Statement of Faith

Mission Statement of Faith

Recently I have been asked what are the beliefs of our ministry and where do they derive from. Our beliefs are those of Orthodox Christians and are defined here for clarification.
We believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit — the Trinity one and indivisible. The Father is before all time; the Son of God is begotten of the Father before all ages; and the Holy Spirit proceeds from God the Father from all eternity. We believe in One God, worshipped in the Trinity, eternal, almighty and all-knowing; that of His own Will He created all that exists out of nothing: first, the realm of the angels, invisible to us, and then our visible and material world. God also created people, breathed into us eternal souls, imprinted in our hearts his benevolent law, and gave us free will. He created us to be eternally blessed in communion with Him. We believe that God is eternally just and righteous in His mercy. He governs the entire universe and the life of each one of us, and without His will nothing can be accomplished.When Adam and Eve disobeyed God's word, He did not reject them permanently, but through the prophets began to disclose His plan of salvation, promising to send the Messiah, Christ. When the world was ripe for accepting the true faith, the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, came down to earth, to save us sinners. He taught us how to believe and live righteously. He died on the Cross for our salvation and with His precious blood washed away our sins. On the third day He rose from the dead and began our own resurrection and eternal blessed life in heaven. We believe that on the fiftieth day after His resurrection the Lord Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles, who even now are present in the Church, supporting her in spirit and truth.
We believe that one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church is empowered with invincible power against evil even until the end of the world. We believe that the Holy Spirit, through the Sacraments of Baptism, confession, Holy Communion, the laying on of hands and the other Sacraments, purifies and enlightens believers, giving them strength to live a Christian life.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again a second time upon this earth, at which time there will be the resurrection of the dead and a final judgment, in which every person will be judged according to his deeds. After the judgment, eternal life will begin; for the righteous, eternal bliss in communion with God, for the devil and sinners eternal suffering in hell.We believe that for salvation it is not enough to have faith alone, but it is necessary to live in accordance with faith. For this reason, we admit to the necessity of fulfilling the ten commandments given by God to the Prophet Moses, and the Beatitudes in the Gospel given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you. (Matt. 5:3-12).
These laws command us to love God and our neighbor and even to love our enemies
43 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy:
44 but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; 45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. (Matt. 5:43-45).
These laws of love place Christian Faith in a moral position above other religions, and from that point of view the Church is the only true path to peace among the nations. Without a sincere love for our neighbor and without forgiveness, wars and total annihilation are inevitable. The Lord Jesus Christ teaches us all to forgive in a remarkable prayer, the "Our Father," when we pray, "and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." In His sermons the Lord teaches faithfulness, gentleness, patience, and justice towards others. Among His sermons one which stands out is the "sermon of the talents" which calls us to develop within ourselves all the gifts given by the Lord, our abilities and talents. True faith must constantly develop inner growth and produce good deeds, because "faith without works is dead" (James 2:6).Christians must not be materialistic, that is, they must behave dispassionately towards material blessings, not use them for selfish purposes, but rather to meet basic necessities and to help others who are less fortunate. Pride, arrogance, selfishness and egoism are loathsome in the sight of God.
We Believe that each person was created by God with a free will and is therefore responsible for his own behavior. God loves us and has mercy on us sinners. He helps us with every good thing, especially if we call on Him. He promised us: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matt. 7:7). Earnest prayer enlightens reason, helps overcome temptation, and assist us to live according to God's commandments. Prayer helps us to enliven our spiritual abilities which become the main purpose for our life on earth.
We believe that when a Christian experiences misfortune or illness, he must not blame God, but remember that the Lord permits us to suffer for our spiritual benefit, for cleansing from sins and the strength to do good deeds. In troubled times, we must pray to the Heavenly Father, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." “Father, not my will but thy will be done”(Matt. 26:42)We believe that we are called to almsgiving which includes caring for one's family, the elderly, orphans, widows, the sick and the poor. It also requires refraining from criticizing anyone, as the Lord Jesus Himself commanded, "judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matt. 7:1). The purpose of our life is constant striving towards righteousness: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48).
This is the beliefs and the truths that Mission Saint Sergius and Bacchus believe in and strives to teach in order to bring each of us closer to Almighty God and the promise of Salvation.
Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA

