Justification by Jesus Christ Alone (John Gerstner)

[StringPlunker]

Whoever does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

[Goldentrout100]

Why is it that man always feels the need to upstage God? You really think we can impress Him with our feeble works? If there is one consistent message repeated ad nauseam in Scripture, it's that unsaved mankind is totally wicked, depraved and incapable of producing anything but rebellion before God. If not, Christ would not have needed to go the cross, would He? Just look at the world around you, and do it objectively. Chaos, turmoil, sin, wars...need I go on?

[TheOldBeef]

What a moron. If faith can be from "Christ Alone" than there is no reason that works could not be from "Christ Alone". He's just caught up in his own stupid, unbiblical theological system.

[Goldentrout100]

@TheOldBeef The squeaky wheel gets the grease, so here is yours: Name-calling and insults to prove your point show that your argument is weak already. Good works are a result of salvation, not the cause. Christ's good work on the cross justified every believer in Him, if not, then you have earned your way into God's goodness, which is impossible. There's your grease, and no insults.

[TheOldBeef]

@Goldentrout100 Good morning dipshit. My name-calling is not intended to prove anything, and it does not show that I have a weak argument. Thinking that it does is called the "I am a dipshit fallacy". There's no good reason why one should not consider works part of justification (as the Bible clearly says they are), and that's that. Furthermore, calling me a "squeaky wheel" is an insult, which makes you a hypocrite.

[Goldentrout100]

@TheOldBeef: Well good afternoon to you too Sir. And thanks for clarifying what I am; I thought I was only a butthead sometimes. And I used "squeaky wheel" only as an apt metaphor, not an insult. Well, one thing's for sure- you have a raw nerve somewhere or this stuff wouldn't get you so pissed. But each of us at times thinks we have it all figured out, and we are comfortable in that thought, because we need to feel we are on the right path with the Lord. To each his own as He leads.

[polopowers1]

There is no such thing as necessary works this is heresy. He is saying the righteousness of Christ imputed is proven by works. This is saying righteousness of Christ is incomplete until proven by what follows. Don't get saved and die because this man is saying righteousness is not yet complete. Christ makes new creations that new creation is completely righteous by nature being born again. Nothing of flesh is made righteouss nothing the body of man is not a nature made righteouss., in new birth

[Andante931]

Great teaching. Gods sovereignty really shines in this correct description of faith works and justification. We will bring nothing of ourselves to the throne on our day, only christ, but if we did no works on earth, that is a sign that Christ was not in us. It is as simple as that.

[russellkua]

Seems like he has worked himself into a logical conundrum.

[Samascarpin]

Read "Rome Sweet Home" by Scott & Kimberly Hahn, Chapter 5 (Scott abolishes Dr. Gerstner)

[HermitintheRain]

when Abel offered up his sacrifice it was accepted before the Lord because it was born of faith. if Cain had offered the exact same sacrifice as Abel, it still would not have been received favorably from the Lord because it was still void of faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Goats may have the appearance of good works-that may even seem to shine brighter than the Lord's sheep. The difference comes back to having as Peter called, that like precious faith-the gift of God.

[HermitintheRain]

@HermitintheRain having been graced with that like precious faith a child of God will bring forth from his heart the fruits of repentance which will be the love that Paul stated in 1 Cor 13 was essential. It will be the result of what John declares as loving him because he first loved us. The just will truly live by faith-the faith that God gives to believe in him who he sent to be the LORD our Righteousness. This is the peace that Jesus gives his people-peace with God through Jesus alone.

[polopowers1]

What about those who cannot do any works,some death bed conversions, some mentally ill, some ignorant? This would be a non all inclusive statement that all must have meritorious works to prove faith real.This man just declared works after salvation must vindicate Christ effective,impossible.Christ stands in His own merit and sometimes with no works.Christ satisfied God not Christ and meritorious works

[MRKetter81]

@polopowers1 James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

[polopowers1]

@MRKetter81 Thats right faith is dead BROTHERS what good is it my BROTHERS not lost souls. Faith is dead without works,true. But atonement is not dead by your lack of works Because it is not of works at any time.James is teaching Jews who the opposite of Galations were adding works to justification alone. These brothers scattered were not doing works admonished by James through the example of Abraham and Rahab to do works.Sick dying people would be elimanated not having works,impossible.

[MRKetter81]

@polopowers1 By what you've said... you just contradicted your first statement; that is, "There is no such thing as necessary works this is heresy.".

It IS necessary that faith be evident by works. No one is justified by one's own work, but neither are they justified by a dead faith that is utterly fruitless.

