Orthodox Sermons & Articles

Orthodox, Catholics, Protestants, Baptists… How many denominations of Christianity claim their “space” in the minds of people around the world? While there are many, only a few of them can trace their historical and doctrinal origin back to the time of Jesus Christ and His Apostles. Having said that, only one denomination comprises the One Holy Church that was established on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem, after the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.

One must study with diligence before making a final conclusion about which denomination is the One, Holy, Catholic (universal, worldwide) and Apostolic Church. We must remember that only ONE church was created, preached, and spread around the globe by the Apostles and their immediate disciples and only this church was promised that they would receive the Holy Spirit.

While Orthodox Christians know Orthodoxy to be the True Church with Jesus Christ established as their Head, others think differently. I would categorize them into three major groups:

1. Those who reject our Orthodox belief completely.

2. Those who try to learn about our faith from within, in order to make an objective decision based on their experiences and knowledge.

3. Those who suggest that all Christian denominations are equally identified in the Biblical origins of the Church since all of them believe in Jesus Christ.

The first two groups are easy to understand: The first group rejects our orthodox unique inheritance because they probably claim it for themselves; the second group is determined to learn initially and then make a decision. The third group has somewhat warm feelings for all denominations, which would not be a bad idea if it only were not incorrect. To support this statement I would like to bring to your attention a few points for consideration.

Point 1. Different denominations have different teachings on the essential truths of Christian faith. These are serious matters they argue about, and we cannot just rashly say that problems do not exist because they do.  Therefore, all Christian denominations cannot be of equal value at the theological level, as they do not share same values or teaching. These differences put various denominations far away from each other – as far as they forbid their members to have communion with other denominations for fear that  they would adapt “errors” in teachings from other Christian groups. As an example, let us take the general teaching of all Christians about salvation: some groups say that they are saved automatically by the grace of God and that nothing else is required of them but faith; others say that faith alone is not enough – we need to work for our salvation and be God’s co-workers. So, if you were to believe in all-denominational Christianity you would have to face at least this problem (although, we will find later that there are even more): how would you justify this theological contradiction in your conscience? You cannot just ignore it because the differences are diametrically opposite! Moreover, the correctness of your decision will directly impact how you will lead your earthly life and eventually your future life!

Point 2. St. Paul the Apostle teaches that the bond between Jesus and His Church is similar to the bond of marriage. One husband – one wife; one Christ – one Church. There must be mutual love, respect and sacrifice in the marriage; otherwise, it will not last. There is mutual love, respect and sacrifice between Jesus and His Church. This has been proven many times during the Christian history – first, by Jesus on the Cross and then by Holy Martyrs who died for Jesus’ name. Therefore, there can be only one church of Jesus Christ, which is united with Him through the Holy Spirit! If you were to believe in all-denominational Christianity rather then to belong to one particular group, where would you fit the rest of the Christian churches or groups? How would you “marry” them with Christ? Now, one might ask: “Is not this the right way to express love to ALL without exception?” Of course, we have to love all Christian groups and all people without exception even if they are mistaken! By being a member of one particular group, we do not automatically proclaim hatred toward others; we only witness our belief in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and confirm it with the seal of love. Moreover, we can belong to the Church only if we love God and people.  We cut ourselves off from the church if we offend the law of love. Therefore, we can belong to one particular Christian denomination and love the rest of the world. In our case, we belong to Orthodox Church and we are taught by her Founder Jesus Christ to love one another just as He loves us.

Point 3. Church-like groups started to form as early as apostolic times. St. Paul wrote letters of criticism [Rom. 16:17-18, 1Cor 1:10-16, 1Cor 3:3] to those who wanted to build “a church” outside of the only true Church. St. Jude the Apostle teaches us to resist the false teachers also [Jude 17-19]. The message of the Apostles in their letters is clear: in order to find salvation we need to belong not to the church-like groups but to the Christ’s only true Church established by the Apostles and guided by the Holy Spirit according to Jesus’ promise [Acts 1:8].

Unfortunately, while false teachings were stopped for a while during the period of Ecumenical Councils, when formal teachings of the Church had been established, a major dividing movement was re-established in the sixteenth century within the boundaries of the Roman-Catholic Church by the protestant movement. Going back to the apostolic letters, if it were not important to stay in one church, the Apostles would not have bothered to caution Christians about it.

