57.  What is anointing of the Holy Spirit?

It is the reception of the Holy Spirit. People received the Holy Spirit in different forms:

a)  Holy Spirit abided upon our Lord in the form of a dove.

b)  The Holy Spirit acted on the Apostles when our Lord breathed on them. 

c)  On the apostles as tongs of fire.

d)  The Samaritans and Ephesians received the Holy Spirit when the apostles laid their hands on them.

e)  During the apostolic times by chrism - “But you have an anointing (KJV and Scofield uses the word unction) from the

     Holy One, and you know all things.” (1 John 2:20)

58. Was there chrism during the apostolic time?

 Yes, Refer to Mark 6, James 5:1, 1 John 2:20, 27.

• “They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil, many who were sick” (Mark 6:13)

• “Is any one among you sick?  He should summon presbyters of the church and they should pray over him and anoint [him], with oil in the name of Lord.” (James 5:1)

• “But you have anointing that comes from the holy one” (1 John 2:20.)

• “As for you, the anointing that you have received from him remains in you” (I John 2:27)

Two words are used, anointing and unction. Both KJV and Scofied Bibles use the word Unction. When St. John uses the word ‘Anointing’ it means the ‘act of anointing’. For evidence please refer to the documents below. The word used in the original Syrian version is ‘Mushihooso’ (anoint) for anointing. [George Lamsa’s English translation uses the word ‘anointing’]. We also have to remember that John’s mother tongue was Aramaic (Syriac). His usage was correct. Again, the early church fathers have written about Chrism. So it is obvious that anointing is not a mental phenomenon, but the receiver receives it through a visible, physical act, performed by a person of authority (Apostles bishops, and elders).

When John talks about anointing in 1 John 2:27, he means anointing with chrism. “As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you need not need anyone to teach you” (1 John 2:27). St. John exhorts the believers to fight against heretic views.

In the Jewish community, only a privileged few were able to receive unction. The apostles made it applicable to all who were baptized, as recorded by John.

The people of Samaria and Ephesus were baptized but did not have the Gift of the Holy Spirit. The apostles had to come and "lay their hands on them" so that they may receive the Holy Spirit. This proves that one will not receive the blessings of the Holy Spirit by baptism in water alone.

59.  Is anointing of the Holy Spirit (Chrism) only a psychological feeling?

Never, because we see that:

1)  The Holy Spirit abided upon our Lord in the form of a dove and on the apostles in the form of fire.

2)  Our Lord gave the Holy Spirit to the apostles by breathing on them.

3)  The apostles gave the Holy Spirit by laying their hands on the recipient. 

Therefore the recipient receives the Holy Spirit by a visible act by an authorized person and is not a mere psychological feeling.

From 1 John 2:27 (quoted above) it is clear that the apostles used chrism for the Gift of the Holy Spirit. The word used in the Peshitta Bible is Maseehooso, meaning unction.  John’s language was Aramaic (Syriac).

Let us see what the early Church Fathers said

St. Theophilus (AD 181): “Are you willing to be anointed with the oil of God? It is on this account that we are called Christians: because we are anointed with the oil of God." (174)

Tertullian (AD 160-240): “After coming from the place of washing we are thoroughly anointed with a blessed unction, from ancient discipline by which in the priest hood they were accustomed to be anointed with a horn of oil, ever since Aaron was anointed by Moses. So also with us, the unction runs on the body but profits us spiritually, in the same way that Baptism is itself a corporal act by which we are plunged in water, while its effect is spiritual we are freed from sins. After this hand is imposed for a blessing, invoking and inviting the Holy Spirit” (304)

St. Hippolytumus (AD 204) “Indeed, faith and love prepare oil and cleansing unguents for those who are washed.  But what were these unguents if not the commandment of Holy Word? And what oil, if not the power of Holy Spirit? It is with these, after washing, that believers are anointed as with sweet smelling oil.” (390)

Apostolic tradition: - After baptizing, “The presbyter says ‘I anoint you with holy oil in the name of Jesus Christ’. … Then, pouring the consecrated oil into his hand and imposing it on the head of the baptized, he shall say: I anoint you with holy oil in the Lord, Father Almighty and Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit. And signing on the forehead he shall kiss them and say ‘The Lord be with you’”(394I)

St. Cornelius: (AD 252) – (referring to Novatian, a heretic). “As [Novatian] seemed to die, he received Baptism in the bed where he lay, by pouring – if, indeed, such a man can be said to have received it at all.  And when he recovered from his illness he did not receive the other things, which in accord with the law of Church, it is necessary to have; nor he was sealed by the bishop. And since this was not done, how could he have the Holy Spirit?” (547)

St. Cyprian (AD 254) “It is necessary for him that has been baptized also to be anointed, so that by his having received chrism, that is, anointing, he can be anointed of God and have in himself the grace of Christ. But in turn, it is by the Eucharist that the oil with which the baptized are anointed is sanctified on the altar. He that has neither altar nor church, however, is not able to sanctify that creature, oil” (592)

St. Ephraim (AD 308): - “the oil is the sweet unguent with which those who are baptized are signed, being clothed with the armaments of the Holy Spirit” (725)

Laodicea council: - (Canon 48) “That those who have been illuminated are, after baptism, to be anointed with celestial chrism, and thus become partakers in the kingdom of Christ” (745q)

St. Cyril (AD 315): - “And to you in like manner, after you had come up form the pool of sacred streams, there was given chrism, the anti-type of that which Christ was anointed: and is the Holy Spirit.” (841) “Beware of supposing this is ordinary ointment. For just as the Bread of Eucharist after the invocation of the Holy Spirit is the simple bread no longer, but the Body of the Christ, so also this holy ointment is no longer plain ointment, nor, so to speak, common after the invocation. Rather it is the gracious gift of Christ and it is made fit for the imparting of His Godhead by the coming of the Holy Spirit. This ointment is symbolically applied to your forehead and to your other senses; and while your body is anointed with the visible ointment, your soul is sanctified by the Holy and Life-creating Spirit” (842). “Just as Christ, after His Baptism and the coming upon Him of the Holy Spirit, went forth and defeated the adversary, so also with you; after Holy Baptism and the Mystical Chrism, having put on the panoply of the Holy Spirit, you are to withstand the power of the adversary and defeat him, saying “ I am able to do all things in Christ, who strengthens me.” (842a)

Those who ridicule anointing, which is in vogue from the time of the apostles by saying that "it is not in the scriptures" have to think carefully. From the above discussion and quotes it is clear that the Holy Chrism was used for anointing from the time of St. John. All ancient churches especially the Syrian Orthodox, the Coptic’s, etc…continue this till this date.

