The Holy Spirit warned of departuresFrom the faith, 1 Tim. 4:1, 2Eldership corrupted, Acts 20:28-32Form of godliness, 2 Tim. 3:1-5

We need not be deceivedTest men, 1 Jn. 4:1-6Examine Scripture, Acts 17:11Reject error, 2 Jn. 9-11Condemn error, Eph. 5:11Mark false teachers, Rom. 16:17, 18

Religion of Christ was quickly pervertedAfter the death of the apostles2 Thes. 2:3-12

Attempts made before, 2 Tim. 2:16-18Apostles a restraining influenceRapid digression after apostles gone

Five seats of power in ancient timesLeo I: Roman bishop above others, 440John the Faster: Constantinople #1, 588Boniface III: Rome accepted in West, 606Final division of East & West, 1054

Alexandria Constantinople

Jerusalem

Rome

Antioch

Four Bishops & Churches To EastKnown as Eastern/Greek Orthodox

Form of communion through centuriesIdentified on national terms: RussianBeliefs & practices essentially Roman

Greek Orthodox Church In AmericaEparchy of ConstantinoplePreeminence of Constantinople1.5 million Greek Orthodox in USSupposed independent churchesAccept jurisdiction of Constantinople

Highest & Holiest Is EasterEpiphanyPresentation of ChristGreat lent, holy week, paschaAnnunciationAscension of ChristHoly Pentecost

Highest & Holiest Is EasterTransfiguration of ChristDormition of the TheotokosNativity of the TheotokosExaltation of the CrossEntrance into temple of TheotokosNativity of Christ

Not one practiced by the NT ChurchPentecost was OT feast, Col. 2:14-23Extra-biblical religious feasts sinful,Gal. 4:8-11

“ever-virginity of Mary…non-negotiable”“Why not believe…?”“argue against…unthinkable…”“Joseph…would [not have] daredto approach…the throne of God”Redefine brothers, until, firstbornJohn 19 proves no brothersMary called the Mother of God

Bible shows Mary not an “ever-virgin”Why not believe: Bible!Sex in marriage clean, Heb. 13:4Mary not the throne of God, Acts 2:30Brothers & sisters, Mt. 13:55, 56Joseph & Mary intimate, Mt. 1:24, 25Brothers unbelievers in Jn. 19, Jn. 7:5God has no mother, 1 Tim. 6:15, 16

“prayers…gestures, and processions”Eucharist: Sunday & Holy daysBaptism: Adults & infantsChrismation: ConfirmationConfession: Intricate confession of sinMarriage: denied bishops & some othersOrders: clergy (bishop, priest, deacon)Anointing of sick: Holy Unction

Completely foreign to Bible as practicedLord’s Supper: Sunday only, Acts 20:7Baptism: not infants, Acts 2:38; Mk. 16:16Confirmation: not in NTConfession: not complex, Acts 8:18-24Marriage: pure when lawful, 1 Tim. 4:1-5Orders: not in NT, 1 Pt. 2:9Anointing of sick: perversion of Jas. 5:14

Six main categoriesApostlesProphetsMartyrsFathers & Hierarchs of ChurchMonasticsThe Just

Conditions for sainthoodFriends of GodThey pleased HimAccepted into God’s bosom after deathGiven grace to perform miraclesGift to pray & intercede for the living

Bible teaches all Christians are saintsLiving saints, Rom. 1:7; Eph. 1:1No communication with dead, Lk. 16One intercessor, Heb. 7:25; 1 Tim. 2:5Christians can pray for one another,But not by praying to the other…Who is dead!1 Tim. 2:1; Eph. 6:18

The Holy Spirit warned of departuresFrom the faith, 1 Tim. 4:1, 2Eldership corrupted, Acts 20:28-32Form of godliness, 2 Tim. 3:1-5

We need not be deceivedTest men, 1 Jn. 4:1-6Examine Scripture, Acts 17:11Reject error, 2 Jn. 9-11Condemn error, Eph. 5:11Mark false teachers, Rom. 16:17, 18