Yeshue
FAITH OF THE SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ANTIOCH
Chapter 1: Class 3
Written by:
Chev. Dr. K. O. Mathew Konkara(Rtd Supdt of Police)
It's history, faith and liturgy and It's position within the church history
Based on many scriptures of the Holy Bible we have seen that the Holy Church is absolutely necessary for salvation and that Christ and His Church are inseparably one. Therefore, thinking that eternal life can be attained without the Holy Church is as baseless as thinking that eternal life can be attained without Christ.we have proven this truth earlier.Now, we need to know about the church established by Christ, its marks or characteristics, and goals. We saw in the previous class that there are four marks. The church that has all these four characteristics is the one we recognize as Christ's church.We believe that the marks of the true Church founded by St Peter in AD - 37 is 1)Catholic 2).Apostolic 3).One & 4)Holy
1. Catholic
The Holy Church is Catholic. The first person to write that the Holy Church of Antioch is Catholic was St. Ignatius of Antioch then Patriarch of Antioch during the period AD 67 - 107. (It is believed that In AD 60, St. Peter the Apostle, before his apostolic journey, ordained St. Evodius and St. Ignatius as his successors in Antioch, making them his representatives and successors.During the persecution period in first century both were became martyrs. In AD I07 St. Ignatius bcame martyr in the Colosseum of Rome where he was thrown to hungry lions after his arrest from Antioch by emperor Trajan).
Some people say that the word "Catholic" means universal, implying that the church is spread throughout the world. However, this interpretation is flawed for two reasons:
( i )The Anthiochian church was not spread throughout the world during St. Ignatius' time.Many of the countries icluding few continents that we know today were unheard and unknown during St. Igatius's time.
(ii) The Antiochien church is called Catholic because of the fact that it is for all people, teaches the full truth, governs all nations, heals all spiritual and bodily diseases, has all spiritual gifts, teaches all truths, and is present in all places.
2. Apostolic
The Holy Church is Apostolic. The church is called Apostolic because it has apostolic succession and true ordination, and it adheres to apostolic teachings.
St. Paul the Apostle ( prophet and preacher of the Church of Antioch - Acts 13: 1 to 9) says about apostolic succession (1 Timothy 3:10, 2 Timothy 1:6, 1 Timothy 5:22): "First, they must be tested, and if they are blameless, they may serve." Deacons should have only one wife and they should manage their children and their household well. For those who serve well, acquire good standing and much confidence in the faith in Jesus the Messiah.
(i) It must have unbroken apostolic succession through the laying on of hands.
(ii) It must adhere to the apostolic faith and teachings.
If the church deny apostolic succession or anybody deviates from apostolic teachings, and form another Church they there by lack the four marks mentioned above and cannot be considered part of this Church.
3. One.
The church established by Christ is one, just as there is one God, one Savior, and one body of Christ. The church has one faith, one Lord, and one Spirit, making it one.The church's unity is based on its one faith, one baptism, and one Spirit. The church will remain one from the apostolic age to the end of the world, as it is guided by the Holy Spirit.
The church's faith, as defined by the Holy Spirit, will not be altered or changed. Any who make changes or deviate from the faith of this holy Church is like a branch of the vine that is cut and removed. This is because that jesus and his Church are inseparably one and Church is the contuation of the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
John 15: 1
"I am the true wine and my father is the wine dresser. He removes every branch in me that does not produce fruit, and that which produces fruit he prunes so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Remain in me and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot provide fruit on its own unless it remains in the wine, it is the same with you, unless you remain in me. I am the winewhoever's and you are the branches.munch whoever remains in me and I with them, will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Unless a person remains in me, they are thrown outside like a branch that withers: people pick it up and throw it into the fire to burn. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, anything you want to ask for will be done for you. By this the father is glorified, so that you should bear much fruit and be my disciples. As my father has loved me, Ihave also loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have spoken these things with you so that my Joy may be in you and your Joy be full. "
4.Holy
The church is Holy because it was founded by Jesus Christ whois all - holy and because it teaches according to the will of Christ, holy doctrines, and provides the means of leading a holy life there by giving holy members in every generation. This is evident from the prayer of Christ for His apostles. The lives of the Saints and martyrs prove how effective are the means of grace with which Church is endowed. It might be true, some members do not use the means of Grace at their disposal. Christ foretold that there would be good and bad members in His Church, as we read in the parables of the fishes in the net, and the cockle among the wheat. ( Math. 7: 15 - 20: Titus. 2: 13 - 14, 1 John 3 - 5)