Jason has joined the ever increasing number of Fearless Faithful Antiochian laymen and clergy who are realizing the merits of this quote from the King of Jerusalem in the movie The Kingdom of Heaven:
"You see, none of us choose our end, really. The King may move a man, a father may claim a son, but remember that, even when those who move you be kings or men of power, your soul is in your keeping alone. When you stand before God, you cannot say, 'But I was told by others to do thus, or that virtue was not convenient at the time'. This will not suffice.”
Actually the post title is a misnomer. There is no such thing as Watered Down Orthodoxy. Orthodoxy is Orthodox. If water is added then it ceases to be Orthodox at all.
In my two posts Why We Left...Where We Went and Do Orthodox And Baptists Have A "Similarity of Beliefs", I included discussion about the fact that the Antiochian Diocese, under Metropolitan Philip, had left adherence to the doctrines, traditions and Canons of the faith especially where it comes to the reception of converts. I mentioned that the prevailing contemporary attitude was "Come on in your water is fine", in that my family was not baptized nor even asked to show a certificate of our Southern Baptist baptism. I also pointed out that priests in the Antiochian Diocese were not consistent in their reception of converts, notably the fact that one priest in California required his former Charismatic Episcopal converts to be baptized while my local receiving priest did not. I have been the subject of sharp rebuke especially from those who feel that I have "besmirched" our former priest and "brought shame" upon our local congregation by severing our communion with Antioch while providing a statement as to why we have done so. With this in mind, I was particularly interested to see A Letter From A Sad Khouriya in which the wife of an Antiochian Priest reveals,
"Metropolitan Philip asked, in his address of the General Assembly if he betrayed us by welcoming the Evangelical Orthodox Church into the Archdiocese. As one of those former EOC members, I believe that he did betray us. Not by his encouraging us to join ourselves to the true and historical Church, but by not preparing us to truly be Orthodox. He did not prepare us for HolyChrismation and even Ordination. None of us, that I know of, were even asked to go to confession before our chrismations. The priests and deacons were not even confessed before their ordinations. Was this an act of love and great vision? Is it loving and commendable to endanger people’s souls in this way? What kind of precedence did that convey? That confession is not important, that we don’t need to prepare ourselves to receive the blessed sacraments of the Church? The Metropolitan did not give us sponsors to help us along the road of actually becoming Orthodox. He gave us watered-down Orthodoxy." So has this Khouriya "besmirched" or "brought shame" or is she also recognizing the Heresy of Ecumenism into which she and thousands of other Converts have been birthed?Perhaps it is the Metropolitan and the priests in communion with him who have besmirched and shamed the Church of Christ by participating in and allowing such deviation from the Faith.
It is time for the Converts of Antioch to stop defending their jurisdiction and start defending the Faith of Our Fathers. Start with following the biblical and canonical guidelines which would call for the deposing of a heretic such as Philip Saliba.Would someone, anyone, have the courage to rise up and shout, "Depose!"?
"As we walk the unerring and life-bringing path, let us pluck out the eye that scandalizes us, not the physical eye but the noetic one. For example, if a bishop who in the eyes of the Church conduct himself in an evil manner and scandalize the people, he must be plucked out. For it is more profitable to gather without him in a house of prayer, than to be cast together with him into the gehenna of fire together with Annas and Caiaphas." Saint Athanasius The Great
Once having plucked out the scandalizing bishop, go back to where the axe head fell into the water. Be baptized by triple immersion in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This water is not the watered down kind but the Sacrament that you were denied and that which will remit all sins.
No, we can't all just get along and we are not all supposed to get along. What does it mean to "get along" anyway? Christ loved but did not accept the sin of those who rejected the truth. Likewise, we are to love but not to accept, commune, nor pray with those who call themselves Orthodox yet believe heresies or commune with heretics. This is not mere "opinion" up for debate. It is the Faith of Our Fathers and confirmed in the Councils. The contemporary idea that we can have differences of doctrine and tradition and still be unified as authentic Orthodox is patently false and purely Ecumenism. See the words of the Church:
In light of Antiochian Metropolitan Philip's failed attempt to blackmail the OCA into silencing and punishing the website, Orthodox Christians For Accountability,
JTO publicly supports the ongoing effort of the website and of the web author, Mark Stokoe, by proclaiming,
"I'm Stokacus!"
TO: Mark Stokoe:
Remember that the name Stokoe means a person whose profession is "felling trees or removing stumps". The bigger they are the harder they fall. Keep chopping and digging!
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
TO: Metropolitan Philip:
"Shepherd the flock that is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away"
TO: The Silent Antiochian Clergy:
"For I have been crucified with Christ yet nevertheless I live, yet is not I who live but Christ who lives in me and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me...for me to live is Christ and to die is gain."
"For the Lord has not given me the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
JTO readers may remember the posting of letters from one of our brave soldiers fighting in Iraq. The series of five letters ( 12345 ) written from the field of battle were inspirational as this Christian Soldier came face to face with his own mortality and saw the hand of God at work in every situation. We all prayed for the safe return of Sergeant Daniel Nuoffer and God answered our prayers. Sergeant Nuoffer returned safely from his second tour in Iraq, married a single mother of two young children becoming a father and husband. The very week Daniel brought his new wife and children to his base in Alaska he was rushed to the hospital in great pain. He was diagnosed with abdominal cancer.
