Am I Saved? : Ancient Eastern Christianities Fr. Thomas Hopko speaks on Salvation#.1/2

Found here: www.orthodoxyno...

[@DavidNWalker]

Thank God for Fr. Thomas. He was and continues to be a blessing and channel for God's mercy.

[@ginnylynn1]

I’m a new orthodox Christian, and loving all your podcasts 💓 I’m learning so much from you. Thank you🙏🏻

[@rail_bender5205]

Being saved is accepting Christ's grace. It happened when he died and resurrected on the cross. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves beyond choosing him as our savior. God is the final judge.

[@johnnyd2383]

St. Paul speaks about three things he has done in his life: faith, race and faith. What fight was he talking about? What race? What faith? Why was he fighting if "There is nothing we can do..."? Who was he fighting? did you ever read that section of the Bible and managed to understand it?

[@MrHawkMan777]

I love listening to this man, people need to hear Orthodox teachers. Even if people don't want to convert they need to be given a reality check in what Christanity really is. So many eccentric and sick ideas exist in other churches that can be corrected if people listen to Orthodox teachers and read a bit of church history.

[@brucefetter]

Fr Tom is a great teacher and spiritual father to many.

[@uncleoscar7]

Matthew 18:20 Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I Am in the midst of them

[@thenaturalhuman9568]

The music in the beginning sounds like an old Christmas special lol

[@Noone-rt6pw]

You know saying I'm saved is a baffling word play to any numbers, where along with other word plays, creates chaos, confusion where someone understands straight English.

[@uncleoscar7]

1 John 5:11,12 This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life, he that hath not the Son of God hath not life

[@brucefetter]

@talkingfortruth Orthodox are not Calvinists, nor are we universalists. Salvation on God's part, in Christ and the Holy Spirit, is given to all. Subjectively God will not force the will. "The doors of hell are locked on the inside."

[@zachm.6572]

The free will argument for hell is so entirely incoherent that it is embarrassing to pander it around.

[@Texocracy]

Zach M. *Not an argument. That concept = "insert subjective adjective"

[@TheSecretHarp]

Actually this psalm is not be be interpreted allegorically, but it can. I am an Orthodox Christian. Instruments were clearly used in the old-testament temple.

[@fehercristiandorin]

the new temple is spiritual and not hand-made ...our bodies are the temple of the Holly Spirit....no need for objects anymore please understand that....also the church of God is being built spiritually rather then physically.....

[@Evanation]

i don't think he may have meant it to that type of extreme. For Christ also said that not He didn't know when the day of judgement would be but only the Father. my thought

[@uncleoscar7]

praise ye the Lord praise Him with the sound of the trumpet praise Him with the psaltery and harp praise Him with the timbrel and the dance praise Him with stringed instruments and organs praise Him upon the loud cymbals Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord Psalm 150 do your sacred rituals include worshipping according to these commands?

[@uncleoscar7]

read the first three chapters of Revelation Jesus' letters to the seven churches that is what He thinks of organized religious systems They either love and obey HIM or they don't

[@TruthBeTold7]

@AegeanKing, I follow the Churches calendar, yes. I can give you extensive resources refuting the modernism we see in most of mainstream Orthodoxy today.

[@TruthBeTold7]

@AegeanKing, It's a sign of modernism and ecumenism. Many books and encyclicals have condemned these innovations. Are you Orthodox even?

[@TruthBeTold7]

@mishakol129, Yes. It's Roman Catholic and contrary to Orthodox tradition. It's a sign of modernism and ecumenism.

[@TruthBeTold7]

I am Orthodox, but committed to honesty. The claim that the Orthodox Church has not changed in 2,000 years is without historical support. Many of our concepts are not found among the first century believers. There were a lot of developments and additions.

[@70AD-user45]

TruthBeTold7 Many of our concepts are not even found in the Bible. There is far too much of this so called "Holy Tradition" which contradicts what is in the Scriptures. If the Bible is true then you have reject most of this tradition.

