How Do you Define Sola Fide (Faith Alone) and is it Biblical?

[redleghunter]

Circumcision Salvationism means that it is all works that a person's faith is based upon and not Christ. So this does not mean Paul is against Sanctification or the necessity of good works as a part of the faith that comes after God's saving grace (of which we build upon).

Circumcision was entry into the covenant of the Law. That is why in Acts 15 it says thus:

5But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.”

If one is getting circumcised they are taking on the yoke of observing the Law of Moses. That is why you see circumcision was mentioned so much. Taking on circumcision meant you were joining the communities which would also follow the Law of Moses.

You mean, Calvinism's version of Antinomianism. It does not take into account the Bible's version of Antinomianism. As I pointed out before, the Bible teaches we can overcome grievous sin. Most in the Calvinistic camp believe 1 John 1:8 is saying they will always be in some kind of sin their whole lives. Yet, they are still saved by having a belief on Jesus. This is a justification of sin and evil (Antinomianism). Sure, it may not be a justification of an excessive sinful lifestyle, but it still seeks to justify sin on a more subtler way. Listen to your Calvin brother Mark Kennedy. Mark Kennedy's response to me in one of his previous posts states:

"you were and are a sinner and will remain one until the translation of the church at the return of Christ." ~ Mark Kennedy.
See Post #159.

However, this is not how Christians describe themselves in the Bible. They are called saints and for good reason. This is why your belief is Antinomian. It is acknowledging that you are a sinner (saved by Grace) instead of being a saint (saved by God's grace).

No the Westminster Confession of Faith actually says:

"The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to do good alone in the state of glory only."

This is not a promotion of sin nor glossing over it. We still have our sinful natures which we are to put to death each day.

So not seeing how recognizing we still have a warring flesh nature which justification to sin.

This is your default position when questions get difficult.

 

[redleghunter]

Calvinism is wrong on many levels because it is an attack upon the good character of God.

Huh? That God is Holy, Holy, Holy and Sovereign in His purpose and will? That's pretty much Reformed theology there. As opposed to the human approach to salvation based on merits.

 

[redleghunter]

He was talking about perfection. I was talking about righteousness.

But the perfection in that verse was that of Christ and not us.

 

[redleghunter]

If you have a new nature and God has elected you to salvation: Why do you need to make decisions? If you are changed, you don't need to make decisions. You will just automatically do the right thing and you will not be able to help it.

How did you jump to that conclusion?

 

[redleghunter]

You mean, Calvinism's version of Antinomianism. It does not take into account the Bible's version of Antinomianism. As I pointed out before, the Bible teaches we can overcome grievous sin. Most in the Calvinistic camp believe 1 John 1:8 is saying they will always be in some kind of sin their whole lives. Yet, they are still saved by having a belief on Jesus. This is a justification of sin and evil (Antinomianism). Sure, it may not be a justification of an excessive sinful lifestyle, but it still seeks to justify sin on a more subtler way. Listen to your Calvin brother Mark Kennedy. Mark Kennedy's response to me in one of his previous posts states:

"you were and are a sinner and will remain one until the translation of the church at the return of Christ." ~ Mark Kennedy.​

See Post #159.

However, this is not how Christians describe themselves in the Bible. They are called saints and for good reason. This is why your belief is Antinomian. It is acknowledging that you are a sinner (saved by Grace) instead of being a saint (saved by God's grace).

I can only qualify this nonsense by asking you Jason if you have completely stopped sinning?

 

[redleghunter]

So it doesn't matter how we live then. That is what this statement implies.

No it doesn't and I don't know how you concluded such. Stop putting out ideas that are not evident.

Unless your righteousness will exceed or meet that of Christ's then you will have to go to Him to get righteousness. Romans chapters 1-5 explains how it happened.

 

[eleos1954]

Scripture has to be read as a whole. While we are saved by God's grace through faith initially and ultimately, one also needs works of faith as a part of the salvation process. James 2:24 says we are justified by works and not by faith alone. These would be works of faith (as a part of following the commands of Jesus and His followers) and not works of the Law of Moses. The problem you are faced with is that you have to ignore so many verses in the Bible to make this kind of view of salvation work. In Luke 10:25-28, the lawyer asks Jesus what must he do to inherit eternal life. Jesus says how does he read the Scriptures concerning this. The lawyer answered, love God (with some added details) and love your neighbor. Now, Jesus said that He answered correctly and that he was to do this and he will live. If an Eternal Security proponent were to answer this lawyer: They would say, "Wrong lawyer!" "It is only by believing in Jesus as your Savior and not in loving God or your neighbor so as to live."

So the answer that the Eternal Security Proponent would give is not the same one as Jesus gives us.

As for 1 John 3:9:

Explaining 1 John 3:6 and 1 John 3:9:

Modern Translations will say practice sin or continue in sin in 1 John 3:9 (as if to say it is talking exclusively of practicing sin), but this is not the case in the trusted KJV (that existed hundreds of years long before the Modern Translations showed up). (Note: I am not denying that it can be in reference to habitual sin, but it is not exclusively referring to habitual sin but also singular or temporary sin, too.).

The key to understanding 1 John 3:9 is realizing that this "does not commit sin" is in context to the gnostic belief who think sin does not exist or that sin is an illusion in some way (See 1 John 1:8 and 1 John 2:26). Christian Scientists today think sin is an illusion. OSAS proponents think future sin is forgiven them. So while they believe sin may exist on a physical level, they do not think sin exists for them on a spiritual level because they believe Jesus paid for their future sins (When the Bible never says future sin is forgiven us). In other words, it is those who justify sin in some way who have not been born again spiritually and who have never seen or known Christ and He (the seed) does not abide in them. 1 John 3:6 and 1 John 3:9 is talking about "willful sin" in Hebrews 10:26 in view or light of 1 John 1:8.

In other words, 1 John 3:6, and 1 John 3:9 is in view of "willful sin" or "justifying sin" in some way.

1 John 3:9 should read like this:

"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin [willfully, as if to justify it]; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin [willfully], because he is born of God."​

1 John 3:6 should read like this:

"Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not [willfully, seeking to justify their sin]: whosoever sinneth [as if to justify their sin] hath not seen him, neither known him."​

This would be in view or light of applying the context of the false gnostic belief that John warned the brethren about in 1 John 1:8.

Most Eternal Security Proponents I have talked with will say that King David was saved while he committed his sins of adultery and murder. This is justifying sin under God's grace.

Was not the thief on the cross saved by faith alone?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Was not the thief on the cross saved by faith alone?

It depends on how you view it. In one way he was not capable of doing all the required commands of the NT canon because he did not have a complete Bible in his hands like we do and he did not live out his faith. No doubt God would know a person’s heart and future free will choices. But he did good works with what limited time that he had. He defended Jesus and he was not ashamed of him.

“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26).

Speaking up or not being ashamed of Jesus is a work.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

No it doesn't and I don't know how you concluded such. Stop putting out ideas that are not evident.

Unless your righteousness will exceed or meet that of Christ's then you will have to go to Him to get righteousness. Romans chapters 1-5 explains how it happened.

Jesus was talking about one’s deeds. Matthew 5:20 is surrounded by the context of good deeds and staying away from certain sins. So you are ripping the verse out of context.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I can only qualify this nonsense by asking you Jason if you have completely stopped sinning?

It’s the same ole song and dance. As stated to another poster here: It is against forums rules to make the discussion about the poster (like me or you). Even if this was not the case, I don’t confide in brothers and sisters who do not agree with the Bible’s plain teaching on overcoming grievous sin and or with them justifying sin on some level.

Again, the Bible says,

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13).

"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." (Romans 13:14).

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Galatians 5:24).

1 "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." (1 Peter 4:1-2).

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1).

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16).

"Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world." (1 Peter 2:12 NLT).

"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" (Philippians 2:15).

“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him” (Romans 6:6-8).

“Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.” (Romans 6:16 NLT).

“there are false prophets... who cannot cease from sin.” (2 Peter 2:1, 2 Peter 2:14).

“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:34).

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

“But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” (1 John 2:5).

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4).

“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7).

“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” (1 John 5:19).

Memorize these verses and put them on the inside of your heart.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

No it doesn't and I don't know how you concluded such. Stop putting out ideas that are not evident.

Unless your righteousness will exceed or meet that of Christ's then you will have to go to Him to get righteousness. Romans chapters 1-5 explains how it happened.

People of this world admit to grievous sin and they also will say that nobody is perfect.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

How did you jump to that conclusion?

Because you keep saying that good works is not something you do but it is something done out of being elected and or your new nature. But you speak against doing good works alone because you believe a Christian can commit grievous sin and still be saved on some level because works do not play a part in our salvation. There are unbelievers who believe in doing good and evil, as well. What separates the two of you? A belief alone in Jesus? If so, then what about this verse?

“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” (1 John 5:19).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

But the perfection in that verse was that of Christ and not us.

No.

The “be ye perfect” in Matthew 5:48 is in context to verses 43-47 which is talking about loving your enemy.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Huh? That God is Holy, Holy, Holy and Sovereign in His purpose and will? That's pretty much Reformed theology there. As opposed to the human approach to salvation based on merits.

A person can say God is holy, but if they cannot defend basic morality, they do not understand the holiness of God. Read my parable example in this post that you quoted.

 

[redleghunter]

No.

The “be ye perfect” in Matthew 5:48 is in context to verses 43-47 which is talking about loving your enemy.

The be perfect is related to the Father in Heaven.

It’s the standard. Get to work.

 

[redleghunter]

It’s the same ole song and dance. As stated to another poster here: It is against forums rules to make the discussion about the poster (like me or you). Even if this was not the case, I don’t confide in brothers and sisters who do not agree with the Bible’s plain teaching on overcoming grievous sin and or with them justifying sin on some level.

Again, the Bible says,

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13).

"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." (Romans 13:14).

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Galatians 5:24).

1 "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." (1 Peter 4:1-2).

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1).

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16).

"Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world." (1 Peter 2:12 NLT).

"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" (Philippians 2:15).

“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him” (Romans 6:6-8).

“Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.” (Romans 6:16 NLT).

“there are false prophets... who cannot cease from sin.” (2 Peter 2:1, 2 Peter 2:14).

“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:34).

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

“But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” (1 John 2:5).

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4).

“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7).

“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” (1 John 5:19).

Memorize these verses and put them on the inside of your heart.

Ok it’s against forum rules to ask you a question based on the premise of just about every accusation and assertion you make. But it’s ok for you to slander entire faith groups with impunity?

 

[redleghunter]

A person can say God is holy, but if they cannot defend basic morality, they do not understand the holiness of God. Read my parable example in this post that you quoted.

The Universalist parable the Universalists use on other threads? Already showed you how that one ends.

 

[redleghunter]

Because you keep saying that good works is not something you do but it is something done out of being elected and or your new nature. But you speak against doing good works alone because you believe a Christian can commit grievous sin and still be saved on some level because works do not play a part in our salvation. There are unbelievers who believe in doing good and evil, as well. What separates the two of you? A belief alone in Jesus? If so, then what about this verse?

“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” (1 John 5:19).

What does it mean to be God’s Workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The Universalist parable the Universalists use on other threads? Already showed you how that one ends.

Universalists don’t have true morality or justice, either; And you are avoiding the issue by not explaining how your position is moral and good.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

What does it mean to be God’s Workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life?

It is an illusion in Calvinism because I heard many in the Calvin camp admit that they can sin and still be saved. One cannot do good and also evil (See Ezekiel 18:24, Matthew 7:22-23).