With Halloween closely approaching yet again perhaps you would be interested in my article called Halloween. It has Been looked over and edited new for this year, but it still has all the great information that it before plus a little extra. Just click the link for Halloween by Joanne Utke.
Sep 24, 2015
Halloween
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Sep 23, 2015
The Image of God
Created In The Image Of Jesus
For the sake of brevity let's get right to the point. All scripture used here is from the New World Translation of the bible and the English Standard Version as a backup. Where the NWT and ESV are different I may quote from both. It will be indicated by the abbreviations. I have underlined and bold the points of interest in each verse please pay special attention to it.
"Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every creeping animal that is moving on the earth.” And God went on to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them." (Gen 1:26-27 NWT)
We read that "God created" singular because there is only one God. As Christians we profess this belief in the ONE TRUE GOD. In verse 26 God says, "let us make man in our image according to our likeness." Who is God talking to? Our is plural not singular. He then goes on in verse 27 creating man in his own image, singular.
After the fall of Adam and Eve we read...
"Jehovah God then said: “Here the man has become like one of us in knowing good and bad. Now in order that he may not put his hand out and take fruit also from the tree of life and eat and live forever," (Gen 3:22 NWT)
There's that plural form again! So, who is God talking to? We know that God is singular, he is ONE. Yet he is clearly talking to someone. He is clearly referring to someone other than himself. One possible answer is that he is talking to the angels. After all they are with him at this point. Although I argue that he isn't talking to the angels because we aren't created in the image of the angels. The text says, "so God created man in his own image" not in the image of the angels. Sure the angelic beings are spiritual like God, but only man is created in the image and likeness of God! We will get back to this in a moment.
Another possible answer is that he is talking to other gods, but like the angels we aren't created in the image of any other God, or gods. We are created in the image and likeness of the ONE TRUE GOD! “You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah,“Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and have faith in me And understand that I am the same One. Before me no God was formed, And after me there has been none. I—I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior.” “I am the One who declared and saved and made known When there was no foreign god among you. So you are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “and I am God. Also, I am always the same One;" (Isaiah 43:10-12 NWT)
All Things From God Through Christ...
Saint Paul explains..
"there is actually to us one God, the Father, from whom all things are and we for him; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are and we through him." (1 Cor 8:6 NWT)
We are told here that from God all things exist. And through Jesus Christ all things exist. Yet in Gen 1:1 we are told that God (in the singular) created. Not deviating from the fact that there is only ONE God, but considering the evidence so far Jesus and God are the ONE God, yet each with his own creative function. God however is not limited to himself and his Son, but also The Holy Spirit. God created all things from himself, his Holy Spirit, and through his Eternal Word, his Son!
Let's continue...
In Genesis we read, "and God said." Everything God created was created by his Word! God's Word proceeds out from God himself. His Word is powerful, and mysterious! God's Word is both God and his Son. God never stopped being God when "the Word became flesh." God didn't change either since God doesn't change. And it doesn't mean that there is more than one God. As we can see his Eternal Word (his Son) was there with him from the beginning creating all things and is together with his Father ONE!
Below is something I put together using the New World Translation of the Scriptures. Also on Pinterest Joanne Utke.
For the sake of brevity let's get right to the point. All scripture used here is from the New World Translation of the bible and the English Standard Version as a backup. Where the NWT and ESV are different I may quote from both. It will be indicated by the abbreviations. I have underlined and bold the points of interest in each verse please pay special attention to it.
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Gen 1:1 NWT)
"Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every creeping animal that is moving on the earth.” And God went on to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them." (Gen 1:26-27 NWT)
We read that "God created" singular because there is only one God. As Christians we profess this belief in the ONE TRUE GOD. In verse 26 God says, "let us make man in our image according to our likeness." Who is God talking to? Our is plural not singular. He then goes on in verse 27 creating man in his own image, singular.
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (ESV)
After the fall of Adam and Eve we read...
"Jehovah God then said: “Here the man has become like one of us in knowing good and bad. Now in order that he may not put his hand out and take fruit also from the tree of life and eat and live forever," (Gen 3:22 NWT)
There's that plural form again! So, who is God talking to? We know that God is singular, he is ONE. Yet he is clearly talking to someone. He is clearly referring to someone other than himself. One possible answer is that he is talking to the angels. After all they are with him at this point. Although I argue that he isn't talking to the angels because we aren't created in the image of the angels. The text says, "so God created man in his own image" not in the image of the angels. Sure the angelic beings are spiritual like God, but only man is created in the image and likeness of God! We will get back to this in a moment.
