Mormonism and Christianity/Grace and works/Baptism and grace

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Criticism

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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 web site

• FAIR Topical Guide: