Refuting Gerry Soliman on FAITH ALONE

   "Sin boldly and let your sins be strong. But let the grace of Christ become stronger" (Martin Luther)
                               

Note that Gerry's arguments are in red while mine is black

Gerry Soliman said:

I was reading articles in some apologetic websites these past several days. I came across a really cheap argument against the Evangelical doctrine of salvation by faith alone. The argument goes: How can we say that we are saved by faith alone with no good works added when faith itself is a form of good work?

My reply is this, we are saved only through God's grace. If faith alone is needed, why the need to obey Christ? Even our Lord emphasized this in Matthew 7:21,"Not everyone who says to Me,'Lord, Lord', will enter the Kingdom of heaven, only those who do the will of My Father in heaven".  Faith must have good works for having faith is synonymous to obeying as the Scripture says,"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.Whoever disobeys the Son will not have life, but will remain under God's punishment" (John 3:36, Good News Bible)

People using that argument are really childish. The apostle Paul teaches us this:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Now comes the detractors of Sola Fide giving the above argument. I wonder what would it be like if these detractors themselves tell that to Paul: "But Paul, faith itself is a good work!" They so miss the point.

Gerry, I can agree on that passage you used, however, the way you interpret it is not correct because what were the works that Paul is referring to there in that passage? Let us read from the book of Acts 13:38-39, here's what it says:

Acts 13:38-39 (Good News Bible), "All of you, my fellow Israelites, are to know for sure that it is through Jesus that the message about forgiveness of sins is preached to you; you are to know that everyone who believes in Him is set free from all the sins from which the Law of Moses could not set you free."

Have you read this? The works does not just refer to our good works (Isaiah 64:6) but on the works of the Mosaic Law by which we could not be justified (Acts 13:38-39). Believing my friend, is synonymous to obeying according to the Bible.

They should be familiarized about the rationale of Sola Fide: Salvation is by grace and cannot be merited by good works but faith alone. We have given Ephesians 2:8-9, here some supporting verses from Romans:

And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. Romans 11:6

However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. Romans 4:5

My friend, salvation is not through faith alone, but faith and works. BTW, you quoted Romans 11:6 right? Try reading it to Romans 11:21-22, here's what it says:

Romans 11:21-22, "For if God did not spare the branches, which are the Jews. Do you think He will spare you? Here we see the kindness and severity of God, severity to those who have fallen but to you, kindness, if you will continue in His kindness. Otherwise, you too will be cut off"

Paul is saying that if the Jews weren't spared for their disobedience to God, He will not spare us also if we didn't obey Him. That's the God of the Bible and not the "false god" of Eternal Security and about Romans 4:5, try also reading it to Romans 8:13, here's what it says:

Romans 8:13 (Good News Bible), "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die.But if by the Spirit, you put to death your sinful actions, you will live"

We are saved by faith, yes, but if we live according to the flesh, we will die. Now can Christians do this? Yes! What are the works of the flesh that Paul is referring to here? Let us read from Galatians 5:19-21, here's what it says:

Galatians 5:19-21 (American Standard Version), "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (emphasis mine)"

If we do these, we won't inherit God's kingdom.

Salvation is God's doing and not by the efforts of man:

It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. Romans 9:16

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

Now after all these verses and a detractor would insist on his cheap argument, well, it is really childish.

I agree with you that salvation is only through God's grace however we have an obligation to do.What is this obligation?

John 14:15, "If you love Me, you will obey My commandments"

If we love Christ, we will be able to obey His Commandments. Well, the fact that you say, Catholic arguments on faith alone is very childish is very absurd because you just don't get it my friend. Let me enlighten you on what the True Gospel of Christ is which Catholics are holding to for over 2000 years before your church came:
 
The true plan of salvation is this, God loved us that He sent His Son, we are to believe in Him (John 3:16-18), we are to repent (Matthew 3:2, Luke 13:3), we are to prove by our works that we have repented (Jonah 3:10, Matthew 3:7-8, Acts 19:19, 26:20), we are to work our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13), we are to endure to be saved (Matthew 10:22, 24:13, Mark 13:13, Hebrews 3:14, 12:14).

