This is a mirror of "Coptic Orthodox Church Of Egypt Leads To Hell" by Darwin Fish. i
Today [as of the writing of this document in 1992 A.D.], there are over 9 million Copts (out of a population of some 57 million Egyptians) who pray and share communion in daily masses in thousands of Coptic Churches in Egypt. This is in addition to another 1.2 million emmigrant Copts who practice their faith in hundreds of churches in the United States, Canada, Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Holland, Brazil, and many other countries in Africa and Asia. ii
In accordance with the quote above, and what will be exposed in this article, millions of people are being led to hell through the deceit of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Why are people being led to hell through this "orthodox" church? For just a few examples, it is because Copts teach.
I. Doctrines Of Demons
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. iii
Unlike the Roman Catholic priests, Coptic priests "must be married," iv but their bishops and Pope must be celibate monks.
Both the Pope and the Bishops must be monks; iv
Monks are those who live a celibate life, as one Copt, speaking of the history of this decree, writes,
By decrees later on, it came to be required of bishops and of the higher order in general, that they should live in celibacy. This was after the compilation of the Apostolic Canons and of the Constitutions. v
In other words, the Coptic church forbids marriage for their Pope and bishops. According to 1 Timothy 4:1-3 this is in accord with the doctrines of demons.
Likewise, in keeping with deceiving spirits, iii Copts command abstinence from foods several times a year.
The Copts have seasons of fasting matched by no other Christian community. Out of the 365 days of the year, Copts fast for over 210 days. During fasting, no animal products (meat, poultry, fish, milk, eggs, butter, etc.) are allowed. Moreover, no food or drink whatsoever may be taken between sunrise and sunset. These strict fasting rules are usually relaxed by priests on an individual basis to accomodate for illness or weakness. Lent, known as "the Great Fast", is largely observed by all Copts. It starts with a pre-Lent fast of one week, followed by a 40-day fast commemorating Christ's fasting on the mountain, followed by the Holy week, the most sacred week (called Pascha) of the Coptic Calendar, which climaxes with the Crucifix on Good Friday and ends with the joyous Easter. Other fasting seasons of the Coptic Church include, the Advent (Fast of the Nativity), the Fast of the Apostles, the Fast of the Virgin Saint Mary, and the Fast of Nineveh. vi
Whether it is all the time, or some of the time, to command "to abstain from foods" is not godly. iii
II. A Demonic Virgin
When there are idols, there are demons, vii and this Virgin is an idol in the hearts of all Copts.
Among all Saints, the Virgin Saint Mary Theotokos occupies a special place in the heart of all Copts. viii
That "special place" is darkness. ix To begin with,
The Church believes in the perpetuality of the virginity of The Virgin. x
The Biblical Mary was indeed a virgin when Christ was born, xi but she did not stay in such a state. Joseph "did not know her till she [had] brought forth her firstborn Son," xii but after this, he did know her. This is evident by the fact that Jesus had physical brothers and sisters. xiii
Besides the perpetual virginity folly, Copts elevate their "Virgin Mary" to the place of the Messiah. They call their "Virgin Mary" the gate of life.
The gate of life, the gate of deliverance:
It was said about our Lady the Virgin in the book of Ezechiel: "As for the prince, because he is the prince, he may sit in it to eat bread before the Lord; he shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gateway, and go out the same way" (Ez. 44:3).
Since the Lord is the Life, then she is the gate of the Life. The Lord said: "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25). That is why the Virgin is the gate of the Life, that gate out of which the Lord came out, granting life to all those who believe in Him...... xiv
Jesus is the gate, xv not Mary.
With the exaltation of Mary to be on par with the Son of God, it is no wonder the Copts pray to her. Prayer is a form of worship. Biblically, it is either wrongly used in the worship of false gods xvi or rightly used in the worship of the one true God. xvii Copts reveal their idolatry when they pray to Mary. In his book, xviii The Holy Virgin St. Mary, the Coptic Pope prays,
Intercede for us, O saint Virgin, in order that the Lord would include us in His mercy. xix
1 Timothy 2:5 says there is "one Mediator between God and men," not two or more. It is Christ who,
is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. xx
Our intercessor is Christ. Our Advocate is Christ. xxi He is how we are included into God's mercy. xxii Any other way, xxiii any faulty addition to this truth, xxiv is another gospel, xxv and a road that leads to hell. xxvi The Pope should be cursed for promoting such deceit. xxv
If the above was not sickening enough, and if there was any question as to the worship of this "Virgin Mary," note the following Coptic prayer to their demonic "Virgin."