Here is the prayer of the Syrian Orthodox Church – “(Name of the receiver) is sealed for the eternal life in the name of Father, Son and living Holy Spirit, by chrism, which is the incense of Christ seal and sign of true faith, and completion of the gift of Holy Spirit”

"The confirmation (anointing) done by laying hands by the apostles (Acts 8:17, 19; Heb. 6:2) is still followed by the ancient eastern Churches at the time of baptism with a prayer for the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (The Christian faith)

60. “And the Lord added to the Church daily those, such as who are being saved” (Acts 2: 47). What is the Church?  

• The Church is the house of God (Eph.  2:19, 2 Cori. 6:16; 1 Cori 3:9).

• It is the basis of Truth and pillar (Eph 2:19 – 22, 2 Cori. 6:16).

• Jesus Christ owns it (Mat 16:18)  “I will build my church.“

• It is the body of Jesus Christ - (Eph 1:23 ,30,  Col 1:18, 24).

• Jesus is the head of the Church  (Eph 5:23, Col 1:23).

• Church is the bride of Jesus Christ - (Eph 5:32).

• Jesus Christ is the Church’s corner stone (1 Cori 3:11, Eph 2:20, 1 Peter2:4,6).

• He purchased it with His own blood  (Acts 20:28).

• Christ gave the Church power (John 20:21).

• Jesus appoints administrator of His Church (Mat 16:18, John 21:15-17, Acts 20:28).

• Jesus Christ gave the Holy Spirit to the Church   (Acts 2)

• The Holy Spirit will guide the church in all truth (John 16:13).

• Church is subjected to Jesus Christ (Eph 5:24, Roma 7:4).

• Church will reveal the wisdom of God (Eph 3: 10, 11)

• God makes the Church grow (Cori. 3:6).

The church is all the above. This is why the apostles added the baptized to the church, so that they may be saved. The apostles wrote the epistles to the members of the church in order to enlighten them.

 61. Is the Church visible or real?  Some argue that there is not a visible Church.

After the reformation in the church, some from the days of Calvin, the reformer, has raised this argument. The Acts of apostles shows us a visible church. People required an act like 'baptism’ for admission into the church. People were submitted to written rules, and known administrators administered the church. There are misbelievers who think that the Church is just a communion of people who love Jesus Christ. Others misbelieve that the Church is a body of people chosen by God, and whose member’s name is known only to God.

St. Paul compares the church to the body. From the apostolic times it is believed that the church is visible. St. Paul and St. John have stated this. They knew who the members were and who were not (1 Cori. 5:12-13, 12:12 ,1 John 2:19, 1 Tim 1:20). Admission to the church was only through baptism. Members either lost their membership or were cast out by ex-communication (1 Cori, 1 Tim 20). Demas, Hymenaeus, and Alexander lost their membership because they broke off from the true teaching. Our Lord appointed St. Peter as the head of the visible church (John 21:15-19).

• “For in one Spirit we were baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks we were all given to drink of one Spirit”  (1 Cor. 12:12).

• “Children, it is the last hour and just as you heard that the anti-Christ was coming…they went out from us, but they were not really of our numbers” (1 John 2; 18-19).

• “Some by rejecting conscience have made a shipwreck of their faith, among them Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme” (1 Tim 2:20).

Note: (1) Hymenaeus taught that resurrection has already taken place by baptism. He believed in Jesus Christ but did not follow the true teaching. So he was expelled out of the Church.

(2)  Alexander also mentioned in 2 Tim 4:14 -‘did St. Paul a great harm’

62.  Are all Christian ‘Churches’ our Lord’s churches?

There are two groups of Christian communities. First is a set of people that join together and 'creates’ an organization (fellowship) for prayer or for other social activities. They choose a name for such a community and create a set of rules for its existence. This is based on the contractual agreement (written or verbal) between the members. Members choose the administrators. Members can end the organization in the same manner it was created.

The second group is an organic society (e.g. our family). Here the family members are not chosen from the public.  Neither was our father or mother chosen. By birth we belong to the family. Just like this, the church is the family of God. We become a part of it by baptism. What birth is to a family is what baptism is to the church. 

Therefore, the church is not created and belongs to our Lord. Only when you belong to the family of the Church, which was built by Jesus, and when you submit to the doctrines and rules established by Jesus and the apostles, you become a part of Jesus Christ.

• One has to become His family member. His family is the church. Therefore become a member of the church He has established.

• Submit to the rules of the family, (which is the church) established by Jesus Christ and later nourished by the disciples.

If a Christian community or fellowship cannot show their lineage from Jesus Christ and later from the apostles (apostolic succession), one doesn’t have the right to call themselves members of the "church". Some realize this and calls themselves a ‘Group’, ‘Assembly’, ‘Fellowship’,‘ temple’ etc. Others know this fact but still use the name ‘church’. Putting it another way, the ‘church’ should have apostolic succession and should believe and obey all of the apostolic doctrines (apostolic traditions).

63. Is it necessary to look at Christian History? Isn’t it enough to live according to what is said in the Bible?

We have seen that the faith of the Church is based on apostolic doctrines and the Bible. The Church for its own use codified the Bible. We have also seen that the Bible supports the teachings of the Church. Some argue the other way because of the fact that they cannot show lineage from the apostles and Jesus Christ. It is like sneaking a copy of a family’s deed by a non-family member and after a long time the descendents of the duplicate deed holder abuses, insults, and teases the real deed holder’s descendants! Every country, society, or even organizations of people, have history. History is used to know how a community started and what they did and believed in. Jesus is a historical figure and what we see in the gospels is a narration of His life and teachings. The book of Acts is the history of the Church and we have seen in it how the apostles delegated authority to successors (in the epistles to Timothy and Titus). Every society has history. So why is history being denied for the Church? Some people deny it because they have no relation to the Church.  By denying early Church history, they hope to blur the practices of the early church.

