Saved by faith alone?

[Hakawaka]

Saved by Faith alone is the equivalent of saying saved by Jesus Christ alone. Whoever Jesus saves Faith is given so that they know Jesus saved them, not that He made their salvation possible, but that He saved them. That's what the Gift of Faith is for. Eph 2:8

Sounds great but what about the verses that tell you to receive that reconciliation that has already been made for you? Why plead?

2 Cor 5:20
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

 

[brightfame52]

Sounds great but what about the verses that tell you to receive that reconciliation that has already been made for you? Why plead?

2 Cor 5:20
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

That's an imperative to the already reconciled and regenerated, the imperative "be ye reconciled" is a imperative in the passive voice, so the subjects are being acted upon, being caused to be subjectively reconciled in their minds and hearts. Its a call to believe the word

 

[rogerg]

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

Why does the verse "will be saved" instead of just "saved", if one's belief is actually what saves upon belief?

"This righteousness from God comes through faith in JC." (Rom. 3:22)

The KJV has "of Christ", not "in Christ". How can the righteousness of God ever be achieved by man's faith? As the Savior it was achieved solely by Christ - that is why He is Savior and man is not savior.

[Rom 3:22 KJV] 22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
This is confirmed by 2 Pet 1:1 following where we read that true faith is obtained only through Christ's righteousness, not by man's efforts

[2Pe 1:1 KJV] 1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

"You are all sons of God through faith in CJ." (Gal. 3:26)

1) see 2 Pe 1:1 above
2: see Gal 2:16 following

[Gal 2:16 KJV] 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

"Ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints..." (Eph. 2:15)

To make this simple and easy, every time you read "your faith", think 1 Pe 1:1. The "your faith" doesn't address the aspect of how faith was obtained; only that they had it. 1 Pe 1:1 addresses the "how".

"We always thank God for... your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord JC." (1Thes. 1:2-3)
etcetera

That is discussing work the true believer does that comes as a result of the faith they have been given

 

[brightfame52]

@GWH

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

Believing on the lord after hearing the word of the lord, is an evidence Jesus has saved you , see believing isn't a condition to get saved, but its a condition as evidence of being saved. See Christ alone does the actual saving of a person, not the act of believing, believing didn't die for our sins and put them away, Christ did.

 

[brightfame52]

1) see 2 Pe 1:1 above

See people believe Faith is from the nature of man, the flesh, but its not, its given by God as part of ones salvation inheritance.

 

[rogerg]

See people believe Faith is from the nature of man, the flesh, but its not, its given by God as part of ones salvation inheritance.

Absolutely agree with you, brightfame52. That's exactly what I was trying to demonstrate by referencing 1 Pe 1:1, where we see that true faith is obtained only by the righteousness of Christ and given to those whom He chose for it.

Sorry I accidently type 2:1 instead of 1:1. Edited and corrected it

 

[GWH]

Why does the verse "will be saved" instead of just "saved", if one's belief is actually what saves because of their belief?

The KJV has "of Christ", not "in Christ". How can the righteousness of God ever be achieved by man's faith? As the Savior it was achieved solely by Christ - that is why He is Savior and man is not savior.

[Rom 3:22 KJV] 22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
This is confirmed by 2 Pet 1:1 following where we read that true faith is obtained only through Christ's righteousness, not by man's efforts

[2Pe 1:1 KJV] 1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

1) see 2 Pe 1:1 above
2: see Gal 2:16 following

[Gal 2:16 KJV] 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

To make this simple and easy, every time you read "your faith", think 1 Pe 1:1. The "your faith" doesn't address the aspect of how faith was obtained; only that they had it. 1 Pe 1:1 addresses the "how".

That is discussing work the true believer does that comes as a result of the faith they have been given

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)
"This righteousness from God comes through faith in JC." (Rom. 3:22)
"You are all sons of God through faith in CJ." (Gal. 3:26)
"Ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints..." (Eph. 2:15)
"We have heard of your faith in CJ and of the love you have for all the saints." (Col. 1:4)
"...I delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is." (Col. 2:5)
"We always thank God for... your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord JC." (1Thes. 1:2-3)
etcetera

Re "Why does the verse "will be saved" instead of just "saved", if one's belief is actually what saves because of their belief?"