Hail to you! We ask you, O saint, full of glory, the ever-virgin, the mother of God the Christ, to lift up our prayers to your beloved son that He may forgive us our sins. Hail to her, the Saint, the Virgin, who gave birth to the True Light, Christ Our Lord; ask the Lord to have mercy on us and forgive us our sins. O Virgin Mary, Mother of God, the faithful intercessor of human beings, intercede for us before Christ to whom you gave birth, that He forgive us our sins. Hail to you, O virgin, the true queen. Hail to her who is the pride of our race, who gave birth to Emmanuel. We ask you to remember us, O faithful intercessor, before our Lord, Jesus Christ, that He forgive us our sins. xxvii
When there are idols, xxviii there are demons. vii And when this is understood, then the "appearances" of this "Virgin" can also be discerned as demonic.
Among all Saints, the Virgin Saint Mary (Theotokos) [mother of God] occupies a special place in the heart of all Copts. Her repeated daily appearances in a small Church in Elzaytoun district of Cairo for over a month in April of 1968 was witnessed by thousands of Egyptians, both Copts and Muslims and was even broadcast on International TV. viii
This Coptic web site xxix carries with it two photographs of a glowing human like figure above a church in support of the statement above. Scripture says,
Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness. xxx
III. Ecumenism
Ecumenism ensures people will "not receive the love of the truth" that they might be damned. xxxi It deceitfully instills in the hearts of the simple xxxii an intolerance for intolerance. In ecumenism, fighting xxxiii over every truth of the Bible is viewed as a vice, and tolerating false doctrine is viewed as a virtue. xxxiv Unity is maintained despite doctrinal differences. Those who practice ecumenism xxxv do not love, nor do they obey, Jesus Christ, the Truth, xxxvi the Word of God. xxxvii
The Coptic church is clearly ecumenical.
The Coptic Church is one of the founders of the World Council of Churches. It has remained a member of that council since 1948 A.D. xxxviii
Being a founder and member of the World Council of Churches marks the Coptic church as radically ecumenical.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is an international fellowship of Christian churches, built upon the foundation of encounter, dialogue and collaboration. The WCC was formed to serve and advance the ecumenical movement - . . . xxxix
WCC has a membership of "about 400 million Christians represented through more than 340 churches, denominations and fellowships in 120 countries and territories throughout the world." xl Anglican churches, Baptist churches, Catholic churches, Episcopal churches, Evangelical churches, Mennonite churches, Methodist churches, Lutheran churches, Orthodox churches, Presbyterian churches, Reformed churches, and so on xli are all in "fellowship" with each other through the ecumenical ties of the WCC. With such a diverse unity of churches and denominations, representing a myriad of theological differences, this "fellowship" or "unity" survives only because all parties involved tolerate each others doctrinal differences.
Contrary to this ecumenical practice, Scripture commands believers to be holy, xlii set apart from those who teach and/or live in error. xliii In this holy practice, the wisdom of God also dictates that Christians "hold fast" to the Word, xliv "contend earnestly for the faith," xlv "test all things," xlvi "note those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine," xlvii cast "down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God," xlviii and bring "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." xlviii Because,
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. xlix
We are instructed to "gird up the loins of [our] minds," l not loosen the loins of our minds. But, to loosen is exactly what the ecumenical movement demands. It requires "fellowship" li with those who are in error, who do not call upon the Lord with a pure heart. lii This kind of fellowship will destroy any soul who participates in it, because without holiness "no one will see the Lord." liii
IV. Pride
The Coptic church reveals their pride when they say,
Although fully integrated into the body of the modern Egyptian nation, the Copts have survived as a strong religious entity who pride themselves on their contribution to the Christian world. liv
Pride is not a virtue, but a vice, lv because,
Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord. lvi
The correct attitude would be,
So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, "We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do." lvii
By their own admission, Copts are proud in heart about "their contribution to the Christian world." Copts are not upright lviii and are in serious trouble, because,
The day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," says the Lord of hosts. lix
V. Perverted Confessions
Jesus said,
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. xxxvi
Copts attempt to come to the Father through their priest.
The priest is there to listen, to give advice and encouragement, and to monitor our progress in repentance. When you sit down next to your father of confession, forget your relationship to him and talk to him as if you were talking to God. Confess all kinds of sins: sins of deed, thought, or feelings. Be honest in your confession and remember you are really confessing to God through the priest. lx
A true Christian does go through a Priest, but it is no Coptic priest, it is Jesus the Son of God, our High Priest.
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. lxi
And where is this throne of grace? It is in the very presence of God.
