James 2:14-26, A verse by verse study

[mailmandan]

"boastful works" is an utterly unscriptural, completely human term devised as a clever way to attempt to thwart His grace, an humanist end-run denying the power of God.

and unfortunately that's all it seems you've got.

friend, there is much more than that.
lay down your self, and seek Him

Exactly. It's simply a cunning way in an effort to "get around" the truth found in such verses as (Romans 4:2-6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9 etc..). The end result is saved by "these" works and just not "those" works which still culminates in salvation by faith and works/works-righteousness and boasting in self.

That salvation is by grace through faith and is not by works is not hard to understand. It's just hard for those who cling to works for salvation to ACCEPT. It's a shame that human pride will not allow works-salvationists to place their faith in Jesus Christ ALONE for salvation. Their hands are full of their works, and they will not let go in order to receive Christ through faith. It's a PRIDE issue.

 

[JMH]

Thank you so much for your kindness to me. But please believe what Jesus said in Mark 16:16-“ He that believes AND is baptized shall be saved.” It must be in that order, because putting baptism AFTER SALVATION changes what Jesus said. Also, the Holy Spirit guided Peter to write, “ …baptism does now save us….” 1 Peter 3:21. There are so many scriptures that teach baptism is necessary to salvation: baptism is for the forgiveness of sins, Acts 2:38; baptism washes away sins, Acts 22:16; all of the conversions you read about in the book of Acts are saved the same way—believe and be baptized—Acts 8:12-13, the Ethiopian eunuch Acts 8, Saul of Tarsus Acts 22, Cornelius, Acts 10, Lydia and the jailer, Acts 16. The Corinthians Acts 18:8. Please, I beg you, read each of these conversions and see how each one believed and was baptized—just as Jesus taught when He was on earth.

Also, in 1 Corinthians 1:13, Paul is condemning divisions and He gives 2 requirements, two things necessary for anyone to call themselves by the name of a man. Verse 13- 1) that man would have to have been CRUCIFIED for you and 2) you would have to be BAPTIZED into His name. Paul says I was not crucified for you, you were not baptized into my name, therefore do not call yourselves after me. Neither was Apollos and neither was Cephas. Do not call yourselves after men. Think of the Lutherans. They call themselves after Martin Luther, but Luther was not “crucified” for them and they were not baptized into his name. How can you call yourself a “Christian” named after Christ, a follower of Christ if you have not been baptized into His name—just as Peter said to do in Acts 2:38? We are baptized into Christ ( Romans 6:3) and therefore we can wear His name. This alone makes baptism necessary to be a Christian.

When do you come into contact with the blood of Christ? We know it cleanses us from our sins but when? At the point of faith? When we repent? When we confess? If it’s at the point if faith, then the devils in James 2 must be saved, because they believe in Jesus so much they TREMBLE! Where do you find the blood of Jesus? In His death! He shed His blood in His DEATH. Go back to Romans 6. “As many as were BAPTIZED into Christ Jesus were baptized into His DEATH.” Verse 3.and 4. That’s where we reach the blood of Jesus; where we come into contact with His blood; that’s where “His blood cleanses us of all our sins.” 1 John 1:7 That’s why we go down into the waters of baptism an “old man” Romans 6: 5-6, and come up a new creature to walk in “newness of life.” Verse 3 &4.

Please be aware, the doctrine that baptism does not save is a lie of Satan; just like he told Eve in the garden that she would die if she ate the fruit— Satan said she would NOT die. He always says the opposite of what God says. Do not be deceived like Eve. Gid has told you in the Bible that baptism saves—-now who are you going to believe? God or man? You have the same choice Eve had.

My dear brother in Christ, "As many as were BAPTIZED into Christ Jesus were baptized into His DEATH.”

What baptism are you interpreting this to be brother? water or spirit? Paul is pretty clear that there is only one baptism...(Ephesians 4:5) and... God Himself last I read required no water to put His Spirit in you.(Ezekiel 36:26) Furthermore, what did you understand was the significance of the baptism John was doing in the Jordon? Baptism saves brother but not water baptism. Water baptism is a sign and or declaration of ones trust and belief in Christ Jesus.

Happy to always help brother.

 

[fredoheaven]

Any works that may add to faith to receive salvation are boastful. God works for those who believe in him. It is not man works but God works.

John 6:39
King James Bible
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

 

[posthuman]

Any works that may add to faith to receive salvation are boastful. God works for those who believe in him. It is not man works but God works.

