Catholics, LDS, and JW's?

Question

Read the following passages of scripture and comment... take the time to do this so you can give an INTELLIGENT answer.

romans chapters 3 & 4; Galatians 2:16,21; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; and Philippians 3:4-9?

Seriously...

My point is.... how can you read these, claim to BELIEVE the Bible, yet still claim you must earn your way to heaven???

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses consider their hope to be an undeserved GIFT. It is preposterous to suggest that Jehovah's Witnesses think they can somehow EARN salvation.

What true Christians (such as Jehovah's Witnesses) recognize is the plain bible teaching that an ostensible "Christian" can disqualify himself from receiving God's gifts.

(Matthew 7:21) Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will


While Jehovah's Witnesses understand faith to be the primary thing for a Christian, they also understand that professed "faith" is not a license for a sinner to continue to indulge his sin.

(Matthew 7:20-23) Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize... Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness.


One's faith must have SOME effect on the individual's personality and lifecourse. The Scriptures quite plainly explain that humans can disqualify themselves from receiving everlasting life; it is only the faithful COMPLETION of a life course that assures salvation.

(Zephaniah 2:3) Seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth, who have practiced His own judicial decision. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. PROBABLY you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah's anger. [emphasis added]

(Amos 5:15) Hate what is bad, and love what is good, and give justice a place in the gate. It MAY be that Jehovah the God of armies will show favor [emphasis added]

(Matthew 7:13-14) Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.

(Matthew 24:13) But he that has endured TO THE END is the one that will be saved. [emphasis added]

(Philippians 2:12) Keep WORKING OUT your own salvation with fear and trembling [emphasis added]

(Hebrews 10:26-27) For if we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left, 27 but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment

(Hebrews 5:9) [Jesus] became responsible for everlasting salvation to all those OBEYING him [emphasis added]

(James 2:14,17) Of what benefit is it, my brothers, if a certain one says he has faith but he does not have works? That faith cannot save him, can it? ...17 Thus, too, faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/1996021/article_02.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_09.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/pr/index.htm?article=article_03.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_11.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_11.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_15.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/pr/index.htm?article=article_04.htm

Answer 2

Seriously, are we going to have dueling verses?

My best responses are James 2:17 and James 2:26.

Interesting that you did not include Ephesians 2:10 "Created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us".

The Bible is a very long book, actually 66 or 73 books depending on your denomination, which were written over the course of roughly four thousand years by fifty or more authors and have now been tacked together. Of course there are inconsistencies.

Peace.

Answer 3

The Catholic Church is quite familiar with these passages, since its bishops were the ones who accepted these texts for inclusion in the Holy Bible when they compiled it for the use of the Catholic Church. However, they also have access to accurate, authoritative interpretation of the texts, which is where you come up short. The Catholic Church doesn't teaches that one can earn or merit salvation since salvation is a free gift of God - just the the Bible teaches (what a coincidence). The Catholic Churc h also teaches that works of Christian charity are a required element of acceptence of that free gift - just as the Bible teaches. You see, the Catholic Church can accept and embrace every passage of Scripture since there is nothing in Scripture that conflicts with Catholic teaching. Protestants must pick and choose, hunting for passages that appear to support their novel doctrines, while ignoring passages that obviously don't support them. Read the last paragraph of Matt 25. It says that hose who ignore works of Christian charity will go to hell. How much more straightforward could this be??

Answer 4

Hi Tagan,

What is the point to this? It isn't a question. It seems as if, once again, you are just trying to "prove" that some how Catholics are wrong.

Sadly, once again you are mistaken. Sadly, once again you are believing the lies you have been told about Catholics. You really should pick up a Catholic book and read about exactly what Catholics believe. Rather than trying to prove us wrong based on the misinformation you have.

We do not do good works in order to attain heaven.

We do good works because Jesus tells us to.

Read the Gospels, my friend. Jesus himself says, when we clothe the naked we clothe him. When we feed the hungry, we feed him. When we give money to the poor, we are giving money to the one who died for our sins.

This is giving thanks my friend. This is loving one another as HE loved us. This is following HIS direction.

Check out Matthew 25. Maybe you'll understand better. Try reading Catholicism for Dummies. Not that I'm calling you a dummy. It's just a good book and might help you understand.

Answer 5

James Chapter 2 - we must read all the scriptures for a complete picture.

Answer 6

Catholics do not claim that we have to earn our way to heaven.

Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):

By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

I guess your point is you aren't saved by works? You didnt' ask a question so I'm speculating. If so, here's my answer.

You are "saved" by grace, but you will be judged by your works. Do you really think you will be svaed if you just believe? Why would almost every sermon Jesus taught tell us to follow the commandments? Why should we if all we need to do is believe?
Because faith without works is dead. It would be just like saying Lord, Lord, but having our hearts far from him. Lip service. Don't be fooled by man's interpretations that following ALL the commandments is not necessary.

Answer 8

Nah, since you singled out specific groups, it's obvious that the only reason you're here is to bash.

BTW, I know those passages by heart and that you apparently know nothing about Catholicism since you are using these passages to erroneously "prove" the Catholic belief on salvation and grace. Get a clue.

Answer 9

roman 3 & 4 = VII

meet the Galatians at 2:16, give them the $21 you owe them.

at 9 PM, expect anywhere between 2-8 hungry Ephesians.

Titus is running at 3:5 and Phillipian is at 3:4 in the ninth race? (or the tenth?)

Answer 10

Is your point that not by works we are saved, but by the mercy of Jesus Christ. I read a few of the scripture but not all of Romans 3 and 4.
I still don't get what your point is?

Also a lot of Romans has been "translated" by Joseph Smith.