By half of the video, it was so clearly explained that I stoped thinking about the debate and started worrying about the quality of my faith. Great job, and God bless
@@adelazab6052 work can’t just mean Jesus sacrifice because the scriptures in James clearly list examples of works as giving food, Rahab receiving messengers, giving clothes, and taking care of widows and orphans. But you are right that Faith is all you need for salvation, it’s just that works must necessarily follow the saved.
Let me guess: You started thinking about, "Am I doing enough to show how much faith I should have?" This is the mind virus that is "works righteousness". Trust me, it will embitter you to the point that you turn your back on God and walk away. You can NEVER do enough good works to satisfy that gnawing suspicion that, "Maybe I don't have as much faith as I should have. If I had enough faith then I would surely be doing more." In the words of Admiral Akbar, "IT'S A TRAP!"
Z Will faith in Christ is not enough to be saved. A life is needed in conformity with the teaching of Christ (Lk 6,46). (Mt 7, 21). Actually, believing Christ means accepting his message and living it, without adding or removing anything. It is not enough to say: «I believe in Christ», to be saved. It is necessary to know your will and accept it as it is. How is it possible that many think to save themselves, without accepting this command of Jesus? In effect, updating the Lord's Supper is an order. (Lk 22,19). same as regards the forgiveness of sins. Is it possible for one to forgive sins? "they repeat. Well, ask Jesus. He who created heaven and earth has the power to commission men to forgive sins in his name? This means to truly believe in Christ: accept ALL his message and try to live it. Otherwise it is an empty faith, which does not lead to salvation. Say: "I believe in Christ and already" is a mistake, a vain illusion, which does not lead to salvation. We must accept and obey Christ, to be saved. You do not have to choose one or the other teaching, according to your own taste, but you have to accept everything Jesus says. This is to believe in Christ.
Faith in Jesus means faith in everything He taught, including that good works are necessary for salvation (Matthew 25:31-46). Salvation is a process, not a one time emotional event.
I'm so glad you made this video. I wasn't even a Christian at the time you did the video. As I was reading through the New Testament for the second time, and hit James 2 today, and I was confused and troubled by it, especially having been raised in Mormonism. The light bulb went on as you explained it. Thank you, and God Bless!
What you believe to be a correct interpretation of Scripture comes from a video done by someone you barely know about? Not the way to work out your salvation.
john mizak either he is wrong or he is right? Prove it biblically either way, she is working it out if she questions whether Mike is logical and biblical in his understanding, and of course she is reading the passages.
@@Madhatter675 Is every individual knowledgeable enough to judge whether or not some preacher is doing a proper exegesis of Scripture? That is the real question.
MrHeb...why u keep posting this? I've seen it 10 times now! Sortof narcissistic no? I guess I'm more saved than you then cuz I was a very devout Catholic, still am according to Catholic church. Now I'm an Acts Christian. I've done many good works but someone else always topped me, including many pagans! According to you a witch, pagan , buddhist etc. Are in purgatory because they had good works! Stupid!
@Harper Stevens At first glance, it IS a confusing chapter. It seems to endorse salvation by works, even though the rest of the New Testament says salvation is by faith alone. But when read in context, it's clear that this was not James' intent.
@48:39 Mike doesn't even get close to sharing the gospel that saves. Following Jesus, giving your life to Jesus, get on your knees and repent of your unbelief. Doing all that is not the way to salvation. The gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose 3 days later. That is what you have to believe. Then and only then can you follow him. He did not mention the gospel at all in this video.
@@elunico13 See this is the easy way to know you are wrong. You go around calling other people fake Christians and saying we are going to hell because we dont believe that you just say 1 prayer and are saved. You will know them by their fruits. 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved. Romans 10:8-10
@@mastershake4641 Mormons, JWs and Catholics confess a jesus, but are hellbound. You are implying that not one prayer gets you saved, then how many prayers? Paul preached a specific gospel and rebuked the Galatians and Corinthians for departing from it. The fruits you will know them by is their false teaching. You have shared a false gospel. I know you by your fruit You are seeking a righteousness of your own like the Mormons JWs and Catholics. They confess a jesus too. What makes you any different?
This is just mind blowing. I was debating a Catholic and I discovered this verse and I was utterly perplexed. You do such a good job at explaining this verse.
Friend please look again at the context of James 2 - the question is salvation - that’s the context. James asks can faith SAVE him? The context is absolutely salvation. Don’t fall for men twisting the plain reading of scripture. Paul in Romans 4 was talking about Mosiac Old Testament works. Again look at the context!!! It’s very plain and easy to see if your heart is open.
@@abideintheWord Friend, think carefully because it is Salvation through LIVING faith Not DEAD FAITH. True faith has works, however works are not the means of salvation but the result of it. So works are the manifestation of the real faith. If you have been saved works are going to follow. God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. God does not count your sins against you if you believe in His son, Jesus which you demonstrate it by good works. But your good works cannot pay for your sins, Only the blood of Jesus has the power to pay the penalty for you.
I come from a different faith-----that teaches that our good works can cover up for the bad.... honestly, that scared me... I knew I wasn't good enough And when I first read James, I have never interpreted it as "salvation is through works"... but rather to an inwardly transformed life which came through faith that resulted in good works ... there are many people who might casually say "yes, Jesus is God" but never obey His words... I believe God has inspired James to write this letter to address such people .... it is for them to truly examine themselves and follow Christ as their Lord ... every moment of their lives ... and not just a careless lip service Thanks Mike ... God bless !!
Mrudura, I was raised in USA of Catholic mother and Lutheran father which resulted in my being pretty much a lone Pedestrian..... Christianity was not practiced and we were only Christian a la American Pie Christianity. Being without firm foundation I heard many seculars telling me that just being a good person was enough and that 'religion' played no true role. It sounded suspect to me and I eventually came to faith in Christ much due to the witness of others such as yourself. I do struggle understanding what Christ has done for us but find solace in knowing that I need not understand anything perfectly, that faith and intellect are compatible, by design, and that by humble application of both I may much better engage in my walk. I find myself being positioned in life to reflect, through actions, (acts) the transformative effect of my faith...that my faith led me to acts and not actions into faith. Thank you for your post brother!
I put a post on this site....salvation, by grace....evidenced by good works and got back a response that said equalled by works...hmmm...someone can not read in the English language....
@MrHeb59 Grace is afforded, without exception according to His will. You boldly profess having a perfect understanding of God's will with regard to Protestants who adore Christ as their Savior. In what range of manners might one deny Christ I wonder, might your approach here been seen to constitute a degree of such? By what are you truly motivated in these things?
I came across your channel just a month ago and I haven’t stopped watching since. You have blessed me so much with these videos especially as an ex Catholic and having to deal with Catholic family and friends. I have been sharing your videos with them and praying God will speak to Them through your teachings. Thank you! 🇨🇦
Sola scriptura, sola fide and sola gracia are not biblical theology but a satanic cult a man made tradition invented by a devil possessed man, designed by devil himself to destroy the church that Jesus established and to sabotage the spread of gospel to the ends of the earth fulfilling the fullness of Gentiles as desired by Jesus. For five hundred years devil could stall it but not anymore.
@@Blablablahx3 if Martin Luther or John Calvin were right Jesus would have been wrong in saying to Peter " Upon this rock I will build my church and no gates of hell will prevail against it ". Fortunately Jesus is right and His church will remain till He comes back but gates of hell is prevailing upon the heretic churches geting them splintered into countless denominations.
I mean think about it, how can works be necessary for salvation if when you get saved, you haven't even had time to do any works? The works necessarily come after true salvation
This is very needed not only for those who believe in salvation works but also for those who believe you can live and love your sin as long as you claim faith. Love it! Great job in keeping to the text brother!
Mike I really do love the way you break down scripture this is what's so missing in our Sunday schools and I believe from the pulpit but I don't know I guess some could argue that that's not a preachers responsibility to get up there for an hour on Sunday and break break these things down for us but I've been so starving for this for years so you're an answer to prayer God bless you and by the way I'm 73 years old and still learning
@48:39 Mike doesn't even get close to sharing the gospel that saves. Following Jesus, giving your life to Jesus, get on your knees and repent of your unbelief. Doing all that is not the way to salvation. The gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose 3 days later. That is what you have to believe. Then and only then can you follow him. He did not mention the gospel at all in this video.
@@kishredbird3599 Yup that in James 2 and going to their priority is messed up. 😆 🤣 what did I just say and what in the world did YOU say in your last comment? 😆 🤣
James is setting up his argument as a polemic against the belief that a man can be justified by faith without works. Witness the following: James 2:20 - But wilt thou know, *_O vain man,_* that faith without works is dead? Now, on its face, that statement can pass muster but then he says this: James 2:21 - Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Although, it's setup as a rhetorical question, the answer is an emphatic, NO! Abraham was justified in Genesis 15. He didn't offer Isaac on the altar until Genesis 22. James timing is all off AND HE KNOWS IT. And so what does he do? He fixes it with a magic trick. In order to be right (and Paul wrong), he sets up Genesis 15:6 as a prophecy to be fulfilled at a later date. Read: James 2:22-23 - Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. "And the scripture was FULFILLED..." What kind of scriptures get "fulfilled"? Prophecy, right? So, by turning Genesis 15:6 into a prophecy, instead of treating it as an immediate fact (like Paul does), James time-shifts the events to his theological and doctrinal advantage. He renders Paul's doctrine of justification by faith "vain" by a slight-of-hand trick. James 2:24 - Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Ephesians 4:14 - That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Great study! Thank you 🙏🏼 I like to add also that this letter of James was written to Jews maybe new converts into Christianity. “To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.” James 1:1 I truly believe Jews really struggled understanding the gospel of grace after they have practiced keeping the law from birth. I can imagine how hard it is to give up all your pride and ego. Something that shocked me to learn about Peter in Galatians 2, that even after everything He had experience before the cross and after the resurrection and receiving the Holy Spirit. He had the nerve to preach salvation through works to some of the gentiles where Paul even had to rebuke him. Unbelievable! Lol.. Let me share for anyone reading, and don’t know what I’m talking about, “When Cephas/Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker. “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”” Galatians 2:11-21 So yes James is really rebuking and instructing the twelve tribes about the natural man being dead and standing in the new nature in Christ. Not salvation through works of the law because in fact he also writes, In James chapter 2 “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” James 2:10 Also; “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who IS ABLE TO SAVE and destroy. But you-who are you to judge your neighbor?” James 4:12 I believe is the same case for many of our fellow believers who been indoctrinated by religion that teaches justification by works, it must be hard to give up their pride and trust in their good works for justification. I know it was easy for me to understand the gospel because I was a filthy sinner and I’m still not worthy of Gods goodness. Almost seven years ago I was rescued from the occult eastern mysticism and was even in communion with demons because I was channeling entities that I thought were aliens after my UFO encounters but I’m grateful for all this horrible experiences because it opened my eyes to the true Gospel of Grace. So I get it now and know that He loves me with everlasting love because He died for me. And no body will ever love me the way He does. I just truly pray people can understand Father Gods love for us in His Son Jesus our redeemer. I pray day and night that their spiritual eyes be open and they see the true gospel the good news in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you again for all that you do. It sure is the last days because is hard to find those who uphold the true gospel. Salvation through GRACE alone, FAITH alone, in CHRIST alone. May you continue to be empowered by the Holy Spirit and stand bold in His Grace.
ALL religions in the world can be simply divided into TWO categories. DO And Done. If you look closely at EVERY man made religion, they all have a Laundry List of things that one needs to DO. But True Christianity, means DONE, there was and is NOTHING you can DO, JESUS did it all already. Just accept the free gift that is Salvation in Christ.
Another excellent video!! I agree with you that apologetics is extremely important and saves souls! I am a former cradle catholic. A year ago, I was going headstrong into my catholic faith, becoming more conservative Catholic (starting to attend Latin traditional masses) because I was seeing too many rotten fruits coming from the Novus Ordo masses. I listened to and read Catholic apologetics daily so I could really know my faith better. But then, I started debating Protestant UA-camrs online who were anti-catholic... and although some were just mean and “big baby heads”, there were others who thoughtfully pushed me to read the Bible and research church history of what I believed to be authentic, biblical practice of the Catholic Church. So I did that. I started watching Christian apologetics, debates, researched, and most of all I READ MY BIBLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE. I had spent my whole life praying rosaries, novenas, going to adoration and confession regularly, and listening to catholic apologists. But in all of that, I never picked up my Bible to read truth directly given to us by God. It changed my life. First, I started seeing mental gymnastics being done by the catholic apologists I listened to. I was surprised and amazed that Mary, mother of Jesus, was not ever spoken of as a co-mediator to God. I read so many verses that seemed to directly conflict what I had been told all my life. I prayed for wisdom and discernment, and it truly was like scales coming off my eyes. A few months ago, I got baptized and born again in Christ. I am a new person in Christ, and am so thankful to God for His patience with me. I’m praying heavily for my entire catholic family. I think they see my conversion as a “phase”, evidenced by my mom just today offering me and my kids an Infant of Prague statue and new rosaries. Unfortunately, I’ve tried many times to read the Bible with her, and talk about some of the things that really got me questioning the Catholic Church, but it really gets her upset, and she doesn’t want to hear it. It’s a very tough thing! I’m still trying to get my husband and teens to understand, and deprogram them from our catholic teachings by reading and studying the Bible nightly. Please pray for us! And thank you for your excellent video series!
@@MrMonchis04 I actually attended several women’s Catholic Bible studies when I was a practicing Catholic. And I can tell you, after a year and a half of being saved and born again, and doing Bible studies with Bible believing Christians… what a difference. I don’t say that to be spiteful or petty. I tell you the truth when I say I never understood the gospel like I do now. After all my years as a Catholic, it was merely scratching the surface and checking off boxes in my comprehension level. Yes, I had a lot of faith in God, but I was not walking the narrow path nor did I know God through His word as I do now. It is hard to explain, but anyone who has truly been born again in Christ will understand the difference. I am so thankful for God’s saving grace, as I was once blind to my own sins, but now I can see.. and seek God with my heart, mind, and soul daily to fill me up. God bless.
@@savedbychrist504 I'm not always convinced all Catholics need saving. There is some deeply erroneous, yet I've met unmistakably born again Catholics. I've prayed for your family. Maybe an idea, since it's easy to get defensive about traditions, and unfortunately most Catholics seem to put "the Church" and tradition above Christ, is to get your mom a really pretty scripture art thing. Something very pretty, in her taste w/ a key scripture. Then pray that God shines the light on it for her.
I understand it in this way: works are the product of transformation by the Holy Spirit; therefore works are not a requirement for salvation, but rather a guaranteed product of salvation! this is why other scripture enforces faith alone without contradiction here. I believe James is speaking to the ones who claim they "believe" only as a means of "fire insurance" when in fact this is NOT faith at all.
All we need is to have the same spirit (linving) inside of us and we will understand that... ....there's no need to search among religions or whatever...
There is no coin and no other side of truth that He has revealed to us. Seen that opinion from others, and a lot more; I couldn't even list all the flaws here, fortunately others do it so well already. I do better to just testify to my own personal experiences and transformation.
Nick But the Bible DOES contradict itself! Some verses say faith alone suffices; some say faith plus works is necessary. This is not the only contradiction---the Bible contains hundreds of them. This is why we need the Catholic Church's teaching authority. The Catholic Church teaches that faith and works are both necessary, so that's that. Why believe in the Bible at all without believing in the Catholic Church? Are you guys aware that it was the Catholic Church that put the Bible together in the first place, at the Council of Hippo, 393 a.d.? If all it takes is faith in Jesus to be saved then the devil is saved, because the devil believes in Jesus---see Luke 4:34.
Actually what James says about works is not the law but what Jesus talked about in Matthew 25:31-46. When us catholics talk about faith and works we are not referring to law or sacraments like some people misinterpret but good deeds good works out of love for your brothers and sisters. I hope it answers some questions. God bless
Very well explained. I use this similar phrase with people. I tell them that "we do works as a result of our salvation and not work for our salvation".
You nailed it brother! I thanks you so much for this. As a new Christian this is something I have been struggling with knowing the Scripture shouldn't contradict itself. This has been much help.
Mike they refute your videos....as a Catholic who's left awhile I find you loving and you helped me feel less guilty about leaving. Please debate a Catholic! This would help so many! A Catholic can be saved but its not because of the Church but despite it! I was!
You: A Catholic can be saved but its not because of the Church but despite it! I was! Me: That would make sense if Jesus had started Protestantism. But he started Catholicism. But you prefer the works of men instead. You should start feeling guilty again.
What about Matthew 25? What about his point at the 2 min. mark in the video. Nobody buys this interpretation. You left a church and are now applauding some random guys interpretation. That makes you a member of a cult. Look up Bruxy Cavey. He is a REAL pastor.
As an ex-Catholic you have joined one of 45,000 demoninations. If Christ established one and only one Christ, what church is it of those 45,000 so I can join it. When was it founded? I can tell you this, if its not named in scripture it ain't no church Christ founded. That church can only be the Catholic Church.
Karen if you read the writings of the men ordained by the apostles, they act as witnesses as to what interpretations were actually taught. You won't find a single protestant practice or doctrine. They are all Catholic. Thats a problem for Protestants. The Apostles, nor Jesus, taught Protestant beliefs. So if you want the truth you should cling to the church He left you: The Catholic Church.
Excellent job Mike, I really enjoyed this video and topic. As a former Roman Catholic myself, finally, someone addresses the Epistle of James properly.
You made a big mistake by leaving the Catholic Church. The historical record of early Christianity and the writings of the Church Fathers shows that the Catholic Church is the Church that Christ established. The Catholic understanding of James 2 is correct. Good works justify a man before God. When someone asked Jesus how to attain eternal life, Jesus said to obey the commandments. And Jesus said that only those who do the will of the Father will enter heaven, and that everyone will be judged according to their works, and that those who do works of mercy will inherit heaven. And Paul said that the one who patiently seeks glory, honor and immortality by well-doing will be rewarded with eternal life. Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Matthew 19 16 Now someone approached him and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” 17 He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 25 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Mark 8 34 He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it. John 5 28 Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voices 29 and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation. John 15:10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 1 John 2:4-5 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. 1 John 3:21:22 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:24 Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit that he gave us. 1 John 5:3 For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments, And his commandments are not burdensome. Romans 2:6-7 For he will repay according to each one’s deeds: to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision means nothing, and uncircumcision means nothing; what matters is keeping God’s commandments. Gl 1 Timothy 6:13-14 I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession, to keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:1-2 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; through them by way of reminder I am trying to stir up your sincere disposition, to recall the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and savior through your apostles. Revelation 12:17 Then the dragon became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus. Revelation 14:12-13 Here is what sustains the holy ones who keep God’s commandments and their faith in Jesus. I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” said the Spirit, “let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them.”
As scripture cannot contradict itself, it seems to me that the biblical authors' understanding of works and faith is the lynchpin of this debate. Paul and James don't seem to think there is a contradiction between their teachings, so we should look at the original context to understand their intent. Paul wants to disabuse the idea that people can boast about their salvation in his letter to Ephesians. James wants to admonish people that are complacent in their faith. I can only conclude that neither of them considered a faith a work but thought faith and works are closely related. It's really a semantics issue, as modern readers define work as any activity that requires mental and/or physical effort. However, the biblical authors don't seem to think everything that requires effort is counted as work. This distinction trips up Catholics and Calvinists, who would define faith as a work.
I read the book by Anthony Pezotta, a former Catholic priest turned Baptist pastor, called Truth Encounter. He said Paul and James are answering 2 different questions. Paul on how can I be saved and James on what next after I get saved. Makes sense.
@@catholictruth102 Looks like you didn't watch the video. Justify can mean wanting to be known to be right. It's the ordinary, non theological, actually-more-common usage of the word. Like the scribe who wanted to justify himself when he questioned Jesus, "But who is my neighbour?". And that's the way it's used here. FWIW, Faith logically implies works is exactly logically equivalent to no works logically implies no faith; we as Protestants accept and affirm this, at least those of us aren't walking negative stereotypes.
@@catholictruth102except the example James gave says "Abraham was justified by works when he offered Isaac" which, occured in Gen 22:12 However, we know Abraham was justified in the salvific "made right before God" sense in Gen 15:4-6, where it says "his faith was accounted to him as righteousness", which occured decades before Isaac's birth. So why does it say he was justified at two different times? Well, it's because while we have this theological package that comes with the word justification (ie, salvation, made righteous before God), there's also a Joe schmo dictionary definition of the word, meaning being proved right or vindicated about something. This is how it's used in the Gen 22 passage and James 2 passage -> faith is proved right or evidenced by our works
@@OppressedPotato Justification is a process, not just a one time event. Scripture describes salvation as “was saved,” “being saved,” and “will be saved.” Also, James explicitly related such a faith (devoid of works) to being nonsalvific, when he said “can that faith save him?”
