A Catechism

By:

The Rev’d C H Klutz, B.A., B.Th., M.Th.

and The Rev’d George Toma, B.A., M.A., D.Min,

The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian

Church of the East

A CATECHISM

The Holy Catholic Apostolic Assyrian

Church of the East

Published by: The Department of Religious Education

The Holy Apostolic Catholic Church of the East

Diocese Eastern USA

2006 Chicago, Illinois USA

A Catechism

The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian

Church of the East

Table of Contents

Forward i–iv

Acknowledgments v

Introduction 2

Chapter 1 3

Basic Instruction

Chapter 2 6

Divine Revelation

Chapter 3 10

Holy Tradition and Scripture

Chapter 4 15

On Holy Scripture in Particular

Chapter 5 27

The Structure of Catechism

Chapter 6 28

The Doctrine of Faith

The Creed

Chapter 7 32

On the Twelve Articles of the Creed

Chapter 8 33

God the Creator

Chapter 9 52

The Second Article

Jesus Christ the Son of God

Chapter 10 59

The Third Article Jesus Christ

the Son of God on the Incarnation

Chapter 11 79

The Fourth Article

The Suffering, Death Burial,

and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Chapter 12 87

The Fifth Article

The Glorious Resurrection

Chapter 13 94

The Sixth Article of the Creed

The Mystery of the Ascension

into Heaven

Chapter14 95

The Seventh Article of Faith

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Chapter 15 101

The Eighth Article of the Creed

The Third Person of the Qnuma

The Holy Spirit

Chapter 16 107

Article Nine

The One, Holy, Apostolic,

Catholic Church

Chapter 17 124

Article Ten

On Holy Baptism

with the Other Sacraments

Chapter 18 125

Article Ten

On Holy Baptism

Chapter 19 144

On the Holy Offering

Qurbana Qaddisha

Chapter 20 183

On Holy Orders

(The Apostolic

Laying-on-of-Hands)

Chapter 21 202

On the Oil of Unction

Chapter 22

On the Remission of Sin 206

and of Repentance

Chapter 23 212

On the Holy Cross

Chapter 24 222

On Holy Malka

(Leaven or Yeast)

Chapter 25 227

On the Eleventh Article

and the Resurrection of our Bodies

Chapter 26 243

On the Twelfth Article

Life forever and ever

The Benefactor

Dedicated to the beloved

memory of +Jumbud Zoudo

+Jumbud Zoudo, of Mosul, Iraq, born in 1929, is survived by her beloved partner and husband of 57 years, Mikhail Zoudo; together with six children, Farid, Samir, Sargon, Khalid, Fatin and Flora; and 19 grandchildren.

Mother was a fun loving mom, she cared greatly for the family whom God had given to her. In her own right, she was a loving disciplinarian; rearing children with profound values. All the children are happily married for several years, presenting a progeny of 19 grandchildren. They have been greatly influenced by Mother’s family values; a commitment (to justify a good marriage) and sacrificial living, with each the other. Mother was a pious believer; recalls Farid, at the time of his deployment from Baghdad to Jordan. Mother was sick and worried for his safety. It was during that week in which Farid was deployed that Mother had a dream wherein St George the Martyred One appeared to her to assure her of his safety. Following that episode, and in her simple trust she was calmed, and he was returned to safety.

+Jumbud cared for those “others” in works of charity, and helps to the needy. Funds and foods were freely donated through the Church and other charitable institutions. A member of the Assyrian Community, she was a very active member of the Ladies Auxiliary.

+Jumbud was well known for her culinary art. She kept an immaculate kitchen, where her sumptuous meals were prepared and shared with others She seemed to be possessed of enormous energies, cooking, cleaning, and preparing for her work-a-day activities before other were up and about.

When our Lord took her into His arms of safety, those of us who survive her blessed memory were surprised at its suddenness. Father was smitten with the awareness of a sudden tragedy, a loss which divided a 57 year profound companionship (they did all things together, which included shopping, enjoying movies, or in a walk about the block. In Modesto, Mother and Father were known as “Romeo and Juliet.”) My Father’s lifetime partner and companion was taken from him, changing his life forever.

Father misses Mother, praying, with tears (in her blessed memory) to join her. Mother possessed a great sense of humor, and would always reason to resolve an issue. To her children, we can unitedly state that she was a great inspiration! Her friends will say the same.

Recalling readily, Mother would remember special days of all the family, including birthdays, anniversaries, or of any special event for her children, grandchildren, cousins, etc. She would telephone them or send a card to commemorate these special occasions.

Mother insisted that to succeed one would have to find their niche in life, and to work hard in order to accomplish goals; “for you will not win the lotto, nor would anyone die and leave you millions of dollars; you are to be responsible for your own losses.” Mother was a philosopher in her own simple way.

We, as family, thought it would be a wonderful way to remember our beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother in this manner by donating for the publication of this wonderful book of knowledge, which is a symbol of Mother and her love for our Holy Church.

“Mom, we miss you very much!”

Abby, Khalid, Jonathan, Jacob, Andrew and Emma Rose Zoudo

Acknowledgments

Our deepest thanks are offered to Dr Norman Solhkhan, for providing and making available the office space. Thanks are also offered to the faithful of both St John Church and St Andrew Parish for the service of their priests who gave their time and talent to develop this valuable book. St Andrew Parish provided the equipment which had been utilized to draft, print-out and begin with an initial publication of this volume.

The families of the priests who have so freely shared with us their fathers, to them we are indebted for their sacrifice. We are eternally grateful for the editorial assistance and extensive help offered to us by Sister Barbara Lambourn.

We also thank the many faithful folk who have engaged themselves in reading and editing the initial draft and prepublication of this volume; their services has proved most valuable.

Unto our worshipful God be all glory, bestowing good health, long live, and divine wisdom upon all who have had a part in this sacred endeavor: Amen

Forward

We had laid before us a work which would involve many long hours and serious thought. It is the teaching (dogma) embraced within The Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East. These are the Orthodox, Sacred Traditions and teachings. We have presented in this volume, a beginning work, presented in love to the faithful, and the inquirer, of our beliefs and practices..

A primary question which is often presented to us is: “who are we?” or, “where do we come from?” or, is there a line of heritage or history which can be reviewed for an outsider to consider?

Let us begin by stating the references we have to our historic existence. We can and do refer to the history books and learning of the Ancient World, where we are prominently featured. The first library of the known world, was established, built and maintained by Hammurabi, where the literature of the known world was collected. All the science texts of that time were collected; all religious texts were there, too

We have references to us as a people in the Sacred Writings of The Church. References are made to the Eastern world in the whole of the Holy Bible. (Please see: Genesis 2:14, 10:10-11; Isaiah 10:5; 19:23,24; Matthew 12:41) Whether it is the references to the People of God being held captive by Nebuchadnezzar, or the Silk and Spice Route into Asia for domestic products, to the evangelization of the “people outback.” Our great historical roots are found there!

At the time of the birth of The Holy Church on the Day of Pentecost; in Jerusalem, we were there, too! In the Acts of the Apostles it is recorded: “. . . Parthians, Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia . .” The People of God had gathered together from great distances to keep this ancient festival of Judaism. It was from among them that the Gospel of Jesus was proclaimed/heard; among that crowd of faithful pilgrims were folk from the Eastern Empire, and they carried back to their homeland the Good News of the redemptive message of Jesus Christ.

The Biblical historical records of the Western World and Church are quite extensive, whereas, that of the Eastern World and the Church of the East is left to extra-Biblical research! The Church in the Eastern World flourished, for by the end of the first century of our present era, there were churches established from the limits of the Romo-Byzantine Empire to the Caspian Sea. St Thomas the Apostle carried the Gospel and Teachings of Jesus Christ from Jerusalem to the regions of Mesopotamia and down into the southern tip of India. St Bartholomew of the Twelve also followed the same route, establishing churches as he went upon his way.

St Thaddeus the Apostle together with his companion, St Mari of the Seventy, preached the life and teachings of Jesus Christ to the Aramaic speaking Kingdom of Edessa (modern day Urhai, Turkey), which was a buffer city-state located between the Roman and Parthian Empires. It was there, a strong Church was established and it flourished; and, other communities which were established ‘round about. The reason for the ready acceptance of the Good News of Jesus Christ, was because of their familiarity with the customs, culture, and the language of that ancient people.

Thus the beginning of the non-Jewish Semitic Church in The East. The first and oldest Christian Church is near Ormiah, Iran, Mart Maryam (St Mary)

All the truths proclaimed from the lips of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Apostles have been recorded for us, in both the Sacred Tradition and in the Sacred Writings. The Sacred Tradition practiced by the early Apostles and Church Fathers had been handed down to us unto this present day (in the Original Aramaic or the Modern Assyrian Language), but why this Book of Catechism?

The purpose of this particular book is for the profound need extant within the community of the faithful. The written page will provide exactly that which is taught and believed to the practicing Christian within The Church.

The Questions and Answers presented in this program of study of Catechetical Instructions follows the basic needs for instruction of the young. They will be prepared to carry these Sacred Truths and practices into the generations ahead.

His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, a dedicated servant of the Lord Jesus has been a source of encouragement for the development of this precious book of valuable instruction for the faithful of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East.

The truths presented here in this Book of Catechism are the result of the diligent research of two priests, The Rev’d Fr George Toma, St Andrew Parish, Des Plaines, Illinois, together with the concurring labors of The Rev’d Charles H Klutz, St John Church, Chicago, Illinois, whose love of the Holy Church together with their discovery of a very the urgent need for a systematic study, it is hoped that this book fulfills.

Our Lord help us: Amen

Chapter 1

Basic Instruction

1) What is a Catechism?

A Catechism is an instruction in the teaching of the Apostolic Christian Church. It is to be taught to all inquirers to enable them to please God and to redeem one’s own soul.

2) Can we define the word “Catechism.”?

Catechism comes into the English language via Greek, it means simply “instruction;” or “oral or written teaching.” It has been used in our Church since the days of the Apostles. It is the basic form of instruction or teaching in the Apostolic faith. It is essential for all Christians. “. . that thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed.” (St Luke 1:4) “ . . This man was instructed (Apollos) in the way of the Lord. . . .” (Acts 18:25a).

3) What is essential in order to please God and to redeem one’s soul?

First: a knowledge of The True God, and to possess a right faith toward Him; and, Second: A simple life of faith and good works

4) Is faith essential or necessary?

Yes; for it is written in the Holy Bible that “. . without faith it is impossible to please HIM, for he that comes to God must believe that He is; and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

5) Why must a life of faith and good deeds be considered inseparable?

Because it is written, “. . . faith without works is dead. . .” (James 2:20)

6) Can we define “faith”?

St Paul the Treasurer and Doctor of The Church has taught us in his writings: “. . . faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) This means an absolute trust in the unseen as though it were seen; in that which was anticipated/hoped for as though it were present.

7) Can we state the difference between knowledge and faith?

a:) Knowledge has as its object those things which are visible and comprehensible; whereas faith, those things which are not visible and incomprehensible.

b:) Knowledge is built upon experience, or, the scrutiny of the object; but, faith is grounded in the testimony/witness of truth;

c:) Knowledge is an act of the human intellect, although it may act upon the human heart; whereas faith is an act of the heart, although it is imparted through human intellect.

8) In religious instructions, why is faith and not knowledge only essential?

The object of religious instruction is that of God, the invisible and incompressible One; and the wisdom of God hidden in mystery; therefore, many parts of this learning cannot be grasped by knowledge; but, it is obtained by a simple trusting faith. “ . . if you will not believe, you shall not be established . . .” (Isaiah 7:9b)

9) Can we extend our grasp of the words “necessity of faith”?

