By grace alone through faith alone - why this is true and we should not fight this. Advice from Pope Benedict

[TaylorDonBarret]

That means, if you quit confessing Jesus is Lord, the conclusion is you will not be saved.

What do you mean by this?

Are you simply saying that a person can lose their salvation if they turn their back on the Lord? If so, of course that is true.

But if you are trying to say that the external action of confessing Jesus is Lord with one’'s mouth is an absolute requirement for salvation… then that of course if absolutely false.

All that is required is that we believe in our hearts.

 

[James248]

What do you mean by this?

Are you simply saying that a person can lose their salvation if they turn their back on the Lord? If so, of course that is true.

But if you are trying to say that the external action of confessing Jesus is Lord with one’'s mouth is an absolute requirement for salvation… then that of course if absolutely false.

All that is required is that we believe in our hearts.

You’re doing Scripture a disservice when you say all that God requires is belief.

 

[mackbrislawn]

What do you mean by this?

Are you simply saying that a person can lose their salvation if they turn their back on the Lord? If so, of course that is true.

But if you are trying to say that the external action of confessing Jesus is Lord with one’'s mouth is an absolute requirement for salvation… then that of course if absolutely false.

All that is required is that we believe in our hearts.

Simple. According to scripture, if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

But, conversely, it necessarily follows therefore, if you do not confess Jesus is Lord, you will not be saved.

This means that if at one time you did believe and confess, but if at a later time you cease confessing, you will not be saved. Your salvation is lost. The early Christians apparently took this seriously, because they would rather be thrown to the lions than cease confessing Jesus as Lord. However, some did cease confessing Jesus, and the New Testament refers to these as “cowardly.”

 

[mackbrislawn]

You’re doing Scripture a disservice when you say all that God requires is belief.

Indeed. Because according to scripture, whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments, is a liar.

And we know what scripture says about liars.

 

[tgGodsway]

Intellectual ascent issue in response to James.

Looking at James’s imaginary objector in verse 19, which words were you looking at that brought you to the conclusion that this was some kind of mental ascent? James invents someone to argue against himself when he said, “But someone will say… v18” v19 You believe that God is one, you do well." What part of the word believe suggest mental ascent? It’s Greek counter-part is the same word used in John 3:16. To Trust, to entrust, to have faith; to believe. The idea of “mental ascent” is still outside the scripture. It is not an idea extracted from the passage itself. Therefore the (outside) idea could not be what the author intended. It is a pop-psychology’s answer to explain the text.

But what does the objector’s argument mean? … Since most Greek manuscripts read the word “by” in place of the familiar word “without” in verse 18 the objector’s statement may be given as follows; But someone will say: You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith from your works, and I will show you, from my works, my faith. You believe that there is one God; you do well. The demons also believe, and tremble" James. 2:18,19

The argument which these words express appears to be a reductio ad absurdum (a reduction to absurdity.) It is heavy with irony. It is absurd, says the objector, to see a close connection between faith and works. For the sake of argument, let’s say you have faith and I have works. Let’s start there. You can no more start with what you believe and show it to me in your works, than I can start with my works and demonstrate what it is that I believe. The objector is confident that both tasks are impossible. The impossibility of showing one’s faith from one’s works is now demonstrated (so the objector thinks) by his two-fold illustration: "men and demons both believe the same truth that there is only one God, but their faith does not produce the same response. Although this doctrine of faith may move a man to do well, it never moves the demons to do well. All they can do is tremble. Faith and works, therefore have no built in connection at all, says the objector. James at this point returns to his argument (without buying-in) to insist that good works justifies. I think he’s right. good works do justify, but not before God. (Rom. 4:2)

There is no need to impose any idea that the belief is anything less than belief in verse 18
Modern translators would like to add ideas the author never intended, as a way to explain what some would think is a contradiction in James.

 

[johnnyc176]

Looking to Christ is something you do. It’s a work.
Entrusting yourself to Christ is something you do. It’s a work.
Being united to Christ is something you do. It’s a work.
Being conformed to Christ is something you do. It’s a work.

Faith IS a work, it’s something you do.

But it’s not a work of the Law.

Yes…something Pope Pius XII wrote in Mediator Dei…

It is unquestionably the fundamental duty of man to orientate his person and his life towards God.

And here he quotes St. Thomas Aquinas…

For He it is to whom we must first be bound, as to an unfailing principle; to whom even our **free choice **must be directed as to an ultimate objective. It is He, too, whom we lose when carelessly we sin. It is He whom we must recover by our faith and trust.

 

[johnnyc176]

Indeed. Because according to scripture, whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments, is a liar.

And we know what scripture says about liars.

Yes.

And according to Jesus himself…if you love me you will keep my commandments.

