I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes

[cfrancis]

I guess I would need to see Paul speaking of “faith alone” and declaring “once saved always saved” for me to believe the Protestant Reformation was truly from God.

In all my study of Paul’s writings, especially his epistle to the Romans, I cannot find support for Protestant teachings of “faith alone” “Scripture alone” and “once saved always saved.”

 

[believers]

If repentance follows faith, then faith isn’t alone. If faith is void of works, it is a dead faith. The only way we can begin to have faith is by the grace of God, which also brings us to repentance and to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk therein. (Eph 2:10)

You forgot Ephesions 2:9. Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Faith in Christ’s work is first. Now that you are a follower… You must become sanctified. Crucify the “old man”. That sinful nature. Never turn back to that sinful person that you used to be and REPENT and be holy as the Father is Holy.

 

[Kscrawler]

The Gospel to the gentiles was committed to Paul… (that means he’s our appointed apostle unless you are Jewish) is by FAITH ALONE. Romans is a good place for you to start reading/study… aptly named the book of “Romans”

Does that mean we should ignore the other apostles and the other writers of the New Testament?

 

[believers]

Does that mean we should ignore the other apostles and the other writers of the New Testament?

I didn’t say that. What I said was the Gospel was committed to no other Apostle but Paul. In fact… Paul corrected Peter.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

You forgot Ephesions 2:9. Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I didn’t forget it at all. I know full well that I am saved by grace, and not by anything I have done.

Faith in Christ’s work is first. Now that you are a follower… You must become sanctified. Crucify the “old man”. That sinful nature. Never turn back to that sinful person that you used to be and be holy as the Father is Holy.

I have complete faith in Christ. You’re preachin’ to the choir here.

 

[Kscrawler]

You forgot Ephesions 2:9. Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Faith in Christ’s work is first. Now that you are a follower… You must become sanctified. Crucify the “old man”. That sinful nature. Never turn back to that sinful person that you used to be and REPENT and be holy as the Father is Holy.

Let’s see if I have this right. I have FAITH ALONE as you say. But still I must repent. So I guess I need faith and repentence. And I must become sanctified. So I guess that means I need faith and repentence and sanctification. And I must never turn back to that sinfull peson. So I need Faith, repentence, sanctification, and perserverence.

The way you describe it FAITH doesn’t seem alone at all. If FAITH ALONE was all that was required I could have faith and still sin eggregiously and not have to worry at all. But as you’ve just pointed out faith with repentence, sanctification, and perservenrence is a long ways from FAITH ALONE.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

The Gospel to the gentiles was committed to Paul… (that means he’s our appointed apostle unless you are Jewish) is by FAITH ALONE. Romans is a good place for you to start reading/study… aptly named the book of “Romans”

Where does Paul say we are saved by faith ALONE? Are we not saved by Jesus’ death, by the grace of God that precedes our faith, by baptism which is in obedience to Jesus’ command, and by following God’s will and growing in holiness?

 

[believers]

How do you know this? Are you able to see through the Internet and see my soul’s condition? Yes, I read and studied the Word of God, and I found that certain passages were ignored or explained away because they contradicted Baptist doctrine. But God’s Word doesn’t say that I’m saved by faith alone.

I know this because you have chosen to believe the Roman Catholic Church way. It is unfortunate that FEW “find the way”. Just like the Word of God says…

Mat 7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that FIND it.

And yes, the Word of God says that you are saved by FAITH ALONE. Read the Bible again and understand WHY Jesus died in the first place. The Jews offered a yearly sacrifice for their sins. Jesus is our sacrifice… ONCE and FOR ALL. IT IS DONE.

 

[cfrancis]

You forgot Ephesions 2:9. Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Faith in Christ’s work is first. Now that you are a follower… You must become sanctified. Crucify the “old man”. That sinful nature. Never turn back to that sinful person that you used to be and be holy as the Father is Holy.

Believers you quote Eph 2:9 well out of its context. Paul is speaking of grace, not faith:
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

No Catholic denies the truth of God’s Word spoken through Paul: – God’s grace is a free gift to us; we cannot place God in a position where He owes us His grace (that is, we cannot earn His grace)

• Our acceptance of this free gift of God’s grace is an act of faith (v8)
• Yet God demands we cooperate with His grace throughout our life, lest we sever our relationship with Him, as we can sin mortally (1 Jn 5:16-17),
• Therefore, part of that cooperation with God’s grace are the good works we do

 

[Claire_from_DE]

I didn’t say that. What I said was the Gospel was committed to no other Apostle but Paul. In fact… Paul corrected Peter.

Paul corrected Peter’s behavior, not his teaching.

 

[cfrancis]

Paul corrected Peter’s behavior, not his teaching.

True that! And Paul confessed he continued to sin (Rom 7:15-16).