It would be nice if you could have a conversation or debate with those guys from Catholic Answers, Trent Horn, Jimmy Akin, Tim Staples, etc. Just to be fair, objective and unbiased.
@alray I hear this argument ALL the time. Let's look at it Holy Bible or The Canon of Scriptures came from the Sacred Tradition of the Catholic Church...if by Catholic you mean "universal", yes. If by Catholic you mean "Roman Catholic" well the Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Old Catholics, and all Protestants will disagree. "protestants cannot use scriptures against the Catholic Church". Well Galatians 1:9 the Gospel MESSAGE takes priority "If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!". What message were they preaching? Well we have it. It's in these early writings. "sola scriptura is false and protestantism is a heresy". If you presuppose the RCC is the "one true, holy, apostolic, universal church". But how do you establish that? How do you establish tradition and the church? Well Scripture establishes ekklesia, the body of believers. It never says the Roman body of believers. If tradition establishes scripture and ekklesia and ekklesia establishes tradition and scripture and tradition establishes the ekklesia and scripture. You cannot say that Sola Scriptura then is any less circular than the supposed Catholic argument. Sola Scripture means "scripture alone is the final authority" it does not mean "scripture alone is the only authority". Even more so, we know that Scripture is the earliest records of the what? oh yeah, the ekklesia. Meaning it is the earliest tradition ANYWAYS. So frankly, we should defer to the earliest and closest records to Jesus.
@@davidn9518, as stated in other threads, "sola scriptura" does not mean that knowledge and wisdom only come from scripture. However, it does mean that scripture is our primary source of truth from God as well as the most authoritative truth from God. That way, if a priest or Bishop or other person claims to have Revelation from God, we can compare what they say to scripture. If there is a contradiction, we ignore that person, because that is a false prophet. This appears in scripture as early as Moses and the children of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness. Jesus himself said that scripture would be preserved and remain an authority. He said that not one jot nor one tittle shall be lost from God's word. Furthermore, Peter emphasized that the writing of Paul was scripture. He wrote that in his Epistles. Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy chapter 4 verses 16 and 17 that scripture is given by inspiration from God (the word "inspiration" literally means "God breathed"). In 2 Peter chapter 2, Peter warns us about adding traditions of men to the Word of God, calling them "false prophets" and "false teachers" and even "damnable heresies." So, based on scripture, we should keep the "cathedra" bulls and commands of Popes and Bishops out of our churches, because they literally claim the authority of prophets. Often, they contradict the already established scriptures.
2:1-4 Unjustly judging others is an example of fainthearted faith being manifested in unjust works. Favoring the rich over the poor is contrary to true faith. A person’s dignity and worth come from God, not from fellow humans. So we must not judge others by the earthly standards of rank, wealth, attainments, and appearance. 2:5-7 God is not partial to anyone. The poor are more likely to repent and renounce this world for the sake of the kingdom, for they more easily see the emptiness of earthly things. The rich (v. 6), on the other hand, tend to prize earthly things, desire material things, and even hurt others to gain them (see Lk 6:21-25; 1Co 1:26-28). They may mock Christians for the name by which (v. 7) they are called, the name invoked at baptism. 2:8-13 The corrective standard of judgment is perfect faith manifested in perfect works. The royal law (v. 8), the law of liberty (v. 12; 1:25), is the second great commandment of Christ: love for neighbor (Jn 13:34). The standard by which we judge is that by which we will be judged; the mercy we give will be the mercy we receive. “God has shown mercy to us. Let us in our turn show mercy: let us feed the poor, and with the divine water of fasting let us wash the defilement from our souls. . . . O heavenly angels, entreat the Giver of good to accept in His infinite mercy our poor and mean repentance” (Matins, Friday before Lent). 2:14-19 The faith that saves is a complete faith, not just the mind and the tongue but the whole man trusting in the living God. This means our faith and our relationship with God-our justification-are dynamic and living. Our faith grows and affects our actions, or it dies. “Faith alone” (by itself, v. 17), static faith, does not save. We must nurture our faith in God and love for Him through our works. “Do not say you are the temple of the Lord, writes Jeremiah [see Jer 7:3]; nor should you say that faith alone in our Lord Jesus Christ can save you, for this is impossible unless you acquire love for Him through your works. As for faith by itself, ‘the devils also believe, and tremble’” (MaxCon). 2:20-24 The faith of Abraham is living and active. (1) In Gn 12:1-3, when Abraham is 75 years old, he receives a call to forsake all and follow God. (2) In Gn 15:6, when Abraham is almost 85, after he has proven his faith through years of renouncing his land, family, property, and privileges, God promises him that he will ultimately regain everything he has given up. Abraham’s faith in God’s promise is “accounted to him for righteousness.” God fulfills Abraham’s faith by making a covenant with him, an OT liturgical and sacramental act. (3) In Gn 22:1-19, Abraham is at least 110. He has been tested for years concerning God’s promise of a son. Now, after the covenant sacrament of initiation (circumcision) has been given in Gn 17, comes Abraham’s supreme test: the sacrifice of Isaac, his son of promise (Gn 15:6). James reveals that Gn 15:6 is fulfilled in Gn 22. This is a crucial lesson for us in our understanding of justification by faith. Neither Abraham’s faith nor his justification is merely momentary, static, or once-and-for-all. It is dynamic, a growth process that finds its natural and normal realization in good works. Far from being just point-in-time, Abraham’s justification covered at least 25 years after God first declared him just. It is living and active faith that saves! 2:26 This summary of the organic relationship of faith and works (see Mt 7:21; 25:31-46; Jn 14:15; Gal 5:6) shows that only God can save.
Why does this subject seem to keep coming up? Anyway I was just thinking what's the best way to let someone know that you love them? By only telling them all the time that you love them? Is that really how someone wants to be loved, by just hearing it from someone or do we want to be shown the love that someone says they have for us or vice versa. Isn't that what Jesus is asking of us when he says if you love me keep my commands. He's saying show me that you love me as well as telling me that you love me. How often do we have to show our love and faith? Well how often do I want God to show his love and faithfulness towards me? Every moment of every day for all eternity.
If works are apart of salvation, no one could know if they would be saved or not. So it makes the seal of the Holy Spirit meaningless and when 1 John says you can know you have eternal life. Catholics don’t know if they are saved till after judgement.
I can see why people could easily misunderstand this. It’s not the doing of works that are saving you, but, in the one that is saved, his faith will be made manifest through the works he is doing. Works are a byproduct of faith. It’s sort of a “chicken or the egg” problem.
I disagree with you here, although I appreciate many of your other teachings. This interpretation is incorrect and misleading. James 2 is targeting the Jews and tribulation Jews or saints. It also teaches us to help others and be Christ-like when people in need come to us because there are onlookers but not as proof of our salvation. Otherwise, we revert to a works-based religion. If you handle situations differently from others, people might question your salvation, thinking you don’t do enough based on your limited understanding. This raises the issue of how much work is required to prove you’re saved and to feel secure in your salvation. This teaching leads people to incorrect thinking about salvation.
The amount of good works are the ones that God prepared beforehand for us (Ephesians 2:10). There is no specific amount that we have to do. The point is that once someone is saved they become a new creation and our heart of stone is replaced with a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). This isn't rocket science.
The first I listened to this I wasn’t convinced of your explanation, I have read the New Testament several times since and listened to multiple multiple videos by you and other teachers and guess what I now understand and believe your interpretation of James. Thank you
Who is watching 5 years later like me? So let me answer your question: You are wrong because you are a baby-face. NO! Seriously, I have been studying for years now free from a guru and just listening for the plain truth in the Word of God and I believe that you NAILED it!
It seems you are going to extraordinary lengths to explain away James. James repudiates Sola Fide: saved by faith alone. As James says we are not saved by faith alone. It is why Martin Luther threw out the book of James. It is because it destroys Luther's belief and argument that we are saved by faith "alone". Luther called the book of James a book of straw. Fortunately other Protestors put James, Hebrews and Revelation back into the bible after Luther chucked them out. Unfortunately, they still left out the old testament books that Luther also discarded. Catholics believe that as Paul says we are saved by Faith. Luther added the word alone which changes the meaning. This was a new interpretation that didn't exist for the first 1500 years of Christianity. Time to be red pilled and read the bible properly. Each book of the bible must be read in the mindset of the author to understand its meaning. It appears to me that you make the fundamentalist error of reading it believing that as it speaks to you in English at this time is its meaning. While it does speak to us at this time one must read the Bible in proper context. In Romans Paul is writing to Jews who still hang on to the Hebrew Law. The daily prayers that must be said, the diet rules and circumcision. They were not believing that becoming Christian was enough. So Paul writes to them telling them that through now being Christian the are saved. And that the old Laws of Judaism no longer apply. This is what Paul is saying. He is correcting an error. He does not say we are saved by faith alone. Luther has added a word here that he supposed that Paul meant to say which is a corruption of Paul's letter. James is writing later on. Now the problem is that having become Christian the people James is writing to are sitting back and doing nothing. He is reminding them that with faith must come works. Faith is a verb. That is why Abraham was justified. His faith was a verb. He did what God commanded. So many Protesters totally miss this. Your analysis in this and other videos rearranges selected verses to give a meaning that you already believe. Instead look at the whole bible and look at the meaning the writers are trying to convey. This is a different paradigm. Then you will be reading the bible correctly which is actually how Catholics read the bible. The Protestors interpretation and view of salvation only brings about arguments and confusion. The ridiculously high number and growing different protesting churches is proof of this. Satan use Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura to separate and divide Christians which is in direct opposition to Jesus prayer on the cross that Christians should be one. Paul's letter to the Romans and James do not contradict each other at all. The complement each other and give us a correct picture of salvation. Falsely adding the word alone after the word faith to Paul's letter is the error. But a warning to you. Once you understand this you will realise that the Catholic view of salvation, which today is the same as the early Church (Research the writings of the early Church fathers), is biblically correct. And then what do you do? Take heed of 1Timothy 6:3-5. God Bless
Alan, 2 Peter 1: 10 certainly appears to agree with James 2 that works "show" or prove that an individual has an authentic faith. "So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard 'to prove' that you really are among those God has called and chosen." A faith that does not have works is lacking. That is what James was saying when he questioned, "Can 'that' faith save you?" People can say they have faith but, in many cases, their words are just words. There is no proof in that. Watch what they do, not what they say. Also, as stated in 1 Peter 5:2-4, "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." Again, our works prove our faith and hopefully bring others to Christ. The Bible repeatedly states that we are saved by faith. The word "faith" repeatedly stands "alone" in the bible. It is the singular most descriptive word explaining how to be saved.
@@timmcvicker5775 Thank you for your comment. You seem to almost grasp the point of what Paul is saying but are still hanging on to the error of "Faith alone'. The alone is unnecessary to add unless you wish to change the meaning of the verse which is why Luther added the word alone to his version of the bible. When Paul writes that we are "saved by faith" he is not saying faith alone as Luther wanted him to be saying. Faith is a word that can be a verb and an adjective in English. But Paul spoke and wrote in a language where the word faith is a verb. It is not that works are separate to faith or that works are merely the proof of faith. While these statements are partially true they mislead the meaning of Paul which is that works and belief make up faith (a verb). Luther's error is that by adding "alone" the verse is effectively changed to having a belief which is completely false. Faith is a doing thing. This is what Paul is saying. You have to live being a Christian. That is the Catholic teaching. Luther's teaching is that you have to have a belief to be Christian which is not the same. This is why James writes that "you are not saved by faith alone". James's teaching is in agreement with the Catholic church's understanding of Paul's "saved by faith" but repudiates Luther's "saved by faith alone"(and Protestant's Sola Fidae). There is no escaping the fact that Sola Fidae is an unbiblical and false Christian teaching. It didn't exist until Luther invented ii in the sixteenth century. It is not what the Apostles and early church believed. It is dangerous too as it leads some Christians into error where they believe that they are once saved always saved and as Christians they no longer need to repent of sins committed. Christian faith means you must obey Christ. Refer 1 John 2:3-6 (Actually study the whole book) and the end of Revelation 12:17. Hope this helps. God Bless
@@cathpocalypse6895 We can read many Church Fathers who agree that we are saved by grace through faith. If we have faith we are saved, correct? Luther didn't invent this doctrine.
Hi @@konroh2 Not exactly. That we are saved by grace through faith is correct and is what the Church Fathers say but don't mistake this for what Luther taught. Sounds similar but isn't. The word faith here is a verb. It is a doing word. Luther says we are saved by faith alone which with the word 'alone' added changes the word faith to an adjective which is not correct.. Faith must be something we work on and keep to in our everyday lives. This includes works. Works is inseparable to faith. It is not just proof of faith although it is also evidence of faith. (James 2:14-20) With faith must come love, again a verb, a doing word, refer 1 Corinthians 13 especially v13. Hope this helps. God bless.
@@cathpocalypse6895 Faith is a noun, believe is a verb. Pistis, noun, pisteuo, verb, in Greek. Luther understood that salvation is by grace through faith. You can choose to say that faith and works go together, but Paul is pretty clear that faith and works are quite separate. Of course we understand that works help grow and complete our faith, but we also understand that we are saved by grace through faith (a noun in the Greek Eph.2). There is a simple transaction where faith is counted as righteousness, eternal life, salvation. And this is apart from any works. Paul is quite clear, so is John, and so is James in ch. 1 where we have been brought forth by God as firstfruits.
@VenusTyz *Biblical Mary was a servant of God. She was not some queen of heaven deity or lady of this and that which Roman Catholic pagans invented. Roman Catholicism is complete heresy!* you said Our Lady of Zeitoun, Pray For Us Our Lady of Fatima, Pray For Us Our Lady of Champion, Pray For Us Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for Us Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pray For Us Our Lady of Mount Zion, Pray For Us Our Lady of Akita, Pray For Us Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray For Us Our Lady of Pillar, Pray For Us Our Lady of Good Help, Pray For Us Our Lady of Peace, Pray For Us...🙏🙏✝
I think part of what is behind the "apologetics isn't effective for millenials" is that sometimes apologists are answering the questions that people aren't asking - possibly questions that were being asked when the people who wrote many of the books on apologetics were around. That is not to say that apologetics isn't effective but that effective apologetics needs to be listening to where culture (and subculture) is and answering those questions. There are definitely people who are doing this and doing it well.
These verses might come under the heading of RIGHTLY DIVIDING scripture, correct me if I’m wrong, but in my study could James talking to Jewish people regarding faith and works in the kingdom age, as we are in the church age as of now.
Mike, I greatly respect you as a teacher of the Bible, but here you have made both a hermeneutical and theological mistake. As a result, you are actually implying a “faith plus works” gospel that is not straightforward. Copied below is a better understanding of this passage from Moody Bible Commentary. I hope this helps and that you will continue to be greatly blessed in the Lord. Moody Bible Commentary James 2:14 For James, being “quick to hear” (1:19) meant to be prompt to obey God’s command to do good deeds that benefit others. But the readers had neglected good works, content to claim their justification before God by faith alone. James agreed that justification before God was by faith alone. But believers must add works to their faith to develop maturity. Then they will be justified (called righteous) by their works in the eyes of other people (cf. Mt 5:16). A person who says he has faith finds it easy to talk his faith while lacking useful deeds. Bible teachers may be in mind (Cf. 3:1-12). The question Can [“that” is not in Gk.] faith save him? demands a negative answer in Greek (“Faith cannot save him, can it?”) and appears to contradict justification by faith alone (Rm 3:27-28; 4:4-5; Gl 2:16; Eph 2:8-9). But James’s use of the Greek verb “save” (soizo) is flexible. This is evident in 5:15, where James uses the word in a way that does not mean “delivered from eternal judgment.” Contextually, “save” in v. 14 is equivalent to the believer’s triumph over a stern evaluation (“judgment”) by God mentioned in 2:13 and 3:1 (an inclusio). (Also see comments on “save” at 1:21.) So the phrase, “Can faith [alone] save him?” asks if a believer without acts of mercy will be able to escape a strict evaluation at the believer’s final performance review. 2:15-16 What if a Christian brother or sister has life-threatening conditions such as lack of clothing and need of daily food? Well-wishing words cannot provide any meaningful assistance for them. So it is if one has genuine faith, but does not activate it during times of trial. What use is that? suggests especially that when saving faith is connected with action, there is great benefit in this life. 2:17 The conclusion (even so) is that faith, without works, is dead. Faith is all by itself and lacks vibrancy. A “dead faith” is a weak, lethargic (immature, but nevertheless present) faith (cf. “sin is dead,” Rm 7:8; also see “Introduction: Recipients”). James’s point appears to be that if one has true faith in Christ, it does one no practical good in this life of trials if it is not put into action. Neither does a “dead faith” “save one’s life” (see the comments on 1:21). 2:18-19 The words someone may … say introduce an imaginary opponent (“well” is not in the Gk. text). In two other NT passages introducing an imaginary objector, the response of the inspired author begins with a remark of his opponent’s foolishness (cf. Rm 9:19-20; 1Co 15:35-36). This makes it likely that the objector’s words to James continue through v. 19 (cf. Richard Francis Weymouth, The New Testament in Modern Speech, ed. Ernest Hampden-Cook (Boston: Pilgrim Press), 1903) and James’s response begins in v. 20 with “you foolish fellow.” The opponent challenges: Show me your faith by [some Gk. texts read without] your works, and I will show you by my works my faith [the order of the Gk. words is given]. The opponent insists that faith cannot be seen through works. One may start by naming a doctrine and then try to show the work that will always come from that belief (“show me your faith by your works”). Or one could do the reverse. He could name a good work and try to demonstrate the doctrine that must be behind it (“and I will show you by my works my faith”). The opponent thinks both are impossible. Suppose James starts with a doctrine: “I believe God is a God of love (doctrine). So I treat others with sacrificial love (a good work).” The objector would answer, “Ha! I know lots of people who love others sacrificially and don’t even believe in God. So works don’t show what you believe!” The objector is so confident in his argument that he answers for James: “James, you believe that God is one [a doctrine], and you do well, i.e., you do good works. But the demons also believe God is one [a doctrine], but do no good works. They just shudder in fear of judgment.” With this argument, the objector rests his case. 2:20 James’s response now begins (vv. 18-19 are the objector’s thoughts). The opponent’s words are foolish and lack wisdom (1:5; 3:13-17). Often Christian teachers (3:1) have an unteachable spirit. Likewise, James questions if his opponent is willing to recognize the truth: faith without works secures eternal life but is useless to meet the practical needs of others, to experience blessings for one’s self in this life, or to gain eternal rewards. 2:21-23 Abraham initially believed God and was justified before God by faith alone (Gn 15:6; Rm 4:1-5, 9-12; Gl 3:1-6). His faith was in a God who could resurrect the dead (Rm 4:17-21). In Gn 22, 30 years after his initial faith for which God counted him righteous, Abraham offered up Isaac his son on the altar (Gn 22:1; Heb 11:19). You see (second person singular) corrects the objector’s contention that faith cannot be seen in works. Abraham’s faith is unmistakably visible. Being justified by works is not before God (Rm 3:20; Gl 3:11) but before people (cf. Mt 5:16). In addition, justified sometimes means “to demonstrate that one is in the right” (cf. Lk 7:29, 35; Rm 3:4; 1Tm 3:16) and does not always have the Pauline sense of “God’s declaration that one is innocent of the charge that he is a sinner” and is given eternal life. Abraham’s faith was cooperating or working with his works, so that faith might be perfected (teleioo), i.e., matured. Abraham’s works brought added depth in a practical sense to the faith he possessed inasmuch as it enabled him to experience the blessings of a fresh encounter with God (cf. Gn 22:15-19), and he gained an extraordinary reputation among men (he was called the friend of God, v. 23; cf. 2Ch 20:7; Is 41:8). A believer combines faith with good works, not so that he can attain heaven, but so that he may gain spiritual blessings in this life and honor from the Father in the world to come. 2:24 You see (second person plural) now addresses the readers. The word alone (monon) modifies the verb justified, not the words by faith: “You see that a man is justified [i.e., demonstrates to others that he is righteous or holy; see the comments on “justified” for v. 21 above] by works, and not only [monon] by faith.” James was calling attention to two ways of justification: by faith before God, and by works before people. While one is justified (declared righteous) before God by faith alone, one is justified (demonstrates his godliness) before people by his or her works. 2:25 By faith (Heb 11:31) Rahab the harlot received the Jewish spies and hid them in her house (Jos 2:1-24). She could have betrayed the spies, but she sent them out by another way, adding works to her new faith. Rahab had faith in the God of Israel (Jos 2:11), yet if she had not acted on that faith, she would have perished when Jericho was destroyed (see comment on 1:21 on “save your souls”). Instead, she activated the faith she had, hid the spies, was spared, and experienced God’s blessings among the Jewish people. 2:26 For a body to be active and alive, it must have a spirit. So also faith in Christ must have works added to it since works give vitality and energy to faith. On dead faith, see 2:17.