64. What does it mean by Apostolic succession?

We have already seen that Christ founded the church and that the Church is His. He commanded the apostles to go all over the world, preach, and baptize those who believed and to receive them to the Church. He gave power to the apostles to govern the Church, and commanded many important things the members of the Church should obey and observe. He taught them things pertaining to the kingdom of God. He opened their minds to understand the scriptures (Luke 24:45). He appointed St. Peter as the head of the Church and established the Eucharist after the Last Supper. He blessed the bread and wine and said, ‘this bread is My body and this wine is My blood, being shed for the remission of sins and for eternal life to all who eat and drink’. One should believe that:

(a)  Jesus Christ is the Son of God and is God.

(b)  He came to this world to offer salvation to humanity.

(c)  He suffered on the cross, died, and ascended to heaven.

(d)  He will come again for the final judgment, and therefore on should:

1)  Be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, and

2)  Participate in Eucharist after confession of sins and eat with firm belief that it is the ‘body and blood 

     of Jesus Christ’.

After the Last Supper, He gave His body and blood to the apostle and commanded them to perform this till the end of the world (for coming generations). The apostles also received from Christ the power to bind and loose (power to forgive or not to forgive sins). Some protestant groups argue that those who believe in Christ, become disciples and that there is no distinction between the believers and apostles. This is wrong. If this is true every one is capable of forgiving sins (Jesus told the apostles that they could forgive sins). If this was the case, whose sins should they forgive? Their own sins (in that case, any one who sins can declare themselves as forgiven!)  Is this what Christ meant? If each one performs the Eucharist (breaking of the bread) to whom should he give it to? To himself?

Jesus Christ blessed the bread and wine and gave to the apostles and commanded them to do as he did and gave them the right to do. The apostles themselves have to perform this and give it to the believers till the end of the world.  So the above argument doesn’t make any sense. More over, after the resurrection, He gave them all power to do everything (John 20: 20-23).  He also sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles after ascending to heaven. The apostles knew their special status. This is why St. Paul said, “We are the ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us” (2 Cori. 5:20). “We are God’s fellow workers” (1 Cori. 3: 9). The following powers were given to the apostles alone:

(1)   To preach and baptize

(2)   To forgive sins (Mat 16:19)

(3)   To Offer Eucharist

(4)   Peter was appointed the administrator

So the apostles are the representatives or ambassadors of the Church (2 Cori. 5-20)

• They are fathers (1 Cori. 4;17)

• Stewards of God’s Mysteries (1 Cori 4;1)

• They have the power to punish ( 1 Cori 4;21)

• Command in the name of Lord (1 Cori 7:10, 14:37) “I give this instruction (not I, but the Lord)”

• Make laws (Acts 15:1, 1 Cori 7;17)

• They are authorities (2 Cori 10:8)

• Christ speaks through them (2 Cori 13:3)

• Chosen and anointed (2 Cori 1:21-22)

• The mystery of God was revealed to them (1 Tess 2:7)

• Make rules for the church (1 Cori 11:34)

• Make rules for prayers (1 Cori 11:6)

• They are given the authority by the Lord (1 Tim 1:20, 2:8, 6:13, Titus 2:15, 2 Peter 1:3, 1 John 2;7)

• Key to kingdom of heaven is given to the apostles. (Mat 16;19)

• They are chosen and anointed (2 Cori 1:21-22)

The apostles were blessed at the time of ascension and received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.  All powers are vested in them and are to be exercised till the end of the world. But the apostles cannot live till that time; it is only logical that they appoint their successors to perform their duties. This is seen in the epistles to Timothy and Titus (1:5). This transfer of power from the apostles to their successors is called apostolic succession.

During the apostolic time itself we can see that pastors or presbyters of the church were appointed. The apostles were the authority of the church and elders received their authority and power from the apostles (Acts 5:13, 8:16). St. Clement (AD 96) has documented that the apostles appointed successors before their death. St. Ignatius has written that  “There is no church without three grades of priesthood, i.e. bishop, priest and deacon’

Therefore the true church of Christ should have a continuous chain of succession from the apostles. It should have the apostolic faith and observances, which is in the book of Acts, Epistles, and in the writings of the immediate successors of the Apostles like St. Clement, St. Ignatius, and others (Refer to the Faith of early church fathers). Tertullian has written that believers should know if they are going to a true church - each church should have a bishop who should show a continuous chain from the apostles and should believe everything as taught by the apostles.

Merely making a building and calling it a 'church', fellowship, or an assembly and attending there will not make it a church that the Lord Jesus Christ had established.

65.  What are the objectives of the Church?

1)  Liturgical

2)  Missionary

3)  Doctrinal

4)  Pastoral

Note that the Holy Spirit acts on the church and acts through the church. It is of special importance to note that St. John chapters 14, 15, and 16 are addressed to the apostles alone. But many intentionally or being ignorant, forgets this fact. John 14:16 is addressed to the apostles alone and not to the public, which says “And I will ask of my Father, and he will give you another Comforter, to be with you for ever. But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom my Father send in my name will teach you everything, and remind you of everything which I tell you” (John 14:26). So the Spirit of Truth a ‘Comforter’ was given to the apostles alone and not to anyone else at that time.

 “However, when He the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you in all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13). This is very significant. Christ says that the Spirit will guide the apostles or their successors. He did not say that ‘the Holy Spirit will teach and guide into all truth anyone who reads the gospels.’ Many forget the fact that the apostles or their successors only would (or could) guide the church.

     Here are other proofs that show that the Holy Spirit acts in the church:

• “...It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.” (Acts 15:28)

• “They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia” (Acts 16:5)

• The Holy Spirit appoints the priests. “As they fasted and prayed to God, the Holy Spirit said to them, appoint for me Saul and Barnabas for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2).

• “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock on which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28) (in Peshitta Syriac the word used instead of overseer is Episcopas)

So it is of utmost importance that the Church needs apostolic succession as well as apostolic teachings. Where can we learn this from? 1) From the book of Acts and other Epistles written by the apostles 2) from the writings of the disciples of the apostles 3) apostolic traditions. Please observe that it is a grave sin to add to or take away form what they taught. “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you other than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal 1:8). Currently many fellowships are quoting the above sentence, creating confusion among the people. Therefore it is very important that one learns the truth, and the true apostolic faith.

