in One God not more than one. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity arises from man's deepest experiences with God. It comes from the genuine living knowledge of those who have come to know God in faith.
In the Bible the term "God" is used primarily as a name for the Father. Thus, the Son is the 'Son of God', and the Spirit is the 'Spirit of God'. The Son is born from the Father, and the Spirit proceeds from the Father-both in the same timeless and eternal action of the Father's own being. In this view, the Son and the Spirit are both one with God and in no way separated from Him.
The matter was explained thoroughly and clearly by St. John where he said:' For there are three that bear record (witness) in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are One.' (I John 5:7)
In the New Testament there are verses that declare the Christian belief for the One God, where Jesus Christ spoke unto His disciples saying:' Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit' ( Matthew 28:19). Note here that Jesus said, 'In the Name' and did not say:'In the Names'.
One of the very convincing comparisons which we will derive for the 'Holy Trinity' and its unification, is man himself. Man was created on the image and after the likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). Man is one in his human nature, he has one mind and one spirit. So, the human nature, the mind and the spirit compose man as a whole one - and all three are the human nature in one.
The same goes for the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - One in essence, and no one can say that God does not have a mind or a spirit, God forbid. God with His mind and His Spirit is One God and not three. (H.H.Pope Shenouda III) .
It is exactly like saying; that fire gives heat and light, so fire, its heat and its light are one thing! So God is a living, wise divine nature which has His life and His mind, the essence and the mind and the life exist in ONE without separation.
The Father in the Son in the Holy Spirit - 1x1x1=1! So what we say concerning the living, wise divine nature of God is the 'Holy Trinity', this is for the sake of explanation and not for the purpose of separation. (H.H.Pope Shenouda III).
As the Father is 'ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, ever-existing and eternally the same', so the Son and the Spirit are exactly the same. Since the being of the Holy Trinity is one, whatever the Father wills, the Son and the Holy Spirit will also. In Himself, in eternity, as well as towards the world in creation, revelation, incarnation, redemption, sanctification and glorification - the will and action of the Trinity are One: from the divine Father, through the divine Son, in the divine Holy Spirit.
When we ask the question 'What is God?' we answer that God is the divine, perfect, eternal, absolute .. And when we ask 'Who is God?' we answer that God is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
God the Father created the world through the Son (Word-Logos) in the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament we have the full epiphany of God, the full manifestation of the Holy Trinity: the Father through the Son in the Spirit to us; and we in the Spirit through the Son to the Father.
O Holy God who made all things by the Son through the cooperation of the Holy Spirit.
O Holy Mighty through whom we know the Father and through whom the Holy Spirit comes into the world.
O Holy Immortal, the Spirit, the Comforter, who proceeds from the Father and rests in the Son.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us.
Glory be unto You.
GOD THE FATHER:
The Scriptures reveal the One God who is the Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Ephesians 4: 6).He is Triune - Father, Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16,17; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 5:7; Jude 1:20, 21).
God the Father is the Creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1).He is eternal, meaning the condition of no time at all-no past or future, just a constant present. For God there is no past or future, all is now.(Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2; Revelation 4:8-11).
From the Father, the Son is begotten , not created, before all ages and all time (Psalm 2:7; II Corinthians 11:31; the Christian Creed). The Holy Spirit proceeds only from the Father eternally (John 15:26).Through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, we come to know the Father (Matthew 11:27). God the Father created all things through the Son, in the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1 & 2; John 1:3; Job 33:4), and we are called to worship Him (John 4:23).No one has seen God at any time (John1:18),but has revealed Himself unto us (Psalm 118),and because God the Father loves us, He sent His Word - The Logos - His Son to give us everlasting life (John 3:16).
GOD THE SON:
Christ is the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16).He and the Father are One (John 10:30). The Nicene Christian Creed says:' .. and in One Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light. True God of True God. Begotten not made (created). Of One essence with the Father. Through whom all things were made..'
From the beginning, the Son of God is also called the Word or Logos of God, (John 1:1), before His birth in human flesh from the holy Virgin Mary in Bethlehem (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14).Was incarnate of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20), and became man (Matthew 2:1); was crucified for us under (during the reign of) Pontius Pilate (Matthew 27:2, 26), suffered (Matthew 20:18, 19)and was buried (Matthew 27:57-60); and the third day He rose from the dead, according to the Scriptures (Matthew 20:19; 28:6; Mark 16:6);and ascended into the heavens, and sits at the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51);and He shall come again with glory (Acts 1:11) to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42; John 5:22; II Corinthians 5:10), whose kingdom shall have no end (Luke 1:33; Daniel 2:44, 7:14).
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Is the Spirit of God (Genesis 1:2)and is One in essence with the Father, just as is the Logos-the Word-Son of God Jesus Christ.
