Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?

Hi Lutero,
So the question is : “Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?” Can you produce evidence vis-a-vis what CCC officially teaches and what the scriptures say, are one and the same?

I don’t want to make this too long, so please read this..

I’ll try to summarize it this way. You ask:
Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?

It’s not a question of either/or; it’s a question of both/and. It is both “faith alone” and “faith plus works”.

Faith plus works is the model which we inherited from the Jews. It can be summarized in the words “keep the Commandments”. (Deuteronomy 7:11; John 14:21).

Faith alone (i.e. faith apart from works) is the Sacramental model. It can be summarized in the words, “Baptism now saves you” (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16; 1 Pet 3:21).

In Catholic Teaching, unless one converts from sin and intends to keep the Commandments, one should not be Baptized. (Mark 16:16). In order to show that one understands the nature of sin and the necessity of avoiding it, one must study to show oneself approved (2 Tim 2:15). This is done by undergoing the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).

Can you produce evidence vis-a-vis what CCC officially teaches and what the scriptures say, are one and the same?

Certainly. The Catholic Church refers all teachings to the Scriptures. In this case, the official teaching on “justification” is from the Council of Trent, session VI.

CHAPTER VI
THE MANNER OF PREPARATION

Now, they [the adults] are disposed to that justice when, aroused and aided by divine grace, receiving faith by hearing,[21] they are moved freely toward God, believing to be true what has been divinely revealed and promised, especially that the sinner is justified by God by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;[22] and when, understanding themselves to be sinners, they, by turning themselves from the fear of divine justice, by which they are salutarily aroused, to consider the mercy of God, are raised to hope, trusting that God will be propitious to them for Christ’s sake; and they begin to love Him as the fountain of all justice, and on that account are moved against sin by a certain hatred and detestation, that is, by that repentance that must be performed before baptism;[23] finally, when they resolve to receive baptism, to begin a new life and to keep the commandments of God.

Of this disposition it is written:
He that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him;[24] and, Be of good faith, son, thy sins are forgiven thee;[25] and, The fear of the Lord driveth out sin;[26] and, Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost;[27] and, Going, therefore, teach ye all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you;[28] finally, Prepare your hearts unto the Lord.[29]

If you go to that link and follow the references down to the footnotes, they will indicate which Scripture verse or Catholic doctrine is referred.

Sincerely,

De Maria