Regaining Salvation

In a recent article in the CARM anti-Catholicism forum, Matt Slick challenged Catholics to comment upon his understanding of the Catholic faith saying:

Here are some articles I've just written. I'll continue to polish them based on feedback.Catholicism is bankrupt!

The following are his comments in blue and my response in black.

Penance

In the article Maintaining Salvation in Roman Catholicism, penance was a means to replenish the lost grace due to venial sins.  But, in regards to mortal sin the Catholic must also perform penance in order to regain the sanctifying grace that is needed for salvation.

Penance must be done in regards to either.

"Penance is “necessary for salvation for those who have fallen after Baptism," (CCC, par. 980)

“The whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God's grace… Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament,” (CCC, par. 1468).

"As a means of regaining grace and justice, penance was at all times necessary for those who had defiled their souls with any mortal sin,” (Council of Trent, Session 14, c. i.).

"As regards those who, by sin, have fallen from the received grace of Justification, they may be again justified, when, God exciting them, through the sacrament of Penance they shall have attained to the recovery, by the merit of Christ, of the grace lost: for this manner of Justification is of the fallen the reparation: which the holy Fathers have aptly called a second plank after the shipwreck of grace lost," (Council of Trent, Session 6, Decree on Justification, Chapter 14).

In order for penance to work, the person must be sincerely repentant and willing to perform the necessary actions given by a priest.  In this process, a priest absolves the person’s sins and assigns penance a series of things he must do.

The underlying truth is that Jesus absolves through the Priest:

1460 ….The satisfaction that we make for our sins, however, is not so much ours as though it were not done through Jesus Christ. We who can do nothing ourselves, as if just by ourselves, can do all things with the cooperation of "him who strengthens" us. Thus man has nothing of which to boast, but all our boasting is in Christ . . . in whom we make satisfaction by bringing forth "fruits that befit repentance." These fruits have their efficacy from him, by him they are offered to the Father, and through him they are accepted by the Father.

"In the forgiveness of sins, both priests and sacraments are instruments which our Lord Jesus Christ, the only author and liberal giver of salvation, wills to use in order to efface our sins and give us the grace of justification," (CCC, par. 987)

“Penance is a sacrament of the New Law instituted by Christ in which forgiveness of sins committed after baptism is granted through the priest’s absolution to those who with true sorrow confess their sins and promise to satisfy for the same,” (The Catholic Encyclopedia, Penance).

• "the absolution given by the priest to a penitent who confesses his sins with the proper dispositions remits both the guilt and the eternal punishment (of mortal sin)," (Catholic Encyclopedia, Penance).
• Penance can take different forms including reading scripture, restitution to the offended party, saying certain prayers such as the “Our Father” or the “Hail Mary” a specified number of times. 
• “The penance the confessor imposes must take into account the penitent's personal situation and must seek his spiritual good. It must correspond as far as possible with the gravity and nature of the sins committed. It can consist of prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service of neighbor, voluntary self-denial, sacrifices, and above all the patient acceptance of the cross we must bear. Such penances help configure us to Christ, who alone expiated our sins once for all. They allow us to become co-heirs with the risen Christ, "provided we suffer with him." “The satisfaction that we make for our sins, however, is not so much ours as though it were not done through Jesus Christ,” (CCC, par. 1460).
• What is important to note is that the works of Penance performed by the Roman Catholic help “make satisfaction” for sins.

That is correct.  As it is written:

2 Samuel 12:14

King James Version (KJV)

 14Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

David had to suffer the death of his child because of his murderous sin.

“Absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all the disorders sin has caused. Raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing something more to make amends for the sin: he must "make satisfaction for" or "expiate" his sins. This satisfaction is also called "penance," (CCC, par. 1459).

• The Catholic Catechism says that Penance is a work when it says, “works of penance” (CCC, 1430).  Therefore, we can see that Penance is, essentially, taking care of your own sins by undergoing a work that releases you from sins’ debt.  This is works righteousness, no matter what the Roman Catholic Church teaches!

