No faith required???
"Whatsover is not of faith is sin." -- Romans 14:23
How is a man saved? By simply being "meek?" By simply becoming "poor in spirit?" By simply having "hunger?"
Or do the meek and the poor in spirit and the hungry become saved by being given faith in Jesus Christ to satisfy all their needs?
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." -- John 6:35
"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." -- John 7:38
"Be not afraid; only believe." -- Mark 5:36
No wonder Luther was so furious when he opened the Bible and read it and saw how far the then-prevailing church had strayed from God's word.
Post Tenebras Lux.
Maybe we don't read the same Bible.
It's not the Bible that differs, but our eyes and ears.
"Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments." -- Psalm 119:73
Good answer, Dr. E.
Heb.11: 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Dr. E, is it possible for you to stay in context? Where in Beatitudes does it say you need faith to be saved, to see God, to be comforted? Matthew was an eyewitness and He is quoting Christ in Beatitudes and you are spouting Paul's opinion. Does Paul trump Jesus in your book?
What does Jesus say? He says
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Are you poor in spirit (humble)? Does it require faith to be humble? NO it doesn't!
Jesus says "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." does it require faith to mourn? No it doesn't! "
"Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth." No faith required there either!
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." No faith required.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." Are only faithful merciful? What a crock!
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Children, who can't even speak, are pure in heart. No faith required.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Are only the faithful peacemakers? I don't think so.
"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Have only the faithful been persecuted for righteousness' sake? Of course not.
"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me." Not all Christ's followers believed He is God, not even the original Apostles until the very end (cf Mat 28:17).
Nothing here says faith is necessary. Nothing.
How is a man saved?
The Bible is full of "options" on this. I suggest you research it. You will be amazed what saves us according to the Book your worship. But if you wish, I will be happy to repost the list. It's quite impressive.
No wonder Luther was so furious when he opened the Bible and read it and saw how far the then-prevailing church had strayed from God's word.
Luther was furious because the Church apparently interfered with his carnal desires, so he devised a man-made "church" to be able to commit "one thousand fornications a day" (his words) and know that he is still saved.
It's not the Bible that differs, but our eyes and ears...Psalm 119:7
People believe what they choose to believe.