[polopowers1]

@MRKetter81 Dead faith does not negate salvation or atonement effect. Christ is exclusive satisfaction to God. Many get saved and either can do no works are mentally incompetent etc. There is no work after new birth that vindicates atonement. No works before or after the cross appease God for justice to impart righteousness Works justify faith not saving faith! Christ need not a man to perfect atonement by works proving man saved.James rebuked no work faith not saving faith Jews lazy in works

[MRKetter81]

@polopowers1 "Dead faith does not negate salvation or atonement effect." Yes it does, "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?".

James 2:19 "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?"

[MRKetter81]

@polopowers1 James 2:21 "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."

[MRKetter81]

"Many get saved and either can do no works are mentally incompetent ect.". And in every case where you claim they have done no work, they have done work through the confession of their lips.

Why do you worry about the mentally incompetent? The scribes and the pharisees worried about the prostitutes and the tax collectors, but those entered the kingdom of heaven before they did. Likewise greater works are done by the mentally incompetent than many who claim to be upright.

[MRKetter81]

From the work of the widow who gave her only coin, to the work of the women who anointed Christ's head before His death, to the work through the man's confession on the cross at Christ's side. How SMALL THESE WORKS ARE! Yet each of these are known more than some who have feed thousands. Such small works are these that have strengthened the faith of many more.

[polopowers1]

@MRKetter81 The thesis of the theology is simple are works necessary after Christ died to vindicate having saving faith ?. Works do justify faith but not whether Christ died for a believer. Nothing of works validate Christ atoning for sin. Works cannot secure being secure by Christ's blood. They can give assurance to faith being active but they do not validate Christ.

[MRKetter81]

@polopowers1 You obviously need to either read more. 'I' quoted scripture, ""Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."

We believe in a faith that justifies, but not that is alone. Just as Gerstner just said, faith minus works is heretical from ANY denomination you go to.

"I know people who are not capable of works." Which is simply untrue... you over look the work.

[polopowers1]

@MRKetter81 All the examples in James were for Jews dead in works James stirred them up Abraham Rahab etc. examples of Jews who justified faith with works.But the death of Christ is not validated by works when faith and grace has been applied. Works are good, I do them. But they do not make faith of Christ in me real.Only fruit of the Spirit in Virtue is evidence for a believer having saving faith..Works validate faith but not saving faith

[polopowers1]

@polopowers1 You can have dead faith in the practical applications of works James is not contradicting Paul we are saved by grace and faith alone. the Catholics believe works must follow but James was teaching dead faith not active. He called them brothers if they lost their salvation because they had no works then Christ did not satisfy God on His merit alone.It is Christ alone always Many do works testify they know Christ do works in His name does this mean they have saving faith, No

[MRKetter81]

@polopowers1 DEAD faith is NOT faith. A body that doesn't move is lifeless and thus dead, because the soul is NOT there. Those whom you claim, "don't work" probably are doing so right under your blind eyes. Faith responds, or it is not there.

It IS necessary that work be there as a result of faith, or else there is no faith at all; that is the nature of being, "dead".

[MRKetter81]

@polopowers1 "You can have dead faith in the practical applications of works", no you can't. Those people who work apart from God's saving grace are faithful in their godless pursuit. Their work is evidence of their faith in idols; it is the 'basis' of their faith that is dead. The faith of man bares the fruit of this age; saving faith in Christ bares the fruit of the age to come.

[polopowers1]

@MRKetter81 So it is Christ and works satisfying God for righteousness not Christ alone?The Nature of God cannot be satisfied but by the Nature of God Himself for Justice done and righteousness imputed!. James is not talking about Justification of Christ Abraham did not Jesus for justification neither did Rahab, not accusing my reading ability. But since you mentioned heresy an Apostate is one who leaves truth once professed Paul never would ascertain faith and works necessary fo salvation.

[MRKetter81]

@polopowers1 "So it is Christ and works satisfying God for righteousness not Christ alone?" Again you create a dichotomy where there is none. It is Christ's work imputed by faith which ALWAYS bares fruit. We are justified through a imputed faith. The work is not justified on the account of the law, but on the account of the faith it bares witness of; which is imputed by God.

[MRKetter81]

@polopowers1 "But since you mentioned heresy an Apostate is one who leaves truth once professed Paul never would ascertain faith and works necessary fo salvation."

Then all protestant denominations are condemned for affirming what Dr.Gerstner has just affirmed here.

FAITH WITH OUT WORKS IS DEAD!

[polopowers1]

@polopowers1 I know people who are not capable of works. Your saying works must be active or faith is not real. I have no problem with the mentally ill or the sick. They are not exempt from salvation if they can do no works I know some can. I don't think you understand my point. The death of Christ stands on its merit before salvation and no works after being saved secures Christ to be in a person as real. Death bed conversions according to you cannot exist because works would have to follow.

[MRKetter81]

@polopowers1 So I suppose we should edit the book of James out of the bible for the sake of your own twisted logic?