As it is written:

Acts 26:20

King James Version (KJV)

 20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

If you want to call that "works righteousness", go right ahead.  However, it is an example of works which are the result of a repenting spirit.

• Biblical Response
• There is nothing we can do in any way to merit the forgiveness of God.  All that we need has been accomplished in the person of Christ who was made under the law (Galatians 4:4) and fulfilled the law perfectly having never sinned (1 Pet. 2:22).  Because of the work of Christ, we receive his righteousness (Phil. 3:9) by faith (Rom. 5:1). What the Roman Catholic Church does is add a huge burden of works by which a Roman Catholic attempts to attain, maintain, and regain salvation. It is a hopeless process because it cannot save.

Only those who obey Christ receive that salvation:

Hebrews 5:9

King James Version (KJV)

 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Those who do not want to obey Christ, simply do not love Christ:

John 14:23-24

King James Version (KJV)

 23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

• "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law," (Rom. 3:28).

That is true.  Only those who work are justified.  But not by their works.  They are justified by God because they work in accordance to His Will.  Again, as it is written:

Romans 2:13

King James Version (KJV)

 13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

• "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness," (Rom. 4:5).

Still the same thing.  This is a reference to Abraham.  Did Abraham work?  Sure he did.  By faith Abraham obeyed God:

Hebrews 11:8

King James Version (KJV)

 8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

That is the obedience of faith.  It isn't faith alone.  But faith accompanied by works of obedience.

• “I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly," (Gal. 2:21).

Righteousness does not come through the Law. But the Law leads us to righteousness:

Galatians 3:24

King James Version (KJV)

 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

"You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (Gal. 3:1-3).

The Law justifies no man.   But if you don't keep the Law in the Commandments, God won't justify you.  Very simple.

• The addition of works to salvation invalidates salvation.

If you don't add to faith, virtue and works of charity, God will not save you.

2 Peter 1:5-10
King James Version (KJV)

 5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
 8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
 10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Essentially, is saying that the work of God in flesh is not sufficient.  This is why we have such verses that condemn salvation based on faith and works…

We have no verse which condemns faith and works.  We have verses which condemn prideful attitude of works apart from God.  As though we could save ourselves.  And we have verses which condemn faith alone.

But we don't have any verses which condemn faith AND WORKS.  NONE.

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness,'" (Matt. 7:22-23).

Good point.  YOU PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.  If you don't keep the LAW in the Commandments, you are LAWLESS. 

• “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. 11 “The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, ‘God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. 12 ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 “But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted," (Luke 18:10-14).

Thank you.  Now, lets compare.  You see how the Pharisee considers himself saved.  Yeah.  He thinks he is saved and considers himself superior to the man who simply says, "God be merciful to me, a sinner."

Now, please go to any street corner and ask Protestants and Catholics if they think they are saved.  Here's what you will find.  Protestants will say, "yeah, I'm saved by my faith alone. I'm not like those Catholics. They don't even know if they are saved.  They are bankrupt!"  Yeah, he sounds just like the Pharisee.

Ask a Catholic if he is saved and the answer will be quite different.  The answer will be according to Scripture.  "I don't know.  God judges me.  If I am saved, I thank God."

1 Corinthians 4:3-4

King James Version (KJV)

 3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

• In essence, the Roman Catholic is supposed to perform works under the Roman Catholic system of law...it cannot save.

God saves.  The Catholic Church simply instructs you what to do if you want to be saved by God.  But if you save yourself by your faith alone and don't need God to judge you according to your works:

Revelation 22:12

King James Version (KJV)

 12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be

Well, thats a whole new Gospel.  Scripture tells us about that as well:

Galatians 1:8

King James Version (KJV)

 8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

• "Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law," (Gal. 5:2-3).

The Catholic Church doesn't teach circumcision to be saved.

"For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them," (Gal. 3:10).

And yet, only doers of the Law will be justified:

Romans 2:13

King James Version (KJV)

 13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Because only those who keep the Law, love Christ:

John 14:15

King James Version (KJV)

 15If ye love me, keep my commandments.

• "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all," (James 2:10).