[@jlankford]

TruthBeTold7 I have been studying Orthodoxy for almost 2 years now. I'm very interested in your statement. How can I find out more? I'm seeking truth.

[@silouanmathew6599]

J Lankford. Orthodoxy is Truth, do not listen to any comment which slanders Orthodoxy as some of these comments. i am a convert to Orthodoxy after having been a protestant for 28+ years. if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. regards, theOrthodoxFaith.org

[@70AD-user45]

Godly Mathew​ Can you explain what eschatology (study of end-times) the E.Orthodox church holds. I take the preterist view which says that all thing were fulfilled in 70 AD at the judgement of apostate Jerusalem. There will be no physical second coming of Christ as the second coming was spiritual in 70 AD. I am Orthodox and I used to take the Amillenial view (the church age is the Millennium) until I discovered full preterism.

[@alexisnn4720]

I would like to know more !

[@MikeJordanGroupie]

Peace to you my friend. I hoped not, but when I listened to the beloved father-who believe me I love him, speak about the Feast of the Nativity & Incarnation, it was blatant that Fr Thomas indicated that Christ our Lord was 'ignorant'. I mean, in more than one place did our Lord indicate that 'whatsoever the Father possesses, I do possess' & St. Peter states, 'Lord you know all things'; again, in the Gospel it indicates that 'he knew what they pondered in their hearts' more than once. Take care!

[@mavisemberson8737]

The Lord said But of that time I do not know! Didn't He?

[@princelazar5634]

No, Father Thomas Hopko is a very famous Orthodox presbyter and educator. Many Orthodox presbyters (but NOT all) and RC priests dress about the same.

[@dakotaneuman8748]

That's all hell is. What about the part where the fire is never quenched, and the worm never dies, and where you thirst forever? If there is hell!?

[@bobspelledeitherway2173]

Sad to think you’re wasting the only life you'll ever have waiting for one that doesn't even exist very sad indeed,

[@silouanmathew6599]

+Dakota Neuman please see the following video which contrasts Orthodox Soteriology with the western / evangelical model. *Orthodox view of Salvation* | 9 mins youtube (*dot*) com/watch?v=WosgwLekgn8 time permitting please also see the 3 'christianity timeline' images i have posted (upper right hand side of the homepage) on the website below. regards, theOrthodoxFaith (*dot*) org

[@dutchmcgee101]

the words mistranslated hell is actually Gehenna which was a garbage dump outside Jerusalem. It was also known as the valley of hinnom. Jesus was warning the jews at the time about the coming destruction in 70 a.d. by the Romans

[@uncleoscar7]

The words of Jesus outrank the words of any earthly teacher. Jesus said come to ME that you might have Life. Come unto ME all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. JESUS CHRIST IS NOT A DENOMINATION OR AN ANCIENT SYSTEM OF RELIGION. HE IS THE VERY PERSON OF GOD SO YOU MUST BYPASS THE SYSTEM AND GO TO HIM DIRECTLY, OR YOU MISS THE WHOLE THING "yE MUST BE BORN AGAIN!" WASHED IN CHRIST'S BLOOD, RENEWED BY THE HOLY GHOST

[@TruthBeTold7]

@mishakol129, Father Thomas has defended ecumenism.

[@paulomi123]

@talkingfortruth otherwise how would you justify all people coming to judgement after death,if they do not have eternal life

[@uncleoscar7]

Romans 3:4 Let God be true, but every man a liar

[@uncleoscar7]

1 Timothy 2:5 there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus . the church is a gathering of those who have met the Mediator. Yes you can, and MUST obey Jesus' words directly. then YOU become a PART of the CHURCH. the church is made up of REDEEMED ONES. The church is not the REDEEMER. Christ is the REDEEMER, and He does it all by Himself, without the the church being between Himself and the REDEEMED SOUL

[@richardjordan3735]

Truth...but Christ can and does most often reach out to us whether in our wanderings or daily Christian living through Vessels as He dwells Sacramentally within The Church! When I was running from The Lord I remember one day a stranger walked up to me and asked me If I was a Christian...I bowed my head and said,..yes but I'm not living right...she said, I can tell because....," That was Christ meeting me through that woman!! Christ was speaking to me through her! She was His Body in the moment!

