JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONE REFUTED

By Bro. Peter Dimond

James 2:24- “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”

The overwhelming majority of Protestants believe that the Bible teaches that man is justified (put
into a state in which he will be saved) by faith in Jesus alone – i.e., apart from a consideration of
what one does. Most of them also believe in “once saved always saved” or eternal security: that
a man who believes in Jesus cannot lose his eternal salvation. These ideas are false and
completely contrary to the teaching of the Bible. Let’s look at the proof. After that, I will respond
to objections.

JESUS SAYS: MEN MUST RADICALLY CUT OFF OCCASIONS OF SIN TO AVOID HELL, NOT
JUST BELIEVE

In Matthew chapter 5, we find the parable about cutting off one’s hand or eye to avoid Hell:

Matthew 5:29-30- “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it
is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body
should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from
thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not
that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

This parable, which is obviously referring to cutting off occasions of sins – things in life that will
drag people into offenses against God – only has a meaning if sins and works are a part of
determining whether one attains salvation. By cutting off sinful things and bad works, one will
save his soul. Therefore, man’s sins and works are a part of his justification. If man were
justified by faith alone, this parable would not make any sense whatsoever.

NOT ALL WHO SAY “LORD, LORD” ENTER HEAVEN, BUT HE THAT DOES THE WILL OF
GOD

Matthew 7:21-23- “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will
say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name
have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I
profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Here we see that he who “doeth” the will of God will enter Heaven, not all who consider Jesus to
be the Lord. Then Jesus emphasizes the point by stating that you must do what He says to be
His:

Matthew 7:24-27- “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them,
I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain
descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it
fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of
mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon
the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat
upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

How clear does it have to be? It’s a matter of whether you hear His words and do them. It’s not
by faith alone.
 YOU MUST PERSEVERE TO THE END TO BE SAVED

Matthew 10:22- “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that
endureth to the end shall be saved.”

This totally contradicts the Protestant view of justification and “once saved always saved.” Also
see Mark 13:13 for the same message.

ST. PAUL SAYS THAT HE COULD BECOME A CASTAWAY

1 Corinthians 9:22-27- “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one
receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the
mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but
we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that
beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by
any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

St. Paul says that he fears he could become a “castaway.” The word "castaway" (in 1 Cor. 9:27)
is translated from the Greek word adokimos. This word is rendered "reprobate" in 2 Timothy 3:8
and in Romans 1:28. It describes lost souls, mortal sinners, apostates, and those who are
outside the state of justification and/or outside the faith of Jesus.

In 2 Timothy 3:8, the same word is used to describe evil people who “resist the truth: men of
corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith” (King James Version). These are obviously not
people who are in a state of justification or on the road to Heaven. In Romans 1:28, the same
word is used to describe people who have been given over to abominable sins – once again,
people who are certainly not on the road to Heaven. This word (translated as “castaway” or
“reprobate”) is also found in other passages, including Titus 1:16, Hebrews 6:8 and elsewhere. In
each case, it signifies people who are not on the road to Heaven, but outside the state of
justification and/or the true faith.

There is no doubt that St. Paul is saying that he could lose his salvation and be damned along
with the other reprobates. Was St. Paul a true believer? Of course he was. Thus, the Bible
teaches that true believers are not assured of salvation. This passage completely refutes the
idea of eternal security or “once saved always saved.”

MORTAL SINNERS, INCLUDING FORNICATORS, DRUNKARDS, ADULTERERS, ETC., WILL

NOT INHERIT HEAVEN

Galatians 5:19-21- “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,
emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness,
revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time
past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 6:9-11- “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom
of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor
drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were
some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of
the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

These passages pose big problems for those who believe in justification by faith alone and
eternal security. The Bible teaches that mortal sins (grave sins) destroy the state of justification
and put people in a state in which they will be excluded from the Kingdom of God. This coincides
with the Catholic teaching that a believer can lose the state of justification and be damned if he or
she commits a mortal sin (e.g., fornication, drunkenness, looking at pornography, etc.) and dies in
that state.

Now, in light of these passages, Protestants have a problem. If all who commit mortal sin lose
their justification, faith-alone Protestants would have to say that no true believer commits mortal
sin. But this response doesn’t work, for there are millions of supposed “Christians” who say they
have been “saved” by faith in Jesus. A countless number of them get drunk, fornicate, cheat,
steal, etc. In other words, they commit clear mortal sins which the Bible says destroy the state of
justification. So, faith-alone Protestants would have to admit that in all those cases the
“assurance” of justification/salvation which those people thought they had by “faith alone” was an
illusion, a deception. The truth is that any Protestant who thinks that he’s locked into justification/
salvation by having accepted Jesus as Savior is similarly deceived. This is proven by the next
verse from Ephesians 5.

Before moving to that verse, it should be noted that, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, the sin of
“uncleanness” or “effeminacy” (which excludes one from Heaven, according to the above verses)
is the mortal sin of masturbation (Summa Theologiae, Pt. II-II, Q. 154, A. 11.).

EPHESIANS 5:5-8 PROVES THAT IT’S POSSIBLE FOR TRUE BELIEVERS TO COMMIT
MORTAL SINS AND LOSE THEIR SALVATION FOR SUCH SINS – THIS DEMOLISHES THE
IDEA OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONE AND ETERNAL SECURITY

Ephesians 5:5-8- “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean

person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in
the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain
words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the
children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For
ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as
children of light:”
This is a fascinating passage. One could argue that this is the single most devastating passage
to the idea of justification by faith alone. (However, there are actually many that devastate it, as
we saw and will continue to see.) Please focus in on these important points.

First, St. Paul mentions a number of mortal sins and states that those who do such things shall
not inherit the Kingdom of God. We saw this above with the passages in Galatians 5 and 1
Corinthians 6:9. As stated already, the common (and only possible) Protestant response to this is
that no true believer could commit such sins which destroy the state of justification.

Therefore, if one can prove that true justified believers could commit these grave sins – which the
Bible says destroy the state of justification – then one will have demolished the idea of
justification by faith alone and eternal security: the idea that a man who truly believes and is
justified cannot lose his justification and be lost.

Well, the above passages clearly teach that justified believers could commit those graves sins.

1. Paul says that no one who commits those mortal sins shall enter Heaven.

2. Paul warns them to “Be not ye therefore partakers with them”!

Therefore, the believers could be partakers with the mortal sinners! And if there is any doubt that
he is including authentic believers in that warning, he speaks of them as those who are now
“light in the Lord” (true believers)! Therefore, those who are “light in the Lord” could be
“partakers” with the mortal sinners, and in the mortal sins which destroy justification. This without
any doubt refutes justification by faith alone and “once saved always saved.” Let no man deceive
you with vain words such as “justification by faith alone”!