That's why Christ provided the Sacrament of Penance.  So that we could be forgiven for our sins.  Didn't you know?  Or does your faith group teach that God no longer forgives?

Sincerely,

De Maria

Maintaining Salvation

In a recent article in the CARM anti-Catholicism forum, Matt Slick challenged Catholics to comment upon his understanding of the Catholic faith saying:

Here are some articles I've just written. I'll continue to polish them based on feedback.Catholicism is bankrupt!

The following are his comments in blue and my response in black.

Maintaining Salvation, Part 2 of 3

According to Roman Catholicism, after receiving initial justification in baptism,

Initial justification is not taught by the Catholic Church.  Conversion is the closest thing to "initial justification".  Baptism is the perfection of the process of justification which begins at conversion:

TRENT 6 CHAPTER V THE NECESSITY OF PREPARATION FOR JUSTIFICATION IN ADULTS, AND WHENCE IT PROCEEDS It is furthermore declared that in adults the beginning of that justification must proceed from the predisposing grace of God through Jesus Christ, that is, from His vocation, whereby, without any merits on their part, they are called; …. CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 1989  (431 bytes )  preview document matches 9 The first work of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conversion, effecting justification in accordance with Jesus' proclamation at the beginning of the Gospel: "Repent, for the ...

which removes original sin, grace is also infused into a person (Catechism of the Catholic Church, herein referred to as CCC, par. 1999).

Correct.  In Baptism, the work of God, the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Spirit, God Himself washes us of all sin.

However, with each sin a person commits after baptism, there is a loss of justifying grace.  The more a person sins, the more grace he loses.  Venial sins (lesser sins), result in incremental losses of this grace, but mortal sins (greater sins), bring an instantaneous loss of all grace -- if a person dies after committing mortal sin, he goes to hell.  In order to replace the grace that was lost, he must participate in the sacraments (mainly penance) administered by a properly ordained priest  the Roman Catholic Church.  This regaining of grace enables him to do good works and keep himself in a state of justification before God.  This is how the Roman Catholic maintains his salvation.

We call it "state of grace" but there is very little difference.

The infused grace must be maintained through a series of sacraments.

• Infused grace: “The grace of Christ is the gratuitous gift that God makes to us of his own life, infused by the Holy Spirit into our soul to heal it of sin and to sanctify it. It is the sanctifying or deifying grace received in Baptism,” (CCC 1999)

• Infused grace: "Sanctifying grace is the gratuitous gift of his life that God makes to us; it is infused by the Holy Spirit into the soul to heal it of sin and to sanctify it," (CCC 2023)

• Sacraments necessary for salvation: “The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation,” (CCC, par. 1129).

• Obtaining grace: "The principal ways of obtaining grace are prayer and the sacraments, especially the holy Eucharist," (The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism, No. 2, Answer to Question 117).

As you can see, grace is infused into a person via the sacraments.  This is necessary in order to regain the justifying grace if lost so that a sufficient level of justifying grace can be maintained which enables the person to remain justified.  Penance is one of the main sacraments used to maintain a person's salvation. 

What is important is that being right with God is not by faith alone but by faith and penance.

Your characterization is correct.  Scripture teaches that it is not by faith alone that we are justified.  But only the doers of the law are made just by God:

Romans 2:13

King James Version (KJV)

 13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

• Penance necessary for salvation: "And this sacrament of Penance is, for those who have fallen after baptism, necessary unto salvation," (Council of Trent, Session 14, Chapter 2)

• Regain justification through penance:  "As regards those who, by sin, have fallen from the received grace of Justification, they may be again justified, when, God exciting them, through the sacrament of Penance they shall have attained to the recovery, by the merit of Christ, of the grace lost: for this manner of Justification is of the fallen the reparation: which the holy Fathers have aptly called a second plank after the shipwreck of grace lost," (Council of Trent, Session 6, Decree on Justification, Chapter 14)

• Regaining justification is not by faith alone:  "If any one saith, that he, who has fallen after baptism, is not able by the grace of God to rise again; or, that he is able indeed to recover the justice which he has lost, but by faith alone without the sacrament of Penance, contrary to what the holy Roman and universal Church-instructed by Christ and his Apostles-has hitherto professed, observed, and taught; let him be anathema," (Council of Trent, On Justification, Canon 29).

