John MacArthur explains easy-believism, grace-only, etc.

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Where I'm at right now re: election ...

God chooses and calls some for obedience to Christ,
according to Paul. But then, the believer can choose
to fall away, fall from grace, draw back to perdition!
So IMO, God and man both have a crack at choosing
exactly who gets to be with a Holy God in heaven
for all of eternity.


Perhaps someone could tell me what the theological
term is for this "doctrine"?

Calvinism's version of Election is something forced upon the individual. They believe Election teaches that God forces some to be saved and He forces others to not be saved (against their own free will). They believe man has no part in any way in choosing God of their own free will in regards to their decision in accepting God. Hence, why Calvinists fight against other Christians who believe in free will in their receiving the Lord. They believe it is all God who makes the decision ultimately on who is saved or not saved. This is why it is called UNconditional Election. There are no conditions within the individual that God looks at that is the basis for His election or choosing of that individual to be saved, and his election of others who are not saved.

However, the Bible teaches that "Election" (God's future declaration of things) is based upon God knowing man's future free will choices.

1 "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father," (1 Peter 1:1-2).​

Verse 2 says believers are "Elect" according to the foreknowledge of God the Father.

Nothing is said here that we are "Elect" by some UNconditional choice by God.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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Calvinism's version of Election is something forced upon the individual.
Most -isms are deceptive completely, as also mac's doctrines/teachings/ sermons/ life.
Many are already through and through shown to be contrary to Scripture on other sites,
some on this site. Anyone needs continually pray, and obediently
to seek, and keep seeking, become and to keep being aware, in
order not to be continually deceived by any -ism.....
 
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Daniel9v9

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I don't even think Lutheranism has a category exactly like "sanctification". We talk about vocation, and we do believe in a kind of growth in maturity, but I've never heard a notion of progressive sanctification. In fact it's criticized a great deal by many Lutheran theologians and pastors.

Perhaps it's an unhelpful term, though Gerberding, Hutter, Krauth, Neve etc. don't shy away from using it. What I mean by it is New Obedience. Many Lutheran theologians use these terms interchangeably.

cf:
Augsburg Confession VI
Solid Declaration II 34, 35, 42, 72, III 23, 41

Krauth, in Conservative Reformation and Its Theology, writes: "Sanctification is progressive, and never reaches absolute perfection in this life."
 
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FireDragon76

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Perhaps it's an unhelpful term, though Gerberding, Hutter, Krauth, Neve etc. don't shy away from using it. What I mean by it is New Obedience. Many Lutheran theologians use these terms interchangeably.

cf:
Augsburg Confession VI
Solid Declaration II 34, 35, 42, 72, III 23, 41

Yes, New Obedience is there but I've never experienced it emphasized in the way the Reformed sometimes do, "Now that you are justified, the real business of Christian living begins, and talk of grace can be dispensed with.... So look busy, or else!" In worst cases, it's little more than asking for an egg and getting a serpent.

I tend to agree more with Gerhard Forde that sanctifiaction is just getting used to justification by faith alone. It's the "Hammer of God" type of thing.
 
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1] Are you a righteous person by your works?

1 John 3:7 says,
"Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous."

You said:
2] What works can a man accomplish in this life that would ever compare to Christ's atonement on the cross?

The purpose of Christ's death is to lead us into holy living by God's Word (Scripture).

25 "...even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:25-27).​

Justification and Sanctification are not contrary to each other but they breath in harmony. Yes, it is true that we are initially and ultimately saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, but after we are saved by His grace, we then enter into the Sanctification process of living holy by God working through us to obey His commands by looking primarily in the New Testament (not the Old Testament).

Jesus says if you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).
Paul says if any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed (1 Corinthians 16:22).
Jesus agrees with the truth that we are to love God (with certain details) and to love your neighbor as being a part of eternal life (See Luke 10:25-28). This was a truth expressed by a certain lawyer. Jesus said to do these thing and he will live. Yet, Jesus did not correct him on this truth (that many OSAS proponents today would do) by saying,

"Wrong. You cannot do anything to inherit eternal life."

Jesus did not say anything like this to the lawyer. He said, do this and you will live.
This truth is confirmed in other places in the Bible. See Matthew 19:17-19, 1 John 2:3-4, 1 John 3:15, 1 John 4:7-8, Romans 8:13.
 
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FireDragon76

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1 John 3:7 says,
"Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous."



The purpose of Christ's death is to lead us into holy living by God's Word (Scripture).

