MariaG,
Thanks for the reply. We say faith only because there are Bible verses that say that.
i.e Eph 2:8-9. and numerous verses in Romans. Plus word searh saved in John and you will find out that faith guarantees salvation. Repentance is not even mentioned, but it is part of the equation like works. Faith turns the key.
Respectfully, the only place in scripture that talks about faith alone is in James where is specifically says we are NOT saved by faith alone.
I would be happy to be corrected if you would like to quote where in the Bible it tells us we are saved by faith alone, since you claim that scripture says that.
James showed that real faith had works. They are inseparable. But faith comes first and then works. Works means we are going about oir Father’s business, his will.
So works will be there.
We are saved by Grace alone. And faith is intertwined and inseparable from works.
In reference to Luther, what he read in the Bible was not be practiced in the CC. In some cases salvation was being sold. And he saw works as being part of people’s salvation. All he did was point to the verses, which show the Blood of the Lamb cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
And God was working mighty miracles within His Church trying to bring about a revival. And if he pointed out that works are part of people’s salvation, why the “Faith Alone”? He either was trying to change the accepted definition of Faith, or ???
And the Church has always taught about the saving grace of Christ’s blood. That was nothing new.
The beauty of faith only is that it shows that 100% of our salvation comes from Jesus and we do nothing to attain it. We will have many and great works, but they cannot replace the Blood.
The Catholic Church has always taught that our salvation comes 100% from Christ and there is nothing we can do that will earn us heaven. This was reiterated at Trent.
The Catholic Church has never officially taught that works will replace the blood of Christ. Never.
And again, I would love for you to quote scripture that tells about Faith alone.
While I can say that I believe the way you define Faith alone is the same way the Catholic CHurch defines Faith + Hope + Charity, I would ask again where in scripture we see faith and alone together in scripture.
In summary, faith (is belief), and it results in repentance, baptism, Spirit baptism, remiision of sins and works. Faith comes first.
Yes, faith is first, but even by your own list, it is not Alone. If you have faith, without repentance, you are not saved. Faith without any of it, and you have faith alone and a short trip to hell.
Although I believe it would be more proper to say it is GRACE that is first.
This thread picked up because of purgetory. You can know you are saved now. 1 Jn 5:13. Eternity starts when we believe. Note, saved is past tense. We see the gospel as simple. we are not worthy before we are saved, and never will be worthy. Christ died for all of our sins almost 2000 years before we were born.
Rom 8:1 There is no condemnation for those in Christ.
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
There are soooo many current tense promises, it all starts with faith.
John
The Catholic Church believes that one CAN be confident in ones salvation. Purgatory is simply a process in which we are completely cleansed from all sin and desire to sin before standing before Our Lord.
I won’t get into all the rest, because this is already so far from purgatory.
But again, show me anywhere in scripture where it is Faith ALONE.
Respectfully,
Maria
