> On the first point, the many verses you quoted from Romans and other writings of Paul are exactly it: you have to trust SOLELY in Christ's sacrifice to save you. If you're trusting in that PLUS doing good works, or that PLUS getting baptized, or that PLUS regular church attendance, or that PLUS anything else, then you're trusting in the wrong thing. If it takes something else to save you, then it means Christ's sacrifice was not powerful enough to suffice, but the Bible is clear that accepting Christ's sacrifice IS sufficient.

Sure, accepting the sacrifice is sufficient, but that statement is deceptively simple. Because acknowledging the *fact* that Jesus made a sacrifice is nothing like the same thing as accepting the gift of salvation. And I know that's probably not what you believe, but sometimes it seems as if that is what people who emphasize that salvation is by faith alone seem to be implying a lot of the time. Sacrament, ritual, and good works do not save, but they can be helpful, and in some cases vitally important in bridging the gap between God's offer and the individual's acceptance of salvation.

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> It sounds like you personally agree with this. Some Catholics do, but I know many who do not. I know Catholic priests that do not preach it. I know that many in the Catholic church believe that you can believe in Christ's sacrifice, follow through on several of the church's various ceremonies -- confirmation, baptism, communion, and so forth -- yet fail in certain other areas and be condemned.

I don't see any problem with this view. Again, mere belief in Christ's sacrifice and 50 cents will buy you a cup of coffee. It is the acceptance of the sacrifice that matters, and it is possible to have all of those things and still be unable to accept salvation.

B