[@malichl4246]

The church is the body of Christ with Christ as its head so yes the church saves. The church is the ark we must belong to in order to escape the flood.

[@TruthBeTold7]

@AegeanKing , the traditional ORTHODOX garb and robe.

[@iamhudsdent2759]

We were never unsaved. We did not inherit a damnable sin from someone who lived thousands of years ago. It didn't happen. No loving and just God would curse his children that way. Would you curse your children that way? Original sin is false. It is made up. It is dark, evil, and twisted. It is meant to keep you down. It is meant to keep you thinking of yourself as unworthy, born in sin. Nonsense. Instead, know this: You were created in the image and likeness of God. In Him, you live, move, and have your being. You came from God, and you will return to God, unless you separate yourself from Him. In which case, you will reincarnate, until you make things right. Jesus taught reincarnation. It is clearly evident in the Bible by his teaching. But reincarnation was forbidden under emperor Justinian, and a doctrine was necessary to explain man's imperfections. The doctrine of your inherent sinfulness, promoted by Augustine, a guilt ridden sinner, and supposedly justified by Paul's writings, another sinner, who spent much of his life putting Christians to death. They projected their own guilt on to everybody else, and hundreds of years later Catholic bishops imposed the theological construct of original sin. Don't fall for it. Pray, be holy, imitate Christ, and know your being at its core as His being, according to scripture. Liberation from birth and rebirth, is the true salvation. This was known in early Christianity, and it wasn't for hundreds of years until the doctrine of original sin was mandated. Early Christians were not living under the burdensome weight of original sin, they were striving for holiness.

[@fehercristiandorin]

the bible teaches that for as long as we are in the flesh we will have to fight against the flesh desires and live by the spirit....however about the salvation of our souls.....this comes into your heath (experienced this myself) when you receive Jesus inside of you and you are born again out of the water and the spirit(john 3)......you have to have this assurance else you have to seek God more until you find Him The bible says we know for sure we are saved and you have to have this assurance: 1 John 5:13New King James Version (NKJV) 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God Any teaching that goes against this as says its only a hope is pure heresy. God bless!

[@silouanmathew6599]

+Cristian Feher thank you for your interest in learning about the Orthodox Faith, the faith of the Apostles preserved unchanged and without adulteration for 2000 years. the word 'orthodox' [_ortho_ + _doxa_] means 'correct glory' (i.e. 'correct worship'). by extension it also means correct theology because *true theology flows forth from true worship*. _'For _*_there must be also heresies_*_ (αἱρέσεις) among you, _*_that they which are approved may be made manifest_*_ among you'_ - 1 Corinthians 11_19 'heresies' are anything that goes against the teaching or praxis of the Orthodox Church. this includes the ancient christological heresies (arianism, adoptionism, docetism, nestorianism, modalism, tritheism, monophysitism, monotheletism). this also includes the heresies of the second millennia: _papism_ circa 1054 AD and the _papist reformation_ (sola scripture) circa 16th century. the Eastern Orthodox Church is the SAME TODAY as it was during the *first 1000 years of Christianity* during which took place Seven Ecumenical Councils demarcating Trinitarian Christology from various heresies (arianism, adoptionism, docetism, nestorianism, modalism, tritheism, monophysitism, monotheletism). No other denomination / sect dares to make this bold claim. *Papal claims regarding the Apostle Peter and primacy* | 24 mins youtube (*dot*) com/watch?v=R-s8v81ZkeU *Protestantism: Condemned by 6 Orthodox Councils & The Dangers of spiritual contact with Heretics* | 43 mins youtube (*dot*) com/watch?v=bzkzGn8Sp78 please see the 3 'christianity timeline' images i have posted (upper right hand side of the homepage) on the website below: regards, theOrthodoxFaith (*dot*) org

