Q&A Home > S > Salvation

Does the Orthodox Church have a stand on the salvation of Protestants? Can we say that people who believe that Jesus Christ came for our salvation will not be saved because we disagree with their dogma?

Believing in our Lord Jesus Christ is just the very first step towards salvation. The dogma and the sacraments are not a formula but are the means by which we have a life with the Lord. There are some sacraments that are essential for Salvation. Baptism, which is considered by the Protestants to be just a sign of accepting the faith, is essential. The Lord Christ said it clearly, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mk 16:16). Baptism here is not to be a sign but the threshold to a new life without which one cannot enter the kingdom of God; as our Lord explained to Nicodemus "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Eucharist, repentance and Chrismation are also necessary.

It amazes me that after attending the whole course of Soterilogy, some servants are still undermining the dogma and doubting the role of sacraments in Salvation. I will not proceed further in answering this question in detail. Since you are all servants, I highly recommend that, in your servants' meeting, you study His Holiness Pope Shenouda's book "Salvation in the Orthodox Concept".