LESSON
5
Were Sinners Saved By “Faith” or By “Faith Only?”
God Considers “Faith Only” A Dead
Faith
The majority of religious institutions today teach that the sinner
is saved by “Faith Only.” In fact, this is an appealing teaching to
millions. However, this question needs to be asked: “Is this teaching
authorized by the word of God?” Since this involves the eternal soul, every
effort should be made to seek God’s will.
When
one makes a complete and honest study of this important question, it is learned
that God considers “Faith Only” a dead faith. James wrote to Christians and
discussed in full this subject. Please study closely his teaching.
“What
does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have
works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of
daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and
filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body,
what does it profit?
Thus
also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say,
‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and
I will show you my faith by my works’. You believe that there is one God. You
do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O
foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:14-20).
James
is not speaking against the importance of faith, but is condemning the idea
of “Faith Only.” God has always opposed
a faith that is not strong enough to act or obey. Thus, James continues in the
same chapter and writes, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and
not by faith
only.
Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received
the messengers and sent them out another way? “For as the body without the
spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:24-26).
How
could anyone read these words from James who was guided by the Holy Spirit to
write, and then teach that “Faith Only” saves?
Paul Taught Salvation by “Faith,”
But NOT By “Faith Only.”
To say that one is not saved by “Faith
Only” does not take
anything away from the importance of faith. For without faith, it is impossible
to please God (Hebrews 11:6). In fact, faith is what we receive when we hear
the teaching of God’s word. In the words of Paul, “So then faith comes by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
Yes,
it is correct to say that the sinner is saved by faith, for this is the way one
receives the grace of God. “For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,” (Ephesians 2:8). To deny that one is saved by faith
is to deny the gift of God. Paul also wrote, “But the Scripture has confined
all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to
those who believe” (Galatians
3:22). However, there is a vast difference between saying that one is saved by “Faith” and saying one is saved by “Faith
Only.” For
salvation by “Faith” is God’s way, and salvation by “Faith Only” is man’s way!
All Who Pleased God In The Old
Testament, Had A Faith
In the eleventh chapter of
Hebrews, we have a
list of the faithful ones who pleased God by faith. But please observe, they
all had one thing in common—they had a faith that obeyed. Consider some of
these:
Hebrews
11:4 “By faith Abel offered to God...”
Hebrews
11:7 “By faith Noah...prepared an
ark...”
Hebrews
11:8 “By faith Abraham obeyed...”
Hebrews
11:9 “By faith he sojourned...”
Hebrews
11:17 “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered
up Isaac,...”
Hebrews
11:24 “By faith Moses,...refused to be called the son of
Pharaoh’s
daughter...”
Take
a moment and consider the words in these Scriptures that have been highlighted
in bold. They are action words—words that
join obedience with their faith. Thus, anything other than an obedient faith
does not please God.
Not Works That Buy Salvation,
But Works That Show Faith And Love
When faith with obedience is suggested,
there are those who say, “You are teaching that one earns his salvation by
works.” This is far from being
true! Why? Because any sinner cannot purchase salvation, for Jesus with His own
blood purchased it. “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people
with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.” (Hebrews 13:12).
Under
the Old Testament age, there was a great division between the Jews and the
Gentiles. Circumcision was a sign that God had made a covenant with Abraham and
the nation that would come through his descendants. Therefore, the world was
divided between the circumcised and the uncircumcised. But Christ came and
removed this wall between them. Thus, because of this, Paul was able to write, “For
in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working
through love” (Galatians 5:6). Again, this is the kind of faith that pleases
God.
The
church (located in Thessalonica) was very important to Paul, and he gave them
the following assurance: “remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and
patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,” (1 Thessalonians 1:3).
What had impressed Paul so much about this church? Not their “faith only,” but their “WORK of
faith!”
James
wrote further on this subject of “faith only,” as he imagines himself
being engaged in an argument with someone who believes in “faith only.” Let’s listen in on this imaginary
discussion: “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show
me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). His argument was simple
but forceful! The only way you can see faith is by works. Then he concludes his
writing with this thought: “Do
you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith
was made perfect?” (James 2:22).
Therefore,
those who teach “Faith Only” as a means for sinners to be saved, are
teaching a dead
faith.
The commands that a sinner obeys are acts of obedience that prepare his or her
heart to receive the saving grace of the Lord. This obedience is motivated by “Faith,”
and not
by “Faith Only!”
What is the real danger
in teaching the doctrine of “Faith Only?”
This teaching does not represent what God wants, because it is not His
will. Jesus gave this shocking statement in His famous sermon on the mountain. “Not everyone who says to Me,
`Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My
Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Thus, failing to do God’s will causes one NOT to enter the
kingdom of heaven.