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, . . . let us draw near with a true heart . . . lxii
Copts do not enter the Holiest, because they attempt to enter in and find grace lxiii through another way, a Coptic priest. But Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through Me." xxxvi Yet Copts believe,
After confession, you stand up and receive the absolution from God through the words of the priest. lxiv
Scripture says through Jesus. Copts say, "through the priest."
Copts are still lost in their sins, and until they turn from their deceit, they will stay in their sins; and if they never turn, they will spend forever in torment. lxv
Also of interest, the Copts have a false polygamy doctrine. They teach,
Polygamy is illegal, even if recognized by the civil law of the land. lxvi
Scripture makes no such assertion. xxiv See our report on Polygamy.
a true church, P. O. Box 130, Moodys, OK 74444
1-800-HOW-TRUE, www.atruechurch.info
- April 2002 ^
- www.coptic.net, 15th paragraph, hard copy on file ^
- 1 Timothy 4:1-3 ^ ^ ^
- www.coptic.net, 20th paragraph ^ ^
- www.studentgroups.ucla.edu/coptic/writings/frmarkosbook/priesthood.html, hard copy on file ^
- www.coptic.net, 19th paragraph ^
- Leviticus 17:7; Deuteronomy 32:17; 2 Chronicles 11:15; Psalm 106:37; 1 Corinthians 10:20-21; Revelation 9:20 ^ ^
- www.coptic.net, 18th paragraph ^ ^
- Matthew 6:22-23; Luke 11:34-35 ^
- The Holy Virgin St. Mary, by Pope Shenouda III, p. 11
www.saintmark.com/topics/pope/books/the_holy_virgin_st_mary.pdf, link no longer available, The Holy Virgin St. Mary, by Pope Shenouda III, p. 11, Editor: Orthodox Coptic Clerical College, Cairo, edition: 1999, hard copy on file. ^
- Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:34-35 ^
- Matthew 1:25 ^
- Matthew 12:46-49; 13:55-56; Mark 3:31-34; 6:3; Luke 8:19-21; John 2:12; 7:3-5, 10; Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5 ^
- ibid., p. 14-15 ^
- John 10:7, 9 NIV, "door" NKJV ^
- idols, e.g. Isaiah 44:17; 45:20 ^
- directly to Him, e.g. Psalm 17 ^
- pamphlet ^
- ibid., p. 20 ^
- Hebrews 7:25 ^
- 1 John 2:1 ^
- Romans 5:1-2 ^
- Psalm 119:104, 128 ^
- Proverbs 30:5-6 ^ ^
- Galatians 1:8-9 ^ ^
- Matthew 7:13-14 ^
- Intercession of the Most Holy Mother Of God, http://pharos.bu.edu/cn/prayers/TheotokosIntercessions.txt, link no longer available. Hard copy on file. ^
- as this Virgin Mary ^
- coptic.net ^
- 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 ^
- 2 Thessalonians 2:10 ^
- Romans 16:18 ^
- contending, Jude 3 ^
- Isaiah 5:20 ^
- and we have yet to meet another church that does not do so in some form ^
- John 14:6 ^ ^ ^
- John 1:1; Hebrews 4:12-13; Revelation 19:13 ^
- www.coptic.net, 9th paragraph, hard copy on file ^
- www.wcc-coe.org
www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/who/index-e.html, hard copy on file, underlining added ^
- www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/who/index-e.html ^
- www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/who/mch-e.html, hard copy on file ^
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:13-16 ^
- Romans 16:17; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:20-22; 3:1-5; Titus 3:9-12 ^
- 1 Corinthians 15:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Hebrews 3:6; 4:14; 10:23; 2 Timothy 1:13; Revelation 2:25; 3:11 ^
- Jude 3 ^
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21 ^
- Romans 16:17 ^
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ^ ^
- Matthew 4:4 ^
- 1 Peter 1:13 ^
- 2 Corinthians 6:14 ^
- 2 Timothy 2:22 ^
- Hebrews 12:14; For more on ecumenism, see the article Unity Of The Saints ^
- www.coptic.net, 3rd paragraph ^
- Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2 ^
- Proverbs 16:5; see also Proverbs 21:4 ^
- Luke 17:10 ^
- Habakkuk 2:4 ^
- Malachi 4:1; see also Isaiah 2:12 ^
- http://pharos.bu.edu/cn/lessons/Confession.txt, link no longer available. Hard copy on file, bold added ^
- Hebrews 4:14-16 ^
- Hebrews 10:19, 22 ^
- forgiveness ^
- ibid. ^
- Revelation 21:8 ^
- www.coptic.net, 16th paragraph ^
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