66. What were the teachings about the church in the first few centuries?

St. Ignatius (AD 110)– “Those indeed who belong to God and to Jesus Christ- they are with the bishop. And those who repent and come to the unity of the Church – they too shall be of God and will be living according to Jesus Christ.  If any one follows a schematic he will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Take care, then, to use one Eucharist, so that what ever you do, you do according to God: for there is one Flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one cup in the union of His Blood. …” (56) “You must follow the bishop as Jesus Christ follow the Father and presbytery as you would the apostle… Let no one do anything of concern to church without bishop. Let that be considered a valid Eucharist, which is celebrated by the bishop or by one whom he appoints…just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is Catholic Church. Nor is permitted with out the bishop either to baptize or to celebrate the agape...”(65).  [St. Iganatius was the third bishop of Antioch after, St. Evodius who was the immediate successor to St. Peter. He was a disciple of St. John. He is a martyr – Emperor Trojan sentenced him to be thrown to the beasts]

St. Clement; (AD 80) "The apostles received the gospel for us from the Lord Jesus Christ; and Jesus Christ was sent from God. Christ, therefore, is from God, and apostles are form Christ."…Through the countryside and city they preached; and appointed their earliest converts, testing them by the spirit, to be bishops and deacons …indeed the scripture says “I will set up their bishops in righteousness and their deacons in faith (2 Sam 7:13)…. Later they (apostles) added the provision that, if they should die other approved men should succeed to their ministry”  (He was St. Peters disciple and third third bishop of Rome)

St. Iranious – (AD 180-190) “In the Church, God has placed the apostles, prophets and doctors, and all other means by which Spirit works. In all which none have any part who do not confirm to the church. On the contrary they defraud themselves of life by their wicked opinion and most wretched behavior. For where Church, there is the Spirit of God; and where is Spirit of God, there is the Church and every grace. The Spirit is however the Truth” (226)

“It is necessary to obey those who are the presbyters in the church, those who, as we have shown, have succession from the Apostles; those who have received, with the succession of the episcopate, the sure chrism of truth according to good pleasure of the Father. But the rest, who have no part in the primitive succession and assemble wherever they will, must be held in suspicion” (237)

Origen (AD 249) “If someone of that people wished to be saved, let him come to this house…. Let no one, then, be persuaded otherwise, nor let any one deceive him self; outside this house, that is outside the Church, no one is saved. For if any one goes outside, he shall be guilty of his own death.” (537)

St. Cyprian (AD 251)- “There is only one God and one Christ and one Church, founded on Peter by the word of the Lord. It is not possible to set up another altar or for there to be another priesthood besides that one altar and that one priesthood. Whoever gathered elsewhere is scattering. He that was not ordained in the Church can neither have nor hold the Church in any way“ (589). “If church is not your mother, Lord will not be your Father”

Lactantius: - 250 – “It is therefore, the Catholic Church alone which retains true worship. This is the fountain of truth, this, the domicile of faith; this, the temple of God. Whoever does not enter there or whoever does go out form here, he is a stranger to the hope of life and salvation”. (637) “

Tertullian: - “Although the Churches are so many and so great, there is but one primitive Church of the Apostles, from which all others are derived. Thus all are primitive, all are apostolic, because all are one.” (292). “If these things are so, then it follows that all doctrines which agrees with apostolic Churches, those nurseries and original depositories of the faith, must be regarded as truth and as undoubtedly constituting what the Churches received from the Apostles, Apostles received form Christ and what Christ received from God. And indeed every doctrine must be prejudged as false, if it smells of anything contrary to the truth of Churches and Apostles of Christ and God” (293). Let them (heretics) show the origins of their Churches, let them unroll the order of their bishops, running down in succession from the beginning, so that their first bishop shall have for author and predecessor some one of the Apostles or of the apostolic men who continued steadfast.

In short:-

If a gentile is to be saved, he should not only believe but should 1) be baptized 2) the baptism should be followed by the anointing of the Holy Spirit 3) And should be a member of the “Church”, which has apostolic succession.

67.  Are there Churches without Apostolic succession?

Lots of them! There are more ‘churches and church members’ without apostolic succession than churches with apostolic succession.

Based on our discussions so far, all such Christian communities have no right to call themselves as a church. After the reformation in the 16^th century, many churches came into being. Some of them are:

Those who desire to study more, please refer to the following books 1) ‘Pears Encyclopedia’ 2) ‘The Christian faith’ 3) ‘The cults’.

Those who believe that Jesus Christ is God, should believe that:

• He built the church

• Apostles ruled that church

• They appointed priests and provided them with the apostolic succession of authority by laying of hands, for the growth of the church in grace.

• People who were to be saved were admitted to the church by the apostles

• One can be saved only through the church, which is the body of Jesus Christ.

We can see that by quoting a few sentences from the New Testament, one can create and form a new church. It is about time that we think about how ‘A Single Bible’ created thousands of churches.

68. In order to be saved, how should a faithful Church member live?

A believer’s hope is everlasting life. “Look for the new (everlasting) life in the world to come” (from the creed). This is what all those who believe in Jesus Christ expect and hope for. 

What is this "New Everlasting" life? 

• “…whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life “ (John 3:16)

• “…every one who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John  6:40)

• “…he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. “ (John 5:24)

• “ I am the living bread which came down from Heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my body, which I am giving for the sake of life of the world” (John 6:51)

• “Whoever eats My body and drinks My blood has eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:54)

• “Most assuredly, I say to you unless you eat the body of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves” (John 6:53).

This is what the Bible says about ‘everlasting life’ and how one can achieve it.

Just by believing or being admitted to the church, or by baptism alone, one does not have everlasting life. He has to receive Christ's body and blood. Jesus Christ has assuredly said this. Though many people left Jesus Christ when He said this, He repeatedly declared this truth (John 6). Some people suspected him by saying how he could give His body and blood, and thereby left him for this reason. The apostles believed in Him and waited with the hope and belief that, He will provide them with what He had told them. So the apostles were given the blessed bread and wine by saying "this is my body and blood" and they received it with full faith as the Body and Blood of our Lord.