Also,
“Faith Only” keeps one from getting into Christ where His blood forgives. How
is this? Because, “Faith Only”
teaches that baptism is NOT essential for salvation, but the New Testament
teaches that baptism is God’s way of getting a sinner INTO Christ. “For as
many of you as were baptized into Christ
have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).
Paul
also taught that ALL spiritual blessings are IN Christ. However, the “Faith
Only” doctrine teaches that one can receive the spiritual blessing of salvation
without being baptized INTO Christ.
Therefore,
just as sinners were saved in New Testament times by a faith that led them to
obey, so sinners today must do the same. It is said of Jesus our Savior: “And
having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9).
1
The kind of faith produced without works (Jas. 2:17)
(a) Active (b) Dead (c)
Saving
2
A woman who was used to illustrate works (Jas. 2:25)
(a) Lydia (b) Rahab (c)
Elizabeth
3
Some believers who trembled, but were lost (Jas. 2:19)
(a) Pharisees (b) Demons (c) Romans
4 That through which faith
must work? (Gal. 5:6)
(a) Kindness (b) Hope (c) Love
5
That which James joins to faith (Jas. 2:24)
(a) Works (b) Joy (c) Peace
6 A place that cannot be entered without
doing God’s will (Mt. 7:21)
(a)
Works (b) Kingdom (c) Peace
7
The way a sinner gets into Christ Gal. 3:27)
(a) Prayer (b) Faith Only
(c) Baptized
8
The place where all spiritual blessings are found (Eph. 1:3)
(a) In A Temple (b) In Christ
(c) In Religious Traditions
9
That which Abraham’s faith led him to do (Heb. 11:8)
(a) Obey (b) Doubt (c)
Die Old
10
Jesus used this to sanctify the people (Heb. 13:12)
(a)
Miracles (b)
Prayer (c) Own Blood
Once You Have
Completed This Lesson, Go To Last Page For Grading Key. For Your Score, Take
From 100, 10 Points For Each One Missed.
Score for Lesson
5 =
SHARING GOD’S TRUTH
LESSON 6
What Is Repentance?
Is It Essential For Salvation?
Repentance Means: “To Change Ones Mind or Purpose.”
Even though the word “repent” or “repentance” appears many times in
the Bible, there are still those who do not consider it important. However, one
cannot be right with God without feeling godly sorrow to the point of change.
The idea of repentance was even felt by God after the human race plunged itself
into deep sin. “And the LORD
was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart”
(Genesis 6:6). This feeling in God’s heart led Him to change His relationship to
man. Instead of continuing His blessings, He decided to destroy this wicked
generation. So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from
the face of the earth, ...” (Genesis 6:7).
Jesus
gives an example of repentance when He said, “But what do you think? A man
had two sons, and he came to the first and said, `Son, go, work today in my
vineyard.' He answered and said, `I will not,' but afterward he regretted it
and went” (Matthew 21:28,29). This son repented by
changing his mind, and then changed his actions.
We
remember Judas Iscariot as the apostle who betrayed Jesus. He sold Him for
thirty pieces of silver, and then carried out his evil actions. However, after
it was done, he changed his mind. “Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He
had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of
silver to the chief priests and elders,” (Matthew 27:3). This is
an example of repentance even though Judas did not follow the right path
afterward. “Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and
departed, and went and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:5).
What is the most important motivating force to cause one to repent? The answer—the goodness of God. Those who are living a daily life of sin are rebelling against the God who loves them. He has provided a beautiful creation where they can live, and He has given His Son to save them from spiritual death. Yet, day-by-day they disobey Him as they give their lives to the devil. What can motivate them to change their lives? Only the goodness of God!
Paul
writes, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and
longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God
leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).
A Change That Happens Personally
To One’s Heart and Life
Why does God command a
sinner to repent before receiving baptism and salvation? The heart that will
not change is not prepared to receive grace. We have studied earlier those who
heard Peter preach a powerful sermon about Jesus on the Jewish Feast day of
Pentecost (Acts 2). However, only three thousand of the many thousands were saved. Why
were the other thousands not saved? For one thing, they refused to change. Why
did they refuse to change? Because they did not believe what Peter was saying
about Jesus. What about those who believed? They cried out, “men and
brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). What was Peter’s
answer?
“Repent, and let every one of
you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you
shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Three thousand did
this, but the other thousands refused to change their hearts and lives. Thus,
they refused salvation through Christ.
After
one becomes a Christian, he or she must be willing to repent and ask God’s
forgiveness through prayer when they go wrong. After Simon the Sorcerer became
a Christian (Acts 8:13), he continued with Philip and saw the miracles.
However, later when the apostles came down and laid their hands on them to
receive the Holy Spirit, Simon turned back to his evil ways. He offered money
to buy the power to do this. Peter told him (among other things) that his heart
was not right with God.
Now,
what must Simon do? Peter tells him. “Repent therefore of this your
wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven
you” (Acts 8:22). Evidently Simon did what Peter commanded,
because he said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you
have spoken may come upon me” (Acts 8:24).
