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

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

John 14:23

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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

Matthew 7:21

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 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

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 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