Is Jesus Christ and the Roman Catholic Church the only way to salvation?

[peacelight]

and

thecatholictreasurechest.com/ for further study. If you truly believe that is true I am sure you are not afraid to go to this site to verified what you think. God Bless

It is true but not all that call him Lord Lord will enter the kingdom of God even Catholic if they did not follow what God want of them still cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Again Sola Scriptural doesn’t work - by faith alone you cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Scriptures never said by faith alone.

 

[Jesuspaiditall]

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith; and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“Everyone who confesses the name if the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 2 Timothy 2:19

“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31

[SIGN]Repent[/SIGN] from your sin
[SIGN]Receive[/SIGN] Jesus into your heart
[SIGN]Believe[/SIGN] ;believe

 

[Lampo]

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith; and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“Everyone who confesses the name if the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 2 Timothy 2:19

“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31

[SIGN]Repent[/SIGN] from your sin
[SIGN]Receive[/SIGN] Jesus into your heart
[SIGN]Believe[/SIGN] ;believe

I LOVE those verses! I also like these:

“See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” James 2:24

“But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.” 1 Tim. 3:15

 

[peacelight]

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith; and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“Everyone who confesses the name if the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 2 Timothy 2:19

“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31

[SIGN]Repent[/SIGN] from your sin
[SIGN]Receive[/SIGN] Jesus into your heart
[SIGN]Believe[/SIGN] ;believe

I like those verses too but consider below:-

Source : Catholic Answer

Unbiblical

There are four problems with the defense of sola scriptura using 2 Timothy 3:16. First, it does not speak of the New Testament at all. The two verses preceding 2 Timothy 3:16 say:
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
This passage does not refer to the New Testament. In fact, none of the New Testament books had been written when Timothy was a child. Claiming this verse as authentication for a book that had not been written yet goes far beyond what the text claims.

Second, 2 Timothy 3:16 does not claim Scripture to be the sole rule of faith for Christians. As a Protestant, I was guilty of seeing more than one sola in Scripture that simply did not exist. The Bible teaches justification by faith, and we Catholics believe it, but we do not believe in justification by faith alone, as Protestants do. Among other reasons, the Bible says that we are “justified by works and not by faith alone” (Jas. 2:24). There is no sola in 2 Timothy 3:16 either. The passage never claims Scripture to be the sole rule of faith.

James 1:4 illustrates the problem:
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
If we apply the same principle of exegesis to this text that the Protestant does to 2 Timothy 3:16, then we would have to say that all we need is patience (steadfastness) to be perfected. We don’t need faith, hope, charity, the Church, baptism, or anything else.

Of course, any Christian knows this would be absurd. But James’s emphasis on the central importance of patience is even stronger than Paul’s emphasis on Scripture. The key is to see that there is not a sola in either text. Sola patientia would be just as wrong as sola scriptura.

Third, the Bible teaches that oral Tradition is equal to Scripture. It is silent when it comes to sola scriptura, but it is remarkably clear in teaching that oral Tradition is just as much the word of God as Scripture is. In what most scholars believe was the first book written in the New Testament, Paul said:
And we also thank God . . . that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God. (1 Thess. 2:13)
According to Paul, the spoken words of the apostles were the word of God. In fact, when Paul wrote his second letter to the Thessalonians, he urged Christians there to receive the oral and written Traditions as equally authoritative. This would be expected because both are the word of God:
So, then, brethren stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter. (2 Thess. 2:15)
Finally, 2 Timothy 3:16 is specifically addressed to members of the hierarchy. It is a pastoral epistle, written to a young bishop Paul had ordained. R. J. Foster points out that the phrase “man of God” refers to ministers, not to the average layperson (A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, Thomas Nelson and Sons, 1149). This title was used in the Old Testament to describe those consecrated to the service of God (Deut. 33:1; 1 Sam. 2:27; 1 Kgs. 12:22). Not only does the text not say Scripture sola, but Paul’s exhortation for Timothy to study the word of God is in the context of an exhortation to “preach the word” as a minister of Christ. To use this text to claim that sola scriptura is being taught to the average layperson is—to borrow a phrase from Paul—going far “beyond what is written” (1 Cor. 4:6).

