Iscool told me to do something very similar.
What's funny is that I do read the Bible on my own, and I come up with very Catholic conclusions.
Those conclusions aren't acceptable to you, or to him. That leads me to believe that your mantra is "study the Bible on your own" if you think that can lure someone away from the Catholic church, but the real objective is "study the Bible the way I do, and come up with conclusions exactly like mine ... or else I'll denounce you as a heretic".
That means you really are just trying to lure your victims into exchanging one Pope (the one in Rome) for another (you and your buddy, John Calvin).
Christ redeems personally and specifically, not through some institution, but by God's grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.
For example, most of this is not in the Bible. Jesus specifically founded a _church_ (a "called-out assembly") -- he said so -- and he said nothing about redeeming anyone except as members of his flock. We're called to be sheep, not lone wolves.
The only use of the phrase "by faith alone" in Scripture, is in James, and is preceded by the word "not".
What is "faith alone in Christ alone"? You've removed God the Father and God the Holy Spirit from the picture, too?
The only use of the phrase “by faith alone” in Scripture, is in James, and is preceded by the word “not”.
According to scripture each member of the Trinity has a specific role in salvation.
The Father elects and draws, the Son saves and judges and the Holy Spirit convicts and enlightens.
Christ told us to have faith IN HIM
Jhn 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Jhn 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Jhn 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Jhn 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Jhn 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Jhn 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Jhn 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins.
Jhn 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment::9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Jhn 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Act 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses
Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Faith and belief are the flip sides of the same coin
Jesus never taught salvation by works, in fact he taught just the opposite
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
What is the will of the Father?
Scripture says this is His will for men
Jhn 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
The will of the Father is that we believe, so what does Jesus say to the man that thought his works would earn him salvation ?
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin.
That' very like my own (alleged) thought process. In a way it was trying to live Calvinism which led me to Catholicism. Scripture says "The LORD will fight for you and you have only to be still." Being still takes a lot of grace, I found.