Point 4. Study this passage form the Book of Revelations: “To the messenger of the church in Laodicea, write: ‘The Amen, the witness who is faithful and true, the beginning of God’s creation, says this: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. Since you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth” (Rev. 3:14-16). We need to identify our position in the Christian world; we need to be either “hot” or “cold” but not warm. We need to find what is fitting for us, something in particular [“hot” OR “cold”], because there is nothing in the middle but uncertainty and God is certain in everything! If am only warm I will be “spat out of God’s mouth” or in other words there will not be a place for me in God! Only if I am looking for and eager to find the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church can I find place in God! How can we not pay attention to this point? Spiritual uncertainty of “all-denominational Christianity” is a divisive future and can even lead us away from God!

These four major points, in my opinion, must get us thinking about the next inevitable question, as to where one can find the One, Holy Church under the leadership of Jesus Christ and in the boundaries of the apostolic teaching (tradition)?

I believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church… (The Nicene Creed)

We need to stop briefly on the above quoted definition of Christ’s Church.

The Church is One because there is only one Jesus Christ, the Savior. He is the Groom and the Church is His Bride (St. Paul’s letter to Ephesians 5:23-32).

The Church is Holy not because of the holiness of her members but by the holiness of her Head – Jesus Christ – Who is Holy in essence as the Only-begotten Son of God the Father. A member of the Church can become holy as much as he/she can participate in the never-fading holiness of God. This is another reason to look for the true Church of Christ.

The Church is Catholic because she has been spread all over the world. [The word “catholic” means “universal, worldwide”.]

The Church is Apostolic because she follows the teaching and recommendations of the Apostles of Christ. The Church is as based on the apostolic teaching as a house is based on a firm foundation. The Church is Apostolic also in a sense of ability to unbrokenly trace her hierarch lineage to one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ.

Some of us were born in the Church and some must yet find her. However, both the born ones and those in the process of discovery have to work for their salvation, which is a result of a person’s inner change for better and spiritual growth under the guidance of the Holy Spirit that abides in the Church.

We, Orthodox Christians, can easily recognize our Church to be the Church of Christ. The above definition applies to the Orthodox Church in all its fullness. Of course, the term ORTHODOX came into wide use later, after the split of the Christian world in 1054. The Orthodox Church continued to follow the traditional faith of the Apostles even after the split (from Greek ORTHO – right DOXA – opinion, or conforming to established doctrines See: Webster’s Dictionary). Besides Orthodox Christianity (Eastern part of the Roman Empire) and Roman-Catholic Christianity (Western part of the Roman Empire), there was no other historical Christian denomination at the time!

What is the benefit of being a member of the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church?

The Church of Christ continuously receives enormous help from Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. Members of the Church receive this help constantly through the Church Sacraments. In Holy Baptism, we are reborn in the name of Jesus and are invited to inherit His Kingdom. In Holy Chrismation, we receive the seed of the Holy Spirit that grows within us proportionally to our inner readiness. In Holy Marriage, we receive God’s help and guidance for the development of our small family church including wisdom for raising our children in the fear of God. In Holy Penitence and Holy Communion, we reunite with Christ and become one with Him with all the help possible that comes from such Holy Union. In Holy Unction, being visually anointed by the blessed oil we mystically receive God’s healing trough the fervent prayers of the participants. This and much more help is available in Church of Christ.

Can we assume then that everyone outside of the boundaries of the Church will definitely perish? We cannot give a positive answer to this question when we talk about a person because we do not have the right to judge each other. We can only analyze the mistakes Christian groups make as a whole so that we do not fall into the same errors. However, we cannot give a ruling on a person because we do not know personal motivations, or personal statement or the level of personal relationship with Christ of anybody; definite judgment is reserved for Jesus Christ only. God (and He alone) knows our hearts, minds and souls. I can say even more: outward or visual membership in the Holy Church does not secure us a place by God’s side in heaven! Yes, it is definitely easy to find salvation in the Church where all that help is always available (this is why we desire to be in Church). However, it does not put us automatically into a privileged position because we have to be doers of the commandments (recommendations) that we inherited from Christ and His Apostles.

Help of the Holy Spirit is evident in the Church and we need it to fortify our faith and to fight against our personal sinful lusts. Without doubt, it is much easier to find a desirable place when you know exactly where to go and when you have all the help available. The priceless tradition and apostolically confirmed teaching of the Holy Orthodox Church offers this all. We have only to learn it for our edification and use it for our salvation.

In conclusion, I would like to encourage all Christians to focus on One Holy Church rather then spread our spiritual energy upon the controversial from within idea about “all-denominational” Christianity.

This article was written in 2004 (Lamont, Alberta, Canada)