Do Orthodox Believe The Holy Spirit Is Working Within Heterodox Churches?

[@gorillaglue5958]

My personal experience was being baptized in spirit whilst I was unaware of Orthodoxy. But, when I did go to an Orthodox missionary the spirit came upon me again and confirmed I was in the right place. Currently an Orthodox catechumen God-willing.❤

[@OrthodoxGardener]

Glory to God! Be well. ~ Jurgis

[@thingsweneverdid3782]

Saint Cyprian of Carthage and many resolutions of ecumenical councils tell us that any sort of "branch theory" of the churches is erroneous. The Holy Spirit works as He wills, but only Orthodox Christians have sanctifying mysteries.

[@StevenRotelli]

Could you elaborate on this please I’m so close to converting our family it’s just hard to deny the regeneration of other trinitarians

[@LandscapeDallas]

Of course, the branch theory is heresy. But the patristic consensus reflected in the ecumenical councils on the reception of heterodox follow St. Stephen and only accept St. Cyprian with modifications. Trullo also accepts the Carthaginian councils after Cyprian which rejected his view of baptizing everyone and accepted the validity of heterodox trinitarian baptism. Stephen won the debate, Cyprian lost- as the "father of patristic consensus" St. Vincent points out in his Commonitorium. According to St. Philaret of Moscow, the line in the Creed "I confess one baptism" explicitly teaches not to baptize everyone because their baptisms are valid as the Church decided in the Cyprianite controversy and in the Donatist debates.

[@acekoala457]

​@@josephmary969 St. Stephen didn't believe in branch theory either.

[@seraphim3r]

​@@StevenRotellithere are no mysteries outside of the Church. this isn't an intellectual venture that you can choose what you like about Orthodoxy. jump in with faith and fear of the Lord.

[@annakimborahpa]

ST. CYPRIAN, BISHOP OF CARTHAGE (A.D. c. 210 - 14 September 258) From Orthodox Wikipedia: "Hieromartyr Cyprian of Carthage was the leading bishop of the Church of Africa during the mid-third century. He was martyred during the persecution of emperor Valerian. His feast day is August 31." Quoting from St. Cyprian's work On The Unity Of The Church, c. 251 is the following from its Chapter Four, "If anyone considers and examines these things, there is no need of a lengthy discussion and arguments. Proof for faith is easy in a brief statement of the truth. The Lord speaks to Peter: 'I say to thee,' He says, 'thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound also in heaven, and whatever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven.' Upon him, being one, He builds His Church, and although after His resurrection He bestows equal power upon all the Apostles, and says: 'As the Father has sent me, I also send you. Receive ye the Holy Spirit: if you forgive the sins of anyone, they will be forgiven him; if you retain the sins of anyone, they will be retained,' yet that He might display unity, He established by His authority the origin of the same unity as beginning from one. Surely the rest of the Apostles also were that which Peter was, endowed with an equal partnership of office and of power, but the beginning proceeds from unity, that the Church of Christ may be shown to be one." [Translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. The Ante-Nicene Fathers. Translations of the Writings of the Fathers down to A.D. 325. Vol. 5. American reprint of the Edinburgh edition revised by A. Cleveland Coxe. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1956-1962]

[@airone50]

My spiritual life did not make sense as a protestant. I loved Jesus and the word of God but I just did not have a consistency and yes I had a relationship with Christ. I was however as unstable as water. I embrace my past but honestly there was no roots because the ground had no depth. I stumbled into the faith. It was Christ guiding me outside to make me complete. I was not looking for a church I was looking for peace.

[@OrthodoxGardener]

May God continue to bless your journey. Be well. Glory to God - for all things! ~Jurgis

[@Im_No_Expert_72]

Thank you! Outstanding. I'm looking forward to getting to an orthodox church and meeting with the priest so I can partake in the Eucharist.