@Mike Winger Hi there! I'm a first time visitor, nice channel! I converted to Catholicism last year (former Reformed Baptist), after I explored Catholicism for about 3 years. You mentioned on this video the possibility of debating (or dialoguing with) someone that is serious about it, I would love to have the opportunity of having a respectable conversation about these issues if you are still open to it. Thank you in advance and may God bless you! Joe Plascencia
Mike Hamlin There are no contradictions but misunderstandings. Salvation is a process that starts with accepting the sacrifice of Jesus for our forgiveness. God imparts His Spirit to us and enable us to grow spiritually, we need to grow and be transformed by the Spirit. This spiritual growth is shown as the Fruit of the Spirit which is LOVE, we have to abide by Jesus’s words and obey them to grow. So James says that if we do not show any Fruit then our faith was not real and is dead. So our total salvation and sanctification is a process not a one time deal, we need to become righteous like Jesus and this takes work on our part.
@paulmurray3671 *You would say the same for God and God's Word too. God's Word would have a warped view of Roman Catholicism.* *R Catholicism has nothing to do with God and His Words. R Catholic Church contradicts Scriptures in every possible ways!* 1. Catholics say Mary was sinless. But BIBLE says Mary offered a sinner's offering. She was a sinner. Bible says Mary needed a Saviour. Lk 2:23-24, Lev 12:6-8, Rom 3:10. 2. Catholics say clergies must be celibate. Yet BIBLE says Peter (supposed R Church first leader) had mother in law. Bible says celibacy is not a qualification for clergies. Mat 8:14-15, Mar 1:30-31, Luk 4:38-39. 3. Catholics say Mary was forever virgin. Yet BIBLE says Jesus had brothers and sisters. Mary was not perpetually virgin. Mk 6:3, Mat 13:55, Mat 27:56, Mar 6:3, Mar 15:40, Mar 15:47. 4. Catholics say confess to R priests in a box. BIBLE says nothing about confessing to priests in a box. Bible says confess to GOD only. 1 John 1:9, Mat 6, Romans 10:9-10. 5. Catholics say drink of the physical blood of Jesus. Yet OT and NT both say do not drink blood. Acts 15, Lev 7:26. 6. Catholics say pray to passed on Mary and "saints". Yet BIBLE says do not contact the dead. NT Church did not record a single case of NT believers asking passed on saints to pray for them. Deut 18:11, Isaiah 8:19. 7. Catholics make and bow down to statues. BIBLE says do not bow down to graven images (statues). Deut 4, Exo 20:4-5. 8. Catholics sprinkles “holy water”. But NT Church of the Bible mentioned nothing about “holy water”. There was no record of any Apostles sprinkling “holy water” on believers. Catholics claimed “holy water” came from OT. Yet Num 5:17 says “holy water” was water used to test adulterous women in OT temple. Hardly the same. Those were for Old Covenant Jews. Not New Testament Christians. 9. Catholics say Peter was pope - bishop of all bishops. Yet BIBLE says Peter was just a leader of the Jerusalem Church. Bible says nothing of the office of bishop of bishops. Gal 2:9, Mat 16:18. 10. Catholics say there is a seat of Peter. Yet BIBLE says nothing about it. Jesus said “not to lord over others”. 11. Catholics has clergy priesthood. Bible says clergy priesthood was done away with in New Testament. There is no clergy priesthood in NT. Heb 7:27, 9:12, 10:10. 12. Catholics preaches Works Salvation (faith + good works + partake R sacraments + submit to R pontiff + be in R Church + devote to Mary = to be saved). Yet Bible says “believe in Jesus to be saved”. Bible says Works Salvation is cursed. Gal 1:8-9. Acts 16:30-31, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10. 13. Catholics says they must do Penance to atone for their sins. Yet Bible says repent, confess and sins will be forgiven. Catholic Bible changes the word “repentance” in NT into “penance”. Original Greek NT does not use or mean the word penance. Penance = work to atone for sins. Repentance = change of heart. 1 John 1:9, Mat 6. 14. Catholics say Mary went straight to heaven without dying. Yet Bible says nothing about it. 15. Catholics say Islam and Christianity have the same GOD. Yet Islam doesn't believe in death and resurrection of Jesus and Trinity. you said God have mercy on Mike Winger for his severely warped view of Catholicism and misguided teaching that is deluding so many people.
Paul teaches how you are saved and James teaches how a saved person lives. Our works are the visible manifestations of faith. Faith is the inward motivation for works. R.C. Sproul
I used to think that passage meant that when you pray for something you should also work for it as a way to prove to god that you want what you are praying for. Because stagnant water creates filth but I’m glad this cleared everything up.
@fantasia55 *Why do you keep L ROman Catholic? Since when Luther said he added alone?? Luther was not the first to use "alone". Old Catholic Bibles do have the words Faith Alone for Romans 3:28. Early writers like Ambrose and Augustine also used the same words for Romans 3:28.* ⭐ Was Luther the first to use Sola Fede? ⭐ The answer is No. - Early writings speak of Salvation Not By Works (Faith Alone doctrine) - like Polycarp, Clement of Rome, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria - Old Catholic Bibles spoke of Sola Fede - Nuremberg Bible (1483), “allein durch den glauben” and the Italian Bibles of Geneva (1476) and Italian Bible of Venice (1538) all used Sola Fede in Romans 3:28 - Even Ambrose and Augustine translated Romans 3:28 as Sola Fede. ⭐ St. Augustine's commentary on James 2 Sola Fide. ⭐ And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. - James 2:23 That Abraham believed God deep in his heart is a matter of faith alone, but that he took his son to sacrifice him . . . is not just a great act of faith but a great work as well. (Sermons 2.9) - Augustine of Hippo And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. - James 2:23 Abraham is the image of someone who is justified by faith alone, since what he believed was credited to him as righteousness. But he is also approved because of his works, since he offered up his son Isaac on the altar. (Gen 22:10-18) Of course he did not do this work by itself; in doing it, he remained firmly anchored in his faith, believing that through Isaac his seed would be multiplied until it was as numerous as the stars - Oecumenius you said Martin Luther admitted to adding the word Alone - and even bragged about. When asked on what authority added it to the Bible, he said because "Doctor Luther would have it so!"
Mike This was a good one. Thanks I have family that has converted to Catholicism and they tell me that we are saved by faith alone "but"... That "but" is what we always get stuck on.
@user-ew8tf3qp3o *Where in the Bible says "Faith in Christ is not enough to be saved"? When Bible says it's enough? John 3:16, Eph 2:8-9.* *Roman religion make statues and bow down to all of them = not doing the will of the Father = not conforming to the teachings of Christ = hell bound.* you said faith in Christ is not enough to be saved. A life is needed in conformity with the teaching of Christ (Lk 6,46). (Mt 7, 21).
51:38-51:46 Bravo, Pastor Mike. I have always believed exactly the same thing--Mary herself would not approve of people elevating her to a status of borderline deity, and I don't doubt for a minute that she would do that exact same thing you described. By putting her on the level they do, Catholicism actually ends up dishonoring her because she would never accept a status equal to her Son.
@@TheNewNationPodcast There are even some Catholic theologians and laypeople who have suggested making Mary a co-redeemer with Christ. To its great credit, the Vatican has so far rejected this idea, but it's still possible that a future pope will accept it.
@fantasia55 *WHy do you keep L? So many early writings mentioned the Exact Words "Scripture Alone". Jesus, Apostles and NT Church all practised Sola Scriptura. I have 180 plus verses as proof. Why do you claimed its a 16th century doctrine?* *Explain coherently intelligently.* you said Bible Alone didn’t even occur to anyone - not just the Church Fathers - until the 16th century.
Trent Horn will debate you... perhaps Michael Diamond or his brother Peter? Don't pretend like you really would or tried. I know that Trent Horn has challenged your position before and you declined. For good reason
Catholic apologists are like muslim ones in the sense that they rely on rhetoric over substance and their followers blindly lap up whatever they say instead of thinking for themselves due to the reliance on authority over reason. Pastor Mike walked you through the text, do yourself a favour and listen.
@fantasia55 *You are clearly a liar then. Early Church Fathers did mention Salvation NOT BY WORKS.* you said Mike Winger is fighting a losing battle. As they read the Church Fathers for themselves, Protestants realize he is lying to them.
This was so perfectly explained. I used to be an SDA, and they also teach faith and works and they love James 2 with the out of context meaning. I'm so glad to be free from that false system of worship!
I was raised an SDA and still attend an SDA church with my family. And from my experience, I only know of a few who specifically endorse salvation by works. The official church doctrine is salvation by faith alone, though they do have a tendency to blur the line between faith and works, and some of the more conservative SDA teachings (e.g. Sunday as the Mark of the Beast, the Investigative Judgment, etc.) do border on salvation by works. Indeed, some of EGW's statements seem to suggest that she endorsed it. But I think it's a stretch to claim that the whole denomination believes in a works-based salvation, especially when the governing body of the church has rejected such ideas.
@alray Here are 100 verses that show salvation is by faith alone...I might have to put this in a few installments. Genesis 15:6: “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”Habakkuk 2:4: “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”Mark 1:15: “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."Luke 8:12: “Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”Luke 7:50: “And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”Luke 8:12: “Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”John 1:12: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”John 3:(14,)15: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.“John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”John 3:18: “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”John 3:36: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”John 5:24: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”John 6:35: “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”John 6:40: “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. “John 6:47: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”John 7:38: “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”John 8:24: “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”John 11:25: “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”John 11:26: “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”John 12:46: “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”John 16:27: “For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.”John 20:31: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”Acts 2:21: “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”Acts 5:14: “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)”Acts 8:12: “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”Acts 8:13: “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”Acts 8:37 (8:35-38): “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”Acts 10:43: “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”Acts 11:17,18: “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."
@alray .”Acts 11:21: “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.”Acts 13:39: “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”Acts 13:48: “And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”Acts 15:7-9: “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.”Acts 16:31: “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”Acts 18:8: “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.”Acts 22:16: “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”Acts 26:18: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”Romans 1:17: “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”Romans 3:22a: “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:”Romans 3:25: “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”Romans 3:26: “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”Romans 3:28: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”Romans 3:30: “Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.”Romans 4:3: “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”Romans 4:5: “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”Romans 4:9: “Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.”
@alray Romans 4:11: “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:”Romans 4:13: “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”Romans 4:16,17: “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”Romans 4:18-22: “Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.”Romans 5:1: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”Romans 5:2: “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”Romans 4:20-25: “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”Romans 9:30: “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.”Romans 9:32,33: “Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; as it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”Romans 10:4: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”Romans 10:6a: “But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise…”Romans 10:9: “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 10:10: “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”Romans 10:11: “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”Romans 10:13: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”Romans 10:14-17: “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”Romans 11:20: “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:”1 Corinthians 1:21: “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”1 Corinthians 15:2: “By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.”1 Corinthians 15:17: “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”2 Corinthians 4:4: “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”2 Corinthians 6:14: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”2 Corinthians 6:15: “And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”Galatians 2:16: “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 2:20: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”Galatians 3:6,7: “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.”
@fantasia55 *WHy do you keep L? So many early writings mentioned the Exact Words "Scripture Alone". Why do you claimed its from 16th century?* *Early Church Fathers directly mentioned "Scripture Alone"* Tertullian: "Take away, indeed, from the heretics the wisdom which they share with the heathen, and let them support their inquiries from the *Scripture alone* : they will then be unable to keep their ground. For that which commends men’s common sense is its very simplicity, and its participation in the same feelings, and its community of opinions; and it is deemed to be all the more trustworthy, inasmuch as its definitive statements are naked and open, and known to all." Origen: "We, however, in conformity with our belief in that doctrine, which we assuredly hold to be divinely inspired, believe that it is possible in no other way to explain and bring within the reach of human knowledge this higher and diviner reason as the Son of God, than by means of those *Scripture alone* which were inspired by the Holy Spirit, i.e., the Gospels and Epistles, and the law and the prophets, according to the declaration of Christ Himself." Augustine: "At the same time, as I have said already, it is to the canonical *Scripture alone* that I am bound to yield such implicit subjection as to follow their teaching, without admitting the slightest suspicion that in them any mistake or any statement intended to mislead could find a place." Theodoret: "Do not, I beg you, bring in human reason. I shall yield to *Scripture alone* ." Athanasius: "the sacred and inspired Scriptures are sufficient to declare the truth" (Athanasius, Against the Heathen, part 1, 1, 3) attack! "Now one might write at great length concerning these things, if one desired to go rate details respecting them; for the impiety and perverseness of heresies will appear to be manifold and various, and the craft of the deceivers to be very terrible. *But since holy Scripture is of all things most sufficient for us, therefore recommending to those who desire to know more of these matters, to read the Divine word, I now hasten to set before you that which most claims attention, and for the sake of which principally I have written these things."* (Athanasius, To the Bishops of Egypt, Ch 1, 4) You will see a pattern with Athanasius, in that he states scripture as being all-sufficient to teach the truth. No appeal is made to tradition. "Vainly then do they run about with the pretext that they have demanded Councils for the faith's sake; for divine Scripture is sufficient above all things; but if a Council be needed on the point, there are the proceedings of the Fathers, for the Nicene Bishops did not neglect this matter, but stated the doctrine so exactly, that persons reading their words honestly, cannot but be reminded by them of the religion towards Christ, announced in divine Scripture" (Athanasius, de Synodis, Part 1, 6) Athanasius: One day when he [St. Anthony of the desert] had gone forth because all the monks had assembled to him and asked to hear words from him, he spoke to them in the Egyptian tongue as follows: *'The Scriptures are enough for instruction, but it is a good thing to encourage one another in the faith, and to stir up with words.* Tertullian: Take away, indeed, from the heretics the wisdom which they share with the heathen, and let them support their inquiries from the *Scriptures alone* : they will then be unable to keep their ground. - Irenaeus (AD 180): We have learned from none others the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of God, handed down to us in the Scriptures, to be the ground and pillar of our faith. (Against Heresies, 3:1.1) - Athanasius (AD 296-373): The holy and inspired Scriptures are fully sufficient for the proclamation of the truth. (Against the Heathen, 1:3) - Augustine (AD 354-430): It is to the canonical Scriptures alone that I am bound to yield such implicit subjection as to follow their teaching, without admitting the slightest suspicion that in them any mistake or any statement intended to mislead could find a place. (Letters, 82.3) - Augustine (AD 354-430): He [God] also inspired the Scripture, which is regarded as canonical and of supreme authority and to which we give credence concerning all the truths we ought to know and yet, of ourselves, are unable to learn. (City of God, 11.3) - Cyril of Jerusalem (AD 310-386): For concerning the divine and holy mysteries of the Faith, not even a casual statement must be delivered without the Holy Scriptures; nor must we be drawn aside by mere plausibility and artifices of speech. Even to me, who tell you these things, give not absolute credence, unless you receive the proof of the things which I announce from the Divine Scriptures. For this salvation which we believe depends not on ingenious reasoning, but on demonstration of the Holy Scriptures. (Catechetical Lectures, IV:17 in The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers) - Gregory of Nyssa (AD 330-395): We are not entitled to such license, namely, of affirming whatever we please. For we make Sacred Scripture the rule and the norm of every doctrine. Upon that we are obliged to fix our eyes, and we approve only whatever can be brought into harmony with the intent of these writings. (On the Soul and the Resurrection, quoted in Jaroslav Pelikan, The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition [Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1971], p. 50.) - Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-430): Let them show their church if they can, not by the speeches and mumblings of the Africans, not by the councils of their bishops, not by the writings of any of their champions, not by fraudulent signs and wonders, because we have been prepared and made cautious also against these things by the Word of the Lord. (On the Unity of the Church, 16) - John Chrysostom (AD 347-407): Wherefore I exhort and entreat you all, disregard what this man and that man thinks about these things, and inquire from the Scriptures all these things; and having learned what are the true riches, let us pursue after them that we may obtain also the eternal good things. (Homily 13 on 2 Corinthians) - Basil the Great (AD 329-379): Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the Word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. (Letter 189 to Eustathius the physician)
I'm a Catholic convert and I must say that you've done an excellent job with this and were very respectful in how you address the RCC. Thank you for that. Also thank you for taking the time to listen to Catholic Answers. You've certainly done your research so I give you much respect. I noticed you referenced CS Lewis and his belief in Purgatory. Jerry Walls has got some good material on that here on UA-cam. NT Wright also has an interesting idea about the dying process itself being a "purging" of our imperfections. I also like your reference to JP2 and Benedict xvi idea of purgatory as a state of existence which could essentially place "purgatory" here in this life. I'll take a stab at your challenge on how Catholics handle the grace alone passages - it is my understanding that without grace, we're unable to do any good works. Jesus said "apart from me you can do nothing." I might also note that Jesus parable in Matt 25 to those He is accepting into Heaven that is their works He references. To address your comments on how a Catholic deals with Galatians, my understanding is that he is arguing against the need to adhere to the Jewish law, circumcision, etc.. In the end, I think we both can agree that works are important in our Christian walk. A good Catholic SHOULD be starting their walk with faith and appeal to grace. Catholics teach that we CANNOT save ourselves, but we must yield and use our free will to cooperate with God. Anyway, thank you again for a great presentation and your gracious tone. I really enjoy your channel and I learn alot from you! God bless you.
Dennis Chanay No, Mike did not do a good job representing the Catholic faith. He shows how little he looked into the teaching of justification and the council of Trent, and he said Trent and Catholics would agree with him. The first comment he said that misrepresents Catholic teaching is when he says James 2 doesn't talk about sacraments. Catholic Church never uses James 2 to support sacraments because we don't view sacraments as works. Work is something a person performs. We do not perform sacraments. We receive sacraments. We don't baptize ourselves, we receive baptism. When Mike talked about justification and try to represent Catholic teaching, he doesn't know the Church teaches initial and habitual justification. He would have recognized that if he read the document from the Council of Trent and the Catechism, and he tries to represent Catholic teaching. He would've known that initial justification is faith alone. In a way, we do teach that faith comes alone when a person is born again in the body of Christ. However, habitual justification is a continuous growth of righteousness because of the habitual gift of grace we receive by performing the works of love that God made for us (Eph 2:10). If we fell to perform the works God made for us, our faith will die and lose salvation.
@georgepenton808 *Faith Alone doctrine comes with good works. Eph **2:10**. So Mat 25 was never an issue with Christians.* *Roman Catholics love misrepresenting Faith Alone doctrine.* you said Faith in Jesus means faith in everything He taught, including that good works are necessary for salvation (Matthew 25:31-46). Salvation is a process, not a one time emotional event.
Ephesians 2 doesn't say you are saved by faith. It says you are saved by grace through faith. It is not faith which saves you, it is grace (i.e. the gift of God) which saves you. But notice, it does not say we are saved by grace alone. So it would be fallacious, and is fallacious, to develop a Theology of salvation by grace alone because that is not what this passage says. James 2 does not say we are saved by works. It says we are justified by our works, that we are considered righteous. That is not inherently convey salvation. Yes, righteous men will be saved; however, as history shows, not all who are saved are righteous man. We need only look to the thief on the cross to know that is true. So it would be fallacious, and is fallacious, to develop a theology of works based salvation around this passage.
@Asaph Vapor both a man of faith and a man with no faith can do good works. But only one will be saved. A man of true faith will automatically be habing good works in thier life, it will be natural. A man with no faith who has good works is doing so so for his own reasons. The man of faith who does a bad work (sins) will be troubled and repent. A man with no faith may be ok with thier sin especially if they believe that thier sin is harmless. ( homosexuality, stealing a pen from work, telling a white lie, ECT ect.) The point is that the works do not save you , your faith does. As for revelation the dead will be judged on works the man of faith is already saved, thier rewards will be judged. The other dead will be judged on thier works alone, and I would not want to be in that position since all works are like dirty rags in Gods eyes. You must never rely on works to save you even if you are a man of faith because to do so is to deny the faith of Christ to save you. You must never feel that you have earned it. These are the people who Christ will say " I never knew you" despite all your works.
@Asaph Vapor They don't. That fear that he wasn't doing enough to be saved is what drove Luther to study the Bible and discover that grace through faith saves, not works.
What came to my mind is when people get to heaven and The Lord says depart from me I never knew you and they say Lord I did miracles in your name.., but the Lord still says the part I never knew you. That alone proves that you can do works even miracles and there is no salvation.; nor does it require salvation. The next thing that comes to mind is that spiritual things are discerned by The Spirit! If the Holy Spirit hasn’t started coming alongside you and lifting the veil from your eyes in your heart for if you haven’t got the Holy Spirit indwelling… you can’t really understand what’s being said here. That’s another reason why people argue this point so much. I’m going through all of this right now with my own husband please pray for me.