MEN CAN FOLLOW THE WAY OF JESUS AND THEN TURN BACK AND BE OVERCOME

2 Peter 2:20-22- “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through
the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled
therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it
had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they
have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is
happened unto them according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his own vomit
again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

This verse indicates that people who are justified can lose their justification through sins. It’s a
clear proof of the Catholic teaching on justification. Some might try to argue that he’s simply
speaking here of people who’ve heard of the Gospel, not those who really believed it. That
doesn’t hold up. The verse says that these people have “known the way of righteousness” and
“escaped the pollutions of the world.” One doesn’t escape the pollutions of the world by simply
hearing of the Gospel. His language describes someone who is walking the justified path and
then turns away. That’s why 2 Peter 2:23 compares this man to a sow (a pig) who has been
washed (i.e. justified) and then returns to the mud! And to really drive this point home, that’s
why, earlier in this same chapter, he makes reference to the angels who sinned and lost their
justification:

THE ANGELS, ONCE JUSTIFIED, LOST THEIR JUSTIFICATION THROUGH SIN

2 Peter 2:4- “…God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and
delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;”

They were created in justification; but they sinned mortally, lost their justification, and were cast
into Hell. These passages completely contradict the Protestant view of justification.

GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION TO ALL WHO “OBEY” HIM

Hebrews 5:9- “And being made perfect, he [Jesus] became the author of eternal
salvation unto all them that obey him.”

BELIEVERS CAN FALL AWAY – PERIOD!

Hebrews 6:4-6- “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have
tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have
tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall
away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the
Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

This passage clearly shows that people who are believers, who “were partakers of the Holy
Ghost,” can fall away from the state of justification. The reference to it being “impossible” for
such people to be renewed again to that state refers to the original grace of baptism, by which
they were first cleansed from sin. They cannot be baptized again, but even grave sins can be
forgiven in confession (John 20:23). This passage obliterates – totally demolishes – the once
saved always saved Protestant theology.
 BELIEVERS CAN BE DAMNED FOR THEIR SINS AFTER KNOWING THE TRUTH –
THUS DISPROVING FAITH ALONE!

Hebrews 10:26-27- “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge
of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking
for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”

In the same book and in the same vein as the above warning (Hebrews 6:4-6), this passage
clearly shows that those who have the faith – St. Paul speaks of “we” – can lose salvation as a
result of willful sins.

WITHOUT HOLINESS, NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD

Hebrews 12:14- “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall
see the Lord.”

This shows that the justification necessary for salvation is a sanctification: a true holiness
possessed by the person. It is not, as Protestants contend, the righteousness of Christ being
imputed (i.e. applied) to a person, even though he remains interiorly unholy.

Explaining the Protestant view of the justified man, Martin Luther said that a justified man is like a
mound of dung covered over with snow. The man remains sinful and iniquitous on the inside, but
as soon as he believes the righteousness of Christ is applied to him as a covering and a cloak.
This enables a dirty and iniquitous man to be saved, according to Protestant doctrine, even
though he doesn’t possess justification in himself, but remains a dung of sin on the inside. We
can see how this view contradicts the teaching of the Bible, which is that a justified man is
actually and truly holy by God’s grace. He is sanctified and changed interiorly; he must possess
this interior holiness to see the Lord.

It should also be pointed out that what God says happens. If He pronounces someone just, that’s
because that person is truly just, not fictitiously just or cloaked over.

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER – MEN CAN BELIEVE FOR A TIME AND THEN FALL AWAY

Matthew 13:18-22- “Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth
the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and
catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the
way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth
the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a
while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is
offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and
the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh
unfruitful.”

Here we see that a man can believe “for a while” and then fall away. Notice that the versions of
this parable in Mark and Luke bring out the point even more clearly:

Mark 4:16-17- “…And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time:
afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are
offended.”

Luke 8:13- “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy;
and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall
away.”
Jesus says clearly in Luke 8:13 that these people believe “for a time.” The Protestants might say
that these are people who do not truly believe. One cannot say that, for Jesus Himself says that
they believe for a time.

Thus, this entire parable refutes – and has no meaning in – the false Protestant view of
justification. In it, we not only see that one can believe and then fall away, but that sins,
temptations, worldly concerns, efforts to overcome the world and its snares and its cares,
all are part of one’s justification and salvation. It’s a striking confirmation of the Catholic
teaching on justification, and a striking refutation of the Protestant position.

Luke 8:15- “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart,
having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

Notice that those who bring forth fruit unto eternal life are those who hear the word and “keep it”
or practice it.

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS: IF YOU DO NOT PRODUCE THINGS FOR GOD, YOU
WILL BE DAMNED – SO MUCH FOR JUSTIFICATION BY “FAITH ALONE”

The Parable of the Talents completely refutes the Protestant view of justification by faith alone.

Matthew 25:15-30- “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another
one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then
he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them
other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But
he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a
long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying,
Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents
more.
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy
of thy lord.
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me
two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful
over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy
lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee
that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where
thou hast not strawed:
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that
is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant,
thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my
coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him,
and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given,
and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that
which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall
be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

In this parable we see that the person is condemned for sloth, for laziness and failing to do things
with the talents he has received. He was condemned because he didn’t work with his talents to
gain more talents! This parable demolishes justification by faith alone. What’s extremely
interesting about this is that the passage says that the Lord “reaps where He has not sown.” In
other words, the Lord expects us to do and to produce our own works, done with His grace. If we
do not cooperate with His grace to produce such works – and are not able to present such
supernatural works before Him at the Judgment – we will be cast into Hell. Thus, this parable
confirms Catholic teaching on works, while completely refuting Protestant views.

JESUS WILL RENDER TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS

Matthew 16:27- “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels;
and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

He will render judgment to man on the basis of works. We will see the same teaching in the Book
of Romans and the Apocalypse (Revelation).

JESUS SHALL CAST INTO HELL THOSE WHO DO INIQUITY

Matthew 13:41-42- “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out
of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them
into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Notice that God will condemn to Hell based on whether one does iniquity.

EACH PERSON WILL RECEIVE REWARD OR PUNISHMENT BASED ON WHAT HE OR SHE

HAS DONE IN THE BODY

2 Corinthians 5:8-10- “… Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may

be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;
that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath
done, whether it be good or bad.”

We see that one must labor to be accepted by Christ. Further, we see that men will receive in the
next world a reward or a punishment based on what they have done in the body, “whether it be
good or bad.” Thus, what man has done (his deeds) are seen as integral to his salvation or
damnation.

