The Coptic Church Dogma The Coptic Church Dogma (Based on the Creed)(Based on the Creed)

• DG_1: One GodDG_1: One God• DG_2: The TrinityDG_2: The Trinity• DG_3: The Divinity of ChristDG_3: The Divinity of Christ• DG_4: The Doctrine of IncarnationDG_4: The Doctrine of Incarnation• DG_5: The Doctrine of Redemption/SalvationDG_5: The Doctrine of Redemption/Salvation• DG_6: The Holy SpiritDG_6: The Holy Spirit

DG_7: The Church““And in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic And in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess one Baptism for the Church. We confess one Baptism for the remission of sins”remission of sins”

The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit

1)1) IntroductionIntroduction

2) The word “Church” in the Bible2) The word “Church” in the Bible

3) The Essence of the Church3) The Essence of the Church

4) Distinctions applied to the Church4) Distinctions applied to the Church

5)5) Attributes of the ChurchAttributes of the Church

6)6) The Church and Sacraments The Church and Sacraments

1)1) IntroductionIntroduction

+ + The Apostolic Church satisfies 3 The Apostolic Church satisfies 3 conditionsconditions

• Founded by God not a manFounded by God not a man• Unbroken historical connection with the Unbroken historical connection with the Apostolic ChurchApostolic Church• Teaches the Christian, Apostolic, and truly Teaches the Christian, Apostolic, and truly the word of Godthe word of God

+ + The Church todayThe Church today• The early churchThe early church• 11stst division at 451 AD division at 451 AD• 22ndnd division at 1054 AD division at 1054 AD

2) Meaning of the word “Church” in 2) Meaning of the word “Church” in the Biblethe Bible

The Church is the presence of God among peopleThe Church is the presence of God among people1) The Church in the Old Testament:1) The Church in the Old Testament:

• Arc of covenant in the tabernacleArc of covenant in the tabernacle• Arc of covenant in the Temple (of Solomon) Arc of covenant in the Temple (of Solomon)

2) The Church in the New Testament:2) The Church in the New Testament:• Local congregationLocal congregation• Church in a houseChurch in a house• The Body of ChristThe Body of Christ

3) The Essence of the Church3) The Essence of the Church

• The Church is the Kingdom of GodThe Church is the Kingdom of God

• The Church is the kingdom of HeavenThe Church is the kingdom of Heaven

• The Church is the Arc of SalvationThe Church is the Arc of Salvation

4. Church Distinctions4. Church Distinctions• The Struggling and Triumphant ChurchThe Struggling and Triumphant Church““lay aside every weight, the sin which so easily lay aside every weight, the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Heb 12:1 race that is set before us” Heb 12:1

• Visible and Invisible ChurchVisible and Invisible Church+ Invisible in her spiritual nature+ Invisible in her spiritual nature+ Visible in ministering the bible and sacraments+ Visible in ministering the bible and sacraments+ Visible in communal life and the clergy+ Visible in communal life and the clergy

5. The Attributes of the Church5. The Attributes of the Church

• One: One: ““One body, one Spirit …one hope…one Lord…one faith…one One body, one Spirit …one hope…one Lord…one faith…one baptism…one God and Father of all” Ephesians 4:4-6baptism…one God and Father of all” Ephesians 4:4-6

• Holy:Holy:““Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her that He Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her that He might sanctify and cleanse her…..that should be holy and might sanctify and cleanse her…..that should be holy and without blemish” Ephesians 5:25-27without blemish” Ephesians 5:25-27

• Catholic:Catholic:““Neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, Neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free..” Colossians 3:11barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free..” Colossians 3:11

• ApostolicApostolic

• Christ is the High Priest Christ is the High Priest + according to the order of Melchizedek; Heb 7:20-24+ according to the order of Melchizedek; Heb 7:20-24

6. The Church and Sacraments6. The Church and Sacraments

The Church is the Body of Christ that is The Church is the Body of Christ that is constituted through:constituted through:+ Baptism: grafted in the Body+ Baptism: grafted in the Body+ Chrism: sealed with the Holy Spirit+ Chrism: sealed with the Holy Spirit+ Eucharist: renewed in the Unity of + Eucharist: renewed in the Unity of ChristChrist

6. The Church and Sacraments 6. The Church and Sacraments “Cont’d”“Cont’d”

Church SacramentsChurch Sacraments