I'm so glad you said some sin is worse than other sin. Mike, you are such a sound teacher. There is so much confusion and mis-teachings out there. Like I said a couple years ago, I thank God for raising up a teacher like you for our current times. God Bless!
@fantasia55 *That is a complete lie of Roman Catholic Church. Roman Canon was just a local canon; not a Universal Canon. Roman Canon was just one of many local canons in those days.* *There was NOT a single Ecumenical Council with bishops of all churches that fixed any Universal Canon. Not One. Not even till this day.* you said It was the Catholic Church that established the biblical canon, in AD 382.
Mike, there is a good argument against “elohim” ever meaning “human judges”, assuming you refer to Psalm 82. See Michael Heiser’s scholarship on the “divine council”.
If I love someone I want to do things for them. If I don't really love them, there is no interest in doing anything for them. Same thing with faith and then the works. When I accept Christ, I have chosen to love Him...therefore I want to please Him and do for Him. If it's just words then I don't really love Him and I wouldn't have much desire to do for Him.
I am not trying to contradict you as I love and think your words are a gift from God . You said the thief showed no works but God's word must be true so faith without works is dead must be true .. Now both thieves were condemning Christ but then the theif who was saved repented proof was he became aware of his sin , he showed faith in God's kingdom and resurrection because he asked to be remembered and finally all though very small his faith was backed up by his work in rebuking the other thief and maybe evangelizing by trying to make him aware of his transgression. May God's word be brought to the whole world and remember every word is true . I pray one day to meet you to talk about the word of God. I know it will only happen if God decry it as I will never have the money to travel as all extra and future money will go to God his people and spreading the net to bring more to him . God bless and your ministry will be in my prayers .
The belief of the thief did save him. He didn't have the time to "prove" his faith. The living Christian must put his complete focus on Christ, working to spread the good news at every opportunity.
@@jamesbarrow3427 The only work the repentant thief could do was to proclaim his change of heart and his faith in Christ before all those observing the crucifixion. Even then his confession did not save him, rather it was his faith in Christ, which itself is not a work.
the thief said to the other thief " Have you no FEAR OF GOD, that fear is caused by the holy spirit, he confessed that he deserved death for the life he lived, and that Jesus had done nothing wrong and didnt deserve death, my opinion the testimony of this thief is the greatest of all testimonies. He asked Jesus as an undeserving sinner to remember him when he entered into his kingdom, this is amazing Faith, amazing fruit that he believed who Jesus was the MESSIAH THE CHRIST THE KING OF ISRAEL.
It is often said that the repentant thief on the cross (St. Dismas) never did any good works. Wrong. He did the good work of suffering patiently on the cross, blaming himself, not others, for his predicament. AndvDismas is often advanced as evidence that there is no Purgatory, but he skipped Purgatory only because Jesus gave him a plenary indulgence, the first one ever issued. Likely Jesus figured suffering on the cross was Purgatory enough----God often does that for people who suffer patiently long illnesses before death.
@MrHeb59 Protestants believe faith can save us without works. The irony is that many of them do a lot of good works but they lack faith in the Church Jesus founded, the pope Jesus appointed, Jesus' mother, and Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. They have works but not faith! "Protestants will not be saved because their faith is false." --St. Roberto Bellarmino
@VenusTyz *Where in the Bible says "God spoke to His people through the ark"?* you said In the Old Testament God Spoke To the People Of Israel Through the Ark where He Present
I deny lordship salvation as I’ve heard most peach it where they seek perfect obedience that if Jesus isn’t lord of all he isn’t lord of all. But I don’t know anyone who does Gods will all the time. Lordship salvation creates a works salvation, if you aren’t doing enough you aren’t saved!
And if Jesus Christ isn't Lord, He is not your God. Lordship salvation was a piece I was missing. So many churches are wishy washy about this...and repentance. And using the word sin.
@MrHeb59 I've met you sinless perfectionist, you call your sins "mistakes". You pretend you never sin and think you walk in perfect holiness. While protestants don't desire to sin but we have the brains to realize we do. Do you claim you never get mad or have lust? You claim to love and obey Jesus perfectly at all times? Scripture says anything you know to do and don't it is sin to you. You reduce your sin, atleast catholics know they sin and confess it.
@@theneverending9319 You know when you're born again. The real tragedy is so many godless men in the pulpit spewing nonsense because they cannot understand, also being unsaved. When you are born again you are a new creation in Christ Jesus. There's no faking that.
This is a complete misrepresentation of Catholic teaching and doctrine. Catholic doctrine in the Roman Catechism of Trent and the current Catechism do not fit the representation Mike is giving here.
@sleric3 *Bible does not teach Works Salvation of Roman religion. There was not a single New Testament believer saved in a Roman Catholic way in the whole Bible:* - submit to Roman pope to be saved - devote to Roman Mary to be saved - be in Roman Church to be saved - partake Roman sacraments to be saved - baptise in Roman baptism to be saved - do lots of works to be saved you said if "Faith Alone doctrine does not lack good works." then we are on the same page. Works mean to be the helping of God. The latter cannot help us directly as explained below.
Also, Roman’s 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. So works are evidence of salvation perhaps…. But the real proof is Jesus. But when your faith is alive it could manifest like Abraham and Rahab. But Roman’s 4:5 is saying it’s not works that indicate our salvation, it’s our belief. Our works are filthy rags when it comes to salvation because salvation require perfection. Just like it also says in James, if you break one part of the law you are guilty of all. So unless your perfect, your works mean nothing in terms of being saved. This is why only faith in Christ saves who is perfect.
Thank you, Mike, especially for the need to consider the complete context of the whole Chapter James 2. I could see that the justifying works followed Rahab's belief and Abraham's belief. But you added so much perspective, especially the part about understanding whether justification was in the theological or secular sense. I would also add the topic of someone who is completely paralyzed but conscious. Are they saved even though they cannot do works? If they are conscious they can do works such as being considerate and cooperative with those who care for the paralyzed person. If they are vocal, they can control the tongue. I thought from Phillipians that Paul's "works" were following Jesus' precepts.
Noooo…. Your just backloading works into salvation. That’s double talking. It’s it’s saying your faith is useless and doesn’t benefit men. You can’t help or save anyone if you don’t put in the work. It keeps saying what does it profit a man? So your saying if there is no works your not really saved because works proves salvation? Kinda goes against Romans 11:6 when it declares it’s either faith or works and can’t be both. How can you reconcile that?
Your series on Catholicism has numerous false claims about what Catholics teach. Does your religion also include, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor?"
Why is this so complicated…..faith without works is dead and vice versa. The term “justified” IS being used in the context of being right with God. Abraham’s faith was made perfect by WHAT HE DID. In other words, your faith is flawed if your actions contradict. “It’s not who am I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.” Even Batman understood this. It’s important to understand that yes, we have a renewed heart after accepting the Grace of God….but that’s not the end…..it’s the beginning. With a renewed heart, we are now equipped and ready to do good deeds in his name….because if you aren’t, your faith is dead. If your faith is indeed dead, as clearly stated…..then how are you justified? You need faith to be justified….and faith without works is dead. The work justifies your faith….and that faith makes you righteous in the eyes of God. It’s clear as day. To teach an idea that more or less takes away accountability/consequence for one’s actions…..sounds wrong….because it is wrong. The two have to work in unison with one another….as clearly stated in James 2. The Bible isn’t a rubix cube.
Paul is not talking about saving faith in 1 Corinthians 13. Only about faith that moves mountains and speak tongues. If his faith is nothing when he doesn’t have love, can that faith save him?!?!? Why is love greater than faith when it is faith alone that saves. You said faith produce works. Love is a work, and faith produces something that is greater than it. That is showing faith alone can’t save. You will say, “That is not true faith because it is not saving faith.” Yet, it seems the demons had real faith when they trembled. A person faith is real if it is saving or dead. At the end you are still showing we are not saved by faith alone when you said it doesn’t produce works. To hold on to your view of faith alone, you are trying distinguish between a real and fake faith; and the Bible never established that. A dead faith is still a real faith. If not, the demons would tremble and James wouldn’t compare something that is fake to a real body. The body without a soul is still a real body. Therefore, and a dead faith is still a real body.
Wow...this is one of the worst examples of pseudo-bi Biblical eisegesis I have EVER READ!! Whatever your day job is, don't quit it, because you SUCK at Theology, my friend !! 😝😝😝
Jesus shares a parable about somebody who was entrusted with a bag of gold. He buried it in the ground and did nothing with it. (Matthew 25). The parable concludes with admonishment “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!..." And finally, banishment: "throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’" In this video I heard you speak of James. And Paul. I might have missed it, but did you refer to anything that the Messiah himself had to say? And doesn't this parable speak to the point of salvation through BOTH belief in God AND working for Him? ...
Thoroughly enjoyed and learned a lot about the meaning in the book of James.. As a former Roman Catholic I'm very familiar with the "works" plus faith belief. Your presentation on James has helped me understand the context of this book. Someone asked about appearances of Mary, my belief and only my own opinion, is that these are demonic. Think of the millions who have been deceived by these so called appearances and how it distracts from the worship of the one true GOD.
Saying you have faith is not going to save you, actually having faith will. Saying you believe in God will not save you, even devils believe, but believing (in the sense of trusting) will save you. God told Abraham that his son was the son of promise, (Hebrews 11:17-18) yet when God told him to sacrifice him he trusted God would raise Isaac from the dead. (Hebrews 11:19) Now that was trust - that is what belief is, this certainty of trust. And Abraham was considered righteous for this belief.
Condition of faith people! If you warm a pew in church on Sunday and that’s all……your faith is not very alive! Hello!!!!! Get out there and use your faith! You have it….it’s all you need….but get off the pew! Jesus is worthy!
R.C. Sproul gives an amazing, detailed lecture on this topic! I'm not a calvanist, by any means. However when someone's right (regardless of denomination), they're right lol
Mike, you should create a book with the summaries of all these videos. The exegesis of many of the topics in scripture are important to provide to others out there in the world.
The works James is talking about is the EVIDENCE of TRUE faith.. You cannot have a professed faith without the evidence that you truly believed.. I never got that from this passage until I was truly saved and it is because of the Holy Spirit that I fully understand what it means. If you don't get what he is saying in this video, but you have an earnest desire to please and follow the Lord, pray and ask that it be revealed to you and the Holy Spirit will open your eyes...
I was ministering the word to my catholic friend and I was challenged with this passage. The meaning has become clear to me, praise the lord Jesus. May God bless u to be fruitful in your ministry. Please pray for me so that I can be faithful to the word and courageous in sharing the Gospel against the powers of darkness. Praise and glory be to the Lord God!
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:5 KJV What kind of faith does this person have? They didn’t work at all and is still saved? How does the guy who “worketh not” demonstrate?
Wow. This was such a wonderful explanation. I’ve been conflicted about this topic and James 2:24 in conjunction with Ephesians 2:8-9 and this has brought so much clarity. It was like a light bulb switched on. I’m currently in a small town in Mexico where most of the people are Catholic and i want to be able to minister to them, I’m just not sure exactly how. Do you have any tips or recommendations on how to have conversations with the people here? Especially with those who do not value reason and ample biblical support when it comes to beliefs?
Sorry, but look again at the context of James 2 - the question is salvation - that’s the context. James asks can faith SAVE him? The context is absolutely salvation. Don’t fall for men twisting the plain reading of scripture. Paul in Romans 4 was talking about Mosiac Old Testament works. Again look at the context!!! It’s very plain and easy to see if your heart is open.
He’s literally saying the opposite of what scripture says. Faith being completed by works is not the same thing as faith being demonstrated by works. He is manipulating you into thinking that God is required to save every person in exactly the same way. The fact that God can choose to save a person apart from their works does not mean that another person cannot complete their faith by acting in accord with grace, or that a person cannot be damned for refusal to do so. Open your eyes!
Im glad i seen this. I always thought maybe i had saving faith but i dont really demonstrate my faith, i guess my faith is dead faith. This video gives me inspiration to act my faith in Jesus out more especially when it comes to refraining from sin
This is for "Traditional Catholic" in the live chat who asks "What do you think about the appearances of the Virgin Mary?" --Did you know she is spoken of in the Old Testament? She is called the "Queen of Heaven" in Jeremiah 7:18 "The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me (God) to anger. Also, Jeremiah 44:17, 18, 19, & 25. And she is called "Lady of Kingdoms" in Isaiah 47:5. I know you will respond with "but that isn't her." Ok, so why would the Virgin Mary appearances give herself the titles of "Queen of Heaven" and "Lady of all Nations" (similar to Kingdoms in KJV)? She would certainly know what the Bible says. Why would she want to use those titles knowing that it would cause confusion? Wouldn't she at least explain why those verses aren't referring to her?
I interpret faith without works is dead not in the sense that the person will lose their salvation, but they will not grow in the same way a plant without water dies. The key thing is that "faith" without works is dead, meaning the person's faith dies.
No, Hector, that is wrong. Lack of good works = eternal damnation, no matter how much faith the person has. That is the whole point of the Lazarus/rich man parable.
Hector- I think we have to be careful in saying “faith without works” means faith “dies” without works. To be sure, unless one’s faith results in good works, the natural fruits thereof, that faith is ultimately as good as dead, even “worthless.” It is a manner of saying, “live up to that faith of yours and allow it to produce good works-not as a means of salvation, but as the natural byproduct of it, based on that unmerited saving grace given us. This is what is meant by “grace and grace alone” which “faith and faith alone” entitles us to and, thereby, benefit from. We do not “choose” to have faith, as we are totally depraved. Faith refers not to some action of reception on our part, but a condition, indeed a reaction within us by the mysterious and unilateral workings of God the Holy Spirit! To have faith does not refer to an “act of believing,” but rather, the “fact” that there is this “belief” within us as given us by the Holy Spirit, Who indwells us. That state of faith is formed within us purely by the grace of God, you must bear in mind. It is thus the “fact” that there is faith-belief-within us, not by our own choosing, but by the operation of the grace of God. This informs us that Decision Theology is wrong, even dangerous and misleading as it makes us think we are empowered and able to have a say or part in our own salvation. Nothing could be farther from the truth, which makes it as false a doctrine as Prosperity Theology. Neither does the fact that we have “free will” mean we are able to choose to accept God’s saving grace: We are only free to choose to reject it. James 2 is sort of a polemical way of emphasizing that “if you have faith worthy of anything, then it ought to result in good works, else it is as good as dead!” There is a distinction between that and saying one’s faith “dies,” I hope you realize. We are powerless and part-less when it come to keeping our faith alive, much as we are incapable of the existence of faith within us to begin with. To say “faith dies, unless....” is tantamount to making it seem like we can aid in our own salvation. If our faith is to remain alive, then we must follow the heartstrings that pull and tug at us which lead us to produce good faith-again, not by our own choosing, but by the guidance of the Holy Spirit! If our faith is somehow dead, or dying, it is due to our rejection of the call to duty. If we reject the gospel-despite having been given faith-then such is based on our own choosing, and we alone must bear the blame. If our faith is kept alive, allowed to thrive, all credit is due to God the Holy Spirit Who enables us to bring glory to Him by our good works which are the result of having been saved. If faith dies, it is due to our regrettably choosing a different path for ourselves in an act of rebellion and rejection. We are not capable of inviting into us, nor keeping alive, of faith, but only responsible for its demise. So long as we hold on to that faith so freely given us, so long as we follow the natural dictates and guidance of faith, good works will follow and we will have honored our Lord in appreciation of His saving grace! 🙏
@@kyuhotae6410 you tell me I "need to be careful saying 'faith without works' means faith 'dies'," but then say yourself that it's good as dead. Ephesians 2 tells us we are "created for good works." Therefore faith without works is dead basically says that faith without works is unfulfilled or incomplete.
There are different levels of sin: _If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death._ 1 John 5:16-17
Protestants dearly looooove the Bible.....until the Bible proves them wrong....then they do all kinds of verbal gymnastics to explain the offending passage away... Johan vonEck, the good priest who debated Luther, said this about Luther: "Like all heretics he appeals to scripture to support his position. But like all heretics, when scripture contradicts his position, he rejects scripture."
Rogie Pañares Music You said works are the fruits of our faith. Does that mean faith produces/makes good works? That sounds like faith creates/produces good works since fruits are produced/made by trees.
Rogie Pañares Music You're saying yes to the question that faith does produce good works? Then you said a real faith is a person who obeys God. In James 2:26, faith is analogous to a body. Faith without works is dead just as a body without a soul is dead. If a dead faith is not real faith, is a dead body not a real body since faith and a body are analogous with each other? That will be an apple to orange comparison if something that is real is analogous to something that is not real.
By half of the video, it was so clearly explained that I stoped thinking about the debate and started worrying about the quality of my faith. Great job, and God bless
I think that work means Jesus sacrifice and work not enough
I help weak insufficient Jesus by my good Deeds
And this insult Jesus
@@adelazab6052 work can’t just mean Jesus sacrifice because the scriptures in James clearly list examples of works as giving food, Rahab receiving messengers, giving clothes, and taking care of widows and orphans. But you are right that Faith is all you need for salvation, it’s just that works must necessarily follow the saved.
Let me guess: You started thinking about, "Am I doing enough to show how much faith I should have?"
This is the mind virus that is "works righteousness". Trust me, it will embitter you to the point that you turn your back on God and walk away. You can NEVER do enough good works to satisfy that gnawing suspicion that, "Maybe I don't have as much faith as I should have. If I had enough faith then I would surely be doing more."
In the words of Admiral Akbar, "IT'S A TRAP!"
@sebastianinfante409 😆 it was so good it caused you to worry 😟 that's NOT good and that's not humble. Are you unable to find joy in your faith?
@@elunico13 ¿?
"Faith alone saves but saving faith is never alone" ...an accurate summary of the relationship between faith and works from martin luther
Nice.
There is no such thing as saving faith. Either you have faith in Jesus alone, apart from your works, or you don't.
Z Will faith in Christ is not enough to be saved. A life is needed in conformity with the teaching of Christ (Lk 6,46). (Mt 7, 21). Actually, believing Christ means accepting his message and living it, without adding or removing anything. It is not enough to say: «I believe in Christ», to be saved. It is necessary to know your will and accept it as it is. How is it possible that many think to save themselves, without accepting this command of Jesus? In effect, updating the Lord's Supper is an order. (Lk 22,19). same as regards the forgiveness of sins. Is it possible for one to forgive sins? "they repeat. Well, ask Jesus. He who created heaven and earth has the power to commission men to forgive sins in his name? This means to truly believe in Christ: accept ALL his message and try to live it. Otherwise it is an empty faith, which does not lead to salvation. Say: "I believe in Christ and already" is a mistake, a vain illusion, which does not lead to salvation. We must accept and obey Christ, to be saved. You do not have to choose one or the other teaching, according to your own taste, but you have to accept everything Jesus says. This is to believe in Christ.
Faith in Jesus means faith in everything He taught, including that good works are necessary for salvation (Matthew 25:31-46). Salvation is a process, not a one time emotional event.
Good Phrase!
I'm so glad you made this video. I wasn't even a Christian at the time you did the video. As I was reading through the New Testament for the second time, and hit James 2 today, and I was confused and troubled by it, especially having been raised in Mormonism. The light bulb went on as you explained it. Thank you, and God Bless!
What you believe to be a correct interpretation of Scripture comes from a video done by someone you barely know about? Not the way to work out your salvation.
john mizak either he is wrong or he is right? Prove it biblically either way, she is working it out if she questions whether Mike is logical and biblical in his understanding, and of course she is reading the passages.
@@Madhatter675
Is every individual knowledgeable enough to judge whether or not some preacher is doing a proper exegesis of Scripture? That is the real question.
MrHeb...why u keep posting this? I've seen it 10 times now! Sortof narcissistic no? I guess I'm more saved than you then cuz I was a very devout Catholic, still am according to Catholic church. Now I'm an Acts Christian. I've done many good works but someone else always topped me, including many pagans! According to you a witch, pagan , buddhist etc. Are in purgatory because they had good works! Stupid!
@Harper Stevens At first glance, it IS a confusing chapter. It seems to endorse salvation by works, even though the rest of the New Testament says salvation is by faith alone. But when read in context, it's clear that this was not James' intent.
I've always thanked God for the thief on the cross. It's an undeniable example that faith alone is all that is needed for salvation!
@48:39 Mike doesn't even get close to sharing the gospel that saves. Following Jesus, giving your life to Jesus, get on your knees and repent of your unbelief. Doing all that is not the way to salvation.
The gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose 3 days later. That is what you have to believe. Then and only then can you follow him.
He did not mention the gospel at all in this video.