From these Holy Scriptures, four things are clearly inferred:

1) Jesus gave the apostles bread and wine as His body and blood. (If He can convert water into wine, He is able to

   convert wine into blood)

2) The apostles received it with belief and respect, exactly as our Lord had intended.

3) The apostles were given the authority to do this for His remembrance. (Only the apostles received this authority, not

    the believers, not even the other disciples)

4) They were asked to continue this until His coming. (1 Cori. 11:23-26)

St. Paul has taught the believers how to receive our Lord’s blood and body. “For as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks do judgment to himself not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you and many do sleep” (1 Cori. 11:27-30). From this we infer that during the apostolic times the believers received Christ's Body and Blood, and that it was compulsory, and was received in a highly respected manner. If they received it just as wine and bread (as opposed to the flesh and blood of our Lord), why should St. Paul warn them in this manner?

In the old Syrian Pershitta version (2^nd century Bible), the word used is ‘Ksoya dhevekaristia‘ which means the Breaking of the Eucharist.

69. What were the synonyms for the word Eucharist in the early church?

  In Syriac:

• ‘kurobo’ - the nearness - that is our nearness to God.

• ‘Kurbano’ - Represents a living sacrifice.

• ‘Rosse’ - Holy Mysteries. It was given to the apostles in the upper house as the mystery

• ‘sau-tho-pu-so’ - communion - we become one with  His body.

 In Greek:

·        “Evu - kari- sthia’ - Eucharist

70. How did the apostles understand the words used by Jesus Christ when the Holy Communion was established?  

  There are people who argue that this is just a comparison. Our Lord has used phrases like:

• I am the door

• I am the vine

• I am the way, truth, and life

They say, just like the above, He used a phrase-‘This is My Body and Blood'. But the traditional churches including the Anglican Church believe that ‘it is His blood and flesh’. This is because, these churches believe that the offerings of bread and wine were His Body and Blood.

It is interesting to observe that Jesus didn’t say -

• “This represents my body”

• “This is a symbol of my body”

• “This bread will be my body if you take it with reverence”

• “Take this bread, it will make you in spiritual communion with me”

The clear meaning of what our Lord said is; -- this bread which I hold in my Almighty hand, because of my word, ‘is my body’, so that you take and eat.

From that time, the church understood the Holy Communion in this same manner. As St. Paul taught in (1 Cori.10:16, 11:28-29), “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ. The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Cori. 10:16)

How the bread and wine becomes His Body and Blood during the Holy Communion is a mystery; same as how the baby in Bethlehem had both God and human characters blended (Kings Highway). This is stated in the Articles of Religion (28) of the Anglican Church. Here is the advice of the minister before the Holy communion: “To those who are prepared to take the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ in commemoration of his glorious suffering (I will tell you) only through this, our sins are forgiven and we become eligible for heaven. So let us give thanks to Almighty God, our Father, sincerely with humility, for having given his Son and our Savior Jesus Christ to death for ourselves and for having given him to us as our spiritual food and protection” (Book of common prayer -articles 142 of the Anglican church)

This is a Song, from the Syrian Orthodox Church:

“The One on whom - fiery angels trembling gaze,

That One as Bread and Wine upon the altar see;

As angels clad in lightning are enflamed by Him,

But those who eat Him have their faces made enlightened.”

71. Why did the early Church take this stand?

There are four reasons:

1.  Jesus Christ has asked us to do it compulsorily

2.  St. Paul has written about it and about how we should receive it

3.  The Early church had celebrated the Eucharist everyday

4.  The leaders of the early church have written about it.

Didache- (AD 140)(Apostolic teachings): - “ Let no one eat or drink of the Eucharist with you except those who have been baptized in the name of the Lord; for it was in reference to this that Lord said: “ Do not give that which is holy to dogs” (6). “On the Lord’s day, gather together, break bread and give thanks after confessing your transgressions, so that your sacrifice may be pure” (8).

St. Ignatius (AD 110): - “… so that you give ear to the bishop and to the presbytery with an undivided mind breaking one Bread, which is the medicine of immortality, the antidote against death, enabling us to live forever in Jesus Christ” (43)

St. Justin (AD 100-165) “We call this food Eucharist; and no one else is permitted to partake it, except one who believes our teaching to be true and who has been washed in the washing which is for the remission of sins and for regeneration, and is thereby living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread nor common drink do we receive these; but since Jesus Christ our Savior was made incarnate by the word of God and had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so too as we have been taught, the food which has made into the Eucharist by the Eucharist prayer set by Him, and by the change of which our blood and flesh is nourished is both the flesh and the blood of incarnated Jesus Christ. The Apostles, in the Memoirs which they produced, which are called Gospels, have thus passed on that which was enjoined upon them: that Jesus took bread and, having given thanks said, “Do this in remembrance of Me; this is My Body” and in like manner, taking the cup, and having given thanks, He said “This is my Blood” And He imparted this to them only. The evil demons however have passed on its imitation in the mysteries of Mithra. For, as you know or are able to learn, bread and a cup of water together with certain incantations are used in the imitation of mystic rites On the day which is dedicated to sun, all those who live in the cities, or who dwell in the countryside gather in a common meeting, and for as there is time the Memoirs of the Apostles or the writing of the prophets are read. Then, when the reader has finished, the president verbally gives warning and appeal for the imitation of these good examples. Then we rise together and offer prayers and as we said before, when our prayer is ended, bread is brought forward along with wine and water and the president likewise gives thanks to the best of his ability, and people will call out their assent, saying Amen. Then there is distribution to each….” Then offerings are taken. (128)

St. Irenaeus (AD 140-202) “He taught the new sacrifice of the new covenant, of which Malachi’s, one of the twelve prophets, had signified beforehand" (Mal 1:10-11). (232). “For as the bread form the earth, receiving invocation of God, is no longer common bread but the Eucharist” (234) “If the Lord were from the other than Father, how could He rightly take bread, which is of the same creation as our own, and confess it to be His body, and affirm that the mixture in the cup is His Blood”? (240). “When therefore, the mixed cup and the baked bread receives the Word of God and becomes the Eucharist, The Body of Christ..., the Blood of the Lord” (249).

