> 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.

I actually agree with you up to the very last sentence. It's not sufficient to believe that Christ existed, even that Christ is the Son of God, even that he died for the sins of the world -- you have to believe he died for YOU and YOUR sins, and that you won't be saved of your own accord. But that's still a form of belief. If you believe he died for YOU and YOUR sins, that still has nothing to do with works. I disagree that sacrament, ritual, and good works come into play *before* salvation at all.

S "working on a more comprehensive reply to the question you pose to me in your other post" am