Simple intellectual assent? Even the demons believe, and tremble...
Yours is a very clear and simple doctrine, and I understand the psychological appeal. Yet this human tradition of salvation through simple intellectual assent, contradicts countless passages of Scripture, which many Protestants dismiss with a wave of the hand.
This demonstrates another weakness of Luther's self-contradictory doctrine of "the Bible alone." Individual interpretation of Scripture, outside of the maternal guidance of the Church, "the pillar and foundation of truth," results in a proliferation of errors.
"‘Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord" shall enter the kingdom of heaven’ (Matt. 7:21)."Assurance of Salvation"I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby justified. It is the Lord who judges me" (1 Cor. 4:4)
"What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!" (James 14)
He who endures to the end will be saved" (Matt. 24:13; cf. 25:31–46)
"Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off." (Romans 11:22)
"If any one says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen" (1 John 4:20)
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3)
Bear, read that please. I did not have time for a detailed and scriptural answer regarding the supposed once-done-deal theory of salvation, but here it is. Thanks, Tom.
Jodyel said: Really there is not, Thomas. All one need know is Christ saves and by believing in Him one is saved. If one knows nothing else but that, one is secure for eternity.
St_Thomas_Aquinas said: Simple intellectual assent? Even the demons believe, and tremble...
Back a hundred years ago, some people believed airplanes existed and thought they were death traps. Others believed they existed AND believed IN their ability to carry them aloft from point A to point B.
See the difference?
Believe him, not believe IN Him.
Demons are not offered the opportunity for salvation, so it is pointless to try to make it sound like those who believe in salvation by grace through faith in Christ are no different than demons.
There’s that ill thought out line again! People that use that line simply show ignorance of scripture. They think it’s some kind of gotcha when in reality it just makes them look really, really ignorant of what words mean.
Let’s look at where that line comes from.
James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
I so hope you noticed the bold red that. It means something and is different then in these verses.
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
There is a distinct difference in the words used and that distinction makes a great deal of difference in the meaning of the sentence. Let’s get rid of that cliché that people try to use thinking they have done a gotcha somehow. It makes people look really ill educated.
Believing on Jesus Christ is NOT simple intellectual assent. It would be wise to understand the meaning of words when trying to interrelate with Holy Spirit filled Christians. Using words to change the meaning of scripture comes from a spirit but it is NOT the Holy Spirit.
I do like you, Thomas, but give it a rest.
http://blog.efccl.org/leadership/2013/03/so-simple-a-child-could-do-it/
Jesus tells us to become like little children, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. A lot of that has to do with the simplicity of it. Is there something in your life right now that just requires you to have a childlike simplicity with God to receive His kingdom fullness in your life? Just remember: it’s so simple, a child can do it—only a child.
Are you saved?
A simple child-like faith in Jesus is all that God requires of you to be saved.
Luke 18:17-”Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein”.
Jesus desires those who will come to Him innocently like a child (without pride or self-righteousness) for salvation.
Matthew 18:3-”Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven”.
The Lord has made salvation so simple that even a small child can understand and be saved. But many people stumble at the simplicity of the gospel (the good news) of salvation. Jesus offers salvation to anyone who will come to Him.
John 6:37-”Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out”.
The Lord drew the comparison to little children for the specific purpose of showing that salvation is easy to receive. It is simply a gift received by faith in the One giving it.