Do Sacraments Save?

[Mikel12]

Some one sent me this article and I dont know what to answer. Please help me! Iam a Catholic and can’t conteplate leaving my Church?

Are the sacraments necessary for salvation?

“The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation.” Pg. 292, #1129

What are the sacraments?:

“There are seven sacraments in the Church: Baptism, Confirmation or Chrismation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.” Pg. 289, #1113

These seven sacraments are nothing more than a series of good works. As we have already seen in previous chapters, the Bible states repeatedly that good works will never save anybody:

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight…” Romans 3:20

Here is what God thinks of our good works:

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…” Isaiah 64:6

Must one be a Catholic to be saved?

Since the sacraments are supposedly necessary for salvation, and since the sacraments are only available through the Catholic church, then obviously, one must be a faithful member of the Catholic church to be saved.

Though you will never hear a spokesperson for Catholicism admit it, this is exactly what this Catholic doctrine purports.

I ask you again, can you accept that everyone outside the Catholic church will burn forever in hell?

Traditions of men

Please understand, these sacraments, which the Catholic church contends are necessary for salvation, did not even come from God. They are man-made rules which have been handed down through generations.

So when you perform them, you are not obeying God, you are obeying the traditions of men.

One must wonder, under such conditions, if these sacraments are really necessary, or if the Catholic church is using man’s traditions to scare people into lifelong obedience to the church, under the threat of eternal damnation.

Salvation: through Christ or sacraments?

If sacraments are necessary for salvation, why does God’s Word proclaim the following?

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 20:31

Paul, the Apostle, delivered these sobering words on the subject:

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

Catholic friend: do you believe that good works like the sacraments are necessary for salvation? Do you consider it foolishness to believe that salvation can only be obtained through faith in Christ’ s work on the cross? If so, God’s Word warns that you will perish in hell.

When Jesus declared that salvation came only through Him, not only was He telling the truth, He was repeating what He heard from the Father:

“But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God…” John 8:40

To suggest that Jesus is wrong is to suggest that the Father is wrong, as well. Jesus goes on to explain why people refuse to believe His Words:

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

To accept this Catholic doctrine, you must refuse to hear God’s Words. Jesus said that if you can do this, then you are not of God.

Are you sure, beyond any shadow of a doubt, Roman Catholic friend, that you are of God?

Are you willing to turn your back on God’s Word to accept man’s words. If you can, you have reason for grave concern:

“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Some one sent me this article and I dont know what to answer. Please help me! Iam a Catholic and can’t conteplate leaving my Church?

Are the sacraments necessary for salvation?

“The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation.” Pg. 292, #1129

What are the sacraments?:

“There are seven sacraments in the Church: Baptism, Confirmation or Chrismation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.” Pg. 289, #1113

These seven sacraments are nothing more than a series of good works. As we have already seen in previous chapters, the Bible states repeatedly that good works will never save anybody:

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight…” Romans 3:20

Sacraments are instruments of salvation, Christ works through the Sacraments, Spiritual things through physical things. 1 Peter 3:20-21 as an example.

Those are the Seven Sacraments of the Church.

It is correct as Romans states, the Works of the old Jewish Law no longer apply in the New Covenant. Remember that when St. Paul talks about “Works of the Law” he is speaking of the Mosaic Law.

 

[Penitus]

God alone saves. He just chooses to do so through his sacraments.

 

[NotWorthy]

Was spittle needed to heal the man’s eyes? Did Jesus really need to make mud?

No, He didn’t. But He chose to. Just as He chose to give us the Sacraments as a channel of His Grace!!!

 

[LSK]

Brother Rich’s answer was just wonderful.

One of the most important things to remember is how to read Sacred Scripture. This is outlined in the Catechism, and is really the most intelligent way to read and meditate on the Divine Word. Once you recognize that the person who sent you this article is taking Sacred Scripture out of context and applying it incorrectly you will see that there is no relation between The Sacraments and ‘working our way into heaven’, which is a very common accusation against Catholics.

The Sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ. To be a Christian and not partake of the Sacraments is to be without the fullness of The Faith as Christ intended the Faith to be lived.

 

[gardenswithkids]

…To suggest that Jesus is wrong is to suggest that the Father is wrong, as well. …

The Sacraments were established by Jesus. Your friend is the one who is suggesting that Jesus was wrong. Here are the words of Jesus: Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.’”

This is what Peter did. Act 2:38 “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized everyone one of you for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holt Spirit.”

Here’s what James, another apostle, taught in James 2:14 & 17 “What does it profit, my bretheren if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him?..So faith by itself, if it has not works, is dead.” James 2:18 “…Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder.”

This person may believe he is following Jesus and the Bible, but he is not. Get a good Catholic Bible and a Catechism. The letter you recieved distorts what both the Bible and the Catholic Church teaches. If you choose to respond to it, be charitable.