From the Greek Fathers we have these words: “...It’s not only amongst us, who hear the Name of Christ, that faith is made so great a thing; but everything which is done in the world, even by men who are unconnected with The Church, is done by faith. Agriculture is founded on faith; for no one who does not believe that he should gather-in the increase of the fruits of the earth would undertake the labor of husbandry. Mariners are guided by faith when they entrust their fate to a slight plank, and prefer the agitation of the unstable waters to the more stable element of the earth. They give of themselves up to uncertain expectations, and retain for themselves nothing but faith, to which they trust more than to any anchors.” (cry.cat.v)

Chapter 2

Divine Revelation

1) From where did the doctrine of the Apostolic Faith come?

It is from Divine Revelation

2) How can we define the words “Divine Revelation”?

“Divine Revelation” is: a:) that which God Himself has revealed to man; b:) In order for man to rightly and salvificly serve Him; and, c:) for man to worthily give to Him due honor and praise.

3) Has this revelation been made known to all mankind?

Yes; He has given it to all mankind, for it is necessary to all of humankind, alike; and, it is capable to give salvation to all. However, since all humankind are not capable to receive a divine revelation, immediately from God, He has utilized certain persons, or gifted ones, as heralds of this revelation in order to deliver it to all who desire it and wholeheartedly receive it.

4) Why are all men not capable of receiving “Divine Revelation” from The Almighty God and Father?

Owing to sinful impurity of both body and soul they are not capable of receiving the “Divine Revelation” from God.

5) Who are the agents who have received and delivered the “Divine Revelation”?

Adam, Noah, Abraham, Melchizedek, Moses and other prophets; these received the beginnings of the Divine Revelation and proclaimed the same to humankind; but, it was The Incarnate Son of God our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, who brought the revelation to earth in its fullness and perfection. It has been spread throughout the whole world by His great commission to the Disciples and Apostles, which is: “ . . . Go, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:19-20). St Paul teaches us: “God, who in sundry times and in diverse manner, spoke to us in times past unto The Father, by the Prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He has appointed heir of all things, by Whom also, He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1-2)

And, again the same Apostle writes to the Corinthians the following, “ . . . but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world, unto our glory; which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory; but God has revealed them unto us by His Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

(I Corinthians 2:7,8, 10)

And, St John the Evangelist, writes in His Holy Gospel, “ . . . No man hath seen God at anytime; the Only Begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (John 1:18) Our Lord Himself, by His own Divine Lips declared, “ . . . All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and He to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.” (Matthew 11:27)

6) Is it possible for man to have any knowledge of God, without it being revealed to him?

Some knowledge of God can be gained by the consideration or contemplation upon the creation (such as the trees, flowers, the cosmos, etc); however, this knowledge is imperfect and not sufficient to reveal the totality of God. It will only serve as a preparation for faith; or, as a help toward God and His revelation. It is written: “ . . . for the invisible things of Him, from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His Eternal Power, and Godhead; so that they are without excuse,” (Romans 1:20) and, again, St Luke writes: “. . . and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell upon all the face of the earth; and hath determined the times, before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if happily they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from everyone of us: for in Him and move and have our being; as certain of your own poets have said, ‘for we are also His offspring.’” (Acts 17:26-28) “With regard to faith in God, it is preceded by the idea that God IS, which idea we get from the things which have been created. Attentively, examining the creation of the world, we perceive that God is wise, powerful, and good; we perceive, also, His invisible properties. By these means we are led to acknowledge Him as the Supreme Ruler. Seeing that God is the Creator of the whole world, and we form a part of the world, it follows that God is also our creator. On this knowledge follows faith, and on faith adoration.” (Basil. Magn. Epist 2:32)

Chapter 3

Holy Tradition and Scripture

1) How do we preserve Divine Revelation and spread it among humankind in The True Church?

By utilizing two methods: a) The Holy Apostolic and Living Tradition; and, b) The Holy Scriptures.

2) What do we mean by “Holy Apostolic and Living Tradition?”

We mean that The Holy, Apostolic, and The Living Tradition is the dogma of The Christian Faith, the Law of God, The Holy Sacraments, and the Rituals as handed to us by the true believers and worshipers of Almighty God, orally (by mouth) and by example from generation to another. (It is a living collection of 2,000 years of the practices, reflections and commentaries of our Apostolic Fathers as introduced and revealed by the Holy Spirit.)

3) What is the true repository for The Holy, Apostolic and The Living Tradition?

All true believers united by the Holy Tradition of the faith, collectively and successively, by the Will of God, compose One Holy Church; and, this Holy Church is the true repository of the Holy and Living Apostolic Tradition. St Paul the Apostle teaches us: “. . . if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the House of God, which is The Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of The Truth.” (I Timothy 3:15) St Irenaeus, one of our ancient Church Fathers has recorded for these words: “ . . we ought not to seek among others the truth, which we may have for the asking from The Church; for in Her, as in a rich treasurer-house, the Apostles have laid up in its fullness all that pertains to the truth, so that whosoever seeks may receive from Her food of life. She is the door of life.” (Adv. Haeres. Lib. iii.c.4)

4) What is that which you call “Holy Scriptures”?

The Holy Scriptures is a collection of books written under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, through men who were sanctified by God, these men are known as Prophets and Apostles. These books of Sacred Scriptures are collected, canonized, and are entitled “The Holy Bible.” It is written: “ . . all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”(II Timothy 3:16)

5) What does the word “Bible” mean?

It is a Greek word “biblia” meaning, books or a collection of books. And, it means to give attention to these sacred and holy books, before secular writings.

6) Which is the more ancient practice, observing the use of the Sacred Scriptures or of the Holy, Apostolic, and The Living Tradition?

The most ancient and original means, or mode, for proclaiming the Diving Revelation is The Holy Apostolic and Living Tradition! From Adam, the Father of humankind to the Prophet Moses there were no written Sacred books. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Himself, delivered His Divine Dogma and practice unto the Disciples by word of mouth and primary example; not by the written page. This same method or mode was followed, also, by the Holy Apostles in their days of Apostolic ministry; proclaiming the Christian Faith, and establishing the Holy Church of our Lord Christ. The necessity of Holy Tradition gives further evidence that recorded books are available to only a very few. But, Holy Tradition is available to all. It is written: “ . . and they (the early disciples, Apostles and converts) continued steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine, and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)

7) If you say that Holy Tradition is so important, then why is the Holy Bible given to The Church?

The Holy Bible is given to The Church, so that the Divine Revelation may be kept and preserved as it had been given, without change. In the pages of the Holy Scriptures we will read the words of the Ancient Prophets and the Holy Apostles precisely if we were listening to them proclaim God’s Word to humanity. Although the latest of these Sacred Writings were given to The Church almost 2,000 years ago.

8) Why do we abide within the structure of The Holy Apostolic and Living Tradition, even though we have easy access to the Holy Scriptures?

It is to serve as a right guide to the understanding and grasping of the Holy Scriptures; we are to read the Holy Scriptures as through the eyes and mind of the Holy Church of our Lord; for the right administration of the Holy Sacraments. As an example: The use of dark or red wine for the Holy Blood of our Lord, and not unfermented grape juice; and the use of wheat flour for the Holy Body; and, moving water in Holy Baptism; and again, the use of pure olive oil for anointing; and, a male priesthood, etc. Also, for the preservation of the pure and Sacred Rites of the Holy Church, in the purity of their original institution. A Greek Church Father has written: “ . . . of the doctrines and injunctions kept by The Church, some we have from instruction. But some we have received, from Apostolic Tradition, by succession in private. Both the former and the later have one and the same force for piety, and this will be contradicted by no one who has ever so little knowledge in the Ordinances of The Church; for were we to dare to reject unwritten customs, as if they had no great importance, we should insensibly, mutilate the Gospel, even in the most essential points, or, rather, for the teaching of the Apostles leave but an empty name. For instance, let us mention before all else the very first commonest act of Christians, that they who trust in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, should sign themselves with the sign of The Cross who has taught this by writing? To turn toward the East in prayer? What Scripture have we for this? The words of invocation in the change of the Eucharistic Bread and in the cup of blessing, by which of the saints have they been left us in writing? For we are not content with those words which the Apostles nor the Gospel records, but both, before them and after them, we pronounce others also, which we hold to be of great force for the Sacrament, though we have received them from unwritten teaching. By what Scripture is it, in like manner, that we bless the water of baptism, the oil of unction, and the person himself who is baptized? It is not by a silent and Sacred Tradition? What more? The very practice itself of anointing with oil; what written word have we for it? Whence is the rule of triune immersion? And the rest of the ceremonies at Baptism, the renunciation of Satan and his angels? From what Scriptures are they taken? Are they not all from this unpublished and private teaching, which our fathers kept, under reserve inaccessible to curiosity, and profane disquisition, having been taught as a first principle to guard by silence the sanctity of the Mysteries? For how were it fit to publish in writing the doctrine of those things on which the unbaptized may not so much as look? (Can xcvii. De Spir Sanct cxxvii.)

Chapter 4

On Holy Scripture in Particular

1) When were the Sacred Books of the Bible written?

Through the recorded course of the history of the people of God, they were written before the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ and others, after.

2) Do the divisions of the Holy Scripture have a specific meaning, or purpose?

Yes; the books written before the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, were named in their collection as the Old Testament, whereas, the documents collected following the Advent of our Lord Jesus are named the New Testament.

3) What do we mean by the Old Testament and the New Testament?

We mean to state that there was an earlier covenant of God with man; and the New Covenant of God with mankind.

4) What constitutes the formation of the Old Testament?

The Old Testament is the revelation of the forth-coming of Jesus Christ, and preparing them (humankind) to accept Him.

5) How was humankind prepared to receive the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

God had prepared humankind to receive The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, through the gradual revelation in the preachments of the prophets, and types.

6) What constitutes the New Testament?

The absolute fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies in the giving of The Gift of God; His Only Begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ (see, St John 3:16)

“For God so loved the world, that HE gave us His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” A point to remember, The Old Testament is the revelation of Jesus Christ, concealed; whereas, The New Testament IS the revelation of Jesus Christ; revealed!

7) We number how many books for the Old Testament?

According to the earliest records of The Church, we have a system of numbering which may confuse the faithful; however let us state that there are a total of 46 books of the Old Testament. The early Church Fathers number a total of 22 Old Testament books, having arrived at that particular, number agreeing with the Jerusalem Jewish community, who had so reckoned them with the ancient original “Hebrew” tongue.

8) Why do we need to assent to the Jewish Jerusalem reckoning of these books?

We refer you to the writings of St Paul the Treasurer of the Church, where he states in the Epistle to the Roman Church, “ . . much every way: chiefly, because that, unto them was committed the oracles of God.” (3:2), which is by interpretation, meaning simply, that The Holy Writings of the Old Testament had been received from the Hebrew Church (in Jerusalem) by the Christian Church of the New Testament of Jerusalem

9) How do the Church Fathers of the early Church enumerate The Books of the Old Testament?

1, The Book of Genesis;

2, The Book of Exodus;

3, The Book of Leviticus;

4, The Book of Numbers;

5, The Book of Deuteronomy;

6, The Book of Joshua, son of Nun;

7, The Book of Judges, and with it as an appendix

The Book of Ruth;

8, The I & II Books of Kings, as two parts of one book;

9, The III and IV Books of Kings;

10, The I and II Paralipomenon (I & II Chronicles);

11, The I Book of Esdras, and the II or, as it is

Named in Nehemiah;

12, The Book of Esther;

13, The Book of Job;

14, The Psalms;

15, The Proverbs of Solomon;

16, The Ecclesiastes, also by Solomon;

17, The Song of Songs, also by Solomon;

18, The Book of the Prophet Isaiah;

19, The Book of Jeremiah;

20, The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel;

21, The Book of the Prophet Daniel;

22, The Book of the Twelve Prophets.

10) We have other Old Testament Books, but they are not noted here, such as The Wisdom of the son of Sirach, and of others, why?