@@elunico13 You are wrong. The gospel is believing that Jesus is your lord AND savior. That is the gospel.
@@mastershake4641 That is not the gospel. I'm not surprised. There are many tares among the wheat.
@@elunico13 See this is the easy way to know you are wrong. You go around calling other people fake Christians and saying we are going to hell because we dont believe that you just say 1 prayer and are saved.
You will know them by their fruits.
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved. Romans 10:8-10
@@mastershake4641 Mormons, JWs and Catholics confess a jesus, but are hellbound.
You are implying that not one prayer gets you saved, then how many prayers?
Paul preached a specific gospel and rebuked the Galatians and Corinthians for departing from it.
The fruits you will know them by is their false teaching. You have shared a false gospel. I know you by your fruit
You are seeking a righteousness of your own like the Mormons JWs and Catholics. They confess a jesus too. What makes you any different?
This is just mind blowing. I was debating a Catholic and I discovered this verse and I was utterly perplexed. You do such a good job at explaining this verse.
Friend please look again at the context of James 2 - the question is salvation - that’s the context. James asks can faith SAVE him? The context is absolutely salvation. Don’t fall for men twisting the plain reading of scripture. Paul in Romans 4 was talking about Mosiac Old Testament works. Again look at the context!!! It’s very plain and easy to see if your heart is open.
@@abideintheWord Friend, think carefully because it is Salvation through LIVING faith Not DEAD FAITH. True faith has works, however works are not the means of salvation but the result of it. So works are the manifestation of the real faith. If you have been saved works are going to follow.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.
God does not count your sins against you if you believe in His son, Jesus which you demonstrate it by good works. But your good works cannot pay for your sins, Only the blood of Jesus has the power to pay the penalty for you.
@Thomas B ❌
So then you are saying you cannot take the Bible for what it says, but you have to interpret what it means.
@@williamhill4548 Not necessarily. It just means don't take verses out of context
I come from a different faith-----that teaches that our good works can cover up for the bad.... honestly, that scared me... I knew I wasn't good enough
And when I first read James, I have never interpreted it as "salvation is through works"... but rather to an inwardly transformed life which came through faith that resulted in good works ... there are many people who might casually say "yes, Jesus is God" but never obey His words... I believe God has inspired James to write this letter to address such people .... it is for them to truly examine themselves and follow Christ as their Lord ... every moment of their lives ... and not just a careless lip service
Thanks Mike ... God bless !!
I'm glad the Spirit helped you realise your faults and to accurately understand James 2.
God Bless.
Mrudura, I was raised in USA of Catholic mother and Lutheran father which resulted in my being pretty much a lone Pedestrian..... Christianity was not practiced and we were only Christian a la American Pie Christianity. Being without firm foundation I heard many seculars telling me that just being a good person was enough and that 'religion' played no true role. It sounded suspect to me and I eventually came to faith in Christ much due to the witness of others such as yourself. I do struggle understanding what Christ has done for us but find solace in knowing that I need not understand anything perfectly, that faith and intellect are compatible, by design, and that by humble application of both I may much better engage in my walk. I find myself being positioned in life to reflect, through actions, (acts) the transformative effect of my faith...that my faith led me to acts and not actions into faith.
Thank you for your post brother!
I put a post on this site....salvation, by grace....evidenced by good works and got back a response that said equalled by works...hmmm...someone can not read in the English language....
Grace
@MrHeb59 Grace is afforded, without exception according to His will. You boldly profess having a perfect understanding of God's will with regard to Protestants who adore Christ as their Savior. In what range of manners might one deny Christ I wonder, might your approach here been seen to constitute a degree of such? By what are you truly motivated in these things?
I came across your channel just a month ago and I haven’t stopped watching since. You have blessed me so much with these videos especially as an ex Catholic and having to deal with Catholic family and friends. I have been sharing your videos with them and praying God will speak to Them through your teachings. Thank you! 🇨🇦
Yes it is hard for the flesh to realize that we are saved by faith alone apart from works. It is pretty pride-crushing.
Sola scriptura, sola fide and sola gracia are not biblical theology but a satanic cult a man made tradition invented by a devil possessed man, designed by devil himself to destroy the church that Jesus established and to sabotage the spread of gospel to the ends of the earth fulfilling the fullness of Gentiles as desired by Jesus. For five hundred years devil could stall it but not anymore.
@@ddzl6209 What in the world are you talking about?
@@Blablablahx3 if Martin Luther or John Calvin were right Jesus would have been wrong in saying to Peter " Upon this rock I will build my church and no gates of hell will prevail against it ". Fortunately Jesus is right and His church will remain till He comes back but gates of hell is prevailing upon the heretic churches geting them splintered into countless denominations.
@@ddzl6209 "Upon this rock I will build my church" doesn't imply papacy.
I'm so excited you have a podcast and website! Woo hoo!! God is so behind this! 👏🏻🙏🏼❣
I mean think about it, how can works be necessary for salvation if when you get saved, you haven't even had time to do any works? The works necessarily come after true salvation
This is very needed not only for those who believe in salvation works but also for those who believe you can live and love your sin as long as you claim faith. Love it! Great job in keeping to the text brother!
Mike I really do love the way you break down scripture this is what's so missing in our Sunday schools and I believe from the pulpit but I don't know I guess some could argue that that's not a preachers responsibility to get up there for an hour on Sunday and break break these things down for us but I've been so starving for this for years so you're an answer to prayer God bless you and by the way I'm 73 years old and still learning
@48:39 Mike doesn't even get close to sharing the gospel that saves. Following Jesus, giving your life to Jesus, get on your knees and repent of your unbelief. Doing all that is not the way to salvation.
The gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose 3 days later. That is what you have to believe. Then and only then can you follow him.
He did not mention the gospel at all in this video.
@@elunico13if someone is worried about James 2 and doesn't know that already their priority is already wrong and messed up.
@@kishredbird3599 Yup that in James 2 and going to their priority is messed up.
😆 🤣 what did I just say and what in the world did YOU say in your last comment? 😆 🤣
James is setting up his argument as a polemic against the belief that a man can be justified by faith without works. Witness the following:
James 2:20 - But wilt thou know, *_O vain man,_* that faith without works is dead?
Now, on its face, that statement can pass muster but then he says this:
James 2:21 - Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Although, it's setup as a rhetorical question, the answer is an emphatic, NO! Abraham was justified in Genesis 15. He didn't offer Isaac on the altar until Genesis 22. James timing is all off AND HE KNOWS IT. And so what does he do? He fixes it with a magic trick.
In order to be right (and Paul wrong), he sets up Genesis 15:6 as a prophecy to be fulfilled at a later date. Read:
James 2:22-23 - Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
"And the scripture was FULFILLED..." What kind of scriptures get "fulfilled"? Prophecy, right? So, by turning Genesis 15:6 into a prophecy, instead of treating it as an immediate fact (like Paul does), James time-shifts the events to his theological and doctrinal advantage. He renders Paul's doctrine of justification by faith "vain" by a slight-of-hand trick.
James 2:24 - Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Ephesians 4:14 - That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Great study! Thank you 🙏🏼
I like to add also that this letter of James was written to Jews maybe new converts into Christianity.
“To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.”
James 1:1
I truly believe Jews really struggled understanding the gospel of grace after they have practiced keeping the law from birth. I can imagine how hard it is to give up all your pride and ego.
Something that shocked me to learn about Peter in Galatians 2, that even after everything He had experience before the cross and after the resurrection and receiving the Holy Spirit. He had the nerve to preach salvation through works to some of the gentiles where Paul even had to rebuke him. Unbelievable! Lol..
Let me share for anyone reading, and don’t know what I’m talking about,
“When Cephas/Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker. “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!””
Galatians 2:11-21
So yes James is really rebuking and instructing the twelve tribes about the natural man being dead and standing in the new nature in Christ. Not salvation through works of the law because in fact he also writes,
In James chapter 2
“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”
James 2:10
Also;
“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who IS ABLE TO SAVE and destroy. But you-who are you to judge your neighbor?”
James 4:12
I believe is the same case for many of our fellow believers who been indoctrinated by religion that teaches justification by works, it must be hard to give up their pride and trust in their good works for justification.
I know it was easy for me to understand the gospel because I was a filthy sinner and I’m still not worthy of Gods goodness. Almost seven years ago I was rescued from the occult eastern mysticism and was even in communion with demons because I was channeling entities that I thought were aliens after my UFO encounters but I’m grateful for all this horrible experiences because it opened my eyes to the true Gospel of Grace. So I get it now and know that He loves me with everlasting love because He died for me. And no body will ever love me the way He does. I just truly pray people can understand Father Gods love for us in His Son Jesus our redeemer. I pray day and night that their spiritual eyes be open and they see the true gospel the good news in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thank you again for all that you do. It sure is the last days because is hard to find those who uphold the true gospel. Salvation through GRACE alone, FAITH alone, in CHRIST alone. May you continue to be empowered by the Holy Spirit and stand bold in His Grace.
@Moh Zahir USMC مسيحي 7777 wow so people who make Jesus Lord for salvation are damned? Sounds so off
@alray absolute correct
@Moh Zahir USMC مسيحي 7777 So people who dont make Jesus Lord for salvation can still be saved? Yeah sounds super off according to the BIBLE
ALL religions in the world can be simply divided into TWO categories.
DO
And
Done.
If you look closely at EVERY man made religion, they all have a Laundry List of things that one needs to DO.
But True Christianity, means DONE, there was and is NOTHING you can DO, JESUS did it all already. Just accept the free gift that is Salvation in Christ.
Accepting is an active work. It is a DO.
Another excellent video!! I agree with you that apologetics is extremely important and saves souls! I am a former cradle catholic. A year ago, I was going headstrong into my catholic faith, becoming more conservative Catholic (starting to attend Latin traditional masses) because I was seeing too many rotten fruits coming from the Novus Ordo masses. I listened to and read Catholic apologetics daily so I could really know my faith better. But then, I started debating Protestant UA-camrs online who were anti-catholic... and although some were just mean and “big baby heads”, there were others who thoughtfully pushed me to read the Bible and research church history of what I believed to be authentic, biblical practice of the Catholic Church. So I did that. I started watching Christian apologetics, debates, researched, and most of all I READ MY BIBLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE. I had spent my whole life praying rosaries, novenas, going to adoration and confession regularly, and listening to catholic apologists. But in all of that, I never picked up my Bible to read truth directly given to us by God. It changed my life. First, I started seeing mental gymnastics being done by the catholic apologists I listened to. I was surprised and amazed that Mary, mother of Jesus, was not ever spoken of as a co-mediator to God. I read so many verses that seemed to directly conflict what I had been told all my life. I prayed for wisdom and discernment, and it truly was like scales coming off my eyes. A few months ago, I got baptized and born again in Christ. I am a new person in Christ, and am so thankful to God for His patience with me. I’m praying heavily for my entire catholic family. I think they see my conversion as a “phase”, evidenced by my mom just today offering me and my kids an Infant of Prague statue and new rosaries. Unfortunately, I’ve tried many times to read the Bible with her, and talk about some of the things that really got me questioning the Catholic Church, but it really gets her upset, and she doesn’t want to hear it. It’s a very tough thing! I’m still trying to get my husband and teens to understand, and deprogram them from our catholic teachings by reading and studying the Bible nightly. Please pray for us! And thank you for your excellent video series!
God bless you. May your family know Christ eventually.
God bless you Diana. We
I guess you never hear of catholic Bible study 🤔
@@MrMonchis04 I actually attended several women’s Catholic Bible studies when I was a practicing Catholic. And I can tell you, after a year and a half of being saved and born again, and doing Bible studies with Bible believing Christians… what a difference. I don’t say that to be spiteful or petty. I tell you the truth when I say I never understood the gospel like I do now. After all my years as a Catholic, it was merely scratching the surface and checking off boxes in my comprehension level. Yes, I had a lot of faith in God, but I was not walking the narrow path nor did I know God through His word as I do now. It is hard to explain, but anyone who has truly been born again in Christ will understand the difference. I am so thankful for God’s saving grace, as I was once blind to my own sins, but now I can see.. and seek God with my heart, mind, and soul daily to fill me up. God bless.
@@savedbychrist504 I'm not always convinced all Catholics need saving. There is some deeply erroneous, yet I've met unmistakably born again Catholics. I've prayed for your family. Maybe an idea, since it's easy to get defensive about traditions, and unfortunately most Catholics seem to put "the Church" and tradition above Christ, is to get your mom a really pretty scripture art thing. Something very pretty, in her taste w/ a key scripture. Then pray that God shines the light on it for her.
I understand it in this way: works are the product of transformation by the Holy Spirit; therefore works are not a requirement for salvation, but rather a guaranteed product of salvation! this is why other scripture enforces faith alone without contradiction here. I believe James is speaking to the ones who claim they "believe" only as a means of "fire insurance" when in fact this is NOT faith at all.
Exactly!
Maybe you'd like to see the other side of the coin ua-cam.com/video/rY0MIEsvOes/v-deo.html
All we need is to have the same spirit (linving) inside of us and we will understand that...
....there's no need to search among religions or whatever...
There is no coin and no other side of truth that He has revealed to us. Seen that opinion from others, and a lot more; I couldn't even list all the flaws here, fortunately others do it so well already. I do better to just testify to my own personal experiences and transformation.
Nick But the Bible DOES contradict itself! Some verses say faith alone suffices; some say faith plus works is necessary. This is not the only contradiction---the Bible contains hundreds of them. This is why we need the Catholic Church's teaching authority. The Catholic Church teaches that faith and works are both necessary, so that's that.
Why believe in the Bible at all without believing in the Catholic Church? Are you guys aware that it was the Catholic Church that put the Bible together in the first place, at the Council of Hippo, 393 a.d.?
If all it takes is faith in Jesus to be saved then the devil is saved, because the devil believes in Jesus---see Luke 4:34.
Actually what James says about works is not the law but what Jesus talked about in Matthew 25:31-46. When us catholics talk about faith and works we are not referring to law or sacraments like some people misinterpret but good deeds good works out of love for your brothers and sisters. I hope it answers some questions. God bless
That's what us protestants believe too, that this is the evidence of ones salvation.
Very well explained. I use this similar phrase with people. I tell them that "we do works as a result of our salvation and not work for our salvation".
I say, we have works because we are saved, not to be saved.
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling phillipians 2:12
@@toneyh1*”Work out”. Not “Work for”.*
The Lord Jesus, the Savior says the opposite!!! We listen to him!!!
@@dvdortiz9031 opposite of what?
It’s true that “faith without works is dead”. IE. there is no LIFE in a faith that is not openly demonstrated
Absolutelyl...
You nailed it brother! I thanks you so much for this. As a new Christian this is something I have been struggling with knowing the Scripture shouldn't contradict itself. This has been much help.
Mike they refute your videos....as a Catholic who's left awhile I find you loving and you helped me feel less guilty about leaving. Please debate a Catholic! This would help so many! A Catholic can be saved but its not because of the Church but despite it! I was!
You: A Catholic can be saved but its not because of the Church but despite it! I was!
Me: That would make sense if Jesus had started Protestantism. But he started Catholicism. But you prefer the works of men instead. You should start feeling guilty again.
THE CATHOLICS GOT IT RIGHT.
I love bible studies like this !!!!! As a ex catholic thank you !!!❤️
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What about Matthew 25? What about his point at the 2 min. mark in the video. Nobody buys this interpretation. You left a church and are now applauding some random guys interpretation. That makes you a member of a cult. Look up Bruxy Cavey. He is a REAL pastor.
As an ex-Catholic you have joined one of 45,000 demoninations. If Christ established one and only one Christ, what church is it of those 45,000 so I can join it. When was it founded?
I can tell you this, if its not named in scripture it ain't no church Christ founded. That church can only be the Catholic Church.
Karen if you read the writings of the men ordained by the apostles, they act as witnesses as to what interpretations were actually taught. You won't find a single protestant practice or doctrine. They are all Catholic. Thats a problem for Protestants. The Apostles, nor Jesus, taught Protestant beliefs. So if you want the truth you should cling to the church He left you: The Catholic Church.
Excellent job Mike, I really enjoyed this video and topic. As a former Roman Catholic myself, finally, someone addresses the Epistle of James properly.
You made a big mistake by leaving the Catholic Church. The historical record of early Christianity and the writings of the Church Fathers shows that the Catholic Church is the Church that Christ established. The Catholic understanding of James 2 is correct. Good works justify a man before God. When someone asked Jesus how to attain eternal life, Jesus said to obey the commandments. And Jesus said that only those who do the will of the Father will enter heaven, and that everyone will be judged according to their works, and that those who do works of mercy will inherit heaven. And Paul said that the one who patiently seeks glory, honor and immortality by well-doing will be rewarded with eternal life.
Matthew 7:21
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Matthew 19
16
Now someone approached him and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?”
17
He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
Matthew 25
34
Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,
36
naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’
Mark 8
34
He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
35
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.
John 5
28
Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voices
29
and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.
John 15:10
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
John 15:14
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
1 John 2:4-5
Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him.
1 John 3:21:22
Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
1 John 3:24
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit that he gave us.
1 John 5:3
For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments,
And his commandments are not burdensome.
Romans 2:6-7
For he will repay according to each one’s deeds: to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
1 Corinthians 7:19
Circumcision means nothing, and uncircumcision means nothing; what matters is keeping God’s commandments.
Gl
1 Timothy 6:13-14
I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession, to keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:1-2
This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; through them by way of reminder I am trying to stir up your sincere disposition, to recall the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and savior through your apostles.
Revelation 12:17
Then the dragon became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus.
Revelation 14:12-13
Here is what sustains the holy ones who keep God’s commandments and their faith in Jesus.
I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” said the Spirit, “let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them.”
How do know it is addressed properly? What authority does Mike Winger have that makes his interpretation infallible?
@@anthonypuccetti8779 Please check Romans 4:5, Ephesians 2:8-9 and the entire epistle to the Galatians
@@michaal105 What about them? They don't teaching anything against Catholic doctrine. They were written by a Catholic.
@@anthonypuccetti8779 They were written by Christians.
And they clearly state that we are not saved by works
Thanks Mike I feel a lot better about life after listening to your videos and hearing your interpretations of the word.
As scripture cannot contradict itself, it seems to me that the biblical authors' understanding of works and faith is the lynchpin of this debate. Paul and James don't seem to think there is a contradiction between their teachings, so we should look at the original context to understand their intent. Paul wants to disabuse the idea that people can boast about their salvation in his letter to Ephesians. James wants to admonish people that are complacent in their faith. I can only conclude that neither of them considered a faith a work but thought faith and works are closely related. It's really a semantics issue, as modern readers define work as any activity that requires mental and/or physical effort. However, the biblical authors don't seem to think everything that requires effort is counted as work. This distinction trips up Catholics and Calvinists, who would define faith as a work.
I read the book by Anthony Pezotta, a former Catholic priest turned Baptist pastor, called Truth Encounter. He said Paul and James are answering 2 different questions. Paul on how can I be saved and James on what next after I get saved. Makes sense.
That makes no sense because justification relates to what saves you, and James said works justify you.
@@catholictruth102 Looks like you didn't watch the video.
Justify can mean wanting to be known to be right. It's the ordinary, non theological, actually-more-common usage of the word.
Like the scribe who wanted to justify himself when he questioned Jesus, "But who is my neighbour?".
And that's the way it's used here.
FWIW, Faith logically implies works is exactly logically equivalent to no works logically implies no faith; we as Protestants accept and affirm this, at least those of us aren't walking negative stereotypes.
@@SeanusAurelius No the context is justification before God, as James used Abraham before God as his example.
@@catholictruth102except the example James gave says "Abraham was justified by works when he offered Isaac" which, occured in Gen 22:12
However, we know Abraham was justified in the salvific "made right before God" sense in Gen 15:4-6, where it says "his faith was accounted to him as righteousness", which occured decades before Isaac's birth. So why does it say he was justified at two different times? Well, it's because while we have this theological package that comes with the word justification (ie, salvation, made righteous before God), there's also a Joe schmo dictionary definition of the word, meaning being proved right or vindicated about something. This is how it's used in the Gen 22 passage and James 2 passage -> faith is proved right or evidenced by our works
@@OppressedPotato Justification is a process, not just a one time event. Scripture describes salvation as “was saved,” “being saved,” and “will be saved.” Also, James explicitly related such a faith (devoid of works) to being nonsalvific, when he said “can that faith save him?”
It's obvious that it says that salvation is through faith alone and that works are the signs of true faith, not something require besides faith.
It would be nice if you could have a conversation or debate with those guys from Catholic Answers, Trent Horn, Jimmy Akin, Tim Staples, etc.
Just to be fair, objective and unbiased.
He would not do that. He is a hit and run. Robert sungenis as well. Watch him debate James White on this.