St. Clement of Alexandria “Eat My Flesh,” He says “drink my Blood” The Lord supplies us with these intimate nutriments.  He delivers over His Flesh, and pours out His Blood; and nothing is lacking for the growth of His children. 

O incredible mystery” (408). “The one, the Watered Wine, nourishes the faith, while the other, the Spirit, leads us on to immorality. The union of both however – of the drink and of the Word – is called the Eucharist, a praiseworthy and excellent gift”

St. Cyprian: - “so that we are in Christ and daily receive the Eucharist as the food of salvation, may not by falling into some more grievous sin and then in abstaining from communicating, be withheld from the heavenly Bread and be separated form Christ’s body. He Himself warns us saying, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.” Therefore do we ask that our Bread, which is Christ, be given to us daily, so that we may abide and live in Christ may not withdraw form His sanctification and from His body” (559). “If Christ Jesus, our Lord and God, is Himself the High Priest of God the Father; and if He offered Himself as a sacrifice to the Father; and if He commanded that this be done in commemoration of Himself- then certainly the priest, who imitates that which Christ did, truly function in place of Christ” (584).

Eusebius Pamphilus:- “we have daily celebration of the memory of His Body and of His Blood, regarded as worthy of worship and as a sacrifice more sublime than those of antiquity.” (664)

St. Aprem: - “Our Lord Jesus took in His hands what in the beginning was only a bread; and He blessed it and signed it, and made it holy in the name of the Father and in the name of the Spirit; and broke it and in his gracious kindness He distributed it to all His disciples one by one. He called the bread His living body, and did Himself fill with Himself and the Spirit. “And extending His hand, He gave them the Bread which in His right hand had made holy: “Take, all of you eat of this, which My word has made holy. Do not now regard as bread that which I have given you; but take, eat this Bread and do not scatter the crumbs; for what I have called My Body that it is indeed. One particle from its crumbs is able to sanctify thousands and thousands, and is sufficient to afford life to those who eat it. Take, eat entertaining no doubt of faith, because this is My Body, and whoever eats it in belief eats in it Fire and Spirit. But if any doubter eats of it, for him it will be only Bread. And whoever eats in belief the Bread made holy in My name, if he be pure, he will be preserved in his purity; and if he be a sinner, he will be forgiven.”  But if any one despise it or reject it or treat it with ignominy, it may be taken as a certainty that he treats with ignominy the Son, who called it and actually made it to be His Body. (707)

St. Cyril of Jerusalem:- “having declared of the bread, 'This is my Body', who will dare any longer doubt.  And when He Himself has affirmed and said, “This is my Blood,” who can hesitate and say it is not His Blood?”  Once in Cana of Galilee, He changed the water into wine, a thing related to blood; and is His changing of wine into Blood not credible? (843,844).  “...so that by partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, you might become united in body and blood with Him.  For thus do we become Christ-bearers, (845)

    We have seen from the previous questions that Jesus Christ established the breaking of the Eucharist and has asked the apostles to continue it, and also to give it to the believers till His Second Coming. But there are so many people who alter and twist the facts and propagate what they feel after reading the Bible. I hope that the following writing from St. Cyril of Jerusalem will guide them. “Keep these traditions inviolate, and preserve yourselves from the offences. Do not cut yourselves off from Communion; do not deprive yourselves through the pollution of sins, of these Holy and Spiritual Mysteries. And may God of peace sanctify you completely; and may your body and soul (spirit) be preserved intact at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (853m)

72. “Celebration of the Holy Communion – is it just an act to collect money?”

One should consider much before criticizing something. One should not sin against God by criticizing His words and commandments.

We celebrate the Eucharist because: 

• Jesus Christ has commanded us to 'do this till his second coming’; we celebrate the breaking of Eucharist. (Holy Communion)

• The church members have to receive the Holy Communion for the remission of sins and everlasting life.

• The celebration is not for money. During the earlier days, the members themselves offered the wheat and wine. Later for convenience they offered money instead of wheat and wine. (Canon)

[Some of the fellowships that state the above argument, collect money through many channels. The pastors and preachers are paid workers. Does this mean that they preach for money?]

73.  Can anyone conduct the celebration of Holy Communion?

The answer is No. Christ asked the apostles to perform it (or persons appointed by the apostles); i.e. the persons who have the authority (ordained ones). (Please refer to previous questions)

There are people who say that they celebrate His Last Supper. Jesus Christ established the Holy Communion after the Last Supper. During this, the only people that were present were Jesus Himself and His twelve disciples (apostles). Though the word used is 'disciples', it was referring to the apostles, and not to all the disciples who followed Christ (In the gospels many a time the apostles were referred to as disciples. The apostles were also disciples who were chosen by Jesus Christ). To these apostles Jesus Christ said “Do this in remembrance of me”. Only they or people (elders or presbyters) appointed by them - by laying hands - were allowed to officiate. This is why St. Paul asked Titus to appoint elders for every town. From the apostolic times to the 15^th century, no one except those authorized, dared to celebrate the breaking of Eucharist. But after the 15^th century, people started to do anything and everything (Like celebration of the Holy Eucharist, or interpreting and altering the Holy Scriptures etc.) These people justify their authority to do so by assuming that they received their power directly from heaven as St. Paul had received. But St. Paul did not receive his authority directly from heaven. He received his authority from Ananias.

74.  “St. Paul in his Epistle (1 Cori. 11:27-29) calls it bread and wine even after the prayer of thanks-giving and blessings.  Why then does the Episcopal churches say that the Holy Spirit descends and converts the bread and wine into His body and blood.”

St. Paul says in (1 Cori. 11: 27-29) – “For he who eats and drinks unworthy eats and drinks to his condemnation; for he does not discern the Lord’s body.” It is therefore obvious that St. Paul believed that the bread and wine are NOT like any other wine and bread but the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This is also the apostolic teaching.

Again let us look into what some Christian communities, who do not accept apostolic traditions, believe about this subject.

1)  “Discerning the body"- has been variously understood as having reference to Christ’s body present in some sense in the bread and wine (Interpreters Vol. 1.)

