works before Salvation

It is common from Calvinist teachers to hear them say, "man cannot do good until quickened by the Holy Spirit". This is also reflected by the teaching that good works are brought forth after salvation, and are impossible before.

Luther taught works were a fruit of salvation, not possible before. Many catholics and protestants went even further.

Here are some examples of doing good before salvation, so we know they were on the wrong track.

Jesus said children brought forth perfect praise. This before baptism. Matt. 21:16

Jesus thought it possible to use God's house appropriately, and some did.

Mat 21:13  And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 

Cornelius was a man that feared God and gave alms before his salvation. Acts 10:1-3

Peter had kept the law and had never eaten with gentiles. Acts 10

Paul had served God with a good consciounce, blameless, according to the law. Acts 22

Lydia the seller of purple was praying by a river before she was saved. Acts 16:30

Mary anointed Jesus, something Jesus refered to a good deed, before the Holy Spirit was given to Christians.

John 12:1-11

Matthew 26 and Mark 14 referred to such as a good work.

This was before the Holy Spirit was poured out after Jesus was glorified.

Joh 7:37  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 

Joh 7:38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 

Joh 7:39  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) 

Plus there were countless others who did good before being saved.

It is important for faith only people to try to make the point that good works only come after salvation, because recognizing works before would mean the possibility works could enter into salvation in some way, certainly they don't fulfill it..

Abraham offered his son Isaac for justification  after his faith was imputed by God in that example, thus the offering of his son could count toward God's decision to impute his righteousness.

James 2:24 - Abraham was justified by works when he offered his son Isaac.

These were not works of moral righteousness, but a work of faith and through faith. There is a difference.