[polopowers1]

@MRKetter81 James is not talking about faith that atones in Christ. Notning but Christ can satisfy God but Christ He cannot be vindicated by works. Twisted logic is to say Christ alone but if you don't have works that follow than Christ did not satisfy God for you. Many ill people can die without works having been justified. James is taliking to Jews complasecent in works saying don't you know faith not saving faith justifies works it does not vindicate Christ,Christ stands alone even after

[sr14225]

My brother's name is John Gerstner. This is definitely NOT him though.

[JoaquinJB]

"Simply to the cross I cling?" Is this a statement from a humble heart which = faith originating from the sinners heart to God, or is this statement of faith coming from God to the unregenerate sinner and expressed from the sinner to God as a mere reflection of a brokeness that he doesn't have? Therefore God's faith through the unbeliever is what saves a man since man cannot exercise faith because that would be a work, though God's word communicates that faith has to originate from the sinner.

[1tim315carlos]

The Catholics position is

Salvation through GRACE alone.

below are some texts that you may find helpfull in explaining salvation through works.

Christ did say "follow me." He didn't say I'm going to die on a cross for you, but thats none of your concern. You don't take any part in your own salvation.

He did say "pick up your cross and follow me." What should we do in response to this calling of picking up ones cross?

Look to Christ' CHURCH for answers.

Keep the love and peace

[CASSMAN777]

When Romanists use the word Grace in their own salvation theology, they are actually using a misnomer. Grace is defined according to Romans 11:6 as UNMERRITED favor, but Rome defines it as MERRITED favor. No you people don't believe in the true biblical Grace, but a false "grace" created by Rome.

Why did Jesus say "pick up your cross," becasue good works are the RESULT of salvation, not the cause of it.

[1tim315carlos]

James 2:24 See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route? 26 For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

keep love and peace

[MrDoxology]

@CASSMAN777

While the RCC teaches that most grace is merited, it does however believe that man needs an initial grace in order to merit and this initial grace which is merely sufficient not irresistible is itself unmerited and free. I thought I would point that out as we do not want to make Rome worse than it already is.

The truth of coarse is that their is no "sufficient grace" and such a notion is only a way to seem orthodox while infact preserving the essence of semi-pelagianism.

[katpiering123]

Good, grace means the ability to keep the commandments, Titus 2:11-12,Deut.6:25,Luke 1:6. Yahushua said if you want to be saved YOU NEED TO KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS Matt.19:17,Matt.13:41-42,Matt7­:21-23,John14:15,John15:10. Faith without works are dead James2:17 and Paul say that you work your salvation out Phil.2:12.Paul say you are justified by the law Romans2:13. And Peter warns us not to use Pauls letters to preaches lawlessness 2Peter3:15-17.

[MRKetter81]

@1tim315carlos Way to beat up the strawman argument again.

[theflashrod]

He/she that has ears to hear, let him/her hear....

[pungadoo]

What kind of works is he talking about

[1tim315carlos]

The Roman Catholic CHURCH cannot error on faith and morals.

this is the CHURCH of 1 Tim 3:15 PILAR AND FOUNDATION OF TRUTH!

If the CHURCH of 1 Tim has failed then CHRIST himself is a LIER!

Jam 2:24 a man is justified by works and NOT by faith alone

Jam 2:26 faith W/O works is dead

Gal 5:6 ONLY thing that counts is faith WORKING in love

1Cor 13:2 faith W/O love is NOTHING

Jn 13:15 If you love me, KEEP my comandments

Phil 2:12-13 WORKOUT your salvation w/fear and TREMBLING

peace & love

[jpf905]

uh...NO

[CASSMAN777]

1 tim3:15 is Paul telling timothy to take care of the church, its not saying to obey the bishop of rome. jam 2:24 is talking about being justified in the eyes of men. 1 cor 13 is just saying that love will last longer than faith, only people who are truly saved will love Christ, phil 2:12 is talking about excercising your salvation, not working for it.

Repent you heretic, or you will burn in hell forever.

[TheWicketgate]

@1tim315carlos WORKOUT your salvation w/fear and TREMBLING (notice "workout" not work for) what is the very next verse? for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. Faith w/o love is dead faith which is no faith at all.For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,not of works, lest anyone should boast.

[stonerolledaway]

how about this - faith >> justification period......works are solely efficacious for people that are already justified. the reformation did not go far enough

[FORCHRST]

God declares, that he owes us nothing; so that salvation is not a reward or recompense, but unmixed grace. The next question is, in what way do men receive that salvation which is offered to them by the hand of God? The answer is, by faith; and hence he concludes that nothing connected with it is our own. If, on the part of God, it is grace alone, and if we bring nothing but faith, which strips us of all commendation, it follows that salvation does not come from us.