@YouthfulSage can you please cite the bible where it claims sola scriptura? If you are a Bible believing Christian; cite it please?
@alray I hear this argument ALL the time. Let's look at it Holy Bible or The Canon of Scriptures came from the Sacred Tradition of the Catholic Church...if by Catholic you mean "universal", yes. If by Catholic you mean "Roman Catholic" well the Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Old Catholics, and all Protestants will disagree.
"protestants cannot use scriptures against the Catholic Church". Well Galatians 1:9 the Gospel MESSAGE takes priority "If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!". What message were they preaching? Well we have it. It's in these early writings.
"sola scriptura is false and protestantism is a heresy". If you presuppose the RCC is the "one true, holy, apostolic, universal church". But how do you establish that? How do you establish tradition and the church? Well Scripture establishes ekklesia, the body of believers. It never says the Roman body of believers. If tradition establishes scripture and ekklesia and ekklesia establishes tradition and scripture and tradition establishes the ekklesia and scripture.
You cannot say that Sola Scriptura then is any less circular than the supposed Catholic argument. Sola Scripture means "scripture alone is the final authority" it does not mean "scripture alone is the only authority". Even more so, we know that Scripture is the earliest records of the what? oh yeah, the ekklesia. Meaning it is the earliest tradition ANYWAYS. So frankly, we should defer to the earliest and closest records to Jesus.
@@davidn9518, as stated in other threads, "sola scriptura" does not mean that knowledge and wisdom only come from scripture. However, it does mean that scripture is our primary source of truth from God as well as the most authoritative truth from God. That way, if a priest or Bishop or other person claims to have Revelation from God, we can compare what they say to scripture. If there is a contradiction, we ignore that person, because that is a false prophet. This appears in scripture as early as Moses and the children of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness. Jesus himself said that scripture would be preserved and remain an authority. He said that not one jot nor one tittle shall be lost from God's word. Furthermore, Peter emphasized that the writing of Paul was scripture. He wrote that in his Epistles. Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy chapter 4 verses 16 and 17 that scripture is given by inspiration from God (the word "inspiration" literally means "God breathed"). In 2 Peter chapter 2, Peter warns us about adding traditions of men to the Word of God, calling them "false prophets" and "false teachers" and even "damnable heresies." So, based on scripture, we should keep the "cathedra" bulls and commands of Popes and Bishops out of our churches, because they literally claim the authority of prophets. Often, they contradict the already established scriptures.
2:1-4 Unjustly judging others is an example of fainthearted faith being manifested in unjust works. Favoring the rich over the poor is contrary to true faith. A person’s dignity and worth come from God, not from fellow humans. So we must not judge others by the earthly standards of rank, wealth, attainments, and appearance.
2:5-7 God is not partial to anyone. The poor are more likely to repent and renounce this world for the sake of the kingdom, for they more easily see the emptiness of earthly things. The rich (v. 6), on the other hand, tend to prize earthly things, desire material things, and even hurt others to gain them (see Lk 6:21-25; 1Co 1:26-28). They may mock Christians for the name by which (v. 7) they are called, the name invoked at baptism.
2:8-13 The corrective standard of judgment is perfect faith manifested in perfect works. The royal law (v. 8), the law of liberty (v. 12; 1:25), is the second great commandment of Christ: love for neighbor (Jn 13:34). The standard by which we judge is that by which we will be judged; the mercy we give will be the mercy we receive. “God has shown mercy to us. Let us in our turn show mercy: let us feed the poor, and with the divine water of fasting let us wash the defilement from our souls. . . . O heavenly angels, entreat the Giver of good to accept in His infinite mercy our poor and mean repentance” (Matins, Friday before Lent).
2:14-19 The faith that saves is a complete faith, not just the mind and the tongue but the whole man trusting in the living God. This means our faith and our relationship with God-our justification-are dynamic and living. Our faith grows and affects our actions, or it dies. “Faith alone” (by itself, v. 17), static faith, does not save. We must nurture our faith in God and love for Him through our works. “Do not say you are the temple of the Lord, writes Jeremiah [see Jer 7:3]; nor should you say that faith alone in our Lord Jesus Christ can save you, for this is impossible unless you acquire love for Him through your works. As for faith by itself, ‘the devils also believe, and tremble’” (MaxCon).
2:20-24 The faith of Abraham is living and active.
(1) In Gn 12:1-3, when Abraham is 75 years old, he receives a call to forsake all and follow God.
(2) In Gn 15:6, when Abraham is almost 85, after he has proven his faith through years of renouncing his land, family, property, and privileges, God promises him that he will ultimately regain everything he has given up. Abraham’s faith in God’s promise is “accounted to him for righteousness.” God fulfills Abraham’s faith by making a covenant with him, an OT liturgical and sacramental act.
(3) In Gn 22:1-19, Abraham is at least 110. He has been tested for years concerning God’s promise of a son. Now, after the covenant sacrament of initiation (circumcision) has been given in Gn 17, comes Abraham’s supreme test: the sacrifice of Isaac, his son of promise (Gn 15:6).
James reveals that Gn 15:6 is fulfilled in Gn 22. This is a crucial lesson for us in our understanding of justification by faith. Neither Abraham’s faith nor his justification is merely momentary, static, or once-and-for-all. It is dynamic, a growth process that finds its natural and normal realization in good works. Far from being just point-in-time, Abraham’s justification covered at least 25 years after God first declared him just. It is living and active faith that saves!
2:26 This summary of the organic relationship of faith and works (see Mt 7:21; 25:31-46; Jn 14:15; Gal 5:6) shows that only God can save.
Thanks for writing this, I was blessed by it.
Why does this subject seem to keep coming up? Anyway I was just thinking what's the best way to let someone know that you love them? By only telling them all the time that you love them? Is that really how someone wants to be loved, by just hearing it from someone or do we want to be shown the love that someone says they have for us or vice versa. Isn't that what Jesus is asking of us when he says if you love me keep my commands. He's saying show me that you love me as well as telling me that you love me. How often do we have to show our love and faith? Well how often do I want God to show his love and faithfulness towards me? Every moment of every day for all eternity.
Faith without works is dead! If you have true faith, you’ll have works! If you don’t have works, you never had true faith!
I'm just preparing to preach on this passage and found the clarity in this really helpful.
If works are apart of salvation, no one could know if they would be saved or not. So it makes the seal of the Holy Spirit meaningless and when 1 John says you can know you have eternal life. Catholics don’t know if they are saved till after judgement.
How can you love Christ if you are on probation until the day you die?
I can see why people could easily misunderstand this. It’s not the doing of works that are saving you, but, in the one that is saved, his faith will be made manifest through the works he is doing. Works are a byproduct of faith. It’s sort of a “chicken or the egg” problem.
I disagree with you here, although I appreciate many of your other teachings. This interpretation is incorrect and misleading. James 2 is targeting the Jews and tribulation Jews or saints. It also teaches us to help others and be Christ-like when people in need come to us because there are onlookers but not as proof of our salvation.
Otherwise, we revert to a works-based religion. If you handle situations differently from others, people might question your salvation, thinking you don’t do enough based on your limited understanding. This raises the issue of how much work is required to prove you’re saved and to feel secure in your salvation. This teaching leads people to incorrect thinking about salvation.
So what’s your answer then?
The amount of good works are the ones that God prepared beforehand for us (Ephesians 2:10). There is no specific amount that we have to do. The point is that once someone is saved they become a new creation and our heart of stone is replaced with a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). This isn't rocket science.
The first I listened to this I wasn’t convinced of your explanation, I have read the New Testament several times since and listened to multiple multiple videos by you and other teachers and guess what I now understand and believe your interpretation of James.
Thank you
It's not "his interpretation", thats just what the Word says. Plainly. Very plainly. Get yourself out of the way so you can see it.
Who is watching 5 years later like me? So let me answer your question: You are wrong because you are a baby-face. NO! Seriously, I have been studying for years now free from a guru and just listening for the plain truth in the Word of God and I believe that you NAILED it!
It seems you are going to extraordinary lengths to explain away James. James repudiates Sola Fide: saved by faith alone. As James says we are not saved by faith alone. It is why Martin Luther threw out the book of James. It is because it destroys Luther's belief and argument that we are saved by faith "alone". Luther called the book of James a book of straw. Fortunately other Protestors put James, Hebrews and Revelation back into the bible after Luther chucked them out. Unfortunately, they still left out the old testament books that Luther also discarded. Catholics believe that as Paul says we are saved by Faith. Luther added the word alone which changes the meaning. This was a new interpretation that didn't exist for the first 1500 years of Christianity. Time to be red pilled and read the bible properly. Each book of the bible must be read in the mindset of the author to understand its meaning. It appears to me that you make the fundamentalist error of reading it believing that as it speaks to you in English at this time is its meaning. While it does speak to us at this time one must read the Bible in proper context. In Romans Paul is writing to Jews who still hang on to the Hebrew Law. The daily prayers that must be said, the diet rules and circumcision. They were not believing that becoming Christian was enough. So Paul writes to them telling them that through now being Christian the are saved. And that the old Laws of Judaism no longer apply. This is what Paul is saying. He is correcting an error. He does not say we are saved by faith alone. Luther has added a word here that he supposed that Paul meant to say which is a corruption of Paul's letter. James is writing later on. Now the problem is that having become Christian the people James is writing to are sitting back and doing nothing. He is reminding them that with faith must come works. Faith is a verb. That is why Abraham was justified. His faith was a verb. He did what God commanded. So many Protesters totally miss this. Your analysis in this and other videos rearranges selected verses to give a meaning that you already believe. Instead look at the whole bible and look at the meaning the writers are trying to convey. This is a different paradigm. Then you will be reading the bible correctly which is actually how Catholics read the bible. The Protestors interpretation and view of salvation only brings about arguments and confusion. The ridiculously high number and growing different protesting churches is proof of this. Satan use Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura to separate and divide Christians which is in direct opposition to Jesus prayer on the cross that Christians should be one. Paul's letter to the Romans and James do not contradict each other at all. The complement each other and give us a correct picture of salvation. Falsely adding the word alone after the word faith to Paul's letter is the error. But a warning to you. Once you understand this you will realise that the Catholic view of salvation, which today is the same as the early Church (Research the writings of the early Church fathers), is biblically correct. And then what do you do? Take heed of 1Timothy 6:3-5.
God Bless
Alan,
2 Peter 1: 10 certainly appears to agree with James 2 that works "show" or prove that an individual has an authentic faith. "So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard 'to prove' that you really are among those God has called and chosen." A faith that does not have works is lacking. That is what James was saying when he questioned, "Can 'that' faith save you?" People can say they have faith but, in many cases, their words are just words. There is no proof in that. Watch what they do, not what they say.
Also, as stated in 1 Peter 5:2-4, "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." Again, our works prove our faith and hopefully bring others to Christ.
The Bible repeatedly states that we are saved by faith. The word "faith" repeatedly stands "alone" in the bible. It is the singular most descriptive word explaining how to be saved.
@@timmcvicker5775 Thank you for your comment. You seem to almost grasp the point of what Paul is saying but are still hanging on to the error of "Faith alone'. The alone is unnecessary to add unless you wish to change the meaning of the verse which is why Luther added the word alone to his version of the bible. When Paul writes that we are "saved by faith" he is not saying faith alone as Luther wanted him to be saying. Faith is a word that can be a verb and an adjective in English. But Paul spoke and wrote in a language where the word faith is a verb. It is not that works are separate to faith or that works are merely the proof of faith. While these statements are partially true they mislead the meaning of Paul which is that works and belief make up faith (a verb). Luther's error is that by adding "alone" the verse is effectively changed to having a belief which is completely false. Faith is a doing thing. This is what Paul is saying. You have to live being a Christian. That is the Catholic teaching. Luther's teaching is that you have to have a belief to be Christian which is not the same. This is why James writes that "you are not saved by faith alone". James's teaching is in agreement with the Catholic church's understanding of Paul's "saved by faith" but repudiates Luther's "saved by faith alone"(and Protestant's Sola Fidae). There is no escaping the fact that Sola Fidae is an unbiblical and false Christian teaching. It didn't exist until Luther invented ii in the sixteenth century. It is not what the Apostles and early church believed. It is dangerous too as it leads some Christians into error where they believe that they are once saved always saved and as Christians they no longer need to repent of sins committed. Christian faith means you must obey Christ. Refer 1 John 2:3-6 (Actually study the whole book) and the end of Revelation 12:17. Hope this helps. God Bless
@@cathpocalypse6895 We can read many Church Fathers who agree that we are saved by grace through faith. If we have faith we are saved, correct? Luther didn't invent this doctrine.
Hi @@konroh2 Not exactly. That we are saved by grace through faith is correct and is what the Church Fathers say but don't mistake this for what Luther taught. Sounds similar but isn't. The word faith here is a verb. It is a doing word. Luther says we are saved by faith alone which with the word 'alone' added changes the word faith to an adjective which is not correct.. Faith must be something we work on and keep to in our everyday lives. This includes works. Works is inseparable to faith. It is not just proof of faith although it is also evidence of faith. (James 2:14-20) With faith must come love, again a verb, a doing word, refer 1 Corinthians 13 especially v13. Hope this helps. God bless.
@@cathpocalypse6895 Faith is a noun, believe is a verb. Pistis, noun, pisteuo, verb, in Greek. Luther understood that salvation is by grace through faith. You can choose to say that faith and works go together, but Paul is pretty clear that faith and works are quite separate. Of course we understand that works help grow and complete our faith, but we also understand that we are saved by grace through faith (a noun in the Greek Eph.2). There is a simple transaction where faith is counted as righteousness, eternal life, salvation. And this is apart from any works. Paul is quite clear, so is John, and so is James in ch. 1 where we have been brought forth by God as firstfruits.
@VenusTyz *Biblical Mary was a servant of God. She was not some queen of heaven deity or lady of this and that which Roman Catholic pagans invented. Roman Catholicism is complete heresy!*
you said
Our Lady of Zeitoun, Pray For Us
Our Lady of Fatima, Pray For Us
Our Lady of Champion, Pray For Us
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for Us
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pray For Us
Our Lady of Mount Zion, Pray For Us
Our Lady of Akita, Pray For Us
Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray For Us
Our Lady of Pillar, Pray For Us
Our Lady of Good Help, Pray For Us
Our Lady of Peace, Pray For Us...🙏🙏✝
I think part of what is behind the "apologetics isn't effective for millenials" is that sometimes apologists are answering the questions that people aren't asking - possibly questions that were being asked when the people who wrote many of the books on apologetics were around. That is not to say that apologetics isn't effective but that effective apologetics needs to be listening to where culture (and subculture) is and answering those questions. There are definitely people who are doing this and doing it well.
Mike, your teachings have blessed me. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you & yours. 🇮🇪
These verses might come under the heading of RIGHTLY DIVIDING scripture, correct me if I’m wrong, but in my study could James talking to Jewish people regarding faith and works in the kingdom age, as we are in the church age as of now.
i know why that baby head is crying AND your cat is so conspicuously missing....bad kitty! no nibbling on the baby! lol.
@VenusTyz *Roman Catholicism is already Lucifer's lair. Rev 17-18.*
you said
Prots when they see Jesus
They will say it's Satan.....😂😂😂
Perfect explanation. It’s such a breath of fresh air in light of all the cheap grace being taught today.
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Mike, I greatly respect you as a teacher of the Bible, but here you have made both a hermeneutical and theological mistake. As a result, you are actually implying a “faith plus works” gospel that is not straightforward. Copied below is a better understanding of this passage from Moody Bible Commentary. I hope this helps and that you will continue to be greatly blessed in the Lord.
Moody Bible Commentary
James 2:14 For James, being “quick to hear” (1:19) meant to be prompt to obey God’s command to do good deeds that benefit others. But the readers had neglected good works, content to claim their justification before God by faith alone. James agreed that justification before God was by faith alone. But believers must add works to their faith to develop maturity. Then they will be justified (called righteous) by their works in the eyes of other people (cf. Mt 5:16). A person who says he has faith finds it easy to talk his faith while lacking useful deeds. Bible teachers may be in mind (Cf. 3:1-12). The question Can [“that” is not in Gk.] faith save him? demands a negative answer in Greek (“Faith cannot save him, can it?”) and appears to contradict justification by faith alone (Rm 3:27-28; 4:4-5; Gl 2:16; Eph 2:8-9). But James’s use of the Greek verb “save” (soizo) is flexible. This is evident in 5:15, where James uses the word in a way that does not mean “delivered from eternal judgment.” Contextually, “save” in v. 14 is equivalent to the believer’s triumph over a stern evaluation (“judgment”) by God mentioned in 2:13 and 3:1 (an inclusio). (Also see comments on “save” at 1:21.) So the phrase, “Can faith [alone] save him?” asks if a believer without acts of mercy will be able to escape a strict evaluation at the believer’s final performance review.
2:15-16 What if a Christian brother or sister has life-threatening conditions such as lack of clothing and need of daily food? Well-wishing words cannot provide any meaningful assistance for them. So it is if one has genuine faith, but does not activate it during times of trial. What use is that? suggests especially that when saving faith is connected with action, there is great benefit in this life.
2:17 The conclusion (even so) is that faith, without works, is dead. Faith is all by itself and lacks vibrancy. A “dead faith” is a weak, lethargic (immature, but nevertheless present) faith (cf. “sin is dead,” Rm 7:8; also see “Introduction: Recipients”). James’s point appears to be that if one has true faith in Christ, it does one no practical good in this life of trials if it is not put into action. Neither does a “dead faith” “save one’s life” (see the comments on 1:21).
2:18-19 The words someone may … say introduce an imaginary opponent (“well” is not in the Gk. text). In two other NT passages introducing an imaginary objector, the response of the inspired author begins with a remark of his opponent’s foolishness (cf. Rm 9:19-20; 1Co 15:35-36). This makes it likely that the objector’s words to James continue through v. 19 (cf. Richard Francis Weymouth, The New Testament in Modern Speech, ed. Ernest Hampden-Cook (Boston: Pilgrim Press), 1903) and James’s response begins in v. 20 with “you foolish fellow.” The opponent challenges: Show me your faith by [some Gk. texts read without] your works, and I will show you by my works my faith [the order of the Gk. words is given]. The opponent insists that faith cannot be seen through works. One may start by naming a doctrine and then try to show the work that will always come from that belief (“show me your faith by your works”). Or one could do the reverse. He could name a good work and try to demonstrate the doctrine that must be behind it (“and I will show you by my works my faith”). The opponent thinks both are impossible. Suppose James starts with a doctrine: “I believe God is a God of love (doctrine). So I treat others with sacrificial love (a good work).” The objector would answer, “Ha! I know lots of people who love others sacrificially and don’t even believe in God. So works don’t show what you believe!” The objector is so confident in his argument that he answers for James: “James, you believe that God is one [a doctrine], and you do well, i.e., you do good works. But the demons also believe God is one [a doctrine], but do no good works. They just shudder in fear of judgment.” With this argument, the objector rests his case.
2:20 James’s response now begins (vv. 18-19 are the objector’s thoughts). The opponent’s words are foolish and lack wisdom (1:5; 3:13-17). Often Christian teachers (3:1) have an unteachable spirit. Likewise, James questions if his opponent is willing to recognize the truth: faith without works secures eternal life but is useless to meet the practical needs of others, to experience blessings for one’s self in this life, or to gain eternal rewards.
2:21-23 Abraham initially believed God and was justified before God by faith alone (Gn 15:6; Rm 4:1-5, 9-12; Gl 3:1-6). His faith was in a God who could resurrect the dead (Rm 4:17-21). In Gn 22, 30 years after his initial faith for which God counted him righteous, Abraham offered up Isaac his son on the altar (Gn 22:1; Heb 11:19). You see (second person singular) corrects the objector’s contention that faith cannot be seen in works. Abraham’s faith is unmistakably visible. Being justified by works is not before God (Rm 3:20; Gl 3:11) but before people (cf. Mt 5:16).
In addition, justified sometimes means “to demonstrate that one is in the right” (cf. Lk 7:29, 35; Rm 3:4; 1Tm 3:16) and does not always have the Pauline sense of “God’s declaration that one is innocent of the charge that he is a sinner” and is given eternal life. Abraham’s faith was cooperating or working with his works, so that faith might be perfected (teleioo), i.e., matured. Abraham’s works brought added depth in a practical sense to the faith he possessed inasmuch as it enabled him to experience the blessings of a fresh encounter with God (cf. Gn 22:15-19), and he gained an extraordinary reputation among men (he was called the friend of God, v. 23; cf. 2Ch 20:7; Is 41:8). A believer combines faith with good works, not so that he can attain heaven, but so that he may gain spiritual blessings in this life and honor from the Father in the world to come.