25 "...even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:25-27).​

But holy living is Jesus' shaped, it's not legalism. I really love the beautiful practice of foot-washing (which I have managed to convince my church to at least try for the past few years, on Maundy Thursday), because it reminds us that holy living is service. It's not the sort of moral crusading that Reformed think it is. Sometimes its just doing the ordinary work that needs to be done for no reward, save doing God's will.

Yes, it is true that we are initially and ultimately saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, but after we are saved by His grace, we then enter into the Sanctification process of living holy by God working through us to obey His commands by looking primarily in the New Testament (not the Old Testament).

No, we never get beyond justifiaction as the reality of our Christian lives, not as long as we breath. We always depend on God's grace.
 
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Here is a very revealing article about John MacArthur.

Spiritually Living, Yet Still Stinking
(Note: The article name here itself should send chills down your spine; For it is a double message of living holy, and yet still stinking, i.e. still sinning).

John MacArthur stated in the article:

"Further, this view says sanctification as such is not stable. It is momentary. It must be maintained by consecration or it will be lost. It’s just like salvation to them. Salvation will be lost if it’s not maintained, and sanctification will be lost if it’s not maintained. Salvation can be instantaneously recovered and sanctification can be instantly recovered."​

In other words, John MacArthur is against the idea of maintaining one's salvation and Sanctification.

However, the Bible says,

"That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;" (1 Thessalonians 4:4).​

Jude 1:21 says we are to keep ourselves in the love of God.

Hebrews 3 says,

12 "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."​

So it appears that John MacArthur does not agree with the Bible.
 
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But holy living is Jesus' shaped, it's not legalism.

Legalism is an attempt to save yourself by Law Alone without God's grace. Legalism is not referring to the necessity of how we need to obey God as a part of being in His Kingdom. Servants of the king are loyal to the king. If they are not loyal to the king, then they are disloyal servants and servants of another kingdom.

Again, Jesus says if you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).
Please also read Luke 10:25-28, and then Matthew 19:17-19 and then 1 John 3:15.
There is no mistake that you have to obey the Lord's commands as a part of being in God's good kingdom. 1 John 3:8 says he that commits sin is of the devil. John 3:20 says all who do evil hate the light. This light is Jesus Christ. Sin is merely the breaking of God's laws (1 John 3:4).

You said:
I really love the beautiful practice of foot-washing (which I have managed to convince my church to at least try for the past few years, on Maundy Thursday), because it reminds us that holy living is service. It's not the sort of moral crusading that Reformed think it is. Sometimes its just doing the ordinary work that needs to be done for no reward, save doing God's will.

This does not really address what I said with Ephesians 5:25-27. The purpose of the Lord dying for us is to make us to live a holy life. Yes, you can say that foot washing could be included in that to some extent if you want by loving the brethren, but it is more than just foot washing. It is spreading the gospel, and teaching the brethren, and loving your enemies, and helping the poor.

You said:
No, we never get beyond justifiaction as the reality of our Christian lives, not as long as we breath. We always depend on God's grace.

Justification is also mentioned in James 2:24. We are also justified by our works of faith, too. For faith without works is dead (James 2:17). For James says he will show you his faith by his works (James 2:18). James says earlier in James 1 about how we lay aside filthiness and naughtiness and receive the Word of God (obedience to Scripture) as a part of saving our souls.

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21).
 
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Legalism is an attempt to save yourself by Law Alone without God's grace. Legalism is not referring to the necessity of how we need to obey God as a part of being in His Kingdom.

What you are talking about is more like semi-pelagianism. It is not at all consistent with Luther or even Calvin's message. It's not "get in by grace, stay in by works".


Servants of the king are loyal to the king. If they are not loyal to the king, then they are disloyal servants and servants of another kingdom.

But loyalty in God's kingdom does not translate necessarily into doing legally predefined works. For the thief on the cross, it was simply saying "Jesus, remember me in your coming kingdom". And for that faith alone, the thief was justified.
 
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What you are talking about is more like semi-pelagianism. It is not at all consistent with Luther or even Calvin's message. It's not "get in by grace, stay in by works".

Luther and Calvin both did not teach what the Bible teaches. Also do not look to theological terms that sound bad. Do not look to men to teach you the Word of God, but look to God (by way of prayer) and compare Scripture with Scripture to learn the truth. Also, does your belief also align with reality and basic morality? I would say... "no." You cannot illustrate how your belief works as a parable or real world example, and you cannot illustrate how your belief is moral or good.

You said:
But loyalty does not translate in God's kingdom into doing legally predefined works. For the thief on the cross, it was simply saying "Jesus, remember me in your coming kingdom". And for that faith alone, the thief was justified.

