Who then can be saved?

[Dan1988]

Christian denominations agree that salvation comes through God's grace and Jesus Christ, but they differ on the role of faith and works, and how a person receives and maintains salvation.
Catholics emphasize faith expressed through active good works while Protestant Denominations vary, with many holding to "faith alone" (sola fide) as the primary path, though good works are seen as evidence of true faith.
The process can be viewed as a one-time event or a lifelong journey, and denominations like Reformed Christianity emphasize predestination, while Methodists focus on achieving entire sanctification.

Eastern Orthodoxy Theosis (Deification): Focuses on salvation as a process of theosis, or becoming united with God.
Means of Salvation: Achieved through the Church's mysteries (sacraments) and sanctification, viewed as a lifelong process rather than a legal or one-time event.

These are some of the views held by the various denominations, but which if any line up with what the Bible has to say about salvation.
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". This verse establishes that humanity is inherently sinful and separated from God, making self-salvation impossible.

Romans 3:10-12 "As it is written: 'There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one'".
These verses describe the universal fallen nature of man, confirming that no one naturally seeks God or performs righteous acts sufficient for salvation.

Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit". This verse directly contrasts salvation with human deeds, attributing it solely to God's mercy.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast".
This passage explicitly states that salvation is a gift from God, and not something earned through human actions.

Matthew 19:26 "But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”". In response to the disciples' question about how the rich could be saved, Jesus highlights that salvation is beyond human power.

Jeremiah 13:23 "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to doing evil".
While referring to the difficulty of changing evil habits, this verse metaphorically suggests a fundamental inability to change one's corrupted nature without divine help, which is relevant to the concept of salvation.

Is salvation, by grace or by works or by a combination of both.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Christian denominations agree that salvation comes through God's grace and Jesus Christ, but they differ on the role of faith and works, and how a person receives and maintains salvation.
Catholics emphasize faith expressed through active good works while Protestant Denominations vary, with many holding to "faith alone" (sola fide) as the primary path, though good works are seen as evidence of true faith.
The process can be viewed as a one-time event or a lifelong journey, and denominations like Reformed Christianity emphasize predestination, while Methodists focus on achieving entire sanctification.

Eastern Orthodoxy Theosis (Deification): Focuses on salvation as a process of theosis, or becoming united with God.
Means of Salvation: Achieved through the Church's mysteries (sacraments) and sanctification, viewed as a lifelong process rather than a legal or one-time event.

These are some of the views held by the various denominations, but which if any line up with what the Bible has to say about salvation.
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". This verse establishes that humanity is inherently sinful and separated from God, making self-salvation impossible.

Romans 3:10-12 "As it is written: 'There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one'".
These verses describe the universal fallen nature of man, confirming that no one naturally seeks God or performs righteous acts sufficient for salvation.

Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit". This verse directly contrasts salvation with human deeds, attributing it solely to God's mercy.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast".
This passage explicitly states that salvation is a gift from God, and not something earned through human actions.

Matthew 19:26 "But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”". In response to the disciples' question about how the rich could be saved, Jesus highlights that salvation is beyond human power.

Jeremiah 13:23 "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to doing evil".
While referring to the difficulty of changing evil habits, this verse metaphorically suggests a fundamental inability to change one's corrupted nature without divine help, which is relevant to the concept of salvation.

Is salvation, by grace or by works or by a combination of both.

James 2:18
"But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

This verse plainly states the two sides you are describing. Then it is addressed to clarify the issue. Now it us up to the hearer on how to interpret. The way I hear it, good works flow from those who have faith.
Blessings

 

[caffeinated.hermit]

The more I have studied this, lived, and suffered, the more I have come to believe that salvation is by grace through faith and through discipleship. Works do matter, and obeying Christ to the best of our ability does matter. Imo, sanctification is a part of justification, not distinct from it.

Theosis is a neat model, and one that seems to also overlap with Western Divinization, Lutheran Christification, and even Evangelical concepts of Lordship Salvation. Not 100%, but it's close, and I think we may all be ultimately talking about the same thing.

 

[ozso]

James 2:18
"But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

This verse plainly states the two sides you are describing. Then it is addressed to clarify the issue. Now it us up to the hearer on how to interpret. The way I hear it, good works flow from those who have faith.
Blessings

28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”

29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:28-29

What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. Romans 4:1-4

 

[Lukaris]

I believe we are saved by grace and show our thanksgiving to the Lord by doing works worthy of repentance. I believe St. Paul originally summed this up in Acts 26:20, explains elsewhere like in Colossians 1:10-24, Ephesians 2:8-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-16 etc. This is for most of us since we want to have some life to live.

The thief on the cross was saved by grace of the Lord recognizing the thief’s faith & repentance. The thief did all he could do in extreme physical pain & the Lord is merciful.