I received a call from Daniel today. He was in the middle of his second round of Chemotherapy. His hopes are high but so is the pain he is enduring. I asked for Daniel's permission to post this prayer request. Please pray for his healing and also pray for his new wife and young children.
I will keep you posted on the new battle that this brave soldier is fighting. Perhaps when he feels stronger he will send new letters from the front.
Subdeacon Joseph Suaiden has posted a brief but profound article on his BLOG, Reredos (Formerly the Blog Let Us Attend Apologetics), in which expands on the JTO article "I'm No Mathematician"
In simple language. The true and Genuine Orthodox Churches are not small, insignificant little rebellious, uncanonical communities cowering in a dark corner of their pseudo-orthodox deception. They are 8-10 percent of the total parishes in the USA alone. The percentages are larger in countries abroad.
"We are in the end times and the anti-Christ is in the world. We are quickly moving to a One World Government and its tool the One World Church. A new United Nations religion now accompanies the World Council of Churches in its effort to bring all global religious movements under one jurisdictional head. This Anti-Christ religion will promote great persecution to the elect. This is not a scenario for days afar off but we are in those days now.
"As host of the U.N.'s Millennium Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders,Jaintold an international meeting of 1,000 delegates that religions need to accept the validity of all beliefs to attain world peace. The summit, the first of its kind to be sponsored by the United Nations, was held in New York City Aug. 28-31 just before political leaders gathered for the U.N. Millennium Assembly. The timing was perfect, says Jain, as it allowed religious leaders to update their political counterparts on how to usher in the peace of the new world order through religious universalism...So what is the objective here? Is it religious tolerance, unification or subversion of religious faith? Jain tells Insight that he looks forward to a day when religious people no longer insist on a single truth."
Two things will happen as this world takeover becomes more obvious. Some Orthodox people will remain in the system as it divorces Christ and becomes the bride of the Prince of this World. They will be like a Frog in Boiling Water. Others will flee this anti-Christ system and find the True and Genuine Churches which are even now preparing to receive them. There is a ground swell increasing of mission efforts by the True and Genuine Churches as local missions are springing up across the USA and the world. Many of these local missions are not initiated by a church planting committee of a specific Genuine or True diocese but by individual Orthodox faithful from all jurisdictions of World Orthodoxy who desire communion with the Bishops who have remained true to the faith of our fathers.
The True and Genuine Churches will always be smaller than World Orthodoxy. Follow those who are being persecuted by the World Orthodox Churches and you will find the remnant of True and Genuine believers. Watch the World Orthodox Churches continue to validate, defend and promote the authenticity of other religions, even those who are non-Christian, while violently condemning, attacking, maligning the True and Genuine Orthodox groups shouting, "Non canonical! Non canonical!" It is the spirit of this world infusing himself in the adulterated bride.
If the Hierarchs are participants of the anti-Christ movement then the local parish is also for the local parish is the Bishop and Metropolitan it commemorates. There are only two choices given in scripture and in the Canons of the Church. Depose the heretics or remove yourselves from them."
"Choose ye this day whom you will serve"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List of Genuine or True Orthodox Churches (Thanks to Reredos BLOG)
True Orthodox Church of Greece under AbpChrysostomos of Athens (Chrys)
True Orthodox Church of Greece under Abp Nicholas of Athens (Matt)
Autonomous True Orthodox Metropolia of Western Europe and America (West)
True Orthodox Synod under Kirykos of Mesogaia (Kirk)
Synod in Resistance under Metropolitan Cyprian of Fili (Cyp)
Holy Orthodox Church in North America (HOCNA)
Russian True Orthodox Church under Archbishop Tikhon of Omsk (RTOC)
Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church under Metropolitan Valentine of Suzdal (ROAC)
Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia under Archbishop Vladimir of San Fransisco (ROCIE)
Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia under Metropolitan Agafangel of Odessa (ROCOR-A)
*Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia under Archbishop Anthony of San Fransisco (ROCIE-A)
*True Orthodox Church of Greece under Abp Makarios of Athens (Mak)
I knew that with our leaving Antioch we would be subjected to a myriad of reactions. For those who have not waded through "Why We Left...Where We Went...", we did not tell anyone we were leaving or the reasons for our decision and only sent a letter to the leaders of the church after the fact. In this we hoped to remain free of accusation that we had "caused trouble" or any such vain or false imagination. All was relatively quiet for a few weeks, then I posted the article, again to squelch any rumors by giving a measured and thorough explanation as to how we had reached our decision. Most understood the intent of the post. Others did not. Some encouraged us. Others slammed us. With the tumult of the Antiochian diocese surrounding the embattled Metropolitan Philip, the attention to our leaving seemed to die down. My family settled into a wonderful routine of prayer and seeking. We connected with a priest who has given us counsel, guidance and support on our way to the Genuine and True Churches. Lately we have been receiving through various unsolicited sources, more reaction to our leaving. A new wave of reaction if you will. For some reason the nature of these reactions worsened in their derogatory tone. There are more personal accusations, character assassinations and the like. Our new priest friend suggested that "Over time the attacks just become comical. When people go to the level of psycologizing it's especially entertaining; they will come up with all sorts of reasons why you've made the choice you did, without ever bothering to really ask you personally or dig deeper."