Penance is necessary for salvation, for the regaining of justifying grace which cannot be regained by faith alone.

That is true.  As noted, Scripture rejects the idea of justification by faith only:

James 2:24

King James Version (KJV)

 24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

in Christ's work alone.

Scripture also teaches that those who have faith in the work of Christ, will likewise, follow in His footsteps:

1 Peter 2:21

King James Version (KJV)

 21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Scripture does not teach that we are to sit on our laurels proclaiming our faith alone.

Because of this, Catholicism teaches that good works are necessary in order to persevere so as to maintain sufficient grace so as to remain saved.

That is in Scripture:

Romans 2:7

King James Version (KJV)

 7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

• Grace of final perseverance: “The children of our holy mother the Church rightly hope for the grace of final perseverance and the recompense of God their Father for the good works accomplished with his grace in communion with Jesus,” (CCC 2016).

Persevering in the faith, keeping commandments, and participating in the sacraments are all part of the salvation process.  This is why salvation is never guaranteed in Catholicism for the average Catholic.  It can't be because it depends on a person's faithfulness and effort.  In Romanism, infused grace is necessary because it produces good works which in turn are necessary for maintaining one's salvation.

That is all true as is spoken in Scripture:

Revelation 22:14

King James Version (KJV)

 14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

• "The specific precepts of the natural law, because their observance, demanded by the Creator, is necessary for salvation,” (CCC 2010).

• “The Decalogue contains a privileged expression of the natural law. It is made known to us by divine revelation and by human reason,” (CCC 2080).

• "...the Second Vatican Council confirms: 'The bishops, successors of the apostles, receive from the Lord . . . the mission of teaching all peoples, and of preaching the Gospel to every creature, so that all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of the Commandments,'" (CCC, par 2068).

All that is correct and in accordance with Scripture.  It is written:

Revelation 22:12

King James Version (KJV)

 12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Two Kinds of Sin:  Venial and Mortal

There are two main kinds of sin in Roman Catholicism:  Venial and Mortal.  Since venial sins don't forfeit salvation but mortal sins do, we'll discuss venial sins in this article and mortal sins in the article Regaining Salvation in Roman Catholicism

Venial Sins are such sins as drunkenness, lying about something trivial, etc. Venial sin is a lesser sin against the Law of God committed accidentally and/or without full consent of the will.  Venial sins do not damn a person.  But, they result in the loss of some justifying grace.  If enough venial sin is committed it can lead to mortal sin and the loss of sanctifying grace (salvation).  So, venial sins can be repaired and grace can be regained through the sacraments - mentioned above.  Let's take a look.

Mortal sin can also be repaired.

• Venial sin is sin without complete knowledge:  “One commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter, he does not observe the standard prescribed by the moral law, or when he disobeys the moral law in a grave matter, but without full knowledge or without complete consent," (CCC, par. 1862).

• Venial sin does not remove sanctifying grace: “However venial sin does not break the covenant with God. With God's grace it is humanly reparable. "Venial sin does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and consequently eternal happiness," (CCC, par. 1863).

• The Eucharist forgives venial sins:  "Communion with the Body and Blood of Christ increases the communicant's union with the Lord, forgives his venial sins, and preserves him from grave sins. Since receiving this sacrament strengthens the bonds of charity between the communicant and Christ, it also reinforces the unity of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ," (CCC 1416).

• Perfect contrition remits venial sins:  "When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called "perfect" (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible," (CCC 1452).

• Penance restores to us God's grace: "The whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God's grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship." Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament," (CCC 1468).

• Regain justification through penance:  "The spiritual effects of the sacrament of Penance are: reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace," (CCC 1496).

