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Why is sola fide important?
gotquestions.org ^ | unknown | Got Questions Ministries

Posted on 06/04/2017 12:29:15 PM PDT by 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).


TOPICS: Theology
KEYWORDS: bible; christian; faith; prayer; solafide
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To: boatbums; Elsie; MHGinTN; metmom
Indeed!

She’s a natural!

That was a good BB, but you said previously, that you were not going to be competition. Did you have a change of heart? 😂😆 How about a good ex Catholic Limerick? Come on, show off your talents. 😄😁

921 posted on 06/09/2017 7:40:55 PM PDT by Mark17 (Genesis chapter 1 verse 1. In the beginning GOD....And the rest, as they say, is HIS-story)
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To: Elsie; MHGinTN; daniel1212
What ARE the gun laws over there?

My wife can own a firearm, but I can't. She wanted a 9 MM, but I said no, it doesn't have enough stopping power. I said we should get a minimum of a 38, but I said a 357 magnum is better.
I went to the Shooting Gallery, in Vacaville, CA and was able to hold a Sig Sauer 44 magnum pistol. I don't remember what it was called, nor how many rounds are in the magazine, but when I picked it up, the magazine was not even in it, and I thought it was too heavy. I can't imagine trying to hold it, with a full magazine. Too darn heavy. If I ever got a 44 magnum, it would be a Dirty Harry type. "Do you feel lucky? Well, do you punk?" 😂 That one might even be too heavy, but that Sig was DEFINITELY too heavy.

922 posted on 06/09/2017 8:19:03 PM PDT by Mark17 (Genesis chapter 1 verse 1. In the beginning GOD....And the rest, as they say, is HIS-story)
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To: Elsie
I also fired at at this range too. I only went once, cuz the ranger master acted like a basic training TI. I would have none of it. It's a rather nice below ground range, but after I finished, I went upstairs, and told the manager I would not be back, because his range master was a jerk. I don't know if that turkey is still there.
I figure if some dip wad comes in here, he will have to get past 3 big viscously territorial dogs. 👍🐶
923 posted on 06/09/2017 8:39:13 PM PDT by Mark17 (Genesis chapter 1 verse 1. In the beginning GOD....And the rest, as they say, is HIS-story)
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To: Mark17; Elsie

No, no...I wouldn’t THINK of competing on y’all’s level. But, you are right when you said sometimes they just come to you. Not sayin’ I won’t ever do it again, though. It is kinda fun.


924 posted on 06/09/2017 9:40:31 PM PDT by boatbums (Authority has a way of descending to certitude, and certitude begets hubris.)
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To: Elsie
Did everyone go to sleep now? It's only about 1 PM Saturday afternoon here. The night is still young. 😇
925 posted on 06/09/2017 9:43:01 PM PDT by Mark17 (Genesis chapter 1 verse 1. In the beginning GOD....And the rest, as they say, is HIS-story)
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To: Mark17
I 9mm has PLENTY of stopping power. What good is a firearm if the recoil is so strong you end up dropping it after shooting it? I have a Sig Sauer P238. A nice carry gun for a lady and it uses .380 ammo. It's purty, too!


926 posted on 06/09/2017 9:56:12 PM PDT by boatbums (Authority has a way of descending to certitude, and certitude begets hubris.)
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To: boatbums
Not sayin’ I won’t ever do it again, though. It is kinda fun.

Yes it is. It has the potential to keep works based religionists at bay. 😄 Previously mentioned works based religionists, shall remain unnamed, but I think we all know who they are. Feel free to Compose away. 😊

927 posted on 06/09/2017 9:57:43 PM PDT by Mark17 (Genesis chapter 1 verse 1. In the beginning GOD....And the rest, as they say, is HIS-story)
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To: boatbums; Elsie
I used to have a Sig P-226. Since I can't bring it here, I sold it. A 44 magnum has too much kick for me, but I have fired a 357 magnum. It kicks too, but I felt it was controllable. I just felt a little ill at ease, having to possibly go into court, and try to explain why I was using hollow point ammunition. It's possible I could say, that I used hollow points, because I used them on the job, but I DO like that 357 magnum. Used weapons are not too bad. On the other hand, home defense is all I am really interested in. A 12 gauge might be all I really need. It might stop people from heating up the oil. 😀
928 posted on 06/09/2017 10:36:49 PM PDT by Mark17 (Genesis chapter 1 verse 1. In the beginning GOD....And the rest, as they say, is HIS-story)
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To: af_vet_1981

“Correct me if I’m wrong,” means exactly that, though, af_vet_1981. There’s the “if” in there. And if you’re going to claim that I was wrong, then you should do more than claim, but show me how you think so.

