Scrap Book of Mormon Literature (Vol. 1 of 2): Religious Tracts
Religion
Scrap Book of Mormon Literature (Vol. 1 of 2): Religious Tracts
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saints
The Apostles thus authorized obeyed these instructions, and not only
proclaimed belief in Jesus Christ as necessary to salvation, but
obedience to his teachings as equally essential. The history of their
travels, as narrated in the book called the Acts of the Apostles,
demonstrates this to be true. Such of their epistles as have been
preserved and compiled in the New Testament, also bear this witness.
These records show beyond reasonable dispute that the faith in Christ
which is sufficient for salvation, comprehends faith in his teachings
and obedience to his commands.
The belief in Christ which is taught by modern Christian sects is thus
condemned by the Apostle James: "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that
faith without works is dead? Ye see then how that by works a man is
justified, and not by faith only." "For as the body without the spirit
is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James II; 20, 24, 26.)
The Apostle Paul is generally cited as the great preacher of the
doctrine of justification by faith alone. But that he is misunderstood
on that subject is evident from his Epistle to the Romans, in which,
while he proclaims the doctrine of justification by faith, he also
affirms emphatically the necessity of good works as the fruits of
faith; as for instance: "Who will render to every man according to his
deeds; to those who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for
glory, and honor and immortality, eternal life. But unto them that
are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness;
indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man
that doeth evil, of the Jew first and also of the Gentile. But glory,
honor and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first and
also to the Gentile. For there is no respect of persons with God."
(Romans II; 6-11.)
It is to this very epistle that the advocates of salvation by faith
alone chiefly refer when seeking support for their irrational theory,
and they quote: "Therefore being justified by faith we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans V; 1.) Also, "Where
is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay, but by
the law {206} of faith." (Chap. III; 27.) But they neglect to add
what follows, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith
without the deeds of the law," (v. 28). The tenor of the whole epistle
is to the effect that the law of Moses is insufficient; that "Therefore
by the deeds of the law there shall be no flesh justified in his
sight." (v. 20). That justification and redemption come through the
atonement made by Christ, and that faith in him, which includes belief
in his teachings and obedience to his commands, is the one way of
salvation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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