You rightly pointed out that many of differing faiths call themselves “evangelical”, and daniel1212, metmom, Mark17, and others pointed out that just because some people call themselves “evangelical”, it does mean that they are. You labeled evangelicals as those who believe in “the Solas” and “born again”, and I understand that as a RC, this is a derogatory label. Please allow me to show you why we true evangelicals believe that.
We hold firm to the understanding that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, a living Holy accounting of His love for all mankind, and how He has planned and presented from the beginning, a way of salvation and forgiveness for our sinful nature, a way back to Him, through the ultimate blood sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, not only for his chosen people the Jews, but also for the rest of the world. The understanding of what this means and how it happens does not come from a catechism devised by men, but from the Word of the Holy Scriptures themselves. The Old Testament is a picture of His plan and the New Testament is a literal fulfillment of the plan.
Thus the “Solas” that we believe. Each explained in multiple verses (but for simplicity and time I will list only 1 verse for each here .......
Solus Christa (through Christ Alone)
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone)
“I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.” Isaiah 42:8
Sola Scriptura (by scripture alone)
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16–17
Sola Fide (by faith alone)
“We know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” Galatians 2:15-16
Sola Gratia (by grace alone)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
As for your “born again” label.... is that too not scriptural?
"Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
And Jesus also said....
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.” Matthew 3:9
Therefore, being born again is a process that is absolutely necessary for entering God's Kingdom. Being “born again” takes place before one is said to be saved. It is an experience that occurs at the beginning of the Christian life, before conversion, justification, and sanctification.
Have you read the Bible, Cronos? If so, then how do you explain these verses? Do they lie? And please don’t bother to say that the translation to English is wrong. I am sure that our friend Daniel1212 can point you to the word for word translation authority. Better that you ask the Holy Spirit (yes, it is okay to pray directly to God (the Trinity) ask Him to give you understanding. I will pray that God does indeed bless you with this understanding. I can see that you are sincere in wanting to BELIEVE. And because of that God WILL grant you (open the door) If you only ask for understanding of the scriptures.
Dowdy, I know how evangelicals define themselves. That’s why it is clear that this Brazilian anti-semite who defines himself as an Evangelical actually FITS that definition of an Evangelical
Let's break it down -- you quote 2 Timothy 3:16-17 -- note what it says "All Scripture is breathed out by God" -- and note what it does not say. It does NOT say "sola scriptura" i.e. ONLY scripture. In addition 2 Timothy was written before the gospels of Luke and John were written, so do you then say that it doesn't refer to them?
And Dowdy, Where does Scripture teach ONLY Scripture/ SOLA scriptura?
Let's look at 1 Timothy 3:15
| But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. |
and 2 Thessalonians 2:15
| Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours |
- by word or by epistle
Have you read the Bible, Dowdy? If so, then how do you explain these verses?
2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours
and
2 Thess 3:6 We instruct you, brothers, in the name of [our] Lord Jesus Christ, to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us and 1 Peter 1:25 You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God,[k] 24 for: and all its glory like the flower of the field;
the grass withers,
and the flower wilts;
25
but the word of the Lord remains forever.” This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.> -- Note that LIVING Word of God, Jesus
and 2 Peter 1:20-21 20 [l]Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation, 21 for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God. and Matthew 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church.[n] If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. -- which goes to the point that it is sola verbum Dei - the Word of God alone.
Or perhaps you wish to say that you, App Dowdy, toss out the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation and you, App Dowdy don’t consider the Gospel of John as scripture, because it was written after 2 Timothy?
1 Corinthians 13:2 And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing
hmmm... or James 2:24 -- which incidentally is the only time sola fide is used See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Let's look at James in detail
So the "sola" bit is biblically false,
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? 17 So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 Indeed someone may say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. 19 You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble. 20 Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works. 23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called “the friend of God.” 24 See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route? 26 For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
have you read the bible Appy?
1 Corinthians 13:2 And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing
hmmm... or James 2:24 -- which incidentally is the only time sola fide is used See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Let's look at James in detail
Redemption - the entire human race, and the entire world is redeemed by Our Blessed Lord’s sacrifice of Himself on the cross.
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? 17 So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 Indeed someone may say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. 19 You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble. 20 Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works. 23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called “the friend of God.” 24 See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route? 26 For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Justification - this is the process, begun by God, by which we apply the redemption in our own life.
Salvation - this is after we have died and are judged by Christ as to whether we love Him, and accepted His Grace in our life.
So the "sola" bit is biblically false,
have you read the bible Appy?
You do realize that the Church has always taught sola gratia?
By the grace of God, we are saved through our faith; this faith entails by its very nature, good works, always enabled by prior grace, without which this faith is dead.Grace is primary in the whole process -- by you putting in 'sola fide'- which is non-biblical btw, you go against the core concept of sola gratia
The awareness that divine grace alone could bring about such a conversion never left Paul
It is to Jesus Christ, God, and His grace alone that we owe what we are as Christians
Nicodemus’ reply: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (John 3:4). Does he simply mistake Jesus to be speaking literally or is Nicodemus himself answering figuratively, meaning, “How can an old man learn new ways as if he were a child again?” We cannot say for sure, but in any case Jesus answers, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born again.”’ (John 3:5-7).
Here Jesus equates “born again” or “born from above” with “born of water and the Spirit.”
Clearly, the context implies that born of “water and the Spirit” refers to baptism.
Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3 that he had to be born again - and he clarifies it two verses later "You must be born of water and the Spirit" which he stated with reference to baptism. John made that point clear to the reader, because as soon as he finished describing Jesus' discourse with Nicodemus in verses 2 to 21, he says next in verse 22 that After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized
And a few verses later, John writes ho the pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John - in other words, when Jesus said that we must be born again, what he meant was baptism
People use the term *born against* as a pejorative, not realizing who said it first.