Another possible answer is that he is talking to other gods, but like the angels we aren't created in the image of any other God, or gods. We are created in the image and likeness of the ONE TRUE GOD! “You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah,“Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and have faith in me And understand that I am the same One. Before me no God was formed, And after me there has been none. I—I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior.” “I am the One who declared and saved and made known When there was no foreign god among you. So you are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “and I am God. Also, I am always the same One;" (Isaiah 43:10-12 NWT)
All Things From God Through Christ...
Saint Paul explains..
"there is actually to us one God, the Father, from whom all things are and we for him; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are and we through him." (1 Cor 8:6 NWT)
We are told here that from God all things exist. And through Jesus Christ all things exist. Yet in Gen 1:1 we are told that God (in the singular) created. Not deviating from the fact that there is only ONE God, but considering the evidence so far Jesus and God are the ONE God, yet each with his own creative function. God however is not limited to himself and his Son, but also The Holy Spirit. God created all things from himself, his Holy Spirit, and through his Eternal Word, his Son!
Let's continue...
The Image of The Invisible God!
Remember Gen 1:26? “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness" here is where we get closer to the answer of the question. So, who was God talking to?
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." (Colossians 1:15-20 ESV)
I have only included the full ESV text here because the NWT wording can be a little tricky and actually tries to take away attention from the fact that Jesus is God, it really doesn't if you take all of the other Scripture into consideration. But I will include some of it for the sake of proving Jesus' divinity using the NWT. Plus the ESV is a more readable text in my opinion.
In Colossians we read that "He is the image of the invisible God" (NWT) The "he" being spoken of here is none other than Jesus. But unlike 1 Corinthians 8:6 We are told that "by him all things were created" the him being Jesus. This isn't a contradiction in fact both instances are true. All things are created by Jesus in the sense that he is God, and through Jesus in the sense that he is The Word of God, and The Son of God. "Because God was pleased to have all fullness to dwell in him," (Col 1:19 NWT) all fullness of God that is, see ESV. Either way they are saying the same thing.
Further we read in (2 Corinthians 4:4) again that Jesus Christ is the image of God! "among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through." (NWT)
It is clear that Jesus is the "image of the invisible God" (Col 1:15 NWT)
In The Beginning
At last we conclude this study where we began. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." (John 1:1-3 ESV)
Here is another situation where the NWT tries to take the focus off of Jesus being God. I have only included fully the ESV text here since it is more readable and is in line with most modern translations like the KJV, and NIV. The NWT text for Jn 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god." But I think it's pretty evident here that Jesus isn't merely a god, or one of many gods. Not only that we know that Jesus is either God or a false god since there is only ONE TRUE GOD! But John 1:1 NWT is for another study altogether.
We can compare John 1:1-3 with this next verse. "and he is clothed with an outer garment stained with blood, and he is called by the name The Word of God." (Rev 19:13 NWT)
Further in John...
"So the Word became flesh and resided among us, and we had a view of his glory, a glory such as belongs to an only-begotten son from a father; and he was full of divine favor and truth." (Jn 1:14 NWT)
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (Jn 1:14 ESV)
I love this last verse so much I had to give it to you again.
So, Beautiful!
Who's The Author of Life?
The next verse that I want to show you is in Acts. Speaking to the Jews Peter says, "and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses" (Acts 3:15 ESV) The NWT has it rendered "Chief Agent of Life" which is "kinda" the same thing.
We can look to the Latin Vulgate text (which is the first complete bible) "auctorem vero vitae" When translated literally meas "true author of life." When we look to the Greek text we see "Ἀρχηγὸν ζωῆς." The transliteration is, "Archēgon zōēs" which literally means "the Author of life."
In Conclusion...
Further in John...
"So the Word became flesh and resided among us, and we had a view of his glory, a glory such as belongs to an only-begotten son from a father; and he was full of divine favor and truth." (Jn 1:14 NWT)
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (Jn 1:14 ESV)
I love this last verse so much I had to give it to you again.
So, Beautiful!
Who's The Author of Life?
The next verse that I want to show you is in Acts. Speaking to the Jews Peter says, "and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses" (Acts 3:15 ESV) The NWT has it rendered "Chief Agent of Life" which is "kinda" the same thing.
We can look to the Latin Vulgate text (which is the first complete bible) "auctorem vero vitae" When translated literally meas "true author of life." When we look to the Greek text we see "Ἀρχηγὸν ζωῆς." The transliteration is, "Archēgon zōēs" which literally means "the Author of life."
In Conclusion...
Not only is Jesus "the image of God", whom all things were created by, through and for. We are also told that Jesus "was in the beginning with God." In fact "without him was not anything made that was made!" The fullness of God dwells in him, and he is the beginning of all things. Further we are told that he is The Word of God. Also, Jesus is the "Author of life" only someone who is God can have that title. It is in him our Lord and Savior that we are created in the image and likeness! The Son of God our Lord is the prototype of all humanity!