 

[tgGodsway]

Yes…something Pope Pius XII wrote in Mediator Dei…

And here he quotes St. Thomas Aquinas…

Faith is not a work! One’s faith may result in good works but much like the Apostle Paul, who insisted that one is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law, faith alone is a real concept to contend with. see Rom. 3:28.

We cannot ignore one part of scripture while parading about in another. James and Paul had complete agreement on this fact.

But James has been miss-read and miss represented. Scripture should interpret scripture at all times without any contradiction. And I believe it does here. All the bible scholars of the world cannot change what has been a settled matter for over 2 thousand years.

 

[johnnyc176]

Faith is not a work! One’s faith may result in good works but much like the Apostle Paul, who insisted that one is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law, faith alone is a real concept to contend with. see Rom. 3:28.

We cannot ignore one part of scripture while parading about in another. James and Paul had complete agreement on this fact.

But James has been miss-read and miss represented. Scripture should interpret scripture at all times without any contradiction. And I believe it does here. All the bible scholars of the world cannot change what has been a settled matter for over 2 thousand years.

The works of the law St. Paul is referring to is the Mosaic Law. For he also says…

For he will render to every man according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury.

 

[James248]

Faith is not a work! One’s faith may result in good works but much like the Apostle Paul, who insisted that one is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law, faith alone is a real concept to contend with. see Rom. 3:28.

We cannot ignore one part of scripture while parading about in another. James and Paul had complete agreement on this fact.

But James has been miss-read and miss represented. Scripture should interpret scripture at all times without any contradiction. And I believe it does here. All the bible scholars of the world cannot change what has been a settled matter for over 2 thousand years.

According to James, one’s good works perfect his faith. It was the same with Abraham.

“Seest thou how Abraham’s deeds worked together with his faith, and by his deeds his faith was perfected?”

And, as another poster mentioned Paul is talking about the works of the Law of Moses, while James is talking about the Law of freedom, the Law of Christ. Paul says in Romans 2:13 that those who do the law will be justified. Sounds like Paul and James are both works justify along with faith.

Faith is an act as well as a gift.

A tightrope walker was talking to a regular guy. “Bet you can’t walk that tightrope,” the regular guy said. “Okay,” the tightrope walker replied. And he walked across the tightrope with ease. “Okay,” the embarrassed guy replied. “You can walk the tightrope.” “Well then,” the tightrope walker said, “get on the tightrope with me.”

Faith isn’t just believing God can walk that tightrope: it’s walking that tightrope with God.

 

[TaylorDonBarret]

You’re doing Scripture a disservice when you say all that God requires is belief.

Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
(ACTS 16:30-31)

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word.The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
(ACTS 10:44-48)

“if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.”
(ROM 10:9-10)

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
(1 JOHN 5:1-5)

Simple. According to scripture, if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

But, conversely, it necessarily follows therefore, if you do not confess Jesus is Lord, you will not be saved.

This means that if at one time you did believe and confess, but if at a later time you cease confessing, you will not be saved. Your salvation is lost. The early Christians apparently took this seriously, because they would rather be thrown to the lions than cease confessing Jesus as Lord. However, some did cease confessing Jesus, and the New Testament refers to these as “cowardly.”

You are correct. However, the issue of losing your salvation is almost entirely irrelevant. We are talking about justification by faith.

The works of the law St. Paul is referring to is the Mosaic Law.

And the Mosaic Law is the Law of God, including not only ceremonial laws, but morals laws as well. The problem is this: “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” No one can be justified by obedience, because no one actually has any real obedience. We are all sinners. So our problem cannot be solved through obedience. St. Paul presents a solution: simply believe in Christ and receive His offer of eternal life. Once you do that, He will regenerate you and work love and good things into you. The good works which follow will indeed follow. But they are not what gets you in the door. They are what happens once you are already inside.

Faith isn’t just believing God can walk that tightrope: it’s walking that tightrope with God.

You’re getting closer.

 

[James248]

Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
(ACTS 16:30-31)

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word.The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
(ACTS 10:44-48)

“if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.”
(ROM 10:9-10)

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
(1 JOHN 5:1-5)

None of those verses say faith alone.

The next two verses say that Paul and Silas speak the word of God to the jailer and then they get baptized. Christ says, “He who believes AND is baptized will be saved.”

Peter still orders them to be baptized. No contradiction here.

Confession with one’s mouth is a work. Paul literally says "One confesses with the mouth and is saved.

Christ is the author of salvation UNTO THEY THAT OBEY HIM. You’re greatly misled.

And the Mosaic Law is the Law of God, including not only ceremonial laws, but morals laws as well. The problem is this: “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” No one can be justified by obedience, because no one actually has any real obedience. We are all sinners. So our problem cannot be solved through obedience. St. Paul presents a solution: simply believe in Christ and receive His offer of eternal life. Once you do that, He will regenerate you and work love and good things into you. The good works which follow will indeed follow. But they are not what gets you in the door. They are what happens once you are already inside.

