Baptists for Africa

Discipleship Lesson 9 (Jesse) – Salvation by Faith

Salvation by Faith
Discipleship Lesson 9

Romans 3:24-28: 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;26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

The Defense of the True Gospel

Christians are called to “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 3), to “fight the good fight of faith” (I Timothy 6:12), and should be “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:5). Paul spoke of “the defense and confirmation of the gospel” (Philippians 1:7), and warned often about “another gospel” (Galatians 1:7-9; II Corinthians 11:4).

The term “believe” as with reference to salvation is roughly synonymous with the words “faith” (Romans 4:5) and “trust” (Ephesians 1:13). There are basically two types of believing:

  • Mental-belief (with the mind, or, belief that) – “thou believest that there is one God” (James 2:19)
  • Heart-belief (with the heart, or, belief in) – “with the heart man believeth unto righteousness” (Romans 10:10a)

We must believe in (heart-belief) Christ to be saved (e.g., John 6:47); that is to say, we have to depend, rely, or put our trust and confidence in the work of Christ to save us. Because salvation is by grace (see Acts 5:11 and Ephesians 2:5), we can only receive it by a non-meritorious or praiseworthy act (e.g., faith), not by meritorious acts (e.g., good deeds). If it is of grace, it cannot be of works (Romans 11:6). To “believe in” Jesus does not mean to obey Jesus, or to follow Jesus, or to do work for Jesus, but to simply trust in him. We are saved by God’s love for us, not our love for God (I John 4:10; see also Romans 5:6-8). We are saved by Jesus giving his life for us, not by us giving our lives for Jesus (see Galatians 2:20).

Galatians 3:12: And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them

Salvation is free: it is a gift (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; II Corinthians 9:15; see also, “the free gift,” Romans 5:16, 18). The gifts of God cannot be purchased with money (Acts 8:20) or earned by our works, but can only be asked for and freely given (John 4:10; see also Romans 3:24).

Salvation is easy: Jesus did all the work (John 19:30). Believing is likened to resting (Hebrews 4:1-11), eating (John 6:54-57), drinking (John 4:10), entering a door (John 10:9), coming to another person (John 6:35), and receiving a gift (John 1:12), all of which are simple, easy acts, analogous to the simple, easy act of putting faith in Christ. One only has to hear/see and believe (John 5:24; 6:40 (cf. Isaiah 45:22); see also Galatians 3:1-2).

The Case for Salvation by Faith Alone

There are four main reasons to believe that salvation is by faith alone:

  1. Sufficiency – believing is enough to save someone—“by faith”
  2. Exclusivity – believing is the only requirement for someone to be saved—“not of works”
  3. Necessity – believing is the only possibility for someone to be saved—“of faith, that it might be by grace”
  4. Identity – believing is the identity of someone saved—“whosoever believeth”

 

  • SUFFICIENCY — believing is enough to save someone—“by faith”

There are many Bible verses which clearly tell us that all we must do to be saved is to believe (see Romans 10:16; II Thessalonians 1:8-10)—including the most famous verse of the Bible, John 3:16—and which in their primary context are about salvation (that is, the purpose of these verses is explicitly to teach us how to be saved):

Active statements that salvation is by believing in Jesus: John 3:15-16, 18, 36; 5:24; 6:28-29, 40, 47; 8:24; Acts 10:43; 13:39; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16-17; 3:22, 25, 26, 27, 28; 4:5 (cf. v. 24); 10:3-4, 9-13; Galatians 2:16; 3:11, 22, 24, 26; Ephesians 2:8-9; I John 5:4, 10-11, 13

Therefore, believing is a sufficient cause of salvation—someone’s salvation is 100% dependent upon whether they have trusted in Christ alone or not. There are also many parable statements about salvation by faith alone (John 6:35; 7:38-39; 11:25-26; 12:36, 46; Romans 9:33/I Peter 2:6; Hebrews 4:3), and there are many passive statements in the scripture (where the context is not directly about salvation) about how salvation is attained by only trusting in Christ:

Passive statements that salvation is by believing in Jesus: Luke 8:12; John 1:12; Acts 15:9; 26:18; Romans 3:30; 5:1-2; I Corinthians 1:21; 15:17; Ephesians 1:13-14; II Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 10:39; I Peter 1:5, 9; I John 5:1, 5

The real goal in the preaching of Christ and the apostles was aimed at getting people to believe (see Mark 1:15; John 1:7; 9:35; 11:15, 42; 19:35; 20:30-31; Acts 15:7), which tells us that they thought salvation was attained by faith alone.  Also, the Holy Spirit was given to those who simply believed (Acts 11:17; Ephesians 1:13-14; see also Acts 19:1-6 and Galatians 3:2), and was a seal of their salvation; “that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:14; cf. 5:5; see Romans 8:9-11).

  • EXCLUSIVITY — believing is the only requirement for someone to be saved – “not of works”

The Bible goes out of its way in many places to not merely tell us what one must do to be saved, but to tell us what one does not have to do to be saved, which proves that salvation is only by faith. Clauses like “not of works” (Ephesians 2:9), “not by the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28), and “not by works of righteousness” (Titus 3:5) all show that salvation is exclusively by faith.