[@OrthodoxGardener]

May God bless you on your pilgrimage! I would encourage you to reach out to a few priests in your area, and to spend some time speaking with them about your questions and experiences. Glory to God! ~ Jurgis

[@MartyRodriguezOrthodoxMarine]

I Believe That It Was The Holy Spirit of God Almighty Himself Who Lead Me From The Frontlines of Hetrodox Latin Rite Roman Catholicism To Byzantine Rite Eastern Orthodoxy and I Am Now Firmly Rooted In Byzantine Rite Eastern Orthodoxy . Thank God Almighty For The Holy Spirit of God Almighty Himself For Leading Me To Eastern Orthodoxy. AXIOS ☦️ 🕊🕯📿🙏☦️⛪️‼️

[@Jy3pr6]

The Holy Spirit is “everywhere and fillest all things.” If God “desires that none of His children should perish but that all should come to repentance” then there is no dispute about God acting “outside the Church”. What can’t be is that the Holy Spirit affirms people in their decision to remain outside of the Orthodox Church

[@jakejones3453]

@I.M. Shirley Rongh Orthodoxy is not a denomination. It's pre denominational

[@catherinethompson6531]

@@jakejones3453then what do you say Catholicism is? The catholic and the Orthodox Church both claim to be the one true church, or the church that was originally founded by the apostles. But it can’t both be.

[@artdanks4846]

​@@catherinethompson6531 The best way for you to answer this question is to study and compare both the history and the theological development of both the Eastern Church and that of the Western Church. Both were one and the same Church for a thousand years, but the West started drifting from its Apostolic and Patristic beginnings, until 1054 when the official and final split occurred. The Orthodox Church has remained true to Her original founding, whereas the Roman Church has continued to change over the centuries.

[@catherinethompson6531]

@@artdanks4846 so the Catholics are wrong when they say they are the church founded by Christ and Peter is the first pope?

[@artdanks4846]

@catherinethompson6531 Actually, yes. At one time they were indeed part of the Church, founded on Jesus Christ, and Peter truly did become the Bishop of Rome. But sadly, they separated from that Church in 1054, leaving ONLY the Orthodox East as that "One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church". BTW - Before Peter became the Bishop of Rome, he was first the Patriarch of Antioch, which is still Orthodox. So, even if the Church was founded on the Supremacy of Peter (which is a false understanding, created in Rome), then the Orthodox Church would fulfill that first.

[@nmgram8356]

Hello Γεώργιε.. 🙏❤️🙏🙏🙏🕊️🕊️

[@OrthodoxInquirer]

Great explanation!

[@romanthechristian5237]

As a cello player, I love your taste in music!

[@matheusmotta1132]

Above all, the Church is the people of God, and the Body of Christ.

[@CJohn33]

My Orthodox understanding has been, that the Holy Spirit only resides in the Orthodox Church. However, the Holy Spirit may extend or reach outside of our church but still through her to enlighten those who are seeking the truth or have the disposition to become Orthodox. Is this correct? I am not sure. This is where the meaning of the word 'Orrhodox' comes into play. As you know, the word orthodox means correct belief, practice, or dogma. Although one may not be Orthodox, they may be living an orthodox life outside of orthodoxy and thus may be enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Such was the most notable case of Cornellius in the Bible. I am not sure if this is correct so take it with a grain of salt but it has been my understanding.

[@OrthodoxGardener]

Nice concise explanation. The one thing to remember is that the Church is both divine and human. The Holy Spirit will guide, teach and correct but the circumstances and timing are not in our hands. Glory to God! - Jurgis

[@Cp3659]

@@OrthodoxGardener Luke 9:49-50 How could this be explained. Do the Orthodox have thoughts or opinions on this? Thanks.

[@anetakastrickiene9526]

Ačiū/thank you

[@joshuamiller321]

I don’t understand the distinction in this sort of theological division. The Holy Spirit is active for the sake of everyone.

[@david_porthouse]

So what’s your reason for saying that the church established in England by St Wilfrid and St Theodore is “heterodox”. I am a member of that church. So is Cardinal Vincent Nichols.

[@OrthodoxGardener]

Hello, David! Of course, I was speaking from a macro level so please forgive me if I offended you. Glory to God! Be Well. ~Jurgis

[@johnnyd2383]

If your church is not in communion with the any of the canonical Eastern Orthodox Church's jurisdictions, your church is heterodox. As simple as that.

[@johnnyd2383]

Orthodox believe that Spirit is where He wants to be, but according to Lord's promise, Spirit leads His Church He created 2000 years ago, not in 16th century, and if we look at the heresies that plague Latins and Orientals we know they do not fulfill promise that His Church will be "pillar and foundation of the truth" (1 Tim 3, 15) and another Lord's promise that His Church will be "holy and without blemish" (Eph 5, 27).

