Regarding Justification & Losing Salvation or Falling Away,

I never got that - we are justified due to nothing we have done but then we can lose our justification by sinning it away or deciding I no longer want to follow. Seems odd to me.

I obviously also have a problem with Baptismal Regeneration, which Augustine did endorse - (although he was simply adhering to what he was taught and held onto it so tightly that he believed those who are not baptised are in hell - even though his later writings gave more emphasis to sovereign grace as the means to salvation). But at least Augustine took the idea of baptismal regenration as he was taught so seriously that he felt if Baptism really saves or enables salvation to occur then there is no hope for the unbaptised - unlike the 'loophole' (that seems to always be so prevelant with the RCC) that evolved regarding 'Baptism by desire.'

But essentially baptism and the lord's supper both reperesent or is symbolic of Jesus' finished work on the cross.

The sacraments have no magical powers to transform the indifferent, ignorant, insincere or nominal Christian into a new creature born of the spirit. (see Simon the Sorceror)

Last edited by AJC; Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:50 AM.
The mercy of God is necessary not only when a person repents, but even to lead him to repent, Augustine