Haven't you read these? Or are you just relying on your proof texts without considering the whole of Scripture? Please, do study Scripture again. And consider these passages that I have quoted. God bless in your search!!!

                                                  Jesus, King of Mercy, we trust in You!!!

 

 

Comparing Mormonism with Scripture

                                    Is this true? Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Lord Jesus?

Comparing Mormonism with Scripture

In the 1830s, a preacher named Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormonism). They included the Book of Mormon which was written in golden plates by Moroni and was eventually translated by Joseph Smith. Here are the doctrines of Mormonism and I will try to compare it with Scripture as it says, "Beloved, believe not every spirit but test them to see whether the teaching they have comes from God for false prophets have gone out to the world" (1 John 4:1).

1. Mormons teaches that Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers

If we will compare this with Scripture, we can see that Jesus is far more greater than Satan because "All things were made through Him and without Him was nothing made that was made" (cf.John 1:3). Also, the Apostle Paul said that all things were made through Christ and for Christ (cf.Colossians 1:15-16). Satan is a creature created by Jesus but instead of submitting to the authority of Christ the Creator, he chose to rebel against Him and become like the Most High himself (cf. Isaiah 14:12-14). Christ saw this iniquity in Satan (cf. Ezekiel 28:14-15) and as a result, Satan was thrown out of heaven together with his angels (cf. Revelation 12:9). So, to say they are brothers mean that Satan also shares Christ's Divinity which is not supported by Scriptural basis.

 

The fact that Jesus resisted Satan proves they are enemies. Satan is a creature while Jesus is a Creator. How can Satan drive out Satan? How can Christ and him agree? (Isaiah 14:12-14, Matthew 4:10-11, 2 Corinthians 6:15)

2. Mormons teach that Elohim (God) is a man

Again, if we will compare this with Scripture, this is not supported or backed up by Scripture. What does Scripture says about God (Elohim)? Numbers 23:19 will answer that, "God is not a man that He should lie nor the son of man that He should repent". The Lord Jesus also testified that "God is a Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth" (cf.John 4:24). Paul even said about God, "He alone is immortal; He lives in the light that no one can approach. No one has ever seen Him, no one can ever see Him. To Him be honor and eternal glory forever! Amen!" (cf.1 Timothy 6:16). See? even the Apostle John said, "No one has ever seen God at any time; God, the Only Son, who is at the bosom of the Father has delared Him" (cf.John 1:18).

 
3. Mormons teach that people can become gods

There is a passage in the Bible wherein people were told they can become gods and that passage is found in Genesis 3:4-5, "You will not surely die! God knows that the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil". Who is this person who said this passage to Adam and Eve? Its none other than Satan, whom Jesus called, "the father of lies" (cf.John 8:44). Now about people becoming gods, the Bible condemns this. The LORD says in His Word, "People of Israel, you are My witnesses; I chose you to be My servant so that you might know Me and believe in Me and understand that I alone am the Only God. Besides Me, THERE IS NO OTHER GOD; THERE NEVER WAS AND NEVER WILL BE" (cf. Isaiah 43:10).

 

Jesus is God! There never was any other god or ever will be! He will never give His glory to another (Isaiah 42:8)

 

4. Mormons teach that Jesus Christ established another testament

Again, this is not supported by Scripture itself. Jesus established the New and Everlasting Covenant during the Passover Seder when He gave the charoset as His Body and the Cup of Salvation as His Blood (cf. Matthew 26:26-27, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20) and this was fulfilled through His death on the Cross and through His Blood, the Blood of the Eternal Covenant was sealed (cf. Hebrews 13:20).

            This is the New Covenant. Jesus said,"This is My body","This is My blood" (Matthew 26:26-28).



5. Mormons teach that the Church fell away in the Great Apostasy

Again what a gross misuse of Scripture! Their proof texts are Amos 8:11-12 and Acts 20:29 to prove that the Church will be apostasized. True, there will be an apostasy but Jesus Christ promised to St. Peter that, "the fires of hell will not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). If the Church indeed fell away, according to the Mormons, then they are making Christ a liar. How come they didn't know the promise of the Lord to the Apostle St. Peter and to his successors?

