Is Oriental Orthodox The First Church

The question of whether the Oriental Orthodox Church is the first church in Christian history is a profound and complex topic that has intrigued theologians, historians, and believers for centuries. The origins of Christianity are deeply rooted in the early centuries following the life of Jesus Christ, and understanding the development of various Christian traditions helps shed light on this question. This article explores the history, theology, and significance of the Oriental Orthodox Church, examining whether it can be considered the first church and what historical and theological factors contribute to this discussion.

Historical Origins of the Oriental Orthodox Church

The Oriental Orthodox Church is a communion of ancient Christian churches that split from the rest of Christendom after the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD. These churches include the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt, the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Syriac Orthodox Church, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church, and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India. Their roots trace back to the early Christian communities established in the Middle East, North Africa, and India.

Historically, the Oriental Orthodox Churches believe they are direct descendants of the original Christian communities founded by the apostles and early missionaries. Their traditions assert that they preserve the true teachings of Christ and the apostles, unaltered by later theological debates and schisms. The division that created the Oriental Orthodox communion was primarily due to doctrinal disagreements at the Council of Chalcedon, particularly over the nature of Christ. The Oriental Orthodox Churches rejected the Chalcedonian definition, adhering instead to Miaphysitism, which emphasizes the united divine and human nature of Christ.

Theological Foundations of the Oriental Orthodox Church

The core theological stance of the Oriental Orthodox Churches centers around the understanding of Christ's nature. They uphold the doctrine of Miaphysitism, which states that Jesus Christ has one united nature—both divine and human—without separation, confusion, or division. This stands in contrast to the Chalcedonian Definition, which describes Christ as having two distinct natures, divine and human, in one person.

Key theological points include:

• Christology: Emphasis on the united divine and human nature of Christ, as expressed in the phrase "One Nature of Christ" (Miaphysitism).
• Church Authority: Respect for the authority of the early ecumenical councils, especially the first three (Nicaea, Constantinople, and Ephesus), which they regard as authoritative.
• Tradition: A strong reliance on early church fathers and liturgical traditions passed down through the centuries.

The theological distinctiveness of the Oriental Orthodox Church has helped preserve its unique identity and continuity with the early church, leading many to view it as a direct link to the apostolic era.

Historical Challenges and Schisms

Over the centuries, the Oriental Orthodox Churches faced numerous challenges, including political upheavals, Islamic conquests, colonial influences, and internal doctrinal debates. Despite these challenges, they maintained their doctrines and traditions, often in relative isolation from the broader Catholic and Eastern Orthodox communities.

The major schism occurred after the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, which they rejected. This disagreement led to the formal separation from what is now the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. While this division created a lasting split, it also allowed the Oriental Orthodox Churches to preserve their distinct theological and liturgical practices.

In the modern era, efforts have been made towards ecumenical dialogue and understanding among Christian traditions, emphasizing shared beliefs and mutual respect despite doctrinal differences.

Is the Oriental Orthodox Church the First Church?

The assertion that the Oriental Orthodox Church is the "first church" depends heavily on how one defines "first." If we consider the earliest Christian communities established immediately after Jesus' resurrection, then the Oriental Orthodox Churches, as heirs of these early communities, can trace their spiritual and doctrinal roots directly back to the apostles.

Historical evidence suggests that the Christian faith spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire, Persia, Armenia, Egypt, and India within a few decades after Christ's resurrection. The churches in Egypt (Coptic), Armenia, Syria, Ethiopia, and India all claim apostolic origins, often citing direct links to the apostles or their immediate disciples.

For example, the Armenian Apostolic Church claims to have been established by the apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus. The Coptic Church traces its origins to Saint Mark the Evangelist, who is believed to have brought Christianity to Egypt in the first century.

Therefore, many believers and scholars consider the Oriental Orthodox churches as some of the earliest continuous Christian communities, maintaining traditions dating back nearly two millennia. In this sense, they can be viewed as among the "first" churches, especially in terms of their unbroken apostolic succession and longstanding faithfulness to early Christian doctrine.

Exploring the Bible

The Bible provides foundational support for understanding the origins and continuity of the early church. Several verses highlight the importance of apostolic succession, unity, and early Christian doctrine, which are core to the identity of the Oriental Orthodox Church.

• Acts 2:42: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
• This verse emphasizes the early Christians’ commitment to apostolic teaching, which the Oriental Orthodox Churches consider as their spiritual inheritance.
• 2 Timothy 1:13-14: "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."
• Highlights the importance of preserving apostolic doctrine, a principle central to the continuity of the early church traditions.
• John 17:20-21: "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you."
• Speaks to the unity of believers, which the Oriental Orthodox churches seek to uphold through their doctrinal consistency and liturgical unity.

These verses reinforce the idea that early Christian communities cherished the teachings of the apostles and sought to preserve them faithfully—a principle that the Oriental Orthodox Churches uphold as part of their spiritual heritage.

Conclusion

The question of whether the Oriental Orthodox Church is the first church hinges on perspectives related to apostolic succession, historical continuity, and theological doctrine. From a historical standpoint, many of its member churches trace their origins directly to the apostles and the earliest Christian communities established shortly after Jesus' resurrection. Their unwavering commitment to preserving the doctrines, liturgy, and traditions of the early church positions them as some of the oldest living Christian traditions.

While the division stemming from the Council of Chalcedon created a schism, it does not diminish the fact that the Oriental Orthodox Churches see themselves as the authentic heirs of the original Christian faith. Their rich history, theological consistency, and apostolic roots support the view that they embody a significant part of the earliest Christian church.

Ultimately, whether one considers the Oriental Orthodox Church as the "first" may depend on the criteria used—be it historical continuity, doctrinal fidelity, or spiritual heritage. What remains clear is that the Oriental Orthodox Churches hold a venerable place in the history of Christianity, serving as a living link to the faith and practices of the earliest followers of Christ.

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