Points of Confusion

When I say Faith Only came from the confusion of Catholic thought, one example becomes clear.

Catholics believe in two stages of salvation.

Justification

Sanctification

Then sanctification is in multiple stages.

We will show first they contradict Peter, then they contradict themselves.

The first contradiction, contradicting Peter, is the double definition of sanctification in baptism vs post-baptism.

Post baptism sanctification in their view requires willfully following God's will, as God works in us both to will and to do his good pleasure. In baptismal sanctification it is by the will of others in their theology. Thus, infant baptism requires a contradiction in definition.

Sanctification, as willful change and obedience is not possible in infant baptism. They must contradict in definition. The definition of sanctification usually involves education.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Sanctification in the New Testament usually involves being taught the word.

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

This required teaching vs just the faith of the baptizer. The baptizers were to first teach.

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

The New Testament doesn't see baptism apart from teaching as theorized by Catholics. Salvation is neither faith alone nor grace alone. It is grace through faith.

Sanctification in their view of stages comes in baptism and then comes after baptism, when after baptism and the removal of original sin a baby receives the gift of the Spirit through the priest; Once free from original sin they can then work to be what God wants them to be. Sanctification after baptism is a clear doctrine of Catholic salvation.

"The second sanctification is a lifelong process in which a person already in the state of grace grows in the possession of grace and in likeness to God by faithfully corresponding with divine inspirations."

So in their definition of sanctification they can have willful obedience for lifelong sanctification or drop willful obedience for baptism.

This contradicts Peter's use of sanctification concerning forgiveness, which is through baptism in their view..

1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Sanctification leads to obedience before a person is cleansed with Christ's blood.

Infant baptism does not meet Peter's definition and openly contradicts it.

Next,

Concerning post baptismal sanctification they believe the end result is the transformation of the person into the image of Christ as they grow into Christ- likeness and are transformed into the image of God's Son.

The problem is that Catholics contradict this position as well by equating transformation in baptism.

As the Second Vatican Council says:

Through baptism we are formed in the likeness of Christ: For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body (1 Cor. 12:13). In this sacred rite, a union with Christ's death and resurrection is both symbolized and broughtabout: For we were buried with him by means of Baptism into death. And if "we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be so in the likeness of his resurrection also (Rom 6:4-5)" (Lumen Gentium 7; emphasis mine).

How can one be transformed into Christ's image at baptism, and then receive a second sanctification where they grow into Christ's image through grace empowered works? One is either transformed at baptism or he isn't. Especially in view of the Catholic declaration they believe the sacrament wording is real and effectual.

The only way it reconciles without contradiction is in believer's baptism, as man transforms his life by being united in the likeness of Christ's death. In that case baptism is both sanctification and cleansing.

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Sanctification is accomplished by Christ, it isn't something man accomplishes on his own. Man does cooperate with Christ by being united in the likeness of his death, but Christ is the one who accomplishes sanctification as well.

Another point of contradiction is in Catholic Justification.

Justification -. The process of a sinner becoming justified or made right with God. As defined by the Council of Trent. “Justification is the change from the condition in which a person is born as a child of the first Adam into a state of grace and adoption among the children of God through the Second Adam, Jesus Christ our Savior” (Denzinger 1524)

Depending on the sins from which a person is to be delivered, there are different kinds of justification.

An infant is justified by baptism and the faith of the one who requests or confers the sacrament.

Adults are justified for the first time either by personal faith, sorrow for sin and baptism, or by the perfect love of God, which is at least an implicit baptism of desire.

Adults who have sinned gravely after being justified can receive justification by sacramental absolution or perfect contrition for their sins. (Etym. Latin justus, just + facere, to make, do: justificatio.)[A Catholic who is in the state of grace i.e. not in the state of mortal sin is justified]

Yet, the council of Trent says no man is justified without faith. By allowing the infant to be saved through the faith of others they violate Trent, and violate the Holy Spirit's testimony in the scriptures.

Gal 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

It requires the personal faith of the one called, not the faith of others.

Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Joh 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:

It is equal in number to those ethat received him and believe.

The Council of Trent violates John 1:12

An infant is justified by baptism and the faith of the one who requests or confers the sacrament.

John says one must believe to have the right to become an adopted child, Trent says a baby based upon another's faith may be adopted.

The Holy Spirit and the apostles disagree with the Council of Trent.