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From: charli@cylixd.UUCP (Charli Phillips)
Newsgroups: net.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Faith
Message-ID: <379@cylixd.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 16-Oct-85 11:16:04 EDT
Article-I.D.: cylixd.379
Posted: Wed Oct 16 11:16:04 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 18-Oct-85 01:33:08 EDT
References: <497@aero.ARPA> <1562@hammer.UUCP>
Reply-To: charli@cylixd.UUCP (Charli Phillips)
Distribution: net
Organization: RCA Cylix Communications , Memphis, TN
Lines: 21
Summary: 

>As you say, we must believe in Christ to be saved.
>I however would have to classify believing in Christ as a work.
>Perhaps you could clarify what you understand to be a work.
>Faith is a gift from God but to receive that gift we must
>do something like ask for it or read the scriptures.
>[Cory Barker]

Lutherans hold that faith alone is sufficient for salvation, and that
works have no part in it.  Because of our strong insistence on *faith
alone*, we hold that faith cannot be construed as a work by which we
merit salvation.  The Catechism states, in answer to the question, "How
does the Holy Spirit create faith in us?" that God gives us faith
"through the preaching of the word and the administration of the
sacraments."  The Augsburg Confession states:  "To obtain such
faith, God has instituted the office of the ministry, that is, provided
the Gospel and the sacraments.  Through these, as through means, he
gives the Holy Spirit, he works faith, when and where he pleases, in
those who hear the Gospel."  We must believe to be saved, but God
Himself is the one who gives us the faith so that we can believe.

	charli