The answer to our question is, God was talking to Jesus! More specifically the second person of the Blessed Trinity! But, that's another post.
I hope you enjoyed this.
By Joanne Utke
Additional comments
"Christ, . . . in the very revelation of the mystery of the Father and of his love, makes man fully manifest to himself and brings to light his exalted vocation." It is in Christ, "the image of the invisible God," that man has been created "in the image and likeness" of the Creator. It is in Christ, Redeemer and Savior, that the divine image, disfigured in man by the first sin, has been restored to its original beauty and ennobled by the grace of God." (Catechism of The Catholic Church 1701 Article 1)
There are so many more beautiful scripture verses that I could show you about the divinity of Jesus. This article is just one way to show Christ's Unique and mysterious relationship with his Father. For another good read with a lot of scripture that I did not touch on in this article please read The Divinity of Christ.
By Joanne Utke
Additional comments
In Genesis we read, "and God said." Everything God created was created by his Word! God's Word proceeds out from God himself. His Word is powerful, and mysterious! God's Word is both God and his Son. God never stopped being God when "the Word became flesh." God didn't change either since God doesn't change. And it doesn't mean that there is more than one God. As we can see his Eternal Word (his Son) was there with him from the beginning creating all things and is together with his Father ONE!
Below is something I put together using the New World Translation of the Scriptures. Also on Pinterest Joanne Utke.
This is a good talk about Jehovah's Witnesses and Catholicism and the Divinity of Christ.
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Aug 26, 2015
Problems in The Catholic Church
For those who like to point out the problems in The Catholic Church, and the wrong things committed by Catholics and so called Catholics and think somehow this invalidates what Christ has accomplished in his Church!
We are all sinners and do wrong and make mistakes even Peter denied Christ three times and did not Judas one of the twelve hand picked by Christ, betray his master? There have always been these problems. However if you want to talk about the wrong done by Catholics over the last 2,000 years lets add Martin Luther a Catholic priest who after denying the Church, lead thousands of good Catholics (Christians) to the slaughter and mass persecution made possible by the Reformation. King Henry the 8th the Catholic King who after denying the Church turned into a mass murderer beheading also his own devoutly Catholic wife! Why? Because his Catholic Bishop wouldn't grant him a divorce so he could procure multiple marriages!
The point is the Church is Holy because Christ is Holy, the Holy Spirit is Holy and not because of you, me, the Bishops, priests, etc... The same goes for each one of us as Christians! We can be Holy, but only because of Christ and the Holy Spirit. We must pray for the holiness of ourselves, our Bishops, priests, and everyone!
Jesus truly present in the blessed sacrament of the Eucharist sanctify us! Amen
Continue reading on this topic of Problems In The Church...
We are all sinners and do wrong and make mistakes even Peter denied Christ three times and did not Judas one of the twelve hand picked by Christ, betray his master? There have always been these problems. However if you want to talk about the wrong done by Catholics over the last 2,000 years lets add Martin Luther a Catholic priest who after denying the Church, lead thousands of good Catholics (Christians) to the slaughter and mass persecution made possible by the Reformation. King Henry the 8th the Catholic King who after denying the Church turned into a mass murderer beheading also his own devoutly Catholic wife! Why? Because his Catholic Bishop wouldn't grant him a divorce so he could procure multiple marriages!
The point is the Church is Holy because Christ is Holy, the Holy Spirit is Holy and not because of you, me, the Bishops, priests, etc... The same goes for each one of us as Christians! We can be Holy, but only because of Christ and the Holy Spirit. We must pray for the holiness of ourselves, our Bishops, priests, and everyone!
Jesus truly present in the blessed sacrament of the Eucharist sanctify us! Amen
Continue reading on this topic of Problems In The Church...
Thank you for stopping by my blog! Check out the tabs for more information. Or just check out the options to the side bar. If you like what you see please follow. Friendly comments are always appreciated.
Aug 25, 2015
Sb277
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR CHILDREN!
Governor Jerry Brown signed the SB-277 Public Health: Vaccinations this means that starting Jan 1, 2016 all students entering into K, 7th and 12th grades are mandated to show proof of all vaccinations required by the state for the child's age. This bill eliminates the PBE (personal beliefs exemption) for parents who wish to opt out of some or all of the mandated vaccines required to enter school!
What vaccines will be required?
I strongly urge parents to read the bill know your rights!
