I happen to live in a country that is eastern orthodox. I consider myself lucky and thank God that i was born there because there are much less distractions from the truth for me. May God bless you and all the good people that are watching this video❤❤❤❤
Same ...although here are also a lot of evangelicals here and they do a better job at EVNGELISING and they helped me discover Christ ( but as I was batised as a small child here I believe I never left the apostholic church). So shoutout to all Christians 😊
Thank you for this, Father. A lot of my Protestant friends, even me when I was one, had a mindset that "Only The Bible" & "Only Jesus" & "I need no church." That's why I "jumped around" from one Protestant church to another. I grew up Lutheran, but I went to baptist & other Protestant churches when I was in my early 20s. I didn't really care about The Church. My understanding of Christianity was very individualistic. After I study Christian history, I found that The Church is just as important. Without The Church, there wouldn't be the canonic Bible we have today. Without The Church we wouldn't know which teachings is true. Jesus also said He built His Church, not telling people to do whatever they like. Through history, I found Orthodoxy. I found my belief in The One, Holy, Catholic, & Apostolic Orthodox Church. I've been Orthodox since 2016.
As an Orthodox Christian, who's in the military, I often use the analogy that The Bible is to The Church, what the Constitution is to the Supreme Court.
I tend to say the Bible is to the Catechism what the Constitution is to the Federalist Papers. I suppose to put a trinitarian lens on it we could says that the Magisterium of the Bishops are akin to the Supreme Court, the Federalist Papers & SCOTUS precedent are akin to Tradition, and Scripture is akin to the Constitution. I tend to think of it as a metaphor for the Trinity anyway, the teaching of the Church is like the Father who begets and Spirates but is not before the Son and the Spirit. Likewise the Church produced the Bible and Holy Tradition, but they are co-eternal and Absolute Truths.
thank you for this teaching tonight father josiah. i am feeling indignant at the venom already present in this comment section and i struggle to not think foolishly about what is being said. if you do see this, please pray for me. i am not yet part of the church, or even ready to be a catechumen, and i have great difficulty coping with my terrible spiritual sickness in the non denominational desert i find myself in. sometimes it feels as if there is no end to the depths of my wretched sin that i have plunged into. thank you, and glory be to God.
I will pray for you, and please remember that the Church is a hospital. No need to wait to become well before checking into the place that provides the healing in the first.
I came to saving faith in the basement of a ski lodge. No church nearby. The rest of the evening I was aglow with the changes happening inside me. The next day I sobbed in the back of the bus by myself, as I felt overwhelming repentance for my sin, and finally understood the message of the cross. Though I had heard it 100 times previously it became alive to me. The next morning I woke with a tangible presence of the creator all around me. My heart of stone had been turned to a heart of flesh. The blinders had been peeled back from my eyes and I could now see. No church nearby. My chest was filled with a burning flame. It literally felt like a flame inside of me and I knew I had been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. My life has never been the same since and that was 30 years ago. No church was nearby when this all happened. It came soon after. Let’s not limit God to whom he can save, when, and even where.
Dude i always try to explain that to catholic and orthodox and even protestants the first 2 think you're worshipping the devil for being outside the "true" church and the latter says God doesn't do any kind manifestations today...all you can do is keep pursuing him and your change will be a testimony to others
I agree, my friend. Some of my most clarifying moments have been outside the church, in my own prayer room in my house. Saying you need the church to encounter Christ is just… weird. I really enjoy father Josiah, but our god is a personal one. Christ meets you wherever you are, inside or outside church, saved or not saved. He truly is good all the time.
I stopped going to church (grew up Methodist) when I was in middle school. Obviously young and ignorant I was under the mindset that “I can know God and have a relationship with Jesus without going to church.” Now in my late 20s and exploring Orthodoxy for a few months I hear Father Theophan talk about the same scripture with St. Paul when he was still Saul in Acts chapter 9 when he has the encounter with Jesus and idk how else to describe it but by saying I was struck by lightning realizing how important the Church is and how important it is to Christ. Months go by further exploring Orthodoxy and God gives me the conviction and courage to experience my first Liturgy. Been attending Liturgy consistently for 4 months and my catechism officially starts next month. It’s been a long road but because of Christ continuing to save me I’ve realized how essential His Church is and it’s importance in growing my faith ❤️☦️
I moved from pentecostal to orthodoxy a few years ago, the only one from my family, so I love to hear when people have the courage to go where truth takes them. I imagine converts as having always been orthodox without knowing it
@@jonmack2437 I’m the only one in my family as well!! The parish I attend is mostly converts which is nice because in a way I’m able to relate. There’s someone I care about a lot that is Oneness Pentecostal or “Apostolic” whatever it’s is called. It hurts me dearly because I know how incorrect it is but it’s all they know as they grew up in that
@@xgingex3962 I know what you mean. Both my parents preached for years, but all my sisters are agnostic now. And I know it’s due at least partly, to the Protestant dismantling of the mystical element of the church. Communion is just a symbol
@@MrAwak3 Yes. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. - 2 Corinthians 11: 13-15
Not yet and you will gnash your teeth and wail when you he has and you realize you were following false prophets the entire time, you are a worker of lawlessness, not a disciple of Christ.
So many people today don't think the church is important anymore. Praise be to God, and our American people who are still God fearing, and church believing people.
Thank you so much Father! I literally just finished this conversation with my baby brother who thought he did not need. Church was perfectly content just reading the Bible and having Bible studies with Christian Brothers, young and old God‘s timing couldn’t be more perfect. I remember in the Bible, it said, don’t worry about the words I will give them to you, when the time comes his timing was perfect thank you God bless you thank you for visiting our church at All Saints here in Raleigh North Carolina. Blessings always. ☦️🙏🕊️ merry Christmas.
Newly renewed in the Christian faith, I immediately stopped wanting to go to church during convid, when the churches followed government orders. How can I trust them now? No separation of govt and church. No thanks. All Praises To The Most High Jesus Christ 🙏
Its so sad, i feel the more of these wonderful videos i watch, the more youtube pushes ads for "dating"(we know what they really mean), and ads for "legal" drugs and alcohol. Every time i see one i hit the block option and youtube tells me they wont show the ad anymore, yet they continue to
After 25 years as a Protestant, I became Orthodox finding Christ in His Church. In Evangelism, imagine learning a few true things about Christ. Now imagine in Orthodoxy you come into the presence of the risen Christ and all His angels. Coming into the Orthodox Church is entering into His real visible body. This cannot be said for modern day Protestant Evangelicalism.
@@ProtestantismLeftBehind why? My son became Roman Catholic, I have friends who became Orthodox. I have another friend who became Protestant after growing up Catholic, and another who has become atheist. I have so many questions. I love the Lord with all my heart, soul and strength. Raised Evangelical.
With 20th century I think amillennial theology which gave rise to a physical institution of authority is being challenged by Israel’s existence and premillennial theology. It really looks like church is spiritual and Jesus will return to rule on throne of David. If this is true then it means these traditions are not the ruling Christ but man’s. I think returning to Jewish NT scriptures and keeping church decentralized is the right thing.
I’ve found Christ outside of church. An encounter that forever changed me. Since then, I’ve been so close to him, and my most clarifying moments haven’t been in church, but in my own prayer room praying. Limiting Christ to only being reachable or true within a specific church is an insult to the Holy Spirit and the works god does.
@@princeofgreece9054I came to faith in Christ and became a Protestant. But when I found the one Church of Christ I found the fullness of the Christian faith. Your conclusions are modern and contrary to the one Church’s Scriptures
I actually got into an argument with someone about the Bible. It was so holy to them that they completely ignored the mention of demons, and paganism existing in the text. Despite me citing the temple of Dagon in the story of Samson, the golden Cafe, the pharaoh's magicians, Legion. He goes out of his way to say that what I'm saying is hellinist paganism and paganism isn't in the bible. He proved my own point. He didn't seem to understand that these things are mentioned as to be avoided, teach lessons, or that were defeated by Jesus, Samson, Moses, etc.
@@thecopperowl8386 That would be the elohim and the Nephilim. The lesser gods are real, they just aren't Eloah (the Most High God). Check out Jay Dyer and UnderStandingConspiracy for more great information like the other commenter said.
@josephcarlson7276 my point was this. Learn the history of the area to gain better knowledge of the Bible, and context of the stories and lessons within. People would say "Christians bad, they got rid of pagans!" Learn pagan history, they sacrificed babies! There's examples of people following roman laws, Jewish traditions and folklore, disputes amongst peoples etc. But the guy couldn't comprehend that something like Dagon was in the bible
"There are as many interpretations as there are interpreters" beautifully said. Every time I bring this up with a protestant they refuse to see it. They always claim it is very clear and obvious to understand the bible. Why is that? Can't they see how many protestant denominations there are? Why do they refuse to open their eyes?
Amen. Sola scriptura exists only to permit anythinggoes in personal interpretation. There can be no other purpose for it. And to give up that false sense of power is terribly difficult. Even for something in the Orthodox Church which os so extraordinarily superior to that false belief .
I cannot agree with this more. My whole family are Protestants and I always tell them if the Bible was so clear cut that personal interpretation works, why is there 40k Prot denominations in the U.S. alone? But I always get shut down by them because admittedly, I'm still trying to learn through my Bible
@@H2ORaccoon Protestants, in their own way, are beautiful in their devotion to the Bible. This is because its all they have, and still find themselves starving. Many Orthodox Christians don't know the Bible verse by verse as well as protestants. Then again, the Devil is a master student of Scripture too, and will out-debate you at every turn. That's why the truth is not found in reasoning between Bible verses; it is found in the Church, at the services, in the midst of God, where grace brings true understanding of our Patriarchs and Fathers, not just of their words but of their lives and disposition and the way they practiced their faith, untarnished by modern and subjective views, but stalwart in the test of history and proven by the holiness of the Saints in every generation.
I don’t know what to do with it either, my sister and mom are very adamant on “Jesus is my savior, I don’t need anything else” and “you can’t work your way into heaven bc Jesus did the work for us” I try to explain things to them but they are so far brain washed and won’t do their research! We just need to keep praying that God humbles them and opens their eyes.
I’m a Protestant because of the way Christ found me, and the way in which he healed me. It wasn’t a church, it wasn’t some tradition. It was the Holy Spirit, descending on me and washing away my sin. I was so relieved I could cry. Orthodox and Catholics often say you can only encounter Christ in the church, but if that’s the case, why have so many people been saved outside of ‘Christ’s church’ as you call it? I pray and talk with God throughout my day, I feel extraordinarily close with him, and I allow him to guide my life. And my Protestant church is awesome. Father Josiah in this video straight up said you need church to encounter Christ, which is just plain wrong. Truly, all we do need is Christ. You nearly sound unchristian, limiting god in such a way as he can only be reached through Orthodox or Catholic Church.
I've not gone to Church now for almost 2 yrs now. I stopped when I was banned from taking communion due to my marriage (long story) . Once my wife gets here (going through immigration) we will meet with our Father and find out what needs to be done to get back in good standing.
Please don't feel excluded. You can still go to church, just don't receive the Eucharist. We attended the Catholic Church for two years, before we became Catholics and were able to take communion. You can just cross your arms and receive a blessing instead.
Yes, i expect it is also that the Lord clearly has His Finger on how Fr. Josiah is prompted to speak. In my early months in D.L.s i used to be surprised that the priest would address something in his homily on something i had been thinking about all week.. and presenting a FAR , FAR better ORTHODOX insight than i thought of as a prtnst. I had no idea about the scheduled scriptures or what feast day it might be. He often spoke about something that one wouldn't have expected from the readings. I somehow knew that i had been prompted to have those thoughts . And it always surprised me. I just knew that my struggle and my search was not going unnoticed. Sobering and humbling.☦️☦️
Jesus said call no man father. How in the world do Catholics and Orthodox miss this so blatantly? Because of their spiritual pride, that's why. They love to be seen in the high places as more holy, more devout, and closer to God than anyone on earth. May God deliver these men from such wicked spiritual pride!