[@fehercristiandorin]

Godly Mathew with all the respect my friend people can call themselves anything they want including calling themselves saints....this does not make them saints...... I read the bible in english french romanian and never found the orthodox church mentioned at all....I only found about the church of Jesus Christ, his bride....When you will stand before God one day He will not ask you if you were an orthodox or not...its more a matter if He knew you or not...If your name is written in the Book of Life.... Now about heresys these are false teaching which go against the bible, the Word of God About the orthodox church being unchanged for 2000 years...i can just give you a few examples easily showing changes: There is no teaching in the bible which suggests prayng to Mary, Angels or any other saints. There is just One Mediator called Jesus Christ . This the apostles knew but somehow it got changed over time and people now unknowingly practice the pagan old cult of the dead. Another basic teachning that got twisted. Jesus and the apostels say to baptise those who believe the gospel and confess this with their mouth(romans 10:10)....I am sorry but a little child 2 months old does not believe anything at this point yet......This is another heresy introduced which is against the teaching of the bible.... I will not continue. People's councils can say whatever they want about others and condemn them back and forth. What really matters is what the Bible say.... I am sure you are a very knowledgeable person and I respect that....The only thing missing is that you meet Christ personally in your life and be born again which is a very easy step as He is not far away from any one of us.... I have no opinion good or bad regarding orthodoxy. I only see people that have repented or others that need repentance.Regarding the assurance of your salvation this is a must. God bless!

[@silouanmathew6599]

+Cristian Feher no respect is due me, a sinner. Orthodox Christians don't care much for flattery or pretensions. we care for truth. i find it a bit surprising that you already consider me a friend without having any real knowledge about me. surely, you are either a very naive / gullible / trusting person who thinks complete strangers are friends, or words don't have any meaning to you. i will give you the benefit of doubt for now and not consider the third possibility, that you are being disingenuous (i.e. dishonest). yet already you are contradicting yourself: for example, you said: QUOTE> _"i have no opinion good or bad regarding orthodoxy"_ yet, in your first comment you used the word 'heresy' to make half timid suggestion that the video contained heresy. be bold, say what you mean clearly and speak like a man. surely, you don't throw the word 'heresy' here and there on random christian videos based on pure whim. you said: QUOTE> _"people can call themselves anything they want including calling themselves saints"_ where on this video did you see anyone refer to themselves as saints? what are you talking about? why are you making things up? you said: QUOTE> _"says its only a hope"_ again, where did you hear this. why are you making things up? you raised a number of points; namely: _1. intercessory prayers, 2. one mediator, 3. infant baptism, 4. ecumenical councils, 5. repentance, and 6. salvation_; all of which i will respond to shortly. i'm glad you kept your list of objections reasonably brief as this will allow me to address each one of them. if you have additional questions i will also answer them, but don't ask them until i address the issues you already raised. first, for the sake of honesty and transparency, answer me this one question: *Are you a trinitarian christian? If so, which denomination / sect do you belong to?* keep your answer short and to the point so that i can adequately address the points you already raised. in case you are tempted to play word games or pretend you don't understand, or try to circumvent my question, let me state it once more: *name your denomination / sect*. if you are honest enough to do this (name your sect), i can confirm with a quick google search exactly what year your sect was founded, by whom, and why. then i will answer the 6 points you already raised and give you the opportunity to ask more questions.

[@TruthBeTold7]

I am Orthodox, but committed to honesty. The claim that the Orthodox Church has not changed in 2,000 years is without historical support. Many of our concepts are not found among the first century believers. There were a lot of developments and additions.