  If the Church is,as the Mormons believe, apostasize, it would mean that the Lord Jesus is lying when He said this to Peter, "You are Peter and upon this rock,I will build My Church and the fires of Hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18)




6. Mormons teach that the Melchizedek Priesthood was given to Joseph Smith

So,if we will compare this with Scripture, this is not even supported by it. In the Scriptures, Jesus alone was given this Melchizedek Priesthood. Here's proof from Hebrews 7:21, "But Jesus became a Priest by means of a vow when God said to Him, 'The LORD has made a solemn promise and will not take it back. You will be a Priest forever" In Psalm 110, we can see that the One promised this Priesthood was called "Lord" by Yahweh-Elohim Himself as it is written in Psalm 110:1, "The LORD said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under Your Feet" and this "Lord" is not Joseph Smith, but the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

 

Jesus is the High Priest given the Melchizedek Priesthood and not Joseph Smith (Psalm 110:4)

 
7. Mormons do not worship Jesus Christ

Only Satan and his cohorts refused this; to worship and adore Jesus Christ. Scripture testifies that Jesus was worshiped during His birth by the Magi (cf. Matthew 2:1-11), His victory over Satan (cf. Matthew 4:11), He was worshiped by His apostles (Matthew 14:33), and after His death and resurrection (Matthew 28:9). He even let Thomas call Him Lord and God (cf. John 20:28). Mormons do not worship Christ so what does that prove? It only proves that they are the children of their father Satan. They said, "If you worship Christ, you no longer worshiping the Father", again, this is not supported by Scripture, Jesus said, "The Father and I are One" (cf. John 10:30), which means, He is God Himself manifested in the flesh, He even said, "Whoever sees Me sees the Father" (cf. John 14:9) because they are One in Divinity. The Father is even more glorified when we worship Jesus Christ because here's what the Father says about Him, "Your Throne O God is forever and ever! You rule over Your people with justice" (cf. Hebrews 1:8). Even Peter the Apostle called his Master, "Our God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (cf. 2 Peter 1:1).

                                    "Let all the angels of God WORSHIP Him" (Hebrews 1:6)



If you are a member of this cult, you need to take my premises to consideration and then decide whom are you going to believe, Joseph Smith and your Mormon missionaries or the written Word of God? If you decide to recant the heresy of Mormonism, its not yet too late! Remember, Jesus Christ loved you so much that He died and rose again for you! Ask Him to forgive you and to live in your heart as Romans 10:13 says, "Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved". Once you accept Him, leave that church that teaches unbiblical doctrine and join His Church "which is the Pillar and Ground of the Truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). To Christ, our Blessed Lord and God, who gives us mercy and forgiveness at the Cross and to the Father, who rules over all and to Spirit who guides us everyday! To the Triune God be the Glory forever! Amen!!!!!!!

"But God demonstrated His love for us in this that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)

                "To be deep in history is to cease becoming a Protestant" by Cardinal Henry Newman

Refuting a Born Again on salvation (www.nowtheendbegins.com)

                                Adam and Eve were ONCE SAVED, but when they ate the forbidden
                                   fruit, are they still ALWAYS SAVED? Or unsaved to begin with?


This Born Again anti-Catholic said this. Note that my comment will be in black while this person's is blue:

Through infant baptism, keeping sacraments, church membership, going to mass, praying to Mary, and confession (just to mention a few), 

My reply to that is this. The sacraments are a sign that leads us to Jesus Christ. They are gifts of God. We pray to Mary in order to lead us to Jesus Christ/ Surely . Which do you think of these Sacraments are UnBiblical?

1.Baptism (Mark 16:16, John 3:5)

2. Confirmation (1 Samuel 10:1, Acts 2:1-4)

3.Holy Eucharist (Matthew 26:26-28, John 6:53-59)

4.Reconciliation (John 20:28)

5.Holy Orders (Acts 13:3, 1 Timothy 5:20-22)

6. Matrimony (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:6)

7. Anointing of the Sick (James 5:13-15)

Where can you find Mr/Ms. Born Again the practice of altar call? Can you find for me a verse in the Bible for this? Can you locate to me in the Bible that pastors should dress up like businessmen?

