Why is sola fide important?

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[ealgeone]

Question: "Why is sola fide important?"

Answer: Sola fide which means "faith alone" is important because it is one of the distinguishing characteristics or key points that separate the true biblical Gospel from false gospels. At stake is the very Gospel itself and it is therefore a matter of eternal life or death. Getting the Gospel right is of such importance that the Apostle Paul would write in Galatians 1:9, “As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” Paul was addressing the same question that sola fide addresses—on what basis is man declared by God to be justified? Is it by faith alone or by faith combined with works? Paul makes it clear in Galatians and Romans that man is “justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law” (Galatians 2:16), and the rest of the Bible concurs.

Sola fide is one of the five solas that came to define and summarize the key issues of the Protestant Reformation. Each of these Latin phrases represents a key area of doctrine that was an issue of contention between the Reformers and the Roman Catholic Church, and today they still serve to summarize key doctrines essential to the Gospel and to Christian life and practice. The Latin word sola means “alone” or “only” and the essential Christian doctrines represented by these five Latin phrases accurately summarize the biblical teaching on these crucial subjects: sola scriptura—Scripture alone, sola fide—faith alone, sola gratia—grace alone, sola Christus—Christ alone, and sola Deo gloria—for the glory of God alone. Each one is vitally important, and they are all closely tied together. Deviation from one will lead to error in another essential doctrine, and the result will almost always be a false gospel which is powerless to save.

Sola fide or faith alone is a key point of difference between not only Protestants and Catholics but between biblical Christianity and almost all other religions and teachings. The teaching that we are declared righteous by God (justified) on the basis of our faith alone and not by works is a key doctrine of the Bible and a line that divides most cults from biblical Christianity. While most religions and cults teach men what works they must do to be saved, the Bible teaches that we are not saved by works, but by God’s grace through His gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Biblical Christianity is distinct from every other religion in that it is centered on what God has accomplished through Christ’s finished work, while all other religions are based on human achievement. If we abandon the doctrine of justification by faith, we abandon the only way of salvation. “Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness" (Romans 4:4-5). The Bible teaches that those that trust Jesus Christ for justification by faith alone are imputed with His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21), while those who try to establish their own righteousness or mix faith with works will receive the punishment due to all who fall short of God’s perfect standard.

Sola fide—the doctrine of justification by faith alone apart from works—is simply recognizing what is taught over and over in Scripture—that at some point in time God declares ungodly sinners righteous by imputing Christ’s righteousness to them (Romans 4:5, 5:8, 5:19). This happens apart from any works and before the individual actually begins to become righteous. This is an important distinction between Catholic theology that teaches righteous works are meritorious towards salvation and Protestant theology that affirms the biblical teaching that righteous works are the result and evidence of a born-again person who has been justified by God and regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How important is sola fide? It is so important to the Gospel message and a biblical understanding of salvation that Martin Luther described it as being “the article with and by which the church stands.” Those who reject sola fide reject the only Gospel that can save them and by necessity embrace a false gospel. That is why Paul so adamantly denounces those who taught law-keeping or other works of righteousness in Galatians 1:9 and other passages. Yet today this important biblical doctrine is once again under attack. Too often sola fide is relegated to secondary importance instead of being recognized as an essential doctrine of Christianity, which it certainly is.

“Consider Abraham: ‘He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’ Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, ‘The righteous will live by faith’” (Galatians 3:6-11).

[Mark17]

LOL, that’s 10 times better than a Limerick.

[MHGinTN]

Wow, quite a list. Even Nimrod's Queen didn't have that many titles ... which of course brought more pagans into the Romish system since they claimed more power for the queen of heaven than even under worship of Astarte or subsequent iterations.

But not to worry over the pagan leven or the many dates/celebrations dragged in from Pagan religions, the hierarchy blessed the leven before stuffing it into the lump.

