Yeshue
FAITH OF THE SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ANTIOCH
Chapter 1: Class 7
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
We believe in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, with four marks - characteristics -. Each member of the church makes this promise before God, just as our forefathers did. We have made this promise many times in our lives, in the church during Holy Qurbana, in our daily prayers, and even in our homes, from generation to generation. We have no right to violate this true faith, even if it costs us our lives. When heretics opposed the true faith of the church, our church fathers condemned them. Moreover, it is significant that our faith was revealed to us through the Holy Spirit at the Council of Nicaea in AD325.Therefore, we affirm our unwavering faith to our God and the Holy Church, just as our forefathers did from their time until now. Violating this promise we make before God is a grave sin.It is our pledge that we take before our GOD.
We affirm four things in our faith:
1. We affirm and declare our faith and belief in the one Almighty GOd, creator of all the visible and invisible of the universe.
2. We affirm and declare our faith that Jesus Christ is the only one son of God.
3. We afirm, and declare our faith and belief towards the Holy Spirit
4. We affirm and delare our unwavering faith and hope in the Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
Our forefathers, from the first century, remained strong in this faith, suffered, and even gave their lives for it, and raised us in this faith. If we follow the path shown by those saints who lived and died in this faith, we believe that we also will reach the same destination, where they rest.
We have understood the characteristics and purpose of the Church established by Christ. Now, we need to know which church is the one established by Christ. There are many churches and communities around us, so let's find the truth based on the Holy Scriptures
1. Which is the Church established by Christ?
2. Why do we believe that salvation could be attained through this Church?
We have explained some aspects of these questions in previous classes. Let's clarify this further.
Which is the Church established by Christ, or the first Christian church in the world, before the Holy bible was compiled ? We need to find the answer based on evidences and not by assumptions.
For this, let's depend on the true Bible (there are many Bibles, such as Benjamin Baily's Bible, Good News Bible, King James Version, NAV, NASV, Interpreters Bible, and hundreds of bibles in which we can see that in many places verses differ from each other. Each church and community chooses a Bible that suits their faith). So in our study we should focus only on the true words of the original Bible. We could also refer to the history, tradition, spiritual, and historical records of the Holy Church as evidence.
Any religion or movement is known by its founder and the place where it originated. Just as a river flows from its source, the Christian church's origin, beginning, and activities were commenced from Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Galilee, Capernaum, Bethany, Caesarea, Judea, and surrounding areas, where Christ was born and worked.
The church's origin is from Christ Himself. "You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My Church" (Matthew 16:17). Christ entrusted the church's leadership to Peter (Matthew 16:17, John 21:15).
The Christian church's history began in Caesarea (Matthew 16:13), where Christ entrusted Peter with its leadership (Matthew 16:17-19). After His resurrection, Christ reaffirmed this trust on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:15).
According to tradition, Peter established the Church in Antioch in AD 37, and the apostolic succession continues since then up to this day. The Antiochian Church is considered to be the first Church which was established in Jerusalem out of Apostles, Preachers, coverted jews and other gentile elements.
Peter appointed Evodius and Ignatius as his successors in Antioch before going to Rome (AD 65 - 68). Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome.
These facts can be seen written in the early history of the Church of Antioch.
Other evidences about the Holy Church of Antioch.
1. The disciples were first called "Christians" in Antioch (Acts 11:25-26).
2. Paul and Barnabas were sent from Antioch in their missionary journey (Acts 13:1- 9).
3. The Church's leadership and sacraments were established here (Acts 14:22).
We see the beginning of the Church's priesthood here. More evidence about the Church and priesthood will follow.