Any of you who have read any of my posts have noticed that I have mentioned the Orthodox Church. Are any of you familiar with it?

I was a member for 4 years but I never felt like I became that indoctrinated. God was looking out for me.

They claim to be the one true church although they feel that other churches have a portion of the truth. They believe in Apostolic succession. They also believe in Traditions in addition to the Scriptures.

They believe in baptism for the remission of sins by immersion.

The mission I attended was non-instrumental. I believe that many of the Orthodox Churches are non-instrumental; however, I believe that some are starting to introduce the instrument in their worship services.

The Catholic Church broke off from them in 1054, I believe, because Rome wanted to be over the other jurisdictions.

The Orthodox Church is huge in Russia, Greece, and other areas I can't recall. I belonged to the Antiochian branch based on the church in Antioch.

Many Orthodox Churches appear to be ethnic exclusive. I attended a Greek Orthodox Church made up of cradle Orthodox members and they are not warm toward non-Greeks. The church I attended was made up mostly of converts.

Speaking of cradle Orthodox, the Orthodox Church believes in infant baptism citing the Scriptures that mention that whole households were baptized.

Icons are venerated. Incense is used.

The Eucharist (Lord's Supper) is served in one cup with bread and wine. The bread is leavened. It is taken from the Priest and spooned into the mouth. In the absence of a priest, if the bread has been pre-sanctified, a deacon can administer the Eucharist. The communion is closed; only Orthodox Christians can partake.

There is so much more. I will try to add more later. I have forgotten a lot, however, but will do my best to be as accurate as possible.

Blessings,
Pam

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"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NKJV

Where did you go Pam. I thought you were going to post more on the Eastern Orthodox Church?

Peace

I don't know if anyone is still following this thread, but I've had contact with and witnessed a discussion between a preacher of the Lord's church with a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The discussion centered around two subjects: is the Bible all-sufficient, and Matt 23:9. The ROC believes, just as Roman Catholics believe, that "sola scriptura", or the all-sufficiency of the scriptures, is false on its face. Of course, the priest had trouble with 2 Tim 3:15ff and with 2 Peter 1:3. He had even more trouble with Matt 23:9. They basically got up and walked out.

Teaching the Bible in Russia is one of the most thrilling things I've ever done. People (mostly women) have such ready minds. The people (especially away from Moscow) are so loving and helpful. They opened their doors to us almost everywhere we went. We were invited into the schools and welcomed with open arms, unlike this country where the Bible has been shut out.

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"that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:18

I was hoping this thread would remain active. Would like to know more about the Orthodox church. We are studying apostasy of the Church on Wednesday nights and it is an eye opening experience.

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For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 2:5 (U-NASB)

I am the one who started this thread. At that time, it had been not quite a year since I had left the Orthodox Church. I was curious if anyone else here was familiar with the OC and could share with me his/her thoughts. When I didn't get much response, I quit posting.

My mind has become foggy now that it's been over 2 years; however, I would be interested in what your thoughts are. It's a denomination with which not many are familiar.

I had a link to an exhaustive article by a former member of the church of Christ who explained all the Scriptures you have listed. Unfortunately, I have been unable to retrieve it again. I googled and was unsuccessul.

I'm not sure if I am allowed to post links here that give the Orthodox Church's point of view regarding the Scriptures that are in question. In the meantime, I will try to locate the article. It addresses the subjects of "Father," icons, infant baptism, tradition, etc.

Blessings,
Pam

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"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NKJV

Pam, I would think that if we are trying to understand what a particular denomination teaches, then links to places explaining those beliefs would be appropriate, but of course I would bow to the leadership of this forum.

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

The following is a link to a book I referred to earlier in my posts. It's a book written by a former member of the Church of Christ who went into Eastern Orthodoxy.

The book was on the Internet in its entirety at one time but is now not available except by ordering the book or getting the e-book on-line.

The link, however, provides the prologue for perusing. If anyone is interested in any of the contents of that book, there is a copy I can borrow. Just let me know. The author addresses such things as Tradition, venerating icons, infant baptism, sola scriptura, etc.

BTW, I will understand if you have to remove this link.

http://www.craton.net/journey/

Pam

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"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NKJV

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Thanks Pam; I found that copies are available at Amazon and other book retailers. I'll probably get one just to see what direction they try to push the early church and justifications for their beliefs. Makes for a good study library on the apostacies of the church.

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For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 2:5 (U-NASB)

I read the preface that was published online, which I'm assuming gives a summary of the brother's path. It is truly sad that a brother became so confused. The things he claims to contradict only do so for lack of his own understanding. I pray he returns to the Lord before it is too late.

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

I read that also and was wondering why someone in the church would choose that path. I agree with you that he had to become confused somewhere along the line. I think I will get the book and maybe that will furnish a clue. May be able to help another brother from falling in the same traps. I'm not too familar with Eastern Orthodoxy other than what I read in the apostacies.

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For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 2:5 (U-NASB)

I hope that you find the book informative.

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"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NKJV

One thing at least the eastern orthodox do not consider the pope infalliable like the roman catholics do. And they don't have instrumental music (except for certain orthodox in the US and the Greeks). But they don't believe in purgatory but they do beieve in praying for the dead (man's doctrine). And one more thing, I think they have baptism right in the sense meaning that they immerse.

Almost seems like that they tried to go back to original doctrine a little...

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15