As much as God the Father is Lord (Exodus 20:2), such is the Word-Logos-Son of God (John 20:28), so is the Orthodox belief for the Holy Spirit ( Acts 5:3, 4).He is eternal (Hebrews 9:14),He searches all things (I Corinthians 2:10),Co-equal to the Father (Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14).He is the Inspirer of the Holy Scriptures (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21).
The Orthodox Christians repeatedly confess: ' Yes, we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord Giver of Life (John 6:63; Romans 8:11), who proceeds from the Father (John 15:26), who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified (I Peter 4:14). He is called the 'promise of the Father' (Acts 1:4),given by Christ as a gift to the Church, to empower the Church for service to God (Acts 1:8), to place God's love in our hearts (Romans 5:5), and impart spiritual gifts (I Corinthians 12:7-13),and virtues (Galatians 5:22, 23)for Christian life and witness.
Coptic Orthodox Christians believe God's promise in the Holy Bible that the Holy Spirit is given in Chrismation (anointing) after Baptism (Acts 2:38). We are to grow in our experience of the Holy Spirit for the rest of our lives (I Peter 4:6; Ephesians 3:16; Titus 3:8).
ANGELS:
God created them (Nehemiah 9:6; Colossians 1:16). They worship God (Nehemiah 9:6; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:6). Angels are spirits in a form of flame of fire (Psalm 104:4; 1Kings 19:5;Hebrews 1:7). They serve and guide man (Acts 12:7-11; 27:23).They announce and proclaim the will of God (Daniel 8:16,17; 9:21-23;Matthew 2:13, 19; Luke 1:19,28; Acts 5:20; Revelation 1:1).They obey the will of God (Psalm 103:20; Matthew 6:10). They execute the will and judgment of God
(II Samuel 24:16; II Kings 19:35; Acts 12:23; Revelation 16:1).
Their work is to praise God (Psalm 148:2; Isaiah 6:3; Luke 2:13,14; Revelation 5:11,12).
The Christian Orthodox Creed says concerning God:' Who created all things visible and invisible..' The invisible world is definitely not part of the physical, material universe. It does not exist in space; it has no physical dimensions. It can not be located, and it has no 'place' which can be reached by travel within the galaxies of the spatial, locatable 'places' of the physically created universe.(The Orthodox Faith, vol. i-doctrine, by Fr. Thomas Hopko)
According to Orthodox Scripture and Tradition there are nine (9) ranks of bodiless powers or the Sabaoth, meaning Hosts, meaning literally 'armies' or 'choirs' or 'ranks'.
There are many ranks: angels, archangels, principalities, powers, authorities, dominions, thrones, cherubim and seraphim. (Liturgy of St. Basil , Isaiah 6:2; I Thessalonians 4:16; I Peter 3:22; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7)
The latter are described as offering continual adoration and glory to God crying unceasingly saying: 'Holy. Holy. Holy.' (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8) Those in the middle of the above listing are little known to men while the angels and archangels are seen as the active workers, warriors and messengers of God relative to this world.
They are thousand times ten thousands in number (I Kings 22:19; Psalm 68:17; Daniel 7:10; Matthew 26:53; Hebrews 12:22). They are fast (Judges 13:20; Isaiah 6:2-6; Revelation 8:13).
Everyone born has a ''Guardian Angel' (Psalm 91:11,12; Luke 15:10; Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:15).
SATAN - DEVIL (Evil Spirits):
Created spiritual powers who rebelled against God and did evil. In Hebrew is called 'Shatan', meaning .. and in Greek 'Diabolos' meaning ....
He is also called : 'Belzebub' (Matthew 12:24), 'Belial' (II Corinthians 6:15), 'Ruler of this world' (John12:31),'Ruler or Chief of demons' ( Matthew 9:34), 'Murderer, liar and the father of it' (John 8:44), 'Accuser of our brethren' (Revelation 12:10),"our Adversary like a roaring lion' (I Peter 5:8), 'Dragon, the serpent of old' (Rev. 12:9), 'Deceiver' (Rev. 12:9).
He is of spiritual nature, but fell because of his pride and boasting (Isaiah 14:14; Luke 10:18)
These are the demons or devils, which means literally those who 'pull apart' and destroy. Satan means literally the enemy or the adversary, is one proper name for the devil, the leader of the evil spirits. It is this same Satan who 'entered Judas' to betray our Lord Jesus Christ ( Luke 22:3). He has been cast to the world of darkness, and is the greatest enemy of man (I Peter 5:8; II Corinthians 2:11) . The Prophets , the Apostles of Christ and the saints of the holy Church knew from direct experience Satan's powers against man for Man's destruction ( Job 1,2; Matthew 4:1-11; Acts 26:18; I Corinthians 7:5; II Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11; I Thessalonians 3:5; Rev. 12:10). Since the Satan deceived Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, by disobeying God's commandment and caused him (man) to fall, Satan subdued our race and had us in the palm of his hands, in the place of darkness and shadow of death, for he deceived all ( Ephesians 2:1-3; Rev. 12:9), he even tempted Jesus our God in the wilderness, but Jesus conquered him and was victorious (Matthew 4:11; John 12:31).Demons can possess human bodies, causing physical damage like: sickness, mute, deafness and madness (Matthew 9:32),blindness (Matthew 12:22), seizures (Mark 9:17-27).