Toward
the end of Paul’s ministry, he appeared before King Agrippa and other
dignitaries. While giving his report as to how he had carried out his mission,
he said to them: “but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem,
and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should
repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance” (Acts 26:20).
Therefore,
repentance (change of mind or heart) must be followed by change of life. This
change of life is the fruit of repentance. God will not accept those who will
not repent. His purpose for allowing everything to continue in His creation, is
to give those lost in sin more time to
repent. The apostle Peter writes, “The Lord is not slack concerning His
promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing
that any should perish but that all should come
to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Even Churches Must Repent When
They Are Wrong
In the New Testament,
the one church established by Jesus, was made up of many local churches located
in various parts of the world. All of these were to be one under Jesus Christ
the head. However, they could and did go wrong by refusing to follow Christ’s
blueprint for His church. But when they went wrong, they were commanded to
repent. One of these local churches was located in the city of Ephesus. Over
the years, they had drifted away from their first love, and Jesus commanded
John to write them a letter with this message:
“Nevertheless
I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore
from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come
to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent” (Revelation 2:4-5). Their only hope to be
right with God and to continue as His church was to repent (change their
hearts) and bear the fruit of repentance.
The
church located at Sardis also had a serious problem. They had a name that they
were alive, but they were dead (Revelation 3:1). Was everything hopeless for
them? Did the Lord give up on them? No, but there was something that they must
do to be forgiven and to come back to life. Jesus asked John to write these
words to them:
“Remember
therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and
repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a
thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you” (Revelation 3:3).
Another
church (located at Laodicea) had become lukewarm. Jesus was very disappointed
with them, and warned them that because of this condition, He would spew them
out of His mouth (Revelation 3:16). Had they reached the
point of no return? Not at all, if they were willing to repents! Before closing
His letter to them, Jesus had John to write, “As many as I love, I rebuke
and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).
The most serious thing
that can be said about the importance of repentance and being essential, is
that one is lost without it.
This is exactly what Jesus taught. His disciples were discussing
the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. They
concluded that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans.
However, Jesus told them, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all
likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
One of the saddest conditions that a human being can experience is to reach the point where his or her heart cannot repent. Sin can make permanent scars (if one persists in sin) to the point that repentance is NEVER sought. This happened to Esau, one of Jacob’s sons. The writer of the book of Hebrews describes this awful condition.
“Lest
there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food
sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the
blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for
repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears” (Hebrews 12:16,17).
Yes,
repentance is vitally important and essential for salvation.
I.
TRUE OR FALSE: (Circle “T” for true; “F” for false)
T F 1. Repentance is very
important.
T F 2. It is impossible for
God to be sorry about anything.
T F 3. Judas Iscariot sold
Jesus for twenty pieces of silver.
T F 4. The goodness of God
leads to repentance.
T F 5. A heart that will not
repent and change cannot receive grace.
T F 6. Peter told the
believing Jews on Pentecost to repent and be baptized to be forgiven
of their sins.
T F 7. Simon the sorcerer
sinned, but could not be forgiven.
T F 8. Paul taught in
Damascus, Jerusalem, and Judea that they should repent.
T F 9. Repentance must be
followed by a change in life.
T F 10. The Lord is willing for
some to perish.
II.
MULTIPLE CHOICE: (Circle letter for Correct answer)
1. Repentance is: (a) Godly sorrow (b) a change of life only (c) one who changes his or
her heart, followed by a change in life.
2. A local church in the
New Testament is: (a) a denomination (b) one of many churches
with the same beliefs, making up the one church (c) a located church
building.
3. The church at Ephesus
had: (a) lost their first love (b) become dead (c) refused to
work.
4. The dead church at
Sardis: (a) had nothing wrong mentioned (b) were asked to hold
fast and repent (c) refused to worship the
Lord.
5. Jesus taught: (a) one will perish without
repentance (b) disciples exempted from repentance (c) one can wait until
Judgment to repent.
6. The Bible mentions a
man who sought repentance, but found no place for it: (a) the
Galileans (b) Esau (c) Jacob.
Once You Have
Completed This Lesson, Go To Last Page For Grading Key. For Your Score, Take
From 100, 6 Points For Each One Missed.
Score for Lesson
6 =
GRADING KEY
Lesson 5
Review –
((1 B) – (2 B) – (3 B) – (4 C) – (5 A) –
(6 B) – (7 C) – (8 B) – (9 A) – (10 C) *
Lesson 6
True or False – (1 T) – (2 F) – (3 F) – (4 T) – (5 T) – (6
T) – (7 F) – (8 T) – (9 T) – (10 F) *
Multiple Choice – (1 C) – (2 B) – (3 A) – (4 B) – (5 A) –
(6 B) *