That aside, this is anything but a woe is me post. I have no desire to be a martyr...yet. But, considering the content of the responses, one would think that the Lewis' are the most miserable, lonely, isolated, pseudo-orthodox on the planet. One would especially think that of my wife and daughters since there is a false assumption that somehow I have forced them into subjectively making them follow me to certain unwanted paths of spiritual destruction. One of my daughters recently received a communication from an Antiochian priest telling her, "I know you are only doing what you have been made to understand. So I certainly don't fault you..." Such presumptuous remarks irk me somewhat but they particularly irk my wife and daughters who wonder how people could think so little of their ability to hear and follow God as individuals. No matter how often we say that our family came to this decision together, some must find blame somewhere, so it usually falls on me. In the words of the worst actor who ever lived, "I pity the fool" who thinks that my wife and daughters are push-overs who can't think for themselves. The simple fact is I have a wonderful, Godly wife of 29 years and intelligent God-fearing daughters who seek the truth every bit as much as I do. I am blessed.
So, I have good news for all those who think that the Lewis' must be the most miserable of souls dwelling in the depths of despair...
We have Joy!
Even with the pressure of transition and the waves of criticism, we still laugh around the house, eat our meals together, spend hours talking and studying together, watch movies, go on walks, wash the cars, walk the dog and the cat who thinks he is a dog, and laugh some more. Most of all we regularly say the prayers and worship together. The true source of our current state of joy is our hope in our Lord and the fact that we are nearing the moment of our Holy Baptism.
Joy! Joy! Joy!
Granted we aren't always happy with the situations that surround us but...
We have joy!
So, take a moment to join me in the following rendition of "I've got the joy". It will do you some good. It's not Byzantine chant but you can dance to it! (unless you are Baptist :)
"Maybe soon, I will see God and Jesus. At least that is what I was told. Eternal life does NOT depend on works. If it did, we will all be in hell," Sodini apparently wrote, before adding later, "I was reading the Bible and The Integrity of God beginning yesterday, because soon I will see them."
If the doctrine of "Once Saved, Always Saved" is true then the words of this murderer are true and he is now in heaven enjoying the rewards of paradise. Of course, not being able to rationalize the fact that this man, George Sodini, walked into a Pennsylvania gym and shot dead four women and wounded 10 others then killing himself, proponents of this Protestant, mainly Baptist, doctrine will quickly say, "Well he wasn't saved to begin with." How convenient.
"Many believe that once they have made an Altar Call (Profession of Faith) that they are assured of Heaven. Those who have such a belief should carefully examine the following Bible passages."
Saint Paul: "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." KJV - Romans 11:22
Saint Paul: "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. KJV - 1 Cor. 9:26-27
Saint Paul: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." KJV - 1 Cor. 10:12
Saint Paul: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." KJV - 2 Cor. 5:10
Saint Paul: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." KJV - Philip. 2:12
1st Corinthians 15:2 states, that vain is the belief of those who go against the word of God.
1st John 1:6 states, "If we say, "We have fellowship with `Jesus'," while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie & do not act in truth.
1st John 2:15 & 16 - If anyone loves sensual lust, enticements of the eyes, or a pretentious life, the love of God the Father is not in him.
1st John 3:9 & 15 says, "No one begotten by God commits sin", & "that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him". begotten: used in the sense of having been acquired by, permanently committed too.
Romans 8:7-8 "For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
Hebrews 10:26-29 "If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries. Anyone who rejects the law of Moses is put to death without pity on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Do you not think that a much worse punishment is due the one who has contempt for the Son of God, considers unclean the covenant-blood by which he was consecrated, and insults the spirit of grace?"
2 Peter 2:20-21 "For if they, having escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of (our) Lord and savior Jesus Christ, again become entangled and overcome by them, their last condition is worse than their first. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment handed down to them."
Hebrews 4:6-7 "Therefore, since it remains that some will enter into it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience, he once more set a day, "today," when long afterwards he spoke through David, as already quoted: "Oh, that today you would hear his voice: 'Harden not your hearts.' "
Hebrews 6:4-6 "For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift and shared in the holy Spirit and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to bring them to repentance again, since they are recrucifying the Son of God for themselves and holding him up to contempt."
Hebrews 4:2 "For in fact we have received the good news just as they did. But the word that they heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened."
Hebrews 12:4-13 "In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons: "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges." Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are without discipline, in which all have shared, you are not sons but bastards. Besides this, we have had our earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not (then) submit all the more to the Father of spirits and live? They disciplined us for a short time as seemed right to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we may share his holiness. At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed."
"The essence of World Orthodoxy is collaboration with the Spirit of this world and with Anti-Christ institutions that now control worldly life. I'll say it again...The essence of World Orthodoxy is collaboration with this world and the ruler of this world who's the devil and the institutions the devil is using to prepare the reign of the Anti-Christ."
Concerning the question of the "Similarity of Beliefs" between Orthodox and Baptists
"Are we to be ortho-dox or homoios-dox- right believers or similar believers"?
