Theodoret's view is that, while all men need grace and it is impossible to tkae a step on the road to virtue without it, human will must collaborate with it. 'There is a need', he writes, of both our efforts and divine succour. The grace of the Holy Spirit is not vouchsafed to those who make no effort, and without that grace our efforts cannot collect the prize of virtue'. But in the same context he acknowledges that our exertions as well as our believing are gifts of God, and that this recognition does not nullify free will but merely emphasizes that the will deprived of grace is unable to accomplish any good' If that's the "Baptist" view then it looks like all you need is a valid priesthood and all seven Sacraments and you'll be praying the rosary in no time:) The text you posted is a very good explanation of the role faith, works and free will play in our salvation, a very catholic notion. Unfortunately, it does little to promote the view that only the "saved" are capable of good (grace enabled) works, it merely stresses the fact that we are unable to save our selves through our own actions.
If that's the "Baptist" view then it looks like all you need is a valid priesthood and all seven Sacraments and you'll be praying the rosary in no time:) The text you posted is a very good explanation of the role faith, works and free will play in our salvation, a very catholic notion. Unfortunately, it does little to promote the view that only the "saved" are capable of good (grace enabled) works, it merely stresses the fact that we are unable to save our selves through our own actions. And that is the Baptist view, that free will must take the free gift of salvation, but it is all of grace, since man cannot do anything to earn it.
But salvation is an event, while growth is optional based on one's desire to stay in God's will, hence the admonition not to 'grieve or quench the Holy spirit (Eph.4,1Thess.5)
The Christian is not 'being' saved, he is saved (Eph.4:30)