ONE COULD HAVE ALL FAITH AND IT COULD PROFIT HIM NOTHING

1 Corinthians 13:1-2- “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have
not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the
gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all
faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”

According to Protestant doctrine, faith alone grants salvation. Thus, one who has all faith would
be saved. But the Bible teaches otherwise: one could have all faith and it could still profit him
nothing. Justification is not by faith alone.

WHAT MUST ONE DO TO BE SAVED? JESUS SAYS: KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS,

NOT JUST BELIEVE

Matthew 19:16-17- “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good
thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me
good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the
commandments. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my
youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that
thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and
follow me.”

To the question of what he must do to be saved, Jesus says one must keep the commandments
and follow Him.
 A RICH MAN SHALL HARDLY ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Matthew 19:23-24- “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich
man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is
easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the
kingdom of God.”

Here we see that what one does with his finances will also affect his salvation.

JESUS SAYS WATCH, LEST HE COMES WHEN YOU ARE NOT DOING WHAT YOU SHOULD
AND ARE COMMITTING SIN

Mark 13:35-37- “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house
cometh… Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto
all, Watch.”

The version of this parable in Luke’s Gospel brings out the necessity of works and doing things
for salvation even more clearly:

Luke 12:38,43- “And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch,
and find them so, blessed are those servants… Blessed is that servant, whom his lord
when he cometh shall find so doing.”

Here’s another interesting passage on this point from Luke 21:

Luke 21:34-37- “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be
overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that
day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on
the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be
accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand
before the Son of man.”

In this interesting passage, we see that a failure to do things – a failure to avoid sins such as
surfeiting (which means indulgence or gluttony) and drunkenness – can cost one one’s salvation.
This should show us, again, why justification by faith alone is completely contrary and foreign to
the true Gospel.

PEOPLE MUST DO AND KEEP HIS WORDS TO AVOID ETERNAL RUIN

In Luke 6, we find another important parable on this subject:

Luke 6:47-49- “Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will
shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep,
and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently
upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that
heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon
the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell;
and the ruin of that house was great.”

Jesus says that those who DO His words, not just believe, are those who will be secure against
the great fall (i.e. damnation). But those who hear His message and do it not will suffer the great
ruin, eternal death. Thus, it’s not by faith alone. It could hardly be more obvious.
 HE THAT SAVES HIS LIFE SHALL LOSE IT – IT’S NOT BY FAITH ALONE

Luke 9:24- “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his
life for my sake, the same shall save it.”

In this passage we see that what one DOES, in giving up sinful things that the world offers in this
life, will determine whether one has salvation. It’s obviously not by faith alone.

A JUSTIFIED MAN CAN LOOK BACK

Luke 9:62- “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and
looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

This passage shows us that one who is justified can look back; he can turn away from God and
lose his salvation. It presents an image of attaining salvation as an effort, an ongoing work which
one obtains by plowing through temptations and obstacles.

“DO THIS” – NOT JUST BELIEVE – AND THOU SHALT LIVE

Luke 10:25-28- “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying,
Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?... And he answering said, Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength,
and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast
answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.”

Notice that Jesus is asked what one must do to be saved. He tells the man that he must DO
these things to be saved. It isn’t enough to believe. In fact, it isn’t even recorded here that Jesus
told the man to believe and follow Him, as it is recorded in similar stories in Matthew 19:21 and
Mark 10:21. It’s certain that Jesus did, in fact, tell the lawyer to believe in Him, even though it’s
not recorded in this passage; for no one can be saved without believing in Jesus. That’s clear
from many passages. But this is an example of how much is often implied in passages or made
clear by the context.

YOU MUST BEAR YOUR CROSS TO BE HIS DISCIPLE

Luke 14:27,33- “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot
be my disciple… So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath,
he cannot be my disciple.”

This shows us that salvation is not attained by faith alone in Jesus, but by faith and carrying the
cross and prioritizing all one possesses, making salvation in Jesus Christ’s religion the top
priority.

MAN MUST KEEP THE SAYING OF JESUS TO NOT SEE DEATH

John 8:51- “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see
death.”

Notice that those who keep His words, not just believe, will not see death.

ONLY THOSE WHO DO FORGIVE ARE FORGIVEN

Matthew 6:14- “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you.”
Notice that one is only forgiven if he forgives. Thus, it’s not by faith alone.

MEN ARE JUSTIFIED AND CONDEMNED BY THEIR WORDS, NOT JUST ON THE BASIS OF
WHETHER THEY BELIEVE

Matthew 12:37- “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall
give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and
by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

But I thought that the Protestants said that justification was by faith alone? No, your words, your
actions, your works shall justify you or condemn you, in addition to whether you believe. Man will
have to account for all of his actions and all of his words on the Day of Judgment. A similar
parable is given in Luke 19.

SIMON MAGUS BELIEVED AND THEN FELL AWAY

In Acts 8, we read about Simon Magus.

Acts 8:13- “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized..”

But just a few verses later we find out that he fell into grave sin:

Acts 8:18- “… when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy
Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on
whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy
money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be
purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not
right in the sight of God.”

BELIEVERS ARE NOT ASSURED OF SALVATION, BUT WALK IN THE FEAR OF THE
LORD

Acts 9:31- “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria,
and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy
Ghost, were multiplied.”

Why would they walk in the fear of the Lord if they were already saved? We see again that
Protestantism is unbiblical.

FELIX WAS TERRIFIED WHEN PAUL PREACHED TO HIM THE GOSPEL AND CHASTITY,
OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE ONE MUST AVOID IMPURITY TO BE SAVED

In Acts 24, we find another interesting passage that is relevant to this topic.

Acts 24:25- “And as he [Paul] reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to

come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a
convenient season, I will call for thee.”

The Catholic version of this verse reads:

“And as he treated of justice, and chastity, and of the judgment to come, Felix being
terrified, answered: For this time, go thy way: but when I have a convenient time, I will
send for thee.”
Felix was terrified when Paul spoke about the Gospel’s teaching on chastity, obviously because
Paul informed him that sins in this regard exclude one from Heaven. Felix was terrified only
because St. Paul did not preach to him the false gospel of justification by faith alone.

WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING

Philippians 2:12- “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my

presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with
fear and trembling.”

Work out salvation with “fear and trembling,” obviously because men can lose their salvation
through grave sin at any time.