Demons knew Christ and identified Him as 'Son of God' (Matthew 8:29). Jesus came to abolish and destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8),and at the end, after judgment, eventually,the devil will be bound and cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, for he has deceived all (Rev. 20:1,2,10)
CREATION:
The Christian Orthodox Creed says that God the Father is:"Creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible".
To create means to make out of nothing. To bring into existence that which before did not exist. God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1), and the sea creatures, and the flying birds above the earth (Genesis 1:21), and created man in His own image, male and female He created them (Genesis 1:27),and created the planets (Isaiah 40:26), and created the wind (Amos 4:13), and created the angels, the sun, the moon, and the stars (Psalm 148:2,3).When He said, it was done - at His divine command. God created the visible and invisible by the 'Word', which is 'The Son' (John 1:3; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2).The word 'day' is not necessarily a 24-hour period, specially since the sun was created by God on the fourth day! thus day then refers to a long geological period. God is present to all, over all, embracing and encompassing all with His heavenly care and protection. The God who is 'over all' is also 'through all and in all' (Ephesians 4:5).By His Word and His Spirit, God 'fills all in all' (Ephesians 1:10, 23). saint Paul also proclaimed that, whether men realize it or not,'in Him we live and move and have our being' for 'He is not far from each one of us' (Acts 17:27,28).
The story of creation is found in the book of Genesis chapters 1 & 2 in the Holy Bible.
MAN:
Man is God's special creature. He is the only one 'created in the image and likeness of God.' (Genesis 1:26) He is created by God from the dust at the end of the process of creation (the 'sixth day') and by the special will of God . He is made to breathe 'the breath of life' (Genesis 2:7), to know God, and have dominion over all that God has made.
God created man - 'male and female He created them' (Genesis 1:27; 2:21)in order 'to be fruitful and multiply.' (Genesis 1:28).Thus, according to Orthodox doctrine, sexuality belongs to the creation which God calls 'very good' (Genesis 1:31), and in itself it is in no way sinful or perverse. It belongs to the very nature of humanity directly willed by God.(The Orthodox Faith, vol. i, Fr. Thomas Hopko).
Then man was tempted by the devil through the serpent, which Eve loved to pet, and fell in disobeying God's commandment by the seduction of the Satan, and was expelled from the Paradise of joy, from God's garden man was drove out. (Genesis 3:1- 24). God's justice and mercy worked out a plan to save man from Satan's palm, 'for God so loved the world that He gave His Only-Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.' (John 3:16). Thus, God beard the divine punishment so we may 'also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation' (Romans 5:11), so 'He died for all' (II Corinthians 5:15), and 'reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation' (II Corinthians 5:18, 19). And 'the creation itself (was and) will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God' (Romans 8:21), 'that (man) would walk worthy of God who calls (man) into His own Kingdom and glory' (I Thessalonians 2:21), if he kept God's commandments (John 14:21), 'and He will reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.' (II Peter 2:9)
SIN:
Literally means 'missing the mark', failing to be what one should be and or to do what one should do. 'Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law'(I John 3:4; Genesis 4:7). As Saint Paul writes, 'All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23). We sin when we prevent what God has given us as good, falling short of His purposes for us. Our sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1,2), leaving us spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1; Genesis 2:17). To save us, the Word-Logos-Son of God assumed our humanity, and being without sin 'He condemned sin in the flesh' (Romans 8:3). In His mercy, God forgives our sins when we overcome sin in our lives, and change the style of our life, that is repentance. 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' (I John 1:9).
INCARNATION:
Refers to our Lord Jesus Christ's first coming 'in flesh' (I John 4:3). The eternal Word-Son of God the Father took a complete human nature from the holy ever Virgin Saint Mary (Matthew 1:18, 23; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 2:1). He was (and is) One divine Person, fully possessing from God the Father the entirety of the divine nature, and in His coming in the flesh fully possessing a human nature from Saint Mary , as Saint Basil the great said in holy divine Liturgy:' Took flesh from the holy Theotokos Saint Mary. He made it one with His divinity without mingling, confusion or alteration,...and that His divinity parted not from His humanity for a single moment nor a twinkle of an eye'. By His Incarnation, He became One of two natures after the perfect unity between both natures, thus called God-Man, not God and man. The Son of God, limitless in His divine nature, voluntarily and willingly accepted limitation in His humanity in which He experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, etc.-and ultimately, death, ' Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, ... for in that He Himself has suffered' (Hebrews 2:17,18). Christianity does not exist without Incarnation. The Scriptures says, ' every spirit does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God' (I John 4:3). By His Incarnation, the Word-Son of God redeemed human nature (John 10:9; Acts 2:21, 4:12; Romans 10:13), a redemption made accessible to all who are joined to Him in His glorified humanity (Romans 3:24).