[@silouanmathew6599]

TruthBeTold7 there was no New Testament Canon in the first century either. Neither was the word Trinity in use. Using your flawed logic, you may as well reject both the NT Scriptures as well as the Confession of God as Triune as later developments.

[@uncleoscar7]

Miriam danced a real dance and beat on a real cymbal and Gabriel has the most real trumpet of all. good grief! How far will you be willing to twist Scripture to try to make them not mean what they mean and not say what they say?

[@uncleoscar7]

to be awake and conscious of your existance is NOT the ETERNAL LIFE that Jesus talks about. The consciousness of the soul goes on forever. Eternal life is what the Lord gives. eternal death---conscious and awake in Hell--is what sin does to us. The Lord was PUNISHED FOR our sins on Calvary. Believing and receiving gives us new eternal life. refusing to believe and receive is eternal death, where we are TORMENTED BY our sins. the torment lasts forever because we do...

[@uncleoscar7]

what I think is of no importance. It is the words of Jesus Christ that are the words of God and must be believed and obeyed

[@paulomi123]

@talkingfortruth why is it heretical??.........dosent everyone have eternal life??? thanks to Christ ,, heaven or hell is after that,but scripture clearly says that everyone will be united body and spirit, which clearly means everyone will have eternal life thanks to Christ

[@TruthBeTold7]

What's with the Roman Catholic collar? MODERNIST.

[@StephenHolland]

TruthBeTold7 It's not a Roman Catholic collar. The full round collar was designed by Rev Donald Macleod in the 1800s. He was a Scottish Presbyterian- a Protestant.

[@TruthBeTold7]

Why is he wearing a Roman collar?

[@fehercristiandorin]

Jesus disciples did not dress up either way, did not have golden objects part of their worship, no rituals, no icons of the apostles either, no prayng to saints....

[@OlympicLeprechaun]

They didn't shake tambourines, babble incoherently, fall down and convulse, or dance in a rattlesnake pit either.

[@annkellett7592]

Cristian Feher You might want to do a bit of research before you make such a claim.

[@annkellett7592]

OlympicLeprechaun the heresy of Montanism is ancient, indeed!

[@annkellett7592]

It’s an Eastern Orthodox collar, as well.

[@sevenswords8781]

Jesus did not say everyone was saved,... in fact he makes it very clear that not everyone is saved... This is not Orthodox teaching it certainly isn't Catholic teaching.. maybe some watered down protestant teaching at best.

[@johnalexis8284]

You are correct. It's amazing they won't respond to you.

[@OfficialSonOfRock]

"if there is hell"? What? Saved when Jesus died? The scriptures say that if there is no resurrection, there is no salvation. Jesus death was only half of the plan of salvation. Very disappointed with this guy.

[@johnnyd2383]

Hell in Orthodoxy is rather a state of the soul instead of being "a place". So the father may not be precise enough in his speech as it was not the topic of the sermon and you have jumped onto his semantics rather than looking at the bigger picture. In any case, you have missed the point completely.

[@MikeJordanGroupie]

I love the preaching style of this father, but he's a crypto-Nestorian, if not openly. He quotes St. Cyril in an apologetic response to Nestorus, but he confidently states that our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ is 'ignorant in His Humanity'! Imagine! He says that the Lord Jesus Christ is not OMNISCIENT! This is heresy and the worse kind, because he is well respected amongst many. He stresses the Lord Jesus' humanity to the point that the Lord's divinity 'dims' and this is the great danger!

[@imheretostay11]

Thanks so much for the video- posting and all. My housemate is a strong greek orthodox slowly converting to protestantism because he realizes the hiccups in orthodoxy. The traditions of the church will not save anyone however. It is not difficult to read Eph 2:8 and realize that we can not do works for our salvation. He has twisted this very scripture in the video. Giving an awful straw man fallacy to what he believes as the protestants view of the way of salvation. He says faith through grace.

[@nickkerinklio8239]

Which stance do you take? Salvation by faith alone or faith along with works?