THE BOOK OF ROMANS CLEARLY INDICATES THAT WORKS ARE A PART OF

JUSTIFICATION AND SALVATION

*FOR A REFUTATION OF THE OBJECTION CONCERNING ROMANS 3:28 AND THE “WORKS
OF THE LAW” PHRASE – A COMMON PROTESTANT MISCONCEPTION – SEE THE
RESPONSE TO THAT OBJECTION AT THE END OF THIS SECTION

The Protestant theology, which says man is justified by faith alone, is contradicted near the
beginning of the Book of Romans by Paul’s discussion in Chapter 2 of how people will be
condemned for what they do. It is also contradicted when Paul says in Romans that God will
render to each man according to his WORKS; and that eternal life is for those who work unto
good.

It’s very interesting that these passages come at the beginning of Romans. This was God’s way
of removing any misunderstanding about the necessity to do things and avoid sins for salvation
that might arise from heretical misinterpretations of later passages which were written to
emphasize that man is not justified by works of the Old Law. (These heretical misconceptions
surround the phrase “works of the law,” which is discussed in detail at the end of this section.)

Romans 2:2-3- “… the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit
such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and
doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?”

Paul says that the judgment of God is against those who commit such things. He then says that
those who do such things shall not escape the judgment of God. What things? At the end of the
last chapter (chapter 1), he gave a list of mortal sins, including fornication, covetousness,
wickedness, etc. So, St. Paul is very clear at the beginning of Romans 2 that those who do such
things will receive damnation. That’s why he proceeds to say:

Romans 2:5-6- “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself
wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will
render to every man according to his deeds.”

He will render to every man according to his works or deeds, not on the basis of faith alone. He
continues:

ETERNAL LIFE IS FOR BELIEVERS WHO CONTINUE IN PATIENT WELL DOING

Romans 2:7- “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and
honour and immortality, eternal life.”

So, eternal life is for those who continue in WELL DOING.

 ETERNAL DEATH IS FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT OBEY THE TRUTH AND DO EVIL

Romans 2:8-10- “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, honour, and
peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

St. Paul makes it abundantly clear that eternal life is not given by faith alone, but to those who do
good; and that eternal death is for every man, including believers, who do evil or commit grave
sins and die in that state.

THE HOLY GHOST IS POURED INTO THE HEARTS OF THE JUSTIFIED: INTERIOR
SANTIFICATION

Romans 5:5- “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad
in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Here we see that for those who are justified the love of God is poured into their hearts. This is
the Catholic view of justification, which is that the justified are truly interiorly sanctified.

THE WAGES OF SIN ARE DEATH – REFUTES FAITH ALONE

Romans 6:12,23- “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in
the lusts thereof… For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Obviously, this only makes sense if the commission of mortal sins causes one to lose his
justification and puts him in a state worthy of eternal death. It doesn’t make sense in a Protestant
theology. That’s why St. Paul goes on to say:

IF BELIEVERS LIVE AFTER THE FLESH, THEY SHALL ETERNALLY DIE

Romans 8:12-13- “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the
flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the
deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

Speaking to “brethren,” that is, believers, he says that if they commit grave sins of the flesh they
will die eternally: be damned. That totally contradicts justification by faith alone, once saved
always saved, etc.

IF BELIEVERS DON’T CONTINUE IN GOODNESS, THEY WILL BE CUT OFF

In Romans chapter 11, we come to a verse which totally devastates Protestant theology.

Romans 11:20-22- “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by
faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed
lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them
which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness:
otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”

Romans chapter 11 clearly speaks of the Jews being cut off because of unbelief. And then St.
Paul says in verse 22 that you believing Christians will also be cut off unless you continue in
goodness. This devastates the ideas of justification by faith alone and once saved always
saved.
A BELIEVER WHO TAKES THE EUCHARIST UNWORTHILY EATS AND DRINKS DAMNATION
TO HIMSELF

1 Corinthians 11:28- “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and
drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh
damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.”

Later on we will cover how this proves the Catholic teaching on the Eucharist. But notice here
that St. Paul says that those who eat of the Eucharist unworthily are guilty of grave sin against the
Body and Blood of the Lord and drink damnation to themselves! He is talking to believers, of
course, as he made clear in 1 Cor. 5:12. This is also clear from the fact that only believers would
be partaking in the Eucharist. Hence, this shows that believers can be damned for grave sins,
such as a sacrilegious reception of the Eucharist. This passage demolishes the Protestant idea
of justification by faith alone and confirms Catholic teaching.

1 COR. 7 DESTROYS JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONE, BY TEACHING THAT IT’S BETTER

FOR CERTAIN BELIEVERS TO MARRY THAN TO BURN

1 Corinthians 5:12- “For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do
not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put
away from among yourselves that wicked person.”

St. Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians that he is speaking about the problems that can befall
those within the Church. This becomes very significant in chapter 7.

1 Corinthians 7:1-9- “Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for
a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have
his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto
the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath
not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not
power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with
consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together
again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. But I speak this by permission,
and not of commandment. For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every
man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say
therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”

There are a number of extremely significant things in this passage. First, we see the clear and
repeated teaching that the celibate state is superior to the marital state. This confirms Catholic
teaching. The Catholic Church teaches that the married state is not a bad state, but a state that
is inferior to the celibate state. Jesus teaches the same in Matthew 19:12, but He says that not
all can make a commitment of their whole lives to God. This biblical teaching on celibacy is why
the Catholic Church’s religious and priests of the Roman Rite take a vow of celibacy.

Now to the main point in regard to the Protestant idea of justification by faith alone. We just
established that in 1 Corinthians 5:12, St. Paul makes it quite clear that he is talking to believers.
Speaking to believers, St. Paul says that “it is better to marry than to burn” (1 Cor. 7:9). This
clearly indicates that even true believers who fall into grave sins can lose their justification and
burn in Hell. He is telling them that it’s better to marry than to burn, obviously because some of
them would fall into mortal sins of the flesh if they did not get married. It completely refutes the
Protestant religion and confirms Catholic teaching on justification.
 SANCTIFICATION AND JUSTIFICATION HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME

1 Corinthians 6:11- “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are
sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our
God.”

Notice that this verse speaks of those who have been justified as “sanctified” before it mentions
that they have been justified. This shows that sanctification and justification happen at the same
time. This contradicts the Protestant view of justification, which is that justification and
sanctification are not one and the same thing. Protestants hold that man is declared justified but
remains interiorly unsanctified.

HEAVEN IS ONLY FOR BELIEVERS WHO “OVERCOME”

Apocalypse 2:7- “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the
midst of the paradise of God.”