John,
Thank you for your conversation, questions and contrite heart. I didn't take offense at your first comment and was particularly blessed by your second comment, especially where you said,"You took the time to let everyone know of you're reasons for leaving to fulfill any curiosities or wondering, and I took it as a theological attack on the church."You have well understood my intent and have received with love the core of my heart. I can only hope that others will as well, though I am realistic in that hope. The ability to discuss things of the faith without focusing on personal indictment is a sign of spiritual maturity. Also, that you are still in your teens is a testimony of your faith and a statement of the quality of your parents whom I know and respect.
I have been working on addressing the subject of baptism or our lack thereof, for a while. The issue surrounds the fact that we were received into this local Antiochian church through Chrismation alone, our Southern Baptist baptism by single immersion being deemed valid. While my reply here is not intended to be a thorough theological treatment, it at least sheds light on inherent problems with the current convoluted practice of the Antiochians and other jurisdictions that have been influenced by Ecumenism.
Your priest seems to be paraphrasing St. Vincent of Lerins (5th Century)-that which is held "everywhere, always, by all". Since the fact and mode of baptism by triple immersion is Vincentesque, then it behooves opponents of this requirement to produce evidence as to when ALL the church decided to alter that which is clearly established throughout history and the Apostolic Canons. It is feeble indeed to site the few seeming exceptions to the rule to validate the mass acceptance into the Church of the heterodox without administering the Sacrament of Baptism. In any case, Canon 95 specifically denounces single immersion baptism and requires baptism. Perhaps this is why your priest says the Canons are confusing? How can he reconcile that his Metropolitan Philip received so many into the faith without baptism, including him, when the Canons forbid it? He would have to believe that either the Canon does not mean what it says or is taken out of context, or it has been made irrelevant by way of the Heresy of Ecumenism, or that he, himself, has not been baptized. Thus, his exhortation, “don’t read these, it will only confuse you.” I have read them and I am not confused as to their content. The only confusion is in the wondering how so many blindly accept the Heresy of Ecumenism and fail to recognize its influence on their belief structure. Goodness, John, the Calvinists are not even confused about what Orthodox believe and practice regarding baptism!
The Dialogue Against the Luciferians, 8. Cyril of Jerusalem claimed that Christ's mode of baptism was a three-fold descent into the water, Catechetical Lectures, Chapter 20, 4. Basil of Caesarea references a three-fold immersion as the mode of Baptism in Letter 236, 5, and On the Holy Spirit, chapter 15, 35. This mode of baptism has an ancient precedent in the early church, and particularly among the eastern Church fathers, hence the precedent for Eastern Orthodoxy today.”
The website from your own church illustrates the ecumenical ambiguity and subjectivity that has resulted in the watering down of the Faith of our Fathers as they link to this article which says,
The Procedure for becoming a member of the Orthodox Church
After the period of instruction, there is a Service of Reception into the Church. If you are converting from a non-Christian religion, you will make a profession of Faith, be baptized and chrismated. If you are being received from a Church which has a similarity of beliefs with Orthodoxy and you have been properly baptized and confirmed, you will participate in a brief Service of Anointing (Chrismation) which signifies reconciliation with the Orthodox Church. The reception of Holy Communion is always seen as the consummation of union with the Church.
“Similarity of beliefs"? So, when did the ONEChurch decide this "Similarity Rule" and who gets to determine what is similar enough? When was this idea accepted "everywhere, always, by all"? Can one not see how convoluted, inconsistent and unOrthodox this ideology is? Is this subjective method of determining what is Orthodox not a page right out of the Protestant playbook? To accept Heterodox or nonOrthodox Baptisms because there are similarity of beliefs is as nonsensical as the Billy Crystal/Miracle Max quote from the movie, The Princess Bride,
So, are SBs just "mostly dead" and "slightly alive"? So, one does not have to believe the whole truth to be valid, just have some slight truth, thus a "similarity of beliefs"? So, truth is not absolute anymore? This ecumenical concept makes the very meaning of the word, “orthodox” (right belief) void. In actuality we become "homoiosdox" (similar belief). But considering the idea of homoiosdoxy, how is it that the Southern Baptists (SBs) are similar enough to Orthodoxy to have their baptisms endorsed? Yes, Baptists believe in the Triune God but James, the first Bishop of Jerusalem, puts this idea of "similarity" in perspective,
"You believe in the one God-that is credible enough,
but even the demons have the same belief, and they tremble with fear."
So the SBs belief in the triune God is credible, believing the proper mode of baptism is by immersion is credible, but so are the demons "credible" in those regards. The inference is that there are dissimilarities that make the similarities meaningless and void of the power and grace of God. Even so, let's look at the question "Do Orthodox and Baptists have a "Similarity of Beliefs".
Are There Similarity of Beliefs Regarding Holy Orders?
The Southern Baptist baptizing agent (a pastor or layman) has not received the sacrament of Holy Orders in the One Holy, Catholic and ApostolicChurch, therefore, where is his apostolic authority to baptize to begin with? Yes, something similar to, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”, is said by the agent, but how can such a SB agent pronounce the blessing or administer a sacrament of the Church which he does not represent? The SBs have a Congregational Ecclessiology. There is no apostolic succession, no hierarchy and each local church is completely autonomous having been founded by an individual or individuals. Where is the Bishop? There is none. The pastor is generally the operational authority, but he can be removed by a vote of the people.
Are There Similarity of Beliefs Regarding Single Immersion?