John 6:39
King James Bible
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

yes

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
(Philippians 2:13)
​

it is God doing the work in us who are in The Way -- both to will, and also to do
therefore there can be no boasting, not of our will, nor of our works -- because it by His grace and by His work in us, "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy"

@Beckworth

 

[HeIsHere]

Any works that may add to faith to receive salvation are boastful. God works for those who believe in him. It is not man works but God works.

John 6:39
King James Bible
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

It is not really possible is it to add works?
People may think they can but it God's terms which matter and we come to Him on His terms.

 

[Beckworth]

My dear brother in Christ, "As many as were BAPTIZED into Christ Jesus were baptized into His DEATH.”

What baptism are you interpreting this to be brother? water or spirit? Paul is pretty clear that there is only one baptism...(Ephesians 4:5) and... God Himself last I read required no water to put His Spirit in you.(Ezekiel 36:26) Furthermore, what did you understand was the significance of the baptism John was doing in the Jordon? Baptism saves brother but not water baptism. Water baptism is a sign and or declaration of ones trust and belief in Christ Jesus.

Happy to always help brother.

The baptism in Acts 2:38 commanded by Peter was water baptism; I know this because the Holy Spirit was promised as a “gift” AFTER they were baptised; so it could NOT have been Holy Spirit baptism.

The baptism of the Samaritans in Acts 8 was water baptism; I know this because AFTER they were baptized they received the Holy Spirit. Read verses 12-15.

Cornelius and his house were still commanded to be baptized after they received the baptism if the Spirit in Acts 10:48. The baptism that was COMMANDED was water baptism. If it was not necessary then why did Peter COMMAND them to do it?

The baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch was water baptism. I know because the eunuch said, “ Here is water. What does hinder me from being baptized?”

Ananias told Paul to “Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins”. Men could not just go out and command the Holy Spirit to baptize them. Holy Spirit baptism was given by God, at His discretion, and “unexpectantly”. It fell “suddenly” on the Jews in Acts 2 and on Cornelius in Acts 10. It was not administered by MEN. But Jesus tells His disciples to go out and “baptize” in all the world. People did not get Holy Spirit baptism in that way.

Besides, Holy Spirit baptism was never given to “save” people. It was always given as a “sign” of God’s approval. In Acts 2, it was a sign that the apostles had God’s approval and that their message was truly from God. In Acts 10, it was a “sign” to the Jews that proved God had accepted the gentiles as recipients of the gospel message. That’s what God had been showing Peter with the vision of the Sheet full of animals.

The Holy Spirit baptism was only given twice in the New Testament. Acts 2 and Acts 10. The apostles could give the “gift” of the Spirit by laying their hands on people and this was one of the miraculous gifts talked about in 1 Cor. 14 &15. If you had the miraculous “gift” of the Spirit, you could do miracles or speak in tongues, or heal people, or prophesy. But you got these gifts by the apostles laying their hands on you—not by Holy Spirit baptism. Both times Holy Spirit baptism happened, the persons were NOT seeking it; they were NOT asking for it; they were NOT praying for it, they were not even aware that it was about to happen. That is not the baptism that men are told to “do”. Men are told to go be baptised (Acts 3:38, Acts 22:16. Matthew 28:18-19, etc) which implies that they decide to “do” it or not. It’s something that men can do in obedience to a command. That is NOT Holy Spirit baptism in the Bible.

The baptism taught in Ephesians 4 is water baptism. Jesus taught that miraculous gifts would “cease” when the “perfect” will of God, the Bible, had come. 1Cor. 13. The first century Christian’s NEEDED guidance from those with spiritual gifts because they did not have the complete word of God written down. But once the word was complete and written so all could read it, there was no longer any need for miraculous guidance. He is very specific about this in 1 Cor. 13.

Please do a thorough study of the Spirit and how He worked in the New Testament—without a preconceived prejudice. You have been deceived by Satan.

The Bible does not teach—nor imply—that once an apostle gave you the “gift” of the Spirit, you then could “pass” that gift on to other people. No. It could not be “passed on.” That means once the last apostle died and the last person to receive the Holy Spirit from an apostle died, that was the end of miraculous spiritual gifts. They have “ceased”, just like 1 Corinthians 13 predicted. We now have the inspired word of God to guide us and direct us. And Paul says it was once and for all delivered; it is complete— not ongoing revelation, and it is ALL we need to be saved. 2 Tim 3:16.