One reason Paul told the jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31) is to acknowledge the reality of MFW, which enables sinners to accept but also to reject God's grace. Hopefully, everyone opened their Christmas Gift. IOW, the verse implies "IF you believe...".

Another reason the verse says "will be" saved is because salvation has three time components:

1. The kerygmatic moment or stage of conversion may be described grammatically as occurring in the past: we were saved when we repented/received the baptism of the HS.
2. From the moment of repentance onward begins the second stage of growth, discipleship (Acts 14:22) or sanctification (2Thes. 2:13).
3. And this brings us to the final stage of salvation: glorification (1Pet. 5:10) or immortality (1Cor. 15:53) in heaven. Everyone who opens their Christmas Gift will go to heaven and will be happy eternally. Yay! PYL!

Re "The KJV has "of Christ", not "in Christ". (Rom. 3:22)

Does it also have "of his blood" (Rom. 3:25), "of Jesus" (Rom. 3:26), "of CJ" (Gal. 3:26), "of the Lord Jesus" (Eph. 2:15), "of CJ" (Col. 1:4), "of Christ" (Col. 2:5) and "of our Lord JC" (1Thes. 1:3)?

Re "2Pet. 1:1". "Righteousness of JC" is gained via faith in JC.

Re "Gal. 2:17". It should be translated "faith in JC" to jibe/harmonize with the other Scriptures.

 

[brightfame52]

Absolutely agree with you, brightfame52. That's exactly what I was trying to demonstrate by referencing 1 Pe 1:1, where we see that true faith is obtained only by the righteousness of Christ and given to those whom He chose for it.

Sorry I accidently type 2:1 instead of 1:1. Edited and corrected it

Yes and notice it says the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet 1:1

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ

So this Faith is through Christ as Our Saviour, similar to Christ as Saviour gives repentance as well Acts 5:31

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins

So when men attribute either faith or repentance in salvation to themselves, conditions they meet, they become their own saviors .

 

[rogerg]

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)
"This righteousness from God comes through faith in JC." (Rom. 3:22)
"You are all sons of God through faith in CJ." (Gal. 3:26)
"Ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints..." (Eph. 2:15)
"We have heard of your faith in CJ and of the love you have for all the saints." (Col. 1:4)
"...I delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is." (Col. 2:5)
"We always thank God for... your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord JC." (1Thes. 1:2-3)
etcetera

Re "Why does the verse "will be saved" instead of just "saved", if one's belief is actually what saves because of their belief?"

One reason Paul told the jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31) is to acknowledge the reality of MFW, which enables sinners to accept but also to reject God's grace. Hopefully, everyone opened their Christmas Gift. IOW, the verse implies "IF you believe...".

Another reason the verse says "will be" saved is because salvation has three time components:

1. The kerygmatic moment or stage of conversion may be described grammatically as occurring in the past: we were saved when we repented/received the baptism of the HS.
2. From the moment of repentance onward begins the second stage of growth, discipleship (Acts 14:22) or sanctification (2Thes. 2:13).
3. And this brings us to the final stage of salvation: glorification (1Pet. 5:10) or immortality (1Cor. 15:53) in heaven. Everyone who opens their Christmas Gift will go to heaven and will be happy eternally. Yay! PYL!

Re "The KJV has "of Christ", not "in Christ". (Rom. 3:22)

Does it also have "of his blood" (Rom. 3:25), "of Jesus" (Rom. 3:26), "of CJ" (Gal. 3:26), "of the Lord Jesus" (Eph. 2:15), "of CJ" (Col. 1:4), "of Christ" (Col. 2:5) and "of our Lord JC" (1Thes. 1:3)?

Re "2Pet. 1:1". "Righteousness of JC" is gained via faith in JC.

Re "Gal. 2:17". It should be translated "faith in JC" to jibe/harmonize with the other Scriptures.

So rather than going back and forth on this, it can easily be settled by you answering the simple question I asked of you - whether you
believe that Christ alone is the Savior or not. If you believe He is, then all of the rest falls into place behind it, if you don't,
then you reject the most fundamental doctrine of Christianity. Answering for myself, I will gladly and emphatically state that, yes, I believe that He alone is Savior, and in being the Savior, that He has already achieved on the behalf of those He chose for salvation all of the requirements needed for salvation. That's what makes salvation by grace.