If this becomes law it will effect thousands of children who can benefit from public or private education they will have to submit to the law and be forced to use vaccines or home school! Those who choose to not vaccinate or selectively vaccinate will be denied a public or private school education! I am very disturbed by this one size fits all mandatory vaccination law and you should to!
Go to Sb277REFERENDUM.com get your signature on the Referendum and give Californians a vote in 2016. This is not a vaccine issue this is a parental rights issue. Join the millions of parents who don't want the government making important medical choices for their children!
For more information please visit my page Vaccine Education | Are Vaccines Safe?
Also see the California Coalition For Vaccine Choice
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About(TM) Children's Vaccinations
Thanks for reading!
Joanne Utke
Governor Jerry Brown signed the SB-277 Public Health: Vaccinations this means that starting Jan 1, 2016 all students entering into K, 7th and 12th grades are mandated to show proof of all vaccinations required by the state for the child's age. This bill eliminates the PBE (personal beliefs exemption) for parents who wish to opt out of some or all of the mandated vaccines required to enter school!
 |
| NO on SB277 |
What vaccines will be required?
SECTION 1.
Section 120325 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:120325.
In enacting this chapter, but excluding Section 120380, and in enacting Sections 120400, 120405, 120410, and 120415, it is the intent of the Legislature to provide:
(a) A means for the eventual achievement of total immunization of appropriate age groups against the following childhood diseases:
(1) Diphtheria.
(2) Hepatitis B.
(3) Haemophilus influenzae type b.
(4) Measles.
(5) Mumps.
(6) Pertussis (whooping cough).
(7) Poliomyelitis.
(8) Rubella.
(9) Tetanus.
(10) Varicella (chickenpox).
(11) Any other disease deemed appropriate by the department, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
(b) That the persons required to be immunized be allowed to obtain immunizations from whatever medical source they so desire, subject only to the condition that the immunization be performed in accordance with the regulations of the department and that a record of the immunization is made in accordance with the regulations.
(c) Exemptions from immunization for medical reasons.
(d) For the keeping of adequate records of immunization so that health departments, schools, and other institutions, parents or guardians, and the persons immunized will be able to ascertain that a child is fully or only partially immunized, and so that appropriate public agencies will be able to ascertain the immunization needs of groups of children in schools or other institutions.
(e) Incentives to public health authorities to design innovative and creative programs that will promote and achieve full and timely immunization of children.
I strongly urge parents to read the bill know your rights!
If this becomes law it will effect thousands of children who can benefit from public or private education they will have to submit to the law and be forced to use vaccines or home school! Those who choose to not vaccinate or selectively vaccinate will be denied a public or private school education! I am very disturbed by this one size fits all mandatory vaccination law and you should to!
Go to Sb277REFERENDUM.com get your signature on the Referendum and give Californians a vote in 2016. This is not a vaccine issue this is a parental rights issue. Join the millions of parents who don't want the government making important medical choices for their children!
For more information please visit my page Vaccine Education | Are Vaccines Safe?
Also see the California Coalition For Vaccine Choice
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About(TM) Children's Vaccinations
Thanks for reading!
Joanne Utke
Thank you for stopping by my blog! Check out the tabs for more information. Or just check out the options to the side bar. If you like what you see please follow. Friendly comments are always appreciated.
Jun 23, 2015
Problems In The Church
Regarding problems in the Catholic Church...
There has always been problems. Did not Jesus hand pick Judas and he betrayed him deserving the title of devil? (John 6:70) Did not Peter deny Christ three times? (Luke 22:54-62)
You see there have always been problems in the Church. The Church is run by humans and we are all sinners and do the best we can with what we know. And some can be just out right bad! I will not deny that. I will say however that you may have been given some not so true information or information that has been blown out of proportion. I recommend the book Catholicism and Fundamentalism: The Attack on "Romanism" by "Bible Christians"
which is a very honest look at all of those claims against the Catholic Church.
Now if you want to say that the Catholic Church is false because of sinners which exist and have always existed in the Church or because of some people in the Church passed or present that did some things they should not have, then not even Protestantism would be true under those criteria! During the reformation was not Catholics also persecuted and killed by other Christians? You see there are sinners everywhere, but that is not a test to how true or holy the Catholic Church is. The Catholic Church is holy because of Christ and not because of you or me or anyone else! Christ is the head of the Church with the Pope who succeeded from Peter as his vicar.
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ." (Matt 16:18-20 ESV)
Even if not one person in the Church was saved or holy she (the Church as the Bride of Christ) would still be holy and perfect because Christ is one with his bride! And he sanctifies her with his very own body! The Catholic Church was founded by Christ and this is a historical fact see above quote. The Catholic Church is The Apostolic Church like it or not! She has existed for almost 2,000 years despite the many people throughout history that tried to take her out! Satan has tried, but Christ promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against his Church (Matt 16:18 noted above).