The way we get the “gift” of the Holy Spirit today is by being baptized in water just as Peter told those in Acts 2:38. It is all we need.

 

[Beckworth]

Any works that may add to faith to receive salvation are boastful. God works for those who believe in him. It is not man works but God works.

John 6:39
King James Bible
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Have you read James 2:14-26? That whole passage contradicts what you just said. Faith and works go together verse 22. Abraham was saved by works when he offered Isaac. Rahab was saved by works when she hid the spies. They had faith, yes, but their faith without works is dead! Verses 17 and 26. That is the whole point of those verses. We are not saved by faith alone to the exclusion of everything else see verse 24. Neither are we saved by works alone but as verse 22 says, faith and works together.

John 6 does not teach faith ONLY or faith ALONE. It just says faith is a WORK of God. If you exclude ALL works, you exclude faith. 1 Thess. 1:3 and 2Thess. 1:11 both call faith a work. You still think we are not saved by works?

 

[Beckworth]

Have you read James 2:14-26? That whole passage contradicts what you just said. Faith and works go together verse 22. Abraham was saved by works when he offered Isaac. Rahab was saved by works when she hid the spies. They had faith, yes, but their faith without works is dead! Verses 17 and 26. That is the whole point of those verses. We are not saved by faith alone to the exclusion of everything else see verse 24. Neither are we saved by works alone but as verse 22 says, faith and works together.

John 6 does not teach faith ONLY or faith ALONE. It just says faith is a WORK of God. If you exclude ALL works, you exclude faith. 1 Thess. 1:3 and 2Thess. 1:11 both call faith a work. You still think we are not saved by works?

And is the work of believing (faith) a BOASTFUL work? The Holy Spirit calls it a work. What do you call it?

 

[mailmandan]

Have you read James 2:14-26? That whole passage contradicts what you just said. Faith and works go together verse 22. Abraham was saved by works when he offered Isaac. Rahab was saved by works when she hid the spies. They had faith, yes, but their faith without works is dead! Verses 17 and 26. That is the whole point of those verses. We are not saved by faith alone to the exclusion of everything else see verse 24. Neither are we saved by works alone but as verse 22 says, faith and works together.

John 6 does not teach faith ONLY or faith ALONE. It just says faith is a WORK of God. If you exclude ALL works, you exclude faith. 1 Thess. 1:3 and 2Thess. 1:11 both call faith a work. You still think we are not saved by works?

Be sure to go back and read posts #68 #69 #70 and #76 from the link below:

https://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/james-2-14-26-a-verse-by-verse-study.217314/page-4

 

[fredoheaven]

Have you read James 2:14-26? That whole passage contradicts what you just said. Faith and works go together verse 22. Abraham was saved by works when he offered Isaac. Rahab was saved by works when she hid the spies. They had faith, yes, but their faith without works is dead! Verses 17 and 26. That is the whole point of those verses. We are not saved by faith alone to the exclusion of everything else see verse 24. Neither are we saved by works alone but as verse 22 says, faith and works together.

John 6 does not teach faith ONLY or faith ALONE. It just says faith is a WORK of God. If you exclude ALL works, you exclude faith. 1 Thess. 1:3 and 2Thess. 1:11 both call faith a work. You still think we are not saved by works?

Adding works to faith for salvation means boasting

• Is to add to what Christ did. The cross finished our salvation. Christ is offered and the gift of salvation is wrapped and offered free.
• It is to aid Christ's redemption. This is boasting 101. We are not Saviour, it’s Christ alone.

The context is not about obtaining salvation but proving or providing a valid explanation of one's faith. James is saying this of showing of faith as in v.18 “Shew me…” The justification here means that in the eyes of men and not in the eyes of God. The focus here is the vain man v.20, or the unprofitable man v.16 and Abraham was justified by works, meaning he validated his faith by his works and so with Rahab the harlot.
1 Thes 1;3 speaks of the believers or the saved. People like them needed to work their faith. Paul says to them that he not only imparted the gospel of God to them to believe but also to work to prove their faith. Paul says exactly what James is saying in v.9 “For they themselves shew of us…ie to validate, justify, give evidence of one's faith.

Umm, I would think Mailmandan and Post(hu)man and others offer very good explanations in harmony with the scriptures.

 

[Beckworth]

Adding works to faith for salvation means boasting

• Is to add to what Christ did. The cross finished our salvation. Christ is offered and the gift of salvation is wrapped and offered free.
• It is to aid Christ's redemption. This is boasting 101. We are not Saviour, it’s Christ alone.

