- Feb 5, 2002
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Acts 15:9 (RSV) and he made no distinction between us and them [the Gentiles], but cleansed their hearts by faith. [similar: Weymouth, ESV]
Protestantism formally separated sanctification from justification in a way contrary to the Bible. Justification saves through faith alone, according to their view. Sanctification and good works, on the other hand, are definitely encouraged and regarded as necessary in the Christian life, but are not a cause of either justification or salvation; only God’s grace and our faith accomplish that. This is the classic Protestant “faith alone” doctrine, or sola fide in Latin, and one of the two “pillars” of the so-called Reformation, along with sola Scriptura (“Bible alone”).
The above passage contradicts this understanding, by directly tying sanctification to faith. The fact that one is sanctified by having faith in Jesus (having a “cleansed” heart) makes it impossible to separate sanctification and justification in a neat little package with a bow. They’re intrinsically connected. Therefore, sanctification does have something to do with both justification and salvation. The faith was precisely the means by which their hearts were cleansed and they were sanctified.
Continued below.
www.patheos.com
Protestantism formally separated sanctification from justification in a way contrary to the Bible. Justification saves through faith alone, according to their view. Sanctification and good works, on the other hand, are definitely encouraged and regarded as necessary in the Christian life, but are not a cause of either justification or salvation; only God’s grace and our faith accomplish that. This is the classic Protestant “faith alone” doctrine, or sola fide in Latin, and one of the two “pillars” of the so-called Reformation, along with sola Scriptura (“Bible alone”).
The above passage contradicts this understanding, by directly tying sanctification to faith. The fact that one is sanctified by having faith in Jesus (having a “cleansed” heart) makes it impossible to separate sanctification and justification in a neat little package with a bow. They’re intrinsically connected. Therefore, sanctification does have something to do with both justification and salvation. The faith was precisely the means by which their hearts were cleansed and they were sanctified.
Continued below.
Bible Vs. Faith Alone: Acts 15:9
I examine Acts 15:9: a Bible passage that I believe is manifestly contrary to the Protestant belief in “faith alone” (sola fide) for justification apart from sanctification.
www.patheos.com