These books do not exist in the Hebrew language, but they are in the Greek texts.

11) How does the Church of the East regard these other books which are not included in the original Hebrew?

St Athanasis, as a Church Father, had declared that these books were included in the reading requirements of the proselytes who are preparing for admission into the Holy Church through Holy Baptism.

12) Can we give any further distinction to the Old Testament books in our description of their contents?

Yes, we are able to divide them into the following classes: 1) The Books of the Law; these form the basis of the Old Testament; 2) the Historical Books, these contain the history of religion; 3) the Doctrinal Books, these are the books containing the doctrinal position of our holy faith; and, 4) The Prophetical Books, these contain the prophecies or predictions of the things in the future, and especially of the Advent (the salvific) Good News of Jesus Christ.

13) Can you name the Books of the Law?

Yes, they are the five books written by Moses; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Himself referred to these Books as the Books of the Law of Moses (see St Luke) “ . . . and HE said unto them, these are the Words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me.” (24:44)

14) The Book of Genesis contains what, particularly?

The creation of the world, and of man, is contained in the Book of Genesis, together with the history and the Ordinances of Law in the first ages of humankind. Also, we note the first 17 chapters tell us of the creation, etc., beginning of the ages; and, then from the 18th chapter to the end of chapter 50 it instructs the faithful in the promises of God and forthcoming Promised One (Gen 3:15)

15) What is recorded in the other four Books of Moses?

The development of religious practices, and the Law of Moses, given through him from God, to the chosen people.

16) What are the historical books of the Old Testament?

The Historical Books of the Old Testament are; the Book of Joshua, the son of Nun; the Books of Judges, Ruth, Kings, Paralipomenon, The Books of Esdras, The Books of Nehemiah and Esther.

17) Can you name the doctrinal books of the Old Testament?

Yes, they are the Books of Job, the Psalms, and the Book of Solomon.

18) What can we note, particularly, in the Book of the Psalms?

With this book, together with the doctrine of our religion, discover through its history, the revelation of the Savior Jesus Christ. We can also extract from it, the acts of prayer and praise; for they are continually used in all the divine services of The Holy Church.

19) Can we name the Prophetical Books?

Yes, they are those books of the Prophets, namely, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and the twelve minor prophets.

20) How many Books constitute the New Testament?

The Church of the East and her Ancient Fathers confess 22 New Testament Books. (The five books in the English Bible not included in the Sacred Canon of The Church of the East are: II Peter, II & III John, Jude and The Revelation of John)

21) Among the 22 books of the New Testament, are there any which answer to the fulfillment of the Law of Moses?

Yes; Within the 4 Gospels, we can find these words of fulfillment of the Law of Moses, namely, the Gospel Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We can recognize that which appears in the New Testament writings having roots (remarks) from the Old Testament, by this single phrase “these things are written that the word of the prophet is fulfilled,” etc.

22) Can you define the meaning of the word “Gospel?

Yes; It comes to us from the Greek word, evangel, which means “Good News.” In Aramaic it is “swarta.” meaning the same thing; good news. In the English language the word “Gospel” (also translated “Good News”, comes from two words, “God’s” Spiel”, which means “God’s Story.”

23) Good News of what?

The Good news of His Advent, His Divinity, His Holy Life on Earth, His miracles, His Holy Teachings, His suffering, His death in His humanity upon the Cross, His burial, His Glorious Resurrection on the Third Day, His appearing on earth, and the ascension into Heaven; and the sending forth (descent) of the Holy Spirit.

24) Why call these four books, “The Gospel”?

There is no more joyful tidings than that which is found (discovered) in these 4 books; a Divine Savior, together with the hope of everlasting salvation. Whenever the Gospel is read in the Holy Church it is followed by the exclamation “Glory be to Thee, O Christ our Lord!”

25) Which book of the New Testament can we consider as historical writings?

There is only one available for our enlightenment, and that is the Book of the Acts of the Apostles.

26) What does the Book of Acts record for us in our day?

The Birth of the Holy Church through the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Apostles, and the extension of Christ’s Church through them to the four corners of the earth.

27) Define the word “an apostle”

The word means “one who is sent,” or, “a messenger,” or “an ambassador.” The name was given to the 12 disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom He had commissioned to “ . . go into all the world, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

28) What are the doctrinal books of the New Testament?

The three Catholic epistles; Peter, James, and John; and the 14 epistles of the Apostle St Paul, and they are, Romans, I & II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews.

29) Are there other books of the New Testament in which there are prophetical utterances?

No, however in later additions within our sister Apostolic Churches, there will be an addition of the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse) they had received following the established New Testament Canon of the Council of Nicea (of the 318 Fathers)

30) What rules should we observe when we read the Holy Bible?

Primarily among our reading of the Holy Bible, we must do so devoutly, as they are the Divine Words of our Living God; and accompanied with prayer, in order to understand the truth these Words convey; Secondly,. we are to read these Words with a pure desire to observe and learn to develop a desire to do good works, we are to take it and understand these Words as through the eyes of The Church and the Holy Fathers.

31) When The Holy Church declares the doctrine of Divine Revelation and of The Holy Scripture to people for the first time, what signs does she offer that this is indeed the Word of God?

1) The sublimity of this doctrine, gives witness that it cannot be any invention of mankind’s reason; and,

2) The purity of the Doctrine shows that it is from the all-pure mind of God; and,

3) Prophecies; and,

4) Miracles; and,

5) The impact of this doctrine upon the hearts of humankind, beyond all, but Divine Power.

32) Can we prove that prophecies are signs of a true revelation from God?

Yes, we will use an example, we will look at the Prophet Isaiah, when he foretold the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ from a Virgin, this was a thing which the natural man could not have so much as to imagine; and when centuries later this prophecy was fulfilled, and our Lord Jesus Christ was born of the Most Pure Virgin Mary; it was impossible not to see that the prophecy was the Word of the Omniscient One, and that this fulfillment was of The Words of the Almighty God, wherefore the Evangelist St Matthew, speaks of the birth of Christ, recalling the prophecy of Isaiah “ . . . but all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet saying, ‘behold a Virgin shall be with Child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His Name Immanuel, which being interpreted is God with us . . .” (Matthew 1:22-23)

33) Can we define ‘miracles’?

Yes; they are the acts or deeds which cannot be done by the powers nor art of mankind; but, only by the Divine Power of the Living and Almighty God. As an example, the raising up of the dead, or, the restoring of sight to the sightless, or the opening of deaf ears. (Miracles are the supernatural acts which cannot be explained naturally.)

34) Do miracles serve as a sign that the Words spoken are from God?

He who will do true miracles, does so by The Power of the Almighty God; therefore, he is in favor with God, he is a partaker of the Divine Spirit; but to such it must belong only to those who speak the pure truth, and when such a man speaks in God’s Name, we are sure that from his mouth there speaks the Word of God. And, on account of this our Lord Jesus Christ owns His miracles as a powerful testimony to His Divine Mission. “. . . But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father has given Me to finish, the same works which I do, bear witness of Me, that The Father has sent Me.” (John 5:36)

35) Whence may we more particularly see the Mighty impact of the Doctrine of Jesus Christ?

There were 12 Apostles who had come from a variety of the poor and unlearned peoples; namely, fishermen, tax-collectors, and others of the lowest class, and by this doctrine which they had received in three and one-half years overcame and subdued to The Christ, the mighty, the wise, the rich, the kings and their kingdoms. It is written: “ . . But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world the things which are mighty. . . . that no flesh should glory in His Presence . .” (I Cor 1:27, 29)

Chapter 5

The Structure of Catechism

1) What is a good order to develop for catechetical instructions in religion classes?

Let us take the basis of our instruction from the writing of St Paul, when he addresses the Christian Faith with this phrase: “ . . and now abides faith, hope, and charity . . . ” (I Cor 8:13) The believer needs, therefore, 1:) the doctrine on Faith in God; and the Sacraments which He has revealed (these are the outward revelation of an inward identity or possession); and, 2:) The Doctrine on hope toward God; and on the means to be grounded in it; and, 3:) The Doctrine of Love toward, all that which He commands us to love.

2) What does The Church use as her symbol or instrument to convey the doctrine of faith?

The Creed of the 318 Fathers, the Nicene Creed was accepted in the whole Church by 325 A.D. In the Holy Church of the East, Bishop Marutha from the West brought the document and in the Council of Mar Isaac it was accepted 410 A.D.

3) What instrument can we take as the guide for the doctrine of hope?

We can take as our guide the 8 beatitudes (found in the Book of St Matthew); and the Lord’s Prayer, also recorded for us in the Gospel of St Matthew.

4) Where can the basic elements of the doctrine of charity be found?

They can be found in the Ten Commandments of the Law of God.

Chapter 6

The Doctrine of Faith --- The Creed

1) What is The Creed?

The Creed is an exposition of the Faith handed to us by the Apostles in brief. It is the doctrine that all Christians are to believe, divided into 12 articles of profession.

2) What are the words of The Creed?

The words of The Creed are as follows:

1:) We believe in One God, the Father Almighty maker of all things visible and invisible;

2:) And, in One Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only Begotten, the First born of all created, begotten of His Father before all worlds and not made; Very God of very God, of One Essence with His Father, by whose hands the worlds were established and everything was created;

3:) Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from Heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit, and became man; and was conceived and born of the Virgin Mary;

4:) He suffered and was crucified in the days of Pontius Pilate;

5:) He was buried and He rose again on the Third Day as it is written;

6:) And ascended into Heaven and sat down at the right hand of His Father;

7:) And He shall come again to judge the dead and the living;

8:) And One Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, who proceeds from the Father, the Lifegiving Spirit;

9:) And in One Holy, Catholic, Apostolic

Church,

10:) And, we confess one baptism for the remission of sin;

11:) And the resurrection of our bodies;

12:) And the life forever and ever: Amen

3) From whom have we received this symbol?

Creed of the 318 Fathers, from the Ecumenical Council of Nicea. This symbol of our faith was adopted as the Creed in the whole Church of the West by 325 A.D. In the Holy Church of the East, Bishop Marutha from the West brought the document and in the Council of Mar Isaac in 410 A.D. it was received as it is used in our worship to this very day.

4) What is an Ecumenical Council?

It is an assembly of Bishops and ecclesiastical doctors of the Universal Church of Christ; they come from throughout the whole world, if at all possible, to meet and assemble to confirm the true doctrine, and the discipline of The Church of our Lord.

5) How many Ecumenical Councils do we recognize?

There were two truly Ecumenical Councils, 1) the Council of Nicea; and, 2) The Council of Constantinople; and, possibly three, the Council of Chalcedon, because the Church in the West (the Roman Byzantine Empire) returned to the Orthodox Faith, embracing two natures in Christ

6) Where did the rule for assembling councils come from?

From the first council held in Jerusalem under the chairmanship of St James The Bishop of Jerusalem, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 15. It is also grounded on the Words of Jesus Christ, Himself, who had given the decisions to the Church such weight that anyone who had disobeyed them were considered a heathen deprived of grace. (Matt 18:17) “ . . . and if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto The Church, but if he neglect to hear The Church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican . . .”

7) What were the particular occasions for assembling the First and Second Councils at which time the symbol of our faith was defined?

The First was held to confirm the true doctrine, regarding The Son of God, against the error of Arias, who had thought unworthily of the Son of God;

The Second was held to confirm the true doctrine regarding the Holy Spirit against the error of Macedonius, who had taught unworthily of/about the Holy Spirit.

8) When did these two Ecumenical Councils occur?

The Council of Nicea was in 325 A.D.; and the Council of Constantinople convened in 381 A.D.

Chapter 7

On the Twelve Articles of The Creed

1) How can we better understand the Nicene Creed; what methods shall we use to explain the twelve articles or points of our Holy Christian Faith?