Notice again that it’s only those who overcome who will get to Heaven. The passage is about
believers, as is made clear in chapter 2 verse 10. So it’s false to say that everyone who believes
necessarily overcomes. This refutes justification by faith alone. This theme is repeated over and
over in this chapter.

ONE MUST KEEP JESUS’ WORKS “TO THE END”

Apocalypse 2:23-25- “… all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the
reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works… But
that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth
my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

This verse speaks for itself. It completely refutes the Protestant view.

ONE WHO BELIEVES MUST “HOLD FAST” SO THAT HE DOESN’T LOSE HIS CROWN

Apocalypse 3:11-12- “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no
man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God,
and he shall go no more out:”

Apocalypse 7:14- “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are
they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made
them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

The reference to robes or wedding garments in the Bible refers to the state of justification. Those
who don’t have this garment or robe are condemned, as seen in Matthew 22. Thus, people are
justified, not by faith alone; but by faith and works and, for instance, by coming out of great
tribulation.

In Apocalypse chapters 13 and 14, we read about the mark of the beast and that those who
receive it will not be saved. This demonstrates again that what you do will determine whether or
not you are saved.
 THE DEAD ARE JUDGED ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS

In Apocalypse chapter 20, we read about the final judgment.

Apocalypse 20:12-13 “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the
books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the
dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according
to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell
delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according
to their works.”

This verse is another irrefutable proof of the fact that the Protestant view of justification is
completely unbiblical.

Apocalypse 22:12- “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give
every man according as his work shall be.”

Apocalypse 21:8- “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers,
and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the
lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Apocalypse 22:19- “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this
prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and
from the things which are written in this book.”

This is just another verse which shows that what you do can exclude you from salvation.

A MAN MUST CONTINUE IN THE FAITH TO BE SAVED

Colossians 1:21-23- “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind
by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death,
to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in
the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel,
which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven;
whereof I Paul am made a minister…”

This clearly shows that those whom the word of God identifies as true believers (people who can
be presented as reconciled and unblameable before God) can lose the faith and cease to believe
in the Gospel, and thus lose salvation. It refutes “once saved always saved” and coincides with
Catholic truth.

TRUE BELIEVERS CAN BE BEGUILED OF THEIR ETERNAL REWARD

Colossians 2:18- “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and
worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed
up by his fleshly mind…”

We see again that believers can lose their salvation. There’s no doubt that he’s speaking to
those who have true faith, for he already said:

Colossians 2:12- “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him
through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”

Then he warns them again about a form of idolatry that was present at the time, asserting that if
they do certain things they will perish:
 Colossians 2:20-22- “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world,
why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not;
handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and
doctrines of men?”

THE RIGHTEOUS OR JUST MAN WILL SCARCELY BE SAVED

1 Peter 4:17-18- “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:
and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

Notice here that it says that the “righteous” will scarcely be saved. Other translations have it as
“the just man.” There is no doubt that St. Peter is speaking about a justified man in the Church
because he speaks here of judgment beginning with the “house of God,” which is the Church.

There are two ways of understanding this verse, and both contradict the idea of justification by
faith alone. The first is that the just or the righteous in the Church shall scarcely, as in rarely, be
saved because most of those who are at one time justified fall away and don’t persevere to the
end. That coincides with the traditional Catholic understanding that even most Catholics are lost
because they don’t care enough or do what they need to do to be saved. Hence, they lose their
justification at some point, and die in the state of mortal sin.

The only other interpretation that could be advanced is that “scarcely” means with difficulty: that
it’s hard for a just man to be saved. That is to say, the justified man must make a great effort to
be saved; he is not ensured of his salvation by faith alone or a one-time decree as soon as he
believes.

BELIEVERS MUST PRAY TO BE FOUND WORTHY

In 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, we see that those who are in possession of the true faith still might
not have salvation, thus refuting Protestant ideas and confirming Catholic truth:

2 Thessalonians1:3- “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet,
because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all
toward each other aboundeth…”

2 Thessalonians 1:7- “… when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his
mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that
obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he
shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe
(because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray
always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the
good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:”

We can see that the idea that those who believe in Jesus are assured or guaranteed of salvation
(e.g., the preaching of Billy Graham) is a false gospel completely alien to St. Paul. He would pray
always that these true believers are found worthy. This indicates that they (even though they are
true believers) might not be worthy on the Day of Judgment. How could that happen? It could
happen if they fall into some grave (mortal) sin or lose the faith.

A WOMAN IS SAVED BY CHILD-BEARING, IF SHE CONTINUES IN THE FAITH

1 Timothy 2:15- “Notwithstanding she [woman] shall be saved in childbearing, if they

continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”
This obliterates the Protestant view of justification and salvation. It indicates that people who
have the faith can lose it, and they must continue in holiness to be saved. It’s not surprising at all
that one Protestant who attempted to respond to this verse in a debate about justification had no
response whatsoever to this passage. He responded that it’s “quite mysterious.”

CONVERTS CAN FALL INTO THE CONDEMNATION OF THE DEVIL, AND THUS LOSE
SALVATION

1 Timothy 3:1-2,6- “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he
desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless… Not a novice, lest being lifted
up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.”

Here St. Paul is talking about candidates for a bishop in the Church. Thus, he’s clearly speaking
of believers. He says that a “novice” – i.e. a neophyte or a new convert – could fall into the
condemnation of the Devil. So much for justification by faith alone and the heresy of eternal
security.

BY GOD’S GRACE, YOU WILL SAVE YOURSELF BY DOING THINGS

1 Timothy 4:16- “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:
for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

Here we see that one must continue in the faith to be saved. Therefore, one could lose the faith.
We also see that it is in doing works that one is saved!

This verse is quite important because some Protestants – who preach the false doctrine of
justification by faith alone – like to contrast the Catholic and Protestant views in these terms: The
Protestant view [they say] is all about Jesus saving man and doing all the work; but the Catholic
view is about man doing the work and saving himself. Obviously the Catholic view is not about
man saving himself, but that Jesus saves man by making salvation possible. Without Jesus, man
cannot do anything. However, a man must cooperate with God’s grace. If he cooperates and
takes advantage of the salvation which Jesus has made available, and does the things which
God requires, then he will save himself.

In the verse above, we can see that the Bible teaches the Catholic view; it’s not all Jesus without
man’s cooperation. Rather, man’s works and deeds (i.e., what man does) clearly determine
whether he – and others – will have salvation.

Faith-alone Protestants would have to condemn the above verse as heretical.