[Tit 3:5 KJV] 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

 

[Genez]

Saved by the faith OF Jesus Christ- by His faith and faithfulness, not by man's. Christ alone is the Savior.

Faith of the Lord is, in effect, the Word of God. Knowing it accurately is essential for the Spirit to guide us into safety and away from evil.

Faith of the Lord is knowing the Word of God.​

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4​

That is the Faith of Jesus Christ that He walked in constantly...
And, He has now given us His faith to walk in, as to make us be imitators of Christ.

 

[GWH]

So rather than going back and forth on this, it can easily be settled by you answering the simple question I asked of you - whether you
believe that Christ alone is the Savior or not. If you believe He is, then all of the rest falls into place behind it, if you don't,
then you reject the most fundamental doctrine of Christianity. Answering for myself, I will gladly and emphatically state that, yes, I believe that He alone is Savior, and in being the Savior, that He has already achieved on the behalf of those He chose for salvation all of the requirements needed for salvation. That's what makes salvation by grace.

[Tit 3:5 KJV] 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

I believe the verses I cited plus the rest of GW, including Tit. 3:5,
but I doubt this settles the TULIP/MFW issue, which I am attempting to do
systematically on the Resolving Problematic Interpretations of Scripture thread,
because I agree about not "going back and forth" regarding the issue.
You are free to join that study or not.

 

[rogerg]

I believe the verses I cited plus the rest of GW, including Tit. 3:5,
but I doubt this settles the TULIP/MFW issue, which I am attempting to do
systematically on the Resolving Problematic Interpretations of Scripture thread,
because I agree about not "going back and forth" regarding the issue.
You are free to join that study or not.

Tit 3:5 isn't "problematic" at all. It is as clear, concise and foundational to the gospel as any verse could possibly be. It only becomes "problematic" when someone doesn't like what it states.
The gospel was written solely about Christ - that He came to do the will of the Father


[Heb 10:7 KJV] 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

 

[memberofthebride]

Does the phrase, "saved by faith" equivalent to the term, "saved by faith alone"?

No, If you have "Faith" in what Jesus Christ did for you. Paid your penalty of death for YOUR sins, then you will trust Christ and Do what He tells us we must do.

Matthew 7

21 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 which is in heaven.

DOETH -- key word,,

 

[NightTwister]

I believe the verses I cited plus the rest of GW, including Tit. 3:5,
but I doubt this settles the TULIP/MFW issue, which I am attempting to do
systematically on the Resolving Problematic Interpretations of Scripture thread,
because I agree about not "going back and forth" regarding the issue.
You are free to join that study or not.

Still making it about you. You couldn't just comment without promoting one of your threads.

 

[Genez]

"Faith alone" simply means that there are no works involved to become saved.

There are still many who think that their good works will be noted by God and will merit salvation.
God will be looking to see if they have faith instead.

Faith is the only single work that God finds acceptable onto salvation.

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”​

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:28-29​

​

One work.= Generating faith after hearing the Word of God.


grace and peace ..................

 

[brightfame52]

Faith is the only single work that God finds acceptable onto salvation.

Thats works still if its your faith.

 

[Genez]

Thats works still if its your faith.

One work is acceptable to God.

"Works" (plural) was a religious system prescribed by men telling others what works they must do inherit eternal life.
In Jesus day the Jews were corrupted in their thinking by the Pharisees who were always inventing new works one must do to guarantee their salvation. They had many many works given them to do.

That is why we read in the Gospels such things, like about the rich young ruler asking Jesus what more he must to to inherit eternal life.

His disciples also asked Jesus what works they should do.
And, Jesus answered them by mentioning one solitary work needed.
The only work that produces faith!

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man ​

will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”​

​

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”​

​

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:27-29​

I know that is not realized by the No-Works allowed folks.
But they are failing to see something.
That the one work Jesus prescribed, by default, produces faith!

grace and peace ...........

 

[brightfame52]

One work is acceptable to God.

