Hi Xavier,
Thanks for the reply. I'm kind of confused at what your saying:
Can you explain when or what is post-justification. It would be helpful if you could also say what is the instrumental cause of Justification (for an individual) in your view and when does post-justification occur.
Many thanks.
Hi Phil. Thanks for the response.
What I mean by post-justification is good works done AFTER justification. In Augustinian theology, which I follow, all good works done before justification (such as those unbelievers do) are merely natural good works and don't have a supernatural reward in Heaven. But the Good Works Christians do, after being justified by faith in Christ, and receiving the Holy Spirit, are supernaturally meritorious and do earn/merit an eternal reward. Thus, those who labor more for the Lord will be rewarded more, according to:
"every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour" (1 Cor 3:8)
Could you please clarify if you agree or disagree? Thanks.
Catholic and Lutheran theologians recently signed a joint declaration agreeing that initial justification is by grace through faith and love, and normally happens in Baptism: "25.We confess together that sinners are justified by faith in the saving action of God in Christ. By the action of the Holy Spirit in baptism, they are granted the gift of salvation, which lays the basis for the whole Christian life. They place their trust in God's gracious promise by justifying faith, which includes hope in God and love for him. Such a faith is active in love and thus the Christian cannot and should not remain without works. But whatever in the justified precedes or follows the free gift of faith is neither the basis of justification nor merits it." From:
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/joint-declaration-on-the-doctrine-of-justification-2356
The Biblical basis for Baptismal Regeneration are passages like John 3:5, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Titus 3:5, 1 Pet 3:21 etc etc.
Just quoting one such passage below.
"16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’
Initial Justification happens by Grace through Faith, and not of works, but in Baptism. Now, if a person legitimately can't be Baptized, then he can make an act of faith in Christ and repentance for his sins, and he will be forgiven. But normally washing away of sins, as the above passage indicates, happens in Baptism.
And similarly, we believe Continual Sanctification happens through Holy Communion, as John 6 indicates, and if we make use of this means of sanctification, we will be sanctified faster by God, bear more fruit, and finally receive Perseverance.
Jn 6:56: "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him."
Jn 15:5: "He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
If God intended us to rely on faith alone, and e.g. never go to our churches for Baptism, Communion etc, why did He institute them in the first place? Any thoughts on that? Grace through Faith, yes, but Grace through Faith in the ordnances/sacraments of baptism, communion etc.
God Bless.