The SB immerses the convert only once. This is NOT Trinitarian and the Fathers refer derogatorily to this practice as a “Baptism only unto Death”. The Orthodox belief is that the mode of TrinitarianBaptism constitutes three parts, The
Death (Immerse),
Burial (Immerse),
Resurrection. (Immerse).
Have you ever seen a person, infant or adult, baptized in the Orthodox Church by single immersion? No. So, how is it that such a baptism outside the Orthodox Church is acceptable? If a person were to request a single immersion baptism from an Orthodox priest they would be turned down with an explanation as to the tradition and purpose of the triple immersion. Why doesn't the same explanation apply to the convert who has been immersed only once? Why is their baptism acceptable? Something is ecumenically amiss! Ecumenism has allowed the redefining of “Trinitarian Baptism” to simply mean, if the agent of the baptism orally says (redundant for the purpose of clarity) the words “In the name of the Trinity”. Thus the Ecumenist asks, “Were you baptized in the “Name of the Trinity”? ”Why, yes, I was.” “Come on in your water is fine.”
John, your own priest has stated that he “always asks whether or not someone has been baptized by triple immersion”. Why is this, John, if it is of no matter and all you have to be is “similarly” baptized? Can you go any further in this query with this question not being answered? Does not such an inconsistency require an Orthodox explanation?
Watch a Baptist Baptism. Listen to the Pastor Mock The Saving Sacramental Value
How Is The SB Baptism Similar If It Is Not Salvific?
The SB baptism is symbolic only. SB pastors not only stand opposed to the salvific nature of Baptism but many make a direct statement denouncing the historical and Orthodox salvific nature. Statements such as "there is no power in these waters" and the more sarcastic, "baptism doesn't have any magical saving power" are common in the mini sermonettes that proceed the Baptismal Service. So, is the SB baptism still considered a valid baptism simply because it is similar? Since the Orthodox believe that “baptism now saves you” and that original sin is washed away at the moment of baptism, did this happenin the moment I was baptized by the SBs? If so, would we not have to deduce that SB's baptism is sacramental and effective? If so, why become Orthodox? If not, and a “briefService of Anointing” as your church and others propose, makes the SB baptism legitimate, then what was my spiritual state for the 48 years between my SB baptism and Chrismation? What if I had not become Orthodox after that limbo period? Would this not make the SB baptism invalid when it happens but valid if I became Orthodox later? Is my salvation suspended in time? Since the SB baptism contains no rite of exorcism from demons, that historically accompanies Orthodox baptism, is the demonic influence still with me for the 48 years? Am I to surmise that I was only "mostly dead"? It was either a baptism or it was not. The Canons (see below) say IT WAS NOT.
Are There Similarity of Beliefs Regarding Salvation?
The SBs believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven. This is credible. In this they are more Orthodox than some of the apostate World Orthodox Hierarchy of the World Council of Churches (See Why We Left… Where We Went…) The SB's definition of how salvation is obtained, however, is not similar. SBs believe salvation is obtained through confession, by grace, through faith alone. A SB believes that if he confesses with his mouth that Jesus is Lord, he is saved and the Holy Spirit “comes in” at that instant. There is no chrismation administered as the concept of Holy Oil is foreign to the SB paradigm. That oral confession, "truly intended", is the whole of salvation for salvation is an experience not a process. If, at one moment in time this is done, then eternal salvation instantly occurs and cannot be revoked by either God or the confessor. If one does renounce his faith later and turns from God, then a convenient Southern Baptist explanation kicks in, “Well, they were never really saved to begin with.” Orthodox know that “he who endures to the end” will be saved and that the beginning of salvation is in the waters of baptism. Although confession through faith is a part of salvation, Orthodox know that it is only a part. While SBs laud the importance of righteous works they allow no concept that a man’s works have anything to do with obtaining or keeping his salvation. They change the concept of salvation by grace to salvation by grace alone. Their champion, Martin Luther, even added the word ”alone” to his translation of the scriptures. So is any of this similar enough to Orthodoxy?
Are There Similarity of Beliefs Regarding Eucharist?
What about the Eucharist? The SB believes that there is no real presence of Christ in the elements and that the “Lord’s Supper”, as they call it, is not sacramental but only symbolic.The word "Eucharist" is foreign in the Baptist culture. Grape juice (Welch's Brand when I was growing up) and unleavened crackers are used. Is this similar to Orthodoxy? In fact there are NO sacraments in the Southern Baptist Church. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are considered “Ordinances” and they are void of any power. How similar are the beliefs, here?
Is The Orthodox Canon Of Scripture And The SB Canon Of Scripture Similar?
The Orthodox use the Septuagint version of the Scriptures, translated in Greek by The 70. The SBs do not. The Orthodox accept as inspired the Apocryphal Booksand even though the original King James version of the SB's included them, the SBs use a version where these books have been removed.So, the Protestant version of the Bible that they use is minus 12 or so books and uses the Hebrew translation that has had the messianic elements of Christ dumbed down. Granted, the versions are similar, but where they differ, they differ greatly.
Is The SB Concept of "Alien Immersion" Similar?
