Christians: Are we saved by grace? Or by knowledge, understanding, or perfect doctrine?

Question

The Nicene Creed is accepted by the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Assyrian, Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed churches, Methodists, and most other Protestants. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicene_creed

It is NOT accepted by Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, Christian Science, Scientology, Unitarian Universalist, et.
And this is why some Christians call these others cults.
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Yet, SOME Protestants in here are quick to state that NO Catholics are true Christians.
Their basis: because, they say, salvation is by GRACE alone...and Catholicism does not teach this.

So almost all of the laity in the Catholic Church believes that their works merit salvation.

However, if salvation IS by grace alone, then do you exclude these Catholics who have been poorly taught by the Catholic Magisterium because they don’t have good theology?

Does that mean salvation is by grace AND good theology?
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Perhaps, there are some who ARE saved by grace alone, yet are trying to earn their salvation, yet!?
What about the Galatians? Were they not true Christians? Of course they were! Yet, they were foolishly bewitched by false teaching (see Gal 3:1-5).

There are MANY goats amidst the sheep, tares amidst the wheat...but this is true in Protestantism as certainly as it is true in Catholicism!

If perfect knowledge of God and His Word and theology were needed for salvation, then ALL of us would be doomed for hell – for NO ONE has perfect doctrine and theology. No one.

So, why, my fellow Protestant who preaches the Gospel of grace, do you condemn ALL Catholics?

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Answer 1

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God -- not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what God has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life." -- Ephesians 2.8-10.

"Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand." -- Romans 14.4.

I believe that we are "saved" by God's grace alone. I also believe that it is not our place to determine who else is saved or not saved. We are not wise enough to make that determination; only God is. God will allow into heaven whomever God chooses to allow into heaven.

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Answer 2

I do not condemn Catholics at all, in any part. It is not my job to condemn people. Catholics believe that it is not works that are needed in order to be saved, but it is works that are needed in order to maintain salvation. I may not agree with them, but at the same time, I do not believe that works do not play some part in our Christian walk. Works our an outgrowth of our faith in God. Our stewardship is the belief that our life is not our own and the way that we treat that life and the gifts that God has given us in this life shows other the commitment that we have to God.

It is not my Wesleyan theology that saves me. It is my faith in God and knowing that I am washed by his grace and by no special act of my own can I pay the debts that I owe for my sins.

Answer 3

The philosophical language of the question is admired. The Logic is without any fallacy. May it also be considered, that, for Salvation, a human needs both a Faith+ Good Deeds AND His Grace. Emphasis on 'good deeds' is lacking in the Asker's thesis. Whether deeds were good enough for salvation depends on His Grace in His Judgment; not on the human's own assessment of his/her deeds. Asker may please consider this, too.

Answer 4

Salvation is a gift. There is nothing you can do to earn it.

“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.” -Ephesians 2:8,9

Does this say we shouldn't do good works? No! Good works are our "good fruits" that prove to others who we belong to.

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." Galatians 2:16

Choose either God's Word or your cathlolic doctrine because they disagree with each other.

Answer 5

Salvation is by Grace alone,

Belief and Works create Grace.

Theology is a educating vehicle only.

Peace!

Answer 6

Good points. I understand salvation as a gift, given by grace through faith. Following this is the concept of 'works'. Works, in my view, is what God wants to see from His people. Works prior to salvation does nothing.

There isn't a church with perfect theology or perfect knowledge of God. When our Lord comes again, which He will, we will be blessed with membership in a perfect church.

I don't think God has called me to determine who is 'in' and who isn't. He calls me to serve Him, and to speak His Truth.

Answer 7

It is not ours to judge. God is the final judge of souls, and if He deems someone approved to enter heaven, who are we to question that? To the best of my understanding though, we are saved by grace alone, not by works. The work was done when Christ died for us on the cross. That extended the offer of salvation to us, it is ours to accept or reject as we see fit. Works are evidence of salvation, not the means to which you can achieve it.

Answer 8

We are saved by grace. It was only the grace of God that sent Jesus to die for our salvation. It is because of His grace that I am forgiven for all of my sins. It is because of the grace of God that I have access to the kingdom. It is not because of the many works I have done in my church. It is not because I am a good person. It is not because I know my bible from the table of contents to the maps in the back. It is only because of God's grace and mercy towards me.

Answer 9

information of God (miracles, case in point) is presented to bolster your perception and faith, to not convert you to the religion. The Bible teaches that people who have faith will see. If a individual has faith (faith is perception and performing upon that perception; 2 factors), they'll see the end results of their faith. How can a individual without faith, see end results of their faith? they are able to't. the international teaches: coach me first, then i'm going to have faith. it extremely is the right opposite of the coaching of the Bible: have faith first after which you will see. undergo in ideas Thomas after Jesus's resurrection, Jesus reported to him and the disciples, blessed are people who have faith without needing seen. attempting to furnish information to confirm that somebody to transform isn't allowing the guy to construct up the religion it extremely is needed. stay your existence as an occasion and this might furnish what they could start to have faith and have faith.

Answer 10

We are saved by Christ. Its the grace of God that we are saved. It is through faith, a gift of God, that we are saved. Wrong doctrine does not negate salvation but often is a fruit of one outside of grace. Those who are saved have been given the Spirit of God and He is the Spirit of Truth.