We can see that in the process of maintaining one's salvation, participation in the Eucharist (CCC 1416), having proper contrition (CCC 1452), and participating in penance (CCC 1468, 1496) are means by which the proper level of sanctifying grace is maintained so that salvation is not lost.

All that which you posted from the Catechism is true.  

Biblical Response

As is the case in the first of the three related articles (Attaining Salvation in Roman Catholicism), the response is the same.  Therefore, I've reproduced the biblical response here….

If that is the case, I've already responded to it in my previous post.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Attaining Salvation

In a recent article in the CARM anti-Catholicism forum, Matt Slick challenged Catholics to comment upon his understanding of the Catholic faith saying:

Here are some articles I've just written. I'll continue to polish them based on feedback.Catholicism is bankrupt!

The following are his comments in blue and my response in black.

Attaining Salvation, Part 1 of 3

Actual grace

Actual Grace is the first step in the process of attain salvation in Roman Catholicism.  Actual grace is what God gives to a person to enable the person to seek and respond to God’s call of faith. It helps the person move towards God where he then freely chooses to accept or reject God’s work in Christ.

Actual grace is “A supernatural help of God for salutary [beneficial] acts granted in consideration of the merits of Christ,” (Catholic Encyclopedia, “Actual Grace”)

Correct.  Scripture says:

1 Peter 5:10

King James Version (KJV)

 10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

"Habitual grace, the permanent disposition to live and act in keeping with God's call, is distinguished from actual graces which refer to God's interventions, whether at the beginning of conversion or in the course of the work of sanctification," (Catechism of the Catholic Church, herein referred to as CCC, par. 2000).

Correct.  Scripture says:

2 Peter 1:5-10

King James Version (KJV)

 5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

 8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

 10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

With actual grace working on a person, he is then able to have faith which is necessary for salvation.

Correct.

Ephesians 2:8

King James Version (KJV)

 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

But this faith is not a simple faith in Christ's work on the cross so that we are justified by faith alone in Christ's work alone (Rom. 4:5; 5:1; Gal. 2:16).

Yes, it is a simple and obedient faith.  For Scripture says:

Hebrews 5:9

King James Version (KJV)

 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

John 14:23

King James Version (KJV)

 23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

On the contrary, according to Catholicism, the faith that is necessary for salvation must be a faith that also affirms what the Roman Catholic Church teaches.

That is in accordance with Scripture which says:

Ephesians 3:10

King James Version (KJV)

 10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

And also:

Matthew 18:17

King James Version (KJV)

 17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

"Faith is necessary for salvation. The Lord himself affirms: ‘He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned,’ (Mk 16:16),” (CCC 183).

“Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because he is truth itself," (CCC 1814).

“Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation,” (CCC 846).

What does Scripture say?

Mark 16:16

King James Version (KJV)

 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

2 Thessalonians 2:15

King James Version (KJV)

 15Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Baptism

Once actual grace has done its work and the person believes the gospel (and in the Roman Catholic Church), baptism is a necessary element for salvation in Roman Catholicism.

But not absolutely necessary:

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 1257  (662 bytes )  preview document matches Lord to see that all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit." God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments  URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1257.htm

It is where a sins are removed and a person is justified before God.

Correct:

Acts 22:16

King James Version (KJV)

 16And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

". . . Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ, who died for our sins and rose for our justification, so that 'we too might walk in newness of life,'" (CCC 977).

“Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament. The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude…” (CCC 1257).

"Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ. It is granted us through Baptism. It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who justifies us. It has for its goal the glory of God and of Christ, and the gift of eternal life. It is the most excellent work of God's mercy," (CCC 2020).

At baptism a person is restored to a state of innocence before God by erasing original sin.  Justification occurs in baptism and sanctifying grace (the grace that saves) is infused into him. 

“Baptism, by imparting the life of Christ's grace, erases original sin…” (CCC  405)

“Justification is conferred in Baptism, the sacrament of faith. It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who makes us inwardly just by the power of his mercy,” (CCC 1992).

“The grace of Christ is the gratuitous gift that God makes to us of his own life, infused by the Holy Spirit into our soul to heal it of sin and to sanctify it. It is the sanctifying or deifying grace received in Baptism,” (CCC 1999).