Unworkable

The silence of Scripture on sola scriptura is deafening. But when it comes to the true authority of Scripture and Tradition and to the teaching and governing authority of the Church, the text is clear:
If your brother sins against you go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. . . . But if he does not listen, take one or two others with you. . . . If he refuses to listen . . . tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. (Matt. 18:15-17)
According to Scripture, the Church is the final court of appeal for the people of God in matters of faith, morals, and discipline. It is telling that since the Reformation of almost 500 years ago—a Reformation claiming sola scriptura as its formal principle—there are now over 33,000 Protestant denominations. In John 10:16, Jesus prophesied there would be “one flock, one shepherd.” Reliance on sola scriptura has not been effective in establishing doctrine or authority.

 

[rinnie]

I LOVE those verses! I also like these:

“See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” James 2:24

“But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.” 1 Tim. 3:15

You know i never understood how something so simple could be so hard for people. Dont they understand what it means. what good is Faith if you dont live it. How can they miss the point. And such arguments about it. go figure!

 

[BloodWashed]

This link should explain the James discrepency

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Believer’s%20Corner/Doctrines/faith_and_works.htm

And as for the poster who said the the Bible is silent on sola scriptura…I beg to differ:

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book

Revelation 22:18

To me, that kinda sounds like its saying “don’t add to scripture”

And as for tradition being at equal level with scripture, that is simply not true. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for putting more weight on the traditions of men than on the Word of God. Not only that, but Jesus also said that he was THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. If Jesus wanted us to do anything else, don’t you think he wouldve told us?

 

[peacelight]

This link should explain the James discrepency

Are We Justified by Faith and Works?

And as for the poster who said the the Bible is silent on sola scriptura…I beg to differ:

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book

Revelation 22:18

To me, that kinda sounds like its saying “don’t add to scripture”

And as for tradition being at equal level with scripture, that is simply not true. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for putting more weight on the traditions of men than on the Word of God. Not only that, but Jesus also said that he was THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. If Jesus wanted us to do anything else, don’t you think he wouldve told us?

Okay, which way is it, by Grace, by Faith, or by Works, that brings us into eternal salvation?

How about all of the above?
For many non-Catholics, the answer to the question is one of ‘Either - Or’,
but with Catholics, the answer is ‘And’.
(This is an example of Boolean Logic)

“Together we confess: By grace alone, in faith in Christ’s saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by GOD and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping and calling us to good works.” This is a Joint Declaration on Justification (Salvation) by faith, paragraph 15. This joint declaration was agreed upon by the Catholic and Lutheran Churches in 1999 after 33 years of discussion.

“Even so let your light shine before men, in order that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.” Matt 5:16

“Make no mistake: GOD is not mocked, for a person will reap only what he sows, because the one who sows for his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows for the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due season we shall reap our harvest if we do not give up.” Gal 6:7-9

“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Phil 2:12

For more info thecatholictreasurechest.com/works.htm

In Summation:

1. Are we saved by Grace Alone?
   Yes, as this is the teaching of the Catholic Church. Grace is a gift from GOD. It is given freely to us, but in return He expects us to do our part by our performance of Good Works.
2. Are we saved by Faith Only?
   No, this is “Sola Fides”, and it is taught by a few Protestant sects. It is impossible, for salvation by Faith alone, for we can do nothing of ourselves without the Grace of GOD, and again Good Works. The only verse in the entire Bible where the words Faith and Only appear together is in James 2:24 where he said, “You see that by works a man is justified, and NOT by faith only.”
3. Are we saved by Works Alone?
   No. Mere human works are useless without the grace of GOD and faith working through love.
4. Can we say we are “Saved” by just accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior?
   No. This is what some Protestant sects teach, Baptists especially. This teaching excludes doing Good Works and essentially says that as long as we accept Jesus Christ, we can do anything we want to do. If this teaching were true, then what is the purpose of the Ten Commandments (Trent, session 6, chapter XI)? Why did Jesus Christ say, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of Heaven; BUT HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER IN HEAVEN SHALL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.” Matt 7:21.
   Now how can anyone DO the will of the Father without doing Good Works?
5. Salvation is an on going process…
   We were saved in the past: Rom 5:1-2, 8:24, Eph 2:5-9.
   We are being saved now: 1Cor 1:18, 1Cor 15:2, Phil 2:12, Heb 10:14, 1Pet 1:8-9, 1Pet 2:1-2.
   We will be saved in the future: Matt 10:22, 24:13, Rom 6:16, 13:11, 1Cor 3:15, 5:5, Gal 2:17,
   Gal 5:4-5, Rev 21:6-7.

