Orthodox Christianity is a form of Protestantism that claims to have the authority to interpret the Bible in its entirety, and to be able to apply its doctrines to everyone. Its teachings are based on a central doctrine known as the Incarnation, and its priests preach right after the reading of the Gospel. However, it is not clear that anyone who has been baptized into this church is saved.
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It denies distinction between Jews and Protestants
Orthodox Christianity argues that there is no difference between Jews and Protestants, and that salvation is available to both. In addition, they believe that salvation is through prayer and good deeds, and not through Hell.
Orthodox Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that he will come again in the Middle East. They also believe that the Holy Spirit was active during the Old Testament, and that it acted through prophets. However, they do not believe that there is an afterlife for Jews.
One striking aspect of Orthodox Christianity is that it is not under the authority of the Pope. Rather, the Church is governed by various Patriarchs, and orthodox adherents follow certain practices.
The early Christians firmly believed in the Jewish faith. Many Judean Jews, however, knew little of Jesus. Their faith was rooted in living according to the law, which served as the source of their spiritual fervor.
Its doctrine of the Incarnation occupies a central position in its teachings
The Orthodox church is well-versed in theological and doctrinal matters. In addition to being a pillar of the Orthodox faith, the church is the guardian of the ancient and modern Christian faith. To wit: the church holds the Holy Scriptures in high regard. As such, the Bible is read during every liturgical service.
For Orthodox Christians, the old testament is a prelude to the New Testament, and its prophecies of the coming Messiah are interpreted in light of Christ’s coming. At the same time, the New Testament is viewed as a witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Hence, the book of Revelation is considered an important text for Orthodox Christianity.
Although the Church of Alexandria was the first to coin the phrase “orthodox” or “orthodoxy,” it is the Greek Orthodox Church that has maintained continuity with its ancestors for more than four millennia. It is also a good example of a Christian community that is not monolithic but rather pluralistic.
Its priests preach right after the reading of the Gospel
Orthodox missionaries have been credited with spreading the gospel to many people in various countries of the world. They have been instrumental in the launching of church plants, re-evangelizing lost souls, and establishing functional regional churches. In the era of globalization, this role has become even more important.
Historically, the Orthodox Church has a rich missionary tradition, including several saints. These include Cyril and Methodius, who were missionaries in the early fourth century. As a result, they were able to spread the gospel to many places, from Egypt to India to Spain and beyond.
The modern day Orthodox Church has a vast list of women who have served in a variety of ministries, from being a preacher to being an iconographer. This includes miracle workers, healers, teachers, and debaters. Some of these women are now canonized in the Orthodox Church.
Saint Frumentius of Axum, for example, preached the Gospel to the Ethiopian kings at Axum. Later, he became the first bishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Its teaching on personal salvation
Orthodox theology focuses on the interaction of divine grace and human effort. Salvation is the result of a salvific process whose ultimate goal is to become like Christ. Achieving theosis is a lifelong pursuit.
The teaching of the Orthodox church on personal salvation is usually characterized by three stages: illumination, theosis, and redemption. Each of these stages involves different aspects of Christian life.
The first step of the salvation process is the cleansing of sin. This is a continuous process that requires individual correction and spiritual striving. Throughout the course of the salvation process, the goal is to develop a greater awareness of God and His will.
To accomplish this, the Orthodox Christian must cultivate a deep love for Christ. It is crucial to learn how to praise Him and live a life of righteousness. There are numerous metaphors in the Bible for salvation.
For example, Galatians speaks eloquently about how justification is obtained by faith. However, Orthodox Christians do not believe in predestination or the atonement.
