defending issues of church

[icedtea]

I was telling a christian friend about my attending and learning orthodoxy, and he said The church is all in the new testament and there is no incense, rituals or closed communion there.
I know I have read verses which support these things, but cannot recall where.
if you guys can give me the verses (I know you can!) it would be nice.

[Orthosdoxa]

The church is all in the new testament

This statement itself is not in the NT. Or OT, for that matter.

...from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (II Timothy 3:15-17).

Scripture speaks of its own excellency - but never of itself as the only thing needed for the church.

SOOOOOO... his idea doesn't even live up to its own rule!!!

The Church existed for 400 years before the Bible was compiled. His statement, to be blunt, is ridiculous. What does he think was happening during those 400 years, just a bunch of people sitting around playing patty-cake, waiting for the Bible to drop from the sky? :P

[buzuxi02]

to keep it short and simple:

Incense- Malachi 1.11, Rev 5.8

Rituals- Heb 6.2, James 5.14, Mark 6.13, 1 Cor 11.23-28

Closed Communion and the Church- "Then those who gladly recieved his word were baptised; and that day 3000 souls were added to them. And they continued steadflastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.... Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods and divided them among all as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house..." Acts 2.41-46

The entire Pauline discourse of 1 Cor 11.17-30 is the importance of having unity in the Eucharist.

The Church transcends scripture- Eph 1.22, 1 Tim 3.15

[icedtea]

Thank you both. I am going to need to learn how to defend the faith.

[rainbowbright]

Thank you both. I am going to need to learn how to defend the faith.

As a spiritual father put it to me bluntly: you don't defend the church, the church defends you.

It's the hardest thing to do, when someone completely insults what you believe in, to not put your gaurds up because otherwise, how would they know? But my priest said humility is what it is all about.

[rusmeister]

The first thing is to become Orthodox yourself.
The best way to defend the faith is to live it.