Please
note: As most of this page is my own work, there are parts I have copied from
another website because I totally agree with them. I originally pasted them into
a word processor to read later, and have since lost the address. I have no
remorse for doing this as I feel the truth needs to be out there no matter who
writes it. Anyone is welcome to copy any of my work and advertise it elsewhere.
That's the way it should be. We are all one family in Christ.
Salvation: is it by by Faith Alone?
Salvation by Faith Alone was a core doctrine formulated by Luther, it is a
controlling doctrine, in that all other doctrines are held to stand or fall by
it. So why is it a cause of such bitter disagreement?
Simply put, the doctrine states that Faith Alone is what gains us the gift of
Salvation. To be "saved" all one need do is accept Jesus, by Faith, as ones
personal Saviour. His Grace does the rest. Neither Good Deeds, Holiness,
overcoming, or keeping the commandments, are said to be of any use to us in this
respect, since we cannot earn our own way into heaven.
The effect of this doctrine was revolutionary. It appeared to make fourteen
centuries of Christian worship and endeavour - even the Christian Church itself
- irrelevant. The ethics and morality of people's lives too were less important.
The only thing that mattered was the individual's personal act of faith.
BUT WHAT IS MEANT BY "FAITH ALONE"?
Well this has caused immense problems and division within the church, but there
is only one truth as we know, so only those who have this truth are indeed the
body of Christ.
Many Churches encourage people to come forward at an evangelistic meeting and
"Accept Jesus as their Personal Saviour", either by signing a pledge or saying a
short "sinner's prayer". If done genuinely, this is said to at once guarantee
Salvation. This may also be done in private, but a precise "moment of decision"
is usually called for. Doing good works, obeying the Commandments or living a
Christian life are not necessary for salvation.
Often an emotional feeling of euphoria is expected, as a "proof" of Salvation.
Although many true believers admit this sort of feeling is subjective and
unreliable. There is no mention at all in the bible that
speaks of a 'special feeling' such as hairs on the neck or goose bumps or
tingling down the spine. Did Jesus say..."after the tingling you get, you will
be healed"?
SO IS "FAITH ALONE" TRUE?
Most Christians outside the Pentecostal circle would say No. Faith must go
hand-in-hand with Hope and Love (as we see in 1 Corinthians 13:13). This means
that a Christian must live the Christian Life, i.e. live
righteousness, and "endure to the
end", in order to be saved. Most of those professing Christ with there hearts
would normally say that Faith Alone, is a new and dangerous doctrine, unknown to
the Early Christians, but some would tend to back off a little for fear of
causing one to change their minds regarding their commitment to God. This is a
false fear, because either you BELIEVE or you don't. If one is to fall away from
truth because it has its good works, then so be it...that person is not pure in
heart and will receive their rewards accordingly.
It is also dangerous because "Faith Alone" can lead people to falsely believe
that , however they live their lives, their salvation is assured on the basis of
one pledge at an emotion-filled meeting. Christianity becomes a sort of heavenly
protection insurance policy. Once you have your policy, you're covered. All
Christians believe that Faith is of vital importance, but it is not the only
thing a Christian needs to be saved. How can one be assessed
to have faith? By their good works, they prove their faith to God, and God
alone. If they do good works to be noticed...then I believe they have already
received their reward in full.
IS "FAITH ALONE" SCRIPTURAL?
No. Evangelical Protestants have dozens of "proof texts" for salvation by Faith
Alone. These texts can seem very convincing when presented by an eager
evangeliser, to someone who knows little of the Bible. I will read some of their
favourite verses they use:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
17 For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the
world should be saved through him.
Notice the words...Should in these 2 verses? There is only one bible that has
"shall", and that is the corrupt NIV.(As far as I know) So what is John really
saying here? He IS saying...that whoever believes...should be saved, providing
they put that faith/believe into action.
Romans 3:23-25 we see... For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of
God;
But lets not stop there, lets read on.....