The thief was loyal to Jesus in the fact that he defended Jesus against the accusation made by the other bad thief. Surely the other thief who criticized Jesus was not saved. Even close to death, the thief who was saved was loyal to Jesus by the revealing of his own words.

Jesus says why do you call me Lord, Lord if you do not do what I say?
Jesus says you cannot serve two masters, for you will hate the one and love the other.
Nowhere does the Bible teach that we can serve God and sin and still be saved.
It doesn't work like that. Then again, I should not have to tell you this. It should be obvious.
It's why you will not address the verses I have put forth so far.
 
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FireDragon76

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You have an idiosyncratic interpretation of the Bible... I see no reason to accept it when you have given no good evidence that it could possibly be valid, other than simply resorting to cherry-picking quotes from the Bible rather than engaging in serious theological deliberation.
 
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You have an idiosyncratic interpretation of the Bible... I see no reason to accept it when you have given no good evidence that it could possibly be valid, other than simply resorting to cherry-picking quotes from the Bible rather than engaging in serious theological deliberation.

This is just you hitting the disagree button with no real substance as to the why. If I am cherry picking verses like Luke 10:25-28, and 1 John 3:15, then you need to give us a word for word commentary on these texts and also show us the context so as to prove how you are right, and I am wrong. But you are not doing that. I just read and believe these verses plainly. I do not believe you are doing that. They mean what they say plainly. If this is not the case, you need to explain how they do not mean what they plainly say.
 
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You have an idiosyncratic interpretation of the Bible... I see no reason to accept it when you have given no good evidence that it could possibly be valid, other than simply resorting to cherry-picking quotes from the Bible rather than engaging in serious theological deliberation.

Also, Jesus illustrated spiritual truth by real world examples (i.e. parables). Can you make a parable out of your belief? I have made this challenge many times over many years (on different forums) to the OSAS camp and or to the Belief Alone type groups and they have failed every time to successfully create one. Why? Well, there is no real world example for OSAS that lines up with basic morality and the keeping of order and peace. Hence, why OSAS or Non-OSAS Belief Alone-ism is an illusion.
 
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This is just you hitting the disagree button with no real substance as to the why. If I am cherry picking verses like Luke 10:25-28, and 1 John 3:15, then you need to give us a word for word commentary on these texts and also show us the context so as to prove how you are right, and I am wrong. But you are not doing that. I just read and believe these verses plainly. I do not believe you are doing that. They mean what they say plainly. If this is not the case, you need to explain how they do not mean what they plainly say.

Because semi-pelagianism is inconsistent with the catholic faith that has been taught since the beginning. No historic church has ever taught it as a de fide doctrine.
 
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FireDragon76

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Also, Jesus illustrated spiritual truth by real world examples (i.e. parables). Can you make a parable out of your belief? I have made this challenge many times over many years (on different forums) to the OSAS camp and or to the Belief Alone type groups and they have failed every time to successfully create one. Why? Well, there is no real world example for OSAS that lines up with basic morality and the keeping of order and peace. Hence, why OSAS or Non-OSAS Belief Alone-ism is an illusion.

Lutherans reject OSAS, we do not teach it. Please learn more about what we actually believe before you go throwing around straw men.

Faith alone is what the apostle Paul taught. Clement of Rome also teaches it in his epistles.
 
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Lutherans reject OSAS, we do not teach it. Please learn more about what we actually believe before you go throwing around straw men.

I cannot keep track of what everyone believes. I merely reply based off what a person says. That said, when I talk about OSAS, I also refer to the Non-OSAS Belief Alone type group, as well. Please refer to post #93. For I am well aware of the Non-OSAS Belief Alone type belief. Free Will Baptists are famous for holding to this belief.

You said:
Faith alone is what the apostle Paul taught. Clement of Rome also teaches it in his epistles.

Believers are initially and ultimately saved by God's grace (i.e. Jesus Christ). It is why a person who comes to Jesus for the first time can have an assurance of salvation (Without doing any kind of work). Initial and ultimate salvation is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are not ultimately saved by works of righteousness we have done alone without God's mercy (Titus 3:5). For even if a believer were to stumble into sin, do they get clean by doing another work? No. They get clean by confessing their sins to Jesus (1 John 2:1) (1 John 1:9) and they ask Jesus to help them to overcome their sin (or to forsake it) (Matthew 26:41) (Romans 13:14) (John 15:5). But make no mistake, Scripture is also abundantly clear in that it teaches we are saved by "works of faith" after we are saved by God's grace, too. Simply click on the following spoiler button to check out the verses.

After we are saved by God's grace,
God’s works (done through us) are also required as a part of the Salvation Process:



(Here are a List of Verses):


“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:24).