I have survived without a church for 30 years. Love God so much , wish I had a church , but it’s still ok. I asked God…I take comfort in the Dessert Fathers and the Saints
@robenger64 well, anyone who reads and loves the Desert Fathers and the Saints is already thinking about his salvation. . I have not begun to know them as well as i should. I just long for him to find an Orthodox Church for him to begin attending, or to at least contact, as soon as he can.. He is missing a great treasure. But he probably knows that and can't get to one yet
This is a good message to orthodox but since I became orthodox 37 years ago I have shared this with dozens of protestants and 99% cannot hear It at all. I would like to think it's my poor presentation and lack of holiness but I think there is a closed circuit and perhaps a mind viris that needs to be addressed, it's something in the subconscious of extreme individualism that prefers it's own thoughts and feelings to historical reality. This is why many say come and see and something might go to the heart and then to the brain.
I want to know more about Orthodox Christianity. Can you suggest anything? Also would love to hear your pitch to Protestants. I'm sure it's better than you realize.
@Throwaway-x9e my wife and I have been attending since June and at first, things were slow, but since start of November we have been taken in like family. The ideas and theology should not be separate from the out working. But the Orthodox values/culture elevates one's own culture. A person must just be aware that there is a different culture, from the smallest details. The church also reflects the home, the prayers that are done, the prayer corner etc. I think one has to be willing to change(that doesn't mean becoming greek or russian whatever ethnic culture is present) but to adopt the orthodox culture. All the best anyway🙏🏼
Father Josiah , I have been watching your videos for a few months now & I’ve learnt so much from you. I’m grateful for your videos , I do have a question for you though; would you not advise people to read the Bible on their own then? must we read the Bible at church only?
I think he would say it's not only good to read it at home, but edifying. The problem is that the Church is the teacher of Scripture, and it is unwise to interpret the Bible on your own. Otherwise, you will undoubtedly go into heresy.
Thank you, Father, for this insightful Acts 10 and 15 presentation. It really helped me see how the early Church discerned and proclaimed infallible teachings through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. What struck me most was how Acts 15 was written post-mortem, after the Council of Jerusalem, showing how the Church formed binding doctrine for the whole Church without relying on a pre-existing Scripture. Protestants often argue for sola scriptura, but this passage directly contradicts that-Acts itself is the record of the Church acting with authority before the Scripture was even written. This teaching clarified how these passages refute several common Protestant positions: - Sola Scriptura: The Council of Jerusalem did not rely on Scripture alone to resolve the dispute. Instead, it depended on apostolic authority and the Holy Spirit's guidance, recorded afterward in Acts. - Denial of Church Authority: Acts 15 shows the Church making binding, universal decisions, underscoring the necessity of a governing and teaching authority. - Rejection of Sacred Tradition: The decision at the Council came through a combination of apostolic witness, divine revelation, and communal discernment-all key elements of Sacred Tradition. - Private Interpretation of Scripture: The issue in Acts 15 was not resolved by individuals interpreting Scripture but by a Spirit-led council of apostles and elders. - Opposition to Infallible Councils: The Council of Jerusalem is a clear example of the Church declaring infallible teaching for all believers, which Protestants often reject as possible. Thank you for shedding light on these passages, Father. They’ve helped me understand how the Church’s authority is deeply rooted in Scripture and Sacred Tradition and how these truths challenge many Protestant assumptions. It’s incredible to see the continuity of Christ’s guidance through His Church, then and now.
Not that I would argue for Sola Scriptura or against the authority of Church councils; but you should know that the Council of Jerusalem was very much leaning on Holy Scripture in its decision-making process. The standards the fathers agreed to hold gentiles to came directly from Leviticus, and are the standards God set for gentiles living in community with Israel.
@@ericlammerman2777 Thanks for sharing your thoughts! You’re absolutely right that the Council of Jerusalem leaned on Scripture, like Leviticus, in its decisions. But I think the key here is that they didn’t rely on Scripture alone. Acts 15 shows the apostles working through Scripture, Peter’s vision in Acts 10, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to make their decision. It’s a great example of how the Church uses Scripture alongside Tradition and the Spirit’s leading. Wishing you a joyful and blessed Christmas-may it be filled with peace and love!
I found your channel a few months ago and I really enjoy it. I guess I would consider myself a Protestant I’m not overly familiar with Catholic or Orthodox practices. I have a question and please forgive me if my question is offensive. My question is as an Orthodox Christian do the members of the church look to the Pope for guidance? Because in the Pope’s Christmas I guess address he made it sound like all religions basically lead to God. I was wondering about your thoughts on the Pope and that statement. Again I’m sorry if my questions seems disrespectful that’s not my intention I am just trying to learn.
We are completely separate from the Catholic church. Those words he spoke we don’t believe at all. There are some Orthodox rebuttals out there about what the pope has said.
We have no Popes (well, we do in Alexandria, I suppose), but Patriarchs. The Pope has no sway over anyone outside of the Roman Catholic Church, though at one time, he was a fellow Bishop and first-among-equals with the Orthodox Patriarchs.
Though our Church is called the Orthodox Catholic Church (meaning "right/true Faith of the whole Church") it is not under any Pope. In fact the Roman church used to be one of our local churches whose Patriarch had primacy of honor (not supremacy) until 1,000 years ago when it separated and created the "Roman Catholic church" under the Papacy. Christ has always been the Head of the [Orthodox] Church, no other. That is part of why the local Roman church left when its Patriarch, the Pope, became power hungry and the rest of the Church was against it.
Paul was talki ng about our physical bodies, when he talked about the future. Paul was talking about now, when he talked about our union with Christ, in our perfect position in Christ's righteousness, in heavenly places.
I'm not sure because Paul speaks for himself that he remained in the body for our sakes but found it far more glorious to be out of this body and with Christ. To live is Christ to die is gain
@@PhillipS5428 You are just interperating your own ideals on the Holly Bible, being your own bishop. This heresy is nowadays going extinct (Thank to Lord). Only America and its failed society cling to it like a mad man. Repent
Truthfully I think the opposite. I believe sola Scriptura is an approach to limit the crazy. Or more accurately, it keeps things at their most basic foundational truth so that we don’t stray and incorporate heretical doctrines , practices or traditions. And the only criticisms people ever have of it, is that it limits them from doing things that have been added by the catholic church and other traditions.
Isn't the Church the true believers of God? If the true believers are in the stadium isn't a part of the body there then? Paul was on Aerophagus preaching. But I'm pretty sure that they who believed the word's of Paul went to the Church afterwards. What's your thoughts on the two questions?
Is it okay to read Bible, hear what God is saying to me for this day and apply to my life? At the church I attend, we use a method for reading the Bible called SOAP and acronym for Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
Fr. Josiah has done videos on this. There are many videos. The differences are huge. First of all, the Roman Catholic church left the original Church and it's sacraments have no grace or validity.
So what is the difference between an evangelistic meeting in a stadium with a preacher sharing the Word and calling to repentance, and Apostle Peter preaching the message of Christ to Cornelius with his family and friends gathered in his private house? Why is the former "completely insufficient for the beginning of the Christian life", and the latter is okay. Except for the scale these are identical events where God filled them with His Spirit to the amazement of the visitors. No doubt later those saved found themselves in a community of believers or formed one.
One thing I will add to this is the example of Saint Dysmas no bible, no church but he was granted paradise. I will also add that many may not have the conviction that Dysmas had and fellowship with communion can help you stay much closer to The Lord. So, more activities that will glorify God is more power to you so no it is not a factor for salvation. But if you love God come meet his sheep and walk with his flock.
Thank you Father Josiah what a blessing you are. You should come to Canada ottawa Ontario so we can take your blessings and pray with you and learn from you.🙏 ❤️
Father, which work were you reading from of St. Vincent? I'd love to read it. It seems both him and St. Seraphim of Sarov are pursuing me lol. That may sound strange, but no matter where i go those two keep popping up.
I have a few questions that all circle the same underlying thought. My current understanding is that the Orthodox Church claims that interpreting Scripture requires the normative, authoritative interpreter of the Church, which is the historical Orthodox Church, is that correct? And that this is, in part, necessitated by the fact that individuals are prone to error and misinterpretation. And yet, the Orthodox Church’s teachings are themselves communicated through human language (council decrees, writings of the Church Fathers, etc.). But if the Orthodox Church is required as the context for interpreting Scripture, who or what provides the context for interpreting the Orthodox Church's teachings? What I mean is, if God is the ultimate author of both Scripture and the one who guides the Orthodox Church’s teachings through the Holy Spirit, why would God communicate in a way that requires an interpreter for Scripture but not for the Church’s words? Wouldn’t that suggest the Church's teaching is a clearer form of communication than God's own words? And if it's assumed that the Church's words can be understood through the plain meaning of words, why wouldn't we assume that the Holy Spirit is capable of guiding the individual to understand God’s Word in the Scriptures in the same way? Thanks for taking the time to respond to the question if you see it! I appreciate your videos, very informative.
I am blessed by your teachings and encouragement. But when I told my Priest I listen to you he warned me about listening to you but he did not want to tell me why. I am new to Orthodoxy due to your teachings. Can you help me to understand?
I don't know. Check out the Orthodox Ethos channel, where this topic has been addressed, this is an excellent resource. I think Fr Josiah stressed this also in his videos.
the incident of Jesus meeting the GreeksThere were also some Greeks from among those who were resurrected, in order to worship in the feast. These therefore came to Philip from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying: Lord, we want to see Jesus. Philip comes and says to Andrew, and again Andrew and Philip say to Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
I don't know any Protestants who think the Bible stands apart from the church. I know a very few who don't attend church, and they're wrong for that. But it is the position that in attending the mass or service or not, the believer is spiritually literally IN the church by virtue of being part of the body in Christ. And the part of this that always gets left out when poking critically at the Protestant is that the individual is given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as the earnest of his/her inheritance in Christ. This is how orthodoxy is maintained (to the degree it is) in the person more isolated than they should be, reading the word "on their own" (as though a person in Christ could ever be on their own), humbly willing not to be expert at all matters, but having matters illuminated by the Spirit. But I know the Orthodox church has a difficult time with people experiencing something increasingly common - like many Asians and Muslims having visions or dreams of Christ, leading them into faith in Jesus, but not having a church. Their relationship with Christ is "insufficient" and without finding a way out of their countries and into an Orthodox church, they will always have a 2nd-class relationship with Christ, right? No! They become the church. They are only an eye or a hand, but they ARE the body. How tragic to come at the humble child in faith with "You've not done it right" when they're freely approaching Christ with all their hearts.
The question is , which church and tradition is the correct one. Is it the one that claims to be the oldest. Anyone who can read God's mind can answer this question.
The Church matters because its teachings bring us closer to God. What is it about Orthodox teachings that lead people to find a cave, live in the utmost poverty, and be so happy and peaceful that they do not want to leave?
Alright. So Im from a little catholic village in Germany and grew up in a non denominational church. I'm married and have four kids. Over the years I noticed that sola scriptura does indeed lead to some weird things and became aware of the problems of free church Christianity. We are in close fellowship with Christian friends, eating together, worshipping together and working together towards spreading the love and teaching of Christ among people in the area. We have a catholic church in the village. The next Orthodox Church is 30 minutes away and is Russian...which noone of us understands. So... If I want to move towards othodoxy, should I rather attend the catholic church in the village or the Orthodox Church that I don't understand?
I wish I could go to church but I have an autistic/adhd son who can't sit still. We've been thrown out of every church we've ever been to, and I tried many. But all are intolerant and hate autistics for some reason. So, unless churches become more accepting and accomodating of those with disabilities which I don't see that happening anytime soon, we just can't go to church. I hope the sermon where Jesus said what you do unto the least of these, you also do unto me be taught.