Here’s this for you:

taylormarshall.com/2013/10/paul-mean-by-faith-and-works-of-the-law.html

You’re getting closer.

I’m already there.

 

[Cathoholic]

tgGodsway:

I agree that the term “faith alone” is not biblical, but the concept is. The idea is that through the operation of faith in the message of Christ, one is born of God. 1st. Peter 1:23
This spiritual birth is the entrance to eternal life. John 3:16

tgGodsway. I’m not sure how you get the “concept” of justification by faith ALONE, by appealing to verses that concern baptism or being re-birthed by water and the Spirit.

Please clarify.

I see faith here in baptism. And I see salvation in Baptism. So far so good.

What I do not see is faith ALONE.

JOHN 3:3, 5, 14-15, 19-22 (NIV) 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” . . . 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. . . . 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. . . . 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. 22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.

I also see in John 3, that those baptized “MAY” have eternal life. And I affirm that too.

You also appealed to being born again in 1st Peter (but that doesn’t teach justification by faith alone either).

1st PETER 1:22-25 (NIV) 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.

And I agree with those that OBEY, and be baptized, have purified themslves through being born again (as St. John’s Gospel says) . . . of “water and the Spirit”.

And I agree faith is part of this.

I just don’t see where you derive faith ALONE?

These verses talk of the moment of salvation.

But then comes the lifelong process too.

Baptism is not the end all and be all of the Christian life (unless you die immediately after baptism).

Baptism is the “gateway” or entrance ramp to the Christian life as the CCC 1213 says.

CCC 1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”

 

[Cathoholic]

TaylorDonBarret.

Why appeal to a verse that explicitly says you need to "“confess with your lips” concerning Jesus to attempt to posit justification by faith ALONE?

TaylorDonBarret (quoting Romans 10 with emphasis mine):

“if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord AND believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.”
(ROM 10:9-10)

So is this justification by “confessing with your lips” AND faith now? . . . OR . . .

Or is the “confessing with your lips” . . . .optional, but the portions of the verses that discusses belief required?? . . . OR . . .

Or are you trying to say something else?

You also appealed to Acts 16 (again emphasis mine).

Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
(ACTS 16:30-31)

So according to you, my “household” doesn’t need faith?

Because if we take this “ALONE” than my faith saves my “household” too.

Or do you think there is MORE to this?

The fact is, none of the verses you appealed to, teach justification by faith ALONE.

Justification by faith ALONE, is a tradition of men that makes void the word of God.

 

[Cathoholic]

TaylorDonBarret.

Why appeal to Acts 10:44-48 (here) to pretend the Bible teaches justification by faith ALONE (when the passage never says that) and ignore Acts 10:1-4?

TaylorDonBarret:

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word.The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
(ACTS 10:44-48)

More of Acts 10 (significant parts that you ignored) . . . .

ACTS 10:1-4 1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms liberally to the people, and prayed constantly to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror, and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

And why try to use Acts 10 for support for justification by faith ALONE, when even the words “faith” or “belief” are not even in Acts 10 . . . anywhere!?

Here is what is NOT said . . . .

NOT ACTS 10:1-4 but a phantom verse 1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms liberally to the people, and prayed constantly to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror, and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, "Your faith and your belief have ascended as a memorial before God.

I agree “faith” and “belief” is implicit here, and I am not denying the need for “faith” in Acts 10.

It just strikes me as odd to use these passages to try to put forth justification by faith ALONE.

It doesn’t make sense.

This is the shenanigans we can fall into when we follow after traditions of men such as justification by faith ALONE.

Why not just assert what the Church teaches? You list yourself as “Catholic”.

You need to look at ALL the verses on salvation and harmonize them ALL.

Justification by faith ALONE doesn’t do that.

 

[TaylorDonBarret]

TaylorDonBarret.
Why appeal to a verse that explicitly says you need to ""confess with your lips"cconcerning Jesus to attempt to posit justification by faith ALONE?

Lets say a person, on their death bed, hears the Gospel preached. Someone tells them that Jesus loves them and died for their sins so that they could be forgiven. In that moment, they believe in Jesus in their heart. But, due to their circumstances, they do not have the chance to confess their faith with their mouth. What do you think? Were they justified or not?

TaylorDonBarret.

Why appeal to Acts 10:44-48 (here) to pretend the Bible teaches justification by faith ALONE (when the passage never says that) and ignore Acts 10:1-4?

At what moment did Cornelius receive The Holy Spirit?

 

[tgGodsway]

tgGodsway:

tgGodsway. I’m not sure how you get the “concept” of justification by faith ALONE, by appealing to verses that concern baptism or being re-birthed by water and the Spirit.

Please clarify.

I see faith here in baptism. And I see salvation in Baptism. So far so good.