We can also lose our salvation: Matt 6:14-15, *7:21, 24:44-51, 25:31-46, Mark 11:26, Luke 10:16,
John 14:21, Rom 11:22, Rev 21:8, 21:27.

 

[peary]

This link should explain the James discrepency

Are We Justified by Faith and Works?

And as for the poster who said the the Bible is silent on sola scriptura…I beg to differ:

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book

Revelation 22:18

To me, that kinda sounds like its saying “don’t add to scripture”

And as for tradition being at equal level with scripture, that is simply not true. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for putting more weight on the traditions of men than on the Word of God. Not only that, but Jesus also said that he was THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. If Jesus wanted us to do anything else, don’t you think he wouldve told us?

The true “rule of faith”—as expressed in the Bible itself—is Scripture plus apostolic tradition, as manifested in the living teaching authority of the Catholic Church, to which were entrusted the oral teachings of Jesus and the apostles, along with the authority to interpret Scripture correctly. The Apostle Paul requires the aid of Tradition (2 Thess. 2:15).

The Bible denies that it is sufficient as the complete rule of faith. Paul says that much Christian teaching is to be found in the tradition which is handed down by word of mouth (2 Tim. 2:2). He instructs us to “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter” (2 Thess. 2:15).

This oral teaching was accepted by Christians, just as they accepted the written teaching that came to them later. Jesus told his disciples: “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me” (Luke 10:16). The Church, in the persons of the apostles, was given the authority to teach by Christ; the Church would be his representative. He commissioned them, saying, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19).

And how was this to be done? By preaching, by oral instruction: “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). The Church would always be the living teacher. It is a mistake to limit “Christ’s word” to the written word only or to suggest that all his teachings were reduced to writing. The Bible nowhere supports either notion.

Further, it is clear that the oral teaching of Christ would last until the end of time. “’But the word of the Lord abides for ever.’ That word is the good news which was preached to you” (1 Pet. 1:25). Note that the word has been “preached”—that is, communicated orally. This would endure. It would not be supplanted by a written record like the Bible (supplemented, yes, but not supplanted), and would continue to have its own authority. This is made clear when the apostle Paul tells Timothy: “[W]hat you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).

 

[peacelight]

So, we see Our Lord warns us of men who would seek to corrupt our Faith. Such men today quite often wear this sheep’s clothing of “doctrinal development” to fool unwary Catholics into believing different doctrines than were previously taught by the Church. The sheep’s clothing which is just as treacherous and insidious is that of “ecclesiastical position”. The Church has had to deal with such heretics in the past, and has dealt with them severely. Heretics who hold high office in the Church can easily fool the average Catholic simply by standing on his office of dignity (as we see in the quote above by St. Pope Pius X). History shows that this has wreaked havoc on the Church. Bishop Arius is a good example. The Arian heresy caused about 80% of the clergy in the east to fall away from the Faith. And many went along, not because they understood that one heresy, but because they simply followed their clergy into it.

St. Paul seemed to warn us of different doctrine when it comes from a source with a special office or dignity: “…there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema. As we said: If any one preach to you a gospel, besides that which you have received, let him be anathema.” (Gal. 1:7-9) St. Paul gives us a principle to remember: “brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle.” (2 Thess. 2:14) Immutable truth is found in tradition. Many people today recognize the heresies that are infesting the Church and are trying to heed St. Paul’s words.

