Posted on 11/19/2019 5:34:45 AM PST by metmom
“‘Come to Me . . .’” (Matthew 11:28).
Although infinitely beyond human comprehension, God’s sovereignty and human responsibility are inseparable in salvation. God sovereignly provides the grace that draws sinners, but they must humbly come in faith and commit to obey the Lord Jesus before salvation becomes complete. Christ makes this clear when He says, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out” (John 6:37).
Redemption comes not through human creed, denominational preferences, favorite rituals, certain pastors, priests, or theological gurus—but only through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. When He says “Come to Me,” it means we must come to Him having trusted in His substitutionary death and having reached the point of willingness to submit to His lordship. The Lord teaches, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst” (John 6:35). Coming to Jesus means believing in Him, and that results in no longer hungering or thirsting from a lack of salvation’s blessings.
Jesus gave this summary of salvation, which includes the most well-known verse in Scripture: “Even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:14–16).
Ask Yourself
There are so many internal squabbles over the actual transaction of salvation. But can’t we all agree that no one is saved unless Jesus does it—and that no one is given salvation unless the person receives it? May we be more concerned about men than we are about talks and meetings.
Salt Lake City calls for...
AoF #3
We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
While THESE verses in the LDS quad say:
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
The answer is not easy to fit in a sound bite or two.
Salvation by Grace Alone?
Traditionally, Christian churches have believed that salvation comes through the grace of God but that God expects us to demonstrate our faith by performing good works, including baptism. Though the concept of works was challenged by some of the Reformers, most Protestant churches nevertheless continue to admonish good works and to practice baptism and confirmation. In recent decades, more and more Christian groups have come to rely on grace alone, believing that baptism, while permitted, is unnecessary for salvation, and that good works are a gift of the Spirit that comes to believers after they have accepted Christ.
By contrast, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to follow the beliefs of the early Christian community, that salvation comes by a combination of grace, faith, obedience to God’s will, and the ordinances of baptism and confirmation. The Church’s beliefs are summed up in the third and fourth of the Articles of Faith:
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
These beliefs, though based on teachings found in the New Testament, are often challenged by those Christian groups who believe that grace alone brings salvation. It is this concept that is examined in this article.
(Big snip, much more in the middle)
The importance of good works is also noted in James 2:14-20, where we read that “faith without works is dead” and that we must demonstrate our faith by our works.
Conclusion
It is clear that the gift of salvation was provided by grace, while we were yet in our sins, but that the gift is available only to those who repent and are baptized. In Romans 2:6-7, as noted earlier, Paul wrote that eternal life is given as a reward for “well doing.” Jesus confirmed this in his answer to the rich young man’s question, “What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” The Savior replied, “Keep the commandments,” then began reciting the ten commandments.65 If faith and confession were sufficient, why didn’t Christ even mention them? Lest we begin to think that “eternal life” does not mean salvation, we should note what was said a few verses later in explanation of what had just happened, where there is specific reference to being saved.66
The earliest Christians believed that faith in Christ could be demonstrated by good works and that even confession required action. An epistle attributed to the first-century Christian writer Clement teaches,
For even He Himself declares, ‘Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him will I confess before My Father’ [Matthew 10:32] … But, in what way shall we confess Him? By doing what He says, and not transgressing His commandments, and by honouring Him not with our lips only, but with all our heart, and all our mind…Let us, then, not only call Him Lord, for that will not save us. For He saith: ‘Not every one that saith to Me, Lord, Lord, shall be saved, but he that worketh righteousness’ [Matthew 7:21]. Wherefore, brethren, let us confess Him by our works.67
The LDS understand not only the importance of confessing the name of Jesus Christ, but also the relationship of grace, faith, repentance, and baptism in regards to salvation. It is apparent that this understanding was also shared by the New Testament writers, the earliest Christians, and Jesus Christ himself.
https://www.fairmormon.org/archive/publications/salvation-by-grace-alone
While I realize you've copied this from the non-official FAIRMORMON website and we have no way of interacting with them; by the mere fact you've USED their material must mean that you believe it to be true, as you'd not wish to post any untruth here.
That said, you'll need to actually SHOW that these items mentioned WERE part of the 'early church'.
I've posted the fact of FAITH ALONE; so the onus is on you to post the 'confirmation' ETAL to prove the accuracy of the statement from FM.
No; He didn't.
Jesus only mentioned six of them.
Matthew 19:16-24 (KJV)
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
So; why stop at the 19th verse?
Should you not (since you want to keep the 'law') do what Jesus told him he lacked??
Sell your stuff and give it to the poor.
While the Rich, Young ruler asked this question; Jesus also answered another; quite direct; question with a quite direct answer:
John 6:25-40
25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[c]”
32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
Good first step.
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Speaking of steps; are ANY of the questions asked of you during the TR interview to be found in the Book of Mormon?
Got rid of your ‘stuff’ yet?
Jesus’ Teachings
It is ironic that those who preach salvation by grace alone typically cite the apostle Paul’s writings but ignore the teachings of Christ himself. While the Book of Mormon teaching that we are “saved by grace after all we can do”26 may conflict with the theology of some modern Christian groups, it is consistent with Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament.
The Savior spent three years teaching people the principles by which they should live their lives, never once mentioning grace. His principal message was “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,”27 (which was the same message taught by John the Baptist.28 He upbraided certain cities and said they were under condemnation because they did not choose to repent.29
Christ taught that it was necessary to keep the commandments, both in reality and in thought, in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.30 When the rich young man came to Jesus asking how he could gain eternal life, Jesus began by telling him to keep the ten commandments, then added that he should give his wealth to the poor and follow him.31 He required his disciples to follow his teachings and commandments32 and said that they would be rejected at the judgment day if they did not do so.33 He declared that “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,”34 suggesting that confession of his name, while necessary, is insufficient for salvation.
Jesus also commanded that baptism be performed35 and was himself baptized.36 He told Nicodemus that “except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”37 He taught that those who were baptized were considered “justified,” while those who chose not to be baptized were not justified and were under condemnation.38Prior to ascending to his Father, he instructed the apostles to go to all the world, baptizing in his name and teaching their converts to keep all of his commandments.39 According to Mark 16:16, he declared that “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.”
ibid
“No portion of this site may be reproduced without the express written consent of The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, Inc.”
I notice you used a part truth to tell a lie.
Look up their rules about how to post their stuff and post it if you choose to be truefully truthful!
Just posting their style of 'apologetics' seems to offend you.
Look up their rules about how to post their stuff and post it if you choose to be truefully truthful!
And; if you'd wanted to be TRULY helpful, you'd have posted these 'rules' yourself.
Of course He did!
It WAS that way until His death and resurrection.
Have you read in Jerimiah that there was to be a NEW covenant [Jeremiah 31:31-34] coming? (And it wasn't the things you swear to during your temple rites; either)
Jesus gave the direct answer to what the requirements were.
He added nothing earlier or later.
Have some Scripture (found in your quad):
Micah 6:8He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
John 6:28-29
Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
1 John 3:21-23
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.
And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
Here is a simple test for anyone to try; in the manner of Mormon missionaries; praying about the Book of Mormon to see if it is true after reading it: Use this SAME test for other Mormon scripture.
It seems so simple to try. One could do it in the privacy of their own home.
Oh Lord; I've read the AoF; show me the truth of it.
Oh Lord; I've read the Pearl of Great Price; show me the truth of it.
Oh Lord; I've read the Book of Abraham; show me the truth of it.
Oh Lord; I've read all of the D&C's; show me the truth of them.
Oh Lord; I've read the King James bible; show me any untruth in it.
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