[FORCHRST]

JOHN CALVIN SAID

"8. For by grace are ye saved. This is an inference from the former statements. Having treated of election and of effectual calling, he arrives at this general conclusion, that they had obtained salvation by faith alone. First, he asserts, that the salvation of the Ephesians was entirely the work, the gracious work of God. But then they had obtained this grace by faith. On one side, we must look at God; and, on the other, at man.

[AlexFigueroa]

Thank you, LaneCh... another excelent video.

[RUSavedByGraceAlone]

What is the name of this video? I want to get it.

[LaneCh]

I'm not sure what the name of the video is, but if you send this clip to Ligonier(.)org and ask, they should be able to help you.

[the13thof12]

I need to ask a clarifying question. Gerstner was reformed (calvinist) right? Shouldn't the diagram be Justification=faith+works then instead of Faith=justification+works?

[LaneCh]

The Reformed doctrine is Justification by faith alone without works.

[the13thof12]

I see. It was my understanding that in reformed theology regeneration precedes faith. Why isn't it Justification=Faith=Works? Isn't that what regeneration preceding faith would add up to? I'm just wondering. I'm not trying to start something.

[cinderella425]

That was wonderful...I was especially impressed at how he pointed out the truth of what many evangelicals preach: faith = justification - works. Praise God for this man's boldness in preaching the truth!

[13thof12]

Genius!

[Bhanna4d]

Wow John Girstner. Impressive.

[pimpfreeze]

Paul says in Romans 3:31- 31Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

James 2:19-26- 19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

[CanCatholic]

He misrepresents the Catholic doctrine on justification. The actual doctrine is that man is saved by grace alone. Not faith + works-->justification. From this grace comes faith. From faith comes works.

[LaneCh]

I assume you are speaking of Roman Catholicism. If not, please correct me. If so, I must say that what you've presented is not RC teaches. Search Droakely1689 and watch some of his debates. RC's can tell you themselves what they believe the Gospel to be.

[CanCatholic]

The fact that a Catholic believes something to be Catholic doctrine does not make it Catholic doctrine. The doctrine is that man is justified by the grace of God alone. We must cooperate with this grace by faith in Christ and from this faith flows works. Works do not justify us before God. At the same time it is false to say that we are justified by faith alone.

[LaneCh]

The Bible teaches that we are justified by faith without works (Rom. 4). To say that we are justified by anything but faith is not the Gospel. Even your statement, "Works do not justify us before God. At the same time it is false to say that we are justified by faith alone." violates the law of non-contradiction. How can "works not justify us" and "it's be false to say we're justified by faith alone"?

[CanCatholic]

I think we have a misunderstanding in terms. It is more appropriate to say that we are saved by grace alone. We are justified by faith. Works necessarily flow from this faith.

Anyway, the position that Luther rebelled against was not truly the Catholic position. Luther argued for the Catholic (and Biblical) position that was not being tought by priests at the time. We don't use the words saved by 'faith alone', but the doctrines are remarkably similar (Luther's and Catholic).

[LaneCh]

Martin Luther was rebelling against the Catholic position of works plus faith for salvation. It's why the term SOLA is so offensive to Roman Catholics.

[reformedcalvinist216]

quote from cancatholic: "I think we have a misunderstanding in terms. It is more appropriate to say that we are saved by grace alone. We are justified by faith. Works necessarily flow from this faith."

do you realize that the council of Trent has placed an anathema upon ANYONE who actually believes this?

[CanCatholic]

CANON XXIV.-If any one saith, that the justice received is not preserved and also increased before God through good works; but that the said works are merely the fruits and signs of Justification obtained, but not a cause of the increase thereof; let him be anathema.

This is the closest thing I could find to what you said. Works that flow from faith are meritorious. They strengthen our relationship with God, but they do not justify us. In this sense works are essentially prayers.

[LaneCh]

CANON XXXII.-If any one saith, that the good works of one that is justified are in such manner the gifts of God, as that they are not also the good merits of him that is justified; or, that the said justified, by the good works which he performs through the grace of God and the merit of Jesus Christ, whose ...

[LaneCh]

[Page 49] living member he is, does not truly merit increase of grace, eternal life, and the attainment of that eternal life,-if so be, however, that he depart in grace,-and also an increase of glory; let him be anathema.

(Session 6 of Trent)

[LaneCh]

CANON IX.-If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema.

(Session 6 of Trent)

It seems that many Arminians and RC's aren't really different in that respect.

[prchdaword]

Faith = union with Christ = Justification + works. That is BEAUTIFULLY put!!!!

[srprimeaux]

Wow! Now, THAT is what I call doctrine! Amen!

[ReformedLou]

Great food for thought. And now I know from where R.C. got his lecturing style.

[LaneCh]

I recognized that, too. R.C. sounds just like him even with the way he emphasizes words.

[CAndiron]

Wow- no danger of falling asleep in that class!