Mormonism and Christianity/Grace and works/Early Christian views on salvation

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Questions

== What can the writings of early Christians tell us about how to receive salvation in Jesus Christ?

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

Answer

Here are a few examples of what the early Church fathers taught on salvation:

Justin Martyr

Justin (110-165 A.D.) said:

“works deliverance from death to those who repent of their wickedness and believe upon Him.” (Ante-Nicene Fathers 1:249, chap 100, Dialogue with Trypho)

“by our works also to be found good citizens and keepers of the commandments, so that we may be saved with an everlasting salvation.” (Ante-Nicene Fathers 1:185, chap. 65, First Apology of Justin)

"But there is no other [way] than this,-to become acquainted with this Christ, to be washed in the fountain spoken of by Isaiah for the remission of sins; and for the rest, to live sinless lives." (ANF 1:217, chap. 44, Dialogue with Justin)

“Christ has come to restore both the free sons and the servants amongst them, conferring the same honour on all of them who keep His commandments” (Ante-Nicene Fathers 1:267, chap 134, Dialogue with Trypho)

Irenaeus

Irenaeus said:

“But He taught that they should obey the commandments which God enjoined from the beginning, and do away with their former covetousness by good works, and follow after Christ.” (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, book 4, chap. 12, Ante-Nicene Fathers 1:476)

“God has always preserved freedom, and the power of self-government in man, while at the same time He issued His own exhortations, in order that those who do not obey Him should be righteously judged (condemned) because they have not obeyed Him; and that those who have obeyed and believed on Him should be honoured with immortality.” (Ante-Nicene Fathers 1:480, Against Heresies 15)

“God, who stands in need of nothing, takes our good works to Himself for this purpose, that He may grant us a recompense of His own good things, as our Lord says: "Come, ye blessed of My Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you. For I was an hungered, and ye gave Me to eat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: naked, and ye clothed Me; sick, and ye visited Me; in prison, and ye came to Me."[Mat. 25:34]” (Irenaeus Against Heresies, book 4, Ante-Nicene Fathers 1:486)

“And when we come to refute them, we shall show in its fitting-place, that this class of men have been instigated by Satan to a denial of that baptism which is regeneration to God, and thus to a renunciation of the whole[Christian] faith.” (Ante-Nicene Fathers 1:331, Irenaeus Against Heresies, Chap. 21)

Clement of Alexandria

Clement said:

“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.” (Clement of Alexandria, Ante-Nicene Fathers E 2:215)

“Straightway, on our regeneration, we attained that perfection after which we aspired. For we were illuminated, which is to know God.” (Clement of Alexandria, Ante-Nicene Fathers E 2:215)

Theophilus

Theophilus said:

“The things proceeding from the waters were blessed by God, that this also could be a sign of men being destined to receive repentance and remission of sins, through the water and bath of regeneration-as many as come to the truth and are born again” (Theophilus, Ante-Nicene Fathers E 2:101)

== Notes ==

None

Further reading

FairMormon Answers articles

Grace

FairMormon 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.