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18).

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (Titus 1:16).

"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, "(1 Timothy 6:3-4).

"...God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (James 4:6).

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:1-2).

"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." (Hebrews 5:9).

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).

“...God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Romans 8:13).

"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha." (1 Corinthians 16:22).

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15).

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:10).

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” (Luke 10:25-28).

“...if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 19:17-19).

"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38).

”If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Matthew 16:24-26).

"...No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62).

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8).

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21).

"But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God." (Romans 2:8-11).

”And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed 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. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Revelation 22:12-15).

"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:20).

“For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” (Romans 11:21-22).

"...but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." (Matthew 19:17).

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12).

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” (Titus 2:11-12).

“...And having become servants of God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end, everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22).

”Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:34-40).

“Then 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: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then 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? Then 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. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:41-46).

”His 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.” (Matthew 25:21).

”And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:30).

”Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation [i.e. as the people of Israel did when they rebelled against him in the desert.”] (Hebrews 3:12-15) (Note: The explanation on verse 15 in brackets is taken from the Living Bible Translation (TLB)).

”Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)” (Hebrews 3:10-11).

”Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (Hebrews 4:11).

“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” (1 John 3:10).

“He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (John 8:47).

There are five things (as a whole) in the Bible that people are not getting when they read Paul, and thus they easily misunderstand him in justifying a false "sin and still be saved" or "Belief Alone" type gospel (Which is no doubt appealing because it means that a person does not have to change their life all that much and they can live for themselves instead of the Lord). But Jesus says, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? (Luke 6:46) (NHEB).

Here are the 5 things (as a whole) in Scripture that your average Christian does not understand when they read Paul:

#1. The Bible teaches that there is a change of the Law (Hebrews 7:12); So when Paul talks about the "Law" (generically), he is referring to the Torah, i.e. the Old Law (or the many laws given to Moses and Israel) and not the commandments given to us by Jesus Christ and His followers (i.e. the New Law or New Testament Law).

#2. Paul was fighting against "Circumcision Salvationism" (Which is Law Alone Salvationism without God's grace); A certain sect of Jews were trying to deceive some Christians into thinking they had to first be circumcised in order to be saved. This was a heresy that was clearly addressed at the Jerusalem council (See Acts of the Apostles 15:1, Acts of the Apostles 15:5, Acts of the Apostles 15:24). Paul also addressed this problem; Paul said to the Galatians that if you seek to be circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing (Galatians 5:2), and then Paul mentions how if you seek to be justified by the Law, you have fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4). This "law" is the Torah because circumcision is not a part of the commands given to us by Jesus and His followers.

#3. The Bible speaks against the "False Pharisee Religion" that Paul used to be part of (Which taught: "Law Alone Salvationism" or "Works Alone Salvationism" without God's grace, i.e. Jesus Christ) (See Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42, Luke 18:9-14). Hence, why Paul said we are saved by God's grace through faith and not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9) and that we are not saved by works of righteousness that we have done but we are saved by his mercy (Titus 3:5).

#4. The Bible teaches that sin can separate us from God from Matthew to Revelation (Matthew 5:28-30) (Matthew 6:15) (Matthew 12:37) (Matthew 25:31-46) (Luke 9:62) (1 John 3:15) (Galatians 5:19-21) (Revelation 21:8).

#5. The Bible teaches that obedience to God's commands is tied to eternal life from Matthew to Revelation (See Matthew 19:17-19) (Luke 10:25-28) (1 John 1:7) (1 John 3:23) (Hebrews 5:9) (Revelation 22:14).
 
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Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.
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Because semi-pelagianism is inconsistent with the catholic faith that has been taught since the beginning. No historic church has ever taught it as a de fide doctrine.

Church history is written by men. It is not another bible. The Bible is the Word of God. Not church history. Church history is not divinely inspired by God like the Bible is. The Word of God should be your authority alone and not what men do or say. But yet again, you are evading in explaining the texts I put forth.
 
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FireDragon76

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Believers are initially and ultimately saved by God's grace (i.e. Jesus Christ). It is why a person who comes to Jesus for the first time can have an assurance of salvation (Without doing any kind of work). Initial and ultimate salvation is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

If it is, you sure aren't preaching it that way. Nobody ever threatened me with the gift I got for Christmas.
 
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fhansen

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But loyalty in God's kingdom does not translate necessarily into doing legally predefined works. For the thief on the cross, it was simply saying "Jesus, remember me in your coming kingdom". And for that faith alone, the thief was justified.
If the the thief had been allowed to come down off his cross and live more on earth of his new life begotten by faith, do you think more would've been expected of him?
 
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