I find it hard to believe any Orthodox Church/priest would kick you out for having an autistic son. Our church has like 20 babies who cry throughout the whole service and our priest loves it lol
@@TylerMancuso111 funny that you only mention crying babies but not autistics. Probably because you have never seen one in church. If you did, you would mention the autistics, not the crying babies. Not the same thing. Don't you think there was a reason that you never seen an autistic in church??? I think I've addressed the reason why.
I wonder if a children's Sunday school type group would be good for your children? Rather than a formal Church setting maybe? Maybe something with singing, interactive story telling, they could take light up toys with them to wave for stimulation etc. Hopefully there will be something like that in your area. I went to a Sunday school group that was very music focused as a child and loved it. Hopefully you can find something God willing.
@@HelloAlRando the last one we went to had a play area and the woman in charge told me out flat that my son isn't welcome there. She was very nasty about it too.
@@TylerMancuso111 hmmm, looks like my last comment got erased so I'll say it again. Funny how you only mention crying babies but never mentioned autistics. Not the same thing. Probably because you never have seen an autistic in church. I've addressed the reason why you don't see autistics in church. They're never welcome.
There are only catholic, protestant or weird jehova witnesses around me in a plus 300 km radius, so what am I supposed to do? It is what it is, wish fellowship was easier, but the Bible, books and internet is all I have for the foreseeable future.
Travel to attend Church in person when you can, so you can receive the Eucharist at least once a year. Maintain a prayer rule. Read Orthodox books (perhaps with a group of Orthodox Christians online). It's fine to participate in group Bible study with Protestants and Catholics; but you cannot truly worship with them...if you are Orthodox.
It's no fun but when you have no Orthodox Church close by one has to make do (Canada); I go to the Orthodox Church in America website and do my prayers and praying (it's still better than attending a protestant church). When I visit a relative, they have an Ukrainian Orthodox Church in walking distance that I attend. Please pray for a solution for me so that I can become a catachumen and belong to the Church.
@@Life-xg9pf the Protestant church is not a church, so praying in a god-pleasing manner according to the tradition of the apostles is of course better than going to a false assembly that has forsaken the way of the apostles.
@@Life-xg9pf friend, I am not sorry that after years of studying the scriptures I finally found the truth. A truth that is able to be proven without a doubt of uncertainty.
There’s two “only scripture” concepts. The first one is 1. The word of God only and no church is needed for the Christian life and 2. The word of God is the only ultimate authority in the Christian believers life superseding that of the church’s traditions. Many Protestants believe that only scripture is in reference to #2 rather than #1 from my own understanding although i do not speak for all believers who are Protestants, does this mean that this is what Martin Luther referred by that? No. (i myself am not Protestant in the sense of following a denomination, i’m protestant in the context of being one who protests against denominations who put first their own authorities and traditions before the word of God). Many Protestants and believers from other demonstrations don’t agree with every single thing that Martin Luther taught because some of those things did indeed contradict The Bible. The Bible tells us that a church is necessary for the believer’s life, it’s a necessity for their growth and stability. But to you Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians, does this mean a believer will go to Hell because he fails to attend a church/ministry? No. You also cannot show anywhere in scripture where this is the case either because The Bible doesn’t teach such a thing from my current understanding and knowledge of God’s word. Should a believer go to church? Yes of course, but not for their salvation but rather for the sake of their growth and edification as a believer, for their sanctification. However we must emphasize what does the “church” mean? Are we speaking of a physical building and ministry only or people? According to The Bible it means the body of Christ, fellow believers as a whole who are in Christ gathering together and serving one another and teaching the truth according to scripture. If a supposed ministry or church teaches something contrary to scripture, a believer is not entitled or forced to go to such a ministry, for example a ministry or church that teaches that one must do rituals or works to maintain or earn their salvation alongside their faith. Why is this? The Apostle Paul was very clear, “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:2-5 KJV, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Romans 11:6 KJV, “being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:24-28 KJV. Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholicism teach a works + faith gospel misinterpreting and taking verses from James and Hebrews out of context making them out to seem that works are necessary for a person’s salvation or to maintain their salvation when the reality is, faith alone is what saves and justifies a man. Christ’s atonement on the cross is sufficient and adding on to that throws aside Grace and instead is a declaration that one prefers to be judged before God by their own merits instead. This is not a comment condoning a believer’s decision to not go to church but rather a explanation that if a believer is to go to a church or join a ministry, it must be a ministry that is in accordance to the word of God rather than denominational traditions. The Apostle Paul warns us not to pursue traditions before the word of God, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8 KJV. If this ministry from this Orthodox Church teaches strictly faith alone for salvation and no inclusion of works involved for salvation or justification in the salvation sense, then i encourage believers to join the church, not to take up the title of “Orthodox or Eastern Orthodox” blindingly obeying all their traditions and teachings but to be faithful as a born again Christian who follows Christ and his word thoroughly to the best of their ability and in turn supporting and serving this ministry as best as possible through the leading and guidance of The Holy Spirit. Leaders from ministries and churches must always put first God’s word before the traditions of a denomination, do not take pride in your own ministries and remember that all you have belongs to the Lord and must be used to serve the Lord and his will only. If scripture reveals that you are wrong in something, you must humble yourself and align yourself with the Lord’s will but only in accordance with the scripture’s proper context and not one’s own presuppositions through denominational traditions and subjective interpretations of scripture. To end this comment, before any Catholic or Orthodox jumps to show verses about water baptism or any type of ritual to imply that it is required for salvation. Keep in mind that i already showed verses from Romans 3, 4 and 11 that show very very clearly that works are not allowed at all for salvation otherwise it removes the very purpose of grace which then means you must read those very verses you thought to use to disprove me from a lens where it must align with those verses i had shown otherwise there is a great contradiction and predicament here involving salvation. If the verses you planned to use turn out to make sense from the lens used to fit Romans 3, 4, and 11 as faith being alone for salvation and those other verses actually have nothing to do with salvation itself but the reputation and physical life of a believer, then it is time to reconsider what have been mistaken of. There is no shame in being wrong, all that matters is that we know the truth and the truth sets us free just as the Lord does not have intentions to condemn or shame us but rather convict us so that his discipline may enlighten us and change us for the better in accordance to his will. All believers are encouraged and instructed to attend a ministry/church, but that ministry/church must be in accordance to the word of God. No church/ministry is perfect but there are many that deliberately try their best to let The Holy Spirit be the leader and the teacher. Seek one that is spirit filled and lead, a community that is truly humble and sincere towards the scriptures. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25 KJV, 1 Corinthians 12, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV.
St. Paisios Agioreitis Philosophers prepared the way for Christianity. The Gospel was written in Greek and spread throughout the world. Then the Greeks proceeded to enlighten the Slavs as well. Some do not like the existence of Greece. "It hurts us, they say. We must eliminate her."
Im looking into both catholicism and orthodoxy but honestly I'm disillusioned with both .. the pope has been saying some wild things lately and with orthodoxy i dont see any way to reconcile iconography at all.. i honestly dont know.
I’ve figured out one of the next tests for us orthodox converts: humility. Devil tries to sow separation, when we explain to our brothers that the Bible cannot be divorced from the church. A lot of people, including our own families, do not wanna hear all that. All that’s left is to live the faith, and hope they see the fruit of it in you. Or you can annoy them starting unnecessary theological debates like I did. Which… 99% of the time, won’t work.
I'm an old dog. Can't learn new tricks. Coming to liturgy in an Orthodox Church would require me to break many friendships and go against my Protestant faith, leave several mission fields, and probably require many arguments with my wife, some of which I may never win. She's all about the Ethiopian vibe in Ethiopia but whatever vibe in here in the US (at least in our heads anyway) feels cold, creepy, and idolatrous to many of us raised in plain walled, music and a sermon churches. How can I move forward? I want to... but I seemingly cannot. Pray for me.
Well... out of all you mentioned possible show-stoppers are your faith and wife. Former one depends on you and later one on her. If you reconcile it with you, speak to her in a non-invasive manner and you may get surprised. God works in a mysterious ways.
Don’t be afraid to seek the truth you need to take control of your marriage. I speak this as a married orthodox convert. I gave up everybody from my old life who didn’t want to join me and seek God further it’s possible and things will fall into place after
Ok somebody explain 2 Peter Ch. 1 to me!! I paused (around the 3:55-4 min mark) and immediately read it but I can’t correlate his comments with the chapter.
Just posting the verse for the forum to use(KJV) 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
The principle of “antiquity, universality, and assent” ensures the correct interpretation of Scripture because it reflects what has been believed “always, everywhere, and by all.” Reductio Argument: 1. If the principle were absolute, all doctrines and interpretations of Scripture would need to have been universally accepted from the earliest times. • However, even within early Christianity, there were significant disagreements on major theological issues (e.g., the nature of Christ, the Trinity, the role of grace and works). • The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) resolved disputes about Christ’s divinity, yet some interpretations persisted in heretical forms for centuries (e.g., Arianism). If universality is a standard, these long-standing disagreements undermine it. 2. Many key doctrines developed over time, rather than being explicitly “always” believed. • The doctrine of the Trinity, for example, was not formally articulated until later councils (e.g., Nicaea, Constantinople). If “antiquity” demands that doctrines exist in their complete form from the beginning, then any development (even orthodox ones) would contradict the principle. • Marian doctrines like the Immaculate Conception and Assumption were not universally agreed upon or formally defined for centuries. Their eventual acceptance contradicts the idea of unbroken “assent.” 3. It is practically impossible to verify universal agreement (“assent”) across all Christians. • In the first centuries, the Church was spread across different cultures, languages, and regions. Records of what “all” Christians believed are incomplete. If the principle demands strict universality, it collapses under the impossibility of proving such a standard. 4. Universality could legitimize error. • If the majority of Christians in a particular era believed something erroneous (e.g., the acceptance of Arianism by many during the 4th century), then by the principle of universality, such beliefs would seem valid. This would lead to endorsing heresy as truth. 5. Applying the principle consistently undermines doctrinal evolution. • If nothing outside of “antiquity” is valid, later developments and clarifications of doctrine (e.g., the canon of Scripture, Nicene Creed) would also be invalid. By insisting on strict antiquity and universality, the principle would contradict the Church’s ability to refine and articulate its understanding of truth over time. Conclusion: The principle of antiquity, universality, and assent collapses into absurdity because: 1. It demands an unrealistic and unverifiable standard of universal agreement. 2. It denies the natural and historical development of doctrine. 3. It risks legitimizing heresy if widely accepted error becomes the basis for authority.
I think Protestantism schisms so frequently because there's no fixed interpretive framework. You need either something like the Vatican's Magisterium or the fixed (immutable) consensus of the Church Fathers. The end result of not having this always seems to be that you will disagree with your denomination's private interpretation, break off, and form your own denomination. Protestantism is littered with defunct denominations that no longer exist, but gave birth to new factions before they died out.
Protestant is always changing since man are stubborn. One of those changes is rise and return of premillennial theology. When looking at 20th century rebirth of Israel one cannot honestly not doubt amillennial theology. It really looks like amillennial churches are traditions of men but Jesus will return to rule on throne of David. This changes the meaning of church from an institution to spiritual believers decentralized worldwide but waiting for real Christ to setup the central rule.
What I think many Catholic or Orthodox believers don’t realize is that most Protestants don’t actually look at whether it’s a certain denomination (Methodist, Presbyterian, etc). I started out at a Methodist church and really loved my pastor. He passed, and so we moved churches cause the new one wasn’t to our liking. Now our new one is super awesome. If you ask most Protestants, they couldn’t tell you what the denominations even mean. All we do is praise Jesus our lord and savior. That’s all we truly care about, not about small doctrinal differences.
