I'm really sorry for anyone here who believe on No 2, but it makes me laugh and can’t stop myself from laughing.
Yes! It would be funny, if it wasn't so sad. Jesus described people as sheep, because that is how we behave. I sadly have some contempt for sheep as very stupid animals, but that is how we as people can be. Sometimes happily believing contradictory beliefs.
But I have a question please.
You mentioned three points (1, 2, 3), who believes on the No 3 ? Protestants, Catholics, or both?
I think both groups have all three types of people. With Catholics, the emphasis is often on faith (in Christ) plus works. They won't necessarily describe their faith as this, but this is often what it will amount to. (Some Protestant denominations also, but part of the reason for the Protestant reformation was to do away with Catholic traditions that weren't found in the bible).
The question with adding works to salvation is how much works is enough? However, God makes it clear in His word, and says that the best of our righteous deeds are as filthy rags to Him. Trusting in good works for salvation would be like a murderer asking a trial judge for leniency as between crime sprees, the murderer helped an old lady cross the street. A just judge can't acquit someone of a crime simply because of a good work (or even many good works).
For repentance to be accepted by God, certain conditions must be met:
- The person must genuinely feel remorse for their sin.
- Abandoning the Sin.
- A firm intention not to commit the sin again in the future.
This is true, but justice demands that the sin still be paid for. Otherwise, a merciful God (in forgiving sin) will actually be condoning it, and become unjust. The role of Jesus Christ is that He, being born as a man, willingly took the judgement for our sin upon Himself, despite being guilty of no sin of His own.
When one believes on Christ Jesus, that one becomes aware of his sin, and God's just punishment for sin (an eternity in Hell). He confesses his sin before God, and acknowledges that God, in his mercy and loving-kindness, was born as the God-man Christ Jesus and died on the cross, as the just payment for such sin. The one believing on Christ asks God's intervention in His life (repentance), to change his heart so as not to be enticed by further sin. Although Christians still do sin after believing on Christ Jesus, God's sacrifice for sin covers all past, present and future sins, for those who truly have believed on Christ. God's Holy Spirit works in the hearts of those who believe on Christ Jesus, so that when they do sin, they become aware of it, repent of it, and try to resist it in future (sanctification).