The context is not about obtaining salvation but proving or providing a valid explanation of one's faith. James is saying this of showing of faith as in v.18 “Shew me…” The justification here means that in the eyes of men and not in the eyes of God. The focus here is the vain man v.20, or the unprofitable man v.16 and Abraham was justified by works, meaning he validated his faith by his works and so with Rahab the harlot.
1 Thes 1;3 speaks of the believers or the saved. People like them needed to work their faith. Paul says to them that he not only imparted the gospel of God to them to believe but also to work to prove their faith. Paul says exactly what James is saying in v.9 “For they themselves shew of us…ie to validate, justify, give evidence of one's faith.

Umm, I would think Mailmandan and Post(hu)man and others offer very good explanations in harmony with the scriptures.[/QUOTE

“
Not talking about salvation”? “Justified” means “declared or made righteous in the sight of God. ( not in the sight of men).

Abraham was JUSTIFIED, declared or made righteous in the sight of God, by works verse 21.

A man is JUSTIFIED, declared or made righteous in the sight of God, by works and not by faith only. Verse 24.

Rahab was JUSTIFIED, declared or made righteous in the sight of God, by works… verse 25.

That definitely is not saying what you are saying. I think I will have to take the Bible version of James 2 and not your version of this passage.

 

[JMH]

The baptism in Acts 2:38 commanded by Peter was water baptism; I know this because the Holy Spirit was promised as a “gift” AFTER they were baptised; so it could NOT have been Holy Spirit baptism.

The baptism of the Samaritans in Acts 8 was water baptism; I know this because AFTER they were baptized they received the Holy Spirit. Read verses 12-15.

Cornelius and his house were still commanded to be baptized after they received the baptism if the Spirit in Acts 10:48. The baptism that was COMMANDED was water baptism. If it was not necessary then why did Peter COMMAND them to do it?

The baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch was water baptism. I know because the eunuch said, “ Here is water. What does hinder me from being baptized?”

Ananias told Paul to “Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins”. Men could not just go out and command the Holy Spirit to baptize them. Holy Spirit baptism was given by God, at His discretion, and “unexpectantly”. It fell “suddenly” on the Jews in Acts 2 and on Cornelius in Acts 10. It was not administered by MEN. But Jesus tells His disciples to go out and “baptize” in all the world. People did not get Holy Spirit baptism in that way.

Besides, Holy Spirit baptism was never given to “save” people. It was always given as a “sign” of God’s approval. In Acts 2, it was a sign that the apostles had God’s approval and that their message was truly from God. In Acts 10, it was a “sign” to the Jews that proved God had accepted the gentiles as recipients of the gospel message. That’s what God had been showing Peter with the vision of the Sheet full of animals.

The Holy Spirit baptism was only given twice in the New Testament. Acts 2 and Acts 10. The apostles could give the “gift” of the Spirit by laying their hands on people and this was one of the miraculous gifts talked about in 1 Cor. 14 &15. If you had the miraculous “gift” of the Spirit, you could do miracles or speak in tongues, or heal people, or prophesy. But you got these gifts by the apostles laying their hands on you—not by Holy Spirit baptism. Both times Holy Spirit baptism happened, the persons were NOT seeking it; they were NOT asking for it; they were NOT praying for it, they were not even aware that it was about to happen. That is not the baptism that men are told to “do”. Men are told to go be baptised (Acts 3:38, Acts 22:16. Matthew 28:18-19, etc) which implies that they decide to “do” it or not. It’s something that men can do in obedience to a command. That is NOT Holy Spirit baptism in the Bible.

The baptism taught in Ephesians 4 is water baptism. Jesus taught that miraculous gifts would “cease” when the “perfect” will of God, the Bible, had come. 1Cor. 13. The first century Christian’s NEEDED guidance from those with spiritual gifts because they did not have the complete word of God written down. But once the word was complete and written so all could read it, there was no longer any need for miraculous guidance. He is very specific about this in 1 Cor. 13.

Please do a thorough study of the Spirit and how He worked in the New Testament—without a preconceived prejudice. You have been deceived by Satan.