A BELIEVER CAN DENY THE FAITH AND BECOME WORSE THAN AN INFIDEL

1 Timothy 5:8- “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own
house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

We know that St. Paul is speaking here of believers. For if he were speaking of unbelievers it
would be nonsensical to say that the man who provides not for his own is worse than an infidel
(an unbeliever). He would just say: he is an unbeliever. What makes this man worse and
different from the infidel is that he is a believer and acts in such a fashion. Thus, St. Paul is
saying again that a believer can fall and become worse than an infidel – which obviously means
he can put himself on the road to Hell.

ST. PAUL ENDURES THINGS SO THAT BELIEVERS WILL OBTAIN SALVATION

2 Timothy 2:10- “Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also
obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
St. Paul says that his sufferings, his labors, his works are connected to whether or not people will
obtain salvation.

ST. PAUL REJOICES THAT HE HAS KEPT THE FAITH, OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE BELIEVERS
CAN LOSE IT

2 Timothy 4:6-7- “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at
hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

ALEXANDER THE COPPERSMITH WILL BE REWARDED ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS

2 Timothy 4:14- “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him
according to his works.”

ONE MUST ENDURE AND RESIST TEMPTATION TO HAVE THE CROWN OF LIFE

James 1:12- “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he
shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

It’s clear that one must endure to the end and resist temptation to have eternal life.

SINS OF LUST BRING FORTH ETERNAL DEATH – THUS IT’S NOT BY FAITH ALONE

James 1:13-15- “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God
cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted,
when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived,
it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

Notice here that sins of lust that are consented to bring forth death – and he’s clearly speaking of
eternal death (damnation). Thus, man is not justified by faith alone.

The second chapter of James literally obliterates the Protestant idea of justification by faith alone
and once saved always saved. Martin Luther called the book of James “an epistle of straw” and
wanted to remove it from his version of the Bible until his friends persuaded him that that would
be too radical a move. The following verses, which reject justification by faith alone, are the
reason why Luther criticized this book of the Bible:

James 2:14- “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and
have not works? can faith save him?”

James 2:17- “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

James 2:18- “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith
without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”

James 2:19- “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also
believe, and tremble.”

James 2:20- “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2:21- “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac
his son upon the altar?

James 2:22-23- “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith
 made perfect? 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.

James 2:24- “Ye see then how that by works a man is

justified, and not by faith only.”

This is the only time in the entire Bible when the words faith and alone (or only) are joined
together. And the Bible says that MAN IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY FAITH ALONE, BUT BY WORKS!

James 2:25- “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had
received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?”

James 2:26- “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead
also.”

OBJECTIONS:

WHAT ABOUT THE PASSAGES WHICH SAY THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN JESUS WILL BE
SAVED?

ANSWER: TO JESUS, TO BELIEVE IN HIM UNTO SALVATION NECESSARILY MEANS TO

FOLLOW AND KEEP HIS WORDS AND COMMANDMENTS UNTO THE END. THIS IS
PROVEN BY THE IMMEDIATE OR BY THE EXTENDED CONTEXT OF EVERY CASE WHERE
JESUS SAYS THAT THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIM WILL BE SAVED, AS WELL AS ALL THE
OTHER PASSAGES WHICH HAVE BEEN COVERED.

FIRST EXAMPLE: JOHN 3:16

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.”

One might see this verse on posters at Sports Stadiums, at overpasses on highways, and in
many other places. Protestants believe that it’s the best, or one of the best, examples of the
Bible’s teaching that whoever believes is saved by faith alone. What they don’t tell you or fail to
perceive is what comes in the verses which immediately follow John 3:16.

John 3:17-20- “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the
world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he
that believeth not is condemned already. And this is the condemnation, that light is
come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds
were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light,
lest his deeds should be reproved.”

It’s fascinating that in the very context which immediately follows John 3:16 we see prominent
references to condemnation for evil deeds, as well as to people who do evil and to deeds being
judged. This makes it clear that a faith in the only begotten Son of God which will grant salvation
is a faith which must be accompanied by persevering in good deeds and good works. To Jesus,
to believe in Him unto salvation is to follow and keep His words and His commandments, as all
the other passages we have covered demonstrate. Thus, this verse does not teach justification
by faith alone.
 SECOND EXAMPLE: ROMANS 10: IF THOU CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH… THOU SHALT
BE SAVED

Romans 10:9 is another verse which Protestants attempt to bring forward to prove that they will
have salvation by faith alone in Jesus.

Romans 10:9-10- “…The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is,
the word of faith, which we preach. 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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation.”

Once again, however, the context shows us that the Protestant understanding of this passage is
false. What they don’t realize is that the passage above (Romans 10:8-10) is quoting from
Deuteronomy 30:14 and following. The footnotes in your Bible will show the reference to
Deuteronomy 30:14. Well, Deuteronomy 30:14 and following speak of THE NECESSITY OF
DOING WORKS OF GOD AND KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS.

Deuteronomy 30:14-16- “But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy
heart, that thou mayest do it [Quoted in Romans 10:8]. See, I have set before thee this
day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the
LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his
statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God
shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it”.

This reference to Deuteronomy 30:14 in Romans 10:8-10 shows that to Paul and his listeners, it
was understood that to believe unto salvation is to follow and keep and do the works that are
necessary for salvation. Only in that way will a believer “live” and have salvation. The Protestant
view of justification is simply a total misunderstanding of Scripture, as the full context of this
passage shows again.

THIRD EXAMPLE: JOHN 5:24

Reading this in isolation, some Protestants think that all believers are assured of salvation.

John 5:24- “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.”

But just a few verses later, starting in John 5:28, Jesus says this:

John 5:28-29-“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the
graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the
resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of
damnation.”

Again, we see that people will be condemned on the basis of what they have done, not just on the
basis of whether they have believed. Invariably, to Jesus, to believe unto salvation is to follow
and keep His words and do the works which are necessary for salvation.

FOURTH EXAMPLE: JOHN 6:47

John 6:47- “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

Some Protestants like to quote this passage to argue for justification by faith alone. But this is
easily refuted by the entire context of John 6. Almost the entire chapter deals with how one must
not only believe for salvation, but one must eat the flesh of the Son of Man to be saved.
Therefore, it’s not by faith alone. One must eat the flesh and blood of Jesus to be saved. We will
return to this point in the section on the Eucharist, but this is another example where the
extended context refutes a Protestant misconception.

John 6:53-54- “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat
the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whosoever
eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last
day.”

John 6:58- “This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat
manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live forever.”

WHAT ABOUT EPHESIANS 2:8-9, BY GRACE YOU ARE SAVED THROUGH FAITH NOT OF
WORKS?

Non-Catholics frequently quote the following verse to attempt to prove that man is saved by faith
alone.