 

[Clare73]

Christian denominations agree that salvation comes through God's grace and Jesus Christ, but they differ on the role of faith and works, and how a person receives and maintains salvation.
Catholics emphasize faith expressed through active good works while Protestant Denominations vary, with many holding to "faith alone" (sola fide) as the primary path, though good works are seen as evidence of true faith.
The process can be viewed as a one-time event or a lifelong journey, and denominations like Reformed Christianity emphasize predestination, while Methodists focus on achieving entire sanctification.
Eastern Orthodoxy Theosis (Deification): Focuses on salvation as a process of theosis, or becoming united with God.
Means of Salvation: Achieved through the Church's mysteries (sacraments) and sanctification, viewed as a lifelong process rather than a legal or one-time event.
These are some of the views held by the various denominations, but which if any line up with what the Bible has to say about salvation.
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". This verse establishes that humanity is inherently sinful and separated from God, making self-salvation impossible.
Romans 3:10-12 "As it is written: 'There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one'".
These verses describe the universal fallen nature of man, confirming that no one naturally seeks God or performs righteous acts sufficient for salvation.
Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit". This verse directly contrasts salvation with human deeds, attributing it solely to God's mercy.
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast".
This passage explicitly states that salvation is a gift from God, and not something earned through human actions.
Matthew 19:26 "But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”". In response to the disciples' question about how the rich could be saved, Jesus highlights that salvation is beyond human power.

Jeremiah 13:23 "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to doing evil".
While referring to the difficulty of changing evil habits, this verse metaphorically suggests a fundamental inability to change one's corrupted nature without divine help, which is relevant to the concept of salvation.
Is salvation, by grace or by works or by a combination of both.

Read Eph 2:8-9. . .salvation is by faith, not by works.

True faith always has works.
But those works are the result of salvation, not the cause of it.

 

[fhansen]

Is salvation, by grace or by works or by a combination of both.

It all begins with grace. without which salvation is impossible. But grace can be resissted, or not; it can be cooperated with, or not. Salvation is about union with the Vine, as we're grafted into Him by faith. Whether we remain in Him or not involves the willingnes to do so. If we do, and continue to, we will live the life of grace, God's life in us, by the Spirit. producing much good fruit. If we aren't producing good fruit, fruit born of the love the Holy Spirit pores into believers (Rom 5;5), then we're not even His, or we've left the fold. So, as James says, faith and works must go hand in hand. This is because faith without love would be dead.

"The only thing that counts is faith working through love." Gal 5:6

So we're justifed-made just-by turning to and relying not on ourselves anymore but on God=faith. The result is real righteousness given:
“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord." Jer 31:33-34

From that point we must continue to walk with Him in that justice/righteousness, that love that fulfills the law, picking up our cross daily and growing in those virtues which come only from Him as a result of drawing near to and uniting with Him. It's all about who one hangs out with. The following directive has never changed one bit under the new covant. Instead, were simply given the means to finally achieve it, by virtue of union with the Vine, now reconciled with God by the death of His Son who came to make God known-so that we may believe and become "my people", knowing God as a child of His should.

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

 

[Dan1988]

James 2:18
"But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

This verse plainly states the two sides you are describing. Then it is addressed to clarify the issue. Now it us up to the hearer on how to interpret. The way I hear it, good works flow from those who have faith.
Blessings

The Bible does confirm as you say, "good works flow from those who have faith" But where does faith come from?, is it something that everyone is born with, or is it a gift from God.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

James 2:10 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Colossians 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The above are exhortations to good works, but Philippians 2:13 goes even further by confirming that it is God who does the good works through us.

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Most Christian Denominations agree that we are saved by grace through faith. They teach that grace is a gift of God, but they don't believe that faith is also a gift. Most teach that faith is something which the individual produces and cultivates within themselves.

 

[Dan1988]

Read Eph 2:8-9. . .salvation is by faith, not by works.

True faith always has works.
But those works are the result of salvation, not the cause of it.

I have read Ephesians 2:8-9 and it doesn't say what you quoted. It doesn't say "salvation is by faith" at all. If you care to read it yourself, you would find that it actually says "salvation is by grace". and not "by faith" as you claimed.

The scripture also confirms that both "grace" and "faith" are gifts which God gives to His people. So even if you claim to have been saved by "your faith", it would be incorrect because Eph 2:8 confirms that "faith" is also a gift

 

[Dan1988]

It all begins with grace. without which salvation is impossible. But grace can be resissted, or not; it can be cooperated with, or not. Salvation is about union with the Vine, as we're grafted into Him by faith. Whether we remain in Him or not involves the willingnes to do so. If we do, and continue to, we will live the life of grace, God's life in us, by the Spirit. producing much good fruit. If we aren't producing good fruit, fruit born of the love the Holy Spirit pores into believers (Rom 5;5), then we're not even His, or we've left the fold. So, as James says, faith and works must go hand in hand. This is because faith without love would be dead.

"The only thing that counts is faith working through love." Gal 5:6

So we're justifed-made just-by turning to and relying not on ourselves anymore but on God=faith. The result is real righteousness given:
“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord." Jer 31:33-34

From that point we must continue to walk with Him in that justice/righteousness, that love that fulfills the law, picking up our cross daily and growing in those virtues which come only from Him as a result of drawing near to and uniting with Him. It's all about who one hangs out with. The following directive has never changed one bit under the new covant. Instead, were simply given the means to finally achieve it, by virtue of union with the Vine, now reconciled with God by the death of His Son who came to make God known-so that we may believe and become "my people", knowing God as a child of His should.