We will consider the enumerated twelve articles of faith in the order in which they were given and study each article separately.

2) What is addressed in each of the twelve articles of faith?

1:-- It speaks of God! That HE is the prime origin and in particular the First Qnuma of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, and that HE is the Creator of the Worlds, Visible and Invisible; and,

2:-- This article addresses the Second Qnuma of the Holy Trinity, Jesus Christ the Son of God the Father; and,

3:-- This article addresses the Incarnation of God the Word, the Second Qnuma of the Holy Trinity; and,

4:-- This article addresses the suffering (passion), the death and the burial of Jesus Christ; and,

5:-- This article addresses the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ; and,

6:-- This article presents the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into Heaven, Who now sits at the Right Hand of the Father; and,

7:-- The Second Coming of Jesus Christ from Heaven is addressed in this article; and,

8:-- The Third Qnuma of the Holy Trinity is addressed in this Article, God the Holy Spirit; and,

9:-- This article addresses The Holy Church; and,

10:-- The article of faith here addresses The Holy Baptism, together with the implication of the other Sacraments; and,

11:-- The future resurrection of the dead is considered in this article; and,

12:-- Life everlasting is addressed here.

Chapter 8

God the Creator

1) What is it to “. . . .believe in One God the Father Almighty?”

To believe in The One God is to have or possess a lively faith in His Eternal Being, His Divine attributes, and His actions; and to receive His revealed Word with a whole heart regarding the salvation of humankind in Jesus Christ

2) Can we show from the Holy Bible, that our faith must consist as noted above?

Yes! It is written, “ . . .without faith it is impossible to please HIM: for he that comes to God must believe that HE is, and that HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM . . .” (Hebrews 11:6) And, again the sainted Apostle Paul continues this thought in another of his epistle’s; this one to the Ephesians, where he records for us, this prayer, “. . . . that HE would grant unto you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love . . . . (Ephesians 3:16-17)

3) What must be the immediate and constant effect of a hearty faith in God?

The confession of this Holy and Apostolic orthodox faith.

4) What is the “confession of faith”? Can we define this confession?

Yes! We proclaim openly before all of humankind; that we steadfastly hold the Holy Apostolic Orthodox Faith; and this is with such sincerity that neither seduction, nor threats, nor torture, nor death itself may be able to make us to deny our Holy Faith in The True God and in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. St Paul teaches us, “. . . . I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creatures, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord . . . ” (see: Romans 8:38,39)

5) Why is it necessary for us to confess this faith?

It is essential for us to give witness to our confession of faith for our salvation, it is written: “ . . for with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation . . ” ( Rom 10:10)

6) Why is it not only important to salvation to believe, but, also to confess “the Holy, Apostolic, Orthodox Faith?”

To preserve our life and temporal possession and to fail to give witness to this Holy, Apostolic, Orthodox Faith, means that we have failed to recognize a true faith in God, the Savior, nor do we desire to enjoy the blessings of Eternal Life. (“ . . . whosoever shall deny Me before men, him shall I also deny before My Father who is in Heaven . . .” St Matthew 1:33)

7) Why do we confess belief in One God?

The heathen have taken the created creature for god and gods, and therefore, they think that there are many gods.

8) How does the Holy Bible teach us about the unity of the One God?

The very words of this Holy Apostolic Orthodox creed is taken from the writings of the Apostle Paul; “. . . but there is no other God but One . For though there be those who are called gods, whether in Heaven or Earth, but to us there is but One God, The Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and One Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him. . .” (I Cor 8:4b,5,6)

9) Can we know the very essence of God?

No! It is above all human knowledge and that of the Angelic hosts.

10) How does the Holy Bible address this point of our knowledge concerning the “essence of God.?”

St Paul records: “ . . . in His time, He shall show, Who is the blessed and Only Potentate, The King of kings, The Lord of lords, Who alone hath immortality, dwelling in The Light which no man can approach unto; Whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to Whom be honor, and power everlasting: Amen . . .” (I Tim 6:15-16)

11) What can we derive from Divine Revelation as it defines essence and the essential attributes of God?

That God is spirit, eternal, all-good, omniscient, all-just, Almighty, omnipresent, unchangeable, all-sufficing to Himself, all-blessed, etc.

12) Show all of these attributes of our Holy God from the Holy Scriptures.

Jesus Christ Himself has said that God is Spirit “ God is Spirit, and they that worship Him, must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth . .” (John 4:24) Regarding the eternity of God, David the King records in the Psalms these words, saying: “ . . . before the mountains were brought forth, or ever that Thou didst form the Earth and the worlds, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God . .” (Psa 90:2) And, again: “. . . Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today, and forever . . .” (Hebrews 13:8) “. . . but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the Prophets, according to the commandment The Everlasting God made known to all nations for the obedience of faith . . .” (Roman 16:26). The goodness of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Himself declared: “ . . . why callest thou Me good? For there is none good but One, that is, God” (Matthew 19:17), “ . . . we have known and believed the love that God has for us, for God is Love, and he that dwells in Love dwells in God, and God in him. . . ” (I John 4:16) David the King records: “. . . . for the Lord is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works . .” (Psa 145:8-9). About the omniscience of God, “ . . for if our heart condemns, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things . . .” (I John 3:20) St Paul the Apostle writes to the Roman Church, saying: “ . . . O the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements, and His ways past finding out!” (11:33) David the King says, regarding the justice of God, “ . . . for the righteous Lord loves righteousness; His countenance does behold the upright. . .” (Psa 11:7) And again, God will “. . . render to every man according to his deeds . . . for there is no respect of persons with God. . .” (Roman 2:6, 11). Regarding the Almighty Power of the God, David the King records: “ . . . for HE spoke and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast . . . ” (Psa 33:9). “ . . . for with God nothing shall be impossible . . .” (Luke 1:37). The Omnipresence of God, the King David says: “ . . . such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whether shall I go from Thy Spirit? Or, whether shall I flee from Thy Presence? If I ascend up into Heaven Thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost of the seas; even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. . .” (Psa 139:6-10) In the catholic epistle of St James we read: “ . . . Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness nor shadow of turning. . .” (Jas 1:17) Again in the Acts of the Apostles the record states: “ . . God who hath made the world, and all things therein, seeing that HE IS the Lord of Heaven and Earth, does not dwell in the temples made with hands; neither is He worshiped with mens hands as though He needs anything, seeing, HE gives to all life and breath, and all things . . .” (Acts 17:24-25)

13) Since God is Spirit, then, how is it that we ascribe to Him parts of the human-body, according to the Scriptural writings; i.e. a heart, or a body, eyes, ears, hands, etc.?

In ascribing to God parts of a body, the Holy Bible adepts itself to the language of mankind; but we are to understand this only from a higher and spiritual sense; by way of an example, “the heart of God,” is to give an illustration to the great goodness and love of our worshipful God; and, of “eyes,” or of “ears” these are the expressions of His omniscience; and of the “hands” of God addresses His Almighty Power or omnipotence.

14) Since God is in all places, then, how do we as human beings say that God is in The Church or in Heaven?

Yes, God is everywhere present! However, in Heaven, God does have a special Presence, which is manifested in everlasting glory to the blessed celestial beings; also, in The Church, God has through Holy Grace and Holy Sacraments, an especial Presence is devoutly recognized and felt by believers and manifested sometimes by extraordinary signs. Jesus said: “ . . . for where two or three are gathered together in My Name there am I in the midst of them . .” (Matt 18:20)

15) How can we, therefore, grasp these words: “We believe in One God the Father,” within our confession of the mystery of the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity?

God is One, He is One in Nature in three qnume; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Nature of the Holy Trinity is ONE, and undivided. We have the example of the sun hanging in the heavens, it is one, but we can discern, it has a circle, it has heat, and it has light, it is one; demonstrated in three characteristics. Water is the same; a substance in steam, ice, or liquid; but it is the same material.

16) Does the Holy Bible say anything about the Holy Trinity?

Yes, it is written: “ . . . Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in The Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matt 28:19). And again, we have reference to the baptism of Jesus by John when the Holy Trinity was revealed on the banks of the Jordan River, as follows: “Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the Heavens were opened unto Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Him; and lo, a voice from Heaven, saying, ‘this is my Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.’ ” (Matt 3:16,17). We have another reference in the revelation of the Holy Trinity in the Annunciation to The Virgin Mary, “ . . . the Angel said to her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, therefore, all that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called The Son of God. . .” (Luke 1:35) “ . . . There are three which bear record in Heaven, The Father, The Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these Three are One. . ” (I John 5:17)

17) Can we find evidence of the Holy Trinity recorded in the Old Testament?

Yes! David the Psalmist instructs us: “ . . . By the Word of the LORD, the Heavens were made; and all the hosts of them by the breath of His mouth . . .” (Psa 33:6) The Prophet Isaiah records for posterity: “ . . . And one cried unto another, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy is The LORD of Hosts, the whole Earth is full of His Glory. . .” (Isa 6:3)

18) How is it that we say One God in three qnume?

We cannot fully understand in human terms this unique mystery of the revelation of God in Holy Trinity; however, we do believe it is based upon the infallible teaching of the Divine Words of God. It is written in St Paul’s epistles: “ . . . what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of a man, which is in him? Even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God. . . .” (I Cor 2:11)

19) Can you name the differences in the three qnume of The Holy Trinity?

1 --- God the Father begets (is not begotten), neither proceeds from any other qnume; and,

2 --- God The Son, He is eternally begotten of God the Father, He does not proceed from any other qnume; and,

3 --- God The Holy Spirit, He eternally proceeds from God The Father, and He is not begotten by any other qnume.

20) Are the Three qnume equal?

Yes! They are equal in majesty, authority, power, love and will. The Father is Truly God, the Son is Truly God, the Holy Spirit is truly God; One God eternally revealed in Three qnume!

21) Why have we called God The Almighty One?

We call God the Almighty God, because all that He has created is sustained and upheld by Him, His Power and His Will.

22) When we recite these words from the 318 Fathers, “maker of all things visible and invisible,” what do we confess?

Our confession states that all which was made is by God! And, that nothing exists which was not created nor made by Him, whether visible or invisible.

23) Can we state that these words are to be rooted in The Holy Scriptures?

Yes! Please refer to the following passages of The Sacred Scriptures; Genesis 1:1, “ . . In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth . . .” St Paul records, when referring to Our Lord Jesus Christ, “ . . for by HIM, were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that in Earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him: and HE is before all things, and by HIM all things consists: . . .” (Col 1:16-17); The Holy Gospel records: “ . . in the beginning was The Word . . . everything was made by HIM, and without Him was not anything made, that was made . . .” (John 1:1-3)

24) What do we mean by the word (from the Creed) “invisible”?

The word “invisible” means, simply, the spiritual world, or that which is inhabited by the Angels, arch-Angels, etc. Or, that world which is not comprehended by the physical mind.

25) What are Angels?

They are incorporeal beings which have no physical being, but that do have intelligence, will, and power.

26) What is the meaning of the word “Angel”?

`It is a Greek word meaning “messenger.”

27) Why have they been so named?

It is our worshipful God who sends them forth to announce His Will; by way of example, The Arch-angel Gabriel was sent to the Blessed and ever-Virgin Mary to announce to her the conception and birth of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of Man. “ . . in the sixth month the Angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a City of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a Virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the House of David; and the Virgin’s name was Mary, and the Angel came to her and said, ‘hail, Thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among Women.’ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said unto her, ‘fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. .’” (Luke 1:26-31) (also see: Matthew 1:18-all)

28) Which was first created? The invisible? Or, the visible?

According to the Sacred Scriptures and the Church Fathers, the invisible was first created. And that the Angels were first created before humankind.

29) Where in the Sacred Scriptures can we find a witness to these creative acts?