Ephesians 2:8-9- “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

However, this argument also fails. As I will now show, this argument fails because this verse is
specifically talking about the initial grace of receiving water baptism. Water baptism is not a work
“of yourselves,” but a sacrament instituted by God. No work you can do can substitute for the
power of water baptism. This is said to “save” because it removes man’s original sin and puts
him into the initial state of justification. The proof that Ephesians 2:8-9 is actually referring to
water baptism is found when one compares that passage to Titus 3:5. Look at this:

Ephesians 2:8-9- “For by grace are ye Titus 3:5- “Not by works of righteousness which
saved through faith; and that not of we have done, but according to his mercy he
yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of saved us, by the washing of regeneration,
works, lest any man should boast.” and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

Notice that the two passages are extremely similar. They are talking about the same thing. They
both mention being saved, and not of works which we have done. Ephesians 2:8-9 describes
this as being saved through “faith”; Titus 3:5 describes it as being saved through the washing of
regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. They are referring to the same thing.

Titus 3:5 is without any doubt referring to water baptism, as even John Calvin and Martin Luther
admitted (although they denied all the implications of that admission with regard to baptismal
regeneration). Ephesians 2:8-9 is also taking about water baptism; it’s just that Ephesians 2:8-9
calls it “faith” because accepting baptism is submitting to faith; it’s how one joins the faith, as
Jesus makes clear in Matthew 28:18-20: “Preach the Gospel to every creature…. Baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” Baptism is also described as
“faith” in Galatians 3:

Galatians 3:26-27- “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as
many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

We see that receiving baptism is synonymous with receiving “faith” in Christ Jesus. To further
confirm that Ephesians 2:8-9 is about being saved by baptism, let’s expand the comparison:
 Ephesians 2:8-9- “For Titus 3:5- “Not by works of 1 Peter 3:20-21- “… when they
by grace are ye saved righteousness which we have waited for the patience of God
through faith; and done, but according to his in the days of Noe, when the
that not of yourselves: mercy he saved us, by the ark was a building: wherein a
it is the gift of God: washing of regeneration, few, that is, eight souls were
Not of works, lest any and renewing of the Holy saved by water. Whereunto
man should boast.” Ghost.” baptism being of the like
form, now saves you also…”

This demonstrates that Ephesians 2:8-9 is referring to the initial grace of baptism. Ephesians 2:8-
9 is not talking about the ongoing justification of those who have already been baptized, but
simply how people were initially brought out of original sin and given the grace of
justification. No work which anyone can do could replace or substitute for water baptism and
the grace it grants: first justification and removal of original sin. But once a person enters the
Church through baptism (which is God’s work), his deeds and works indeed become part of the
justification process and a factor which will determine whether he maintains justification. This is
made clear from the abundance of passages (e.g., James 2:24) that we already covered. Thus,
this is another example of a Protestant argument which doesn’t hold up to the context of
scripture.

Baptism is not a work of righteousness we have done; it’s the sacrament which Jesus instituted,
which pours out His saving Blood and the cleansing of the Holy Ghost.

WHAT ABOUT THE STATEMENT THAT MAN IS JUSTIFIED BY FAITH “APART FROM
WORKS OF THE LAW” (ROMANS 3:28)?

Protestants like to quote Romans 3:28 and similar passages. They think those passages teach
that men are justified by faith alone, apart from any consideration of human actions or works.
However, this is completely wrong. In fact, failing to understand what is meant by the phrase
“works of the law” is one of the biggest misconceptions in Protestantism.

Romans 3:28- “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of
the law.” (KJV)

NIV- “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from observing the law.”

Martin Luther thought that this passage taught that man is justified by faith apart from all good
works or human deeds (e.g., avoiding sin, etc.). However, this is completely wrong.

As we saw, James says in James 2:24 that man is justified by works and not by faith alone. What
is meant here and throughout New Testament by the phrase “works of the law” is the Old
Testament system and prescriptions. “Works of the law” means works of the Old Law. Paul was
writing to people who were stuck on the notion that the system of the Old Law, with circumcision,
clean and unclean foods, ritual sacrifices, etc. is indispensable.

Romans 3:28 teaches that man is saved by the faith or religion of Jesus apart from observing the
Old Law and all of its prescriptions, such as circumcision, etc. That this is what the “works of
the law” means in these passages is proven from the context of Romans, but especially
from Galatians 2:14. Notice that the phrase “works of the law” is used and it specifically refers
to the Old Law (the Law of the Old Testament), not all works or deeds.
 Galatians 2:14-16- “… fearing them which were of the circumcision… If thou, being a
Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the
Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the
Gentiles, 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.”

Notice that the phrase “works of the law” is clearly used by Paul to refer to living “as do the Jews”
– observing the Old Law, circumcision, etc. It is not referring to all works and human deeds.
This is obvious throughout the book of Galatians. Here’s another example:

Galatians 5:3-6- “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a
debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you
are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the
hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any
thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”

As we see again here, it is clear that when St. Paul speaks of “the law,” and how no man can be
justified by it, he is talking about the works of the Old Law: circumcision, etc. He is not talking
about all works! No honest person can deny this fact. He is simply pointing out to them that the
faith/religion/Church of Jesus Christ has saving power in itself. He is telling them that one doesn’t
have to observe the Old Law and its system to obtain the salvation which comes from Jesus
Christ. Here’s another example:

Galatians 6:13- “For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but
desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.”

Again we see that “the law” refers to the Old Law: observing circumcision, etc. No man is justified
by the Old Law. One can also see that Paul was talking about the Old Law in Romans 3:28
(when he uses “works of the law”) if we look carefully at the context in Romans 3 and 4.

Romans 3:1- “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of
circumcision?”

We can see that the very first verse of Romans 3 deals with the Old Testament work of
circumcision. This shows that St. Paul is emphasizing to the Jews and others that they don’t
need to observe these prescriptions for salvation or to enter the true faith of God that has been
delivered by the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3 is another example which proves the point about what the Bible means by “the law”
and “works of the law” and working under the law. In Philippians 3, St. Paul is explaining that he
was a Jew who observed the Jewish law. It’s in that precise context that he speaks of having a
justification/righteousness which is not of his own or of the law, but by the faith of Jesus. In other
words, his statement that justification is not his own of the law means that it’s not of the Old Law
or by having observed the Old Law:

Philippians 3:5-9- “[I] Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of
Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal,
persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But
what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count
all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I
have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that
which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”
It’s obvious that when he speaks of the righteousness or justification which is by faith, which is
not his own of the law, he is not teaching justification by faith alone. Rather, he is simply
emphasizing that the Jewish law does not justify and is not necessary for salvation.