This also implies that Satan will sure try and he has! Only the Catholic Church has stood while others fall! I want to invite you to learn more about the Church with an open mind apart from the anti-Catholicism that you may be accustomed to. There are many awesome people who write openly and honestly about the faith. Steve Ray a convert is one of them, also check out Tim Staples and Jimmy Akin also converts from Protestantism to Catholicism. Go to Catholic.com for more information.
And just learn even if you never agree just learn about the Church from real Catholics who love the faith! I am not asking you to agree just take a look openly and honestly. You can read the Catechism of the Catholic Church for the truth about what the Church actually teaches and stop getting your info about the faith from people who don't know or never really understood in the first place.
God bless!
Sincerely Joanne Utke
There has always been problems. Did not Jesus hand pick Judas and he betrayed him deserving the title of devil? (John 6:70) Did not Peter deny Christ three times? (Luke 22:54-62)
which is a very honest look at all of those claims against the Catholic Church.Now if you want to say that the Catholic Church is false because of sinners which exist and have always existed in the Church or because of some people in the Church passed or present that did some things they should not have, then not even Protestantism would be true under those criteria! During the reformation was not Catholics also persecuted and killed by other Christians? You see there are sinners everywhere, but that is not a test to how true or holy the Catholic Church is. The Catholic Church is holy because of Christ and not because of you or me or anyone else! Christ is the head of the Church with the Pope who succeeded from Peter as his vicar.
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ." (Matt 16:18-20 ESV)
Even if not one person in the Church was saved or holy she (the Church as the Bride of Christ) would still be holy and perfect because Christ is one with his bride! And he sanctifies her with his very own body! The Catholic Church was founded by Christ and this is a historical fact see above quote. The Catholic Church is The Apostolic Church like it or not! She has existed for almost 2,000 years despite the many people throughout history that tried to take her out! Satan has tried, but Christ promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against his Church (Matt 16:18 noted above).
This also implies that Satan will sure try and he has! Only the Catholic Church has stood while others fall! I want to invite you to learn more about the Church with an open mind apart from the anti-Catholicism that you may be accustomed to. There are many awesome people who write openly and honestly about the faith. Steve Ray a convert is one of them, also check out Tim Staples and Jimmy Akin also converts from Protestantism to Catholicism. Go to Catholic.com for more information.
And just learn even if you never agree just learn about the Church from real Catholics who love the faith! I am not asking you to agree just take a look openly and honestly. You can read the Catechism of the Catholic Church for the truth about what the Church actually teaches and stop getting your info about the faith from people who don't know or never really understood in the first place.
God bless!
Sincerely Joanne Utke
Thank you for stopping by my blog! Check out the tabs for more information. Or just check out the options to the side bar. If you like what you see please follow. Friendly comments are always appreciated.
Apr 24, 2015
Salvation Bible Study
Salvation in the Bible, Study
This article is for the serious Bible Christians who love Christ and want to study the written word of God!
Salvation is a hot topic among Christian apologists and those who choose to engage in apologetic style conversations. One teaching that Catholic Christians and non-Catholic Christians seem to disagree on is in the area of salvation. That is one reason why I focus a lot on this topic. Scripture has a lot to say about it! I really do want to clear up some things before I begin. Both Catholic and non-catholic Christians believe that we are saved by Grace through faith. Works salvation (the teaching that we are saved by works alone) is not a teaching of the Catholic Church and is only presumed a teaching of the Church by non-Catholics. The only difference between the Catholic saved by faith and the non-Catholic saved by faith is that many non-Catholics often teach that we are saved by faith alone! They discount everything else as having a part in salvation.
Faith alone is not taught in Scripture, faith is never alone!
The Catholic and biblical view of "saved by faith" is this: We are saved first by Grace through faith in Christ, this faith is justified by our works or we have a dead faith. A dead faith can't save us! Our faith must be living in Christ for salvation. In some cases faith that saves a person doesn't come from the individual seeking salvation them self. Obviously an unborn baby, a small child who dies, etc.. are saved first by Grace through the faith of the body of believers in the Church as a whole (all who desire the salvation of others) and not by their own justified faith. We could say they are saved by Grace only and that would be OK. I prefer however to be mindful of the faith of the faithful who are a real part of the body of Christ! If we were to say like many non-Catholics do that we are saved by our faith in Christ alone, then what happens to those who died without faith and without knowing Christ? As in the groups of people I have mentioned. That is an article in itself but please think about that question.
