Resolved: Grace Requires that We Strive for Obedience.

Thank you. This response from James 2 brought back memories because I used to argue this way when I was a Mormon. I will answer your questions first and come back to James 2 later in this rebuttle 1. Is baptism by immersion necessary for salvation? Can anyone be saved who having sinned was not baptized? The answer to this question is no. Baptism is a method for walking in obedience. To be brief I will share an experience with the thief on the cross, "And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:39-43). Pardon my sarcasm here but we would agree that the thief was not in any position to get baptized. The only thing required for salvation is having the (Hebrews 11:1 defined) faith in Christ (Acts 16:31 and Romans 10:9-10). Paul had discussed baptism in 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, "I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." My question to my opponent is why would Paul say he is glad he did not baptize all but a couple of people if baptism is required for salvation? 2. Is orthodoxy (belief in correct doctrine) necessary for salvation? Again I the answer is no for the same reason that the only thing required for salvation is faith in Christ. 3. Is belief on the Lord Jesus necessary for salvation? If not, what of those who never learned of Him? Yes, even the Book of Mormon would say this Mosiah 3:17, "And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." This echos Acts 4:10-12, "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." The Bible and The Book of Mormon agree on this. The second question is hard and am still looking for an answer for it. 4. What sins can a Christian commit before his faith is invalid? What, if any, are sufficient sins to make someone lose their salvation? 5. Why aren`t the demons saved, even though they believe in the One True God and confessed that Jesus was the Son of God? First question: I don't know but I would suggest to stay as far away from that line as you could get. Second question: The demons knew who Jesus was intellectually but they did not accept him as their authority and willing to turn from sin to him. 6. Is confession needed for forgiveness of sin? This needs some defining confession to who to God or to man? I believe that,"if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 7. Is repentance needed for forgiveness of sin? If so, how should one repent? Repentance is a willingness to turn from sin and to God. I believe it is needed 8. Is it possible for someone who has some small sins they are aware of but don`t find worth changing and so keep repeating, but nevertheless avoids the large sins such as murder, theft, and fornication to have sufficient faith to be saved? Has the person in question serious about turning from sin and to God or was it just wanting a free ticket out of hell into heaven? 9. If someone who has faith will naturally do works, how does this doctrine differ materially from the doctrine I believe, which is that our works amount essentially to our consent and a vehicle for Christ to help us be better people? How would someone who believes as you act differently from someone who believes as I do on this point? The difference here is the grace empowers you to do things that are pleasing to God. You would assert that "Grace requires striving for obedience" to warrant God's grace to begin with. Mormonism adds appendages that I don't believe are necessary such as earning a temple recommend they going to the temple renewing it every two years doing the same thing and all the things which I mentioned in the first round. James is simply saying what Jesus said except applying it to the believer and Jesus applies it to false prophets. Matthew 7:15-20 says,"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." True faith will produce good works. Let me give you an example if you believe that it is snowing outside, then you will take the necessary precautions to keep yourself warm before going outside. If you truly believe in Christ as your lord and savior you will begin changing your life to conform to Christ's teachings. The requirement for salvation is true belief in Christ. I now give my opponent the chance to respond.