 

I don't know if this is practiced by early Christians, the loud and rock musics and

people here as if going to a concert. Can you find for me a verse in the Bible for this?

 

This is a picture of Pastor John Hagee of TBN. I don't know if his attire mimics the attire of the New Testament Christians or the attire of businessmen?

The Catholic church has developed a system of salvation through WORKS. God’s word says that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not through works:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:8-9)

"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:5)

Of course, we don't deny that salvation is by faith. We don't teach a "works alone" legalism. Here's proof from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 

1996 Our justification comes from the grace of God. Grace is favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life.⁴⁶
1997 Grace is a participation in the life of God. It introduces us into the intimacy of Trinitarian life: by Baptism the Christian participates in the grace of Christ, the Head of his Body. As an "adopted son" he can henceforth call God "Father," in union with the only Son. He receives the life of the Spirit who breathes charity into him and who forms the Church.

This means that we get grace from the merits of God on the Cross and yes, I agree on these passages you cited however, in Ephesians 2:8-9, try to continue up to v.10, "For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus for A LIFE OF GOOD WORKS". How come you don't see this in your Bible?


 

Jesus Christ came into this world to lay down His sinless life for YOU--to pay for your sins, because you couldn't. Jesus is your only hope for salvation. Only by receiving Him as your Saviour can you enter the gates of Heaven. There is no other way.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6)

The Lord Jesus Christ has come and PAID for your sins by shedding His own Blood on Calvary. By receiving Him as your Saviour, you can be WASHED from all your sins in His precious Blood (Rev. 1:5; Col. 1:14; Acts 20:28; I Pet. 1:18-19). Notice these important words from Romans 5:8-9:

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

What can I say to that, but AMEN! What a Savior we have in Christ Jesus! He did died and rose again for us to be saved! However, in this premise of yours, Only by receiving Him as your Saviour can you enter the gates of Heaven. There is no other way, I think we'll be having a problem with this. Remember, our Lord mentioned this:

Matthew 7:21,"Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven but ONLY THOSE WHO DO THE WILL OF MY FATHER IN HEAVEN"

When we accept Christ, we have to do His will, otherwise, our salvation may be forfeited. Paul said in his letter to the Corinthian church and I quote:

1 Corinthians 15:2, "You are saved by this Gospel IF you hold firmly to it.Otherwise, your faith will be in vain" 

 

Jesus PAID your way to Heaven for you! By receiving Him as your Saviour, you will be receiving God's ONLY means of Salvation for you. Are you willing to forsake YOUR righteousness and receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour, your ONLY HOPE for Salvation? Romans 10:13 says, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:9 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Are you willing to forsake your own righteousness, and trust Jesus Christ alone? He will save you just as He promised. Why not receive Him today and trust Him to give you a better way of life?

When we receive Him as our Savior my friend, all our sins are forgiven. And AMEN to Romans 10:13! Whoever calls on His Name will be saved! But when we accept Him, what do we do now?

1. We have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13)

2. We have to follow His Commandments (John 14:15)

3. We have to prove by our works we have repented (Jonah 3:10, Acts 19:19, 26:20)

4.We have to east His flesh and drink His blood (John 6:53-56)

5.We have to preach His Name without us being ashamed (Romans 1:16-17)

6. We have to read His Word and apply it always (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:105,144, Isaiah 40:8, John 10:35, Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

When we fall away, we will be lost and be forfeited salvation

Hebrews 3:14, "For we are partakers of Christ IF WE HOLD TO THE END THE CONFIDENCE WE HAD AT THE BEGINNING"

Didn't you read all these passages my friend? Little knowledge of the Scriptures is as dangerous as usual, did you know that? 

                                 The Born Again's father, the devil (John 8:44) who also taught this

                       same lie to Eve in the Garden of Eden, "YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE!"