A common question Catholics will have, against Protestant's insistence of Faith alone in Christ alone being enough for salvation, is where in the Bible does it ever say 'faith alone'. The Bible says this simply whenever salvation is addressed, it speaks of faith alone being enough in COMPLETE ABSENCE OF WORKS, of any kind.
Mind you all these are QUOTATIONS (word for word) of the Bible NOT INTERPRETATIONS (reword or alterations due to views).
Mind you all these are QUOTATIONS (word for word) of the Bible NOT INTERPRETATIONS (reword or alterations due to views).
Was Abraham saved by faith + works?
Lets look at the verses
Lets look at the verses
Galatians 3:5-7 (RSVCE)
5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? 6 Thus Abraham “BELIEVED God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 7 So you see that it is MEN OF FAITH who are the sons of Abraham. Romans 4:2-4 (RSVCE) 2 For IF Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham BELIEVED God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to one who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due. James 2:22-24 (RSVCE) 22 You see that faith was ACTIVE along with his works, and faith was COMPLETED by works, 23 and the scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham BELIEVED God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness”; and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. |
As you can see even in the James 2 verse FAITH comes first and all 3 verses say that Abraham was saved by BELIEVING God. Notice Galatians even saying its MEN OF FAITH, not men of works, who are sons of Abraham (aka: saved). Also unlike what the Church would like you to believe, WORKS DO NOT SAVE. Rather works justifies.
- justify (verb) -- To demonstrate or prove to be just, right, or valid (true).
Is BELIEVING enough??
1 Corinthians 1:21 (RSVCE)
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach TO SAVE THOSE WHO BELIEVE. Galatians 2:16 (RSVCE) yet who know that A MAN IS NOT JUTIFIED BY WORKS OF THE LAW BUT THROUGH FAITH in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. 1 Peter 1:5 (NRSVCE) who are being protected by the power of God THROUGH FAITH FOR A SALVATION ready to be revealed in the last time. |
Apparently God says BELIEVING IS ENOUGH to be SAVED. The only question is whether Catholics want to be saved or not.
When the Bible says Works, does it mean ALL Works?
Ephesians 2:8-9 (RSVCE)
8 For by grace you have been saved THROUGH FAITH; and this is NOT OF YOUR OWN DOING, it is the gift of God-- 9 NOT BECAUSE OF WORKS, lest any man should boast. |
This reminds me of a child insisting that unless the adult specifies each and every type of works, those not named somehow do not count.
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Notice it is no works, as salvation is NOT OF OUR OWN DOING. This means there is nothing, no activity, that can be done by us to merit nor earn salvation. Therefore to try to mix in works into the equation is ridiculous. In fact there is a reason for this.
What is the value of our "good works" to God.
Isaiah 64:6 (RSVCE)
6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and ALL OUR RIGHTEOUS DEEDS ARE LIKE POLLUTED GARMENT. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. |
So how ridiculous is it of the Catholic Church to insist that Catholics use their best righteousness, which is like dirty rags, to try to earn salvation which requires perfection and holiness? So the question is will you continue trusting the Catholic Church who is clearly Scripturally wrong with your eternal destination? Or will you trust Catholic Scripture that says Faith alone was enough for Abraham to be saved.
The REST in God is to CEASE one's EFFORTS in WORKS!!
Hebrews 4:3 (RSVCE)
For WE WHO HAVE BELIEVED ENTER THAT REST, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall Never enter my rest,’” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:10 (RSVCE) for WHOEVER ENTERS GOD'S REST ALSO CEASES FROM HIS LABORS as God did from his. |
Was Jesus sacrifice ENOUGH to cover all sins?
Hebrews 10:12 (RSVCE)
But when Christ had offered FOR ALL TIME A SINGLE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, he sat down at the right hand of God, |
Abraham is in Heaven already by FAITH ALONE. Do you want to get into Heaven? You can only get in the same way Abraham did, by BELIEVING on Jesus, since Jesus is God. Best of all the Bible says clearly in Hebrews you can CEASE from your efforts to earn salvation as Jesus work is already accepted by the Father and because man's righteousness is polluted and no good. The Scriptures clearly state that Jesus SINGLE sacrifice on the cross was sufficient for SINS and does not need to be repeated by you nor in the Mass. Won't you do it today and rest in Jesus instead of your works that are no God anyway?
Dear Lord God. I know I am a sinner and need your gift of salvation from my sins. I BELIEVE IN JESUS, the Son of God, as my personal Savior. I believe that His death on the cross and resurrection provides forgiveness for ALL my sins past, present, & future. Please forgive all my sins and come into my heart and life. I hereby trust in Jesus FINISHED WORK alone, and NOT upon me & my "good works", as sufficient to make me right with you and fit for Heaven. Please forgive ALL my sins and come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Seal me with your Holy Spirit until the day you come to take me home. In your Son Jesus’ name. Amen.
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