Replies

When you start your reasoning with the following false premise, the rest of the edifice you build will be scripture insecure: "In Baptism we have been saved"
As a Catholic, you are probably unable to see the flaw int his assertion. And the Catholicism notion that an infant can be saved by infant baptism is proof of confusion. No man such as a Catholic Priest has that god-like power, to save someone because the priest baptized them as an infant.

Well, I am truly reluctant to respond. I say it is you who deal in false premises- as what you perceive to be Catholic doctrine is unmistakable in its error. Whether or not you choose to acknowledge the Scriptural foundations of the Church is fine, but you can’t validate your position with false premises.

We ARE saved by Baptism- the washing of Original sin. However- as YOU have pointed out regarding the ‘tenses” (your term) of the Salvation process, this just the beginning tense.
We ARE saved by Baptism – but not permanently, not Forever. Removal of the inherited sin through God’s pardon of us – through no merit of our own - Justifies our souls through the Grace of God toward Salvation.

“Baptism . . . NOW saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

In the Creed we continually proclaim - “I confess ONE baptism for the forgiveness of sins.” –
Now this applies to Infants or 60 year old Atheists… it’s the beginning of the Salvation process for us, but it does not guarantee Salvation forever.

“He who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt. 24)

Now you will say this denies Christ perfect redemption in his resurrection for us… but Baptism does NOT deny or diminish… but through our Baptism it enjoins us TO CHRIST… for we say….

" Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too MIGHT walk in newness of life."

Now does this mean that we have bound God - or God is bound by our Baptismal rebirth ? - absolutely not… God is bound by nothing. (i.e.- The Good Thief on the Cross)
The Church does not bind anyone either, or their Free Will.
Though if one were to die on earth with original sin remaining in their Soul- … and as we also know NO sin cannot enter Heaven….not good

And that you think a Priest is God-Like is to totally misunderstand the Apostolic nature of Christ’s walk on earth and to deny him the Church he promised us.
For anyone to assume a Priest can save God's created is crazy talk… and I wonder how serious you are- or that you are just totally unaware of the tenets of the Church.

"Whether or not you choose to acknowledge the Scriptural foundations of the Church is fine, but you can’t validate your position with false premises."

You purposely conflate The Church and the Catholic Church, there isn't much expectation pf an honest post.

You are, it appears, hopelessly Catholicism indoctrinated. And you are incapable of seeing the 'striving to obtain' laced throughout your comments.

We will never agree that baptism saves. And we will never agree that one can lose then regain eternal life. And we will never agree that sanctgification prevents us from losing our salvation. These are false, unscriptural premises. I leave you with the evidence of your confusion.