That is true.  It is the work of God which washes away our sins:

Titus 3:5

King James Version (KJV)

 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 1987  (569 bytes )  preview document matches Holy Spirit has the power to justify us, that is, to cleanse us from our sins and to communicate to us "the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ" and through Baptism: ...  URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1987.htm

Good Works

According to Roman Catholicism, once a person is baptized and his his original sin is removed, he must perform good works because they are also necessary for salvation. 

That is true:
Matt 25:

41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

”The specific precepts of the natural law, because their observance, demanded by the Creator, is necessary for salvation,” (CCC, par. 2010).

Also in Scripture:

Romans 2:14-16

King James Version (KJV)

 14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

 15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

 16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

“The Decalogue [the Ten Commandments] contains a privileged expression of the natural law. It is made known to us by divine revelation and by human reason,” (CCC 2080).

"...the Second Vatican Council confirms: 'The bishops, successors of the apostles, receive from the Lord . . . the mission of teaching all peoples, and of preaching the Gospel to every creature, so that all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of the Commandments,'" (CCC 2068).

Good works are necessary because Roman Catholicism denies justification by faith alone.

Scripture does not teach faith alone:

James 2:24

King James Version (KJV)

 24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Scripture teaches that those who keep the Commandments:

Revelation 22:14

King James Version (KJV)

 14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Those who persevere in good deeds:

Romans 2:7

King James Version (KJV)

 7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

Those who partake of the Sacraments:

John 6:54

King James Version (KJV)

 54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Mark 16:16

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 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Therefore the Catholic Church is correct in Her teachings.

Justification is the declaration of righteousness.  It is where the righteousness of Christ is reckoned to the believer (Phil. 3:9) by faith (Rom. 5:1).  It is not by faith and something, but by faith alone (Rom. 4:1-5). 

It certainly is not by faith alone.  As St. Paul says:

Romans 2:13

King James Version (KJV)

 13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

But, Roman Catholicism declares that if anyone believes in justification by faith alone in Christ alone, then he is to be cursed.

Scripture says the same thing:

James 1:22

King James Version (KJV)

 22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Matthew 7:21

King James Version (KJV)

 21Not 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.

John 15

 1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

 2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:….

"If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema," (Council of Trent, Canons on Justification, Canon 9).

"If any one saith, that man is truly absolved from his sins and justified, because he assuredly believed himself absolved and justified; or, that no one is truly justified but he who believes himself justified; and that, by this faith alone, absolution and justification are effected; let him be anathema," (Council of Trent, Canons on Justification, Canon 14).

“If any one saith, that the justice [righteousness] received is not preserved and also increased before God through good works; but that the said works are merely the fruits and signs of Justification obtained, but not a cause of the increase thereof; let him be anathema." (Council of Trent, Canons on Justification, Canon 24).

So in Roman Catholicism, attaining salvation is a process that includes faith, baptism, and good works.  Therefore, in Roman Catholicism, attaining salvation and being justified (being right in God’s eyes), is not an instantaneous event received by faith.  It is a long process.

Again, the Catholic Church is correct.

Biblical Response

Salvation in Roman Catholic Salvation is a system of works combined with faith.

James 2:22-25

King James Version (KJV)

 22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

But, what does the Bible say about salvation when it comes to faith and works?   It separates them and clearly says that works are not part of becoming saved.

"For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one," (Rom. 3:28-30).

You forget that St. Paul also said:

Romans 2:15

King James Version (KJV)

 15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

Therefore, the Gentiles keep the Law, not because it is the Law of Moses, but because it is the Law of God.

"What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.”