 

[chris_molter]

I tend to think of the sacraments as the surgeon’s toolbox. Does a scalpel save lives? Does anasthetic? Clamps and forceps? No. But the good doctor uses the best tools for the job. This isn’t to say God cannot save us without the sacraments (unlike a doctor, who may not be able to without his tools), but God has chosen to use the sacraments as tools of salvation, for which we should be eternally grateful!

 

[Teflon93]

The gates of Heaven are narrow. The Sacraments help us to stay on the path between them.

 

[1ke]

Mikel,

Buy a Catechism and read it. Study your faith.

Are you so easily swayed by a “someone” who sends you emails with lies about the Catholic faith? Do you know so little about your Church’s teaching that you actually believe what this person wrote?

Use your intellect and study the Catholic faith. Pay no heed to people who pull bible quotes out of context to “prove” their point.

Study, study, study.

Do the Sacraments alone save? No. No one thing alone saves. The bible talks of faith. The bible talks of works. The bible talks of grace. The bible talks of Baptism. The bible talks of the Eucharist. The bible talks of all of these things in the context of salvation.

The Sacraments give us Grace. And, Grace is necessary for Salvation.

Study your faith, and press “delete” on your email.

 

[Linkowski]

Some one sent me this article and I dont know what to answer. Please help me! Iam a Catholic and can’t conteplate leaving my Church?

Are the sacraments necessary for salvation?

“The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation.” Pg. 292, #1129

What are the sacraments?:

“There are seven sacraments in the Church: Baptism, Confirmation or Chrismation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.” Pg. 289, #1113

These seven sacraments are nothing more than a series of good works. As we have already seen in previous chapters, the Bible states repeatedly that good works will never save anybody:

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight…” Romans 3:20

Here is what God thinks of our good works:

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…” Isaiah 64:6

Must one be a Catholic to be saved?

Since the sacraments are supposedly necessary for salvation, and since the sacraments are only available through the Catholic church, then obviously, one must be a faithful member of the Catholic church to be saved.

Though you will never hear a spokesperson for Catholicism admit it, this is exactly what this Catholic doctrine purports.

I ask you again, can you accept that everyone outside the Catholic church will burn forever in hell?

Traditions of men

Please understand, these sacraments, which the Catholic church contends are necessary for salvation, did not even come from God. They are man-made rules which have been handed down through generations.

So when you perform them, you are not obeying God, you are obeying the traditions of men.

One must wonder, under such conditions, if these sacraments are really necessary, or if the Catholic church is using man’s traditions to scare people into lifelong obedience to the church, under the threat of eternal damnation.

Salvation: through Christ or sacraments?

If sacraments are necessary for salvation, why does God’s Word proclaim the following?

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John 20:31

Paul, the Apostle, delivered these sobering words on the subject:

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

Catholic friend: do you believe that good works like the sacraments are necessary for salvation? Do you consider it foolishness to believe that salvation can only be obtained through faith in Christ’ s work on the cross? If so, God’s Word warns that you will perish in hell.

When Jesus declared that salvation came only through Him, not only was He telling the truth, He was repeating what He heard from the Father:

“But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God…” John 8:40

To suggest that Jesus is wrong is to suggest that the Father is wrong, as well. Jesus goes on to explain why people refuse to believe His Words:

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

To accept this Catholic doctrine, you must refuse to hear God’s Words. Jesus said that if you can do this, then you are not of God.

Are you sure, beyond any shadow of a doubt, Roman Catholic friend, that you are of God?

Are you willing to turn your back on God’s Word to accept man’s words. If you can, you have reason for grave concern:

“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29

Whenever you make anything an “OBLIGATION”, it is a law. When it is law, the Spirit is not at work. When I was baptized, I did it as a result of obedience through the Spirit…NOT because I was told that I had to do it and so I just followed it as a MEANS or BASIS of my justification. I did it BECAUSE of the Spirit working in me. Yes, it was commanded, but it must not be looked at as LAW (mosaic or non-mosaic). “Works (ritual) for grace” does not work.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

 

[Teflon93]

Whenever you make anything an “OBLIGATION”, it is a law. When it is law, the Spirit is not at work. When I was baptized, I did it as a result of obedience through the Spirit…NOT because I was told that I had to do it and so I just followed it as a MEANS or BASIS of my justification. I did it BECAUSE of the Spirit working in me. Yes, it was commanded, but it must not be looked at as LAW (mosaic or non-mosaic). “Works (ritual) for grace” does not work.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

So when Jesus told us to “keep the Commandments”, the Spirit was not at work?

 

[Linkowski]

So when Jesus told us to “keep the Commandments”, the Spirit was not at work?

