Faith Alone, A Protestant Doctrine?

Sola Fide which means faith alone was not actually invented my Martin Luther (although he did bring it back into focus). Many of my dear Roman Catholic friends would be surprised to find out that St. Augustine whom they advocate was the front man for Sola Fide. In his debates against the Pelagian herecy he was more Calvinistic than John Calvin. But why do I mention this?

I am not married to Calvinism. But I strongly support salvation by faith alone. Not because Luther or Augustine did, but because it is right there in the pages of Scripture. But it is not just a vague "faith" but rather a faith placed in Jesus The Christ. A better word is "trust", to trust Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord God. Let's look at some Scriptures.

Romans 4 NIV
Abraham Justified by Faith
"1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."[a]

Now notice he was counted as righteous for merely trusting God. Continuing in Romans 4
4Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."[b]

It is faith alone not faith plus works. Notice it says faith "apart from works." It also speaks of the man who does not work but rather trusts God. It's pretty hard to argue with SCripture.
We will continue this dialogue. But let me close by quoting a few more Bible verses.

Romans 11:6 (New International Version)
And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
Titus 3
4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Galatians 2:6
a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, (in the OT and New Observing always means "obeying"..i.e. our works) because by observing the law no one will be justified.

Galatians 3:3
3Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? (also translated "human works")

New International Version (NIV)
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