Saved by faith alone. A surmised understanding?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Burn1986

Active member
Mar 4, 2024
918
212
43
#61
You guys that go for hours discussing salvation don’t really want to know what salvation is, you just want to argue it. Everyone has a different Salvation experience. It’s the one topic where it is specifically laid out in scripture - Roman’s 10:9-10, which says “do this”. So when you do this, you get saved. Then you have the old flesh that says “yeah but, yeah but, yeah but, yeah but…” and the the thread continues on for 10+ more pages about “yeah but, yeah but, yeah but, yeah but…”
 
Apr 7, 2024
101
43
28
66
#62
Why are there no verses that actually state that we are saved by faith alone? There are a number of churches that hold to this understanding but why no examples of such a simple notion?
Sorry if this has already been covered.

Faith does not save people. God saves people. And He has chosen, on His own accord, with no counsel from man, to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21 gives us that insight into God's thinking.

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (1 Co 1:21)​

This says plainly that God has chosen to save people who believe the "foolish message preached". And the next three verses make it clear that the foolish message preached is that Jesus died on the cross for our sins:

For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Co 1:22–24)​

These four verses are very clear that God has chosen to save people who believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins.
 

Lamar

Active member
May 21, 2023
955
143
43
#63
Sorry if this has already been covered.

Faith does not save people. God saves people. And He has chosen, on His own accord, with no counsel from man, to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21 gives us that insight into God's thinking.

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (1 Co 1:21)
This says plainly that God has chosen to save people who believe the "foolish message preached". And the next three verses make it clear that the foolish message preached is that Jesus died on the cross for our sins:

For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Co 1:22–24)
These four verses are very clear that God has chosen to save people who believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins.
Great thoughts but what about the question at hand?
 
Apr 7, 2024
101
43
28
66
#64
Great thoughts but what about the question at hand?
The "saved by faith alone" moniker has a false premise, which I stated in my post... Faith doesn't save people. God saves people. But His decision to save those who beleive the seemingly foolish message that Jesus died for their sins precludes the introduction of other requirements (which those opposed to the idea that God saves people on the basis of their trust in Christ often interject). But the truth stands (i.e., people can't unwind the paradigm that God established)... It pleases Him to save those who believe.
 

Lamar

Active member
May 21, 2023
955
143
43
#65
You mean like why doesn’t Roman’s 10:9-10 doesn’t involve a “work” like opening your mouth and confessing or praying? Well, it does take a physical action like using your mouth. Now if you can’t speak, then you mouth the words and believe in your heart (that’s not written in the Bible but I’m pretty sure it would work).

It’s a pretty funny question “Why doesn’t the Bible say…” That’s kind of like saying “I’m mad at the law of gravity today. Why can’t I just break the sound barrier without going really fast? Why did I not check to see how much ch milk I had before I poured my cereal?! Why did I buy so many groceries? No I’ll have to make two trips! Why God Why???!!”
I have read your comment twice and cannot grasp your point.

The question is rather simple, why does faith alone theology not have an example?

The question is not about the need for faith but the need for faith alone.

The question is not "pretty funny" the question is simple and fair.
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
3,409
1,007
113
#66
It does not say "good works" it clearly states:

"to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Are you proposing that somehow 'bad works' can also justify?

James is actually talking about faith without works, a dead faith, no outflow of love.
So would it acceptable to assume that this is the only thing that will make "pure and faultless"?
A strange question, of course not.
Its a simple yes or no question.
The letter of James is a very controversial letter, often quoted and misunderstood.

NO
 

Burn1986

Active member
Mar 4, 2024
918
212
43
#67
I have read your comment twice and cannot grasp your point.

The question is rather simple, why does faith alone theology not have an example?

The question is not about the need for faith but the need for faith alone.

The question is not "pretty funny" the question is simple and fair.
I think you said “Why are there no verses that actually state that we are saved by faith alone?” Because it’s by grace through faith. Do you mean why not just faith and leave out grace?

My point was s about what salvation takes, which is faith (believing in Jesus enough to pray) and a work (actually praying with your mouth).

Now as to why verses are written the way they are written? No one knows.

What is your religion? Or what book do you study in your religion?
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
3,409
1,007
113
#68
No one is debating this point.

Focus on the lack of a definitive suggesting a general sense of meaning in the verses.

Example:

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

Would it be correct to add "alone" into this verse?
Absolutely, the sacrifice of Christ and our belief in Jesus, is the sole reason
for our salvation.

Though that faith must produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Otherwise, that person's faith is a dead faith.

All good works follow from the reception of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is God's seal of salvation on a person.

By grace through faith alone...
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
3,409
1,007
113
#69
Are you implying "universal grace"?
It seems you are.

Grace without obedience?
You misunderstand the paradigm of salvation by grace.

We can only ever be saved by that one event, that is, Christ's atonement.

Can you understand that salvation is received in gift form from God.

Christ's atonement reconciled you to God, the gospel, end of story.

Adding a work does not contribute to that atonement between Jesus and His Father.

A work simply establishes that a persons' faith is a valid faith.

James 2:18
But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith
without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

Faith is a living, active, gift from God.
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
3,409
1,007
113
#70
Religious word games. "Grace" is nothing more than unmerited favor, and the reason that you weren'tdestroyed by God Immediately the first time you Sinned. "Grace" is the only reason God bothers with you at all.
I would understand "grace" at a higher level, more so, God's unconditional love for humanity.