We have already seen an abundance of passages which prove that human deeds and works are
part of whether one has justification and salvation. It’s certain that by “works of the law” Paul
means that one is not saved by the works of the Old Law, but by the religion of Jesus Christ.
With these facts in mind, we can see what a tragic and devastating mistake of misinterpretation
millions of Protestants have made. This has led them into the disastrous errors of justification by
faith alone and eternal security – ideas which run counter to the whole tenor of Scripture, the
necessity to avoid sin, the parables of Jesus, etc.

2 Peter 3:16- “As also in all his [Paul’s] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in
which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and
unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

THE CASE OF ABRAHAM REFUTES PROTESTANT THEOLOGY

IT PROVES THAT JUSTIFICATION IS NOT A ONCE AND FOR ALL TIME ACT, BUT
SOMETHING INCREASED AND MAINTAINED THROUGH OBEDIENCE

The Bible tells us that Abraham (whose name was changed from Abram) was justified in Genesis
15:6 for believing what God said about the number of his descendants.

Genesis 15:5-6- “And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven,
and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed
be. And he [Abram] believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for
righteousness.”

It should be pointed out that, in Catholic theology, the justification given in the Old Testament was
inferior to the adoption as sons of God which is given in the New. Regardless, the following
points about Abraham’s Old Testament justification – something which is brought up repeatedly in
the New Testament – is sufficient to again thoroughly disprove the Protestant position on
justification.

Abraham was justified in Genesis 15:6. If, as Protestants contend, justification is not a process,
but a one-time event in which God imputes (applies) justification to a person as a result of belief
(faith), then Abraham could not have been justified before or after Genesis 15:6. That’s
pretty simple. But the Bible teaches that Abraham was justified both before and after Genesis
15:6

1. Hebrews 11:8 teaches that Abraham believed God – and was justified – when God originally
called him to go to an unknown country. This occurred in Genesis 12.

Hebrews 11:8- “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he
should after receive for an inheritance [Genesis 12], obeyed; and he went out, not knowing
whither he went.”

Genesis 12:1-4- “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country… unto a
land that I will show thee… So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him.”

Therefore, Abraham was justified by faith in Genesis 12, three chapters (and probably years)
before he believed God (about how many descendants he would have) in Genesis 15:6 and was
justified again. Just in case anyone thinks that this belief of Abraham in Genesis 12 didn’t justify
him, it should be pointed out that Hebrews 11 is all about justifying faith. Thus, there is no doubt
that this passage teaches that Abraham was justified by faith in Genesis 12.

2. The Bible teaches that Abraham was justified again (a third time) in Genesis 22, when he
offered his son Isaac on the altar.

James 2:21-24- “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had
offered Isaac his son upon the altar [Genesis 22:10]? Seest thou how faith wrought
with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 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. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified,
and not by faith only.”

So, to put this as simply as possible: the Bible teaches that Abraham was justified three different
times:

1) in Genesis 12:1-4 (see Hebrews 11:8)

2) in Genesis 15:6 (see Genesis 15:6)
3) in Genesis 22:10 (see James 2:21)

This proves that justification is not a one and for all time event, as the Protestants say, but rather
a process. It shows that justification is a process that is CONFIRMED AND INCREASED BY
CONTINUING TO BELIEVE AND BY REPEATED OBEDIENT ACTIONS. In fact, it is only in
Genesis 22, after Abraham heroically offers to sacrifice his son for God, in obedience to God’s
command, that God says that he “swears” to bless his descendants (Genesis 22:16). This
reveals that Abraham’s obedient action sealed his faith and increased/confirmed/maintained his
justification.

Understanding this about Abraham’s process of justification is very important. For in doing so,
one has the key to understanding another point, which has been a source of confusion for many.
That point has to do with why the Bible seems to emphasize, in one place, that Abraham was not
justified by works (Romans 4), whereas in another it says and emphasizes that he was justified
by works (James 2:21-24). Understanding the above point, as well as the points we’ve already
made about what the Bible means by “works of the law,” reveals the simple answer to this
apparent dilemma.

In Romans 3 and 4, St. Paul is writing to people about the works of the Old Law. As stated
already, he is speaking to people who believed or were concerned that salvation is tied up with
the Old Testament system of circumcision, etc. To prove to these people that justification is
not inextricably bound up with the Old Law, circumcision, etc. – to which many were so
attached – Paul gives the example of how Abraham was justified by his faith in Genesis 15:6,
which was before he was circumcised in Genesis 17:

Romans 4:9-10- “Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the
uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for
righteousness [Gen. 15:6]. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or
in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.”

His point, therefore, is that if God can justify Abraham by faith before circumcision (as this
example shows), then he can justify you, if you submit to the faith of Jesus and cast aside
circumcision, etc. That’s the precise point he is making. That must be understood when one
reads this chapter. His point is not that if you submit to Jesus and His faith, none of your human
actions, deeds or sins will have anything to do with your justification!

Thus, when Paul says the following in Romans 4:1-4…

 Romans 4:1-4- “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the
flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but
not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted
unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace,
but of debt.”

… he is clearly speaking in the context of contrasting the Old Testament system of works
with the power that God has to justify those who accept His faith outside of that system of
Old Testament works. That is the precise subject and the context. He is not teaching that
justification by faith in Christ is apart from all human actions and deeds.

But in James 2, the subject and the context are different. James 2 concerns teaching Christians
that their faith in Christ is not enough. It’s about the Christian life and life in general, not about
teaching people that the Old Testament system is not obligatory. One could say truly that in
James 2 the subject is the same as the issue we’re talking about, the Protestant idea that man is
justified by his faith in Jesus alone. And that idea is denounced as completely false.

James 2:21-24- “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered
Isaac his son upon the altar [Genesis 22:10]? Seest thou how faith wrought with his
works, and by works was faith made perfect? 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. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not
by faith only.”

So we can see how the Protestants have totally misunderstood these passages of Scripture. In
doing so they have constructed a false religion and a false Gospel which completely contradict
the whole message of Scripture.

It is necessary for salvation to belong to the one true Church of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church,
which has remained faithful to the Bible’s teaching on justification.

*Unless otherwise noted, all Bible citations were from the 1611 King James Version of the Bible,
a famous Protestant translation. This version was chosen to prove the point to Protestants using
a Protestant Bible.

*This article will be part of an upcoming book which proves Catholic teaching from the Bible.

Copyright 2008: Bro. Peter Dimond of Most Holy Family Monastery. All Rights
Reserved.

Most Holy Family Monastery

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800-275-1126
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