First Christians didn’t have the urgency of a canonical collection of books. That that vitalized them was the attendance of Parousia, but when the generation that had seen Jesus alive began to disappear, the communities around the apostles began to put on paper the memories they had of Jesus' life. On ’70 when romans destroyed the temple, for maintaining their nation’s identity, rabbis decided to put together their own canon. Actually, it was a Jews summary of the Septuagint that Christians were already citing, gospels and Paul are full of Septuagint. In 150, Marcion had same intuition but, as we know, Irenaeus (venerated as saint in the Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Lutheran Churches, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and the Assyrian Church of the East), disciple of Polycarp (regarded as saint and Church Father in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism), disciple of John the Apostle, disassembled Marcion’s canon for not holding Jesus’s teaching. Irenaeus won the battle for him was coming through apostolical succession. This was the main characteristic that gave authority to Irenaeus. In fact, the Church was not looking for a canon, but now, with Marcion’s canon, the Church was actually obligated to produce an official canon that pope Damasus I fixed at the Council of Rome of 382. This same canon was confirmed at the Council of Florence 1442, and at the Council of Trent 1545 - 1563. The three major traditions of Christianity had different approaches to the canon. For protestants, is the canon itself that produced the Tradition, for Catholics, the canon is the main river inside the Tradition and for Orthodox, Tradition is same in inspiration and quality with the canon. So, for protestants the Church has been built around the canon, for Catholics, is the Church that produced the canon and in the Orthodox Church actually isn’t there something complementarian or more relevant inside or outside that the Church itself. So, we may say that the canon brings to Jesus, the Church gives the canon and God puts in the Church.
I’m Catholic and really appreciate your content father. This may seem like a dump question, but when you say “the one true holy and apostolic Catholic Church” what do you mean by that becase I thought you were orthodox and not Catholic. Wish we could join the two back together what a massive change in the world that would be for good.
“Catholic” in the definition of the word means Universal, so to say the Orthodox Church is Catholic, is to say that its consciousness is universal and it is everywhere. Catholic here is not a name, but rather a description
Katholikos means "of the whole", "wholeness", "completeness" in Greek. It means that the Faith is whole and not lacking anything. The Church is whole. The Orthodox Church is actually called the Holy Orthodox Catholic Church. The Roman church used to be one of our autocephalos churches 1,000 years ago that had primacy of honor, which fell to Constantinople after the Roman Church's departure and creation of a new communion of churches. The Orthodox Church tried to get the Roman church to come back home but it was met with much opposition. Now given the state of the RCC and having Unia, it's not really feasible at this point.
I am new and learning, but isnt it biblical that Christ is the Word because the Word became flesh. Christ himself taught in the wilderness (I know the church then was very different) and I am not saying to not go to Church.
It is not in communion. Coptic churches are oriental orthodox, they deny that Christ has two natures and schismed off of our church after the council of Chalcedon. Go to a Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, OCA, or Antiochian Orthodox Church if you live in the United States.
No, sadly, it is not. They are in schism and teach an ancient heresy. However, there is a movement in the Coptic Church to abandon monophysitism, which is a huge move toward returning to the faith! Glory to God!
I would go and find out if in fact it is true that this Coptic Church believes in something that “eliminates the central tenet of the incarnation, uniting us to Christ through His humanity.” I think you will be surprised with the answer
At this point I believe I should just move to Greece if I want to take my faith seriously. There is nothing out there where I live. It's all non-practicing catholicism, and the catholic church services themselves are incredibly watered down.
Move to Greece? You can be a devoted Christ follower anywhere in this world. Why don't you start a Christian fellowship, Bible study group where you live?
Where are you? If you are really in a country of no Orthodox presence, you should both get in touch with serious Christians who want to deepen their faith and share with them Orthodox teachings, but also you can reach out to some Archdioceses and even the Patriarchates and see if they will send a priest to visit you occasionally to teach catechism. If you have or create a decent enough group of interested people in your area, they might even be able to establish a mission. Imagine what your contribution could be!
Yes, unfortunately there are a lot of nominal Catholics. But there are good Catholic churches and faithful Catholics, even if they might be in the minority. I started attending a Catholic Church a few years ago and I got the sense that the priest and leadership in place were not faithful. So I prayed for God to bless our parish with a faithful priest from Africa. And I was truly amazed when a few months later the unfaithful priest left and we were blessed with a wonderful priest from Africa. But even in the Bible you can see that these issues have been there in the beginning and St. Paul didn't say to desert and leave your church if there are issues. We're all called to pray for and renew our churches. You can look to the saints as examples.
@@littlemeadowpress That is not the best approach to take when it comes to marriage and kids you go make cash and take it to a third world country where the faith still lives if it lies within your ability.
There is no true church. Only Jesus is the way. Put your faith in HIM and him alone and you will be saved, just like the thief on the cross. That is the only way.
. The word testament is the same word as covenant and Jesus only said it one time at the Last Supper : This is the covenant in my blood given for many. The Holy Eucharist is the body and blood of our Divine Lord. The priest consumes the bread and wine and completes the sacrifice at the altar. The congregation complete the sacrifice by receiving communion the body and blood for the forgiveness of sin and eternal life. The 60 year decline in the Catholic Church can be explained in the same context. What will happen if priests stop forgiving sins and making eternal life possible.? Openness to the world failed, when the sacrifice of the cross is forgotten. Courage Father Josiah and keep proclaiming Gods mercy.
I disagree. I am a Lone Ranger and not by choice. This world keeps me separate. There are too many denominations and too many false teachers to give any 'one' trust. There are too many rituals and traditions within each that are not biblical. So there is too much to question, I cannot trust. I am what I am. I am a damaged man who was molested by my Sunday school teacher, bullied brutally in middle school and raised by an alcoholic father. I have major trust issues. I have no choice but to do my best and be with God as much as possible via my life experience and my ministry is between me and those I meet in my daily walk thru life. Submitting to a priest / father (who is NOT my father) is not an option. Ekklesia (church) is just a gathering of like minded souls. I achieve 'church' in my daily life by interaction with other followers. There is no rule I have to go to a building and submit to traditions of men. If the Church is the body then we must use the body as an analogy. In the body there are white blood cells that are self propelled and self aware with missions to purify the body. They are not part of an organ (cluster of like minded cells). They flow thru the body by chance and by choice to fulfill missions. who is a man to tell me I am wrong ? Regarding the Bible itself and the different denominations.... clearly there are many ways God has created to find him and follow him. For any 'one' to claim theirs is the only truth is a lie. Yes, there are deceivers and false teachers but creating divisions thru ego is also against Gods will. Our best choice is to rely on Gods word in the Bible .... not traditions of men.
Imagine telling your wife you will no longer be spending any time with her but only interacting via phone and assuming you can have a full relationship.
That’s ridiculous. The church is not the only place where Christ interacts with you. Limiting interactions with Christ and god to only church is so insulting and limiting to god, it’s damn near blasphemy.
One thing every clergy in every house of worship in every religion all agree on: you need them (and their house of worship) to find god. If people just stay home and read their holy books then the clergy would have to get real jobs.
Spot on. They all tell you the church and the truth are the same, just like Father Josiah here did. They also claim the church is the place you go to find Christ, which is also asinine. Christ meets us wherever we are, in any place. They seriously think Christ only works on people who have been to church?
the new testament scriptures, specifically the epistles, were written to the churches. they were written as encouragement to the believers and as a check on what is going on in the churches. "if anyone preaches any other gospel, let him be accursed". or---1 cor. 5:1,2. these things are not hard to understand. the pharisees followed the "traditions" of the elders, over and above the word of God. go figure. nothing new under the sun.
Seriously, thank God for you blokes and Eastern Orthodoxy.
I'm a recent ex atheist, and your calmness with stoic authority, has been a blessing.
wow, may God bless you and yours
God bless you, Trevor 🕊️🙏
God bless you❤🎉 keep listening!
Thank God for you.
Welcome home!
I am protestant searching for the truth, please pray for me
I happen to live in a country that is eastern orthodox. I consider myself lucky and thank God that i was born there because there are much less distractions from the truth for me. May God bless you and all the good people that are watching this video❤❤❤❤
Same ...although here are also a lot of evangelicals here and they do a better job at EVNGELISING and they helped me discover Christ ( but as I was batised as a small child here I believe I never left the apostholic church). So shoutout to all Christians 😊
Thank you for this, Father.
A lot of my Protestant friends, even me when I was one, had a mindset that "Only The Bible" & "Only Jesus" & "I need no church."
That's why I "jumped around" from one Protestant church to another. I grew up Lutheran, but I went to baptist & other Protestant churches when I was in my early 20s. I didn't really care about The Church. My understanding of Christianity was very individualistic.
After I study Christian history, I found that The Church is just as important. Without The Church, there wouldn't be the canonic Bible we have today. Without The Church we wouldn't know which teachings is true. Jesus also said He built His Church, not telling people to do whatever they like.
Through history, I found Orthodoxy. I found my belief in The One, Holy, Catholic, & Apostolic Orthodox Church. I've been Orthodox since 2016.
Amen
How’s fasting? Love from a Catholic brother.
The big churches still reject a perfected bible. The truth is not in them, for they will not hear.
Amen sister
I also grew up Lutheran with the same attitude and experience. I've been Catholic for a few years now.
As an Orthodox Christian, who's in the military, I often use the analogy that The Bible is to The Church, what the Constitution is to the Supreme Court.
Well that’s incomplete because the supreme court did not give us the constitution
It's not exactly a 1:1, but as the judicial branch is one of the 3 branches, therefore possesses the authority to interpret/explicate.
I tend to say the Bible is to the Catechism what the Constitution is to the Federalist Papers.
I suppose to put a trinitarian lens on it we could says that the Magisterium of the Bishops are akin to the Supreme Court, the Federalist Papers & SCOTUS precedent are akin to Tradition, and Scripture is akin to the Constitution.
I tend to think of it as a metaphor for the Trinity anyway, the teaching of the Church is like the Father who begets and Spirates but is not before the Son and the Spirit. Likewise the Church produced the Bible and Holy Tradition, but they are co-eternal and Absolute Truths.
Beautifully articulated! @@TraddyBohemian
Perfect analogy. The Supreme Court is not infallible and can make uncontsitutional rulings.
Amen! Scripture is Supreme!
It was a great blessing to meet you father. Thank you for your wise words!
thank you for this teaching tonight father josiah. i am feeling indignant at the venom already present in this comment section and i struggle to not think foolishly about what is being said. if you do see this, please pray for me. i am not yet part of the church, or even ready to be a catechumen, and i have great difficulty coping with my terrible spiritual sickness in the non denominational desert i find myself in. sometimes it feels as if there is no end to the depths of my wretched sin that i have plunged into. thank you, and glory be to God.
I will pray for you, and please remember that the Church is a hospital. No need to wait to become well before checking into the place that provides the healing in the first.
I came to saving faith in the basement of a ski lodge. No church nearby. The rest of the evening I was aglow with the changes happening inside me. The next day I sobbed in the back of the bus by myself, as I felt overwhelming repentance for my sin, and finally understood the message of the cross. Though I had heard it 100 times previously it became alive to me. The next morning I woke with a tangible presence of the creator all around me. My heart of stone had been turned to a heart of flesh. The blinders had been peeled back from my eyes and I could now see. No church nearby. My chest was filled with a burning flame. It literally felt like a flame inside of me and I knew I had been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. My life has never been the same since and that was 30 years ago. No church was nearby when this all happened. It came soon after. Let’s not limit God to whom he can save, when, and even where.
Dude i always try to explain that to catholic and orthodox and even protestants the first 2 think you're worshipping the devil for being outside the "true" church and the latter says God doesn't do any kind manifestations today...all you can do is keep pursuing him and your change will be a testimony to others
Perhaps your experience was God's way of leading you to explore the ancient path of the Church?