We are saved by obeying the gospel, not by obeying the law (Galatians 3:1-3). The command of the gospel is to turn from believing in false religion and instead believe in Jesus Christ. This is called “the obedience of faith” (Romans 16:25-26) and “the law of faith” (Romans 3:27). When someone does not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, they will be damned forever because they “disobeyed” the gospel “command” to believe (II Thessalonians 2:14).

Romans 10:16: But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (see also Acts 17:29-30; II Thessalonians 1:7-10)

There are essentially only two ways of trying to be justified before God, or of trying to attain to salvation: by the law, or by faith. All religions, therefore, fall into one of these two categories, with the majority in the salvation by the law (or, works) category.

Romans 10:3-4: For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

The righteousness of the law is attained by obeying all of God’s commandments perfectly, to “live by them” (Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:12). If one fails to obey any single commandment, they cannot be justified by the law (James 2:10), because they would be a “debtor to do the whole law” (Galatians 5:3), which no one can keep (Galatians 2:16). Therefore, no one’s righteousness of the law can ever justify them (Isaiah 57:12; Job 35:7-8). Our righteousness of the law in God’s sight is “as filthy rags” (see Isaiah 64:6).

Romans 3:19-20: Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The righteousness of faith is attained by believing in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:26). Someone who has the righteousness of faith is not actually righteous (earned by their works), but is counted as righteous by God (received by their faith) (Romans 4:5). Abraham was counted as righteous by his faith (Romans 4:3), before he obeyed God in circumcision (Romans 4:9-11). David was counted as righteous by God, even though he had committed grievous sins (Romans 4:6-8). God the Father sees the righteousness of his Son Jesus Christ on the account of the one who believes (II Corinthians 5:21). Our righteousness of faith in God’s sight is as a “white robe” (Revelation 19:8; see also Revelation 7:9-14 and Zechariah 3:1-5). The two kinds of “clothing” a person may don before God, therefore, are fascinatingly seen in a parable of Jesus (see Matthew 22:1-13), where the one who is improperly attired (vv. 11-12) is cast out “into outer darkness” (v. 13); that is, he goes to hell.

Philippians 3:9: And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

 

  • NECESSITY — believing is the only possibility for someone to be saved – “of faith, that it might be by grace”

In response to the question, “Who then can be saved,” Jesus replies, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:25-26). It is not possible that man can be saved by any works he does. None is righteous (Romans 3:10), none is good (Romans 3:12), and all are sinners before God (Romans 3:23). The unattainable standard of God’s perfect law cannot be met, and it makes the entire world guilty before him (Romans 3:19). Not only are we irretrievably guilty for past sins (see Psalm 130:3; I John 1:10), but no person can completely stop sinning while in this life (see I Kings 8:46; Proverbs 20:9; I John 1:8). “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). It is only the grace of God which brings salvation (Titus 2:11), making it possible for man to be saved. Salvation has to be by faith, so that it can be of grace (Romans 4:16).

Romans 9:30-32: What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone.

 

  • IDENTITY — believing is the identity of someone saved – “whosoever believeth”

There are numerous references to those who are saved throughout the New Testament. The most common term of description (beside perhaps “brethren”) is that of “believers” (Acts 5:14; I Timothy 4:12), which is an identity statement based upon the fact that to become someone who is saved, one only has to believe:

  • “Them that believe”: Mark 16:17; Acts 4:32; 10:45; 15:5; 22:19; Romans 4:4; I Corinthians 14:22; II Thessalonians 1:10; I Timothy 4:3; 5:16
  • “All that believed” in Jerusalem (Acts 2:44), in Macedonia and Achaia (I Thessalonians 1:7); “you that believed” at Thessalonica (I Thessalonians 2:10, 13), and “us who believe” at Ephesus (Ephesians 1:19).
  • “Them that do not believe”: Romans 15:31; see also I Corinthians 7:12-13; 10:27; 14:22, 24; II Corinthians 4:4; Hebrews 3:18; 11:3; Jude 5

When Paul and Silas ordained elders in churches they began, they “commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed” (Acts 14:23). The disciples at Corinth were they “which had believed through grace” (Acts 18:27). Jesus preached about the “little ones which believe in me” (Matthew 18:6/Mark 9:42). Paul talks of servants which “have believing masters” (I Timothy 6:2). Timothy’s mother was described as “a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed” (Acts 16:1; see also Acts 21:20, 25). Jesus prayed for those who would be saved in the future, calling them those “which shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20; see also I Timothy 1:16).

Christianity is called “the faith” (Acts 6:7; 13:8; 14:22; 16:5; 24:24; I Corinthians 16:13; II Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 1:23; I Timothy 1:2; 4:1; 5:8; 6:10, 21; II Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:4, 13; 3:15; I Peter 5:9; Jude 3; Revelation 14:12), and believers are known abroad for their faith (Romans 1:8; Ephesians 1:15; Colossians 1:14; I Thessalonians 1:8). Paul speaks of “the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10) and of “the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27).