God and Government

Render Unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s
and unto God the things that are God’s
A Reflection for November 19, 2006
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saint Sergius and Bacchus
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
Today we are faced with many difficult and discomforting decisions in our day to day lives. We are subjected to many differing voices of opinions on everything from the justification of the wars being waged to an individuals right to life. The ability to be free to marry the person we love and receive the same benefits of every other citizen, and how we treat the homeless and poor with housing and medical care. These are serious life defining questions.
Every one of these issues have government officials and religious leaders that prescribe different points of view.
We should look for the answers in the true teachings of Christ as found in the original manuscripts of the early church before the political ambitions of church leaders distorted the writings.
How we should act becomes increasingly difficult to discern. Who’s opinion and view is the right one. The Gospel reading for the Orthodox church this week might give us a direction to look toward for an answer “Render Unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are God’s.“ MATTHEW 22:21.
Because of the multiple religious voices who have translated the Holy Scriptures to suite their political agendas and for financial considerations, there are questions as to what is meant by this passage and many others. The dictionary has the following meanings for the word RENDER
1. vt give help: to give help or provide a service (formal) or . vt pay respect: to give what is due or appropriate to somebody who has authority or power (formal) “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s” Matthew 22:21
If we were to consider the first translation (to give help or provide a service) then we as Christians are called to help Government by suggesting the direction they should take.
Many times the lines between Religion and Government have become totally blurred in the past and most recently in the last few decades.
Government officials who claim to be Christians do not always reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ in their legislative rulings. They are like beautifully wrapped gift boxes that when opened are empty. When laws are passed that discriminate against any group of individuals governments are not acting as Jesus did. Jesus never discriminated against anyone who came to him that believed and asked His help.
The role of Government is to insure the Public Safety and well being of all. Government is to protect the public from thieves, adulterers, murderers, cheats, or any behavior that endangers the general well being of the public. When the government invades the private day to day lives of individuals, who are not causing harm to anyone, by promoting laws that discriminate they are not fulfilling their constitutional role.
In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts not one citizen has been harmed from the legalization of same sex unions. In fact the results have actually shown the law to be a benefit to every citizen and strengthened the concept of loving relationships. Yet there are those who are attempting to enforce their religious teachings upon all the citizens of the Commonwealth by attempting to reverse the decision of the courts. What they fear is unknown and unproved but is based solely on their interpretation of Holy Scripture and personal prejudiced fear.
All the references in the Scriptures to same sex relationships are in conjunction with acts that were used as a means of worship to false God’s and were prevalent in ancient times. Many were instansis where people were forced to engage in sexual activity or where people were using sex solely for the pleasure of it and not in a committed and loving relationship as an fulfillment of their love for their partner.
When Government begins to decide what rights and privileges citizens can have based on their religious beliefs they have gone beyond the role of Government. Just as when Religious leaders try to enforce their particular belief on every citizen they have stepped beyond their place. Both scenarios are wrong.
The Middle East is a prime example of what can happen when one religion attempts to suppress another religion and enforce their belief on everyone. Millennium of discord, wars and the resulting deaths of millions have occurred and still the battle rages
As long as people are not hurting others and inflicting undue suffering of others or stealing, murdering or raping others, governments should abide by the rules of “LIVE AND LET LIVE”
Today’s world is in need of more love, not more hate. Governments need to focus on finding ways to bring about peace and harmony among all nations, not wage war.
Governments and their officials need to focus on easing the pain and suffering of the poor, elderly, homeless, and sick. They need to find ways of curing illnesses that diminish the quality of life of individuals with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, HIV/AIDS, MLS, Cancer and SID’s.
Christ told us, 25I have said these things to you while still with you; but the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you. Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace which the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” JOHN 14:25-28
We need to listen to the Holy Spirit working within us and pray for God’s guidance in our discernment.
We are called to live our daily lives with respect, decency, honesty, and most important, with total and complete trust and love of Almighty God.
We need to work for peace and justice toward all the children of God in the same manner as Jesus Christ did. It is incumbent on each of us to do it not to leave it all to government.
It is not our place to determine who is and who is not going to be acceptable in the eyes of God but to insure that the truth is given and the work done as Christ instructed.
We have a right to express our views on government actions but not the right to enforce our views on everyone. That is one of God’s precious gifts, the freedom to choose. Because I choose to believe and live in a certain way does not mean that it is correct for all. Any group of individuals who attempt to force their way on others is doing a disservice to everyone, including themselves.
Let us follow Christ’s teaching and “Render Unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are God’s.“ MATTHEW 22:21. AMEN