Protestant
Well-Known Member
Questions for Adventist Alofa
No one here denies ‘faith without works is dead.’ However, the question in controversy with SDA doctrine concerns the place which works signify in salvation. Historically, the Protestant Reformers understood good works are the fruit of salvation, not the cause. This truth is evidenced in their creeds. The five solas reflect this. The cause of salvation is the grace of God in Jesus Christ: By [the] grace [of God] are ye [now] saved through faith [in Jesus Christ] …… not of works lest any man should boast. One’s faith must be saving faith. Jesus is the object of saving faith.
Saving faith must be placed in the biblical Jesus, His person and His meritorious works. Numerous professing Christians claim faith in the historical Jesus. However, the demons believe the historical Jesus. Numerous professing Christians believe their works are sufficient evidence of salvation. Yet Jesus will declare, ‘I never knew you.’
The Protestant Reformers understood Christ alone satisfied the justice of God. A sinner’s duty was to trust His works which were impeccably accomplished through His active and passive obedience.
The Apostle Paul clearly explains the impossibility of combining works with grace in gaining salvation:
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Furthermore, the Apostle John stresses the fact that when you place saving faith in Christ, eternal salvation is your possession right now: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. The Greek verb ἔχει which is translated ‘hath’ is present indicative active:
“In the Present Active Indicative, the kind of action is linear, the relationship of the subject to the verb is active, i.e. the subject is performing the action rather than being acted upon, and the degree of contingency is zero, i.e., reality rather than hypothetical activity is in view.”
Lesson 2 - New Testament Greek
In other words, eternal life is a present reality to the one who is believing on the Son of God. It is not some pie in the sky hope.
Another Scripture which teaches this fundamental Christian truth is found in John 20:31:
but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have [right now] [eternal] life in His name.
“May have” is in the Greek subjunctive mood expressing that which is conditional. The condition for possessing eternal life right now is believing on Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Apostle is not saying the one believing on Christ may possibly in the future have eternal life.
All non-Adventist Christians on this board will testify they have the assurance of the Holy Spirit that they are eternally secure in Christ by faith in His person, works and promises which are too numerous to list here.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus……. Christ took our just condemnation upon Himself on the cross. Once enemies, we are now reconciled to God through faith alone in Jesus Christ.
Question: How do you avoid the clear teachings of the Scriptures cited when 'probation' is contrary to Scripture?
No one here denies ‘faith without works is dead.’ However, the question in controversy with SDA doctrine concerns the place which works signify in salvation. Historically, the Protestant Reformers understood good works are the fruit of salvation, not the cause. This truth is evidenced in their creeds. The five solas reflect this. The cause of salvation is the grace of God in Jesus Christ: By [the] grace [of God] are ye [now] saved through faith [in Jesus Christ] …… not of works lest any man should boast. One’s faith must be saving faith. Jesus is the object of saving faith.
Saving faith must be placed in the biblical Jesus, His person and His meritorious works. Numerous professing Christians claim faith in the historical Jesus. However, the demons believe the historical Jesus. Numerous professing Christians believe their works are sufficient evidence of salvation. Yet Jesus will declare, ‘I never knew you.’
The Protestant Reformers understood Christ alone satisfied the justice of God. A sinner’s duty was to trust His works which were impeccably accomplished through His active and passive obedience.
The Apostle Paul clearly explains the impossibility of combining works with grace in gaining salvation:
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Furthermore, the Apostle John stresses the fact that when you place saving faith in Christ, eternal salvation is your possession right now: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. The Greek verb ἔχει which is translated ‘hath’ is present indicative active:
“In the Present Active Indicative, the kind of action is linear, the relationship of the subject to the verb is active, i.e. the subject is performing the action rather than being acted upon, and the degree of contingency is zero, i.e., reality rather than hypothetical activity is in view.”
Lesson 2 - New Testament Greek
In other words, eternal life is a present reality to the one who is believing on the Son of God. It is not some pie in the sky hope.
Another Scripture which teaches this fundamental Christian truth is found in John 20:31:
but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have [right now] [eternal] life in His name.
“May have” is in the Greek subjunctive mood expressing that which is conditional. The condition for possessing eternal life right now is believing on Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Apostle is not saying the one believing on Christ may possibly in the future have eternal life.
All non-Adventist Christians on this board will testify they have the assurance of the Holy Spirit that they are eternally secure in Christ by faith in His person, works and promises which are too numerous to list here.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus……. Christ took our just condemnation upon Himself on the cross. Once enemies, we are now reconciled to God through faith alone in Jesus Christ.
Question: How do you avoid the clear teachings of the Scriptures cited when 'probation' is contrary to Scripture?