Posted on 08/31/2006 8:23:17 AM PDT by bremenboy
There are many who press that we are saved by “faith alone,” yet it is surprising that most of them will not defend such teaching in an open forum. When we look at the Bible’s teaching on salvation, it should be evident that we agree on at least two principles. First, we must accept only what the Bible says on the subject. Second, we must accept all that the Bible says on the subject.
It is clear that, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). Right away this should dismiss the idea that we are saved by anything “alone” as we clearly are saved by grace through faith. Both, “grace” and “faith” are essential. However, false teachers make a grave mistake in assuming that water baptism in the name of Christ is not “by grace through faith.” They contend that doing such would be adding to Jesus’ work and “earning” salvation. Salvation is a gift, but simply meeting the criteria or conditions to receive salvation does not make one “earn” it. I cannot think of a greater insult to heaven’s delight and pleasure than to suggest that simple humble obedience in baptism, which takes but a finite minute of time, could “earn” the eternal wonder and awe of heaven’s glory and the tremendous and colossal gift of the Christ on the cross! Further, if any and all works make one “earn” his salvation, then belief (faith) makes one “earn” his salvation because it is as much a work as baptism (see Jn. 6:29; Col. 2:12, 13).
The Ephesians were saved by “grace through faith” only after they believed and were baptized. One can note their historical conversion in Acts 19:5. After the apostle Paul preached Jesus to them, the Bible testifies, “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Baptism in the name of the Lord is and always has been water baptism (see Acts 2:38; 8:12, 15, 36-38; 10:47, 48). We submit that water baptism, when done as prescribed by the New Testament is the meeting place of man’s faith and the gracious death of Jesus, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Rom. 6:3). Baptism is into Christ and into His death. To teach that one can be saved before and without water baptism is to teach that one can be saved outside of Christ and His death!
Let it be evident to the reader, that the Bible does teach that we are neither saved by the works of the Law of Moses (Rom. 7:4-7), nor boastful works (Eph. 2:9); nor works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19, 20). However, do not conclude that we are saved by faith without works. Paul wrote, “For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works. . .” (Eph. 2:10). Also the apostle commended the Thessalonians, “remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. . .” (1 Thess. 1:3). Hope must be patient; love must labor; faith must work. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (Jas. 2:26). To offer to God anything short of a faith that works, is to offer up a dead and defiled, yes, even a foul smelling faith that is just as rotten as a carcass and just as useful as the faith of demons (Jas. 2:19). The faith that saves is the faith that obeys! Do you believe it?
If salvation weren't by faith alone, I'd be in big doo-doo. The good works I do are the result of my faith, not the other way around.
In addition...or as a result of this...they will seek to "keep His commandments" because He taught that those who loved Him would keep his commandments, and in fact indicated that this was a way we could see if someone loived Him or not (by this ye shall know). A faithful follower of Christ will seek to know what his commandments are by reading the scripture and then seek to keep or obey them. Thus, through their faith, their "works" are evident in the way they live their lives and serve others as Christ served.
One of His commandments was for the faithful to be baptised...both to Nicodemus and to his apostles.
Exactly...see my post number 3.
You forgot the part about how your denomination is the only real church.
And this is the difference of those who reduce what God does (which is why it's called a sacrament to begin with) into an ordinance (ordinances are what men do to keep in line).
I do not have a denomination
Of course, Scripture says (a) Faith without works is dead; it does not say (b) Faith with works brings living faith...
You've turned it around. Rather a living faith brings works
Also, note the phrase originally cited in Eph 2:8: "that NOT of yourselves"
If we're depending upon that which emerges from us as being the dividing line, then that is often truncated into faith in self.
Why am I not surprised the author conveniently left out Ephesians 2:9 when quoting Eph 2:8? Because he was planning on doing exactly what verse nine says not to do! How powerful such an one must feel, believing that God needs him to add to the efficacy of Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected, so that his salvation depends upon not just Jesus (that's not enough you see for the pride of such as this author) but the wonderful dancing that the author may do in holding onto his slavation gift! As proven with such dissembling as this article makes, the Devil is much smarter than a man and can find a way to energize human pride and make you believe it is righteousness!
When we have proof that Luther added the word "only" into his Bible and then excluded other books that contradicted the point??? No.
Actually there are other Bible passages which disprove the sola fide notion also:
SOLA FIDE
Jas 2:14-26 ... what good is faith w/o works?
Heb 10:26-27, Rom 8:12-13 ... must avoid sin.
Jas 5:20 ... “earning” forgiveness.
Lk 6:46-49; Mt 7:21; Mt 19:16-21; Jn 5:28-29 ... must do will of God.
1 Cor 9:27 ... “buffet my body ...”
Phil 2:12; 2 Cor 5:10; Rom 2:6-13; Mt 25:32-46; Gal 6:6-10; Rev 20:12 ... works have merit.
1 Jn 2:3-6; 1 Jn 3:24; 1 Jn 5:3 ... keep commandments.
When we choose to look at God's word as if it were a legal binding contract that must be followed to the letter, we are ignoring the teachings of Jesus. When we put baptism or works or liturgy or worship style or tradition or anything else above or before His Love and Grace, we are not glorifying God but instead we glorify our own methods, our ways and ourselves.
We do not hold the keys to Salvation; we are not the gatekeepers of Heaven. We should not seek to restrict Salvation to only those who prescribe to our misinterpretation of His word.
When the Lord said "It is finished" I take him at his word.
He didn't say It's almost finished.
I wonder what the pope says about salvation by faith only.
You are correct. God's work is finished. It is up to us to accept or reject His offer of eternal life. The conditions by which we must accept the offer are clearly given in the Bible.
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