What does the Scripture say?  Lets see, there is much more which must be factored in in order not to fall into the trap which Scripture warns about:

2 Peter 3:16

King James Version (KJV)

 16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

So, then, let us study the Scripture and show ourselves approved.  Did Abraham refrain from obeying God's commandments?  No:

Genesis 26:5

King James Version (KJV)

 5Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

And did Abraham do any works of obedience before he was justified?  Yes:

Hebrews 11:8

King James Version (KJV)

 8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

So, then, we don't have Abraham saying, "o no Lord, I can't do that.  You have to do it for me."  NO!  We have an Abraham who worked in accordance with his faith:

Romans 4:18-20

King James Version (KJV)

 18Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.19And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb 20He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Do you understand what that means?  That means that even though he was a hundred years old and Sarah was almost as old and even though they were past their child bearing years, Abraham united himself sexually to his wife in order to conceive the child which God had promised.  THAT IS FAITH!  Faith doesn't sit around saying, "All I have to do is believe."  Faith does the Will of God:

Galatians 5:6

King James Version (KJV)

 6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness," (Rom. 4:1-5).

"Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified," (Gal. 2:16).

So we can see that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone.  Did you also know that adding works to salvation is condemned in scripture?

On the contrary, works are the expression of one's faith.  By faith we uphold the Law:

Romans 3:31

King James Version (KJV)

 31Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

What you haven't understood is that there are two types of people with regards to salvation.  Those who obey God and those who disobey.  God will judge who obeys or disobeys.  And He will judge based upon the criteria of the Ten Commandments.  Therefore, only those who keep the Commandments, will be justified by God in the Sacraments or in the Final Judgement.

"You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (Gal. 3:1-3).

"Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace," (Gal. 5:3-4).

You read Galatians 5 and you missed this?  How could you miss this?

19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Tell me, which of those sins does not violate a Commandment of God?

 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

And which of these virtues is not in accordance with the Commandments?

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness,’" (Matt. 7:22-23).

That is about faith alone.  Look at the Protestants on TV.  How many of them claim to be able to do mighty works of God because of their faith alone?  Almost all of them claim to heal or to cast out demons based upon that false doctrine.  

But, as Jesus said, that is not a saving faith.  A saving faith is to do the deeds of spiritual and corporal mercy which Christ enjoined upon us.  See Matt 25 the Sheep and Goats.

In Gal. 3:1-3 above, Paul is clearly teaching that the Galatians were fools.  Why?  They were adding works to the work of the Holy Spirit.

They were trying to keep the Old Law of circumcision which Christ had annulled. 

 Galatians 5:6

King James Version (KJV)

 6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

In Gal. 5:3-4, Paul tells them that if they received circumcision that they would not be under grace.  Circumcision represented the works of the Law and Paul clearly tells them that just getting circumcised (not doing good works), would damn them.  Why?  Because it was a symbol of keeping the Law.

On the contrary, read a little further.  What St. Paul is saying is that circumcision is of no avail if one does not keep the Commandments.  And uncircumcision is of no avail if one does not keep the Commandments.

Galatians 5:6

King James Version (KJV)

 ⁶For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

1 Corinthians 7:19

King James Version (KJV)

 ¹⁹Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.


Do you see that faith working by love KEEPS THE COMMANDMENTS.

That is why Paul had previous said in Gal. 3:10, "For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”  Finally, in Matt. 7:22-23, We see an account where Jesus condemns people on the day of judgment. Why would they condemned? They were appealing to their faith in Christ and their works for their salvation on "bad day". By adding any works into the active salvation, it means that the work of God is not sufficient but that needs to be perfected, completed by human effort. This is why salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It cannot be by faith and any of our works.

You have misunderstood both teachings.  

Gal 3:10, St. Paul is telling them not to judge their works.  God judges their works.  It is the teaching of Jesus:

Luke 17:10

King James Version (KJV)

 10So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

We are not saved by works.  We are saved by God if we do them.  We are condemned by God if we don't do them.

Matt 7:22-23 Shows that Jesus is our Judge.  It is the same thing which St. Paul teaches in another place:

1 Corinthians 9:27

King James Version (KJV)

 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

And also:

1 Corinthians 4:2-4

King James Version (KJV)

 2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.  4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

Rom. 11:6, "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace."

That is true.  Grace is a gift.  And we must accept that gift if we want to be saved:

Romans 4:16

King James Version (KJV)

 16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Sincerely,

De Maria