Consider the SB concept called “alien immersion”. Since SBs consider themselves THE "True New Testament Church" anyone, even another Protestant, who wants to become a Baptist, must be baptized as a Baptist, their prior baptism being "alien". Thus the Convert’s baptism via a group that is not of “like faith and order”, a SB phrase often used, is an “alien immersion”. Actually, the "like" or "same" concept may be Orthodox but the repositioning of the SBs as the authentic agent or foundation of truth is not. The ecumenical Orthodox proponents of the "Similar" ideology would practice a watered down version of "like faith and order". They are satisfied with a "similar faith and order" or "kind-of-like faith and order". Credit must be given to the SBs for adhering to what they believe and not accepting as valid anything outside their tenants of faith. In fact, SBs denounce the Orthodox as a heretical cult or sect and teach their people how to "witness" to the Eastern Orthodox believer by issuing their official documents, "Witnessing to People Of Eastern Orthodox Background-Turning Barriers of Belief Into Bridges of Personal Faith", and their Interfaith Evangelism Belief Bulletin-Eastern Orthodox, both of which fallaciously attempt to discount the very foundations of the faith of our fathers. Do the Orthodox agree with this stance? If this is similar enough, then again, I could have just remained a Baptist. There are volumes of other dissimilar SB doctrines and practices, but since there are some similarities, their baptism is acceptable? Please forgive, but with this criteria one could be baptized by a demon because the demon has a "similarity of beliefs". Demons know and believe all the truth but are they the church? No. SBs believe only some of the truth but are they the church? No. In Orthodoxy, belief is not the sole standard for truth. Truth is ineffective unless it is sacramentally applied. Then it becomes authentic with the grace and power of God. The fullness of the authentic sacramental grace and power of God is contained in the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church- the Orthodox Church. Have they who claim that similarity of belief is enough, forgotten this basic, Orthodox principle? They have made the concept of Apostolic doctrines and succession null and void. "Come on in your water is fine."
John, your priest once told me, "There are voices within the Orthodox Church that state that no baptism outside the Orthodox Church is valid". With this I wholeheartedly agree, but who are these voices? They are the voices of the Apostles, the voices of the Fathers, the voice of the Scripture, THE VOICE OF THE UNDIVIDED CHURCH! One of the most common reasons given for receiving SB converts by way of Chrismation rather than baptism is that the Church has the authority to do so, therefore it is okay. But, has the WHOLE Church said it is okay, "Everywhere, always, by all"? NO. Unfortunately, many of these Ecumenist World Orthodox, of which Antioch is a part, use only the last 50 years as their frame of reference to determine what is the correct practice and doctrine, i.e. "Don't look at these. They will only confuse you." This also is why your Antiochian Patriarch Ignatius can make an independent decision to commune with Monophysites contrary to the determination of four prior Church Councils. This is why you worship by a New Calender innovation that before 50 years ago was unconscionable and strongly universally condemned by the WHOLE church. These things are brought about by a progressive Ecumenical influence. Thus in regards to baptism, you must look prior to the Ecumenist influence, to see that only those who were once in the Church through right baptism, having strayed through various heresies and now renouncing them, may be received back into the Church through Chrismation alone. They are not baptized “again” because they have already been baptized into the church. On the other hand, the faith of the Church is that all others must be baptized because, according to the Church, what they call baptism is not baptism at all. Thus
Southern Baptists and other Heterodox have NEVER BEEN BAPTIZED!
So, restating the two issues:
1. Should a heterodox convert be baptized?
2. Should the heterodox baptism have been by triple immersion?
The second question becomes irrelevant if the answer to the first is "YES."
There is nothing confusing about what the Church has always practiced, that which has been believed "everywhere, always, by all". See the words of the pre-Ecumenist Church:
“The church in Constantinople condemned Sabellian baptism in a letter to Antioch around 450, the Justinian Code of 529 (Byzantine Empire) declared the death penalty for both antitrinitarianism and rebaptism, the Council of Constantinople in 553 again condemned Sabellian baptism, and Martin Damiun (died 579), bishop of Braga, condemned Sabellian baptism for ‘retaining single immersion under a single name’.”
Canon 95
Those who from the heretics come over to orthodoxy, and to the number of those who should be saved, we receive according to the following order and custom. Arians, Macedonians, Novatians, who call themselves Cathari, Aristeri, and Testareskaidecatitæ, or Tetraditæ, and Apollinarians, we receive on their presentation of certificates and on their anathematizing every heresy which does not hold as does the holy Apostolic Church of God: then first of all we anoint them with the holy chrism on their foreheads, eyes, nostrils, mouth and ears; and as we seal them we say— The seal of the gift of the Holy Ghost. But concerning the Paulianists it has been determined by the Catholic Church that they shall by all means be rebaptized. The Eunomeans also, who baptize with one immersion; and the Montanists, who here are called Phrygians; and the Sabellians, who consider the Son to be the same as the Father, and are guilty in certain other grave matters, and all the other heresies— for there are many heretics here, especially those who come from the region of the Galatians— all of their number who are desirous of coming to the Orthodox faith, we receive as Gentiles. And on the first day we make them Christians, on the second Catechumens, then on the third day we exorcise them, at the same time also breathing thrice upon their faces and ears; and thus we initiate them, and we make them spend time in church and hear the Scriptures; and then we baptize them. And the Manichæans, and Valentinians and Marcionites and all of similar heresies must give certificates and anathematize each his own heresy, and also Nestorius, Eutyches, Dioscorus, Severus, and the other chiefs of such heresies, and those who think with them, and all the aforesaid heresies; and so they become partakers of the holy Communion.