Grace is a free gift that God initially chooses to pour out onto us in order to move us to faith in him and hopefully our salvation. But this initial response to God doesn't stop at faith alone! Grace is not something that we get once and then we are saved no matter what. Grace is a gift that nurtures us throughout our lives especially if we are willing participants. Grace is the gift that keeps on giving. It is something we have to cooperate with in order to reap it's full rewards. In Scripture belief is synonymous with obedience and a call to do something more. It is not that (in the Church) works save us as presumed by non-Catholics. It is by the Grace of God working in us that we do any good works at all. It is by a justified faith in Christ out of love that we can align our wills to God's in order to do good works in the first place. We can only boast for God who is working in us and not our self! Works can never save us apart from Grace and a justified faith in Christ out of love and obedience to God. I may not touch on all of these points in this article, but you can read my other articles linked at the bottom for more information. Now that we cleared that up.
Let's begin!
In Scripture salvation is talked about in three ways. In this article I will explain and show you the Scripture examples of that. I am using the KJV because it is on the public domain and is accepted by non-Catholics. Either way all translations will apply to what I am about to show you. Please use the translation of your choice to look these up for yourself.
Salvation as in...
1) A past event: "For we are saved by hope...," Rom 8:24. "by grace are ye saved," Eph 2:5. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:," Eph 2:8. "who hath saved us...," 2 Tim 1:9. "but according to his mercy he saved us...," Titus 3:5.
2) A present process: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Phil 2:12. "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:9.
3) A future event: "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Matt 10:22. "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.," Matt 24:13. "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.," Mk 8:35. "we shall be saved," Acts 15:11. "we shall be saved," Rom 5:9-10. "salvation is nearer now then when we first believed" Rom 13:11. "will be saved, but only as through fire," 1 Cor 3:15. "may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus," 1 Cor 5:5. "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Heb 9:28.
We can't only look at the past event verses and say "see salvation is assured to us!" We have to look at all the ways scripture talks about salvation to have a clear understanding of it. We must also do what Christ requires of us, he is clear on that. We can't assume we are saved just because we believe. "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:19.
To truly believe is to be obedient to God out of love for him. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15. Nowhere in Scripture does it say that faith alone brings salvation. In fact in scripture we only see the opposite, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." James 2:24.
Faith is never alone or it is dead!
Jesus himself gave us the prescriptions of what we need to do (choosing to align our wills to Gods) in order to justify our faith in him. We have free will for a reason. He tells us we must love him, we must cooperate with the free gift of Grace by obedience to God our of love! Jesus also has made baptism a way that we can cooperate the free Grace that we have been given. "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5 KJV. Peter by the authority of Christ and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit tells us, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" 1 Peter 3:21. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:16.
Sheep and Goats
In Matthew Jesus tells us about the sheep and the goats. The sheep are the saved and the goats are the damned. He shows us through this story that the difference between the sheep and the goats essentially are the good works which out of love for God justify faith! Notice that it is those who do not perform the works or mercy who are deemed as the damned goats. I want to encourage you to go back in your bible and read the whole thing, in Matthew 25:31-46. I have only quoted some of it, but read altogether and it really paints the picture.
What about the verses where it is said, "if we believe we are saved?"
A popular one for this among non-Catholics is in Romans. "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." Romans 10:9.
Taking all of this into consideration this is how we can say, I was saved at my baptism, I am being saved and I hope to be saved! Saved by Grace through faith that is justified by works made possible by the Grace of God is the only Biblical position to take and it is also the Catholic position. Also it is not that Christ's passion or God's free Grace is insufficient that they need us to cooperate in order to complete it. Christ's death for our sins was sufficient and complete on it's own regardless even if no one was ever saved! Christ wants us to cooperate with Grace out of faith, hope and love! We are his coworkers, his laborers. Not that he needs it, but that we do. When we reach heaven we will be gloried with him, and co airs of the Kingdom! I think that says a lot about what kind of relationship Christ wants with us.
I hope you liked this article if you have any questions you can contact me on Facebook or just put it in your comment right here via google+. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my article it is much appreciated. Please like, comment and share. Please open your hearts and minds to the beauty of the Catholic Church which whether you believe it or not was founded by Christ and lives by the power of the Holy Spirit! Something I have learned and am still learning.
Sincerely Joanne Utke
Please take a look at similar articles by me from this blog. Thank you!
Baptism in Scripture
Works Salvation
Salvation Assurance
Also see Jimmy Akin's article on Faith Alone a must read and the below video.
Scripture used in this article.