Let us turn to the writings of Job concerning creation of the visible: “. . where upon are the foundations thereof fastened, nor Who laid the cornerstone therefore, when the morning star sung together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:6,7)

30) Where does the idea of “guardian Angel” come from?

From the Psalms of David, we quote: “ . . . for HE shall give HIS angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways. . .” (Psalms 91:11)

31) Do we (each one of us), as humans, have a guardian angel?

Yes! Jesus taught us in these words; “ . . take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones, for I say unto you, that in Heaven their angels do always behold the Face of My Father which is in Heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)

32) Can we say that all angels are good and beneficent?

No! There are good and evil angels; the evil angels are called “Devils,” or, “Demons.”

33) How is it that there are evil angels?

In the beginning all angels were created “good” but they turned from their duty of perfect obedience and love toward God their creator, and so fell away from Him, into self-will, pride and malice. The Jude states that these created beings are: “ . . the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He has reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness, unto the judgement of That Great Day . . “ (Jude 6)

34) What does the name “devil” mean?

The word devil means “slanderer,” or “deceiver.”

35) Why do we call these fallen angels, “slanderers,” or, “deceivers?”

We have named them slanderers or deceivers for they are ever laying snares for humankind, always seeking to deceive them, and to inspire them with false notions and evil wishes or ideas. Jesus said, “. . . ye are of your father the Devil, and the lusts of your father, ye will do; he was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the Truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of them.” (John 8:44; see also: Rev 12:9,) “ . . and the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called The Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world; he was cast out into the Earth, and His angels were cast out with him.”

36) What is revealed to us from Holy Scriptures concerning the creation of the World?

In the Beginning God created, from nothing, the Heaven and the Earth and the Earth was without form and void (Genesis 1:1,2) Following that, God on the following days consecutively created: First day, the creation of the world and light; The Second day, the visible firmament (or the heavens); Third day, the gathering together of the waters, the dry land and that which grows thereupon; The Fourth Day, the sun, moon and the stars; on the Fifth Day, the fish and the fowl of the air; the Sixth day the animals; and humankind; and with man he crowned His creation. The Seventh day our Lord and God rested from all of His works. (See the following: Genesis 1:1-end; 2:2)

37) The visible creatures now seen before us, were they created as we see them now?

No! Why? Because they were, in the beginning created good, pure and beautiful and harmless. It is written: “ . . and God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” (Gen 1:31)

38) In the Creation of man, are not we informed of something special or in particular? Did God create humankind different?

In the beginning we have this record, from God in the Holy Trinity, said: “ . . . . let us make man in our Image, after our likeness. ” (Gen 1:26) “ . . . and Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of Life, and man became a living soul. (Gen 2:7); and God then placed him into the Garden (which is Paradise), and gave to mankind food, which was provided by the trees, and other plant life. Finally, in the creation of humankind, a companion was formed, for the man Adam; Eve (and not Steve) to bless his creation with the gift of life; “ . . and the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof, and the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her to the man. And Adam said that his is ‘bone of my bones, flesh of my flesh: and she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man.” (Gen 2:21-23)

39) How is it that humankind is in the Image of God?

St Paul explains to The Church, that humankind expresses the Image of God in righteousness and holiness of truth, “ . . . . that ye put on the new man, which after God is created, in righteousness and true holiness.” (Eph 4:24)

40) What is the breath of life?

We answer by saying that it is the soul, a substance both spiritual and immortal.

41) What is Paradise?

It means a “garden” It is the name given to fair and blissful abode (dwelling place) of the first man, as described in the Book of Genesis, as like unto a garden. “. . . and the Lord God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep . .” (Gen 2:15)

42) Was man placed into a spiritual or a material Paradise (Garden)?

A two fold answer, for the body it was material, a visible and a blissful abode, but for the human soul it was a spiritual garden with state of communion and fellowship, by grace, with God. A place for spiritual contemplation of the created beings (humankind).

43) What was the Tree of Life?

The Tree of Life produced a fruit, if perchance humankind should eat of it, he would have been kept from disease and death. “ . . . The Lord God said, behold, the man is become as One of Us, to know good and evil, and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever: therefore, the Lord God, sent him forth from the Garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man: and He placed at the East of the Garden of Eden, Cherubim, and a flaming sword, which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life. . .” (Gen 3:22-24)

44) Why did God make Eve from the rib of Adam?

So that all of humankind, might be by origin naturally disposed to love and to defend one another. From earth Adam is created and formed by God, and from the rib of Adam his life’s companion Eve, was created/formed. The joining of the two is seen in the replications in Holy Marriage. God joins together, once again, his creation to his created.

45) What was the purpose in the creation, by God, of man?

In the Holy Church we state that God created mankind for him to love God, worship and glorify God, to know God, and thus be happy in service unto Him. “ . . .thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul and thy might . . . ” (Deut 6:5)

46) How does the Holy Church define “predestination”?

It is the will of God by which humankind is designed for Eternal happiness or bliss.

47) Does God’s predestination of man toward happiness remain unchanged or changed?

It remains unchanged, inasmuch as God, of His knowledge and infinite mercies, has predestined to open for all of humankind, even after his departure from the way of happiness, a new way to happiness through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, exists. “ . . .according as He hath chosen us in Him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. . .” (Eph 1:4)

48) How do we understand the predestination of God with respect to humankind in general and to each individual severally?

God has predestined to give to all mankind and has actually given to humankind preparatory grace and means sufficient for the attainment of happiness.

49) What do the Scriptures say about this?

From the Scriptures: “ for whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Rom 8:29)

50) How does the Church address this point?

To those who have confessed Christ and seek to reflect His Image, He has directed to the glorious Life eternal; however, those who have chosen to the contrary, the Church Fathers and Holy Synods declare them to be destined to eternal banishment (separation from God).

51) With respect to the world, and more particularly to that of mankind, what follows immediately upon their creation?

It is Divine Providence, so the Church declares which follows immediately upon their creation

52) What is the definition of “Divine Providence?”

The Church defines the Divine Providence, as that constant energy of the Power of the Almighty, the wisdom and the goodness of our worshipful God, by which He will keep and preserve the being and faculties of His created beings; directing to a good end, assisting all that is good; but as to evil, which will spring-up from the departure of good, He will either cut it off or correct it; and, turns that into good results. It is written: “ . . My Father works hitherto, and I work . . .” (John 5:17)

53) How does the Bible speak of the providence of God?

Jesus says in the Gospel of Matthew: “. . . behold the fowl: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?” (Matt 6:26) The Church Fathers inform us here that these words, at once, we can see God’s general providence over the creatures, and again, His special providence over humankind. When reading and meditating upon the Psalm 91, we can see the entire providential care of our worshipful God.

Chapter 9

The Second Article

Jesus Christ -- The Son of God

1) How are we to define, the Name Jesus Christ, The Son of God?

Son of God is The Name of the Second Qnuma of The Holy Trinity. This same Son of God the Word, became man, and was called Jesus. He was conceived and born of the Virgin Mary and He was called Jesus. Christ is the Name given to Him by the Prophets of old, who had expected the coming of Him to save humankind. (see Matthew’s gospel 1:21) “ . . and she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His Name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sin . .” (see St Luke 1:31) . . “. . behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His Name Jesus” (St Matthew 1:16) “ . . . and Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary of whom was born Jesus who is called the Christ. . .” (St Matthew 27:17) “ . . when they were together, Pilate said ‘whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabas, or Jesus which is called The Christ?”

2) What does the Name Jesus mean?

The Name means Savior.(see Matt 1:21) “ . . . and He shall save His people from their sin.”

3) Who had given the Name Jesus for the first time?

The Name Jesus was given for the first time by the Angel Gabriel.

4) Why was this Name given to the Son of God at His conception and birth?

He was so named, because He was conceived and born to save humanity from their sin through the ultimate death upon the Cross.

5) What is the meaning of the word “Christ” ?

The Greek furnishes the word “to anoint” christos for the English language, however, in the Aramaic it is “m’shikha” meaning The Anointed One! “ . . the Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for He hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor, He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and to the recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. . .” (Luke 4:18-19) “ . . . God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit, and with The Power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38)

6) Where does word “anointed” come from?

From the anointing with the Holy Oils, through which are bestowed the gifts of the Holy Spirit are conferred upon the anointed one. “ . . and the priest, Whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate, to minister in the office of the priest, in his father’s stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen cloths, even the holy garments . .” (Leviticus 16:32) “and, thou shalt put them upon Aaron, thy brother, and his sons with him; and shall anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.” (Exodus 28:41)

7) Can we call anyone else, except for Jesus Son of God the “anointed-One”?

Yes! The kings, high-priests, and prophets are also anointed! “ . . . Samuel took the Horn of Oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David, from that day forward.” (I Samuel 16:13) “. . . . touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm . . .” (I Chron 16:22)

8) Why then is Jesus Christ, the Son of God called “The Anointed-One”?

Because to His manhood were the Gifts of The Spirit imparted (conveyed) without measure; therefore, He possessed in the highest degree, the knowledge of The Prophet, the Holiness of the High Priest, and the absolute Power of the King. “ . . . Thou lovest righteousness, and hateth wickedness: therefore, God, thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” (Psa 45:7)

9) Why is it that Jesus the Christ is called “The Lord”?

He is called “Lord” because He is God, as The Name of God is “The Lord.” It is written, “ . . The LORD is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation, He is my God, and I will prepare for Him a habitation, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him; the LORD is a man of War, the LORD is His Name. . . .” (Exodus 15:2,3) “ . . . Then said He (that is Jesus) to Thomas, reach hither thy finger and behold My hands; and reach hither Thy hands, and thrust into My side, and be not faithless but believing, and Thomas answered and said unto Him, ‘My Lord and my God.” (John 20:27-28)

10) What does the Holy Book say is The Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God?

“In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God; and The Word was God” (John 1:1)

11) Why is Jesus Christ called “the Only Begotten Son of God?”

He is the only begotten Son of God because of His Divine Nature; others like Angels, and saints of the past, and believers of the present, as called “sons of God” by Grace in adoption. “ . . . to as many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believed in His Name. . .” (John 1:12). “ Have predestined us unto the adoption of Children; by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” (Ephesians 1:5)

12) Can you show where in the Holy Scripture Jesus is called, “the Only Begotten Son of God”?

Yes! The Holy Bible does declare Him to be the Only Begotten Son of God. “ . . . and The Word was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of The Father, full of grace and truth. . . ” (John 1:14) “. . . no man hath seen God, at any time; The Only Begotten Son, which is in the bosom of The Father, He hath declared Him.” (John 1:18)

13) In the Creed it says that “He is begotten of the Father,” Why?

Through this expression He is distinguished from the qnuma of God the Father and from the qnuma of God Holy Spirit; for in truth, He who is Begotten IS The Son; and He who begets is the Father, and the Holy Spirit is neither begotten, nor begets, He proceeds.

14) We confess in The Creed that “Jesus Christ was begotten before all worlds” Why?

We need to be assured that there was no time in which Jesus Christ did not exist; we teach that Jesus Christ is the Son of God from everlasting unto everlasting as is God the Father from everlasting unto everlasting.

15) In the Creed we confess “Very God of Very God, of one Essence with His Father,” Why?,

Jesus Christ is of the same divinity as The Father, He is not lesser, nor greater, He is the same in authority, will, majesty, and worship. “ . . . I and My Father are One . .” (John 10:30)

16) Can we locate these same words in the Holy Scriptures?

Yes! “ . . . we know, that the Son of God is come, and He hath given to us an understanding, that we may know HIM as truth; and we are in Him, that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” (I John 5:20) We continue with the following: “. . . Jesus said, have I been so long a time with you, and yet hast thou known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen The Father; and how sayest thou then, show us The Father? ” (John 14:9)

17) Why do we confess in the Creed that “Jesus Christ is begotten of His Father before all worlds and not made?”

