CONSECRATION

WATERS: Holy water was sanctified by the Lord and was called holy (Numbers 5:17), purifying (1:9:9; 1:3; 20), alive (v. 17). It was cleansed of defilement on various occasions. In the New Testament, the Lord often gives grace through water: Baptism, the healing of a man born blind by means of water and clay (John 9:7), in the Jerusalem pool an angel stirred up the water, and it healed the sick (John 5:2-4). Has the Lord or the water changed?

CHRISMATION: At first, the apostles did not anoint with myrrh, but laid on their hands. And Simon, seeing that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the hands of the apostles, brought them money, saying, "Give me also this power, that whomsoever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit" (Diary 8:18). With the increase in the number of believers, the apostles replaced the laying on of hands with chrismation: "But he who strengthens you and me in Christ, and who anointed us, is God, who also sealed us, and gave the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts" (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). The Corinthians (Greeks) were not familiar with the concept of spiritual anointing. In addition, they were spiritual babies in the faith. The Apostle Paul would not have introduced an unnecessary theological concept for the weak. In the Old Testament, anointing with oil meant the communication of special gifts of the Holy Spirit. Aaron (Exodus 30:30), Saul (Kings 10:1), David (16:13).

Controversy

The pagans received the Spirit without peace. They received Him miraculously, so that it would be revealed to the apostles that even the Gentiles could be received into the Kingdom. However, even after receiving the Spirit, the Apostle Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Diary 10:48). There was no other such case. If no sacred service were needed for this, then the apostles would not have been sent to Samaria (Diary 8:14-16).

CONFESSION

First introduce the Orthodox concept of sin, repentance, spiritual life, etc.

The Apostles are given the ministry to bind and decide: "To whom ye forgive sins, they shall be forgiven; to whom ye shall leave them, they shall remain" (John 20:23). What you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18). But many of those who believed came, confessing and revealing their works (Diary 19:18), and the apostles accepted this, why should we reject it?

Controversy

Only God forgives sins. Yes, this is true, but does not God baptize? However, the presbyter also serves this. The same is true for confession. The Lord said to His disciples: "As the Father has sent Me, so I also send you (and further) (John 26:21).

Remembrance of sin is a sign of lack of faith. Reflection on one's lack of faith gives rise to a prayer of repentance. It determines the help of Christ. Consequently, healing from sin is impossible without reasoning about it.

MONKHOOD

Let us consider monasticism in its basic principles. Do they contradict the Scriptures? The Apostles on Celibacy: (monastic vow): It is good for a man not to touch a woman... for I desire that all men should be as I am, but each has his own gift from God. Some in this way, others in another (1 Corinthians 7:1; 7). For the best I admit that it is good for a man to remain so (v. 26), i.e. virgin (see also 1 Corinthians 7:32-40). The Apostle John preserved virginity.

The first Christian communities were monastic (Diary 2:44-45; 4:32). The Saviour told the young man to sell his possessions for perfection (Matt. 19:21). Whosoever forsaketh houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life (Matt. 19:29). (Isaiah 56:5; 7). Not everyone can bear this word, but to whom it is given... there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 19:11; 12).