2)  "He makes no distinction between an ordinary meal and this heavenly meal, and this heavenly meal, he doesn’t realize the true body and true blood of his Savior are here present and that a thoughtless use of the sacrament is blasphemy and results in the final righteous punishment of God (P.144)  … Until he comes, until He returns in glory, the sacrament of his body and blood is to be the means of communication from Him to us “ (Popular Comm. (U.S.A)  -P143)

3)  Dummalow:  “For not discerning the body that is if he does not realize that it is not mere bread but Lord’s body…”

Let me also comment that there is nothing like churches by the name ‘Episcopal churches’. There is one church established by Jesus Christ, and in it there is Episcopacy.

Again the Church believes so because, this is what the apostles taught, practiced, and preached from their time. The belief during the 1^st century was the apostolic faith, the knowledge received directly from the apostles. The new arguments are creations and interpretations coming from our human intelligence during the 20^th century.

75. “If the consecrated Holy Eucharist is Christ, don’t we need thousands of Christ’s?”

Christ means Emanuel - meaning ‘God be with us’. Christ is God, omnipresent. St. Paul has taught us how we are in Christ, and how Christ is in us. If Christ can be in millions of people at the same time, is it impossible for Him to be in the Holy Eucharist?  In my view this is just a worthless argument. It is like asking ‘since millions of people pray in different languages how does Christ know each of them?’ That trivial!

76. There is an argument that breaking of the Eucharist is just symbolic. This means that it is not blood and flesh in reality, but is blood and flesh only for those who believe in that manner?

This view is called virtualism, receptionism, symbolism etc. Christ is the Son of God. During His time on earth, some people believed this and some didn’t. Even though some did not believe, the truth remains the same. (i.e. He was the Son of God.) 

So what should we believe about the breaking of Eucharist? We have two choices. One can believe that it is not our Lord’s flesh and blood. This is what many modern fellowships teach. Or we can believe that it is our Lord’s flesh and blood. This is what the early church taught us. This is what all of the church fathers (who codified the Bible and taught us the truth about God) taught us. So who is telling the truth, the church fathers that learned from the apostles or the modern ‘scholars’? Also refer to question 68.

77. What is an offering? Isn’t it a way of collecting money for the church? Does it have any significance?

We had discussed this before. Offerings existed in the church at all times.

St. Justin Martyr (AD 100 –140)...  He describes the celebration of the Eucharist on Sunday in which the People partake in it. Then at the end, he writes, “Those who are wealthy and wish to do so, contribute whatever they themselves care to give; and the collection is placed with the president, … in short he takes care of all who are in need.” (129)

St. Cyril of Jerusalem has written about these offerings. We had discussed some of it before. What is so unique about St. Cyril? He is a father who fought against the heresy à that when Jesus was born he was not the Son of God and therefore, Jesus is not equal to the Father. He helped to establish the truth. Almost all fellowships believe in his teachings, that Christ is the Son of God. Since he has written about church procedures, we should believe that also. Why should one only believe in parts of what he has taught?

What were these church procedures in regards to the Holy Communion written by St. Cyril? 

1. The preparatory prayer first.

2. St. Cyril gives a description of washing of hands by the priests.

3. Then the kiss of peace.

4. After this the priest cries out “Your hearts aloft.”  Then people answers, “We keep them with the Lord.”

5. Then the priest says, “Let us give thanks to the Lord.”

6. “After this, we make mention of the heavens, Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Dominions, Principalities, Powers, Thrones of the many-faced Cherubim, saying in effect with David, “Magnify the Lord with me.”  We also make mention also of the Seraphim whom Isaias, in the Holy Spirit, saw standing around in a circle at the throne of God… while they exclaimed “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord Sabaoth.” It is for this reason that we recite this theology handed down by the Seraphim, and we may be participants with the super-terrestrial armies in the singing of their hymn.

7. Then sanctification of the bread and wine into His Body and His blood using the same words that our Lord had used.

8. We call up on the benevolent God to send out the Holy Spirit upon the gifts, which have been laid out that He may make the bread, the Body of Christ, and the wine, the Blood of Christ.

9. After the completion of this procedure, we call upon our God for the common peace of the Churches, for the welfare of the world, for kings, for soldiers, for the sick, and for the afflicted.

10.  Then we make mention of those who have already fallen asleep. First, the patriarchs, prophets, Apostles, and martyrs, that through their prayers and supplications God would receive our petitions; next we mention of holy fathers and bishops who have already fallen asleep and to put it simple, of all among us who have already fallen asleep; for we believe that it will be of very great benefit to the souls of those for whom the petition is carried up, while this holy and most solemn Sacrifice is laid out." 

11. Next is the prayer,  “Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name … “

12. After this the priest says “Holy things to holy.” The offerings laid out are holy, having received the visitation of the Holy Spirit. And you are holy, having been deemed worthy of the Holy Spirit. The holy things therefore correspond to the holy persons. Then you say, “One is holy, one is Lord, Jesus Christ. ”For there is but One who is truly holy, holy by nature. We too are holy, but not by nature, rather by participation, discipline, and   prayer.”

13. After this the singing which invites you with a divine melody to the Communion of the Holy Mysteries.

14. Then the priest come to the people with holy Mysteries

Our church, which existed from the 1^st century till this date, has the same procedure for our celebration of the Eucharist. Yes, the same Holy Communion in the 20^th century as was during the 2^nd century. St. James conducted the first celebration of Holy Communion in the house of St. Mark. The liturgy he created is called the liturgy of St. James and he testifies that,  “I celebrate the Holy Communion as taught by our Lord, Jesus Christ”. (For more details refer ‘Syrian Church and its apostolic faith', Self Authored)

The Syrian Orthodox Church uses the Liturgy of St. James even today. The following quotation is a testimony that our service is genuine:-  “The Syrian Rite is the first that we find formally drawn up…. Liturgy of St. James is the one from which all other Syrian ones are derived. The Liturgy of Constantinople seems to be a modification of the Syrian rite… The Armenian Liturgy is modified from that of Constantinople. It is only among the Copts, and Jacobites that the ancient Rites of St. Mark and St. James are celebrated. “ (The Orthodox Eastern Churches by Fortescue Adrian, page 395 - a Roman Catholic Scholar)  (The Syrian Orthodox Church is also known as the Jacobites)

78.  What are the prerequisites that should be completed before partaking in the Holy Eucharist?

"Therefore whoever eats this bread and drink this cup of Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup"  (1 Cori. 11:27, 28). What have you to examine? What does it mean? A person has to examine if he or she is sinful or not. If you are sinful you are not worthy to receive Jesus Christ. Now the question is, how to know if one is sinful or not. What is sin?     