The impious Arius taught that The Son of God was made and that there was a time when He was not (existing), and for this purpose this phrase was placed into The Creed to declare the truth of the Orthodox Faith, that Jesus Christ in His Divinity is not made but that He is the Creator (in fact), in contradistinction to the heresy of Arianism

18) We confess, “by whose hands the worlds were established and everything was created” What is meant by this phrase?

It means that God the Father created all things by His Son, as by His eternal wisdom and by His eternal Word. All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3)

Chapter 10

The Third Article

Jesus Christ -- The Son of God

On the Incarnation

1) Of whom is it said, when we confess in the Creed; “who for us men and for our salvation came down from

Heaven”?

We are confessing the Second Qnuma of the Holy Trinity, God The Word, Son of God.

2) How did He come “down from Heaven” even though we declare that “God is everywhere present?”

In truth God is Spirit and He is everywhere present, He is always in Heaven and always upon earth. Before the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, The Father was not visible upon Earth, as in Jesus we have the appearance of God in flesh (the Father was revealed in Jesus Christ); and in this sense we confess “He came down from Heaven..” In the 2nd Corinthian letter St Paul records: “ . . for ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich . .” (II Cor 8:9) And, again we have this record for the Philippian Letter of St Paul, saying: “. . . . let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of man; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of The Cross.” (Phil 2:5-8)

3) Can we shed additional light or information on this creedal confession?

Yes! We present these additional biblical references for the consideration of this statement of the confession, namely, that which our Lord Jesus says: “ . . . no man hath ascended up to Heaven, but He that came down from Heaven, even the Son of Man which is in Heaven.” (John 3:13)

4) Based upon the preceding biblical statement, did Jesus come down from Heaven?

Yes! The Creed further confesses, “...who for us men and for our salvation came down from Heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit, and became man, and was conceived and born of the Virgin Mary. . . ”

5) What is meant by the phrase “. . . who for us men and for our salvation, came down from Heaven . . .”?

We confess that He had come to Earth to redeem the total human race, and was not just limited to an ethnic group nor a particular nation. That means we confess that He came to bring the hope of eternal life and the joy of communion with The Holy Trinity without regard to color, language, or race of man; which He himself had created, in the beginning. “ . . . for ye are all The Children of God by faith in Christ Jesus . . . for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ; there is neither Jew, nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, neither male nor female for ye are all one in Christ Jesus, and if you be Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29) “ . . . go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in The Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit . . . ” (Matthew 28:19) and, again about the universality of the message of Christ Jesus, St Luke records: “ . . . . ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me in both Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the Earth.” (Acts 1:8)

6) Jesus Christ had come down to Earth; to save humankind from what?

To save humankind from sin, Satan, and death; and, to restore the communion relationship with God the Father as humankind had with Him in The Garden of Eden before the fall. “ . . . whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life, for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. . .” (John 3:15-17) “ . . . I have delivered unto, first of all, that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sin according to the Scriptures; ” (I Cor 15:3)

7) What do we mean by sin, how do we define the word sin?

According to the Holy Bible, sin is the transgression of the Law (of God). “ . . . whosoever commits sins transgresses also the Law: for sin is the transgression of the Law.” (I John 3:4)

8) Since man was created in the Image of God, from whence comes man’s desire to sin?

Man sinned because he had acted on his free will by an enticing act of testing or temptation from the evil-one. “ . . .but every man is tempted when he is drawn of his own lusts, and enticed. . . .” (James 1:14) “ . . . whosoever abides in Him sins not; whosoever sins has not seen Him, neither known Him. Little children, let no man deceive you, he that does righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifest, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this are the children of God manifest; and the children of the devil, whosoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother.” (I John 3:6-10)

9) How was the ability to sin transferred to humankind?

It is recorded in the Law of Moses, that Eve was enticed by the delectable fruit of a certain forbidden tree; the fruit of the Tree of The Knowledge of Good and Evil. She was enticed by its beauty, or fragrance, and through the power of a darkened suggestion, she willingly broke the Law of God, and participated in eating that which was forbidden; then she turned to Adam; and, Eve offered the same to him, and he did eat! “ . . of the fruit of the tree in the midst of the Garden God hath said ‘ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.’ And the serpent said to the woman, ‘ye shall not surely die for God doth know that the day in which ye eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.’ And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasing for the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat and gave also unto her husband, with her; and he did eat.”(Gen 3:3-6)

10) What commandment did our foreparents break in the sojourn in the Garden?

They broke the command which God had laid out in the beginning to not eat of the tree of good and evil; because it was also accompanied with a promise of God; “. . . for the day you eat of it you will die!” (Gen 3:3)

11) Why was eating of the fruit of the tree of good and evil (knowledge) certain to bring death to humankind?

Because it involved either obedience or disobedience unto our worshipful God; and it was so that which it alienated brought separation from communion with God the Holy Trinity; and abandoning grace. “ . . . your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear you. . .” (Isaiah 59:2) [see also: Gen 3:8] “And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking of the Garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the Garden. ” Therefore, The Lord God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden to till the ground from whence he was taken, so He drove out the man; and He placed at the East of the Garden of Eden the cherubim and the flaming sword, which turned every which direction in order to protect and keep the Tree of Life.

12) What was the outcome of the foreparents eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil?

When they consumed the fruit of the tree, they instantly became aware, through experience the end result of participating in disobedience. They are now aware of what good there is in being obedient, versus the evil in disobedience. What good there is in obeying the Divine Will of God, versus, that which is evil in disobedience.

13) Why did Adam and Eve listen to the appealing voice of the evil-one versus that of the Divine Will of The God?

In the beginning God who had created Adam and Eve, from His goodness and grace, had ennobled them with the gift of a free-will. Instead of loving God and the graces bestowed upon them, they misused their free-will and chose, instead, to listen to the appeal of the world, and utilized their free-will to do evil (disobedience).

14) How were the foreparents deceived?

Their deception was by reason of the human will to enjoy a fruit which was forbidden; why? it was beautiful to look upon, its texture was desirable; and then again the underwritten suggestion by the beautiful serpent in the Garden is, they would become like a god or gods, knowing good and evil and that they would not die.

15) What was the consequence of the sin of the foreparents in the Garden?

To the beautiful serpent in the Garden, God cursed him to be crawling about on his belly; and, to the woman, discomfort in child-bearing; and, submission to her husband, and to the man, God cursed the ground and forced him to work by the sweat of his brow to provide food for his wife, family, and himself; and death to the human creature. [see Scriptures: Genesis 3:14-19]

16) Define the word “curse,” what does it mean?

It is a condemnation of sin and sinful behavior, by the just judgment of God; and the evil from sin which was brought forth upon the Earth, for the sake of the punishment of humankind. “. . . cursed is the ground for thy sake. . .” [Genesis 3:17]

17) Which kind of death came about upon our foreparents, because of their sin; physical or spiritual?

Both, either physical or spiritual death visited humankind. Physical death, when the human soul separates from the body; and, spiritual death when the soul separates from God.

18) Can both the soul and the body die?

Yes! Both can die, the body when it dies deteriorates and loses its faculties (“ . . . for dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return . . .” Gen 3:19); whereas, the soul when it dies, loses the potential joy of the fellowship with the Holy Trinity, but it does not deteriorate and pass away, but is kept in a state of perpetual anguish and suffering. [It is written in the Gospel, (Luke 16:22-24): “ . . . it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom; . . . the rich man died, and was buried, and in hell lifted up his eyes, being in torments and seeing Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. He cried and said ‘father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.”] The Gospel of St Matthew (27:52-53), says, once again: “. . .The graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and they came out of the graves, after His resurrection and went into the Holy City, and appeared unto many.”

19) Why should humankind be condemned because of one man’s sin of disobedience?

We are descendants of Adam, and of the same nature as he, although Adam is responsible for his sin we have inherited the tendency of self-willfulness, and pursuing the areas of our own interests in sin. The human posterity had been infected by sin, consequently mortality had been inherited, accordingly.

20) What does the Holy Scriptures teach on this matter of sin from Adam to our present day posterity?

“ . . wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all men have sinned . . . for until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed, never-the-less death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned, after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come, but not as the offense, so also is the free gift; for if through the offense of one many be dead much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by One Man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was one that sinned, so is the gift; for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift righteousness shall reign in life by One; Jesus Christ. . .” (Romans 5:12-17) (continuing) [. . .“Therefore, as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so, by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto the justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous.” (Roman 5:12-19)

21) What benefits did mankind have after the consuming of the forbidden fruit?

From the time of his consuming of the fruit of the forbidden tree, he could no more eat of it, for he had been driven forth from the Garden of Eden [see Genesis 3:23,24]

22) Did humankind have any hope for salvation?

Yes! When Adam and Eve had confessed their sin, God the Almighty promised them a hope for salvation. “And, I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15) This prophetic utterance was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Son of the Second Eve, the eternally blessed Virgin Mother Mary, who had crushed the head of the serpent by His death upon the Cross, and thus humankind was delivered once and for all from the grasp of sin, death and Satan..

23) Why is it written that Jesus Christ was of the “seed of the woman?”

The response to this question is: He was born as a man, of the Holy Virgin Mary, by the Power of the Holy Spirit, without benefit of an earthly father. So, therefore, Jesus had an earthly mother; with a heavenly Father.

24) What was the benefit of “the Promise”?

That from the time of “The Promise” [see above, Gen 3:15] humankind was enabled to believe in the forth coming of the redemptive message of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. As, now we who are believers know for certain that the promise has been fulfilled by the coming of Him who is Messiah (m’shikha), while awaiting the coming the Second time from Heaven.

25) In the times past, did people believe in the coming of the Messiah (m’shikha)?

Some folk did, but the greater number of humankind forgot that God had made a promise to send a savior.

26) In the course of history, did God remind people of His forgotten promise?

Yes! The recorded history of the salvation, clearly indicates to the readers of the Sacred Scriptures that God, indeed, reminded His creation of His promises. To Abraham a promise was made, and elaborated upon: “in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou hast obeyed My Voice.” [Gen 22:18] To King David it is written: “The Lord has sworn in truth, unto David, that He will not turn from it (the promise), of the fruit of thy body while I set upon thy throne.” (Psalm 132:11)

27) What is meant by the word “incarnation?”

By the word incarnation we mean that God the Word the Second Qnuma of the Holy Trinity took upon Himself human enfleshment (that is a human body), without sin, and was made man, without ceasing to be God the m’shikha who is perfect man and perfect God. [”The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14)]

28) Why do we confess “. . .He became man. . .”

We confess “He became man” because of the importance to give emphasis to the rôle of our Lord as perfect man (in, as we understand in monophysite setting), there is no recognition of Him in both the human body and in His divinity) “for there is One God, and One Mediator between God and man, The Man Christ Jesus . . .” (I Timothy 2:5)

29) How many natures do we confess in Christ?

We confess that there are two natures in Christ; His humanity, and His Divinity. These are not mixed, nor are they co-mingled, nor confused, but they are eternally united in one Sonship. Jesus Christ The Son of God, the son of Man (in One Sonship), possessing two qnuma, two natures, One Sonship. It is written: “One is Christ, the Son of God, worshiped by all in two natures, in His Godhead, begotten of The Father. Without beginning in the fullness of time, in a united body. In His manhood, born of Mary, in the end of time, in the body which was united. Neither His Godhead was of the nature of the mother, nor His manhood of the nature of the Father. The Natures are preserved in their qnume, in One Person of One Sonship. And as the God head is three qnuma, One Essence, likewise the Sonship of the Son, is in two natures, One Person, so the Holy Church has learned to confess the Son who is Christ, we worship, O my Lord, Thy Godhead, and Thy manhood, without division, One is the Power, One the Majesty, One the Will and One the Glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit forever: Amen (Mar Bawai the Great)

30) Are there not two persons in Jesus Christ?