Truthful and Thoughtful Replies to False Charges…
thecatholictreasurechest.com/reply.htm
So many false charges are made against the Catholic Church by people who refuse to go to the source of Catholic teaching, to find out what the Church really teaches. They instead prefer to propagate the lie they are taught by others of the same mind set. If you wanted to buy a Ford, would you go to a Chevy dealer to find the “truth” about Fords? No, you go to the source, the ones who built the Ford. In the same way you will not learn the truth of what the Catholic Church teaches from a non-Catholic source. So if you have not bothered to go to the source for Catholic teaching, then why do you continue to perpetuate the lie? By doing so, you gamble with your eternal salvation.

 

[BloodWashed]

The Bible does not teach a works salvation. The Bible teaches a blood salvation. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” 1 John 1:7

If the blood cleanseth of from all sin, why do I need to do good works to go to heaven?

The Bible also teaches that you CAN know for sure you’re going:

These things have I written unto you that believe on teh name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life"
1 John 5:13.

And don’t you see the contradiction? You say faith alone salvation is impossible because we cannot do anything to please the Father, yet to go to heaven we must do good works to please the Father. The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please him. That means you’ve got to get BORN again before God can even care how much money you gave to the missionary.

When Jesus was dieing on the cross, the malefactor asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. Jesus told him that he would have his part in paradise. Did the malefactor get baptized, or do good works? No! The man was a CRIMINAL. He was probably an evil man. Yet Christ said he would be in paradise simply because he believed on Jesus’ name.

When Christ said to do the will of his Father, the will of his Father was to get SAVED

“…[God is] not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentence”

It’s his WILL for people to get saved.

Jesus told Nicodemus that unless he got BORN AGAIN he would not see the kingdom of heaven. Nicodemus was a religious man, probably a good man by man’s standards. Yet he still had to get BORN AGAIN. Paul says in Romans that ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God, but if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus Christ thou shalt be saved!

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness (Romans 4:5)

I HAVE no righteousness. I’m a GUILTY VILE sinner saved by grace. I praise the Lord that I don’t need works to go to heaven, because I could NEVER work long enough to go!

And as for tradition, this post is long enough: jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/oral_tradition.htm

 

[peacelight]

If the blood cleanseth of from all sin, why do I need to do good works to go to heaven?

Works: We work out what GOD works in our hearts. Works are the fruit of faith. As already mentioned, “We work out our salvation with fear and trembling.” Whenever St. Paul said works are not needed, he was referring to the old Mosaic Law or works of darkness. He did not mean the good works rendered by the Law of Grace (Trent, session 6, chapter 4) of the New Covenant…

 

[peacelight]

