Salvation among Protestants and Plamists
His Holiness Pope Shenouda explains the concept of salvation from the Orthodox perspective, clarifying that the salvation accomplished by Christ on the Cross is a complete divine act, but it is received only through man’s participation in faith, the sacraments, and spiritual struggle. He criticizes the Protestant view that reduces salvation to a one-time event or faith alone, affirming that salvation is a continuous process announced by God on the Last Day, not by man himself.
Means of Receiving Salvation
Salvation was achieved through Christ’s blood, but is received through:
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True faith that works through love and bears good fruit.
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Baptism, which removes original sin and begins a new life.
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Repentance, continuously granting forgiveness for sins after baptism.
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The indwelling of the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of Chrismation, guiding the believer toward holiness.
Salvation as a Life Journey
Salvation is not an immediate declaration but a lifelong journey of repentance and spiritual warfare.
Pope Shenouda reminds that even St. Paul lived in holy fear, saying, “I discipline my body lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Therefore, the believer must walk in humility, completing his salvation “with fear and trembling,” as Scripture teaches: “He who endures to the end shall be saved.”
Blood and Faith
The Pope clarifies the distinction between the act of salvation, completed by Christ’s blood, and receiving salvation, which happens through faith, baptism, and repentance.
“The salvation is by blood alone,” he says, “but we receive it through faith, baptism, and repentance.”
Error of Superficial Faith
His Holiness warns against interpreting single verses in isolation; true faith involves both belief and action.
Forgiveness is not automatically granted to all, but only to the repentant who live in the light of Christ.
Salvation and Hope
The faithful “are saved in hope,” meaning they await salvation with patience and perseverance until God declares it at the end.
The Pope concludes that salvation is a divine gift received through the Church’s life, the sacraments, and continuous struggle until the end.
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