[metmom]

If you confessed to a priest that you were the one police were looking for who murdered the two little girls on the hiking trail, he would probably advise that you need to make it right with the authorities before he would grant absolution....

Pure speculation on your part.

As noted by the words *IF* and *PROBABLY*.

[metmom]

.and the Hail Mary is directly from the Bible....we just add a request that she pray for us sinners at the end....

Can't be both.

You just disproved your own position by admitting that Catholics added to the claim that the prayer was in the Bible.

[af_vet_1981]

Well, af_vet_1981, if that’s what you want to choose to say about me ...

Post 747 has a request "Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems to me you’re suggesting ..." which I granted. Any "you’re suggesting that God’s Word contradicts itself" is another’s, not mine.

Our words have consequences, eternal ones.
So much for sola fide.


My advice: accept all the scriptures and do what He says.

As for boasting, Paul agreed with Jeremiah.

Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

...

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

...

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

...

That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

As authorized, but not authored, by King James
1. Jeremiah, Catholic chapter nine, Protestant verses twenty three to twenty four
2. Matthew, Catholic chapter six, Protestant verses nine to fifteen
3. John, Catholic chapter two, Protestant verse five
4. First Corinthians, Catholic chapter one, Protestant verses twenty nine to thirty one

[metmom]

I suspect, that to get my sins retained, I would probably have to become an apostate ex Catholic.

Honestly that would be the *sin* that I would expect them to retain.

No heaven for you unless you become a Catholic.

[Mark17]

There once was a great religious war
The kind we hear about only in folklore
They never fight fair
We really don't care
Their bite is always less than their roar.

[Luircin]

So it’s only age that determines the worthiness of your religion?

Then why aren’t you a Baal worshipper?

[Mark17]

No heaven for you unless you become a Catholic.

Ha ha. Not a snow balls chance. I did like you, I left the RCC, never to return. 😂

[aMorePerfectUnion]

and the Hail Mary is directly from the Bible.

No, it is not. Not a prayer at all. Not a prayer to Mary.

[MHGinTN]

Magic Thinking run amok.

[Elsie]

I see yer point!

[Elsie]

Mark has a big bolo knife;
He’d use it, to save someone’s life.
If you mess with him,
or any of his kin;
You’ll face him and also his wife!

[Elsie]

Wow, quite a list.

And each one culled for Catholic themed (and apparently approved) pages on the Web.

[Elsie]

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

I'll be back in a few centuries and you best listen to ME then!!

[Elsie]

No heaven for you unless you become a Catholic.

SUERE there is!

Level Two of MORMONism!

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That's where you Mormons with an INvalid TR are going spend eternity: with the likes of ME and some Catholics; too!

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HEAVEN-The Mormon church teaches there are three levels of heaven (three "degrees of glory"):

Celestial - for Mormons who have kept ALL of the laws and ordinances of their church.                                                              (Where the Father lives.  Only about 15% of Mormons have a VALID TR card.)

Terrestrial - for religious people who aren't Mormons and for Mormons who have not met the requirements of the Church.    (Where approximately 85% 0f Mormons will end up)

Telestial - where unbelievers go

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The Doctrine and Covenants

Section 76

 

 92 And thus we saw the glory of the celestial, which excels in all things—where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and ever;
 93 Before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory forever and ever.
 94 They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace;
 95 And he makes them equal in power, and in might, and in dominion.

 

 

 

 

Those who inherit terrestrial glory will “receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father.   https://www.lds.org/topics/kingdoms-of-glory?lang=eng  (click view more) 

 

 

 

[Elsie]

Magic Thinking run amok.
a limericks ahead, with some luck.
If I make up a rhyme;
I'll prob'ly do time;
in FR's purgatory; along with Chuck.

[Elsie]

FROM; not for...

[editor-surveyor]

.
Chuck it!
.

[Elsie]

http://www.leaderu.com/offices/michaeldavis/docs/mormonism/definitions.html