[@frricklawrenceangaleria7942]

In my own opinion, It is not, why if the Holy Spirit is working with them they have already rejected heretical teachings, repented and come home to the Faith of the Fathers. As one holy Father have said it, "we cannot force the Orthodox Faith the one whom not heartily looking for it and also not called by God to come." as the Gospel have mentioned it, the sheep recognised the Shepherds voice. may God have mercy on me unworthy servant.

[@OrthodoxGardener]

Thank you for your comments. Be well. Glory to God - for all things! ~Jurgis

[@Silk_DP]

He is working. It is the persons responsibility to humble themselves to the holy Spirit. No doubt he is working. I am outside and being drawn towards Orthodoxy because of this pursuit of truth.

[@orangemanbad]

As a Catholic, we know we are the original church that continues to be Christ’s body. Even though the Orthodox Church split off because they don’t believe Jesus can send the Holy Spirit, I still believe the Orthodox Church to be part of the universal church. I think the spirit works in all who profess Christ, but they don’t have the whole of the message. As a former Protestant there is so much richness they are not taught. The purpose of Christianity is theosis. And this is not taught or known in Protestant circles. I believe this is why it is said there is no salvation outside of the church.

[@Philotheist777]

The Bible has Corinth and Thessalonians and Antioch well before anyone went to Italy, the popes are heretical promoting abortion and homosexuality

[@Philotheist777]

The Holy Spirit descends on the son, this was invented in Spain and inspired by Arianism

[@orangemanbad]

@@Philotheist777 we as christians believe in One God. The Son is the perfect image of the invisible Father.

[@Philotheist777]

@@orangemanbad Before going to Rome, Peter and Paul and most of the other apostles went through Antioch and Greece and the church of Ephesus and Corinth well before Rome.

[@orangemanbad]

@@Philotheist777 yes this is well known. That’s why when the first council of Nicea came about leaders from all the empire assembled not just Rome…

[@pigetstuck]

Are Orthodox congregations noticeably different than their protestant or nondenominational counterparts? Are they more Spirit led and filled? Because if there isn't a big noticeable difference... I would say the claims of "one true church" don't hold up.

[@OrthodoxGardener]

Greetings, Chris - Thanks for your comment. If you watch the video of my initial trip to Mt. Athos as a Protestant, I share my initial impression of entering an Orthodox Church for the first time. I would also encourage you to read Kallistos Ware's book The Orthodox Way, and perhaps visit an Orthodox Church as you read through it. I am a big proponent of Romans 8:16 so I think that may answer your question regarding the Holy Spirit. Be well. Glory to God! ~Jurgis

[@catherinethompson6531]

I grew up Catholic and am currently Protestant. I personally think Catholicism and Orthodxy are very similar. It makes me sad seeing them both say things like this about each other, like the fast that one of them can believe that the Holy Spirit resides in one and possibly not the other 🤦🏻‍♀️. Although I am not necessarily Catholic anymore, I believe 10000% that the Holy Spirit is clearly in the Catholic Church. I view them as my brothers and sisters in Christ, just like I do the orthodox.

[@JoshuaPryce-ps7hx]

I believe that the Holy Spirit is truth. Lies are from the enemy. This means that true doctrine identifies with the bible.

[@Philotheist777]

The Bible was assembled under protorthodoxy

[@dennisharvey5852]

There are many paths to God, Orthodoxy is just one path as are all the different Protestant and non Protestant denominations . These paths offer different understandings and rules to help one navigate the path through their faith.

[@REXSPYMC]

There is only one path to God not many that is Christ, i am not orthodox but the only way to God is through Christ the mediator, if you put your faith in Jesus and truly trust him with your life you will be saved.

[@dennisharvey5852]

@@REXSPYMC That's only true for Christians and they are only 1/3 of the worlds population

[@johnnyd2383]

Lord's Church is ONE, He is not polygamist and He is coming to pickup His Bride, His Church, and He created His Church 2000 years ago, not back in 16th century... His Church is also "pillar and foundation of the truth" and if we look at the heresies that plague Latins and Protestants, how can those be in His Church that is also said to be "holy and without blemish" (Eph 5, 27).?

[@dennisharvey5852]

@@REXSPYMC What about the 2/3 of the world population that are not followers of Jesus?

[@REXSPYMC]

@@dennisharvey5852 if they do not put their faith in Christ they will sadly perish.