In Matt 25:31-46 are many examples of doing good works, proclaimed by Jesus Christ. There is the separation of the sheep from the goats which relate to, the feeding of the hungry, clothing of the naked, visiting the sick and those imprisoned, and more. Notice that both the sheep and the goats believed, but only the sheep did good works. In verse 46, Jesus cautioned as to what will be the reward of those who do not do these things, and of those who do, “And these will go into everlasting punishment, but the just into everlasting life.”
“Work as a preacher of the Gospel, fulfill your ministry.” 2Tim 4:5
“Work for upbuilding and not for destruction.” 2Cor 13:10
“Work from the heart as for the Lord, and not for men.” Col 3:23
“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Phil 2:12. See also 1Cor 9:24-27.
“For His workmanship we are, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which GOD has made ready beforehand that we may walk in them.” Eph 2:10
“And if you invoke as Father him who without respect of persons judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves with fear in the time of your sojourning.” 1Pet 1:17
“There are just men and wise men, and their works are in the hand of GOD.” Eccl 9:1
“…who will render to every man according to his works.” Rom 2:6
“But their end will be according to their works.” 2Cor 11:15
“For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” Rom 2:13
“For GOD shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Eccl 12:14
“Tribulation and anguish shall be visited upon the soul of every man who works evil; of Jew first and then of Greek. But glory and honor and peace shall be awarded to everyone who does good to Jew first and then of Greek.” Rom 2:9-10
“…we should love one another; not like Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother. And wherefore did he kill him? Because his own works were wicked, but his brother’s just.” 1Jn 3:11-12
“But if anyone builds upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hat, straw, the work of each will be made manifest, for the Day of the Lord will declare it, since the day is to be revealed in fire. The fire will assay the quality of everyone’s work: if his work abides which he has built thereon, he will receive his reward; if his work burns he will lose his reward, but himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” 1Cor 3:13-15
These four preceding verses lay it on the line that every one’s works will surely be tested, and reward or punishment will follow.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER in heaven shall enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 7:21
“Now we know that GOD does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of GOD, AND DOES HIS WILL , him He hears.” John 9:31
“But why do you call Me, 'Lord, ‘Lord’, and do not practice the things that I say?” Luke 6:46
“But he who does the truth comes to the light that his deeds may be made manifest, for they have been performed in GOD.” John 3:21
“Esteem them with a more abundant love on account of their work.” 1Thes 5:13
“If anyone, therefore, has cleansed himself from these, he will be a vessel for honorable use, sanctified and useful to the Lord, ready for every good work.” 2Tim 2:21
“Let them do good and be rich in good works, giving readily, sharing with others.” 1Tim 6:18
“This saying is true, and concerning these things I desire you to insist, that they who believe in GOD may be careful to excel in good works.” Tit 3:8
“And let out children also learn to excel in good works, in order to meet cases of necessity, so that they may not be unfruitful.” Tit 3:14
“…looking for the blessed hope and glorious coming of our great GOD and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and cleanse for Himself an acceptable people, pursuing good works.” Tit 2:13-14
“Yes, working together with Him we entreat you not to receive the grace of GOD in vain… On the contrary, let us conduct ourselves in all circumstances as GOD’s ministers, in much patience; in tribulations, in hardships, in distress; in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults; in labors…”
2Cor 6:1,5
“May you walk worthily of GOD and please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of GOD.” Col 1:10
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, whereas he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let everyone test his own work, so he will have glory in himself only, and not in comparison with another. For each one will bear his own burden.” Gal 6:2-5
“And they who have done good shall come forth unto the resurrection of life; but they who have done evil unto resurrection of judgment.” John 5:29
“If you know that he is just, know that everyone also who does what is just has been born of Him.” 1John 2:29
“Therefore, he who knows how to do good, and does not do it, commits a sin.” Jam 4:17
This is called the sin of omission. Matt 25:37-40 has more examples of sins of omission.
“And concerning these (evil works) I warn you, that they who do (evil works) such things will not attain the kingdom of GOD.” Gal 5:21 (read from verse 16 for context).
“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore where you have fallen, and repent and do the former works; or else I will come to you, and will move your lamp-stand out of its place, unless you repent.” Rev 2:4-5
“I know your works; you have the name of being alive, and you are dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain, but which were ready to die. For I do not find your works complete before my GOD.” Rev 3:1-2

 

[peacelight]

“Alexander, the coppersmith, has done me much harm; the Lord will render him according to his deeds.” 2Tim 4:14
“My dear children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
1Jn 3:18
“I know your works, your faith, your love, your ministry, your patience, and your last works, which are more numerous than the former.” Rev 2:19
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth. Yes, says the Spirit, let them rest from their labors, FOR THEIR WORKS FOLLOW THEM’.” Rev 14:13
The works which you do in this life will follow you forever.
“I know your works and your labor and your patience, and that you cannot bear evil men;” Rev 2:2
“And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. And another scroll was opened, which is the Book of Life; and the dead were judged out of those things that were written in the scrolls, ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS.” Rev 20:12
“And her children I will strike with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches desires and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works.” Rev 2:23
“Behold, I come quickly! And My reward is with Me, to render to each one ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS.” Rev 22:12
“And the world with its lust is passing away, but he who does the will of GOD abides forever.” 1John 2:17
“And he who overcomes, and who keeps My works unto the end, I will give authority over the nations.” Rev 2:26
“I know your works, Behold, I have caused a door to be opened before you which no one can shut, for you have scanty strength, and you have kept My word and have not disowned My name.” Rev 3:8
Even in the Old Testament, good works were beneficial for salvation:
“But yet because they were humbled, the wrath of the Lord turned away from them, and they were not utterly destroyed: for even in Juda there were found good works.” 2Chron 12:12
With all of these verses in support of doing good works, how can anyone say works are not required for salvation?

