The Coptic Church Dogma (Based on the Creed) DG_1: One God DG_1: One God DG_2: The Trinity DG_2: The Trinity DG_3: The Divinity of Christ DG_3: The Divinity of Christ DG_4: The Doctrine of Incarnation DG_4: The Doctrine of Incarnation DG_5: The Doctrine of Redemption/Salvation DG_5: The Doctrine of Redemption/Salvation DG_6: The Holy Spirit DG_6: The Holy Spirit DG_7: The Church “And in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess one Baptism for the remission of sins”

The Holy Spirit 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 1 st division at 451 AD 2 nd division at 1054 AD 2 nd division at 1054 AD

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 Local congregation Church in a house Church in a house The Body of Christ The Body of Christ

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: grafted in the Body + Chrism: sealed with the Holy Spirit + Eucharist: renewed in the Unity of Christ

6. The Church and Sacraments “Cont’d” Church Sacraments