  • Receiving the gospel message is synonymous with believing it (Matthew 21:32; John 2:11, 22-23; 4:39, 41-42; 6:69; 7:31; 8:30-31; 10:42; 11:27, 45, 48; 12:11, 42; 17:20-21; Acts 4:4; 8:12-13; 9:42; 11:21; 13:12; 13:48; 14:1; 16:34; 17:4, 12, 34; 18:8; 19:18; I Corinthians 3:5; 15:11
  • Rejecting the gospel message is synonymous with not believing it (Luke 20:5; John 5:38, 44, 46-47; 6:36, 64; 7:5, 48; 8:24, 45-46; 10:25-26; 12:37-40; Acts 13:41; 17:5; 19:9; Romans 3:3; 11:30-31; II Thessalonians 2:12; Hebrews 11:31; Jude 5).

Acts 28:24: And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

A good example of an identity of someone saved given in the New Testament was Paul’s use of Abraham (Romans 4; Galatians 3:6-18). Abraham was first called out of the land of Ur of the Chaldees and given the covenant promises (Genesis 12:1-3). In response to God’s promise to provide him an heir through Sarah, “he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). This is the point at which Paul argues Abraham was saved by the “hearing of faith,” not the working of faith (Romans 4:2-3; Galatians 3:5-6), even before the covenant of circumcision was given (Genesis 17; cf. Rom. 4:10-11). It is only in Genesis 22 where his “works,” according to James 2:20-22, are illustrated, many decades later. This is why Paul uses Abraham to prove salvation is by faith alone.

Miscellaneous Reasons Supporting the Doctrine of Salvation by Faith Alone

There are a few others reasons which support the fact that salvation is by faith alone, and not by works.

  • The emphasis on believing in the gospel of John. Of the four gospels, John’s gospel is the only one written with the expressly stated purpose to save someone (John 20:30-31). Interestingly, the term “believe” in some form or another (“believer,” “believes,” etc.) occurs 101 times, whereas the words “repent” and “obey/obedience” do not occur even once. If we had to do more than believe in Jesus to be saved, John—and, by extension, the Holy Spirit—would have certainly made a big mistake. Furthermore, it is in John’s gospel where we have the clearest statements about salvation by faith alone on the lips of Jesus (e.g., John 3:16).
  • Paul’s response to his opponents. In the epistle to the Romans, Paul develops the gospel in a logical, point by point manner. As he goes, he responds to possible objections from a hypothetical doubting audience (see Romans 3:1, 3, 5, 9, 31; 4:1-2, 9; 6:1, 15; 7:13), as he does in other writings of his (e.g., I Corinthians 15:35). At least a couple of these only make sense if salvation is by faith alone:
  1. The way Paul brings up Abraham in a hypothetical objection beginning chapter 4 (“What shall we say then that Abraham our father…”) is done to refute a possible misconception about him, which was that he was “justified by works” (Romans 4:2).
  2. The question, “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” (Romans 6:1b) assumes that grace will abound if a Christian sins, and is a meaningless question if salvation is by works.
  3. Paul’s gospel (given to him by Jesus, Galatians 1:15-17, 2:6) was misinterpreted and lied about by his opponents. They claimed Paul taught sinning was good: “Let us do evil, that good may come,” which Paul called a slanderous report (Romans 3:8; cf. Acts 21:20-21). If Paul were preaching that good works or law-keeping were requirements for or necessary results of salvation, this type of accusation would have never arisen. That such an accusation has its modern equivalent in those who scoff at the current preachers of the true gospel strengthens the truth claim of the gospel of salvation by faith—they who preach it preach that same gospel that Paul did, and, therefore, receive similar criticism.
  • Jesus’ miracles were performed on the basis of faith. Jesus always performed miracles on the basis of faith (Matthew 8:13; 9:2, 22, 28-29; 15:28; Mark 2:5; 5:34; 9:23-24; 10:52; Luke 5:20; 7:50; 8:48, 50; 17:19; 18:42; John 4:47-53; see also Luke 1:45; Acts 14:9), which was a sort of implicit, symbolic way of expressing, in his ministerial work, the doctrine of salvation by faith alone.

 

  • Entrance into heaven is by being in the book of life, not by works. Although the works of man will be judged at the great white throne judgment (Revelation 20:11-15), it is not their works which determine whether they will enter heaven or not. Rather, entrance into heaven is based upon whether one is written in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 20:15; see also 21:27). The name of the person that believes in Christ is in—and will never be blotted out of—the book of life (Revelation 3:5; see also I John 5:4-5), and thus, salvation must be by only believing in Jesus.
  • Heavenly rewards are evidence that our place in heaven is not earned. The fact that God will give rewards to believers who served him and kept his commandments (e.g., Matthew 5:19; I Corinthians 3:14-15; James 1:12; Revelation 2:10; 22:12) proves that salvation was not earned (it is a gift), but rather only the rewards were.