A past event:
Rom 8:24
Eph 2:5
Eph 2:8
2 Tim 1:9
Titus 3:5
A present process:
Phil 2:12
1 Peter 1:9
A future event:
Matt 10:22
Matt 24:13
Mk 8:35
Acts 15:11
Rom 5:9-10
Rom 13:11
1 Cor 3:15
1 Cor 5:5
Heb 9:28
Verses quoted in the rest of the article:
James 2:19
John 14:15
James 2:24
James 2:17-20
John 3:5
1 Peter 3:21
Mark 16:16
Matthew 25:31-46
Matt 25:42-46
Romans 10:9
Rom 8:24
James 2:19
Matthew 25:41
Titus 3:5
Eph 2:8-9
John 15:5
1 Cor 15:10
This article is for the serious Bible Christians who love Christ and want to study the written word of God!
Salvation is a hot topic among Christian apologists and those who choose to engage in apologetic style conversations. One teaching that Catholic Christians and non-Catholic Christians seem to disagree on is in the area of salvation. That is one reason why I focus a lot on this topic. Scripture has a lot to say about it! I really do want to clear up some things before I begin. Both Catholic and non-catholic Christians believe that we are saved by Grace through faith. Works salvation (the teaching that we are saved by works alone) is not a teaching of the Catholic Church and is only presumed a teaching of the Church by non-Catholics. The only difference between the Catholic saved by faith and the non-Catholic saved by faith is that many non-Catholics often teach that we are saved by faith alone! They discount everything else as having a part in salvation.
Faith alone is not taught in Scripture, faith is never alone!
The Catholic and biblical view of "saved by faith" is this: We are saved first by Grace through faith in Christ, this faith is justified by our works or we have a dead faith. A dead faith can't save us! Our faith must be living in Christ for salvation. In some cases faith that saves a person doesn't come from the individual seeking salvation them self. Obviously an unborn baby, a small child who dies, etc.. are saved first by Grace through the faith of the body of believers in the Church as a whole (all who desire the salvation of others) and not by their own justified faith. We could say they are saved by Grace only and that would be OK. I prefer however to be mindful of the faith of the faithful who are a real part of the body of Christ! If we were to say like many non-Catholics do that we are saved by our faith in Christ alone, then what happens to those who died without faith and without knowing Christ? As in the groups of people I have mentioned. That is an article in itself but please think about that question.
Grace is a free gift that God initially chooses to pour out onto us in order to move us to faith in him and hopefully our salvation. But this initial response to God doesn't stop at faith alone! Grace is not something that we get once and then we are saved no matter what. Grace is a gift that nurtures us throughout our lives especially if we are willing participants. Grace is the gift that keeps on giving. It is something we have to cooperate with in order to reap it's full rewards. In Scripture belief is synonymous with obedience and a call to do something more. It is not that (in the Church) works save us as presumed by non-Catholics. It is by the Grace of God working in us that we do any good works at all. It is by a justified faith in Christ out of love that we can align our wills to God's in order to do good works in the first place. We can only boast for God who is working in us and not our self! Works can never save us apart from Grace and a justified faith in Christ out of love and obedience to God. I may not touch on all of these points in this article, but you can read my other articles linked at the bottom for more information. Now that we cleared that up.
Let's begin!
In Scripture salvation is talked about in three ways. In this article I will explain and show you the Scripture examples of that. I am using the KJV because it is on the public domain and is accepted by non-Catholics. Either way all translations will apply to what I am about to show you. Please use the translation of your choice to look these up for yourself.
Salvation as in...
1) A past event: "For we are saved by hope...," Rom 8:24. "by grace are ye saved," Eph 2:5. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:," Eph 2:8. "who hath saved us...," 2 Tim 1:9. "but according to his mercy he saved us...," Titus 3:5.
2) A present process: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Phil 2:12. "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:9.
3) A future event: "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Matt 10:22. "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.," Matt 24:13. "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.," Mk 8:35. "we shall be saved," Acts 15:11. "we shall be saved," Rom 5:9-10. "salvation is nearer now then when we first believed" Rom 13:11. "will be saved, but only as through fire," 1 Cor 3:15. "may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus," 1 Cor 5:5. "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Heb 9:28.
We can't only look at the past event verses and say "see salvation is assured to us!" We have to look at all the ways scripture talks about salvation to have a clear understanding of it. We must also do what Christ requires of us, he is clear on that. We can't assume we are saved just because we believe. "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:19.
To truly believe is to be obedient to God out of love for him. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15. Nowhere in Scripture does it say that faith alone brings salvation. In fact in scripture we only see the opposite, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." James 2:24.
Faith is never alone or it is dead!
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" James 2:17-20.
Sheep and Goats
In Matthew Jesus tells us about the sheep and the goats. The sheep are the saved and the goats are the damned. He shows us through this story that the difference between the sheep and the goats essentially are the good works which out of love for God justify faith! Notice that it is those who do not perform the works or mercy who are deemed as the damned goats. I want to encourage you to go back in your bible and read the whole thing, in Matthew 25:31-46. I have only quoted some of it, but read altogether and it really paints the picture.