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to
declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the
forbearance of God;
Wow, suddenly Romans 3:23 takes on a new understanding...it goes on to say "for
the remission of sins that are PAST" mmmmmm so we have to sin no more then? Oh
yes, Jesus said that didn't He. So by overcoming, are we doing good works?
Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 5. 1)
Justified means "acceptable" right? So according to Jon 3:16 and Romans 3:23, we
are now acceptable to God because we are CLEAN now...forgiven of sins past. But
what happens from now on? Well don't strain your brain worrying about it, I will
save you the research...Jesus said to repent and sin no more...and John said in
Christ we can not sin. So again, we must overcome...now that is HARD works.
Ephesians 2:8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Now how the once saved always saved (osas) get this verse in such a mess I don't know...For grace we are
saved...yes through faith...yes not of ourselves...yes gift of God...yes. So who
sees it any other way? You are right mate...but hey, don't stop there, read the
next 2 verses before you go off with a proud look and a stiff neck.
9 not of works, that no man should glory...this doesn't say don't DO good
works...its says don't BOAST dear brothers and sisters. Lord have mercy.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
afore prepared that we should walk in them...and blow me down if the very next
verse isn't the OPPOSITE of OSAS version the verse just back a space. Ephesians
2:8. Notice I said...THEIR version...not the real version.
So...have they got a case these OSAS?
Not really. None of these texts actually use the words "faith alone". They
stress faith, which all Christians would agree with. All Christians would
likewise agree that works alone are not enough to save us. But they are
necessary to salvation, as an outworking or ACT of Faith. What is wrong is that
the above quotations have been taken in isolation from the rest of Scripture,
which shows that faith must be accompanied by works.
(James 2. 14-17) What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but
has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without
clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep
warm and well-fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
(James 2. 19)You believe that there is one God, Good! Even the demons believe
that - and shudder.
(James 2. 24)You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith
alone.
The above text is the only appearance of the phrase "faith alone" in the New
Testament - and that is to condemn the doctrine of osas.
BUT THAT'S JUST ONE BOOK OF THE BIBLE. SALVATION BY FAITH APPEARS IN MANY BOOKS.
But most of the verses used to support salvation by Faith Alone, come from
Paul's works. Paul often tended to use rhetorical language to make statements
that sounded like absolutes when in fact they were not. In Timothy 2.15 he
writes, But women will be saved through childbearing.. Yet no-one seeks to build
any doctrines on this verse do they? Of course not.
Romans 13.1 he writes Everyone must submit themselves to the governing
authorities.. Does this mean that the early Christians should have submitted,
when the Emperors told them to worship pagan Gods? Of course not. Because this
verse is correctly interpreted through the words of Jesus. Jesus said, Give to
Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's. (Math 22. 21) This produces
the correct and balanced and true understanding of the word.
Most Pentecostal and osas easy riders often tend to ignore what Jesus taught
about this subject. Let's look at some of the the word uttered by the Son of God
Himself for for clarity on the subject of Salvation.
Matthew 6: 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you.
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive
your trespasses.
Therefore what we DO (ie:works) is vital to our gaining forgiveness.
Matthew 7:Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Again...that word DO. Some aren't even interested in God's will. They are more
interested in their own will, or at the very most...the will of their pastor.
Matthew19: 17 And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is
good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the
commandments.
So...are we to DO anything besides having faith....absolutely, we are to KEEP
(or do) the commandments. It is the WILL of God that we obey the teaching set
forth by His only begotten Son.
Perhaps that's still not clear enough. Some will still say, "Yes. Good works are
fine, but they are optional. Faith, being 'born again', is what saves." Jesus,
however, lays it right on the line in the following verses beginning at...
Matthew 25 :31 But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the
angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory:
32 and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them
one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats;
33 and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink;
I was a stranger, and ye took me in;
36 naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and
ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry,
and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink?
38 And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed
thee?
39 And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch
as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed,
into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 for I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave
me no drink;
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick,
and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or
athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister
unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did
it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me.
46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into
eternal life.
