Alaska became the 49th state on January 3, 1959. At the start of the 18th c., the Russian Empire began colonization of the region, introducing the Russian government while preserving the Alaskan Creole population and culture. In 1867, Russia came to the conclusion that the distance to Russia made it an economically unsound venture to maintain control. Therefore, Alaska was sold to the United States for $7.2 million. It was finally organized as a U.S. territory on May 11, 1912.
Sitka was our first Alaskan port. It is a city on the west side of Baranof Island and the south half of Chichagof Island. Originally inhabited by the Tlingit people, they were “evangelized” by the Russian Orthodox church. Missionaries from the church were the first to develop a written version of the Tligit language as well as giving them a Bible in their own language.
While in Sitka, we saw the old Russian Orthodox Church which is still in operation today. We were able to tour the church and read some of the things written and displayed. The church is very liturgical and steeped in tradition.
In the middle of the sanctuary are the “Royal Doors.” They are holy doors and are considered the portal to the sanctuary. Only ordained clergy and only at certain times may enter the doors.
Historically, the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church were united until the 11th c. when a rupture occurred due to the growing authority invested in the Pope. Despite the separation, the Orthodox Church has maintained much of its Catholic roots, including the celebration of seven sacraments, veneration of the saints, a belief that they are the one, true church, and a salvation merited by faith and good works.
As you walk through the church, everything is old – Old World old. It’s a step back in time with little changed through the years. Many years ago, a fire broke out in the old church. Parishioners risked their lives passing the relics out the door in a kind of reverse bucket brigade. Bells and a couple of others items were destroyed by the fire. The disfigured metal was melted down and remade in the form of the original. The most modern thing in the entire building were the music stands where the instrumentalists lead a liturgy.
When you walk in, you are hit with the smell of beeswax candles burning. Candles are lit at each icon station of worship. More candles are available for purchase, presumably to be lit and placed in the various holders. The candles are typically in a place of veneration, depicted by a picture of a Bible character they’ve deemed a saint. A story placard is under each picture, telling both Biblical and extra-Biblical legends concerning the saint.
Walking out of the church, you couldn’t help but feel a sadness for the many deceived religious individuals. Week after week, they pay their tithe, attend to their church duties, do good works, and say their prayers in hopes that salvation will be granted. Based on the Word of God, their sincerity is sincerely wrong.
Preaching that Gods’ Word teaches one plan of salvation and that that plan gives us eternal security, assurance, and hope has resulted in the accusations that we are arrogant. However, such belief isn’t arrogance and it’s not Baptistic. It’s Bible.
Jesus clearly said in John 14:6, “… I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” That means there is only one plan of salvation and it is Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.” God’s plan doesn’t involve any human effort whatsoever. Salvation is an act of grace.
And in 1 John 5:13, we read, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” And, Hebrews 10:22 says, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” God wants us to have assurance of our salvation.
It’s not just the Russian Orthodox Church that teaches a false gospel. Many others do as well. I know that to say such a thing is deemed judgmental by some. But should we just swallow our tongue and silence our voices while people are dying and going to an eternal hell, believing that their religion is going to get them there?
As we deal with people in our own community who have beliefs that do not align with the Bible’s plan of salvation, pray that God would give us a kindness and gentleness to speak God’s truth in love and in an effectual way.
Take a page out of the Apostle Paul’s playbook when he was dealing with the idol worshippers at Mars’ Hill. He took their beliefs and without ridiculing them, used them as a means to present the Gospel and the true God.
“Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. (23) For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” (Acts 17:22-23)
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