Doctrinal Differences with Protestants Regarding Works
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the Orthodox understanding of works and their relationship to faith, responding to the incorrect teaching that denies the value of works in salvation, and clarifying the true role of works in Christian life.
✝️ Faith and Works in the Correct Understanding
His Holiness emphasizes that completely denying works is a doctrinal error, because Scripture clearly states that judgment is according to works, and that faith without works is dead.
📜 Works of the Law and Rejected Works
The works criticized by the Apostle Paul are the works of the Law, such as circumcision, sacrifices, and Jewish rituals, which do not save without faith and redemption.
Also rejected are works done without faith, or works aimed at vain glory and self-righteousness.
🌿 Acceptable and Saving Works
True works include:
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Works that result from faith
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Works in which a person cooperates with God’s grace
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Works that are the fruit of faith working through love
These are not independent human efforts, but God’s work within the believer.
🔥 The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit in Works
His Holiness explains that true good works are a partnership with the Holy Spirit, because God Himself works in the believer. Without God, a person can do nothing.
⛪ The Sacraments as Divine Works
The holy sacraments such as:
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Baptism
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Confession and absolution
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Chrismation
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Eucharist
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Priesthood
are works carried out by the Holy Spirit Himself within the Church, while the priest is only a servant.
🏛 The Role of the Church in Salvation
The Church is not a human mediator separate from God, but the instrument through which the Holy Spirit works. Through it, a person is spiritually born, forgiven, sanctified, and nourished.
🌟 Conclusion
In Orthodox faith, works are not a replacement for grace nor separate from faith. They are its fruit and a partnership with God. Denying works is, in fact, denying the work of the Holy Spirit within the believer and the Church.
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