No! The Holy Apostolic Catholic Church of the East has always confessed, “Jesus Christ, two qnume, two kyane (natures), eternally united in One Sonship.

31) Regarding the Holy Incarnation, what does the Holy Bible teach us about this unique mystery of the birth of Christ, of the Virgin Mary, by the Power of the Holy Spirit?

St Luke the gospeler writes about the Annunciation to the Virgin Mother; in these words: “ . . . Then said Mary unto the Angel, how shall this be, seeing that I know not a man? The Angel answered and said unto her, ‘The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore, also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee, shall be called The Son of God. . . .” (Luke 1:34-35)

32) Who is this Virgin Mary?

The holy Virgin of the lineage and The House of Abraham and David; (that is from the same line), the Redeemer Jesus Christ, was to come according to the Promise of God, this blessed Mary was betrothed to Joseph, a man from the same lineage, so that he might fulfill his ministry to the Holy Family as its guardian. She had dedicated her entire life unto God through her vow of preserving her perpetual virginity. “ . . . the book of the generation of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of Abraham . . . Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, out of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ . . .” [Matthew 1:1--17] [see also the genealogy of Jesus in the 3rd chapter of St Luke’s Gospel]

33) Did the Blessed Virgin Mary remain pure and untouched following the birth of Christ

Yes! The Virgin Mary was pure and virginal for the rest of her life, we will use these points for our examples of this unique role of the perpetual Virgin Mary: the Old Testament example of the creation of Eve from the rib of Adam, he remained a complete man; the sun when entering into the window reflects light, undivided; and, again the rock in the desert land, which Moses struck for giving water to the thirsty . . it always was and continues to be a stone. The Second Eve was not distressed by the birth giving of Him who is her Lord.

34) What names, other than the Perpetual Virgin Mother, are the possession of St Mary?

We have named her with these titles: The Mother of Christ, The Mother of our Lord, The Second Heaven, The Mother of The Church, The Daughter of Zion, The Burning Bush, The Mother of Immanuel, The New Ark of the Covenant, The Second Ark, The Second Eve, etc. In the Prophets it is written: “ . . . therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign, behold, a Virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and they shall call His Name Emmanuel . .” (Isaiah 7:14) “ . . . and she shall bring forth a Son, and Thou shall call His Name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sin. . .” (Matthew 1:21) Then, again, Elizabeth states: “ . . . whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord shall come to me?” (Luke 1:43) In the Church of the East we recognize her as bearing and bringing forth Him who is God with us; however, we prefer to say: “Mother of Christ, perfect God and perfect man.. .”

35) In what sense can we recognize or acknowledge certain theological terminology used by our beloved sister apostolic churches who will address The Ever Virgin Mary as “The Mother of God”??

The Orthodox position will declare this: The Blessed Mother did not give birth to His Godhead, which is from eternal; but rather she had given birth to His manhood, at the end of time, still it is right to be called “the Mother of God,” why? Because He who is born of her is at once God and Man. By way of example: The mother of the President of the United States did not give birth to his presidency, she gave birth to the man; and indeed we call her the mother of the President; and again, the Catholicos Patriarch of the East received his office from The Church, and not from his mother who bore him, and we do call her the mother of the Patriarch.

36) What exalted thoughts can we entertain concerning the Mother of our Lord, the Ever-blessed Virgin Mary?

As the Mother of our Lord she excels in graces and nearness to God; also in dignity, the Holy Church honors her far above the Angels, Cherubim, Seraphim, and the whole of the Angelic Hosts, her blessed name is used by mothers naming their daughters, many churches are built to her honor, institutions of healing (hospitals), she is commemorated in The Holy Church at least 3 times through the year, and many prayers and petitions are offered to the Lord in her name. “ . . . The Angel came in unto her, and said, hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee, blessed are thou among women. . . for He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden; for, behold, from henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed . . .” (St Luke 1:28; 48) .

37) What are the signs which God’s providence prepared for men in order to recognize the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior?

Many signs in the Old Testament declare His coming, by way of example The Prophet Isaiah declares in foretelling the birth of Jesus from a Virgin (see, Isa 7:14); the Prophet Micah (see Matthew 2:4-6); “ . . . and when all the chief priests, and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them, where the Christ should be born, and they said unto him in Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written of the prophets, and thou Bethlehem in the land of Judah are not the least of the princes of Judah, for out of thee shall come a governor, that shall rule my people Israel . .;” following the completion of the 2nd temple, in Jerusalem, Malachi states that at the coming of the Lord, a forerunner would be sent before Him, like that of the prophet Elijah; this shows the coming of John the Baptist the forerunner of Jesus; “ . . . behold, I shall send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me; and the Lord, who ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, He shall come saith the Lord of Hosts.” (see Malachi 3:1, and also, 4:5); The Prophet Zechariah foretold of the triumphant entry of our Lord into Jerusalem; “ . . . rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion, shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold thy King comes to thee; He is just, and having salvation; glory, and riding upon an ass; upon a colt a foal of an ass . . . .” (Zechariah 9:9) The Prophet Isaiah foretold of His suffering (see Isaiah 53:all) In Psalm 22, we can see with great exactness the abandonment and suffering upon the Cross, described by King David as though he was present at the whole affair. The Prophet Daniel foretold the coming of the Savior and the death upon the Cross, and the destruction of the Temple and the City of Jerusalem (see Daniel 9)

38) When Jesus was on Earth, did the populace recognize Him as the Savior of humankind, sent by God?

Yes! The Holy Bible teaches us that many did recognize Him as from God. In the Gospel of St Luke (2:8-20) the shepherds of the field knew He was from God, by the announcement from the Angels saying, “ . .in Bethlehem a Savior was born” and again the coming from the eastern region of the Magi; they had seen His starry sign and came to worship before Him, (Matthew 2:1-3); in the presentation in the Temple of our Lord, Simeon and Anna expressed, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that this Babe is the salvation of God, (Luke 2:24-32); again, the witness of John the Baptist, whose confession/witness was confirmed on the banks of the River Jordan, by the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove; and the Voice of God, saying: “ . . . This is My beloved Son in whom I AM well pleased, hear Him . . .” (Matthew 3:16-17); the time of the Transfiguration of Jesus the same Voice of God was heard by the three of His disciples (Peter, James and John, (Mark 9:2-7)

39) Did Jesus the Christ work miracles? If yes, can you name some of them?

The Scriptures teach us that Jesus healed the sick, cast out devils, raised the dead to life, calmed the troubled seas, cleansed the lepers, turned water into wine, fed the multitudes of people, gave sight to the blind, he walked upon the waters, people were healed by the touching of His garments, etc. These miraculous acts were done by the touch of His Hands and the Words from His mouth. He was the benefactor for the suffering masses of humankind, to discover these acts, it is essential to the student of faith to read the four Gospels, and more particularly the Gospel of St John which is known as “the Gospel of Miracles . . .”

40) What do we mean by the term “incarnation,” and how does it affect our salvation?

The incarnation (i.e. the enfleshment of our Lord Jesus Christ) affected our salvation by His dogma (teachings), His Earthly life, His suffering and death on The Cross, burial, and resurrection.

41) What is the dogma (teaching) of our Lord Jesus?

His dogma (teaching) was the Gospel of Love, the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven (meaning, the doctrine of salvation or that of eternal joy) “ . . . . after John was placed in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God . .” (Mark 1:14)

42) How can we say that Christ’s teaching grants to us salvation?

We receive salvation when we accept it (that is the teachings) with all our heart, mind, and soul; and we begin to live by it. The deceitful lying words of the serpent in the Garden to our foreparents, became to them the seed of sin, death and the devil, so to the contrary in this matter of our Lord Jesus’ words, the Divine Words of Him who had come to us, are heartily received by the faithful believer of all ages, become in them the seed of a holiness and immortality (everlasting). “. . . being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever . .” (I Peter 1:23)

43) How can we say we have “salvation” by Christ’s life?

Salvation is from our Lord Jesus Christ; we, therefore, by imitating Him in our daily lives, will reflect Him and His gift to humankind. “ . . . if any man serve Me, let him follow Me, and where I am, there shall also My servant be; if any man serve me, him will My Father honor . . .” (John 12:26)

Chapter 11

The Fourth Article

The suffering, death, burial and resurrection

of Jesus Christ

1) The words of our Lord Jesus Christ should have convinced humankind to follow Him, but, in fact they turned on Him, and crucified Him, why?

The Scripture records that the High-priests, The Scribes, the Pharisees, the learned theologians of that time in history were possessed of a particular hatred for Him; why? 1) the majority of the “little-people” followed Him and His teachings, accepted His miracle, etc.; and, 2) He was straight forward with His teachings, and revealed their teachings as false. “. . . the high chief priests and the scribes heard it and they sought how they might destroy Him, because all the people were astonished at His teachings . . .” (Mark 11:18) “ . . . (the Pharisees wanted) to arrest Him, they feared the multitude because they took Him as a prophet. . .” (Matthew 21:46 compare with Luke 19:47-48) Again, their false teachings were revealed “ . . . they come again to Jerusalem, and while walking in the Temple, there came to Him the Chief Priests, scribes and elders, and said to Him, ‘by what authority, do You do these things, and who gave this authority to You to do these things?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘I will also ask of you one question, and answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things, the baptism of John, was it from Heaven, or of men? Answer Me . . .’ They reasoned with themselves, saying, if we shall say, ‘from Heaven; He will say, ‘why did ye not believe him? But if we shall say of men,’ they feared the people, for all men counted John, as a prophet indeed. They answered and said to Jesus, ‘we cannot tell.” Then Jesus answered and said to them, neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things . .” (Mark 11:27-33, compare with Matthew 21:23-27) Again, “ . . . . woe unto you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites, for ye shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in, woe unto you scribes and pharisees, hypocrites, for ye devour widows houses, and for a pretense make long prayers, therefore, ye shall receive the greater damnation, woe unto you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites, for ye compass seas and lands to make one proselyte and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of Hell than yourselves . . .” (Read all of this 23rd chapter of Matthew’s Gospel compare this with Luke 11:44)

2) Why is it said, in the Creed, that “Jesus Christ was crucified under Pontius Pilate?”

This will lend credence to the historical period, time, and approximate year in which He was nailed upon the Cross. “ . . . And Jesus stood before the Governor, and the Governor asked of Him, saying: ‘Art Thou the King of the Jews?’ and Jesus said to him, ‘thou sayest it.’ (Matthew 27:11)

3) Who was Pontius Pilate, what was his role?

He was the Governor of the region Judea, as laid out by the Roman Caesars, or the Palestine of the Roman Byzantine Empire. (Please see the above question and answer #2)

4) What is the reason for mentioning Judea; is it of considerable importance; or what?

Yes! It is of considerable importance. In this reference we can recognize the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jacob as it is mentioned in the writings of Moses . . “ . . the scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between His feet, until Shiloh comes; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be. . .” (Gen 49:10)

5) In the Creed we confess: “ . . . He suffered and was crucified in the days of Pontius Pilate . . .” what is the purpose for this statement?

To show to the believer, that our Lord did indeed and in fact suffered and died, to give evidence of His humanity, contrary to the heresy of one of the early centuries of The Church history, who taught that Jesus Christ was a phantom. “ . . . know ye that the Spirit of God, every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God . . . and every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God . . . and this that spirit of anti-Christ, whereof ye have heard that it should come and even now is already in the world . .” (I John 4:2,3)

6) Why do we say: . “ He was buried . .”?

This confession is made in order for us to confirm and state publicly that He died, indeed and in fact, in His humanity, and that He arose in His humanity; which is to be transformed into immortality when He ascends into Heaven to be seated at the right hand of The Father. The crucifiers had posted soldiers/guards to keep watch over the sealed sepulcher. It is written . . . “they laid it (Jesus Body) in his (Joseph of Arimathea) tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed . . .” (Matthew 27:60) and, again, “ . . . Pilate said unto them, you have a watch, go your way, make it as sure as you can. So, they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. . . .” (Matthew 27:65-66)

7) How is it possible to apply suffering and death to our Lord Jesus Christ, since we confess Him as God?

