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To: annalex

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

1 Peter 1:5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time...9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

1 John 5:4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.


9,322 posted on 02/06/2007 8:31:48 PM PST by Blogger
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To: Blogger

Three more prooftexts?

We dealt with Ephesians 2:8, it speaks of works of social recognition, the same kind the Pharisees were noted for.

1 Peter 1:5 goes on to mention "the trial of your faith". This role of works, -- that works are to form and test out faith as well as be the base of our judgement -- is Catholic teaching.

1 John 5:4 likewise speaks of overcoming the world, keeping the commandments and goes on to warn against sin "unto death". This is another illustration of how faith cannot be separated from good works and righteousness.

Of course, if the Bible had nothing but "you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God" we would have to conclude that faith alone saves. But if we lift our gaze from the prooftext and read the gospel in its entirety, and a Catholic must do so, then we reach the correct conclusion, that works and faith build up each other in perseverance onto final salvation. "He that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22, 24:13).


9,362 posted on 02/07/2007 7:29:53 AM PST by annalex
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