Category: EOC
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Elder = Bishop (Titus 1:5-7)
This passage equates the two Greek words, presbuterous (elders) and episkopon (bishop). Tit 1:5-7 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders (πρεσβυτέρους) in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children…
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Ignatius and the bishop
Ignatius shows quite a different view but claims to be contemporaneous to the other texts. He presents a single bishop and multiple presbuteros (pastors/priests). In The Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians Chapter 2, v 12, he writes: …attend to the bishop, and to the presbytery, and to the deacons…. There is some discussion of…
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Polycarp and the Presbuteros
Polycarp (in the Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians) describes the duties of the presbuteros (bishops) in Chapter 6. Once again, the focus is not on a monarchical bishop, but on a local pastor: And let the presbyters be compassionate and merciful to all, bringing back those that wander, visiting all the sick, and not…
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Pastor, Priest, Bishop, Elder
Hard to believe but the four terms Pastor, Priest, Bishop, and Elder are all used interchangeably in the NT to describe the same function/office. PastorThe English word Pastor is only used once in the KJV: Eph 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and…
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Apostolic Succession in general
As someone examining the claims of the Eastern Orthodox church (EOC), the claim to apostolic succession (AS) by the EOC is an interesting subject. Wikipedia defines AS as: Apostolic succession is the doctrine in some of the more ancient Christian communions that the succession of bishops, in uninterrupted lines, is historically traceable back to the…
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Humanity in a Divine Organization?
I’m struggling to come to terms with the controversies going around in the Orthodox Church. I’ve added links to the BLOGs on the left side of this page which show both sides. Combat and words are being thrown around that make the Calvary Chapel battles of the past 13 years seem tame in comparison. The…
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Perpetual Virginity of Mary
The claim has been made by some Orthodox that: For about 1,600 years the entire Church affirmed the ever-virginity of Mary. The notion that she did not remain a virgin was introduced by the Anabaptists and some Calvinists long after the Reformation was an established reality. I don’t believe that is historically accurate. The teaching…
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Emergent Theology and Orthodoxy
One of the podcasts on Ancient Faith Radio concerned the four (struggling for the right word here) “angles” on the church. What surprised me was the speaker dealt with not just Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox but with the Emergent Church. I had expected interaction with the other older traditions, but to hear them grappling with…
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The Ancient Faith
A couple of things have caught my attention recently. Ancient Faith Radio I’ve spent the last couple of days listening to podcasts from Ancient Faith Radio. Some great material on there ranging from Liturgies to seminars to preaching and teaching. Energetic Procession A buddy of mine, Perry Robinson, has a great BLOG on Orthodox subjects,…