Mormonism and Christianity/Grace and works/Baptism and grace

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Criticism

Some critics claim there is no biblical or Christian requirement to receive baptism. They argue that accepting and confessing Christ is sufficient.

To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here

Response

The early Christians viewed Grace differently than how it is viewed today by many Christians. They taught that it included such things as baptism.

Clement of Alexandria wrote:

“Being baptized, we are illuminated. Illuminated, we become sons...This work is variously called grace, illumination, perfection, and washing. Washing, by which we cleanse away our sins. Grace, by which the penalties accruing to transgressions are remitted. Illumination, by which that holy light of salvation is beheld, that is, by which we see God clearly.” ^[1]

and continued:

"Our transgressions were taken away by one Poeonian medicine, the baptism of the word. We are washed from all our sins, and are no longer entangled in evil. This is the one grace of illumination, that our characters are not the same as before our washing." ^[2]

Cyprian taught:

“You have also asked, dearest son, what I thought of those who obtain Gods grace in sickness and weakness. Are they to be considered legitimate Christians, for they have not been bathed with the saving water, but only sprinkled?” ^[3]

He continued:

“The new man, born again and restored to his God through His grace, can say ‘Father’ at the beginning, for he has now begun to be a son.” ^[4]

Tertullian said:

“Every hour, every time, is appropriate for baptism. If there is a difference in the solemnity, there is no distinction in the grace” ^[5]

and:

“Therefore, blessed ones, whom the grace of God awaits, when you ascend from that most sacred bath of your new birth and spread your hands for the first time in the house of your mother, together with your brethren, ask from the father, ask from the Lord, that his own specialties of Grace and distributions of gifts may be supplied to you.” ^[6]

He also taught that "becoming gods" were part of Gods Grace:

“It would be impossible that another God could be admitted, when it is permitted to no other being to possess anything of God. Well, then, you say, at that rate we ourselves possess nothing of God. But indeed we do, and will continue to do so. Only, it is from Him that we receive it, and not from ourselves. Fore we will be even gods, if we deserve to be among those of whom He declared, ‘I have said, You are gods’ and ‘God stands in the congregation of the gods’. But this comes of His own grace, not from any property in us. For it is He alone who can make gods.” ^[7]

Conclusion

The definition of Grace was used not only for Christ sacrifice, and our acceptance of it, but also for ordinances of the Gospel, and even for the exaltation of man. When the Bible says that we are saved by Grace, the ones who still had the voice of the Apostles ringing in their ears said there was more to it, and it conforms more closely to LDS beliefs.

Endnotes

1. [note]  Clement of Alexandria, Ante-Nicene Fathers E 2:215
2. [note]  Clement of Alexandria, Ante-Nicene Fathers 2:216, 217
3. [note]  Cyprian, Ante-Nicene Fathers 5:400-401, W
4. [note]  Cyprian, Ante-Nicene Fathers 5:449, 250 AD, W
5. [note]  Tertullian, Ante-Nicene Fathers 3:678, W
6. [note]  Tertullian, Ante-Nicene Fathers 3:679, W
7. [note]  Tertullian, Ante-Nicene Fathers 3:480, 200 AD, W

Further reading

FAIR wiki articles

Grace

FAIR web site

Grace FairMormon articles on-line

• John A. Tvedtnes, "Salvation by Grace Alone?" off-site

External links

⍗

Learn more about grace

Key sources	Brad Wilcox, "Have You Been Saved By Grace?' How Do We Respond?," Proceedings of the 2018 FAIR Conference (August 2018). link David L. Paulsen and Cory G. Walker, "'Work, Worship, and Grace: Review of The Mormon Culture of Salvation: Force, Grace and Glory by Douglas J. Davies'," FARMS Review 18/2 (2006). [83–177] link
Online	David A. Bednar, "In The Strength of the Lord," Ensign (November 2004): 76. off-site Gene R. Cook, "Receiving Divine Assistance through the Grace of the Lord," Ensign (May 1993): 79.off-site Karen Lynn Davidson, "Toward a Mature Discipleship," Ensign (July 1984): 45.off-site Colin B. Douglas, "What I've Learned about Grace Since Coming Down from the Sycamore Tree," Ensign (April 1989): 13.off-site Bruce C. Hafen, "The Atonement: All for All," Ensign (May 2004): 97.off-site Bruce C. Hafen, "Grace," in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 4 vols., edited by Daniel H. Ludlow, (New York, Macmillan Publishing, 1992), 2:560–562.off-site Jeff Lindsay, "Salvation by Charity Alone?", mormanity.blogspot.com, 21 September 2006.off-site Gerald N. Lund, "Salvation: By Grace or by Works?," Ensign (April 1981): 17.off-site Dallin H. Oaks, "Have You Been Saved?," Ensign (May 1998): 55. off-site Blake T. Ostler, "Bridging the Gulf (Review of How Wide the Divide? A Mormon and an Evangelical in Conversation)," FARMS Review of Books 11/2 (1999): 103–177. off-site Robert E. Parsons, "I Have A Question: What is the role of grace in LDS theology?," Ensign (July 1989): 59.off-site Robert E. Parsons, "I Have A Question: Will you explain these Bible references in view of the Latter-day Saint doctrine that works are necessary for salvation: Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5; Romans 4:5?," Ensign (April 1986): 36.off-site Daniel C. Peterson and Stephen D. Ricks, "Comparing LDS Beliefs with First-Century Christianity, (Provo, Utah: FARMS, no date). off-site Stephen E. Robinson, "Enduring to the End," Ensign (October 1993): 12. off-site S. Michael Wilcox, "I Have A Question:I am confused by the gospel principle of justification by faith. Can you explain it to me?," Ensign (July 1991): 51.off-site David L. Paulsen and Cory G. Walker, "'Work, Worship, and Grace: Review of The Mormon Culture of Salvation: Force, Grace and Glory by Douglas J. Davies'," FARMS Review 18/2 (2006). [83–177] link
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Printed material

Grace printed materials

• David W. Bercot, Will The Real Heretics Please Stand Up: A New Look at Today's Evangelical Church in the Light of Early Christianity, 3rd edition, (Tyler, Texas: Scroll Publishing Company, 1999[1989]), 56–68. ISBN 0924722002 (Key source)
• Matthew B. Brown, "Salvation and Grace," in The Plan of Salvation: Doctrinal Notes and Commentary (American Fork, UT: Covenant, 2002), 251–257. ISBN 1591560888. ISBN 978-1591560883.
• Roger R. Keller, Reformed Christians and Mormon Christians: Let's Talk! (Urbana, Ill.: Pryor Pettengill, 1986). ISBN 0933462069. ISBN 978-0933462069.
• Robert L. Millet, By Grace Are We Saved (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1989). ISBN 0884946940. ISBN 978-0884946946.