Salvation
This sermon by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the concept of salvation in the Orthodox Christian faith, explaining that salvation is not something accomplished in a single moment separated from Christ’s redemptive work, but is connected to the shedding of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross and to the holy sacraments established by the Lord.
His Holiness explains that the people who received the promise of forgiveness before the Cross, such as the sinful woman, Zacchaeus, the tax collector, and the right thief, did not receive complete salvation before the crucifixion of Christ, because the Scripture says: “Without shedding of blood there is no remission.” Therefore, forgiveness before the Cross was considered a promise or a certificate awaiting fulfillment through the blood of Christ.
He also confirms that all the righteous people and prophets of the Old Testament were waiting for the true salvation through the blood of Christ, and they did not enter Paradise except after the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Salvation was accomplished through the complete redemption performed by Christ for all humanity.
The sermon also explains the importance of both faith and baptism together, based on the saying of the Lord Christ: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” Faith alone is not sufficient without baptism, through which a person dies with Christ and rises with Him into a new life.
His Holiness also explains that the apostles first called unbelievers to faith, and after accepting faith, they explained to them the way of salvation through repentance, baptism, and the holy sacraments.
The sermon confirms that faith itself is not a passing moment, but the fruit of a long work of the Holy Spirit, preaching, and the acceptance of the heart to the Word of God. Therefore, salvation is a complete life of faith and work with the grace of God within the Church.
At the end, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that the correct teaching of salvation must remain firm according to the teaching of Christ and the Church, far from any interpretation that diminishes the importance of the Cross, baptism, or the work of divine grace in the life of man.
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