I agree, my friend. Some of my most clarifying moments have been outside the church, in my own prayer room in my house. Saying you need the church to encounter Christ is just… weird. I really enjoy father Josiah, but our god is a personal one. Christ meets you wherever you are, inside or outside church, saved or not saved. He truly is good all the time.
@@princeofgreece9054just an FYI, please always capitalize God. Lower case g is reserved for idols and false gods. 😊
@@princeofgreece9054But his word repeats, do not forsake the coming together...we need the church and to serve the members.
I stopped going to church (grew up Methodist) when I was in middle school. Obviously young and ignorant I was under the mindset that “I can know God and have a relationship with Jesus without going to church.” Now in my late 20s and exploring Orthodoxy for a few months I hear Father Theophan talk about the same scripture with St. Paul when he was still Saul in Acts chapter 9 when he has the encounter with Jesus and idk how else to describe it but by saying I was struck by lightning realizing how important the Church is and how important it is to Christ. Months go by further exploring Orthodoxy and God gives me the conviction and courage to experience my first Liturgy. Been attending Liturgy consistently for 4 months and my catechism officially starts next month. It’s been a long road but because of Christ continuing to save me I’ve realized how essential His Church is and it’s importance in growing my faith ❤️☦️
You are blessed. I began going to church at 40s.Greetings from Greece brother.
@ May God be with you!! Greetings from the United States 🙏🏻
I moved from pentecostal to orthodoxy a few years ago, the only one from my family, so I love to hear when people have the courage to go where truth takes them. I imagine converts as having always been orthodox without knowing it
@@jonmack2437 I’m the only one in my family as well!! The parish I attend is mostly converts which is nice because in a way I’m able to relate. There’s someone I care about a lot that is Oneness Pentecostal or “Apostolic” whatever it’s is called. It hurts me dearly because I know how incorrect it is but it’s all they know as they grew up in that
@@xgingex3962 I know what you mean. Both my parents preached for years, but all my sisters are agnostic now. And I know it’s due at least partly, to the Protestant dismantling of the mystical element of the church. Communion is just a symbol
“There is no Lone Ranger Christianity”- Bible Answer Man Hank Hanegraaff, also a convert to Orthodoxy.
Sure....that's why the path to life is wide and everybody enters into it right? Silly silly people can't recognize evil dressed in godly robes.
@ so you think the people who preserved and passed Christianity down to the world are evil?
@@Thyalwaysseekis that a quote? O,o
@@CursedCommentaries It's sarcasm, and no, it's from a Bible verse.
@@MrAwak3 Yes.
For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. - 2 Corinthians 11: 13-15
Thank you Father Josiah! Amen!
Christ has Risen!
Not yet and you will gnash your teeth and wail when you he has and you realize you were following false prophets the entire time, you are a worker of lawlessness, not a disciple of Christ.
So many people today don't think the church is important anymore. Praise be to God, and our American people who are still God fearing, and church believing people.
As a single mother who has social anxiety i have a couple barriers to getting to church often enough, it sucks.
Thank you so much Father! I literally just finished this conversation with my baby brother who thought he did not need. Church was perfectly content just reading the Bible and having Bible studies with Christian Brothers, young and old God‘s timing couldn’t be more perfect. I remember in the Bible, it said, don’t worry about the words I will give them to you, when the time comes his timing was perfect thank you God bless you thank you for visiting our church at All Saints here in Raleigh North Carolina. Blessings always. ☦️🙏🕊️ merry Christmas.
Yes, unfortunately this attitude is very common.
I have friends who are Russian orthodox that live in Dallas NC is that close to Raleigh
You have one Father and He is in heaven.
@@Thyalwaysseek you are welcome to have your opinion. God bless you always.☦️🙏🕊️ peace be with you
@@Thyalwaysseek This has been explained for 500 years to you people. Stop being obtuse.
Newly renewed in the Christian faith, I immediately stopped wanting to go to church during convid, when the churches followed government orders.
How can I trust them now? No separation of govt and church. No thanks.
All Praises To The Most High Jesus Christ 🙏
Which chrurch are you refering to?
Its so sad, i feel the more of these wonderful videos i watch, the more youtube pushes ads for "dating"(we know what they really mean), and ads for "legal" drugs and alcohol. Every time i see one i hit the block option and youtube tells me they wont show the ad anymore, yet they continue to
After 25 years as a Protestant, I became Orthodox finding Christ in His Church.
In Evangelism, imagine learning a few true things about Christ. Now imagine in Orthodoxy you come into the presence of the risen Christ and all His angels. Coming into the Orthodox Church is entering into His real visible body. This cannot be said for modern day Protestant Evangelicalism.
@@ProtestantismLeftBehind why? My son became Roman Catholic, I have friends who became Orthodox. I have another friend who became Protestant after growing up Catholic, and another who has become atheist. I have so many questions. I love the Lord with all my heart, soul and strength. Raised Evangelical.
With 20th century I think amillennial theology which gave rise to a physical institution of authority is being challenged by Israel’s existence and premillennial theology.
It really looks like church is spiritual and Jesus will return to rule on throne of David. If this is true then it means these traditions are not the ruling Christ but man’s. I think returning to Jewish NT scriptures and keeping church decentralized is the right thing.
I’ve found Christ outside of church. An encounter that forever changed me. Since then, I’ve been so close to him, and my most clarifying moments haven’t been in church, but in my own prayer room praying. Limiting Christ to only being reachable or true within a specific church is an insult to the Holy Spirit and the works god does.
@@princeofgreece9054I came to faith in Christ and became a Protestant. But when I found the one Church of Christ I found the fullness of the Christian faith.
Your conclusions are modern and contrary to the one Church’s Scriptures
Thank you father
May God guide you and bless you ❤
I grew up Methodist as well. Wishing you prayers on your journey to Orthodoxy. ❤🙏
I actually got into an argument with someone about the Bible. It was so holy to them that they completely ignored the mention of demons, and paganism existing in the text. Despite me citing the temple of Dagon in the story of Samson, the golden Cafe, the pharaoh's magicians, Legion. He goes out of his way to say that what I'm saying is hellinist paganism and paganism isn't in the bible. He proved my own point. He didn't seem to understand that these things are mentioned as to be avoided, teach lessons, or that were defeated by Jesus, Samson, Moses, etc.
Jay Dire has loads of debates about the Bible, and he is very strong in his knowledge and very well informed. Highly reccommend
@cluc632 thanks
@@thecopperowl8386
That would be the elohim and the Nephilim. The lesser gods are real, they just aren't Eloah (the Most High God).
Check out Jay Dyer and UnderStandingConspiracy for more great information like the other commenter said.
what point are you making?
@josephcarlson7276 my point was this. Learn the history of the area to gain better knowledge of the Bible, and context of the stories and lessons within. People would say "Christians bad, they got rid of pagans!" Learn pagan history, they sacrificed babies!
There's examples of people following roman laws, Jewish traditions and folklore, disputes amongst peoples etc. But the guy couldn't comprehend that something like Dagon was in the bible
"There are as many interpretations as there are interpreters" beautifully said.
Every time I bring this up with a protestant they refuse to see it. They always claim it is very clear and obvious to understand the bible. Why is that? Can't they see how many protestant denominations there are? Why do they refuse to open their eyes?
Amen. Sola scriptura exists only to permit anythinggoes in personal interpretation.
There can be no other purpose for it. And to give up that false sense of power is terribly difficult.
Even for something in the Orthodox Church which os so extraordinarily superior to that false belief .
I cannot agree with this more. My whole family are Protestants and I always tell them if the Bible was so clear cut that personal interpretation works, why is there 40k Prot denominations in the U.S. alone? But I always get shut down by them because admittedly, I'm still trying to learn through my Bible
@@H2ORaccoon Protestants, in their own way, are beautiful in their devotion to the Bible. This is because its all they have, and still find themselves starving. Many Orthodox Christians don't know the Bible verse by verse as well as protestants. Then again, the Devil is a master student of Scripture too, and will out-debate you at every turn. That's why the truth is not found in reasoning between Bible verses; it is found in the Church, at the services, in the midst of God, where grace brings true understanding of our Patriarchs and Fathers, not just of their words but of their lives and disposition and the way they practiced their faith, untarnished by modern and subjective views, but stalwart in the test of history and proven by the holiness of the Saints in every generation.
I don’t know what to do with it either, my sister and mom are very adamant on “Jesus is my savior, I don’t need anything else” and “you can’t work your way into heaven bc Jesus did the work for us” I try to explain things to them but they are so far brain washed and won’t do their research! We just need to keep praying that God humbles them and opens their eyes.
I’m a Protestant because of the way Christ found me, and the way in which he healed me. It wasn’t a church, it wasn’t some tradition. It was the Holy Spirit, descending on me and washing away my sin. I was so relieved I could cry. Orthodox and Catholics often say you can only encounter Christ in the church, but if that’s the case, why have so many people been saved outside of ‘Christ’s church’ as you call it? I pray and talk with God throughout my day, I feel extraordinarily close with him, and I allow him to guide my life. And my Protestant church is awesome. Father Josiah in this video straight up said you need church to encounter Christ, which is just plain wrong. Truly, all we do need is Christ. You nearly sound unchristian, limiting god in such a way as he can only be reached through Orthodox or Catholic Church.
I've not gone to Church now for almost 2 yrs now. I stopped when I was banned from taking communion due to my marriage (long story) . Once my wife gets here (going through immigration) we will meet with our Father and find out what needs to be done to get back in good standing.
Why are you not going to Church though? Just because you cannot take communion doesn't mean you remove yourself from the fellowship of the Saints.
Please don't feel excluded. You can still go to church, just don't receive the Eucharist. We attended the Catholic Church for two years, before we became Catholics and were able to take communion. You can just cross your arms and receive a blessing instead.
Please continue going to church. If you know it’s the right thing to do then go.
I just feel 'blacklisted or shunned' I almost don't feel welcomed there based on how things happened.
@@Escargot10-13 What about going to Mass elsewhere? I just want you to be before our Lord, I can safely say He wants this too
Thanks Father. This video has been so helpful to me on my journey into Orthodoxy
How do you always post a video on the exact topic I've been thinking about all week 😅 This man definitely has his finger on the pulse!
Yes, i expect it is also that the Lord clearly has His Finger on how Fr. Josiah is prompted to speak.
In my early months in D.L.s i used to be surprised that the priest would address something in his homily on something i had been thinking about all week.. and presenting a FAR , FAR better ORTHODOX insight than i thought of as a prtnst.
I had no idea about the scheduled scriptures or what feast day it might be. He often spoke about something that one wouldn't have expected from the readings.
I somehow knew that i had been prompted to have those thoughts .
And it always surprised me.
I just knew that my struggle and my search was not going unnoticed.
Sobering and humbling.☦️☦️
Great Word.
Amazing extract from St Vincent
wow so glad to hear you guys are fasting over there..we're almost there, 2 weeks to go
Amen, Father. Thank you .
Jesus said call no man father. How in the world do Catholics and Orthodox miss this so blatantly? Because of their spiritual pride, that's why. They love to be seen in the high places as more holy, more devout, and closer to God than anyone on earth. May God deliver these men from such wicked spiritual pride!
Thank you
thank you!
Thanks
thanks padre
Lets go, just finished your last video and now Im one of the first ones here. Perfect timing
We are the fruit that we bare...yes right on
I have survived without a church for 30 years. Love God so much , wish I had a church , but it’s still ok. I asked God…I take comfort in the Dessert Fathers and the Saints
That's actually really sad.
Time to go home to an Orthodox Church, please.
Dessert fathers? Were they masters of ice cream.😅
You should be more concerned about your salvation.
@robenger64 well, anyone who reads and loves the Desert Fathers and the Saints is already thinking about his salvation. .
I have not begun to know them as well as i should.
I just long for him to find an Orthodox Church for him to begin attending, or to at least contact, as soon as he can..