The Bible does not teach—nor imply—that once an apostle gave you the “gift” of the Spirit, you then could “pass” that gift on to other people. No. It could not be “passed on.” That means once the last apostle died and the last person to receive the Holy Spirit from an apostle died, that was the end of miraculous spiritual gifts. They have “ceased”, just like 1 Corinthians 13 predicted. We now have the inspired word of God to guide us and direct us. And Paul says it was once and for all delivered; it is complete— not ongoing revelation, and it is ALL we need to be saved. 2 Tim 3:16.

The way we get the “gift” of the Holy Spirit today is by being baptized in water just as Peter told those in Acts 2:38. It is all we need.

WOW, even spoken in Your own words> "Besides, Holy Spirit baptism was never given to “save” people. It was always given as a “sign” of God’s approval". YOU HAVE IT BACKWARDS!! Don't panick, i got you my brother..

Below you will see very clearly that water baptism was never required in order to receive Gods Spirit. It is God alone who puts HIS Spirit in you( baptism of the Holy Spirit) first before anything, God never said I will give you a new heart, then you will get water baptized then you will receive my Spirit.. (NOT BIBLICAL)

*Water baptism is only a sign of His work in you (past tense)that declares your love and commitment to Christ*.

Tell me when was the criminal on the cross saved my dear brother and how did that happen??

Luke 23:39-43
New King James Version
Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

If you need anymore help let me know, I know who to ask
God bless.

 

[Beckworth]

WOW, even spoken in Your own words> "Besides, Holy Spirit baptism was never given to “save” people. It was always given as a “sign” of God’s approval". YOU HAVE IT BACKWARDS!! Don't panick, i got you my brother..

Below you will see very clearly that water baptism was never required in order to receive Gods Spirit. It is God alone who puts HIS Spirit in you( baptism of the Holy Spirit) first before anything, God never said I will give you a new heart, then you will get water baptized then you will receive my Spirit.. (NOT BIBLICAL)

*Water baptism is only a sign of His work in you (past tense)that declares your love and commitment to Christ*.

Tell me when was the criminal on the cross saved my dear brother and how did that happen??

Luke 23:39-43
New King James Version
Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

If you need anymore help let me know, I know who to ask
God bless.

When Jesus was on earth, He could save people any way, anytime, He chose. He not only saved the thief on the cross, He also saved the man let down through a hole in the roof. That does not mean that people today can be saved that way. You do not understand the difference between the old Jewish law of Judaism and the new law of Jesus Christ for Christian’s. The thief lived under the laws of the Jews; the laws of Judaism. It did not require baptism. He very likely was baptized with John’s baptism but no one knows. You and I can’t be saved like the thief Or the man let down from the roof. Read Hebrews 9;16-17. Jesus had a will, the New Testament is called the last will and testament of Jesus Christ. It contains the GOspel message of salvation. It was never required of the thief or anyone else before Jesus’s death on the cross. Just like any “will” today, it did not come into effect until Jesus’s death. That’s exactly what Hebrews 9:16-17 tells us. Luke 24:47 tells us that “repentance and remission of sins was first preached to all nations beginning at Jerusalem.” That was fulfilled in Acts 2 when Jews from every nation was gathered for Pentecost in Jerusalem. Peter preached a powerful sermon about how Jesus was the Son of God and when those Jews asked “What shall we do” in verse 37, Perter said, “ REPENT…AND BE BAPTISED… FOR THE REMISSION IF SINS.” VERSE 38. That was 50 days after the crucifixion. The thief and Jesus had been dead for over a month before the first gospel sermon was preached! You do err, not knowing the scriptures. How or in what way the thief may have been saved has nothing to do with you or me. Christ is not here to personally save us , and we are not Jews living under a different law (Judaism).

Please give me the Bible scripture that tells me that baptism is only a “sign.” That is a doctrine of man. Do you know what Jesus said about practicing the “doctrines of men?” Matthew 15:9- your worship to Him is vain, useless. You are wasting your time.

This is what the BIBLE says about Baptism:
It SAVES US . 1 Peter 3:21
It removes our sins. Acts 2:38
It is required BEFORE salvation. Mark 16:16
It puts us into Christ. Galations 3:27
It places us in His death where we come into contact with His BLOOD that cleanses us from all sin. Romans 6
It is required in order for you to call yourselves after Him ( Christian) 1 Cor. 1
That doesn’t sound like a “sign” to me. And that isn’t anything like what you are teaching. 2 John 9 gives a warning: If you don’t abide in the doctrine of Christ, you DONT HAVE GOD!

I have told you what the Bible says and given scripture to prove it. Now you give me the scripture that proves baptism is only a “sign.”