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

I haven't com across a single verse in the Bible to support this notion that "grace can be resisted". Likewise I've never come across anything in the Bible to support the idea that God requires the cooperation of the person, in order to save them.

You obviously hold to the "saved by works" version of the gospel, which is based on "legalism". The "saved by grace" gospel, confirms that salvation is "all of God" and man plays no part in the work of salvation.
It is 100% of God, He first chose His elect, before He created the earth, then He quickens His elect out of the state of spiritual death and makes them willing to repent. He then does the life long work of sanctification and transformation into the image of His Son.

Nobody is born willing to cooperate with God, we are all born with the sin nature we inherited from Adam. That's why Gods Word confirms that nobody seeks Him, we are all born as His enemies, so there's no way we would willingly cooperate with our enemy, unless He first changes our will.

All of the exhortations to do good works, were given to encourage us. They weren't given as conditions, we have to meet, in order to be saved.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

The Bible does confirm as you say, "good works flow from those who have faith" But where does faith come from?, is it something that everyone is born with, or is it a gift from God.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

James 2:10 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Colossians 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The above are exhortations to good works, but Philippians 2:13 goes even further by confirming that it is God who does the good works through us.

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Most Christian Denominations agree that we are saved by grace through faith. They teach that grace is a gift of God, but they don't believe that faith is also a gift. Most teach that faith is something which the individual produces and cultivates within themselves.

"Most teach that faith is something which the individual produces and cultivates within themselves. "

Is there error in the above?

 

[Dan1988]

"Most teach that faith is something which the individual produces and cultivates within themselves. "

Is there error in the above?

Sadly there's no error in that. It's true, most Christian Denominations deny the fact that faith is a gift which God gives to His children.
I believe the reason, so many don't teach the true gospel, is because it leaves them with nothing to boast about so they can't take any credit for saving people.

 

[fhansen]

I haven't com across a single verse in the Bible to support this notion that "grace can be resisted". Likewise I've never come across anything in the Bible to support the idea that God requires the cooperation of the person, in order to save them.

Resistance is throughout the bible. God beckons and calls and appeals to us. We can be poor soil where the word first takes root and grows but is later left to wither and die. We are warned not to return to the flesh, as some were doing, that we must make effort to be holy in order to see God, that we must persevere. We are told what happens to the wicked and lazy servant who buries his gifts.

God beckons, with a choice:
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Rev 3:20-21

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!” Matt 7:24-27

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt 11:28

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Cor 5:20-21

And He warns:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” John 15:5-6

“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.” Heb 6:4-8

“If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.” 2 Pet 2:20-22

You obviously hold to the "saved by works" version of the gospel, which is based on "legalism". The "saved by grace" gospel, confirms that salvation is "all of God" and man plays no part in the work of salvation.
It is 100% of God, He first chose His elect, before He created the earth, then He quickens His elect out of the state of spiritual death and makes them willing to repent. He then does the life long work of sanctification and transformation into the image of His Son.

Christianity rejects legalism but it also rejects lawlessness, sin, unrighteousness as inconsistent with being a child of God. When you can reconcile those truths, you’ll better understand the gospel. Gal 5, for instance, is a commentary on this very thing: the law will not justify you while sin will still condemn you. So the new covenant is not some carte blanche reprieve from man’s obligation to be righteousness as long as he believes, but is actually the authentic means to achieving that very righteousness, with God, now grafted into the Vine by faith and fed by Him, inspired to do His will instead of being on my own and making effort to prove my “righteousness” by works of the law. IOW, I have no righteousness/justice on my own; God, alone justifies or makes just the ungodly. My real sin to begin with is my separation/alienation from Him! He ‘puts His law in our minds and writes it on our hearts’-as I turn to Him, and as long as I remain in Him, as long as I continue to walk by the Spirit. It’s all grace, all from God, but grace that I must respond to:

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Gal 6:7-8

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. Rom 8:12-14

Faith, hope, and love are all gifts of grace, and yet they’re gifts that we must accept, embrace, and express as we pick up our cross and follow daily.

All of the exhortations to do good works, were given to encourage us. They weren't given as conditions, we have to meet, in order to be saved.

“To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.” Rom 2:7

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Heb 12:14

 

[fhansen]

"Most teach that faith is something which the individual produces and cultivates within themselves. "

Is there error in the above?

I don't know of any Christian denominations that teach the faith is not a gift of grace first of all. To deny that would be to promote Pelagianism.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

I don't know of any Christian denominations that teach the faith is not a gift of grace first of all. To deny that would be to promote Pelagianism.

Not all Augustinian/ Calvinist teachings are held by Christian denominations particularly those who do not hold to determinism. As far as Pelagian, he got it partially correct.
Thanks for sharing.