 

[peacelight]

Good works are needed along with faith…
Why do Catholics believe that good works are necessary for salvation? Does not Paul say in Romans 3:28 that faith alone justifies? (See the note on Romans 3:28 above. The word ‘alone’ was injected by Martin Luther in his translation. If St. Paul, who writes fluently and uses many approaches to explain justification by faith, and who uses the words ‘faith’ and ‘alone’ many times in this very Epistle, meant to write ‘Faith Alone’, he most assuredly would have done so). Catholics believe that faith and good works are both necessary for salvation, because such is the teaching of Jesus Christ.
What Our Lord demands is ‘faith which works through charity’. (Gal 5:6).
Read Mt 25:31-46, which describes the Last Judgment as being based on works of charity.
The first and greatest commandment, as given by Our Lord Himself, is to love the Lord God with all one’s heart, mind, soul, and strength; and the second great commandment is to love one’s neighbor as oneself, (Mk 12:30-31).
“For God has done what the Law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the just requirement of the Law might be FULFILLED IN US, who walk NOT according to the FLESH but according to the SPIRIT.” Rom 8:3-4.
"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Gal 5:13-14
Thus, although faith is the beginning, it is not the complete fulfillment of the will of God. Nowhere in the Bible is it written that faith alone justifies. When St. Paul wrote, ‘For we account a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the Law’ (Gal 2:16), he was referring to works peculiar to the old Jewish Law, and he cited circumcision as an example.
The Catholic Church does not teach that purely human good works are meritorious for salvation; such works are not meritorious for salvation, according to her teaching. Only those good works performed when a person is in the state of grace, that is, as a branch drawing its spiritual life from the Vine which is Christ (Jn 15:4-6), only these good deeds work toward our salvation, and they do so only by the grace of GOD and the merit of Jesus Christ. These good works, offered to God by a soul in the state of grace (i.e., free of mortal sin, with the Blessed Trinity dwelling in the soul), are thereby supernaturally meritorious because they share in the work and in the merits of Christ.
Such supernatural good works will not only be rewarded by GOD, but are necessary for salvation.
St. Paul shows how the neglect of certain good works will send even a Christian believer to damnation:
‘But if any man have not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel’, (1Tim 5:8).
Our Lord tells us that if the Master (GOD) returns and finds His servant sinning, rather than performing works of obedience, He ‘shall separate him, and shall appoint him his portion with unbelievers’, (Lk 12:46).
Furthermore, Catholics know they will be rewarded in Heaven for their good works.
Our Lord Himself said:
‘For the Son of man…will render to every man according to his works’, (Mt 16:27).
‘And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward’, (Mt 10:42).
Catholics believe, following the Apostle Paul, that ‘every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labor’, (1Cor 3:8).
‘For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work, and the love which you have shown in his name, you who have ministered, and do minister to the saints’, (Heb 6:10).
‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming’, (2Tim 4:7-8).
Still, Catholics know that, strictly speaking, God never owes us anything. Even after obeying all God’s commandments, we must still say:
‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which we ought to do’, (Lk 17:10).
As St. Augustine stated: ‘All our good merits are wrought through grace, so that God, in crowning our merits, is crowning nothing but His gifts’. Had St. Paul meant that faith ruled out the necessity of good works for salvation, he would not have written:
‘…and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing’, (1Cor 13:2).
If faith ruled out the necessity of good works for salvation, the Apostle James would not have written:
‘Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith only’?..For even as the body without the spirit is dead; so also faith without works is dead’, (James 2:24-26).
Or: ‘What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him’? (James 2:14).
If faith ruled out the necessity of good works for salvation, the Apostle Peter would not have written: ‘Wherefore, brethren, labor the more, that by good works you may make sure your calling and election. For doing these things, you shall not sin at any time. For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’, (2Pet 1:10-11). If faith ruled out the necessity of good works for salvation, the primitive Christian Fathers would not have advocated good works in such powerful words…

 

[BloodWashed]

I could never possibly respond to every single verse posted, so I’m gonna blanket statement. If i miss something crucial, just bring it up again, and I’ll address it.

