The Law of Faith – He comes in His glory to judge the living and the dead
The Second Coming of Christ and Judgment
His Holiness Pope Shenouda explains that Christ will come in His glory to judge the living and the dead—the living being those on earth at His coming, and the dead those who have already fallen asleep. The righteous will rise first in spiritual bodies, and all will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. The wicked will be gathered for judgment on the great day.
Rejection of the Millennial Reign
The Pope affirms that the phrase “whose kingdom shall have no end” means that Christ’s reign is eternal, not earthly or limited by time. This refutes the belief in a literal thousand-year reign, whether on earth or in heaven, as Christ’s kingdom is spiritual in the heavenly Jerusalem.
Faith in the Holy Spirit
The Pope explains belief in the Holy Spirit, the third hypostasis of the Trinity, “the Lord, the Giver of life,” who proceeds from the Father—not from the Father and the Son as Catholics claim. He clarifies the difference between the eternal procession and the temporal sending of the Spirit at Pentecost, affirming that the Holy Spirit is the divine source of prophecy.
The Divinity of the Holy Spirit
Pope Shenouda refutes the heresy of Macedonius, who denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit, showing from Acts that lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God—thus proving that the Spirit is fully divine and equal with the Father and the Son in worship and glory.
Faith in the Church
He explains the phrase “We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church,” showing that “Church” can mean the community of believers, the clergy, or the building. The Church is the Body and Bride of Christ—one in faith, baptism, and Spirit. It is apostolic because it is built upon the foundation, teaching, and priesthood of the Apostles, handed down through generations.
Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins
The Pope stresses that baptism is the entrance into the Church and divine sonship. It is one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, as St. Peter said on Pentecost: “Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins.” Justification cannot be separated from baptism, for it is union with Christ’s death and resurrection.
Resurrection and Eternal Life
The Pope affirms the universal resurrection: the righteous to the resurrection of life, and the wicked to the resurrection of judgment (John 5:29). Eternal life is the dwelling of God with His people—“the things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard.”
Christian Hope
The lecture concludes with a call to live in hope and holiness, preparing for eternal life through righteousness, for the hope of the coming age strengthens believers to persevere in faith and good works.
