The Creed: “We Confess One Baptism” – Differences Between Orthodox and

Pope Shenouda III explains the importance of baptism and the resurrection of the dead as essential Christian doctrines expressed in the Creed.

1. One Baptism for the Remission of Sins

• Baptism is emphasized in the Creed because of its essential role in Christian faith.
• It is performed only once, as it symbolizes dying with Christ, putting off the old person, and rising as a new creation.
• Valid baptism must be performed by a legitimate priest who holds the correct faith.
• Baptism is not merely a symbolic act or immersion in water; it has spiritual efficacy, granting divine sonship, renewal, justification, and forgiveness of sins.
• The speaker refers to Acts 2:38, which connects baptism with the forgiveness of sins.
• Through baptism, believers receive the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice, dying and rising with Him.
• Subsequent forgiveness of sins is received through the sacraments of confession and Holy Communion.

2. The Resurrection of the Dead

• The resurrection is a fundamental Christian belief affirmed in the Creed and Holy Scripture.
• God, who created humanity from nothing, is certainly able to raise the dead.
• The resurrection gives human life meaning, value, purpose, and eternity.
• It also provides hope in divine justice and the compensation for earthly suffering and deprivation.

3. The Resurrection Body and the Life to Come

• The resurrected person will have a spiritual and glorious body, not subject to physical needs, illness, or death.
• The speaker refers to 1 Corinthians 15 concerning the nature of the resurrected body.
• Eternal life is spiritual, without eating, drinking, or marriage.
• The Kingdom of Heaven is not a material existence but a spiritual and everlasting life.
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