"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." Matt 25:42-46.
What about the verses where it is said, "if we believe we are saved?"
A popular one for this among non-Catholics is in Romans. "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." Romans 10:9.
If we look at Scripture as a whole and not take verses out of context, then we can see that the context even of these verses is belief that has been justified by works. It would be ignorant for us to assume that when Jesus speaks of belief that saves us he means belief alone, which is not something we ever see in Scripture. Faith is always along with Grace, hope, love and charity! We know that only a living faith or belief in Christ can save us! When you come across such verses you must keep reading and soak in the context which is often followed by baptism, and other good works that justify faith and not faith or belief alone!
Another verse that is commonly quoted for faith alone is in Roman 8. "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?" Rom 8:24. This verse however to me shows us the apposite of faith alone assured salvation. Paul says that hope is a necessary part of salvation, but hope that is seen is not hope. In other words if we see or have already received what we hope for then how is it hope, if we already have it? We hope for what we do not see and what we do not yet have! In this case it is salvation which we will only truly know when we reach heaven.
Remember the verse James 2:19 where the devils also believe and tremble? They tremble because even though they know God exists and of Christ's salvation they lacked obedience to it from the beginning. It is simply not enough to just believe. The difference is the demons have a dead faith which is lacking in love for God that ignites good works in us. When we have a faith like this (a dead faith) we will share in the same lot of the fallen angels as Christ says, "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:" Matthew 25:41.
In conclusion
From my experience non-Catholic Christians who subscribe to the faith alone salvation doctrine ignore not only the context of each verse, but they often ignore large portions of the Bible like James 2. We must be careful not to do that. Always ask what is the context of the verse I am being shown? Read the whole chapter and book if you have to before making any judgments on what you think or someone else is telling you that the verse means.
There are also many verses which say, we are saved by Grace. This is why the Catholic Church first takes the position that we are saved by Grace! We also see we are saved by faith and not works. Many times if read in context these verses speak of a different works than for example in James chapter 2. In Scripture there are works of the law (Mosaic Law) and Christian works of mercy, charity and obedience. We must make the correct distinction when we read scripture.
What about verses like this, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" Titus 3:5. "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.
Verses like these are a beautiful reminder that apart from the Grace of God we can do nothing good at all! It is not because of our self that we do good works, but the Grace of God working inside of us. Jesus says, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." John 15:5.
We are saved by Grace which is a free gift, but not everyone will cooperate with that Grace. We can all agree on that, and it is not the works alone which save us either. It is not that salvation is free in such a way that we can do nothing and still receive it! It is Grace that may lead to salvation that is free, but we must cooperate with that gift or it will do nothing for us. The purpose of Christian works in Scripture is to justify our faith so that we can have a faith that saves! If we do good works apart from our living faith we are not saved because of works. If we do good works because we have a living faith than we cannot boast for our self, but for God! This is all that is meant by those verses about "not by works of righteousness lest any man should boast."
We can't boast of our righteousness because we do good works and take the glory off of God and put it on our self. We can take no credit for any good works that we do it is by the Grace of God who works in us that does them! "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." 1 Cor 15:10.
I hope you liked this article if you have any questions you can contact me on Facebook or just put it in your comment right here via google+. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my article it is much appreciated. Please like, comment and share. Please open your hearts and minds to the beauty of the Catholic Church which whether you believe it or not was founded by Christ and lives by the power of the Holy Spirit! Something I have learned and am still learning.
Sincerely Joanne Utke
Please take a look at similar articles by me from this blog. Thank you!
Baptism in Scripture
Works Salvation
Salvation Assurance
Also see Jimmy Akin's article on Faith Alone a must read and the below video.
Scripture used in this article.
A past event:
Rom 8:24
Eph 2:5
Eph 2:8
2 Tim 1:9
Titus 3:5
A present process:
Phil 2:12
1 Peter 1:9
A future event:
Matt 10:22
Matt 24:13
Mk 8:35
Acts 15:11
Rom 5:9-10
Rom 13:11
1 Cor 3:15
1 Cor 5:5
Heb 9:28
Verses quoted in the rest of the article:
James 2:19
John 14:15
James 2:24
James 2:17-20
John 3:5
1 Peter 3:21
Mark 16:16
Matthew 25:31-46
Matt 25:42-46
Romans 10:9
Rom 8:24
James 2:19
Matthew 25:41
Titus 3:5
Eph 2:8-9
John 15:5
1 Cor 15:10
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