If we need works to go to heaven, why did Jesus die on the cross?

Works is not what we do to GET salvation, we do them because we HAVE salvation. Period.

No one has yet to explain to me how the malefactor on the cross was going to heaven. He was an evil man, receiving capital punishment for his wrong doing. He probably never did one good work in his LIFE. Yet Christ told him he would go to heaven with him. Why? Because he had received grace!

Matt 7:21-23 Shows this well.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

What are these verses saying? Here Jesus is talking about people who believed in God and tried to work their way to heaven, but didn’t have their sins covered. They believed there was a God, but because they were not born again, all their good works were SIN in the eyes of the Lord! These verses prove that you can do all the good works you want, but it doesn’t matter-----------You’ve got to get BORN again!

And as for needing to get born again, and then doing works: No.

When Paul and Silas break down the prison with their song, the guard is terrified. He asks what to do to be saved. What do Paul and Silas answer?

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and–”

Get baptized? Join the church? Give to the poor?
No.
“thou shalt be saved.”

If the jail keeper needed good works to get to heaven, then Paul and Silas just LIED to him. If God’s grace is not sufficient, then that poor prison guard is gonna go around thinking that he is saved, because Paul and Silas TOLD HIM SO. If you need works too, why didn’t they mention it to the poor guy?

 

[Brian_Millar]

Wouldn’t this be a simpler argument if we were debating Ginger or Mary Ann, hehe

 

[peary]

The Bible does not teach a works salvation. The Bible teaches a blood salvation. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” 1 John 1:7

If the blood cleanseth of from all sin, why do I need to do good works to go to heaven?

]

It teaches both, actually. Case in point:

“Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ’Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ’Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink?’ And the king will answer them, ’Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me.’” (Matt.25:34)

Rev. 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev. 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.

 

[BloodWashed]

It teaches both, actually. Case in point:

“Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ’Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ’Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink?’ And the king will answer them, ’Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me.’” (Matt.25:34)

Rev. 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev. 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.

Notice that it says the DEAD were judged according to their works. This means the spirtually dead, not the physically dead. What the verse is saying is that saved people don’t get judged for their sins, but unsaved people do. The unsaved will be judged accordning to their works, and all will come short. I don’t need my sins judged, because all of my sins have been written on Jesus’ account.

 

[BornAgainChrist]

I think the Catholics are missing the point. When a Protestant says works they mean that you can’t earn your way into Heaven. Nothing we do is good enough because we have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. That is why Jesus died for our sins, to pay the blood debt for sin. Good works is something you do because Jesus wants you to treat your neighbor as yourself. Faith Alone doesn’t mean that doing good works is out the window, it just means that nothing we do besides asking Jesus to be our personal savior is going to get us into Heaven.

 

[BloodWashed]

I think the Catholics are missing the point. When a Protestant says works they mean that you can’t earn your way into Heaven. Nothing we do is good enough because we have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. That is why Jesus died for our sins, to pay the blood debt for sin. Good works is something you do because Jesus wants you to treat your neighbor as yourself. Faith Alone doesn’t mean that doing good works is out the window, it just means that nothing we do besides asking Jesus to be our personal savior is going to get us into Heaven.

Exactly. Also, keep in mind Paul’s specific mention of faith without works:

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness Romans 4:5

I can quote John 3:16 all I want and you can throw James all you want back at me. But what can you do about Romans 4:5–it’s spelled out right there that you don’t need works–you need HIS righteousness.

I’m still looking for answers to:

Romans 4:5

The malefactor on the cross who never did a good work in his life but Jesus took to heaven.

And the prison guard who Paul and Silas told that all he had to do to be saved was believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. If you need works, Paul and Silas lied.