2:24 You see (second person plural) now addresses the readers. The word alone (monon) modifies the verb justified, not the words by faith: “You see that a man is justified [i.e., demonstrates to others that he is righteous or holy; see the comments on “justified” for v. 21 above] by works, and not only [monon] by faith.” James was calling attention to two ways of justification: by faith before God, and by works before people. While one is justified (declared righteous) before God by faith alone, one is justified (demonstrates his godliness) before people by his or her works.
2:25 By faith (Heb 11:31) Rahab the harlot received the Jewish spies and hid them in her house (Jos 2:1-24). She could have betrayed the spies, but she sent them out by another way, adding works to her new faith. Rahab had faith in the God of Israel (Jos 2:11), yet if she had not acted on that faith, she would have perished when Jericho was destroyed (see comment on 1:21 on “save your souls”). Instead, she activated the faith she had, hid the spies, was spared, and experienced God’s blessings among the Jewish people.
2:26 For a body to be active and alive, it must have a spirit. So also faith in Christ must have works added to it since works give vitality and energy to faith. On dead faith, see 2:17.
@Mike Winger Hi there! I'm a first time visitor, nice channel! I converted to Catholicism last year (former Reformed Baptist), after I explored Catholicism for about 3 years. You mentioned on this video the possibility of debating (or dialoguing with) someone that is serious about it, I would love to have the opportunity of having a respectable conversation about these issues if you are still open to it. Thank you in advance and may God bless you! Joe Plascencia
this topic is a Catholic canard.. going to confession and worshiping the eucharist are rituals... NOT "works"
@@inTruthbyGrace When you physically perform an act expecting a spiritual result, that is a work. It is something you do.
@@anonimo-um2ng If James is saying you are saved by works, He is completely contradicting Paul. So your interpretation of James has to be incorrect.
@@anonimo-um2ng So, the logical conclusion then is that since James says the exact opposite of what Paul wrote, then the Bible contradicts itself.
Mike Hamlin
There are no contradictions but misunderstandings. Salvation is a process that starts with accepting the sacrifice of Jesus for our forgiveness. God imparts His Spirit to us and enable us to grow spiritually, we need to grow and be transformed by the Spirit. This spiritual growth is shown as the Fruit of the Spirit which is LOVE, we have to abide by Jesus’s words and obey them to grow. So James says that if we do not show any Fruit then our faith was not real and is dead. So our total salvation and sanctification is a process not a one time deal, we need to become righteous like Jesus and this takes work on our part.
@paulmurray3671 *You would say the same for God and God's Word too. God's Word would have a warped view of Roman Catholicism.*
*R Catholicism has nothing to do with God and His Words. R Catholic Church contradicts Scriptures in every possible ways!*
1. Catholics say Mary was sinless. But BIBLE says Mary offered a sinner's offering. She was a sinner. Bible says Mary needed a Saviour. Lk 2:23-24, Lev 12:6-8, Rom 3:10.
2. Catholics say clergies must be celibate. Yet BIBLE says Peter (supposed R Church first leader) had mother in law. Bible says celibacy is not a qualification for clergies. Mat 8:14-15, Mar 1:30-31, Luk 4:38-39.
3. Catholics say Mary was forever virgin. Yet BIBLE says Jesus had brothers and sisters. Mary was not perpetually virgin. Mk 6:3, Mat 13:55, Mat 27:56, Mar 6:3, Mar 15:40, Mar 15:47.
4. Catholics say confess to R priests in a box. BIBLE says nothing about confessing to priests in a box. Bible says confess to GOD only. 1 John 1:9, Mat 6, Romans 10:9-10.
5. Catholics say drink of the physical blood of Jesus. Yet OT and NT both say do not drink blood. Acts 15, Lev 7:26.
6. Catholics say pray to passed on Mary and "saints". Yet BIBLE says do not contact the dead. NT Church did not record a single case of NT believers asking passed on saints to pray for them. Deut 18:11, Isaiah 8:19.
7. Catholics make and bow down to statues. BIBLE says do not bow down to graven images (statues). Deut 4, Exo 20:4-5.
8. Catholics sprinkles “holy water”. But NT Church of the Bible mentioned nothing about “holy water”. There was no record of any Apostles sprinkling “holy water” on believers. Catholics claimed “holy water” came from OT. Yet Num 5:17 says “holy water” was water used to test adulterous women in OT temple. Hardly the same. Those were for Old Covenant Jews. Not New Testament Christians.
9. Catholics say Peter was pope - bishop of all bishops. Yet BIBLE says Peter was just a leader of the Jerusalem Church. Bible says nothing of the office of bishop of bishops. Gal 2:9, Mat 16:18.
10. Catholics say there is a seat of Peter. Yet BIBLE says nothing about it. Jesus said “not to lord over others”.
11. Catholics has clergy priesthood. Bible says clergy priesthood was done away with in New Testament. There is no clergy priesthood in NT. Heb 7:27, 9:12, 10:10.
12. Catholics preaches Works Salvation (faith + good works + partake R sacraments + submit to R pontiff + be in R Church + devote to Mary = to be saved). Yet Bible says “believe in Jesus to be saved”. Bible says Works Salvation is cursed. Gal 1:8-9. Acts 16:30-31, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10.
13. Catholics says they must do Penance to atone for their sins. Yet Bible says repent, confess and sins will be forgiven. Catholic Bible changes the word “repentance” in NT into “penance”. Original Greek NT does not use or mean the word penance. Penance = work to atone for sins. Repentance = change of heart. 1 John 1:9, Mat 6.
14. Catholics say Mary went straight to heaven without dying. Yet Bible says nothing about it.
15. Catholics say Islam and Christianity have the same GOD. Yet Islam doesn't believe in death and resurrection of Jesus and Trinity.
you said
God have mercy on Mike Winger for his severely warped view of Catholicism and misguided teaching that is deluding so many people.
You are absolutely saved through faith Alone. Works are evidence of your faith, but they do not save you.
Paul teaches how you are saved and James teaches how a saved person lives. Our works are the visible manifestations of faith. Faith is the inward motivation for works. R.C. Sproul
The thief on the cross is a fantastic analogy and proving point for grace through faith. Well done, Mike. God bless !
I used to think that passage meant that when you pray for something you should also work for it as a way to prove to god that you want what you are praying for. Because stagnant water creates filth but I’m glad this cleared everything up.
@fantasia55 *Why do you keep L ROman Catholic? Since when Luther said he added alone?? Luther was not the first to use "alone". Old Catholic Bibles do have the words Faith Alone for Romans 3:28. Early writers like Ambrose and Augustine also used the same words for Romans 3:28.*
⭐ Was Luther the first to use Sola Fede? ⭐
The answer is No.
- Early writings speak of Salvation Not By Works (Faith Alone doctrine) - like Polycarp, Clement of Rome, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria
- Old Catholic Bibles spoke of Sola Fede - Nuremberg Bible (1483), “allein durch den glauben” and the Italian Bibles of Geneva (1476) and Italian Bible of Venice (1538) all used Sola Fede in Romans 3:28
- Even Ambrose and Augustine translated Romans 3:28 as Sola Fede.
⭐ St. Augustine's commentary on James 2 Sola Fide. ⭐
And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. - James 2:23 That Abraham believed God deep in his heart is a matter of faith alone, but that he took his son to sacrifice him . . . is not just a great act of faith but a great work as well. (Sermons 2.9) - Augustine of Hippo
And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. - James 2:23 Abraham is the image of someone who is justified by faith alone, since what he believed was credited to him as righteousness. But he is also approved because of his works, since he offered up his son Isaac on the altar. (Gen 22:10-18) Of course he did not do this work by itself; in doing it, he remained firmly anchored in his faith, believing that through Isaac his seed would be multiplied until it was as numerous as the stars - Oecumenius
you said
Martin Luther admitted to adding the word Alone - and even bragged about. When asked on what authority added it to the Bible, he said because "Doctor Luther would have it so!"
Mike This was a good one. Thanks I have family that has converted to Catholicism and they tell me that we are saved by faith alone "but"... That "but" is what we always get stuck on.
Baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21).
@user-ew8tf3qp3o *Where in the Bible says "Faith in Christ is not enough to be saved"? When Bible says it's enough? John 3:16, Eph 2:8-9.*
*Roman religion make statues and bow down to all of them = not doing the will of the Father = not conforming to the teachings of Christ = hell bound.*
you said
faith in Christ is not enough to be saved. A life is needed in conformity with the teaching of Christ (Lk 6,46). (Mt 7, 21).
51:38-51:46 Bravo, Pastor Mike. I have always believed exactly the same thing--Mary herself would not approve of people elevating her to a status of borderline deity, and I don't doubt for a minute that she would do that exact same thing you described. By putting her on the level they do, Catholicism actually ends up dishonoring her because she would never accept a status equal to her Son.
Catholics don’t do that 🤦🏻♂️
@@TheNewNationPodcast Uh, yes, they do. They may not intend to or think they are, but that is ultimately what they are doing.
@@TheNewNationPodcast There are even some Catholic theologians and laypeople who have suggested making Mary a co-redeemer with Christ. To its great credit, the Vatican has so far rejected this idea, but it's still possible that a future pope will accept it.
@fantasia55 *WHy do you keep L? So many early writings mentioned the Exact Words "Scripture Alone". Jesus, Apostles and NT Church all practised Sola Scriptura. I have 180 plus verses as proof. Why do you claimed its a 16th century doctrine?*
*Explain coherently intelligently.*
you said
Bible Alone didn’t even occur to anyone - not just the Church Fathers - until the 16th century.
Trent Horn will debate you... perhaps Michael Diamond or his brother Peter? Don't pretend like you really would or tried. I know that Trent Horn has challenged your position before and you declined. For good reason
Catholic apologists are like muslim ones in the sense that they rely on rhetoric over substance and their followers blindly lap up whatever they say instead of thinking for themselves due to the reliance on authority over reason.
Pastor Mike walked you through the text, do yourself a favour and listen.
@fantasia55 *You are clearly a liar then. Early Church Fathers did mention Salvation NOT BY WORKS.*
you said
Mike Winger is fighting a losing battle. As they read the Church Fathers for themselves, Protestants realize he is lying to them.
This was so perfectly explained. I used to be an SDA, and they also teach faith and works and they love James 2 with the out of context meaning. I'm so glad to be free from that false system of worship!
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I was raised an SDA and still attend an SDA church with my family. And from my experience, I only know of a few who specifically endorse salvation by works. The official church doctrine is salvation by faith alone, though they do have a tendency to blur the line between faith and works, and some of the more conservative SDA teachings (e.g. Sunday as the Mark of the Beast, the Investigative Judgment, etc.) do border on salvation by works. Indeed, some of EGW's statements seem to suggest that she endorsed it. But I think it's a stretch to claim that the whole denomination believes in a works-based salvation, especially when the governing body of the church has rejected such ideas.
@alray
Here are 100 verses that show salvation is by faith alone...I might have to put this in a few installments.
Genesis 15:6: “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”Habakkuk 2:4: “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”Mark 1:15: “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."Luke 8:12: “Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”Luke 7:50: “And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”Luke 8:12: “Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”John 1:12: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”John 3:(14,)15: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.“John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”John 3:18: “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”John 3:36: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”John 5:24: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”John 6:35: “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”John 6:40: “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. “John 6:47: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”John 7:38: “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”John 8:24: “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”John 11:25: “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”John 11:26: “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”John 12:46: “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”John 16:27: “For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.”John 20:31: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”Acts 2:21: “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”Acts 5:14: “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)”Acts 8:12: “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”Acts 8:13: “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”Acts 8:37 (8:35-38): “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”Acts 10:43: “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”Acts 11:17,18: “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."
@alray
.”Acts 11:21: “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.”Acts 13:39: “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”Acts 13:48: “And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”Acts 15:7-9: “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.”Acts 16:31: “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”Acts 18:8: “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.”Acts 22:16: “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”Acts 26:18: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”Romans 1:17: “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”Romans 3:22a: “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:”Romans 3:25: “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”Romans 3:26: “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”Romans 3:28: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”Romans 3:30: “Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.”Romans 4:3: “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”Romans 4:5: “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”Romans 4:9: “Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.”
@alray
Romans 4:11: “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:”Romans 4:13: “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”Romans 4:16,17: “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”Romans 4:18-22: “Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.”Romans 5:1: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”Romans 5:2: “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”Romans 4:20-25: “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”Romans 9:30: “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.”Romans 9:32,33: “Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; as it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”Romans 10:4: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”Romans 10:6a: “But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise…”Romans 10:9: “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 10:10: “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”Romans 10:11: “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”Romans 10:13: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”Romans 10:14-17: “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”Romans 11:20: “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:”1 Corinthians 1:21: “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”1 Corinthians 15:2: “By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.”1 Corinthians 15:17: “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”2 Corinthians 4:4: “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”2 Corinthians 6:14: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”2 Corinthians 6:15: “And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”Galatians 2:16: “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 2:20: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”Galatians 3:6,7: “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.”
@fantasia55 *WHy do you keep L? So many early writings mentioned the Exact Words "Scripture Alone". Why do you claimed its from 16th century?*
*Early Church Fathers directly mentioned "Scripture Alone"*
Tertullian: "Take away, indeed, from the heretics the wisdom which they share with the heathen, and let them support their inquiries from the *Scripture alone* : they will then be unable to keep their ground. For that which commends men’s common sense is its very simplicity, and its participation in the same feelings, and its community of opinions; and it is deemed to be all the more trustworthy, inasmuch as its definitive statements are naked and open, and known to all."
Origen: "We, however, in conformity with our belief in that doctrine, which we assuredly hold to be divinely inspired, believe that it is possible in no other way to explain and bring within the reach of human knowledge this higher and diviner reason as the Son of God, than by means of those *Scripture alone* which were inspired by the Holy Spirit, i.e., the Gospels and Epistles, and the law and the prophets, according to the declaration of Christ Himself."
Augustine: "At the same time, as I have said already, it is to the canonical *Scripture alone* that I am bound to yield such implicit subjection as to follow their teaching, without admitting the slightest suspicion that in them any mistake or any statement intended to mislead could find a place."
Theodoret: "Do not, I beg you, bring in human reason. I shall yield to *Scripture alone* ."
Athanasius:
"the sacred and inspired Scriptures are sufficient to declare the truth" (Athanasius, Against the Heathen, part 1, 1, 3)
attack!
"Now one might write at great length concerning these things, if one desired to go rate details respecting them; for the impiety and perverseness of heresies will appear to be manifold and various, and the craft of the deceivers to be very terrible. *But since holy Scripture is of all things most sufficient for us, therefore recommending to those who desire to know more of these matters, to read the Divine word, I now hasten to set before you that which most claims attention, and for the sake of which principally I have written these things."* (Athanasius, To the Bishops of Egypt, Ch 1, 4)
You will see a pattern with Athanasius, in that he states scripture as being all-sufficient to teach the truth. No appeal is made to tradition.
"Vainly then do they run about with the pretext that they have demanded Councils for the faith's sake; for divine Scripture is sufficient above all things; but if a Council be needed on the point, there are the proceedings of the Fathers, for the Nicene Bishops did not neglect this matter, but stated the doctrine so exactly, that persons reading their words honestly, cannot but be reminded by them of the religion towards Christ, announced in divine Scripture" (Athanasius, de Synodis, Part 1, 6)
Athanasius: One day when he [St. Anthony of the desert] had gone forth because all the monks had assembled to him and asked to hear words from him, he spoke to them in the Egyptian tongue as follows: *'The Scriptures are enough for instruction, but it is a good thing to encourage one another in the faith, and to stir up with words.*
Tertullian: Take away, indeed, from the heretics the wisdom which they share with the heathen, and let them support their inquiries from the *Scriptures alone* : they will then be unable to keep their ground.
- Irenaeus (AD 180): We have learned from none others the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of God, handed down to us in the Scriptures, to be the ground and pillar of our faith. (Against Heresies, 3:1.1)
- Athanasius (AD 296-373): The holy and inspired Scriptures are fully sufficient for the proclamation of the truth. (Against the Heathen, 1:3)
- Augustine (AD 354-430): It is to the canonical Scriptures alone that I am bound to yield such implicit subjection as to follow their teaching, without admitting the slightest suspicion that in them any mistake or any statement intended to mislead could find a place. (Letters, 82.3)
- Augustine (AD 354-430): He [God] also inspired the Scripture, which is regarded as canonical and of supreme authority and to which we give credence concerning all the truths we ought to know and yet, of ourselves, are unable to learn. (City of God, 11.3)
- Cyril of Jerusalem (AD 310-386): For concerning the divine and holy mysteries of the Faith, not even a casual statement must be delivered without the Holy Scriptures; nor must we be drawn aside by mere plausibility and artifices of speech. Even to me, who tell you these things, give not absolute credence, unless you receive the proof of the things which I announce from the Divine Scriptures. For this salvation which we believe depends not on ingenious reasoning, but on demonstration of the Holy Scriptures. (Catechetical Lectures, IV:17 in The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers)
- Gregory of Nyssa (AD 330-395): We are not entitled to such license, namely, of affirming whatever we please. For we make Sacred Scripture the rule and the norm of every doctrine. Upon that we are obliged to fix our eyes, and we approve only whatever can be brought into harmony with the intent of these writings. (On the Soul and the Resurrection, quoted in Jaroslav Pelikan, The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition [Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1971], p. 50.)
- Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-430): Let them show their church if they can, not by the speeches and mumblings of the Africans, not by the councils of their bishops, not by the writings of any of their champions, not by fraudulent signs and wonders, because we have been prepared and made cautious also against these things by the Word of the Lord. (On the Unity of the Church, 16)
- John Chrysostom (AD 347-407): Wherefore I exhort and entreat you all, disregard what this man and that man thinks about these things, and inquire from the Scriptures all these things; and having learned what are the true riches, let us pursue after them that we may obtain also the eternal good things. (Homily 13 on 2 Corinthians)
- Basil the Great (AD 329-379): Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the Word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. (Letter 189 to Eustathius the physician)
I'm a Catholic convert and I must say that you've done an excellent job with this and were very respectful in how you address the RCC. Thank you for that. Also thank you for taking the time to listen to Catholic Answers. You've certainly done your research so I give you much respect. I noticed you referenced CS Lewis and his belief in Purgatory. Jerry Walls has got some good material on that here on UA-cam. NT Wright also has an interesting idea about the dying process itself being a "purging" of our imperfections. I also like your reference to JP2 and Benedict xvi idea of purgatory as a state of existence which could essentially place "purgatory" here in this life. I'll take a stab at your challenge on how Catholics handle the grace alone passages - it is my understanding that without grace, we're unable to do any good works. Jesus said "apart from me you can do nothing." I might also note that Jesus parable in Matt 25 to those He is accepting into Heaven that is their works He references. To address your comments on how a Catholic deals with Galatians, my understanding is that he is arguing against the need to adhere to the Jewish law, circumcision, etc.. In the end, I think we both can agree that works are important in our Christian walk. A good Catholic SHOULD be starting their walk with faith and appeal to grace. Catholics teach that we CANNOT save ourselves, but we must yield and use our free will to cooperate with God. Anyway, thank you again for a great presentation and your gracious tone. I really enjoy your channel and I learn alot from you! God bless you.
Dennis Chanay
No, Mike did not do a good job representing the Catholic faith. He shows how little he looked into the teaching of justification and the council of Trent, and he said Trent and Catholics would agree with him.
The first comment he said that misrepresents Catholic teaching is when he says James 2 doesn't talk about sacraments. Catholic Church never uses James 2 to support sacraments because we don't view sacraments as works. Work is something a person performs. We do not perform sacraments. We receive sacraments. We don't baptize ourselves, we receive baptism.
When Mike talked about justification and try to represent Catholic teaching, he doesn't know the Church teaches initial and habitual justification. He would have recognized that if he read the document from the Council of Trent and the Catechism, and he tries to represent Catholic teaching. He would've known that initial justification is faith alone. In a way, we do teach that faith comes alone when a person is born again in the body of Christ. However, habitual justification is a continuous growth of righteousness because of the habitual gift of grace we receive by performing the works of love that God made for us (Eph 2:10). If we fell to perform the works God made for us, our faith will die and lose salvation.
@georgepenton808 *Faith Alone doctrine comes with good works. Eph **2:10**. So Mat 25 was never an issue with Christians.*
*Roman Catholics love misrepresenting Faith Alone doctrine.*
you said
Faith in Jesus means faith in everything He taught, including that good works are necessary for salvation (Matthew 25:31-46). Salvation is a process, not a one time emotional event.
Ephesians 2 doesn't say you are saved by faith. It says you are saved by grace through faith. It is not faith which saves you, it is grace (i.e. the gift of God) which saves you. But notice, it does not say we are saved by grace alone. So it would be fallacious, and is fallacious, to develop a Theology of salvation by grace alone because that is not what this passage says.
