Wrap up on the Creed. Nicene, that is...

So we finally finished up the classes on the formation and doctrine found in the Nicene Creed, it only took 6 months! Here is the last bit of notes. It also has some great notes concerning sacraments:

I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins, I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Sacrament = Sacramentum/Mysterion
• Augustine of Hippo said it is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual truth. The wedding ring is the invisible matrimony made visible.
• St. Leo the Great (5th Century) says all that Christ has done (Life, death, resurrection, teachings, miracles, etc.) is channeled to man through the sacraments.
• The Orthodox emphasize the importance of the physical. The physical is no less spiritual than the invisible world (soul and spirit). Human flesh is considered sacred. Think of the Ascension: there is now, forever, human flesh and bone in the Godhead. The heart of how we are saved is matter.

Baptism is one of the Holy Mysteries
• The outward sign is easy to identify (water and words)
• The inward reality is the entry into Christ’s Body
• Christ was baptized. This is how he fully identified with our humanity. His dissent into the human condition.
• Christ directs us to baptize.
• Romans 6:3
• God is my Father. the Church is my mother. I came forth from the womb of the font (baptismal font)
• For the Orthodox, baptism is the beginning of a life of repentance.

I look for the resurrection of the dead:
• This is what’s in it for me…
• This is not just immortality of the soul, it is immortality of the person: body, soul, spirit.
• Immortality is NOT salvation. Immortality is NOT communion with God. You can live forever and be apart from God. Salvation is being in communion with God; this can start now!

Paul writes of One faith, One God, One Body, One baptism.
• The church from the beginning has said there is one way into the Church-baptism.


In the next day or so, I plan to blog a bit more about sacraments. Stay tuned! For now, I am off to Vespers.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us