Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Not Scripture plus something else.


Lutero:
For by grace you have been saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8). Not faith plus something else.
Does Scripture contradict Itself? Let's look at the Epistle of St. James:
James 2:24

King James Version (KJV)

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

Notice that we are not justified by faith ALONE. In another place he says:
James 2:17

King James Version (KJV)

17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Does this passage say faith plus something else? NO.
But this verse does:
Galatians 5:6

King James Version (KJV)

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

As does this one:
1 Corinthians 13:2

King James Version (KJV)

2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Therefore, if you add the word "alone" to Scripture at that verse, you are violating the Word of God. Because God does not contradict Himself.


So then it's faith (rightly understood in Christ) alone.
On the contrary, here is another one from the same Apostle:
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.

And another by a different Apostle:
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:


Therefore, faith alone contradicts the Word of God in Tradition and Scripture.

All Scripture is inspired by God. Not Scripture plus something else.
To say that Scripture is inspired is a metaphor. Or do you believe that God breathed and the Scriptures appeared?

Scripture explains the metaphor here:

2 Peter 1:19-21

King James Version (KJV)

19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.


First, Holy men of God were moved to speak. Then later they were moved to write down that which they had previously spoken. God did not hand out Bibles.

It is by grace (unmerited favor) that we are saved through faith. Not grace plus merited favor.
It is by grace through faith. But not by grace alone through faith alone.

First, the unmerited grace of which that verse speaks is "faith".
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,

However, the faith which we receive is dead if we don't put it to use. See Matt 25:14-30 and notice that it is the one who buried the coin who is cast into the darkness. But those who put their faith to work were given more. That is the merit of which the Scripture speaks:
Matthew 25:14-30

King James Version (KJV)

14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

Jesus' sheep will not be snatched from His hand (John 10:27-28),
But God will cut them off the vine if they do not produce fruit (John 15:2).

those who are justified will be glorified (Romans 8:30),
But no one will be justified who does not first keep the Law (Romans 2:13).

having believed the gospel, we are sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance, unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13,14; 4:30).
Believing in Christ today does not guarantee we will not fall away tomorrow (Heb 6:4-6).

These teachings are all Biblical.
The teachings you presented twist the meaning of Scripture.

Salvation by works, Scripture plus something else, merited favor, and salvation maintained by works is unbiblical.
The Catholic Church does not teach salvation by works. She teaches salvation by faith which is exercised in works of love in accordance with Scripture. She also teaches that faith alone is dead, in accordance with Scripture.

So full credit for having a Bible goes to the Roman Catholic church?
Amen!

The Protestant and Catholic Bible are identical except for a set of books called the apocrypha or deuterocanonicals which are not inspired.
They certainly are inspired.

I don't hold to any catechisms. I hold to the Scriptures.
Not to a true understanding of Scripture.

Sacred Tradition "AND" (in addition to) Sacred Scripture? How then is an undefined body of teachings an ignorant allegation?
Produce the undefined Tradition. We have a Catechism which defines all of ours. To which Tradition do we hold which you claim is undefined?

Where does Scripture teach that?
In various places. First, here:
Matthew 18:17-18

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.
18Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Then here:
Hebrews 13:17

King James Version (KJV)

17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

There are other places but those suffice.


All Scripture is inspired, not Scripture plus something else.
Answered above. Unless you believe that God breathed out the Scriptures and they fell into the Apostles' hands, you must understand that God inspired Holy men to speak and then moved them to write down that which they had previously spoken. Men were inspired to write and the Scriptures were the result.

The words of Christ are recorded in Scripture.
By the Church. Jesus did not write one word of Scripture.

He did not add Traditions in addition to Scripture.
First, Jesus established the Church:
Matthew 16:18

King James Version (KJV)

18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

and then commanded the Church to teach His Traditions:
Matthew 28:19-20

King James Version (KJV)

19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.


Since the Apostles had not yet committed all their teachings to writing, it was necessary to depend on their oral teaching. Once the apostles committed all their teachings to writing, then the Bible alone became our authority for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
2 Tim 3:16-17 says that the Bible may be used to support one's teaching. But does not rescind Christ's command to teach. The entire epistle of 2 Tim is about teaching the Word of God by word. Not by passing out Bibles:
First Chapter:
11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Second, note how Teaching by word will endure forever.:
2 Timothy 2

1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.


Passing down Tradition by word will never end.

Third Chapter:
14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Fourth Chapter:
2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

And what are these Oral Traditions?
Not Scripture alone. Not Faith Alone. Not Grace Alone.

In Scripture we find the following Sacred Traditions which you don't keep.

The Mass:
1 Corinthians 10:15-17

King James Version (KJV)

15I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

To miss the Mass is a mortal sin:

Hebrews 10:24-31

King James Version (KJV)

24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

The Eucharist:
Luke 22:19

King James Version (KJV)

19And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Transubstantiation:
John 6:51

King James Version (KJV)

51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

And many others for which there is not enough room for me to list here.


These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
WHETHER THOSE THINGS WERE SO.

To what does that refer? To the Traditions which the Church had taught them.

Protestant tradition?
Yeah. Since the advent of Luther, Protestants have been adding more and more traditions of men to their interpretation of Scripture.

The Roman Catholic church has thoroughly brain washed you.
Thank God. But the Protestants have thoroughly brain washed you.

In the New Testament, Paul and Silas told the Philippian jailor to BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND YOU WILL BE SAVED (Acts 16:31). They didn't say believe AND accomplish X,Y, and Z and you will be saved.
Let's see:
Mark 16:16

King James Version (KJV)

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

What did they say to the Jailor? And what did he do?
Acts 16:30-33

King James Version (KJV)

30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.


For by grace you have been saved through keeping the Commandments, the Mass and the Eucharist?
Amen!

Is that what Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8,9?
Ephesians 2:10

King James Version (KJV)

10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

You are clearly teaching ANOTHER gospel.

The Catholic Church teaches the complete Gospel. Protestants pick and choose those items they like in the Scriptures and discard the rest.

The gospel is the "good news" of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3,4) and is the power of God unto salvation to everyone thatBELIEVES (Romans 1:16). For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who BELIEVE.
Believing in Jesus is more than simply acknowledging His existence. It is acting upon His Word:
John 14:21-24

King James Version (KJV)

21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
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.

Sincerely,

De Maria

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thanks for contributing.