What I do not see is faith ALONE.

tgGodsway here: Justification is a legal term with legal meaning. That legal meaning as applied to salvation results in eternal life through new birth. But if you need the specific word itself you can see it in Paul’s teaching to the Church at Rome. He said, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law, Rom 3:28 He goes on to say in 4:5, “But to him who does not WORK but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.”

There is the concept of justification WITHOUT works. it is a faith alone concept.
talk later, got to go to work, bye

JOHN 3:3, 5, 14-15, 19-22 (NIV) 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” . . . 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. . . . 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. . . . 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. 22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.

I also see in John 3, that those baptized “MAY” have eternal life. And I affirm that too.

You also appealed to being born again in 1st Peter (but that doesn’t teach justification by faith alone either).

1st PETER 1:22-25 (NIV) 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.

And I agree with those that OBEY, and be baptized, have purified themslves through being born again (as St. John’s Gospel says) . . . of “water and the Spirit”.

And I agree faith is part of this.

I just don’t see where you derive faith ALONE?

These verses talk of the moment of salvation.

But then comes the lifelong process too.

Baptism is not the end all and be all of the Christian life (unless you die immediately after baptism).

Baptism is the “gateway” or entrance ramp to the Christian life as the CCC 1213 says.

CCC 1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”

 

[James248]

You could say faith alone in initial justification. But after, it’s faith AND works. James 2:24 and Romans 2:13 both say doing good justifies you.

 

[Cathoholic]

TaylorDonBarret.

James248 said to you that you were . . . “You’re doing Scripture a disservice when you say all that God requires is belief.” (Here)

Your response?

In post 91, you appealed to Acts 10:44-48 (among other verses) to apparently try to show “all that God requires IS belief” or justification by faith ALONE.

I pointed out to you (here) that this passage does not teach justification by faith alone. I also said that this passage you were alluding to, to attempt to defend justification by faith ALONE, doesn’t even mention the word “belief” or “faith” anywhere (yet you are trying to say it teaches justification by FAITH alone).

I also mentioned that the larger context of the very passage you appealed to (but neglected to cite the salient portion of), DOES talk about Cornelius’ prayer and alms giving. Yet you didn’t even mention that.

Your response? (here)

At what moment did Cornelius receive The Holy Spirit?

What “moment” Cornelius received the Holy Spirit is totally irrelevant concerning if he received the Holy Spirit associated with faith ALONE or if Cornelius received the Holy Spirit associated with prayer (which implies some faith to be sure) and alms giving (which is what the passage suggests).

It doesn’t matter what moment Cornelius received the Holy Spirit because irrespective of the moment, the passage says nothing about being justified by faith ALONE.

You CAN make a circular argument here but that won’t be persuasive.

(“He received the Holy Spirit, because of his faith alone.” How do you know? “Because he was praying.”

But the passage never says faith “alone” and he was ALSO alms giving.

“But he got the Holy Spirit only from his faith.” How do you know?

“Because he was praying.”

Well what about his alms giving?

“He received the Holy Spirit from his faith alone.” How do you know?

“Because he was praying.”)

---

I’m pretty sure I have an idea of what you are attempting to do with that question. Downplay the necessity of Baptism. But it won’t work. The passage actually affirms the necessity of Baptism but I am not going to defend that (yet).

I am not going to let you change the goalposts from you alleging Acts 10 teaching justification by faith ALONE, to Baptism (allegedly) not playing a role in the salvation of Cornelius.

What you are attempting to employ here is called the fallacy of equivocation and I am not going to abide by it.

You used Acts 10, to try to teach justification by faith ALONE.

Now I want to see you defend Acts 10 teaching justification by faith ALONE.

It isn’t going to happen (because Acts 10 does not teach justification by faith ALONE (nor does ANY verse in Scripture).

So you can either admit that Acts 10 does not teach justification by faith alone . . . .or . . .

. . . . Or . . . . Attempt to show where Acts 10 TEACHES justification by faith ALONE (a big order indeed with the whole chapter no9t even mentioning the word “faith”).

THEN if you want we can discuss WHY Cornelius had his reception of the Holy Spirit and Baptism in a different order than you or I (there is a very good reason for this, but I am not going to chase down this aspect until you address your objection to James248).

 

[OrosiRiley]

The Pope made another critical statement that you omitted –
“Paul knows that in the twofold love of God and neighbour the whole of the Law is present and carried out. Thus in communion with Christ, in a faith that creates charity, the entire Law is fulfilled.”

The law was fulfilled by our Lord and Savior. Christ he was the perfect lamb of God, a pure blood sacrifice unblemished by sin. I’m an Catholic Augustinian and our justification is by grace alone which creates good works and the last thing we want to do is sin. For those that think sin is fun, try holiness. Living and working for Christ is the most wonderful life.