His suffering is not applied to His Godhead, but rather to that of His humanity (manhood), not because He could not have avoided it, but by an act of love and willingly accepted the consequences of humanity and their sin. It is written, “ . . . My Father doth love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself, I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This have I received of My Father . . .” (John 10:17:18)

8) Why do we confess, Jesus Christ, “ . . was crucified for us men. . .”?

In this statement we clearly declare that our Lord Jesus Christ through His death upon the Cross, delivered us from the curse of death, sin and Satan.

9) Does the Holy Bible teach about being freed from the curse of death, sin and Satan?

Yes! The Ephesian letter states: “ . . . in Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin, according to the riches of His grace. . .” (1:7) and, again, in the Galatian letter: “ . . . . Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, for it is written, cursed is everyone that hangs from a tree.” (Gal 3:13) “ . . . For as much, then, as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, HE also, Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him, that hath the power of death, that is the devil; and delivered them who through the fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage . . (Heb 2:14-15)

So that humankind can more readily believe in this unique mystery of salvation, the Sacred Scriptures teach it, so that we can be positioned to receive it readily by comparing Lord Jesus Christ with the first man; Adam. By nature the head of all mankind is Adam. It is at once with Him by natural descent from Him, Jesus Christ in Whom the Godhead is united with manhood, in the person of Immanuel, graciously made of Himself, the new Adam (or the Second Adam) whom He unites to Himself through faith in the womb of the Virgin. Therefore, as in Adam sin had entered into humankind, and in the Second Adam (Jesus Christ) we are delivered from that curse of sin and death. His voluntary suffering and subsequent death upon The Cross, for us, being of infinite value and merit shrouded in mystery, as the death of a Sinless Man, God and man in One Person, is both at once a perfect satisfaction to the justice of God, which had condemned us for sin unto death, and it is a fund of infinite merit, which has obtained Him the right, without prejudice to justice, to give to the sinner pardon of our sin and granting grace unto us to have victory over death; “ . . . even the mystery which had been hidden from ages unto generations hath now been made manifest to His saints; to whom God hath made known, what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col 1:26-27). And, again, “ . . if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which received the abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ . . .” (Rom 5:17) “ . . there is, therefore, now, no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, for the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death, for what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sent forth His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; for that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Roman 8:1-4)

11) Does our Lord’s coming to earth mean that He came for the benefit of all humankind?

Yes! He had offered for all of humankind, Himself as a pure living sacrifice and did indeed obtain for us grace and salvation. This benefits only those who’ll for their parts of their own freewill have fellowship in His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death. “ . . . that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death.” (Phil 3:10)

12) How is it possible to participate in the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ?

We do participate in His suffering and death by an active, lively, and hearty faith; through the Holy Sacraments, in which is contained and sealed the total saving sufferings and death of our Lord, through the crucifixion of our human weaknesses with its affections and lusts. “ . . For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ; never-the-less, I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal 2:19, 20) “ . . . know ye not, that as many of us as were baptized unto Jesus Christ, were baptized into His death?” (Rom 6:3) And, again . . . “for as often as ye eat this Bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He comes . .” (I Cor 11:26) “ . . . they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts thereof...” (Gal 5:24)

13) How are the human weaknesses crucified, that is the affections, lusts, the flesh, etc?

By controlling these normal desires before they are out of control; by not being obedient to them, but re-directing these “feelings” to a normal and constructive action. For it is written: “. . and they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts . .” (Galatians 5:24) And, again, “ . . knowing this that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. .” (Romans 6:6) We will suggest, that when anger rises up to revile an enemy by doing harm, we will resist this desire of the flesh for revenge, and look to Jesus; and there to reflect upon Him and His action toward His enemies which He encountered. Look at the Cross, when He prayed for His enemies, asking The Father to forgive them. “ . . then said Jesus, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do . .” (Luke 23:34) And from St Stephen the first martyr “ . . .kneeling down, and with a loud voice he cried out, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge, and when he said this, he fell asleep” (Act 7:60)

Chapter 12

On the Fifth Article

The Glorious Resurrection

1) Can we prove that the death of Jesus Christ provided salvation for the whole of humankind?

Yes! We can firstly position ourselves stating: He is Risen! He is truly Risen. And, again we can state from the Holy Bible these words of the Gospel, “ . . then said Jesus unto them, all ye shall be offended because of Me this night, for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered abroad, but after I am risen, again I will go before you into Galilee. .” (Matthew 26:31-32) “. . . . saying, sir, we remember that, that deceiver said, while HE was yet alive, ‘after three days, I will rise again.’” (Matthew 27:63) “ . . . the angel answered and said unto the women, ‘Fear not, ye; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified, He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Now, come see the place where the Lord was laid.’” (Matthew 28:5,6) “ . . . but now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept . . .” (I Cor 15:20)

2) At the time of the death of Jesus Christ on The Cross, and before the Resurrection of our Lord, where was He?

According to the Church Fathers He was in three areas at the self same time. 1) with God; “ when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, He said, ‘Father into Thy hands I commit My spirit; and having said thus, He gave up His Spirit.’ (Luke 23:46); and, 2) in Paradise; “ . . . (to the thief) today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise . .” (Luke 23:43); and, finally, 3) in the prison of Hades; “ . . . Christ also, hath once suffered for sin, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the spirit; He went and preached unto the souls in prison . . .” (I Peter 3:18,19). In His flesh, He was entombed in the new grave of Joseph of Aramathea, it is written: “ . . . when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb which he had hewn out in the rock and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher and departed.” (Matt 27:59,60)

3) Can we define “Hades,” or “Hell,” or “Sheol?”

These are synonymous terms, one is the Greek word, the other is the English term, and the later is our own Aramaic term. This is the place of darkness; or as the term implies “a place without light.” It is a place of spiritual imprisonment; by definition the state of those who are separated from the sight of God by sin, and they are unable to delight themselves in the comforts of His light nor countenance and the blessedness it confers, etc. (see: I Peter 3:18,19; and, compare the following Scripture) “ . . . . in Hell, the rich man lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and seeing Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom . . .” (Luke 16:23); Please see this passage, too: “ . . . the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness, unto the judgement of The Great Day. ” (Jude 6)

4) What was the purpose of the descent into Sheol by our Lord?

First, to proclaim His victory over death; and Secondly, to deliver the righteous souls who had, in faith, anticipated His coming. “ . . . the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, coming forth from the graves which were opened, and came out after His resurrection; and went into the Holy City and appeared unto many.” (Matt 27:52-23)

5) What can we say about the phrase we confess in The Creed, when it says: “ . . and rose again on the third day, as it is written . . .”?

This is the passage from the First Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians, when it says: “ . . . for I have delivered unto you, first of all, that which I received, how that Christ died for our sin, according to the Scriptures, and, that He was buried, and that He rose up again on the third day, according to the Scriptures . . .” (I Cor 15:3,4; compare with: John 2:19–22)

6) Why do we recognize the phrase which we confess as an important statement of faith, “ . . . according to the Scriptures . . .” ?

These are the very words which teach us and explain, that Christ suffered, died and rose again. As it is written and prophesied of Him in the various books of the Old Testament; from the Prophet Isaiah, we have this quote of His suffering and death on behalf of all humankind, “. . . surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted . . but He was wounded for our transgressions, and He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. .” (Isaiah 53:4,5) Regarding the Resurrection of our Lord from the tomb St Peter records the words of the Psalms: “ . . . because Thou wilt not leave my soul in Hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption . . . ” (Acts 2: 27; compare with Psalm 16:10)

7) Where can we find a reference in the Old Testament writings that our Lord Jesus Christ would rise on the third day?

We direct our attention to the Prophet Jonah. He was swallowed by a great fish, and three days later he was spewed-out upon dry land. This is a picture of the “death, burial, and resurrection, of Jesus Christ.” “. . . the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow-up Jonah. And, Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:17) Jesus relates this passage to Himself in the Gospel writings: “ . . . for as Jonah was three days and three night in the whale’s belly, so shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40)

8) How can we know the truth of the resurrection of Christ; and by what means?

We can quote the Sacred Scriptures which have demonstrated to us the fact of the Resurrection; and, First: by the soldiers present at The Tomb, by their actions and observations which are recorded there. “When the centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus, saw the earthquake and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying ‘. . truly this was the Son of God. .’”(Matt 27:54); Second: The Angels announced the resurrection to Mary of Magdala, and to the other women who had come to the tomb to anoint His body; “ . . . He is not here; but, is risen; remember how He spoke to you when He was yet in Galilee? . . . ‘the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful man, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again” (Luke 24:6,7) Third: Jesus Christ, on the very day of His resurrection (He) had appeared to many of His disciples; to the women who were bringing spices to complete His burial anointing, etc. “ . . when Mary of Magdala had spoken, she turned herself about, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus . . . He said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned herself and said: ‘Rabbuli! ...” (John 20:14,16); Fourth: to the Disciples on the road to Emmaus, “ . . . two disciples on their way to Emmaus, it came to pass, that while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself, drew near and went with them. . .” (Luke 24:15); Fifth: Jesus appeared to the Disciples, in an Upper Room where they had gathered, with the doors and the windows closed, “ . . . on the same day, at the evening hour, being the first day of the week, where the doors were shut, and where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus, and stood in the midst, saying to them, ‘Peace be with you.” (John 20:19); Sixth: The resurrected Jesus appeared for some 40 days between the Resurrection and the Ascension and He appeared more than 10 times to His disciples and others; Seventh: St Paul records that Jesus appeared and was seen by more than 500 brethren and disciples; “ . . He was seen of above 500 brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain until this present day, but some are fallen asleep. . . .” (I Cor 15:6) Eighth: He walked with the brethren on “The Way” to Emmaus, “ . . . did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us by The Way and opened unto us The Scriptures . . .” (Luke 24:32) Ninth: The Way to Damascus, St Paul was encountered by Risen Lord: “Who art Thou Lord . . . I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest” (Acts 9:4-5)

9) During the space of forty days, Jesus Christ showed Himself to His Disciples, can you tell us why?

Yes! To teach them the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God. “ . . . to whom also He showed Himself alive after His passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God...”(Act 1:3)

Chapter 13

The Sixth Article of the Creed

The Mystery of the Ascension

into Heaven

1) Can we say that the sixth article of The Creed about “the Ascension of our Lord into Heaven” is taken from the Holy Scriptures?

Yes, indeed! It is written in the Epistle of St Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians, “ . . . He that descended is the same that also ascended up far above all heavens that He might fill all things. .” (Eph 4:10); “. . of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum, we have such a high priest, who is set upon the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens. . .” (Hebrews 8:1)

2) In what form did Jesus Ascend into Heaven? In His humanity? or, in His divinity?

In His manhood! As God He was always in Heaven!

We believe that this same Jesus was born of Mary the Virgin, that He was crucified, died and was buried. That He arose from the grave, transformed into a spiritual body, and Ascended into Heaven. “. . . . Jesus Christ the same, yesterday and forever . . .” (Hebrews 13:8) In the Gospel of St Luke these words are recorded: “ . . . Jesus took them out to Bethany and lifted up His hands and blessed them . . . and it came to pass that while He blessed them He was parted from them and carried up into Heaven . . .” (Luke 24:50-51)

3) Since God is Spirit and is everywhere present, how can we confess that “Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God”?

We understand this statement in the Creed, to be a profound spiritual truth, in which we confess that our Lord Jesus Christ is of equal authority, glory, majesty, honor, power with God the Father within the Holy Trinity, forever.