Apostles Canon #49 & 50
49. If any Bishop or Presbyter baptize anyone not into the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit in accordance with the Lord’s ordinance, but into three beginningless beings or into three sons or into three comforters, let him be deposed.
Interpretation.
When the Lord sent forth His disciples to preach the Gospel, He told them: “Go ye, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). So the present Apostolical Canon prescribes that any Bishop or Presbyter who, instead of baptizing in that manner, in accordance with the ordinance of the Lord’s, baptizes into three beginningless beings, into three sons, or into three comforters shall be deposed. For certain heretics, blaspheming against the Holy Trinity, were being baptized in such a manner notwithstanding that the Church of orthodox Christians had received instructions to say the Father on account of His being beginning-less and unbegotten, even though the Son is also said to be beginningless as respects any beginning in point of time, as St. Gregory the Theologian theologically argues: and likewise to say the Holy Spirit, though not with respect to cause and natural beginning, for this character belongs only to the Father. Accordingly, the formula includes a Son on account of His ineffable birth, and a Paraclete (or Comforter), the Holy Spirit, on account of His super-rational procession out of the Father alone. Note, on the other hand, that all the Canons of the Apostles that relate to and speak of baptism mention only Bishops and Presbyters. For they alone have permission to baptize, and deacons and other clergymen have not.
50. Trine immersion in baptism.
If any Bishop or Presbyter does not perform three immersions (literally, “three baptisms”) in making one baptism (literally, “one initiation”), but (sc. only) a single immersion (literally, “a single baptism”), that given into the death of the Lord, let him be deposed (sc. from office). For the Lord did not say, “Baptize ye into my death,” but, “Go ye and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19).
Interpretation.
There are three things quite necessary and in any case altogether indispensable in the mystery (i.e., sacrament) of Holy Baptism: holy water; trine immersion and emersion in the water; and an invocation of each of the three Supergod Substances. In the foregoing 49th Canon the divine Apostles ordered and taught concerning the three invocations, what names we are to say, and in what order. In the present, or 50th, Canon they proceed to ordain concerning the three immersions and emersions. This means, as we have said,that these are necessary as regards what is simply called necessary, and are constituents of the true and orthodox baptism. Accordingly, without them not only is a baptism incomplete, but it cannot even be called a baptism at all. For, if to baptize means in more familiar language to dip, then speaking of immersions in the water is the same thing as speaking of three dips or baptisms; a dip is also called a baptism, and is not so called because of anything else. But let us see what the Apostles decree in regard to the word. Whatever bishop or presbyter in the single mystery of baptism fails to perform three baptisms, or three immersions, but instead performs only one immersion carried out as though into the one death of the Lord, let him be deposed from office. (See this Apostolical Canon refuting Eunomius — a Roman Catholic bishop deposed A.D. 361 — the first to substitute a single immersion in baptism, as we said before, though other heretics may have been doing this even in the time of the holy Apostles). Since the Lord did not tell us, His Apostles, when He was sending us forth to preach, “Baptize ye in my death,” but instead He told us, “Go ye and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” — which means, of course,baptize ye them with three immersions and emersions, and with each immersion add ye aloud each single name of the Holy Trinity.For in a single immersion and emersion neither is the three days’ death of the Savior perspicuously represented nor are the mystery and the theognosy (i.e., knowledge of God) of the Holy Trinity at all indicated. Hence any such baptism, being destitute of theology, and of the incarnate economy, is most impious and cacodoxical. But with three immersions and emersions both faith in the Holy Trinity is clearly affirmed and the three days’ death and burial and resurrection of the Savior are at the same time symbolized. Thence it consequently follows that our baptism comprises the two foremost dogmas of our expression of the orthodox faith — that, I mean, of the theology of the vivifying Trinity, and that of the incarnate economy of the God Logos.
Does it not then raise a question to all Antiochian coverts who were received by Metropolitan Philip? Is it not of concern that this man, whose uncanonical, heretical, deceptive, fraudulent, greedy, self-serving practices are now being exposed, is also the one who told thousands of converts to “come on in, your water is fine”? Would one not at least want to explore how it is that such a stance seems opposed to the Canons and seems to fly in the face of the “everywhere, always, by all” principal of Saint Vincent of Lerins?
John, you misstate when you say that “I simply think that leaving the church is not the right course of action, there we differ in strategy.” Nowhere have I suggested a strategy to “leave the church” and indeed I have not done so. I have left the Antiochian jurisdiction, so that I might rightly enter the Genuine Orthodox Church! The Monks on Mount Athos, to which you refer, are being heavily persecuted with violence for just this reason! Many refuse to remain under the jurisdiction of those patriarchs or bishops who have become apostate. One monastery is holed up having their water and food supplies cut off by the “Orthodox Hierarchy” and the government law enforcement. Why are the Antiochians and the members of SCOBA, your Metropolitan, your Bishop and your local priests not publicly denouncing this and coming to the aid of their brothers? Could it be because it is YOUR Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew who is leading this violent, oppressive charge? The World Orthodox of which you are a part, will willingly commune with Roman Catholics and call Muslims their brothers, but let an Orthodox person leave their jurisdiction with a heart toward the purity of the Faith of our Fathers and all hell is released on them.