 

[believers]

Where does Paul say we are saved by faith ALONE? Are we not saved by Jesus’ death, by the grace of God that precedes our faith, by baptism which is in obedience to Jesus’ command, and by following God’s will and growing in holiness?

You are saved by His blood.

Rom 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:9
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be SAVED from wrath THROUGH him (Jesus).

Rom 5:10
For if, when we were enemies, we were RECONCILED to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled,** we shall be saved by his life**.

Rom 5:11
And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

 

[cfrancis]

You are saved by His blood.

Rom 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:9
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be SAVED from wrath THROUGH him (Jesus).

Rom 5:10
For if, when we were enemies, we were RECONCILED to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled,** we shall be saved by his life**.

Rom 5:11
And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Amen! To all these verses…but Paul still has not told us we are saved by faith alone.

 

[Reformed]

In other words, what I’ve posted from Scripture isn’t clear all by itself? You need a teacher/commentary to help you understand it? Or is it that what I posted flies in the face of your anti-Biblical doctrine of Sola Fide?

We are saved because of Grace.
We have faith to believe in Christ because of Grace.
We do good works because of Grace.
We are obedient to God’s commands because of Grace.
We are able to persevere because of Grace.

It really is all about Grace. God’s Grace. Without which no one can hope to be saved.

Who mentioned Sola Fide on this thread? Let’s be disciplined and stay with the writings of Paul before we bring in terms that will side-track the thread. Let’s all go in the direction the Apostle Paul goes, whatever direction the Apostle takes us. If Paul takes me to Rome, Rome is where I will go.

 

[Reformed]

Let’s see if I have this right. I have FAITH ALONE as you say. But still I must repent. So I guess I need faith and repentence. And I must become sanctified. So I guess that means I need faith and repentence and sanctification. And I must never turn back to that sinfull peson. So I need Faith, repentence, sanctification, and perserverence.

The way you describe it FAITH doesn’t seem alone at all. If FAITH ALONE was all that was required I could have faith and still sin eggregiously and not have to worry at all. But as you’ve just pointed out faith with repentence, sanctification, and perservenrence is a long ways from FAITH ALONE.

You have used theological terms that will confuse all of us. Please consider quoting Paul and make your statement. For example:

The Righteousness of God Through Faith (not the sacraments)

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. - Rom 3

 

[Reformed]

Amen! To all these verses…but Paul still has not told us we are saved by faith alone.

Please consider Romans 5 in context of Romans 1 though 4 to see if you understand Romans 5 in a different light. Paul writes in a very systematic way in the book of Romans. The OP of Romans 1:16-17 is the thesis statement for the entire book of Romans.

Romans 1:16-17

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Maybe we should consider what God is saving us from and from whom. Consider Romans 1:18 for an answer to that question. What is the bad news of Romans 1, 2, and 3 because we cannot really understand the gospel (good news) without understanding the bad news that Paul proclaims to us.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

I know this because you have chosen to believe the Roman Catholic Church way. It is unfortunate that FEW “find the way”. Just like the Word of God says…

Mat 7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that FIND it.

Wrong - I chose to believe what the Word of God says - that Jesus Christ founded One Church. One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

And yes, the Word of God says that you are saved by FAITH ALONE. Read the Bible again and understand WHY Jesus died in the first place. The Jews offered a yearly sacrifice for their sins. Jesus is our sacrifice… ONCE and FOR ALL. IT IS DONE.

I believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father, who was born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He rose again on the third day in fulfillment of the Scriptures. He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in Glory to judge the living and the dead, and His Kingdom will have no end.

Please show me the where the Word of God says “we are saved by faith alone.”

 

[Claire_from_DE]

You are saved by His blood.

Rom 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:9
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be SAVED from wrath THROUGH him (Jesus).

Rom 5:10
For if, when we were enemies, we were RECONCILED to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled,** we shall be saved by his life**.

Rom 5:11
And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

We Catholics agree with all this. Since you’re posting this, do you think we don’t?

 

[believers]

Paul corrected Peter’s behavior, not his teaching.

His behavior was not according to the Gospel of Christ. Peter did not understand that gentiles are now Christ’s redeemed as are Jewish believers. And this was done THROUGH FAITH ALONE. NOT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW.

Gal 2:11
But when Peter was come to Antioch, I (Paul) withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed

Gal 2:12
For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

Gal 2:13
And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

Gal 2:14
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Gal 2:15
We [who are] Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

Gal 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

 

[believers]

We Catholics agree with all this. Since you’re posting this, do you think we don’t?

Yeah… but you are only saved by the blood THROUGH FAITH ALONE. When you completely have faith that Jesus’ blood pays for your sin and receive this payment. This atonement (Jesus) is ONLY received THROUGH FAITH ALONE.