Yeah, the work of Christ, His Faithfulness

 

[GWH]

Tit 3:5 isn't "problematic" at all. It is as clear, concise and foundational to the gospel as any verse could possibly be. It only becomes "problematic" when someone doesn't like what it states.
The gospel was written solely about Christ - that He came to do the will of the Father

[Heb 10:7 KJV] 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Here are some more clear, concise and foundational verses.

From Matthew

1. Repent (4:17, F)
2. Recognize one’s spiritual poverty (5:3, F)
3. Be righteous (5:20, W)
4. Love your enemies (5:44, W)
5. Forgive those who offend you (6:14, 18:35, W)
6. Serve God (6:24&33, W)
7. Enter the narrow gate (7:13, F)
8. Do God’s will (7:21 & 12:50, F&W)
9. Hear and act (7:24, F&W)
10. Confess Jesus (10:32, W)
11. Love Jesus (10:37, F)
12. Give life to Jesus (10:39& 16:24-25, F)
13. Have no doubt (11:6, F)
14. Come to Jesus (11:28, F)
15. Learn from Jesus (11:29, W)
16. Be for Jesus (12:30, F)
17. Understand (13:23, F)
18. Be good (5:48 & 13:38,43,49, W)
19. Value salvation (13:44-46, F)
20. Believe Jesus (16:16& 21:32, F)
21. Become humble (18:3-4 & 19:14, W)
22. Forgive others (18:35, W)
23. Obey the commandments (19:17, W)
24. Give to the poor (19:21, W)
25. Follow Jesus (19:21&29, F)
26. Yield fruit (21:43, W)
27. Dress appropriately (22:11-14, cf. RV 16:15, W)
28. Love God, neighbor & self (22:37-40, W)
29. Hold out until the end (24:13, F)
30. Keep awake (24:42 & 25:13, F)
31. Be ready (24:44, F&W)
32. Be trustworthy and useful (25:21&30, F&W)
33. Help Jesus’ brothers (25:34-40, W)
34. Be righteous/do right (25:46, F&W)

More from Mark and Luke

35. Accept the kingdom (Mark 10:15, F)
36. Believe the Gospel (Mark 16:16, F)
37. Receive baptism (Mark 16:16, W)
38. Be hated (Luke 6:22-23, W)
39. Lend (Luke 6:35, W)
40. Judge not (Luke 6:37, W)
41. Invite the poor to your party (Luke 14:13-14, W)
42. Use wealth wisely (Luke 16:9, W)
43. Stand firm (Luke 21:19, F)

From John

44. Be born again (3:3&6, F)
45. Come to the light (3:21, F)
46. Drink living water (4:14, F)
47. Heed Jesus (5:24, W)
48. Do right (5:29, W)
49. Work for the food of life (6:27, W)
50. Believe in the one God has sent (F)
51. Partake of the bread of life (6:33-35&51, F)
52. Eat the flesh and drink the blood of X (6:54, F)
53. Dwell within the truth (8:31&35, W)
54. Obey the Son (8:51 & 14:15, F&W)
55. Hate self; serve Jesus (12:25-26, W)
56. Accept Jesus’ words (12:47, F)
57. Follow Jesus’ example (13:15-17, W)
58. Dwell in Jesus and in love (15:5-10, F&W)
59. Heed his command (15:10-12, F)
60. Know God and Jesus Christ (17:3, F)
61. Believe Jesus is Christ/Son (20:31, F)

GRFS per Peter and Paul

From Acts

62. Call on the name of the Lord (Acts 2:21)
63. Repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38, cf. 3:19)
64. Believe in Jesus (Acts 10:43, cf. 13:39&48)
65. Believe in the Lord Jesus (Acts 16:31, cf. 18:8)
66. Repent and turn to God (Acts 26:20)

These only become "problematic" when someone doesn't like what they state.
Would you like some more?

 

[GWH]

@GWH



Believing on the lord after hearing the word of the lord, is an evidence Jesus has saved you , see believing isn't a condition to get saved, but its a condition as evidence of being saved. See Christ alone does the actual saving of a person, not the act of believing, believing didn't die for our sins and put them away, Christ did.

both-and