[Dr. Eckleburg]

For example, from the Fathers we see...that salvation was understood as a process rather than one time event

In this one sentence, we find the greatest error of Rome from which all other errors flow.

The New Testament is brimming with the declared truth that salvation has been accomplished by Christ on behalf of His flock. There is no ongoing "process" of men atoning for their own sins because Christ has atoned for those sins ONCE for all time. He has paid the price in full. The ransom has been delivered to God and God has accepted the payment of "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world," and thus, the accounts of Christ's sheep have been marked "paid-in-full."

Thank you, God. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

OTOH, Rome seeks to insinuate itself between God and men as the arbiter of men's salvation, handing out bits and pieces of it according to men's own work. Any reading of Scripture refutes this deadly error that gives men the credit for their salvation which rightly belongs to God alone.

Rome obscures the difference between justification and sanctification, wrongly melding the two into a works-based salvation. Instead, the Bible tells us our justification by Christ's atonement is complete, while our sanctification by the Holy Spirit in our lives is an ongoing process of refinement as we are brought closer to God day by day.

We offer Scripture in support of this, and all Rome responds with is various and variable "church fathers."

"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." -- Hebrews 10:12-18

Further, Rome not only confuses sanctification and justification, it likewise confuses "payment" for sins with "sorrow" for sins. Men are given by the Holy Spirit the desire and ability to repent for their sins, all the while still knowing Christ has already paid for those sins in full.

Thus our remorse. Thus our gratitude. Thus our confidence in our redemption by Christ's sacrifice alone. He has accomplished what we could not.

"But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." -- Matthew 9:13

Obviously Rome hasn't learned this yet. And this ignorance is why Trent curses all those who believe they have been justified by their God-given faith alone, and therefore have confidence in their salvation by Christ risen from the cross. Rome doesn't believe in the accomplished work of Christ. Rome denies the accomplished work of Christ and labors to augment it with the baubles and trinkets of men's vain imaginings. As if Christ's perfect, God-ordained death and resurrection needed the gaudy, gilded ornamentation and careless red paint Rome slathers onto the empty cross.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for sharing your insights, dear sister in Christ, and especially thank you for those beautiful Scriptures!

Truly, the blood of the Lamb is altogether sufficient.

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. - Galatians 2:21

To God be the glory!

[hosepipe]

[ Rome denies the accomplished work of Christ and labors to augment it with the baubles and trinkets of men's vain imaginings. As if Christ's perfect, God-ordained death and resurrection needed the gaudy, gilded ornamentation and careless red paint Rome slathers onto the empty cross. ]

OUCH!.. that must hurt to any roman catholic(orthodox) with a modicum of honor..

[Lord_Calvinus]

*** There is no ongoing “process” of men atoning for their own sins because Christ has atoned for those sins ONCE for all time. He has paid the price in full. The ransom has been delivered to God and God has accepted the payment of “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world,” and thus, the accounts of Christ’s sheep have been marked “paid-in-full.”***

Exactly. Anything else about processes for salvation is like spitting on Christ’s face while he was on the cross.

The Lord has perfected FOREVER those who are being sanctified. The only process is the unfinished santification of the saints.

***OTOH, Rome seeks to insinuate itself between God and men as the arbiter of men’s salvation, handing out bits and pieces....***

Begging for table scraps is for dogs and unfit for the saints of God.

[annalex]

The New Testament is brimming with the declared truth that salvation has been accomplished by Christ on behalf of His flock

No it does not. Characteristically, you did not cite any. What Christ accomplished ont he Cross was the redemption of man. The individual salvation is still to be worked out with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12) by every one.