Christ was driven by that unconditional love all the way to the cross.

Unmerited favor?
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
3,409
1,007
113
#71
Sorry if this has already been covered.

Faith does not save people. God saves people. And He has chosen, on His own accord, with no counsel from man, to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21 gives us that insight into God's thinking.

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (1 Co 1:21)​

This says plainly that God has chosen to save people who believe the "foolish message preached". And the next three verses make it clear that the foolish message preached is that Jesus died on the cross for our sins:

For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Co 1:22–24)​

These four verses are very clear that God has chosen to save people who believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins.
Even better is when Paul declared to the Corinthians the gospel he preached.

1 Corinthians 2:2
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

The gospel is basically just one line of text.

Does anyone accept that?

They cannot accept what Paul stated.

The problem is that we have an inborn instinct to distort the gospel.

That's exactly what the Corinthians were doing.
 

Burn1986

Active member
Mar 4, 2024
918
212
43
#72
So the debate about Salvation continues. It’s so crazy that this is so debated yet it’s such and easy thing. I think people doubt that God is actually gonna show up, or do anything.

I need to post instructions about peeling a banana and let you guys debate it to death. I’m guessing it would go 10+ pages lol
 

Bob-Carabbio

Well-known member
Jun 24, 2020
1,618
810
113
#73
I would understand "grace" at a higher level
Why?? "Unmerited favor" is all it means. You have willfully SINNED against God, and will continue to do so. Legally, you stand convicted of SIN, and have fallen short of God's glory in every respect. Yet He allows you to survive. this consideration is totally unmerited, in that you deserve immediate DEATH for your SIN, but are allowed to survive indefinitely, apparently in the hope that you will repent at some future point, and be cleansed of your SIN, and indwelled by the Holy Spirit as a born again Christian.,
 

Burn1986

Active member
Mar 4, 2024
918
212
43
#74
Why?? "Unmerited favor" is all it means. You have willfully SINNED against God, and will continue to do so. Legally, you stand convicted of SIN, and have fallen short of God's glory in every respect. Yet He allows you to survive. this consideration is totally unmerited, in that you deserve immediate DEATH for your SIN, but are allowed to survive indefinitely, apparently in the hope that you will repent at some future point, and be cleansed of your SIN, and indwelled by the Holy Spirit as a born again Christian.,
You mad bro? Sounds like you’re just shooting a lot of spiritual truth bullets. We better stay out of your way.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,162
30,312
113
#77
The "saved by faith alone" moniker has a false premise, which I stated in my post... Faith doesn't save people. God saves people. But His decision to save those who beleive the seemingly foolish message that Jesus died for their sins precludes the introduction of other requirements (which those opposed to the idea that God saves people on the basis of their trust in Christ often interject). But the truth stands (i.e., people can't unwind the paradigm that God established)... It pleases Him to save those who believe.
Some do not believe salvation is contingent upon faith in the shed righteous blood of Jesus Christ...
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,162
30,312
113
#78
Sorry if this has already been covered.

Faith does not save people. God saves people. And He has chosen, on His own accord, with no counsel
from man, to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21 gives us that insight into God's thinking.

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God
through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (1 Co 1:21)​

This says plainly that God has chosen to save people who believe the "foolish message preached". And the
next three verses make it clear that the foolish message preached is that Jesus died on the cross for our sins:

For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Co 1:22–24)​

These four verses are very clear that God has chosen to save people who believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins.

1 Corinthians 1:18-19
:)
 

studier

Well-known member
Apr 18, 2024
1,210
235
63
#79
Why are there no verses that actually state that we are saved by faith alone? There are a number of churches that hold to this understanding but why no examples of such a simple notion?

FWIW, it looks like the debate is going as this debate usually does. Faith Alone vs. Faith is Never Alone.

Substantially, IMO, the solution is found when we sit down and ask the Text and its ultimate Writer 2 simple questions: (1) What is "Faith"?; (2) What does "Christ" mean? God's Word provides extensive information to answer both of these questions. There is not a one verse answer to either of them, including Hebrews 11:1. And it's not really a simple definition that we find for either word. What the Text provides is more of an explanation in details. It's interesting how the Word is structured to make us diligently work in it with Him for answers.

Beyond that there have been some very refreshing comments about Jesus and His work and grace coupled with our Father's work and grace to graciously provide to us Salvation through Faith. Apart from His work and grace faith is unimportant as Paul talks about in 1Cor15.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,614
13,863
113
#80
The following is an example of a definitive statement:

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Please note that none of the pronouns in the above verse are in question. There is no question as to who is the way to the subject nouns.

In Ephesians 2:8-10 the pronouns "you" and "yourselves" are purposely not defined, making the verse general in nature.

Who does the "grace" apply to?
Those that are saved.
Who are those that are saved?
Those that the "grace" is applied to?

Do you see the issue?

If you believe that the grace in Ephesians 2:8-10 applies to everyone then you are a Universalist.

Ephesians 2:8-10 is purposely written in the general.

There is no way around this.
You are sidestepping your own point. The issue, as you have raised it, is whether salvation is by faith alone, not to whom it applies. ;)