What does your church think about “Faith only”? Some Protestants teaches it but I’ve read this: Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works
My church believes in salvation by grace alone through faith alone.
From the Defense of the Augsburg Confession:
117] Thus far, in order that the subject might be made quite clear, we have shown with sufficient fulness, both from testimonies of Scripture, and arguments derived from Scripture, that by faith alone we obtain the remission of sins for Christ’s sake, and that by faith alone we are justified, i.e., of unrighteous men made righteous, or regenerated. 118] But how necessary the knowledge of this faith is, can be easily judged, because in this alone the office of Christ is recognized, by this alone we receive the benefits of Christ; this alone brings sure and firm 119] consolation to pious minds. And in the Church [if there is to be a church, if there is to be a Christian Creed] it is necessary that there should be the [preaching and] doctrine [by which consciences are not made to rely on a dream or to build on a foundation of sand, but] from which the pious may receive the sure hope of salvation.
bookofconcord.org/defense_4_justification.php#para117
:compcoff: When the bible states “works”, it refers to deeds; any physical or verbal action.
Here are my 3 definitions of good works, hopefully they’re in tune with the Vatican’s official definition.
[LIST=1]
*]Any physical action that is done as a result of Christian charity.
*]Any charitable act that is done in accordance with the dictations of the human conscience.
*]A visible manifestation of Faith.
Based off of these definitions, I’ll say that Christ performed a multitude of good works throughout his earthly life, so much that not all of it can be recorded. John 21:24-25
@House Harkonnen
Since good works are visible manifestations of faith, I’d say that they visibly reveal our faith, which would otherwise be unseen.
And our faith is not supposed to be unseen, as Christ states in Matthew 5:14-16.
The Anglican preaching which I have heard on the subject has always gone via James 2 and Matthew 25: our faith is realised in works. That said, I would still say that salvation occurs by Grace alone, not by some legalised system in which we can earn enough points for entry.
In the Baha’i Faith, Faith must be based on Reason and Action
God Bless and Regards Tony
We are justified by faith alone, but justifying faith is never alone.
The Church of England’s official teaching on the matter can be found in Article XI of the Thirty Nine Articles of Religion, Of the Justification of Man, which states,
We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by Faith only, is a most wholesome Doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification.
I think that people have troubles separating the words faith and belief, there’s a difference.
To believe Christ died/resurrected is one thing, to have faith that He will guide your steps is another thing. There’s a difference between Christians who sit at home and say “I have faith because God hears my prayers” and the Christian who has so much faith to go to other countries and preach His name. In fact, Jesus taught us that perfection was giving away everything and following Him.
Now, if Jesus commanded that we be perfect, that our righteousness exceeds that of the pharisees, that we should give away everything, then perhaps Jesus’s question “when the Son of man returns will He find faith?” is a very valid one.
My point is that us in North America are a faithless group. We live in the world and act as the world acts. But there are underground Churches in China, there are people dying for their faith in the middle east, because to them faith isn’t a belief, it’s a work.
I work 9-5 some days never telling anyone about my savior, because some days my faith is lacking. If I had more faith I would be where Christ needs me. Instead I’m in my comfort zone where my works are lacking; because I just don’t have enough faith to give away everything, take no sandals or food and follow Him.
As stated rather emphatically in the Book of James: “Faith without works is dead.” If there are no works present, then there is no faith. We are saved by faith alone and good works are evidence of true saving faith.