There are two wrong ways to look at the commandments…

1. Rebellion
2. For use as a step-stool to find favor with God

When faith in Christ energized by the Spirit of God is awakened, the Spirit comes in and works in and through us to obey the commands given to us. Now, it is not looked at as law but we are now under the power of grace. Grace cannot work where LAW reigns. Anything made law excludes the Spirit. It breeds external conformance without the work of God in the heart. Whatever is not of faith is sin. That is why baptism requires faith and an appeal to God for a good conscience which babies cannot show…

1Pe 3:21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you–not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience–through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Col 2:11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;
12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Saving faith and baptism go hand in hand - but when you have one without the other, it is not of God…it is either looked upon as obligatory law (baptism without real God-given faith) or dead faith (faith without baptism).

The faith that we are speaking of is a repentent, committed, submissive reliance on Christ as Savior and Lord. His sacrifice is the means of my salvation…not the act of baptism. That is where you get into trouble. The ultimate example of this is Acts 10:43-48.

• Ac 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
  44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
  45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
  46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
  47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
  48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.*

 

[Teflon93]

There are two wrong ways to look at the commandments…

1. Rebellion
2. For use as a step-stool to find favor with God

When faith in Christ energized by the Spirit of God is awakened, the Spirit comes in and works in and through us to obey the commands given to us. Now, it is not looked at as law but we are now under the power of grace. Grace cannot work where LAW reigns. Anything made law excludes the Spirit. It breeds external conformance without the work of God in the heart. Whatever is not of faith is sin. That is why baptism requires faith and an appeal to God for a good conscience which babies cannot show…

1Pe 3:21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you–not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience–through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Col 2:11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;
12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Saving faith and baptism go hand in hand - but when you have one without the other, it is not of God…it is either looked upon as obligatory law (baptism without real God-given faith) or dead faith (faith without baptism).

Is keeping the Commandments optional or obligatory for Christians?

 

[Genesis315]

Do they “save?” God saves through them.

Some examples:

1 Peter 3:20 Which had been some time incredulous, when they waited for the patience of God in the days of Noe, when the ark was a building: wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. 21 Whereunto baptism being of the like form, now saveth you also: not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the examination of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

John 3:5 Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

John 6:54 Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. 55 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.

James 5:14 Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man: and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.

 

[Linkowski]

Is keeping the Commandments optional or obligatory for Christians?

Evidence - fruit…

1Jo 2:3 And hereby **we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.**4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Once saving faith is born, God’s law is something that we love and cherish. It takes on a whole new meaning. And by the power of the Spirit and the Word of God, we now bring forth fruit - the first of which is love (Gal 5:22)…all the law hangs on loving God (first 4 commandments) and loving neighbor (last 6).

We are commanded to - and we will.

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

 

[Linkowski]

Do they “save?” God saves through them.

Some examples:

1 Peter 3:20 Which had been some time incredulous, when they waited for the patience of God in the days of Noe, when the ark was a building: wherein a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. 21 Whereunto baptism being of the like form, now saveth you also: not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the examination of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

John 3:5 Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

John 6:54 Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. 55 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.

James 5:14 Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man: and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Mingling of grace and obligatory ritual does not work - they are at utter odds with eathother.

 

[DJgang]

Imagine a little device called a Grace-O-Meter…

with all the sacraments…your Grace-O-Meter is beeping, it’s registering a 10 on the scale…

without the sacraments…your Grace-O-Meter registers zero…

then in some Christian churches, it may only register at 2,3, or 4…

that’s my analolgy and I’m sticking to it…

beep, beep, beep, beep…

 

[Teflon93]

Evidence - fruit…

1Jo 2:3 And hereby **we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.**4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Once saving faith is born, God’s law is something that we love and cherish. It takes on a whole new meaning. And by the power of the Spirit and the Word of God, we now bring forth fruit - the first of which is love (Gal 5:22)…all the law hangs on loving God (first 4 commandments) and loving neighbor (last 6).

We are commanded to - and we will.

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

So if someone who is baptized (has partaken of the sacrament) ever covets, they are not saved? If breaking any of the Commandments is a sign of bad fruit, and bad fruit is the sign of a rotten tree, does it not follow that anyone who breaks a Commandment is clearly not saved?

 

[Teflon93]

Mingling of grace and obligatory ritual does not work - they are at utter odds with eathother.

Sacraments are not “obligatory ritual”. One need not ever get married; yet marriage is a sacrament. One need not take holy orders, yet holy orders are a sacrament.

The full complement of sacraments, while possessing aspects of ritual, are not all mandatory or obligatory.

Christ of course disagrees with you regarding ritual—“Do this in remembrance of me”, for example, not “Do this if you would like in remembrance of me.”

 

[Linkowski]

So if someone who is baptized (has partaken of the sacrament) ever covets, they are not saved? If breaking any of the Commandments is a sign of bad fruit, and bad fruit is the sign of a rotten tree, does it not follow that anyone who breaks a Commandment is clearly not saved?

You are not understanding properly. We now LOVE God’s law. It is no longer I that sin but sin that dwells in me. However, I have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Read Romans 7. Paul gives a good presentation here. Anyone who PRACTICES SIN has not seen God.

1Jo 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.