The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum The Role Of Works In Our Salvation (2)

Then you have obviously not bothered to put thought into what you read. The Ordo Salutis is not a "step by step" process whereby a man performs certain actions and is rewarded with eternal life. The Ordo Salutis is a description of the Biblical teaching regarding the application of God's redemption to His elect. It provides the logical order (not necessarily any sequence in time) in which GOD works to bring about redemption, not the "steps" by which man might earn his salvation.


The Arminian's decision is made APART FROM regeneration of the Holy Spirit, by a faith originating in the man himself, whereupon God regenerates the man and credits that faith as righteousness. So long as the man maintains his faith, he remains regenerate and in a state of justification. Rome's infused grace says that we are given by God the ability to do good works that merit our justification (primarily through the sacraments), and that if we continue in good works we will be justified because we will have actually become righteous in ourselves.

How do EITHER of these even come close to Westminster's teaching on justification? We are regenerated by the Holy Spirit on the decree of God alone, and not because we have faith. Through regeneration the Spirit compels us to believe, thereby effecting faith and repentance in us. God justifies us, declaring us righteous on the basis of Christ's blood.