Faith Only 3

Sunday, December 4, 2005 am

IS OUR SALVATION BY “FAITH ONLY”? (3)

Examining the Texts

We have been studying this key denominational doctrine in detail. It is my hope that in this study we have seen WHY we are NOT saved by faith only. We have noted some of the many passages that deal with works in our lives, but we have also been careful to understand that such works are not meritorious, but rather simple acts of obedience based on our faith. One of the great concerns I have is when we overemphasize baptism to the neglect of faith. I understand that we must stress baptism because it is that which is misunderstood and misapplied by the denominational world, but it MUST be put in its proper context - understanding faith IS the foundation. Baptism is a product of faith NOT faith a product of baptism. That is why we are devoting so much time to understanding not only what God’s word says, but also the various arguments presented to justify this doctrine.

Last week we examined some specific arguments used to deny any works and especially baptism. Today we want to notice some of the passages of scripture that are quoted to either teach “faith only” or deny the need for any works. It is important that we understand this because there are many, perhaps more passages that deal with faith than baptism, and/or works (well over 30 passages). But understand it only takes ONE verse, placed in its proper context to make a command necessary. Also, we must understand the importance of faith in all we do. That is WHY the Bible says so much about it. If you understand true faith, you can answer many of the passages they might quote that I will not get to in this lesson.

I. John 1:12, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

a. Taken by itself, it says that all we have to do is “believe in His name.”

b. Answer: Let me begin by saying this. In many of these texts we will examine today, a single verse is quoted. IF you take a look at the context you will usually find an answer showing that it does not have to be “faith only”

c. Answer: Where in this verse does it say, “Believe only” or “faith only”?

d. Answer: John is simply introducing Jesus in this context. He is contrasting those who accepted Him and those who rejected Him. The term “believe” is inclusive of all that He required for one to be saved.
FURTHERMORE I find it interesting that the text says He gave them “the right to become” children of God. It is ONLY those who believe in Him who have that opportunity. But what if one believed in Him and didn’t confess Him or follow Him? (cf. John 12:42,43)

II. John 3:15-16 – “For God so loved the world…”

a. Perhaps the best known verse in all the Bible and one we need to give due consideration to. It is a great verse filled with hope and comfort.

b. This verse is often quoted to say all one has to do is believe.

c. Answer: First, while Jesus does call for belief, where does it say “faith only” or “only believe”?

d. Answer: A study of the context helps us to understand what Jesus is talking about. First, He is talking to Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came to him at night. He acknowledged who Jesus was which prompted a response; you must be born again to see the kingdom of God (3). NOTE: that this saying is frequently used to describe one who is saved (and rightly so).
Asking for clarification Jesus says, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (5) NOTE what Jesus calls for in order to born again, “water and the Spirit” – that is BAPTISM and the SPIRIT, which as I understand it implies a changed life in which we follow the precepts of the Holy Spirit. This leads to Jesus’ discourse that includes the above verses (15-16). After speaking of the Holy Spirit (6-8) Jesus notes that we have to believe in Him.
NOTE vs. 14 where analogy is made to Moses lifting the serpent which Israelites had to look up to in order to be saved (see Numbers 21:7-9). Israel had rebelled against God and Moses by complaining about their food so God sent fiery serpents into the camp. They bit many who died. Then when Israel repented, the Lord instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent that, when they looked at it, would heal them. NOTE: Israel’s salvation on that occasion required a FAITH that acted. It was not enough to believe that God could save them; they had to make their way to the serpent and look at it, BELIEVING GOD.
Jesus then compared this to His being lifted up (an early reference in His ministry to His being crucified) so that “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (15) Then verse 16 is recorded, “For God so loved the world…” In this verse, the question is NOT whether we have to believe, but HOW we believe in Him. Do we have to obey Him? I say YES!
Note also vs. 21 which says, “But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen…” Notice the one that comes to the light (e.g. Looks up to Jesus) DOES the truth.

e. This passage does NOT teach “faith only”

III. John 5:24 – “He who hears my word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life.”

a. Answer: First, we ask, where does it say “only believe” or “faith only”?

b. Answer: To understand this we need to clarify what it means to “hear” and “believe”. The word “hear” can mean to audibly hear the sounds, or comprehend what is said – i.e. – listen.
We have already noted that the word “believe” can more than merely hearing, but often means that you do what you hear.
NOTE John 10:27 where Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” This indicates that “hearing” is more than just listening, it is RESPONDING.
Consider the example of King Agrippa in Acts 26:25-27. As Paul spoke with him he challenged him that he had heard of Jesus saying that these things were not “done in a corner” He then asks him, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe” Clearly, merely believing is NOT enough.

IV. Acts 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

a. Spoken to the Philippian jailer after Paul and Silas stopped him from killing himself (Because he was responsible for escaped prisoners). The jailer asks them, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And our verse is the answer.

b. Answer: Where in the text does it say, “only believe” or “faith only”?

c. Answer: This is an example of the importance of context. Notice the next verse, “THEN they spoke to him the word of the Lord…” This is a perfect example of what we mean when we say, “Believe” can involve everything associated with accepting Christ (including baptism). NOTICE how the statement was made before the jailer was taught ANYTHING.
NOW notice vs. 33 which says that same hour the jailer washed their stripes (repentance) and was baptized, he and his family. FROM this we can conclude that baptism was a part of Paul speaking the word of the Lord and believing in Him.

