Dialogue with Trypho
Chapter 47: Justin Communicates with Christians Who Follow the Law. Quite a Few Catholics Do Not
And Trypho asked again, "But if someone, knowing this is true, after recognizing that this man is Christ, and has believed in and obeys Him, wishes to observe these [institutions] as well, will he be saved?"
I said, "In my opinion, Trypho, such a person will be saved if he does not try in every way to persuade others—specifically, those Gentiles who have been led away from error by Christ—to observe the same practices as himself, claiming that they will not be saved unless they follow them. This is what you did at the beginning of the conversation when you stated that I would not be saved unless I observe these rules."
Then he replied, "Why did you say, 'In my opinion, such a person will be saved,' unless there are some who claim that such a person will not be saved?"
"There are such people, Trypho," I replied, "and these do not dare to have any interaction or offer hospitality to such individuals; but I do not share their view.
However, if some, due to weak-mindedness, want to observe the institutions given by Moses, expecting some virtue from them, which we believe were established because of the hardness of people's hearts, along with their hope in this Christ, and wish to perform the eternal and natural acts of righteousness and piety, yet choose to live with the Christians and the faithful—as I mentioned earlier—without compelling them to be circumcised like themselves, or to keep the Sabbath, or follow any similar ceremonies, then I believe we should join them and associate with them in all matters as relatives and brothers.
But if, Trypho," I continued, "some of your people, who claim to believe in this Christ, compel the Gentiles who believe in this Christ to follow the law given by Moses in every respect, or choose not to associate closely with them, I similarly do not approve of them. Yet, I believe that even those persuaded by them to follow the legal system along with their confession of God in Christ might still be saved.
Furthermore, I believe that those who have confessed and recognized this man as Christ, yet have reverted to the legal system for some reason and denied that this man is Christ, without repenting before death, shall not be saved.
Additionally, I hold that those from the seed of Abraham who live according to the law and do not believe in this Christ before death shall likewise not be saved, especially those who have cursed and continue to curse this very Christ in the synagogues, and reject everything by which they could gain salvation and escape the vengeance of fire. For the goodness and loving-kindness of God, and His boundless riches, consider righteous and sinless the person who, as Ezekiel tells, repents of sins; and considers sinful, unrighteous, and impious the person who falls away from piety and righteousness to unrighteousness and ungodliness.
Therefore, our Lord Jesus Christ also said, 'How you are found, in this way will I judge you.'"