James 2 does not say we are saved by works. It says we are justified by our works, that we are considered righteous. That is not inherently convey salvation. Yes, righteous men will be saved; however, as history shows, not all who are saved are righteous man. We need only look to the thief on the cross to know that is true. So it would be fallacious, and is fallacious, to develop a theology of works based salvation around this passage.
You get Grace trough faith.
@Asaph Vapor both a man of faith and a man with no faith can do good works. But only one will be saved. A man of true faith will automatically be habing good works in thier life, it will be natural. A man with no faith who has good works is doing so so for his own reasons. The man of faith who does a bad work (sins) will be troubled and repent. A man with no faith may be ok with thier sin especially if they believe that thier sin is harmless. ( homosexuality, stealing a pen from work, telling a white lie, ECT ect.) The point is that the works do not save you , your faith does. As for revelation the dead will be judged on works the man of faith is already saved, thier rewards will be judged. The other dead will be judged on thier works alone, and I would not want to be in that position since all works are like dirty rags in Gods eyes. You must never rely on works to save you even if you are a man of faith because to do so is to deny the faith of Christ to save you. You must never feel that you have earned it. These are the people who Christ will say " I never knew you" despite all your works.
@Asaph Vapor They don't. That fear that he wasn't doing enough to be saved is what drove Luther to study the Bible and discover that grace through faith saves, not works.
What came to my mind is when people get to heaven and The Lord says depart from me I never knew you and they say Lord I did miracles in your name.., but the Lord still says the part I never knew you.
That alone proves that you can do works even miracles and there is no salvation.; nor does it require salvation.
The next thing that comes to mind is that spiritual things are discerned by The Spirit!
If the Holy Spirit hasn’t started coming alongside you and lifting the veil from your eyes in your heart for if you haven’t got the Holy Spirit indwelling… you can’t really understand what’s being said here.
That’s another reason why people argue this point so much.
I’m going through all of this right now with my own husband please pray for me.
Sorry about all the grammatical errors!
I’m at the gym and I’m voice texting lol❤
I'm so glad you said some sin is worse than other sin. Mike, you are such a sound teacher. There is so much confusion and mis-teachings out there.
Like I said a couple years ago, I thank God for raising up a teacher like you for our current times. God Bless!
@fantasia55 *That is a complete lie of Roman Catholic Church. Roman Canon was just a local canon; not a Universal Canon. Roman Canon was just one of many local canons in those days.*
*There was NOT a single Ecumenical Council with bishops of all churches that fixed any Universal Canon. Not One. Not even till this day.*
you said
It was the Catholic Church that established the biblical canon, in AD 382.
Mike, there is a good argument against “elohim” ever meaning “human judges”, assuming you refer to Psalm 82. See Michael Heiser’s scholarship on the “divine council”.
If I love someone I want to do things for them. If I don't really love them, there is no interest in doing anything for them. Same thing with faith and then the works. When I accept Christ, I have chosen to love Him...therefore I want to please Him and do for Him. If it's just words then I don't really love Him and I wouldn't have much desire to do for Him.
I am not trying to contradict you as I love and think your words are a gift from God
. You said the thief showed no works but God's word must be true so faith without works is dead must be true ..
Now both thieves were condemning Christ but then the theif who was saved repented proof was he became aware of his sin , he showed faith in God's kingdom and resurrection because he asked to be remembered and finally all though very small his faith was backed up by his work in rebuking the other thief and maybe evangelizing by trying to make him aware of his transgression.
May God's word be brought to the whole world and remember every word is true .
I pray one day to meet you to talk about the word of God. I know it will only happen if God decry it as I will never have the money to travel as all extra and future money will go to God his people and spreading the net to bring more to him . God bless and your ministry will be in my prayers .
The belief of the thief did save him. He didn't have the time to "prove" his faith. The living Christian must put his complete focus on Christ, working to spread the good news at every opportunity.
@@jamesbarrow3427 The only work the repentant thief could do was to proclaim his change of heart and his faith in Christ before all those observing the crucifixion. Even then his confession did not save him, rather it was his faith in Christ, which itself is not a work.
the thief said to the other thief " Have you no FEAR OF GOD, that fear is caused by the holy spirit, he confessed that he deserved death for the life he lived, and that Jesus had done nothing wrong and didnt deserve death, my opinion the testimony of this thief is the greatest of all testimonies.
He asked Jesus as an undeserving sinner to remember him when he entered into his kingdom, this is amazing Faith, amazing fruit that he believed who Jesus was the MESSIAH THE CHRIST THE KING OF ISRAEL.
It is often said that the repentant thief on the cross (St. Dismas) never did any good works. Wrong. He did the good work of suffering patiently on the cross, blaming himself, not others, for his predicament. AndvDismas is often advanced as evidence that there is no Purgatory, but he skipped Purgatory only because Jesus gave him a plenary indulgence, the first one ever issued. Likely Jesus figured suffering on the cross was Purgatory enough----God often does that for people who suffer patiently long illnesses before death.
@MrHeb59 Protestants believe faith can save us without works. The irony is that many of them do a lot of good works but they lack faith in the Church Jesus founded, the pope Jesus appointed, Jesus' mother, and Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. They have works but not faith!
"Protestants will not be saved because their faith is false."
--St. Roberto Bellarmino
@VenusTyz *Where in the Bible says "God spoke to His people through the ark"?*
you said
In the Old Testament God Spoke To the People Of Israel Through the Ark where He Present
I deny lordship salvation as I’ve heard most peach it where they seek perfect obedience that if Jesus isn’t lord of all he isn’t lord of all. But I don’t know anyone who does Gods will all the time. Lordship salvation creates a works salvation, if you aren’t doing enough you aren’t saved!
And if Jesus Christ isn't Lord, He is not your God. Lordship salvation was a piece I was missing. So many churches are wishy washy about this...and repentance. And using the word sin.
MrHerb, that all is a gross overstatement and exaggeration of the Biblical teaching. And you know it. Stop.
@@brich2542 How much is required then? Have you stopped sinning? How committed are you? Do you have enough works? How do you know you are saved?
@MrHeb59 I've met you sinless perfectionist, you call your sins "mistakes". You pretend you never sin and think you walk in perfect holiness. While protestants don't desire to sin but we have the brains to realize we do. Do you claim you never get mad or have lust? You claim to love and obey Jesus perfectly at all times? Scripture says anything you know to do and don't it is sin to you. You reduce your sin, atleast catholics know they sin and confess it.
@@theneverending9319 You know when you're born again. The real tragedy is so many godless men in the pulpit spewing nonsense because they cannot understand, also being unsaved. When you are born again you are a new creation in Christ Jesus. There's no faking that.
This is a complete misrepresentation of Catholic teaching and doctrine. Catholic doctrine in the Roman Catechism of Trent and the current Catechism do not fit the representation Mike is giving here.
Mike constantly misrepresents Catholic teaching... He never invites a Catholic apologist to come on and refute his ideas.
@sleric3 *Bible does not teach Works Salvation of Roman religion. There was not a single New Testament believer saved in a Roman Catholic way in the whole Bible:*
- submit to Roman pope to be saved
- devote to Roman Mary to be saved
- be in Roman Church to be saved
- partake Roman sacraments to be saved
- baptise in Roman baptism to be saved
- do lots of works to be saved
you said
if "Faith Alone doctrine does not lack good works." then we are on the same page. Works mean to be the helping of God. The latter cannot help us directly as explained below.
Your right on Mike, however I do believe the Holy Spirit can help us to understand the scripture.I mean when we are faithful to study the scripture.
Also, Roman’s 4:5
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
So works are evidence of salvation perhaps…. But the real proof is Jesus. But when your faith is alive it could manifest like Abraham and Rahab. But Roman’s 4:5 is saying it’s not works that indicate our salvation, it’s our belief. Our works are filthy rags when it comes to salvation because salvation require perfection. Just like it also says in James, if you break one part of the law you are guilty of all. So unless your perfect, your works mean nothing in terms of being saved. This is why only faith in Christ saves who is perfect.
Thank you, Mike, especially for the need to consider the complete context of the whole Chapter James 2. I could see that the justifying works followed Rahab's belief and Abraham's belief. But you added so much perspective, especially the part about understanding whether justification was in the theological or secular sense. I would also add the topic of someone who is completely paralyzed but conscious. Are they saved even though they cannot do works? If they are conscious they can do works such as being considerate and cooperative with those who care for the paralyzed person. If they are vocal, they can control the tongue. I thought from Phillipians that Paul's "works" were following Jesus' precepts.
Noooo…. Your just backloading works into salvation. That’s double talking. It’s it’s saying your faith is useless and doesn’t benefit men. You can’t help or save anyone if you don’t put in the work. It keeps saying what does it profit a man? So your saying if there is no works your not really saved because works proves salvation? Kinda goes against Romans 11:6 when it declares it’s either faith or works and can’t be both. How can you reconcile that?
Your series on Catholicism has numerous false claims about what Catholics teach. Does your religion also include, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor?"
I stopped counting at 50... Did not know we had a sacrament called the mass?!
Why is this so complicated…..faith without works is dead and vice versa. The term “justified” IS being used in the context of being right with God.
Abraham’s faith was made perfect by WHAT HE DID.
In other words, your faith is flawed if your actions contradict.
“It’s not who am I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.”
Even Batman understood this.
It’s important to understand that yes, we have a renewed heart after accepting the Grace of God….but that’s not the end…..it’s the beginning. With a renewed heart, we are now equipped and ready to do good deeds in his name….because if you aren’t, your faith is dead.
If your faith is indeed dead, as clearly stated…..then how are you justified?
You need faith to be justified….and faith without works is dead. The work justifies your faith….and that faith makes you righteous in the eyes of God. It’s clear as day.
To teach an idea that more or less takes away accountability/consequence for one’s actions…..sounds wrong….because it is wrong.
The two have to work in unison with one another….as clearly stated in James 2. The Bible isn’t a rubix cube.
Paul is not talking about saving faith in 1 Corinthians 13. Only about faith that moves mountains and speak tongues.
If his faith is nothing when he doesn’t have love, can that faith save him?!?!?
Why is love greater than faith when it is faith alone that saves. You said faith produce works. Love is a work, and faith produces something that is greater than it. That is showing faith alone can’t save.
You will say, “That is not true faith because it is not saving faith.” Yet, it seems the demons had real faith when they trembled. A person faith is real if it is saving or dead. At the end you are still showing we are not saved by faith alone when you said it doesn’t produce works.
To hold on to your view of faith alone, you are trying distinguish between a real and fake faith; and the Bible never established that. A dead faith is still a real faith. If not, the demons would tremble and James wouldn’t compare something that is fake to a real body. The body without a soul is still a real body. Therefore, and a dead faith is still a real body.
Wow...this is one of the worst examples of pseudo-bi Biblical eisegesis I have EVER READ!! Whatever your day job is, don't quit it, because you SUCK at Theology, my friend !! 😝😝😝
L C Ringo
Can you elaborate.
Jesus shares a parable about somebody who was entrusted with a bag of gold. He buried it in the ground and did nothing with it. (Matthew 25). The parable concludes with admonishment “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!..." And finally, banishment: "throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’"
In this video I heard you speak of James. And Paul. I might have missed it, but did you refer to anything that the Messiah himself had to say? And doesn't this parable speak to the point of salvation through BOTH belief in God AND working for Him? ...
Thoroughly enjoyed and learned a lot about the meaning in the book of James.. As a former Roman Catholic I'm very familiar with the "works" plus faith belief. Your presentation on James has helped me understand the context of this book. Someone asked about appearances of Mary, my belief and only my own opinion, is that these are demonic. Think of the millions who have been deceived by these so called appearances and how it distracts from the worship of the one true GOD.
teresa untalan
As a former Roman Catholic, what do they exactly say from their official teaching on this subject, in particular justification?
Saying you have faith is not going to save you, actually having faith will. Saying you believe in God will not save you, even devils believe, but believing (in the sense of trusting) will save you. God told Abraham that his son was the son of promise, (Hebrews 11:17-18) yet when God told him to sacrifice him he trusted God would raise Isaac from the dead. (Hebrews 11:19) Now that was trust - that is what belief is, this certainty of trust. And Abraham was considered righteous for this belief.
No matter how you cut the mustard faith without works is dead.
Yes, but we also want to get the good news and our manner of receiving Jesus right.
Condition of faith people! If you warm a pew in church on Sunday and that’s all……your faith is not very alive! Hello!!!!!
Get out there and use your faith! You have it….it’s all you need….but get off the pew! Jesus is worthy!
R.C. Sproul gives an amazing, detailed lecture on this topic! I'm not a calvanist, by any means. However when someone's right (regardless of denomination), they're right lol
@Super Genius You don't read good, do you?! You do realize that you can agree with someone on some things & disagree on others, right?
@Super Genius I mispelled one word out of 25. Seems reasonable to me. I wouldn't say I'm a poor speller.
@Super Genius Thanks lol
Catholic Church teaches faith and good works not works alone or faith alone. Stop telling lies
Mike, you should create a book with the summaries of all these videos. The exegesis of many of the topics in scripture are important to provide to others out there in the world.
The works James is talking about is the EVIDENCE of TRUE faith.. You cannot have a professed faith without the evidence that you truly believed.. I never got that from this passage until I was truly saved and it is because of the Holy Spirit that I fully understand what it means. If you don't get what he is saying in this video, but you have an earnest desire to please and follow the Lord, pray and ask that it be revealed to you and the Holy Spirit will open your eyes...
I was ministering the word to my catholic friend and I was challenged with this passage. The meaning has become clear to me, praise the lord Jesus. May God bless u to be fruitful in your ministry. Please pray for me so that I can be faithful to the word and courageous in sharing the Gospel against the powers of darkness. Praise and glory be to the Lord God!
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
Romans 4:5 KJV
What kind of faith does this person have? They didn’t work at all and is still saved? How does the guy who “worketh not” demonstrate?
Wow. This was such a wonderful explanation. I’ve been conflicted about this topic and James 2:24 in conjunction with Ephesians 2:8-9 and this has brought so much clarity. It was like a light bulb switched on. I’m currently in a small town in Mexico where most of the people are Catholic and i want to be able to minister to them, I’m just not sure exactly how. Do you have any tips or recommendations on how to have conversations with the people here? Especially with those who do not value reason and ample biblical support when it comes to beliefs?
Sorry, but look again at the context of James 2 - the question is salvation - that’s the context. James asks can faith SAVE him? The context is absolutely salvation. Don’t fall for men twisting the plain reading of scripture. Paul in Romans 4 was talking about Mosiac Old Testament works. Again look at the context!!! It’s very plain and easy to see if your heart is open.
He’s literally saying the opposite of what scripture says. Faith being completed by works is not the same thing as faith being demonstrated by works. He is manipulating you into thinking that God is required to save every person in exactly the same way. The fact that God can choose to save a person apart from their works does not mean that another person cannot complete their faith by acting in accord with grace, or that a person cannot be damned for refusal to do so. Open your eyes!
Im glad i seen this. I always thought maybe i had saving faith but i dont really demonstrate my faith, i guess my faith is dead faith. This video gives me inspiration to act my faith in Jesus out more especially when it comes to refraining from sin
This is for "Traditional Catholic" in the live chat who asks "What do you think about the appearances of the Virgin Mary?" --Did you know she is spoken of in the Old Testament? She is called the "Queen of Heaven" in Jeremiah 7:18 "The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me (God) to anger. Also, Jeremiah 44:17, 18, 19, & 25. And she is called "Lady of Kingdoms" in Isaiah 47:5. I know you will respond with "but that isn't her." Ok, so why would the Virgin Mary appearances give herself the titles of "Queen of Heaven" and "Lady of all Nations" (similar to Kingdoms in KJV)? She would certainly know what the Bible says. Why would she want to use those titles knowing that it would cause confusion? Wouldn't she at least explain why those verses aren't referring to her?
Honestly, the not using Scripture to combat Scripture comment really hit home
I interpret faith without works is dead not in the sense that the person will lose their salvation, but they will not grow in the same way a plant without water dies. The key thing is that "faith" without works is dead, meaning the person's faith dies.
Ο Ιησούς είναι ο Κύριός μας same old, same old.
Dead faith doesn't save.
No, Hector, that is wrong. Lack of good works = eternal damnation, no matter how much faith the person has. That is the whole point of the Lazarus/rich man parable.
Hector- I think we have to be careful in saying “faith without works” means faith “dies” without works.
To be sure, unless one’s faith results in good works, the natural fruits thereof, that faith is ultimately as good as dead, even “worthless.”
It is a manner of saying, “live up to that faith of yours and allow it to produce good works-not as a means of salvation, but as the natural byproduct of it, based on that unmerited saving grace given us.
This is what is meant by “grace and grace alone” which “faith and faith alone” entitles us to and, thereby, benefit from.
We do not “choose” to have faith, as we are totally depraved.
Faith refers not to some action of reception on our part, but a condition, indeed a reaction within us by the mysterious and unilateral workings of God the Holy Spirit!
To have faith does not refer to an “act of believing,” but rather, the “fact” that there is this “belief” within us as given us by the Holy Spirit, Who indwells us.
That state of faith is formed within us purely by the grace of God, you must bear in mind.
It is thus the “fact” that there is faith-belief-within us, not by our own choosing, but by the operation of the grace of God.
This informs us that Decision Theology is wrong, even dangerous and misleading as it makes us think we are empowered and able to have a say or part in our own salvation.
Nothing could be farther from the truth, which makes it as false a doctrine as Prosperity Theology.
Neither does the fact that we have “free will” mean we are able to choose to accept God’s saving grace: We are only free to choose to reject it.
James 2 is sort of a polemical way of emphasizing that “if you have faith worthy of anything, then it ought to result in good works, else it is as good as dead!”
There is a distinction between that and saying one’s faith “dies,” I hope you realize.
We are powerless and part-less when it come to keeping our faith alive, much as we are incapable of the existence of faith within us to begin with. To say “faith dies, unless....” is tantamount to making it seem like we can aid in our own salvation. If our faith is to remain alive, then we must follow the heartstrings that pull and tug at us which lead us to produce good faith-again, not by our own choosing, but by the guidance of the Holy Spirit!
If our faith is somehow dead, or dying, it is due to our rejection of the call to duty.
If we reject the gospel-despite having been given faith-then such is based on our own choosing, and we alone must bear the blame.
If our faith is kept alive, allowed to thrive, all credit is due to God the Holy Spirit Who enables us to bring glory to Him by our good works which are the result of having been saved.
If faith dies, it is due to our regrettably choosing a different path for ourselves in an act of rebellion and rejection.
We are not capable of inviting into us, nor keeping alive, of faith, but only responsible for its demise. So long as we hold on to that faith so freely given us, so long as we follow the natural dictates and guidance of faith, good works will follow and we will have honored our Lord in appreciation of His saving grace! 🙏
@@kyuhotae6410 you tell me I "need to be careful saying 'faith without works' means faith 'dies'," but then say yourself that it's good as dead.
Ephesians 2 tells us we are "created for good works." Therefore faith without works is dead basically says that faith without works is unfulfilled or incomplete.
There are different levels of sin:
_If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death._
1 John 5:16-17
Where in the heck did you get your knowledge from? I am serious. Try debating a Catholic on your channel... don't be a baby..:)
KES Says the one acting like a baby
Protestants dearly looooove the Bible.....until the Bible proves them wrong....then they do all kinds of verbal gymnastics to explain the offending passage away...
Johan vonEck, the good priest who debated Luther, said this about Luther: "Like all heretics he appeals to scripture to support his position. But like all heretics, when scripture contradicts his position, he rejects scripture."
The Never Ending,
Actually, KES is right. He is acting like a baby. Let Mike debate a Catholic apologist and he wont do well.
@@GeorgePenton-np9rh What? You mean like Mary's perpetual virginity. Yeah...
I think he got his knowledge from the bible considering he was just interpreting the passage from the context surrounding it, like he said he would.
I'm a Christian but you badly misrepresented Catholicism
Save by grace, justified by faith, good works is a fruit of real faith.
Rogie Pañares Music
You said works are the fruits of our faith. Does that mean faith produces/makes good works? That sounds like faith creates/produces good works since fruits are produced/made by trees.
@@vtaylor21 yes.
@@vtaylor21 if your faith is real, you will obey God's command
@@vtaylor21 you got my point
Rogie Pañares Music
You're saying yes to the question that faith does produce good works?
Then you said a real faith is a person who obeys God. In James 2:26, faith is analogous to a body. Faith without works is dead just as a body without a soul is dead. If a dead faith is not real faith, is a dead body not a real body since faith and a body are analogous with each other? That will be an apple to orange comparison if something that is real is analogous to something that is not real.
Hebrews 10 .. that passage is the one that taught me that Roman catholicism is not biblical