•  "Sin is transgression of law " (1 John 3:4)

•  "He who sins is of devil" (1 John 3:8)

•  "All unrighteousness is sin" (1 John 5:17)

•  "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin"  (James  4:17)

•  "Whatever not from faith is sin"  (Rom.  14:23)

•  "All sins are from ones heart."  (Mat 15:19)

•  "a desire has been conceived it gives birth to sin" ( James 1:15)

•  It is the works of darkness - (Eph 5:11)

•  Sin can easily ensnare us  (Heb 12:1)

•  It entered the world through Adam  (Genesis 3:5; Rom 5:12)

•  There are hidden and public sins (1 Tim 5:24)

•  We should confess all our sins (1 John 1:9)

So we learned what sin is and how to cleanse our sins, and thus purify us to be worthy to participate in the Holy Eucharist.

79. “The moment one believes in Jesus Christ and in His sacrifice his sins will be absolved, and after that there would be no more sins.” Is this true?

This is a wrong notion that needs to be corrected. The only one without sins is Jesus Christ Himself (2 Cori. 5:21). No one can cleanse his own sins, as the very purpose of our Lord 's incarnation was to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29; 1 John 3:5). And "In Him we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of the grace" (Eph 1:7; 1 John 1:7). If a person can take away his own sins, why did our Lord come down to earth and suffer?

We thus understand that the redemption and cleansing is through our Lord’s blood alone. Just by understanding this truth will not result in the cleansing of sins. Why? Because St. Paul (Eph 1:7) and St. John says so. "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).  So even St. John has to confess! “If we say that we have not sinned we make him a liar and his word is not in us" (1 John 1:10)

St. Paul and St. John were holy men to whom the truths were revealed. We are certain about this. They say that they could commit sins. They declare that the only way to cleanse you from your sins is by confession, i.e. even if one knew the truth, if he commits sins, the only way to cleanse him from his sins is by confessing.

80.  Comment on, "Whoever has been born of God does not sin for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin because he has been born of God" (1 John 3:9). By believing and through baptism we become the sons of God.  So how can we commit a sin? Can a son of God sin?

Let us look at St. John’s verse once again. "We know that whoever is born of God doesn’t sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself; and the wicked ones doesn’t touch him." (1 John 5:18) i.e. If one doesn’t keep himself, one will sin. "If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which doesn’t lead to death, he should pray to God, and He will give him life (1 John 5:16). If any one is so ‘progressive’ as not to remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God; who ever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son (2 John 9). From this you can see that a person who believes and is baptized, can commit sins!                                                                                                                             

There are so many examples in the Bible which shows people who believed and were baptized committing sins. (They did not keep themselves). A few of them are: 

• "For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter is worse for them than the beginning." (2 Pet 2:20). So one who accepted Jesus Christ can fall into sins, if they don’t keep themselves!

•  Phygelus, Hermogenes and people of Asia turned away from the church. (2 Tim 1:15)

• Philetus and Hymenaeus were people who erred in truth , left the church. (2 Tim 2:17)

•  People referred to in 2 Tim 3:1-9;

• Diotrephes, who loves to dominate, doesn’t acknowledge us but prates us with malicious words (3 John 9-10). He was not only a believer and one that was baptized, but also a church leader...and he committed sins!

• People discussed in 1 Tim 6:3-5.

• Paul told Corinthians (after they believed and were baptized) that some of them were immoral. (1 Cori. 5:1-2)

• St. Paul asks Galatians “how can you turn back again to weak and destitute powers” after knowing God (Gala 4:9-10)

• “If any man sees his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask and he shall give him life for them.” (1 John 5:16)

In short even the sons of God can fall into sin. Be not like "a proud Pharisee who prays, be like a tax collector, who repented."  If so, one has a better chance for salvation.

Because of sins:

One will become like Adam.  (Gen. 5:3; 1 Cori 15:48)

He who sinned is of the devil (1 John 3:9), and will have bodily death (Gen. 3:19), will loose the right for eternal life through Jesus Christ  (Rom. 5:18, 21, 6:23), Our Lord will not hear his prayers (Psalms 66:18) and he will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gala 5:19-21; Eph 5:5; Rev 21:27).

81.  How should one examine themselves before partaking in the Eucharist?

One should seek the help of the Holy Spirit to become conscious of his own sins (John 16:8-9). If one is not like the Pharisee who justified himself before God, he could be conscious of many sins. A few examples are:

(1)  The transgression of the Ten Commandments.

(2)  The transgression of various commandments of Jesus Christ.

(3)  Those mentioned by Jesus Christ in his sermon on the mount (Matt. chap. 5, 6, 7)

(4)  (a) Good deeds done with evil-intentions; eg. Fasting, prayer, etc. if done as described in Matt 6:1-18.

      (b) Deeds done in the name of the Lord, but done for selfish ends.

      (c) Services one is bound to do in the name of the Lord, but not done; feeding the hungry, quenching the thirst of the

           thirsty, clothing the naked, comforting the sick and sorrowing, etc...

(5)  Failure to do our duties sincerely, the duties entrusted to us by the Lord, as the wicked servant did during the absence

      of his Lord.

(6)  Evil desires, anger without a cause and ridicule.

(7)  Unforgiving to others.

(8)  Not showing love in Christ.

(9)  Evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, and blasphemy (Matt 5:22)

(10)  Uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulation, wrath,

        strife, sedition, heresies, envying , drunkenness, and revelings. (Gala 19-21)

(11)  Love of wealth.

(12)  Not doing the will of God.

(13)  Spiritual Pride: (Biblical knowledge is good but spiritual pride arising out of it is a grave sin).

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