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To: annalex
what is your basis for assurance that they the separate class of sacerdotal Catholic priests taught with the voice of Christ?

That Christ sent them through the sacrament of the Holy Orders to do so.

Which simply ignores the issue/question as to your basis of assurance that what you say Christ said it true. Likewise the questions reiterated in 482.

Ask clearly. Sola Fide is explicitly condemned as heresy in the second half of the Letter of James, so I believe that.

Which means James is contradicting both Moses and Paul if denying that Abraham had already been accounted as righteous on account of his effectual faith, (Gn. 15:6) long before it was manifested in offering up Issac, (Gn. 22) and which was not by works.

Which means the sense in which Abraham was justified by his works is not that same as "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:5)

Nor are the works of the law being what is excluded, for Abraham was before the Law, and though Abraham had good works, which Titus 3:5 (writing to a Gentile) says are not the basis for salvation, "if Abraham yet were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (Romans 4:2)

Instead of only works of the law being what is excluded as appropriating justification, the Law represents the supreme system of works justification, gaining life on the actual basis of performance, "for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law." (Galatians 3:21)

Yet works do correspond to receiving the promise of eternal life, since it is those who obey by the Spirit that are believers, (Romans 8:14) and thus by evidencing these credentials one is accounted to be a believer, and qualified to received eternal life. Meaning that works justify one as being a believer who is accounted righteous by faith. (Hebrew 6:9,10) It is not mere professors of faith in the end who shall be counted as elect, but those of persevering faith, evidenced by obedience of heart by the Spirit.

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (Hebrews 3:14)

Cast not away therefore your confidence , which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God [walk in faith], ye might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:35-36)

For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith : but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:37-39)

Thus in sola fide, while it is heart-purifying faith (Acts 15:7-9; that appropriates justification, versus actually being good enough to be with God, yet such a one (assuming ability and opportunity) must also be justified by his works that he is truly one of the elect, as Luther himself formally taught, stating such things,

faith is a living and an essential thing, which makes a new creature of man, changes his spirit... Faith cannot help doing good works constantly... if faith be true, it will break forth and bear fruit... where there is no faith there also can be no good works; and conversely, that there is no faith.. where there are no good works. Therefore faith and good works should be so closely joined together that the essence of the entire Christian life consists in both. if obedience and God's commandments do not dominate you, then the work is not right, but damnable, surely the devil's own doings, although it were even so great a work as to raise the dead... if you continue in pride and lewdness, in greed and anger, and yet talk much of faith, St. Paul will come and say, 1 Cor. 4:20, look here my dear Sir, "the kingdom of God is not in word but in power." It requires life and action, and is not brought about by mere talk. Works are necessary for salvation, but they do not cause salvation... faith casts itself on God, and breaks forth and becomes certain through its works... faith must be exercised, worked and polished; be purified by fire... it is impossible for him who believes in Christ, as a just Savior, not to love and to do good. If, however, he does not do good nor love, it is sure that faith is not present... where the works are absent, there is also no Christ... References by God's grace.

But which is contrary to one entering glory after they have actually obtained the level of goodness required to be with God, though again, saving faith is that which effects holiness and a penitent heart in the light of failure to walk practically according to what he is positionally. Ask for substantiation if you want it.

546 posted on 08/25/2018 7:18:38 AM PDT by daniel1212 (Trust the risen Lord Jesus to save you as a damned and destitute sinner + be baptized + follow Him)
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To: daniel1212
Which means James is contradicting...

In your mind. But I am not interested in what you think.

618 posted on 08/27/2018 5:53:58 AM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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