REDEMPTION:
An act perfected and fulfilled by Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24), by offering Himself, on our behalf, on the wood of the Cross, by His own free will for us all (The Liturgy of Saint Basil the great), to pay our dues to the divine justice (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; I Timothy 2:6).
At the completion of the act of redemption, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished (John 19:28), He cried out on the Cross, saying:' It is finished' (John 19:30). As Saint Peter says:' knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, - but with the precious Blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot' (I Peter 1:18,19).
Redemption is salvation from sin (Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:15) and its consequences (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; I Timothy 2:6) through our Redeemer, the Lord of hosts (Isaiah 47:4) The Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 43:14).
SALVATION:
Is the divine gift through which men and women are delivered from sin and death (Matthew 18:11; Luke 9:56; Acts 4:12; Titus 3:5), united to Christ, and brought into His Eternal Kingdom (II Timothy 4:18) . Those who heard Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost asked what they must do to be saved, he answered them saying:' Repent, and let ever one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit' (Acts 2:38).
Salvation begins with these three steps:
1. Repent 2. Be baptized 3. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
To 'repent' means to change our mind about how we have been, turning from sin and committing ourselves to Christ (Psalm 106:10; Hebrews 7:25). To 'be baptized' means to be born again by being joined into union with Christ (Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3). And to 'receive the gift of the Holy Spirit' means to receive the Spirit who empowers us to enter a new life in Christ, be nurtured in the Church, and be conformed to God's image (Acts 19:2,6).Salvation demands faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:10). People cannot save themselves by their own good works, but works as a result of faith in Christ Jesus, was faith made perfect (James 2:22, 24,26) . Salvation is 'faith working through love' (John 3:16,17). It is an ongoing, life-long process (I Peter 1:9). Salvation is past tense in that, through the death and resurrection of Christ, we have been saved (Luke 3:6; I Peter 3:21,22). It is present tense, for we must also be being saved by our active participation through faith in our union with Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:45,46). Salvation is also future, for we must yet be saved at His glorious Second Coming (II Peter 3:15; Philippians 2:12; Revelation 7:10; 19:1)
THE CROSS & ITS SIGN:
The cross is the central symbol for Christians, not only as the instrument of the world's salvation by the crucified Christ, bur also as the constant witness to the fact that men cannot be Christians unless they live with the cross as the very content of their lives in this world. 'If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.' (Mark 8:34)
For these and more reasons Christians place upon themselves the sign of the cross. The Orthodox place their two fingers and thumb together to form a sign of the Triune God and cross themselves from the head , (signifying the beginning of everything, saying : 'IN the name of the Father'), to the stomach, (signifying the divine incarnation of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ who came to the undefiled virginal womb of Saint Mary, took flesh from her and became man), and from the left shoulder to the right shoulder, (signifying that the Lord transferred us from evil to goodness). This unique symbol shows that the cross is the inspiration, power and indeed the very content of our lives as Christians; and that man's mind, heart, strength and will must be given to the love of God and man.
Although that , 'for the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God' (I Corinthians 1:18).
The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is our glory (Galatians 6:14) for the following reasons:
1. I am in full control over myself ,'the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world' (Galatians 6:14). 'Knowing this , that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin' (Romans 6:6).
2. Taught me to obey to the utmost,' He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross' (Phillipians 2:8).
3. Reconciled me with God, 'And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself' (Colossians 1:20).
4. Taught me to be patient and endure sufferings, ' who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame' (Hebrews 12:2).
SACRAMENTS:
I. BAPTISM:
I-A. NEW BIRTH:
I-B. JUSTIFICATION:
I-C. SANCTIFICATION:
II. CHRISMATION, HOLY MYRON:
III. HOLY EUCHARIST:
IV. CONFESSION, Repentance & Penance:
V. HOLY UNCTION:
VI. MARRIAGE:
VII. HOLY ORDERS, PRIESTHOOD:
THE BIBLE:
WORSHIP:
LITURGY:
ICONS:
ECUMENICAL COUNCILS of the CHURCH:
THE ORTHODOX CREED:
SAINT MARY, THE THEOTOKOS:
SAINTS :
INTERCESSIONS:
APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION:
SECOND COMING:
PARADISE:
HEAVEN:
HADES:
HELL:
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