He is missing a great treasure. But he probably knows that and can't get to one yet
This is a good message to orthodox but since I became orthodox 37 years ago I have shared this with dozens of protestants and 99% cannot hear It at all. I would like to think it's my poor presentation and lack of holiness but I think there is a closed circuit and perhaps a mind viris that needs to be addressed, it's something in the subconscious of extreme individualism that prefers it's own thoughts and feelings to historical reality. This is why many say come and see and something might go to the heart and then to the brain.
I want to know more about Orthodox Christianity. Can you suggest anything?
Also would love to hear your pitch to Protestants. I'm sure it's better than you realize.
I learned a lot from orthodox but didn’t end up fitting in at the church I went to. Very cool ideas though and lots of theology I enjoy.
What matters is whether or not it's true
How long did you attend?
@ 2-3 months. Even went to Josiah’s church once.
@Throwaway-x9e my wife and I have been attending since June and at first, things were slow, but since start of November we have been taken in like family.
The ideas and theology should not be separate from the out working. But the Orthodox values/culture elevates one's own culture. A person must just be aware that there is a different culture, from the smallest details.
The church also reflects the home, the prayers that are done, the prayer corner etc. I think one has to be willing to change(that doesn't mean becoming greek or russian whatever ethnic culture is present) but to adopt the orthodox culture.
All the best anyway🙏🏼
Please don't give up, pray you find a good church. You're always welcome in the Catholic Church.
I thought I could do this for years. I was of course wrong. Happy to be back in Church.
Father Josiah , I have been watching your videos for a few months now & I’ve learnt so much from you. I’m grateful for your videos , I do have a question for you though; would you not advise people to read the Bible on their own then? must we read the Bible at church only?
I think he would say it's not only good to read it at home, but edifying. The problem is that the Church is the teacher of Scripture, and it is unwise to interpret the Bible on your own. Otherwise, you will undoubtedly go into heresy.
I’m searching for an orthodox church, The Hague, the Netherlands. 🙏🏻 🙏🏻🩷
There is a couple there, I think the Russian orthodox is central The Hague
Obrechtstraat 9, 2517 VL
Thomas Schwenckestraat 28/30, 2563 BZ
Doctor Kuyperstraat 2, 2514 BB
Thank you, Father, for this insightful Acts 10 and 15 presentation. It really helped me see how the early Church discerned and proclaimed infallible teachings through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. What struck me most was how Acts 15 was written post-mortem, after the Council of Jerusalem, showing how the Church formed binding doctrine for the whole Church without relying on a pre-existing Scripture. Protestants often argue for sola scriptura, but this passage directly contradicts that-Acts itself is the record of the Church acting with authority before the Scripture was even written.
This teaching clarified how these passages refute several common Protestant positions:
- Sola Scriptura: The Council of Jerusalem did not rely on Scripture alone to resolve the dispute. Instead, it depended on apostolic authority and the Holy Spirit's guidance, recorded afterward in Acts.
- Denial of Church Authority: Acts 15 shows the Church making binding, universal decisions, underscoring the necessity of a governing and teaching authority.
- Rejection of Sacred Tradition: The decision at the Council came through a combination of apostolic witness, divine revelation, and communal discernment-all key elements of Sacred Tradition.
- Private Interpretation of Scripture: The issue in Acts 15 was not resolved by individuals interpreting Scripture but by a Spirit-led council of apostles and elders.
- Opposition to Infallible Councils: The Council of Jerusalem is a clear example of the Church declaring infallible teaching for all believers, which Protestants often reject as possible.
Thank you for shedding light on these passages, Father. They’ve helped me understand how the Church’s authority is deeply rooted in Scripture and Sacred Tradition and how these truths challenge many Protestant assumptions. It’s incredible to see the continuity of Christ’s guidance through His Church, then and now.
What an excellent comment, thank you
Not that I would argue for Sola Scriptura or against the authority of Church councils; but you should know that the Council of Jerusalem was very much leaning on Holy Scripture in its decision-making process. The standards the fathers agreed to hold gentiles to came directly from Leviticus, and are the standards God set for gentiles living in community with Israel.
@@ericlammerman2777 Thanks for sharing your thoughts! You’re absolutely right that the Council of Jerusalem leaned on Scripture, like Leviticus, in its decisions. But I think the key here is that they didn’t rely on Scripture alone. Acts 15 shows the apostles working through Scripture, Peter’s vision in Acts 10, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to make their decision. It’s a great example of how the Church uses Scripture alongside Tradition and the Spirit’s leading. Wishing you a joyful and blessed Christmas-may it be filled with peace and love!
I found your channel a few months ago and I really enjoy it. I guess I would consider myself a Protestant I’m not overly familiar with Catholic or Orthodox practices. I have a question and please forgive me if my question is offensive. My question is as an Orthodox Christian do the members of the church look to the Pope for guidance? Because in the Pope’s Christmas I guess address he made it sound like all religions basically lead to God. I was wondering about your thoughts on the Pope and that statement. Again I’m sorry if my questions seems disrespectful that’s not my intention I am just trying to learn.
We are completely separate from the Catholic church. Those words he spoke we don’t believe at all. There are some Orthodox rebuttals out there about what the pope has said.
We have no Popes (well, we do in Alexandria, I suppose), but Patriarchs. The Pope has no sway over anyone outside of the Roman Catholic Church, though at one time, he was a fellow Bishop and first-among-equals with the Orthodox Patriarchs.
Though our Church is called the Orthodox Catholic Church (meaning "right/true Faith of the whole Church") it is not under any Pope. In fact the Roman church used to be one of our local churches whose Patriarch had primacy of honor (not supremacy) until 1,000 years ago when it separated and created the "Roman Catholic church" under the Papacy.
Christ has always been the Head of the [Orthodox] Church, no other. That is part of why the local Roman church left when its Patriarch, the Pope, became power hungry and the rest of the Church was against it.
Paul was talki ng about our physical bodies, when he talked about the future. Paul was talking about now, when he talked about our union with Christ, in our perfect position in Christ's righteousness, in heavenly places.
I'm not sure because Paul speaks for himself that he remained in the body for our sakes but found it far more glorious to be out of this body and with Christ.
To live is Christ to die is gain
✝️ CHRIST IS RISEN ❤
✝️💥⛪️🥇GOD GIVES US STRENGTH ✝🙏💪🕊️
Sola scriptura leads to crazy things.
@@PhillipS5428 You are just interperating your own ideals on the Holly Bible, being your own bishop. This heresy is nowadays going extinct (Thank to Lord). Only America and its failed society cling to it like a mad man. Repent
Truthfully I think the opposite. I believe sola Scriptura is an approach to limit the crazy. Or more accurately, it keeps things at their most basic foundational truth so that we don’t stray and incorporate heretical doctrines , practices or traditions. And the only criticisms people ever have of it, is that it limits them from doing things that have been added by the catholic church and other traditions.
For real, though.
Leads to
Over 40k different Protestant denominations
It's terribly lonely, as well
No where in the Bible does it say Bible only. However in Timothy we learn the church is the bulwark and pillar of the truth.
Isn't the Church the true believers of God? If the true believers are in the stadium isn't a part of the body there then? Paul was on Aerophagus preaching. But I'm pretty sure that they who believed the word's of Paul went to the Church afterwards. What's your thoughts on the two questions?
Amen!
Since the Reformation unfortunately too many interpret the Bible in their own way
Is it okay to read Bible, hear what God is saying to me for this day and apply to my life?
At the church I attend, we use a method for reading the Bible called SOAP and acronym for Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
Can someone explain what the difference is in Catholic and Orthodox? I thought they were different.
Fr. Josiah has done videos on this. There are many videos. The differences are huge. First of all, the Roman Catholic church left the original Church and it's sacraments have no grace or validity.
@hh8222 thank you I guess I need to look for those.
Amen
So what is the difference between an evangelistic meeting in a stadium with a preacher sharing the Word and calling to repentance, and Apostle Peter preaching the message of Christ to Cornelius with his family and friends gathered in his private house? Why is the former "completely insufficient for the beginning of the Christian life", and the latter is okay. Except for the scale these are identical events where God filled them with His Spirit to the amazement of the visitors. No doubt later those saved found themselves in a community of believers or formed one.
One thing I will add to this is the example of Saint Dysmas no bible, no church but he was granted paradise. I will also add that many may not have the conviction that Dysmas had and fellowship with communion can help you stay much closer to The Lord. So, more activities that will glorify God is more power to you so no it is not a factor for salvation. But if you love God come meet his sheep and walk with his flock.
Thank you Father Josiah what a blessing you are. You should come to Canada ottawa Ontario so we can take your blessings and pray with you and learn from you.🙏 ❤️
Father, which work were you reading from of St. Vincent? I'd love to read it. It seems both him and St. Seraphim of Sarov are pursuing me lol. That may sound strange, but no matter where i go those two keep popping up.
I don't know, but I would guess The Commonitory
I have a few questions that all circle the same underlying thought. My current understanding is that the Orthodox Church claims that interpreting Scripture requires the normative, authoritative interpreter of the Church, which is the historical Orthodox Church, is that correct? And that this is, in part, necessitated by the fact that individuals are prone to error and misinterpretation.
And yet, the Orthodox Church’s teachings are themselves communicated through human language (council decrees, writings of the Church Fathers, etc.). But if the Orthodox Church is required as the context for interpreting Scripture, who or what provides the context for interpreting the Orthodox Church's teachings?
What I mean is, if God is the ultimate author of both Scripture and the one who guides the Orthodox Church’s teachings through the Holy Spirit, why would God communicate in a way that requires an interpreter for Scripture but not for the Church’s words? Wouldn’t that suggest the Church's teaching is a clearer form of communication than God's own words? And if it's assumed that the Church's words can be understood through the plain meaning of words, why wouldn't we assume that the Holy Spirit is capable of guiding the individual to understand God’s Word in the Scriptures in the same way?
Thanks for taking the time to respond to the question if you see it! I appreciate your videos, very informative.
I am blessed by your teachings and encouragement. But when I told my Priest I listen to you he warned me about listening to you but he did not want to tell me why. I am new to Orthodoxy due to your teachings. Can you help me to understand?
Probably because Fr Josiah was not in agreement with forced jabs.
@@hh8222 Hmm, does that mean there is something Should be concerned about with my Priest?
I don't know. Check out the Orthodox Ethos channel, where this topic has been addressed, this is an excellent resource. I think Fr Josiah stressed this also in his videos.
@@hh8222 He talks about his rejection of other priests?
the incident of Jesus meeting the GreeksThere were also some Greeks from among those who were resurrected, in order to worship in the feast. These therefore came to Philip from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying: Lord, we want to see Jesus. Philip comes and says to Andrew, and again Andrew and Philip say to Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
I don't know any Protestants who think the Bible stands apart from the church. I know a very few who don't attend church, and they're wrong for that. But it is the position that in attending the mass or service or not, the believer is spiritually literally IN the church by virtue of being part of the body in Christ. And the part of this that always gets left out when poking critically at the Protestant is that the individual is given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as the earnest of his/her inheritance in Christ. This is how orthodoxy is maintained (to the degree it is) in the person more isolated than they should be, reading the word "on their own" (as though a person in Christ could ever be on their own), humbly willing not to be expert at all matters, but having matters illuminated by the Spirit. But I know the Orthodox church has a difficult time with people experiencing something increasingly common - like many Asians and Muslims having visions or dreams of Christ, leading them into faith in Jesus, but not having a church. Their relationship with Christ is "insufficient" and without finding a way out of their countries and into an Orthodox church, they will always have a 2nd-class relationship with Christ, right? No! They become the church. They are only an eye or a hand, but they ARE the body. How tragic to come at the humble child in faith with "You've not done it right" when they're freely approaching Christ with all their hearts.