A good way to judge who is adhering to the Faith of our Fathers is to follow the persecution, particularly in Greece and Russia but ever increasing on our shores. Likewise, me and my family have had “shame” pronounced on us and I have been accused of “besmirching” the name of the priest, of being “rebellious” and have been called "deranged and irrational." All this because I posted a doctrinal statement after we left explaining Why We Left The Antiochian Diocese and Where We Went. Though this persecution is minor in comparison, I know there will be more in the days ahead.Yet, not one of these accusers, I say again, NOT ONE, has offered a substantial biblical, scriptural, canonical, or historical argument refuting what I have presented. To the contrary,
They actually agree concerning the presence of the heresies
while deriding our decision to separate ourselves from them!
Granted, couched between their personal attacks they have given various opinions and examples, but Orthodoxy is Right Belief and Right Teaching not Right Opinion. This is why I emphasized to you that our opinions mean nothing unless they come along side that which is believed “everywhere, always, by all.”
Even the Associate Editor Of the Antiochian.Org Website issued this response after having read the JTO article, Why We Left...Where We Went,
"Though we can't publish your article for obvious reasons,
it contains some valid points...there is no doubt that the Church is a mess..."
So they acquiesce to the existence of heresies, but like
they remain in the pot and those who hop out are gigged.
Brethren this out not so to be!
"Leave the church"? A resounding, NO! But, if you have not been canonically and scripturally baptized and your local church will not baptize you, then a qualified, resounding, YES! For the sake of your soul, leave your local church or jurisdiction and find a Genuine or True (See the JTO Links) jurisdiction that still adheres to this vital Orthodox truth.
It is strange that baptizing converts has become a foreign concept to some Antiochians and other jurisdictions of World Orthodoxy. John, perhaps your priest should take note of his fellow Antiochian priest, Father Andrew, at Saint John The Theologian Christian Orthodox Church in San Juan Capistrano, California. The recent baptism of 30-plus converts included mostly those from the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Churches (ICCEC). One of his parishioners explains the event thus,
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"I was so proud of Father Andrew. I know it was a difficult decision because his bishop basically let him make the decision on whether he was going to baptize a certain amount of us or be chrismated. And I have no personal distinction with those who were chrismated and those who were baptized other than to say this, that he [Father Andrew] had given of himself to study on this and it’s only been in the last 150 to 200 years where there’s been a distinction or an economy model of the latter because the bishop guards the faith of the church and the priest as an extension of the bishop guards that as well and the parish, the orthodox parishioners guard the faith. So, you know I had people ask me questions, 'what do you think he’s gonna do?'. I said, 'pray for him that he has courage to make the right decision, even if it’s unpopular'. And as it turns out he did make the decision for many people that had a preference and he said, 'I feel that you should be baptized', or, 'you should go this way…' And in the economy model its..the pastoral application, if we were going to use contemporary terms, then we’d say, 'Well I don’t want it to be a deal breaker. I mean if you have a trinitarian baptism and you don’t want to be baptized, welcome into the church. You know, the Bishop gives his amen and you have the blessing, you're not any less than anybody else.' The thing that I am trying to get at-he [Father Andrew] kept a standard that was not necessarily contemporary, good feel idea. It was what people had died for, martyrs had given their life for to keep the dogma of the church consistent. And I really believe that one of the expressions you are going to see in American Orthodoxy is a return if you will or a presentation of the dogma with no apologies or no being ashamed to present the thing that the martyrs have given their life for and given their blood for ...” (Kevin Barry)
This is of particular interest to me because my family and I were also ICCEC just prior to our entry in the Orthodox Church and yet we were not baptized. We were not even required to produce a baptismal certificate proving our SB baptism. One priest baptizes and one does not. Where is the absolute truth in this matter? "Are we to be ortho-dox or homoios-dox- right believers or similar believers"? Since the Canons equally condemn both the failure to baptize and baptizing twice, both of these Antiochian priests cannot be correct. I propose that one of these priests is following the Canons and the practice of the Church, the other is not. The heresy of Ecumenism says, "Come on in, your water is fine" but
THIS IS THE FAITH:
"I confess one baptism for the remission of sins,"
So, you must be baptized by triple immersion in the
One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church
for the remission sins.
See this Antiochian Priest baptize Converts who only had a "similarity of beliefs". Apparently he knows something that some of his fellow Antiochian clergy do not.
[UPDATE: 12/27/10 - Notice that the video below, which was once public, now has restricted access. Why?I actually e-mailed the priest at the time of this original post, to interview him as to his decision to baptize the ICCEC members. Father Andrew did not respond. Knowing that his Bishop and the AOC as a whole is immersed in the Ecumenical movement, it is likely that his right decision to baptize was not met with a positive response. I still welcome a response from Father Andrew.]
John, please pray for me and my family as we continue our journey toward the sacrament of Holy Baptism. My wife put our leaving the Antiochian Orthodox Church and the subsequent critisim we have endured in very simple terms when she said, "Don't they understand? We just want to be baptized. They wouldn't baptize us!" We had to leave Antioch.Perhaps with Antiochian priests such as Father Andrew there is still hope for some who remain.
