Faith alone in Jesus is sufficient for salvation, right? Then why is my religion saying that sacraments (eucharist, penance, infant baptism, etc) and plenary indulgences are required for salvation as well? What makes Jesus' work on the Cross insufficient for salvation? Where is the scriptural support for the added requirements? I am confused.
2007-12-07 07:55:55 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"plenary indulgences?"
You're going to mass in 1555?
2007-12-07 07:59:34 · answer #1 · answered by jimmeisnerjr 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
According to Catholicism, God gives us his grace through the sacraments. All the Sacraments are in the Bible, including baptism, eucharist, confession etc.
In John Chapter 6 Jesus tells his followers that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood. Some followers found that a hard lesson and left, only the twelve remained. Jesus let the others leave. What this means to us today is that we have a choice to follow Jesus or to separate ourselves from Jesus. If we want to separate ourselves from Jesus, He will let us go. This is different from Calvin's idea of Irresistible Grace. I am not a Calvinist, forgive me if I have this a bit off.
As a Catholic, I do not think I can "earn" my way into heaven, but I can consciously separate myself from God. We do not consider attending Mass or receiving the sacraments "work" anymore than Protestants consider attending services or reading the Bible "work".
2007-12-07 16:17:30 · answer #2 · answered by Adoptive Father 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Truth is Jesus and Him alone is sufficient. Your answer is contained in your question... "my religion." Your religion is lying to you. There is NO scriptural support for the added requirements. You can find the Truth in your bible. You won't find sacraments, eucharist, penance, infant baptism, first holy communion, or confirmation.
Jas 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
2007-12-07 16:03:26 · answer #3 · answered by Halfadan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You sure are.
Jesus atoned for the sins of all mankind, then Jesus founded his church, installed the men he personally trained to run it, andn then he instituted the seven sacraments that would distribute the fruits of his redemptive sacrifice to the faithful, and literally provide for all their spiritual needs, from the cradle to the grave.
Jesus founded a church. He never founded a bible.
Jesus empowered the men who legitimately run his church.
Jesus left the church behind on the earth to lead all to salvation in him. It was the church that later compiled and wrote the bible, for (among other things) the edification and sanctification of the faithful.
There was no bible in Jesus' time.
Jesus founded, authorized, empowered, and eternally guaranteed his church, for the purpose of our salvation.
It is the Catholic church that has always declared the inerrant, God inspired nature of the sacred scriptures.
Jesus caused all these things to happen because as God, he knew what untold numbers of future generations would need to get to heaven.
The Catholic church was there in the beginning with him, and the Catholic church has always faithfully taught and practiced what Jesus and the apostles handed down to it.
The Holy Spirit was assigned to the church to make that an absolute certainty.
You either have faith in Christ, and in all the provisions he made to distribute the fruits of his perfect sacrifice to every generation, through his church ... or you don't.
Jesus promised to bless and keep his church, until the end of time. He never made any similar assurance or promises to any other book, person, or group.
That's what Judgment Day is all about. Either Jesus is the all powerful, omniscient, infallible God, who keeps all his promises ... or he's not.
What do you believe?
2007-12-07 17:11:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Accepting Jesus Christ and being baptized for the remissions of sin accordind to Acts 2 :38 is suffiencient for salvation,its an everyday choice and walk,there is no biblical scripture for infant baptism you have to be at an accountable age to make your own decision for Christ,Jesus left us and example to follow ,and man as taken it out of content,yes sacraments,such as communion,Jesus said do this in rememberance of me,and other sacraments are part of the Christian walk that need to be learned and practiced Study to show your self approved and you will recieve the answer from God about it for before you study ask the Holy spirit to lead you and guide you into all truth and he will ,also ask God God what church he would have you be at to grow and get spiritual clarity God bless Lisa
2007-12-07 16:15:29 · answer #5 · answered by God Child 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there is no pure proof that believe in Jesus is sufficient.
Revelations clearly indicates anyone can have the mark of the beast.
Belief encompases a whole gamut of things, to include walking on water (and that you can possibly do that too, as Jesus said it was possible), not getting a frivilous divorce, not being a fornicator (Jesus was clear on those matters).
So the question amounts to: You believe in God and Jesus but get a no fault divorce.
You still get in or does that leave you with the mark of the beast.
Jesus made his position on divorce clear.
Of that there is NO doubt.
So you have to make hard and fast decisions
Live life as Jesus and God said you're supposed to or just beleive and hope for the best
I guess that's what it boils down to, for those who attempt to live a life as God and Jesus said, certianly believe, but take it a step futher.
Work for no extra points!
Maybe
Only God knows for Only God decides.
The ONLY warrantees made by Jesus are:
You get eternal life (but it doesn't exactly where you get it)
You get to see the gates of heaven (it doesn't say you get inside)
You get to have an audience with the father
Revelations clearly states there is a book and God has decided whose name is and is not in that book.
Chosen People Jews and Believers in Jesus, notwithstanding, you got the mark you don't stay
And if you got the mark and get cast out into the rivers and lakes of fire and are a beliver in Jesus then you have eternal life. In the rivers and lakes of fire.
Now that's something to think about.
2007-12-07 16:06:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The "truth" that you're looking for, as given by an Agnostic:
If you find yourself in a position to believe, by all means, do so. However, do it because it makes you happy, and you have that faith deep down in your heart, not because some mook with a silly hat tells you you'll burn for eternity if you don't. If you believe that you are in a position to be saved, and have done everything in your power to to ensure salvation, then it is yours to take.
*shrug* but what do I know? I'm an agnostic, after all.
2007-12-07 16:00:52 · answer #7 · answered by Phoenix_Slasher 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The sacraments are not requirements for salvation but responses to it. If you are saved, how will you now live? If you love someone, you need never spend any time with them or ever even speak the words, but your relationship -- in this case with God -- will be stronger if you do.
Happy Holidays!
2007-12-07 15:57:53 · answer #8 · answered by tracymoo 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are no scriptures to support man made rules. You need to repent of your sins and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior to be saved. To try to add anything to the completed work on the cross is futile.
2007-12-07 15:59:29 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Read the book of James. The bible says that Faith is required to reach heaven. The word "alone" was added during the protestant reformation.
2007-12-07 15:58:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jesus work on the cross is sufficient. and faith alone is sufficient for salvation. works of faith are practiced because a person is saved. not in order to get saved.
.
water baptism is to be done after a person is saved. not in order to get saved... so its pointless to baptise a baby.
but its acceptable to dedicate babies and pray daily for God to watch over them in protection.
the communion of the blood and body of Jesus is for those who are saved. not to be used in order to get saved.
.
2007-12-07 17:21:25 · answer #11 · answered by opalist 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