Can anyone read these words of Jesus, and still argue that works count for
nothing in salvation? Or that salvation is by faith alone? That doctrine is
clearly unbiblical. Even Paul acknowledges this.
Romans 2: 6 who will render to every man according to his works:
7 to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honour and in
corruption, eternal life:
MISLEADING
The doctrine of Faith Alone suggests that if we have faith and "accept Jesus as
our Saviour" we will be "saved". The Bible actually tells us that this is only
the beginning of salvation. We must persevere, have "persistence in doing good"
and build a "living faith" by our actions, which also includes good works.
So are we "ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED?"
Most churches and lay people disagree over whether, once you are..."saved", you
can lose your salvation by sinful acts. Many say that once you have been "saved"
by Faith, whatever evil you do, you cannot lose your salvation. In other words,
you can sin as much as you like and still enter heaven! - a possibility that
goes against the whole of Gospel teaching. The doctrine of "Once Saved Always
Saved" is thus an extremely dangerous and misleading one, since it leads people
into a false belief that, whatever they do, they are still saved. Well I believe
the almighty word of God to be true, and without error, so I would rather
believe what Jesus and Paul say. Lets just take a moment to do just that now.
1 Cor 9: 27 but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I
have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. (NASB)
See... even the Apostle Paul was not sure of his OWN salvation. And in the Book
of Hebrews you will find warnings to Christians not to fall away from the the
true teaching of salvation.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the
truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins,
27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which
shall devour the adversaries.
28 A man that hath set at nought Moses law dieth without compassion on the word
of two or three witnesses:
29 of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath
trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant
wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the
Spirit of grace?
Now there is something to think about people for those who are so sure of
themselves. You better be sure, because it's your salvation that counts...not
mine, or the church, or the pastor, or the TV evangelists, or Joe Bloggs across
the street...it's yours. I heard just a few days ago, a guy in Paltalk preaching
to maybe 40 people in the room. Half of what he was saying was correct...the
other half was not. " Oh praise the Lord...I feel the anointing upon me" he
said. many times in fact. Now #1, he was not all in the truth, and #2, what is
this anointing he is talking about. Would God anoint a lie? Work that one out.
It is true what the scriptures say..."many will come in my name"...and "wolves
in sheep's clothing". Now these people will get there just reward...but what of
the innocent gullible followers? Well lets let Yahweh be the judge of that. Only
He knows if they are innocent. It is these very wolves who are using Yahweh's
Holy name in vain, and woe unto them.
So if you CAN lose your salvation through something that you DO or fail to do,
then this brings back the need for Good Works for our salvation. This makes a
nonsense of the OSAS belief of "Faith Alone" for salvation. And we know from the
many scriptural references in this lecture and elsewhere, that that doctrine -
the idea that you can sin as much as you like and still go to heaven - is false
and unbiblical
So Works are clearly seen here to be a part of salvation along with Faith. Not
to "earn" our way into heaven. No, that is clear also, and We cannot do that.
But because believing in Jesus means not just an act of faith or trust, but
doing what Jesus preached.
Here is something to ponder regarding the need for good works as well as faith
for salvation:
Matt 22:11-14: But when the king came in to behold the guests, he saw there a
man who had not on a wedding-garment:
12 and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a
wedding-garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him out
into the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few chosen.
So what is so important about these garments that the King (who is Yahweh)
regards them as vital for attendance at the wedding (salvation)? The answer lies
in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 19: 7-9 Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, and let us give the
glory unto him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made
herself ready.
8 And it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright
and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they that are bidden to the marriage
supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are true words of God.
Without the fine linen of righteous deeds, it is clear then that no-one is
likely to be welcome at the wedding of the Lamb, and the fact He goes on to say
"These are true words of God" just adds so much credence to this fact of good
works.
Here are a few more verses to think about
Matthew10: 33 “Whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My
Father who is in heaven.” (NASB).
Matthew 24 :12 And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many
shall wax cold.
13 But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
Endure...what does this mean...surely if we are saved at conception...i.e. being
born again, then there should be no more enduring.