The question is , which church and tradition is the correct one. Is it the one that claims to be the oldest. Anyone who can read God's mind can answer this question.
The Church matters because its teachings bring us closer to God. What is it about Orthodox teachings that lead people to find a cave, live in the utmost poverty, and be so happy and peaceful that they do not want to leave?
The Truth.
The love of God
Praise yeshua, the answer, the light, the truth, the way.
Peace be with you brothers and sisters in Christ love
Alright. So Im from a little catholic village in Germany and grew up in a non denominational church. I'm married and have four kids. Over the years I noticed that sola scriptura does indeed lead to some weird things and became aware of the problems of free church Christianity. We are in close fellowship with Christian friends, eating together, worshipping together and working together towards spreading the love and teaching of Christ among people in the area. We have a catholic church in the village. The next Orthodox Church is 30 minutes away and is Russian...which noone of us understands. So... If I want to move towards othodoxy, should I rather attend the catholic church in the village or the Orthodox Church that I don't understand?
in calvin perspective sola scriptura is the way to read evry book
Calvin id orthodox but he id a catholic inquisitor.
You should go to the Russian church.
have you been to the russian church before?
30 Minutes away is light work.
Even if they are Russian there's a high likelihood that there are already many Locals that they are ministering to.
I wish I could go to church but I have an autistic/adhd son who can't sit still. We've been thrown out of every church we've ever been to, and I tried many. But all are intolerant and hate autistics for some reason. So, unless churches become more accepting and accomodating of those with disabilities which I don't see that happening anytime soon, we just can't go to church. I hope the sermon where Jesus said what you do unto the least of these, you also do unto me be taught.
I find it hard to believe any Orthodox Church/priest would kick you out for having an autistic son. Our church has like 20 babies who cry throughout the whole service and our priest loves it lol
@@TylerMancuso111 funny that you only mention crying babies but not autistics. Probably because you have never seen one in church. If you did, you would mention the autistics, not the crying babies. Not the same thing. Don't you think there was a reason that you never seen an autistic in church??? I think I've addressed the reason why.
I wonder if a children's Sunday school type group would be good for your children? Rather than a formal Church setting maybe? Maybe something with singing, interactive story telling, they could take light up toys with them to wave for stimulation etc. Hopefully there will be something like that in your area. I went to a Sunday school group that was very music focused as a child and loved it. Hopefully you can find something God willing.
@@HelloAlRando the last one we went to had a play area and the woman in charge told me out flat that my son isn't welcome there. She was very nasty about it too.
@@TylerMancuso111 hmmm, looks like my last comment got erased so I'll say it again. Funny how you only mention crying babies but never mentioned autistics. Not the same thing. Probably because you never have seen an autistic in church. I've addressed the reason why you don't see autistics in church. They're never welcome.
Did the cheering during the invocation at the young republican event bother you?
Not to be judgmental, but I cringed at that. Too much MAGA. Probably just a cultural difference because Father Josiah is an American boomer.
There are only catholic, protestant or weird jehova witnesses around me in a plus 300 km radius, so what am I supposed to do? It is what it is, wish fellowship was easier, but the Bible, books and internet is all I have for the foreseeable future.
You go to the Catholic Church. It’s the only apostolic church that you mentioned.
Give catholic church a go mate.
Looks like your view of the church is so narrow you've practically defined it out of existence for yourself.
@hexahexametermeter Not really, and you don't know my views on anything.
Travel to attend Church in person when you can, so you can receive the Eucharist at least once a year. Maintain a prayer rule. Read Orthodox books (perhaps with a group of Orthodox Christians online).
It's fine to participate in group Bible study with Protestants and Catholics; but you cannot truly worship with them...if you are Orthodox.
I have a million questions
I’m sad to hear you’re not on the old calendar. but not upset.
It’s ok. St Paisios said that Christ will come two weeks later for the people on the other calendar.
@@superpeaceloveunity God has a sense of humor, and St Paisios the Athonite + Saint Gabriel of Georgia are proof of it
It's no fun but when you have no Orthodox Church close by one has to make do (Canada); I go to the Orthodox Church in America website and do my prayers and praying (it's still better than attending a protestant church). When I visit a relative, they have an Ukrainian Orthodox Church in walking distance that I attend. Please pray for a solution for me so that I can become a catachumen and belong to the Church.
If you go to a Protestant church, do you hate it because there are no images, no candles and only prayer, singing and preaching of the word?
@@Life-xg9pf the Protestant church is not a church, so praying in a god-pleasing manner according to the tradition of the apostles is of course better than going to a false assembly that has forsaken the way of the apostles.
@@campomambo I feel sorry for you.
@@Life-xg9pf friend, I am not sorry that after years of studying the scriptures I finally found the truth. A truth that is able to be proven without a doubt of uncertainty.
Where do u live in 🇨🇦? I live in metro vancouver BC and go to a parish that is bursting at the seams. Dont lose hope 🙏
There’s two “only scripture” concepts. The first one is 1. The word of God only and no church is needed for the Christian life and 2. The word of God is the only ultimate authority in the Christian believers life superseding that of the church’s traditions.
Many Protestants believe that only scripture is in reference to #2 rather than #1 from my own understanding although i do not speak for all believers who are Protestants, does this mean that this is what Martin Luther referred by that? No. (i myself am not Protestant in the sense of following a denomination, i’m protestant in the context of being one who protests against denominations who put first their own authorities and traditions before the word of God). Many Protestants and believers from other demonstrations don’t agree with every single thing that Martin Luther taught because some of those things did indeed contradict The Bible. The Bible tells us that a church is necessary for the believer’s life, it’s a necessity for their growth and stability. But to you Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians, does this mean a believer will go to Hell because he fails to attend a church/ministry? No. You also cannot show anywhere in scripture where this is the case either because The Bible doesn’t teach such a thing from my current understanding and knowledge of God’s word. Should a believer go to church? Yes of course, but not for their salvation but rather for the sake of their growth and edification as a believer, for their sanctification. However we must emphasize what does the “church” mean? Are we speaking of a physical building and ministry only or people? According to The Bible it means the body of Christ, fellow believers as a whole who are in Christ gathering together and serving one another and teaching the truth according to scripture. If a supposed ministry or church teaches something contrary to scripture, a believer is not entitled or forced to go to such a ministry, for example a ministry or church that teaches that one must do rituals or works to maintain or earn their salvation alongside their faith. Why is this? The Apostle Paul was very clear, “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
Romans 4:2-5 KJV, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
Romans 11:6 KJV, “being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
Romans 3:24-28 KJV.
Orthodox Christianity and Roman Catholicism teach a works + faith gospel misinterpreting and taking verses from James and Hebrews out of context making them out to seem that works are necessary for a person’s salvation or to maintain their salvation when the reality is, faith alone is what saves and justifies a man. Christ’s atonement on the cross is sufficient and adding on to that throws aside Grace and instead is a declaration that one prefers to be judged before God by their own merits instead.
This is not a comment condoning a believer’s decision to not go to church but rather a explanation that if a believer is to go to a church or join a ministry, it must be a ministry that is in accordance to the word of God rather than denominational traditions. The Apostle Paul warns us not to pursue traditions before the word of God, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
Colossians 2:8 KJV.
If this ministry from this Orthodox Church teaches strictly faith alone for salvation and no inclusion of works involved for salvation or justification in the salvation sense, then i encourage believers to join the church, not to take up the title of “Orthodox or Eastern Orthodox” blindingly obeying all their traditions and teachings but to be faithful as a born again Christian who follows Christ and his word thoroughly to the best of their ability and in turn supporting and serving this ministry as best as possible through the leading and guidance of The Holy Spirit. Leaders from ministries and churches must always put first God’s word before the traditions of a denomination, do not take pride in your own ministries and remember that all you have belongs to the Lord and must be used to serve the Lord and his will only. If scripture reveals that you are wrong in something, you must humble yourself and align yourself with the Lord’s will but only in accordance with the scripture’s proper context and not one’s own presuppositions through denominational traditions and subjective interpretations of scripture.
To end this comment, before any Catholic or Orthodox jumps to show verses about water baptism or any type of ritual to imply that it is required for salvation. Keep in mind that i already showed verses from Romans 3, 4 and 11 that show very very clearly that works are not allowed at all for salvation otherwise it removes the very purpose of grace which then means you must read those very verses you thought to use to disprove me from a lens where it must align with those verses i had shown otherwise there is a great contradiction and predicament here involving salvation. If the verses you planned to use turn out to make sense from the lens used to fit Romans 3, 4, and 11 as faith being alone for salvation and those other verses actually have nothing to do with salvation itself but the reputation and physical life of a believer, then it is time to reconsider what have been mistaken of. There is no shame in being wrong, all that matters is that we know the truth and the truth sets us free just as the Lord does not have intentions to condemn or shame us but rather convict us so that his discipline may enlighten us and change us for the better in accordance to his will.
All believers are encouraged and instructed to attend a ministry/church, but that ministry/church must be in accordance to the word of God. No church/ministry is perfect but there are many that deliberately try their best to let The Holy Spirit be the leader and the teacher. Seek one that is spirit filled and lead, a community that is truly humble and sincere towards the scriptures. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:23-25 KJV, 1 Corinthians 12, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”
Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV.
St. Paisios Agioreitis
Philosophers prepared the way for Christianity. The Gospel was written in Greek and spread throughout the world. Then the Greeks proceeded to enlighten the Slavs as well. Some do not like the existence of Greece. "It hurts us, they say. We must eliminate her."
Im looking into both catholicism and orthodoxy but honestly I'm disillusioned with both .. the pope has been saying some wild things lately and with orthodoxy i dont see any way to reconcile iconography at all.. i honestly dont know.
You have to read an entire text in favor of iconography as stile and the rest.
@uomogentile1662It's all backwards rationalization. You're bending down to an image. What on earth is that?
Thank you so much for your work dear Father.
I’ve figured out one of the next tests for us orthodox converts: humility. Devil tries to sow separation, when we explain to our brothers that the Bible cannot be divorced from the church. A lot of people, including our own families, do not wanna hear all that. All that’s left is to live the faith, and hope they see the fruit of it in you. Or you can annoy them starting unnecessary theological debates like I did. Which… 99% of the time, won’t work.
I'm an old dog. Can't learn new tricks. Coming to liturgy in an Orthodox Church would require me to break many friendships and go against my Protestant faith, leave several mission fields, and probably require many arguments with my wife, some of which I may never win. She's all about the Ethiopian vibe in Ethiopia but whatever vibe in here in the US (at least in our heads anyway) feels cold, creepy, and idolatrous to many of us raised in plain walled, music and a sermon churches. How can I move forward? I want to... but I seemingly cannot. Pray for me.
Well... out of all you mentioned possible show-stoppers are your faith and wife. Former one depends on you and later one on her. If you reconcile it with you, speak to her in a non-invasive manner and you may get surprised. God works in a mysterious ways.
Don’t be afraid to seek the truth you need to take control of your marriage. I speak this as a married orthodox convert. I gave up everybody from my old life who didn’t want to join me and seek God further it’s possible and things will fall into place after
We must leave the world and live for Christ!
Ok somebody explain 2 Peter Ch. 1 to me!! I paused (around the 3:55-4 min mark) and immediately read it but I can’t correlate his comments with the chapter.
Just posting the verse for the forum to use(KJV)
17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
@ thanks for this!!
The principle of “antiquity, universality, and assent” ensures the correct interpretation of Scripture because it reflects what has been believed “always, everywhere, and by all.”
Reductio Argument:
1. If the principle were absolute, all doctrines and interpretations of Scripture would need to have been universally accepted from the earliest times.
• However, even within early Christianity, there were significant disagreements on major theological issues (e.g., the nature of Christ, the Trinity, the role of grace and works).
• The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) resolved disputes about Christ’s divinity, yet some interpretations persisted in heretical forms for centuries (e.g., Arianism). If universality is a standard, these long-standing disagreements undermine it.
