I want to thank Athanasias for agreeing to this debate and apologize for it taking so long to get the OP up. When I use this particular computer sometimes my posts don't get posted, I have no idea what happens. Anyway, since it took so long to get this up I'm going to make my OP uncustomarily brief. Some of the things I would like to point out are the major differences we might have on Justification by Faith Alone and I also think it's important to emphasis the things we do agree on.
I keep a cross of last unction that was my grandmothers and used at the passing of her Aunt. When she died I found it among the things that the family was uninterested in keeping and it was a time when I was questioning some of the things I was being taught about baptism. I keep it because over time I began to look at the sacraments and really started to search for answers with regards to what Christian conviction includes. I was very interested in the Bible as history and deeply frustrated with Liberal Theology. Doctrines about baptism on the other hand didn't interest me all that much even though the denomination I was in emphasized that baptism was required for the remission of sins. To this day, how and even if you are baptized is not a major issue for me no matter how important it might be for you.
What is it that actually saves us? We know from the Scriptures we are sinners but how is it my fault that Adam sinned? That hardly seems fair and as these questions were storming in my mind I happened upon the doctrine of Justification by Faith. I am not shy about talking to Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and even frequented a Jesus only church that believed Jesus is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Needless to I have been confronted with some really serious people trying to pull be one way and then the other. Sometimes my faith was shaken and I went to the only refuge I know when it comes to matters of doctrine. The Scriptures themselves.
I honestly don't care if you are baptized an infant, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit or dunked there times as I heard on denomination was in the practice of doing. I even spent some time in a Pauline church that didn't even baptize at all, I thought it odd but not upsetting. What does concern me is what Christians believe about Christ and his activity in humans history from the beginning right to the last day when the books are opened. I accept some Church tradition but don't find it particularly helpful. I find many of the Church fathers to be elegant and informative but hardly consider them as authoritative as Paul.
For me the historicity of Scripture is far more important then rites and rituals, synods or Apocrypha books, symbols or modes of service. I believe that all Christians are filled with the Spirit upon but understanding and receiving the Gospel, the Word of our salvation. That the gifts of the Spirit are bestowed on believers for the work of the ministry and that the body of believers are the body of Christ, not the administrative offices. I have no qualms about affirming this nor do I have any personal need of defending it except as an exercise in study and testing my faith with other believers as steel sharpens steel.
If any one does not confess that the first man, Adam, when he had transgressed the commandment of God in Paradise, immediately lost the holiness and justice wherein he had been constituted; and that he incurred, through the offence of that prevarication, the wrath and indignation of God, and consequently death, with which God had previously threatened him, and, together with death, captivity under his power who thenceforth had the empire of death, that is to say, the devil, and that the entire Adam, through that offence of prevarication, was changed, in body and soul, for the worse; let him be anathema. (
The Council of Trent, The Fifth Session DECREE CONCERNING ORIGINAL SIN)
First of all it is affirmed in the Council of Trent in the Fifth Session that the origin of sin was the sin of Adam and the curse of sin and death proceed from him. This has been a major issue with me in the Evolution/Creation controversy since the idea that we are descended from apes is hardly in keeping with Adam being the first man. That aside, where I think the heart of our disagreement is comes in with the inclusion of the Sacraments. In the evangelical tradition I embrace and intend to defend here it is grace through faith apart from works, rites, sacraments and good deeds. I say this with a full acceptance that justification starts the sanctification process which is the ministry of the Holy Spirit who is our Comforter promised to the Church at the Last Supper.
Faith is never alone but with regards to faith that brings salvation it is apart from works. I will add that I am well aware that Catholics do not deny that salvation is by grace and the often made accusation that they are preaching a works righteousness is simply wrong and could even be considered slanderous.
I said I would be brief so on to my primary proof texts.
All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. (Acts 10:43:44)
Faith is an act of obedience, (John 7:38; Acts 16:31). This is the specific act of faith by which a sinner is justified before God (Rom. 3:22, 25; Gal. 2:16; Phil. 3:9; John 3:16-36; Acts 10:43; 16:31). What is more this passage directly ties the reception of the Holy Spirit with receiving the Holy Spirit which is the seal that guarantees our inheritance till the redemption of the purchased possession (Eph 1:13). That is after you 'trusted' and that being 'after you heard the word' which is this passage is before they received water baptism.
Baptism is a rite of repentance, it actually indicates the death of the former life. Jesus was baptized not for the remission of sins but for his ordination to active ministry, he would never return to being a carpenter. Brides were baptized in their wedding gown because it marked an end to their living in their mothers household as daughters, but they were starting their new lives as wives and mothers. They were called to be enjoined to Christ now by the passive participation of a sacrament but being identified with Christ's death, burial and resurrection as disciples. Baptism was commanded for disciple makers in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20) to identify them as disciple of Christ. It is altogether possible to go into the baptismal as a dry sinner and come out a wet one. The mark of a true disciple is not water baptism but the Holy Spirit who is our Comforter ministering to us in Christ's absence so that we may bear fruit (Galatians 5:22) which is the mark of a true disciple:
"My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples."Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love."If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love."These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. (John 15:8-12)
Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." (John 3:5-8)
This is accomplished by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God at the moment of salvation (Eph 5:26; Titus 3:5). This is normative salvation, being born of the Spirit, becoming a new creature in Christ and being marked by the seal of the Holy Spirit of promise. Identifying the disciple with Christ in the death, burial and resurrection in water baptism is not enough, you must bear the fruit of the Spirit which is the mark of a true disciple.
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 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, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7)
We are saved by the washing, renewing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit, being justified by the grace of God which is normative salvation. Notice there is not mention of water baptism in Ephesians 1:13,14 or II Corinthians 5:4,5.
Saving faith is never alone, it is followed immediately by the dwelling of the Holy Spirit. The problem is not whether or not faith and justification are alone but what must be included for the surety of your salvation. There is no reason that I am aware of to belabor this opening post with further elaborations since I think I have stated my general position clearly and have no idea where my opponent is intending to take me with this.
The position I have taken and stand ready to defend is salvation by grace through faith apart from works and even the sacrament of baptism, even many reformers would no go so far as to do. In principle I agree that disciples are required to be baptized, it's just that you can go in a dry sinner and come out a wet one. From what I have read over the years about justification by faith it is inextricably linked to the authority of Scripture and the priesthood of all believers. I would accept this conditionally of course because it is mature believers that are capable of effectively using the gifts of grace to build up the church effectively.
What is added to faith to make it saving faith as opposed to a dead faith? In short we don't, what is added to us is the Holy Spirit of promise by whom we abide in Christ and bear fruit to the glory of God. I affirm the Scriptures are the infallible word of God and deny the succession of tradition and Papal authority to be inerrant. Salvation is by grace alone, faith alone and Christ alone and justification is never alone expect that it is apart from works, rites, sacraments and human institutions. Justification is never alone because when we hear the gospel and receive the Holy Spirit we are never alone, He abides with us forever as the Lord promised and by Him we bear fruit to the glory of the Father.
With that Athanasias you can feel free to respond as you see fit and may God be with us as we explore this vital doctrine of our faith.
Grace and peace,
Mark