Matthew 5.23: But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be
subject to judgement. Again, anyone who says to his brother, Raca, is answerable
to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says "You fool!" will be in danger of the fire
of hell. "
So we can still go to hell...wow I hope them works haters can see this, or do
they close their eyes and minds to these important words of our God Yahweh.
Luke 11: 4 “Forgive us our sins as we also forgive everyone who sins against
us.”
41 “But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean
for you.”
Jon 5: 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the
tombs shall hear his voice,
29 and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of
life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.
30 I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous;
because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Again...those that GO GOOD...will rise. And note here also that it is the will
of the FATHER that is critical, not mine, or yours, and our Fathers will is
clear...or should be.
John 15: 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I
have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and that your
joy may be made full.
12 This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you.
Powerful words there...If we chose to ignore them, then we cannot blame our
paster, or our so called Christian friends for telling us otherwise. Its YOU WHO
ARE ACCOUNTABLE for YOURSELF...not anybody else. When you meet your maker and He
says..."sorry, I don't know you"...don't say to him..." oh Jesus...please don't
blame me...my pastor told me to do it"...it will be too late then, so You better
pack an asbestos suit just in case you are wrong, and Jesus is right.
1 Cor : 13 But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of
these is love.
Did it say HOPE? Surely not. Isn't salvation a done deal? No it's obviously not,
because we HOPE we can endure to the end. Those with wisdom, understand.
2 Cor 5:10 For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ;
that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath
done, whether it be good or bad.
Surely this verse is self explanatory and conclusive. We will be accountable.
Phil 2:So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling;
Again...self explanatory Anyone who cant see from this that their salvation did
not end at conception, then they are blind indeed...and are not chosen ones.
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before
the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the
book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in
the books, according to their works.
Well now, isn't that a shame, oh dear, we have to do good works after all.
And now I've kept the best one for last...the book of life...my favourite.
Php 4:3 Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they
laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my
fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Labouring fellow workers, on one accord in the truth of the Gospel, will lead to
life, salvation.
Re 3:5 He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in
no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name
before my Father, and before his angels.
Overcometh what? The flesh and the world of course. Can we do this by faith
alone? Well only if that faith is pure, because pure faith will lead to action
in good works as we have shown earlier.
Re 21:27 and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that
maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s
book of life.
Well I do declare...God have mercy. We see here that nothing unclean can enter
in...Don't blame me...Jesus said it...i believe it...and all should do it...and
that is, OVERCOME! Its a huge task, but God said He would not put anything
before us that we could not handle.
Now that's basically the end of this lecture, but in summing up, there is
overwhelming evidence produced here tonite, that shows salvation is not a done
deal, but rather and ongoing process of running the race till the end, and
enduring the pain inflicted by the world and those without the truth. If one has
the comforter as promised by Yahweh, then one don't need this proof, because of
their pure hearts for God, He has revealed it to them already, and of course
they obey. Its knowing that He IS who He is, and believing in truth, and acting
your faith out by walking in paths of righteousness, while all the time knowing
also, that it is HE that is in you that gives this knowledge and strength to run
the race, and not by your own strength. And of course you are obedient to His
voice to bring Glory to HIS name...and that name is Yahweh. I feel a need to
emphasize the importance of the salvation issue here today as we must conclude
that it is the foremost issue to us in particular. Once we have that sorted out,
we can knuckle down in obedience, without the stress of these matters of
indecision and maybes.
Now the doctrine of osas has so many holes in it that Satan has pounced on it as
his most reliable weapon against truth...I beg you to test yourself by asking
this question..."If having faith in Jesus was a crime, how much evidence would
there be against you?" and please be honest with yourself.
Now before I close...just let me throw in one more bible reference that has nothing to do with the topic here, but I threw it in to
show the importance of the book of revelations that is for us
today as well as it was for the early church..
Rev 22:19 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this
prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the
holy city, which are written in this book.
For this to be the only book to have this message, only adds more credence to
the importance of it regarding salvation...please think long and hard on that
brothers and sisters.
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