2. Many key doctrines developed over time, rather than being explicitly “always” believed.
• The doctrine of the Trinity, for example, was not formally articulated until later councils (e.g., Nicaea, Constantinople). If “antiquity” demands that doctrines exist in their complete form from the beginning, then any development (even orthodox ones) would contradict the principle.
• Marian doctrines like the Immaculate Conception and Assumption were not universally agreed upon or formally defined for centuries. Their eventual acceptance contradicts the idea of unbroken “assent.”
3. It is practically impossible to verify universal agreement (“assent”) across all Christians.
• In the first centuries, the Church was spread across different cultures, languages, and regions. Records of what “all” Christians believed are incomplete. If the principle demands strict universality, it collapses under the impossibility of proving such a standard.
4. Universality could legitimize error.
• If the majority of Christians in a particular era believed something erroneous (e.g., the acceptance of Arianism by many during the 4th century), then by the principle of universality, such beliefs would seem valid. This would lead to endorsing heresy as truth.
5. Applying the principle consistently undermines doctrinal evolution.
• If nothing outside of “antiquity” is valid, later developments and clarifications of doctrine (e.g., the canon of Scripture, Nicene Creed) would also be invalid. By insisting on strict antiquity and universality, the principle would contradict the Church’s ability to refine and articulate its understanding of truth over time.
Conclusion:
The principle of antiquity, universality, and assent collapses into absurdity because:
1. It demands an unrealistic and unverifiable standard of universal agreement.
2. It denies the natural and historical development of doctrine.
3. It risks legitimizing heresy if widely accepted error becomes the basis for authority.
I think Protestantism schisms so frequently because there's no fixed interpretive framework. You need either something like the Vatican's Magisterium or the fixed (immutable) consensus of the Church Fathers. The end result of not having this always seems to be that you will disagree with your denomination's private interpretation, break off, and form your own denomination. Protestantism is littered with defunct denominations that no longer exist, but gave birth to new factions before they died out.
Protestant is always changing since man are stubborn. One of those changes is rise and return of premillennial theology.
When looking at 20th century rebirth of Israel one cannot honestly not doubt amillennial theology. It really looks like amillennial churches are traditions of men but Jesus will return to rule on throne of David.
This changes the meaning of church from an institution to spiritual believers decentralized worldwide but waiting for real Christ to setup the central rule.
What I think many Catholic or Orthodox believers don’t realize is that most Protestants don’t actually look at whether it’s a certain denomination (Methodist, Presbyterian, etc). I started out at a Methodist church and really loved my pastor. He passed, and so we moved churches cause the new one wasn’t to our liking. Now our new one is super awesome. If you ask most Protestants, they couldn’t tell you what the denominations even mean. All we do is praise Jesus our lord and savior. That’s all we truly care about, not about small doctrinal differences.
*cries in Julian calendar* 0:34
Come to Ethiopia
A church without an altar is not a church
First Christians didn’t have the urgency of a canonical collection of books. That that vitalized them was the attendance of Parousia, but when the generation that had seen Jesus alive began to disappear, the communities around the apostles began to put on paper the memories they had of Jesus' life. On ’70 when romans destroyed the temple, for maintaining their nation’s identity, rabbis decided to put together their own canon. Actually, it was a Jews summary of the Septuagint that Christians were already citing, gospels and Paul are full of Septuagint. In 150, Marcion had same intuition but, as we know, Irenaeus (venerated as saint in the Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Lutheran Churches, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and the Assyrian Church of the East), disciple of Polycarp (regarded as saint and Church Father in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism), disciple of John the Apostle, disassembled Marcion’s canon for not holding Jesus’s teaching. Irenaeus won the battle for him was coming through apostolical succession. This was the main characteristic that gave authority to Irenaeus. In fact, the Church was not looking for a canon, but now, with Marcion’s canon, the Church was actually obligated to produce an official canon that pope Damasus I fixed at the Council of Rome of 382. This same canon was confirmed at the Council of Florence 1442, and at the Council of Trent 1545 - 1563. The three major traditions of Christianity had different approaches to the canon. For protestants, is the canon itself that produced the Tradition, for Catholics, the canon is the main river inside the Tradition and for Orthodox, Tradition is same in inspiration and quality with the canon. So, for protestants the Church has been built around the canon, for Catholics, is the Church that produced the canon and in the Orthodox Church actually isn’t there something complementarian or more relevant inside or outside that the Church itself. So, we may say that the canon brings to Jesus, the Church gives the canon and God puts in the Church.
Nehemia 8.
Read the full chapter.
I’m Catholic and really appreciate your content father. This may seem like a dump question, but when you say “the one true holy and apostolic Catholic Church” what do you mean by that becase I thought you were orthodox and not Catholic. Wish we could join the two back together what a massive change in the world that would be for good.
“Catholic” in the definition of the word means Universal, so to say the Orthodox Church is Catholic, is to say that its consciousness is universal and it is everywhere. Catholic here is not a name, but rather a description
Katholikos means "of the whole", "wholeness", "completeness" in Greek. It means that the Faith is whole and not lacking anything. The Church is whole.
The Orthodox Church is actually called the Holy Orthodox Catholic Church. The Roman church used to be one of our autocephalos churches 1,000 years ago that had primacy of honor, which fell to Constantinople after the Roman Church's departure and creation of a new communion of churches.
The Orthodox Church tried to get the Roman church to come back home but it was met with much opposition. Now given the state of the RCC and having Unia, it's not really feasible at this point.
I am new and learning, but isnt it biblical that Christ is the Word because the Word became flesh. Christ himself taught in the wilderness (I know the church then was very different) and I am not saying to not go to Church.
Can we go to coptic church where we live? Is it in communion with the church you are talking about, Father?
It is not in communion. Coptic churches are oriental orthodox, they deny that Christ has two natures and schismed off of our church after the council of Chalcedon. Go to a Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, OCA, or Antiochian Orthodox Church if you live in the United States.
No, sadly, it is not. They are in schism and teach an ancient heresy.
However, there is a movement in the Coptic Church to abandon monophysitism, which is a huge move toward returning to the faith! Glory to God!
Check out the monophysite heresy. It eliminates the central tenet of the incarnation, uniting us to Christ through His human nature.
Copts and other Orientals are Monophysite/Miaphysite heretics. They are not "orthodox" even though they falsely call themselves as such.
I would go and find out if in fact it is true that this Coptic Church believes in something that “eliminates the central tenet of the incarnation, uniting us to Christ through His humanity.” I think you will be surprised with the answer
At this point I believe I should just move to Greece if I want to take my faith seriously. There is nothing out there where I live. It's all non-practicing catholicism, and the catholic church services themselves are incredibly watered down.
Move to Greece? You can be a devoted Christ follower anywhere in this world. Why don't you start a Christian fellowship, Bible study group where you live?
@@Life-xg9pf That is a gigantic waste of time.
Where are you? If you are really in a country of no Orthodox presence, you should both get in touch with serious Christians who want to deepen their faith and share with them Orthodox teachings, but also you can reach out to some Archdioceses and even the Patriarchates and see if they will send a priest to visit you occasionally to teach catechism. If you have or create a decent enough group of interested people in your area, they might even be able to establish a mission. Imagine what your contribution could be!
Yes, unfortunately there are a lot of nominal Catholics. But there are good Catholic churches and faithful Catholics, even if they might be in the minority. I started attending a Catholic Church a few years ago and I got the sense that the priest and leadership in place were not faithful. So I prayed for God to bless our parish with a faithful priest from Africa. And I was truly amazed when a few months later the unfaithful priest left and we were blessed with a wonderful priest from Africa. But even in the Bible you can see that these issues have been there in the beginning and St. Paul didn't say to desert and leave your church if there are issues. We're all called to pray for and renew our churches. You can look to the saints as examples.
@@littlemeadowpress That is not the best approach to take when it comes to marriage and kids you go make cash and take it to a third world country where the faith still lives if it lies within your ability.
What about the church universal ?
Is the orthodox the true church or can I go to any church?
Every church says they are the true church. So any church you go to is the true church (just ask them)
The Orthodox church is the true church
@@andrewward5891 that makes no sense claim doesnt = truth
@@inrmds - of course. But the members of every church believe their church is the true church. If they didn’t why would they belong to that church ?
There is no true church. Only Jesus is the way.
Put your faith in HIM and him alone and you will be saved, just like the thief on the cross.
That is the only way.
. The word testament is the same word as covenant and Jesus only said it one time at the Last Supper : This is the covenant in my blood given for many. The Holy Eucharist is the body and blood of our Divine Lord. The priest consumes the bread and wine and completes the sacrifice at the altar. The congregation complete the sacrifice by receiving communion the body and blood for the forgiveness of sin and eternal life. The 60 year decline in the Catholic Church can be explained in the same context. What will happen if priests stop forgiving sins and making eternal life possible.? Openness to the world failed, when the sacrifice of the cross is forgotten. Courage Father Josiah and keep proclaiming Gods mercy.
💙💛🧡❤💙
Father are you in the Byzantine Carholic Church. If not what "rite " are you practicing?
He's Eastern Orthodox
He's a Priest of the Antiochian church in the Holy Orthodox Catholic Church (in the West nicknamed "Eastern Orthodox"). He's not under the Pope.
@LadyMaria
Thanks ,
I disagree. I am a Lone Ranger and not by choice. This world keeps me separate. There are too many denominations and too many false teachers to give any 'one' trust. There are too many rituals and traditions within each that are not biblical. So there is too much to question, I cannot trust. I am what I am. I am a damaged man who was molested by my Sunday school teacher, bullied brutally in middle school and raised by an alcoholic father. I have major trust issues. I have no choice but to do my best and be with God as much as possible via my life experience and my ministry is between me and those I meet in my daily walk thru life. Submitting to a priest / father (who is NOT my father) is not an option. Ekklesia (church) is just a gathering of like minded souls. I achieve 'church' in my daily life by interaction with other followers. There is no rule I have to go to a building and submit to traditions of men. If the Church is the body then we must use the body as an analogy. In the body there are white blood cells that are self propelled and self aware with missions to purify the body. They are not part of an organ (cluster of like minded cells). They flow thru the body by chance and by choice to fulfill missions. who is a man to tell me I am wrong ? Regarding the Bible itself and the different denominations.... clearly there are many ways God has created to find him and follow him. For any 'one' to claim theirs is the only truth is a lie. Yes, there are deceivers and false teachers but creating divisions thru ego is also against Gods will. Our best choice is to rely on Gods word in the Bible .... not traditions of men.
All very good, but the orthodox church is still in error concerning Mary, and praying to Mary, which is not biblical!
Imagine telling your wife you will no longer be spending any time with her but only interacting via phone and assuming you can have a full relationship.
Like how I hate long distance relationship. Thank you for this !
That’s ridiculous. The church is not the only place where Christ interacts with you. Limiting interactions with Christ and god to only church is so insulting and limiting to god, it’s damn near blasphemy.
@@princeofgreece9054
The Church is the Body of Christ.
You cannot have a Head without the Body.
One thing every clergy in every house of worship in every religion all agree on: you need them (and their house of worship) to find god. If people just stay home and read their holy books then the clergy would have to get real jobs.
Spot on. They all tell you the church and the truth are the same, just like Father Josiah here did. They also claim the church is the place you go to find Christ, which is also asinine. Christ meets us wherever we are, in any place. They seriously think Christ only works on people who have been to church?
☦️☦️☦️
the new testament scriptures, specifically the epistles, were written to the churches.
they were written as encouragement to the believers and as a check on what is going on in the churches. "if anyone preaches any other gospel, let him be accursed". or---1 cor. 5:1,2.
these things are not hard to understand. the pharisees followed the "traditions" of the elders,
over and above the word of God. go figure. nothing new under the sun.