V. Romans 3:22, 28-30, “even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; … 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.”

a. There are a number of other passages that accompany these that say basically the same thing and can all be answered with the same reasoning. Some of these other verses include: Romans 9:30, 33, Galatians 2:16, 21, 3:5-6 (numerous passages in Romans 3-5 and Galatians 2 & 3). These passages are taken “as is” because they simply mention faith and often times as opposed to the Law.

b. Answer: First, Where do any of these texts say, “by faith only” or “belief only”?

c. Answer: NOTE: A major doctrinal concern that the apostles and the church of that day had to address was Jewish converts wanting to bind the Law of Moses which had been “nailed to the cross” on Gentiles requiring CIRCUMSION, KEEPING THE SABBATH and EATING according to THE LAW OF MOSES. Romans and Galatians, as well as Hebrews are written to address some of these issues. We need to keep that in mind as we examine these texts that contrast faith and law or works.

i. Consider the main purpose of the book of Romans. Paul is telling a diverse congregation (both Jews and Gentiles) that they are all saved THE SAME WAY by faith and NOT by the Law of Moses and that they need to get along with one another. These were WORKS they expected the Gentiles to keep that Paul is saying are NOT binding. In fact in Romans 14, he strongly warns them that they CANNOT bind such on others. Much of what Paul addresses in this letter anticipates Jewish arguments that would be made against Paul’s main point in chapters 3-5 about how we are saved. WE must keep in mind he is dealing with the LAW OF MOSES and/or ANY OTHER similar meritorious law. He is NOT dealing with obeying God in these references to Law.

ii. The book of Galatians has a similar message. It’s main point is we are not justified by the Law of Moses but by faith apart from that Law. NOTE how in 1:6-9 how Paul makes reference to “a different gospel.” That different gospel was the Law of Moses that they were binding. Note Galatians 5:4 where Paul said, “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” BTW, this passage is often avoided because it has a statement in there that causes more problems – fallen from grace.

d. Answer: Here are the facts. We are NOT going to be justified or saved by the works of the Law of Moses or any law. When reference is made to “the law” these passages often have reference SPECIFIALLY to the Law of Moses OR some other similar law of meritorious works. A Law where you EARN your salvation by obeying. NOTE that we must continue to stress that baptism is NOT a meritorious work but an act of faith (1 Peter 3:21). What is the difference? God tells us to do be baptized in faith.

e. Here is something else to consider: Even the Law of Moses could not save anyone from sins. Note Hebrews 10:4. While God expected Israel to keep the Law, it was not until Christ came along that He forgave them and then it was BY HIS GRACE! Could that be some of what Paul has in mind as he is stressing in these books that we are not justified by the Law or ANY law, but by God’s grace through out faith?

f. NOTE also 3:31 which says, “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary we establish the law.” Paul is NOT saying law is not important. Rather it is through faith that we establish it. By faith we believe AND OBEY whatever Law God has given us. When we do this, HIS grace saves us.

VI. Romans 4:1-5

a. Abraham was justified by faith. Note how this text says that “to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness…”

b. Answer: First, where in this text does it say “faith only” or “believe only”?

c. Answer: Let us get Paul’s point here (and in Galatians 3:1-17). Abraham was justified by God LONG BEFORE THE LAW OF MOSES CAME ALONG (about 430 years earlier). Thus much of the point he is making is their hope found in Abraham was before the Law ever came along or even the command to be circumcised (That Abraham believed God is found in Genesis 15:6 and Circumcision is found in 17:10-14). Abraham’s justification was because of his faith – but what type of faith was it? OBEDIENT FAITH! Notice that when this is said, Abraham has already OBEYED God (Genesis 12:4 - He departed after God commanded him) and he did whatever God told him to do. His faith is also mentioned in Hebrews 11:17-18 where he offered up his “only begotten son” Isaac. This is the type of faith that God accounted to him for righteous. Paul’s argument is directed MOSTLY toward Jewish brethren turning to the Law for part of their justification.

d. The works: Paul mentions are meritorious works where one EARNS his salvation by what he does. That was how some of the Jews reasoned. But not Abraham and not us. We believe God and do what He says and THEN He accounts it to us for righteousness.
BTW, note also James 2:21-23 where the same verse is quoted about Abraham believing God – this time in the context of obedient works (not meritorious).

e. The Point we are making: You CANNOT separate faith from obedience! To do so is to relegate faith to nothing more than an acknowledgement that requires NO action. If such is the case, why do we need the Bible?

VII. Romans 11:5-6, “There is a remnant according to the remnant of grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.”

a. Answer: Where does the text say, “faith only” or “believe only”?

b. Answer: We don’t need to spend much time with this, as what we have been discussing applies here as well. The works are meritorious works and the text is talking about the remnant of Israel. Even though God had cut off Israel (because they had rejected God) there were still many who would be saved by God’s grace and not of their works (i.e. Submitting to the Law).

We could examine many more texts, but these are some of the main texts used to justify “faith only” and DENY the need for baptism. As we have seen, often there is a failure to put a statement in its complete context or a failure to fully understand the terms we are dealing with. Make no mistake about it: Faith OBEYS God! If you don’t obey God, your faith is not as it ought to be! We teach the need for baptism, not as a work in the sense of the Law of Moses, but as an act of faith because God said to do it. I close by saying again, how many times does God have to command us to do something for it to be so? Have you obeyed Him? Think about it!