“Correct me if I’m wrong” is also a commonly used expression. I chose to use it there because, for one thing, while I’d carefully considered our conversation, I know I’m human. I could have somehow missed something along the way, although I didn’t think so. So, again, it was an opportunity for you to show me, with evidence, where you think I’d gotten something wrong, IF you did. And in that case, it was an opportunity to see if there might just be some misunderstanding somewhere between us, even on your part. So my use of that phrase doesn’t necessarily mean I’m going to accept any answer you give, if the evidence isn’t there, which it isn’t. I went back after your last reply and read over our whole dialogue here, and you consistently refused to affirm the truth of all that’s in Ephesians 2 that we’ve been discussing, until you told me I wasn’t reading you correctly. If any error has been made in terms of what you believe on those passages in Ephesians 2, it’s you who didn’t communicate your beliefs accurately.

I also chose to use the phrase “correct me if I’m wrong” because I know that when communicating over the internet, one’s words can sound very stern or even harsh when they’re not meant to be. So, while also in a hurry given the late hour, I thought on the whole that that particular phrase would be a good one to use in order to cover all those bases, including to communicate that I just wanted to discuss things with you as civilly as possible.


929 posted on 06/09/2017 11:11:25 PM PDT by Faith Presses On (Above all, politics should serve the Great Commission, "preparing the way for the Lord.")
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To: boatbums; Elsie; MHGinTN; metmom
I once owned a nice weapon called Sig
When I bought it, I almost danced a jig
It did me very well
But soon I could tell
I want more power, to deal with this gig.
930 posted on 06/09/2017 11:37:42 PM PDT by Mark17 (Genesis chapter 1 verse 1. In the beginning GOD....And the rest, as they say, is HIS-story)
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To: Mark17

Bravo!


931 posted on 06/09/2017 11:45:12 PM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: metmom
Late night snack again? It's 3 PM Saturday afternoon here. 😀
932 posted on 06/10/2017 12:02:03 AM PDT by Mark17 (Genesis chapter 1 verse 1. In the beginning GOD....And the rest, as they say, is HIS-story)
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To: Mark17

Yeah.

My stomach is off. Sometimes eating helps. Tonight it didn’t seem to.

Oh well. I’m going to try to get back to sleep again anyway.

Night.


933 posted on 06/10/2017 12:12:01 AM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: boatbums
Well; when Mark reads MY stuff; he must feel a NEED to compete. (It's a guy thing.)

But I see it's more of a merging of like souls; a bond of similar talent that has come together to fight for Truth, Justice and the American (or Philippine) Way!

934 posted on 06/10/2017 3:40:37 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Mark17

Is the full moon yellow?


935 posted on 06/10/2017 3:41:11 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Mark17

With apologies to 2 Corinthians 4:16....

I am suddenly supposin’
why Prots are rhyme composin’:
Is it ‘cause they’re happy every day?

Why should we be morose;
seeing our bodies decompose?
It’s better than to Mary we should pray!


936 posted on 06/10/2017 3:50:58 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Mark17

I wanna stop ‘em BEFORE they get to my home; thus the AR-15 of mine.


937 posted on 06/10/2017 3:52:22 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie; boatbums
But I see it's more of a merging of like souls; a bond of similar talent that has come together to fight for Truth, Justice and the American (or Philippine) Way!

Yes, that is true. 😀 As far as the Philippine way, there is a new motto for living here. 😀
Yes, the full moon is yellow, cuz there is probably a little more pollution. I seemed to notice a difference between here, and when I go to California.
That was a good semi Limerick. I agree. Born again Christians do not need to be sad. We have assurance of salvation, even if other people, who belong to works based religions, don't. I don't care if some people don't like my confidence in salvation. They can have it too. I don't know why anyone would NOT want to KNOW positively that they are saved. It's beyond me. Oh well, that's on them. 🔥

938 posted on 06/10/2017 4:22:54 AM PDT by Mark17 (Genesis chapter 1 verse 1. In the beginning GOD....And the rest, as they say, is HIS-story)
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To: Mark17

Have your lady shoot a 20 gauge. If the laws allow it, try out a short barreled AR, if you want stopping power. I am convinced that the Makarov round is an excellent balance between impact and recoil ... very manageable, especially the CZ82 version (12 round magazine, double action single action with an excellent double action trigger for first round. 13 rounds of manageable 9x18 is formidable.


939 posted on 06/10/2017 4:43:14 AM PDT by MHGinTN (A dispensational perspective is a powerful tool for discernment)
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To: Faith Presses On
“Correct me if I’m wrong,” means exactly that, though, af_vet_1981. There’s the “if” in there. And if you’re going to claim that I was wrong, then you should do more than claim, but show me how you think so.

I corrected you because you wrote "but it seems to me you’re suggesting that God’s Word contradicts itself,"

“Correct me if I’m wrong” is also a commonly used expression.

If one doesn't mean it, it doesn't make much sense to use that phrase.

So, again, it was an opportunity for you to show me, with evidence, where you think I’d gotten something wrong, IF you did.

What you wrote, "you’re suggesting that God’s Word contradicts itself" is what I think you got wrong. One could rephrase that to "you're suggesting that Calvinism contradicts God's Word" and I have already posted scriptural evidence. The Word of the LORD stands forever. It is the doctrines of men that fade away and fail.
940 posted on 06/10/2017 6:29:59 AM PDT by af_vet_1981 (The bus came by and I got on, That's when it all began.)
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