DG10_CR7_The Church Dogma for Pr-Servants Oct 1, 2011

The Creed CR1 & 2: We believe in One God, God the Father who created heaven and earth:  God (CR1)  Trinity (CR2) CR3: We believe 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, One essence with the Father :  Divinity of Christ CR4: Who for us all and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnated of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary and became Man.  Incarnation of Christ

The Creed “Cont’d” CR5: And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried. And on the third day He rose from the dead, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into the heavens; and sat at the right hand of His Father and also He is coming again in His glory to judge the living and the dead, whose kingdom has no end:  Christ Redemption CR6: Yes we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets

The Creed “Cont’d” CR7: “And in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess one Baptism for the remission of sins”

The Church 1)I ntroduction 2) The word “Church” in the Bible 3) The Essence of the Church 4) Distinctions applied to the Church 5)A ttributes of the Church 6)T he Church and Sacraments

1)Introduction + The Apostolic Church satisfies 3 conditions Founded by God not a man Founded by God not a man Unbroken historical connection with the Apostolic Church Unbroken historical connection with the Apostolic Church Teaches the Christian, Apostolic, and truly the word of God Teaches the Christian, Apostolic, and truly the word of God + The Church today The early church The early church 1 st division at 451 AD (the nature of Christ) 1 st division at 451 AD (the nature of Christ) 2 nd division at 1054 AD (proceeding of the Holy Spirit) 2 nd division at 1054 AD (proceeding of the Holy Spirit)

Pentecost Nicea Constantinople Ephesus Chalcedon Chalcedonic Oriental Orthodox Church (Coptic, Ethiopian, Antioch, Armenian, Indian,…) Eastern Orthodox Churches (Constantinople, Greece, Russia,…) Catholics (Rome) Filioque Protestants (Lutheran, Baptist,…) Jehovah's Witness Adventist Mormons Cults Reformation Catholics Church of England ( Anglican, Episcopal, United,…) Fig. (1): Time Line History of Church Denominations

2) Meaning of the word “Church” in the Bible The Church is the presence of God among people 1) The Church in the Old Testament: Arc of covenant in the tabernacle Arc of covenant in the tabernacle Arc of covenant in the Temple (of Solomon) Arc of covenant in the Temple (of Solomon) 2) The Church in the New Testament: Local congregation; Acts 5:11 Local congregation; Acts 5:11 Church in a house; Romans 16:4 Church in a house; Romans 16:4 The Body of Christ; Ephesians 5:23 The Body of Christ; Ephesians 5:23

3) The Essence of the Church The Church is the Kingdom of God The Church is the Kingdom of God The Church is the kingdom of Heaven The Church is the kingdom of Heaven The Church is the Arc of Salvation The Church is the Arc of Salvation

4. Church Distinctions The Struggling and Triumphant Church The Struggling and Triumphant Church “lay aside every weight, the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Heb 12:1 Visible and Invisible Church Visible and Invisible Church + Invisible in her spiritual nature + Visible in ministering the bible and sacraments + Visible in communal life and the clergy

5. The Attributes of the Church One: One: “One body, one Spirit …one hope…one Lord…one faith…one baptism…one God and Father of all” Ephesians 4:4-6 Holy: Holy: “Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her that He might sanctify and cleanse her…..that should be holy and without blemish” Ephesians 5:25-27 Catholic: Catholic: “Neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free..” Colossians 3:11 Apostolic Apostolic Christ is the High Priest Christ is the High Priest + according to the order of Melchizedek; Heb 7: according to the order of Melchizedek; Heb 7:20-24

6. The Church and Sacraments The Church is the Body of Christ that is constituted through: + Baptism; Matthew 28:19: grafted in the Body + Chrism; Acts 8:17: sealed with the Holy Spirit + Eucharist, John 6:27-69: renewed in the Unity of Christ + Repentance and Confession; John 20: Priesthood; 1Tim 4:14, 2Tim 1:6, Heb 6:1-2 + Marriage or Matrimony; Matt 5:32, 19:4-6 + Unction of the sick; James 5:14-15

Christ’s Foundation of Church Sacraments Baptism: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19 Confirmation: “And behold I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” Luke 24:49 Repentance and Confession: “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” Luke 24:47

Christ’s Foundation of Church Sacraments Eucharist: “He took bread, blessed, and broke it and gave it to them and their eyes were opened” Luke 24:30-31 Priesthood: “As My Father has sent Me, I also send you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; and if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” John 20: Anointment of the Sick: “they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” Mark 16:18