Faith and Works

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VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
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#61
Water baptism follows saving faith in Christ (Acts 10:43-47). Salvation is signified, but not procured by the waters of baptism. Continuing to walk in the light is the result of a faith that is firmly rooted and established in Christ.

Water Baptism is part of Christian Walk where we are trying to follow in the steps or likeness of JESUS CHRIST. Preferably, the Chrisitan Water Baptism should be our first step in our Christ-like walk. SALVATION took place the very moment we first Believed unto receiving Jesus Christ as LORD (which means submitting to HIM as MASTER). At that same instant, the Holy Spirit entered our hearts, taking up residence there, while bringing our once DEAD to the Will of GOD human spirit to become ETERNALLY ALIVE with a desire to obey HIM. As that Eternally Alive human spirit is fed the WORD of God, it will grow and mature, becoming more and more like Christ, and eventually that new spiritual mind in one's Eternally Alive human spirit, will become dominant over the fleshly mind that lies between our ears.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#62
No, repentance means to stop sinning.
So when Scripture says Jesus repented that he made man, he admitted he sinned by making mankind and needed to stop sinning?

The word repent means to change ones mind. Not stop anything, your adding to the word of God. SHame SHame

Otherwise, repentance really means nothing. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (Tenth Addition) backs me on this ("to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life").
lol, I did not know we looked up what a greek word meant in an english dictionary. but thanks, I will stick to the greek.

Your heart or mind isn't changed if you continue to sin, and it serves no purpose to "agree what sin is, what sin has done, which it is doing, and what the only means of salvation is," if you continue to sin.
are you speaking of licentiousness? I would agree, if your talking about sinless perfection. God does not make us spiritual adults the moment he saves us, We have to grow in him.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#63
The Lord guides us, but we still have to put forth the effort to do as he instructs.
My burden is light.

If your seeking the spirit. it is no effort at all.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#64
You think it's possible to stop sinning? Jesus said this:

You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:48 RSV
Thanks.

Again perfect means mature, Not sinless.
 

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,995
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#65
You think it's possible to stop sinning? Jesus said this:

You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:48 RSV
I think you will find that in that case "perfect" is a reference to becoming spiritually mature in our Christian Walk. The same Greek word is frequently used to describe spiritual maturity.

Greek NASB Number: 5046
Greek Word: τέλειος

Transliterated Word: teleios
Root: from 5056;

Definition: having reached its end, i.e. complete, by ext. perfect:--

List of English Words and Number of Times Used
complete (2),
mature (4),
more perfect (1),
perfect (12).

New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.
However even if that was a reference to sinlessness, it would still be Biblical, because:
That would be GOD's STANDARD if you thought you could earn your way to heaven by being good. The problem with that idea however, is one tiny slip, one tiny failure to do good, or one hint of anger, or one momentary bad thought, AND YOU BECOME GUILTY OF BRAKING ALL of GOD's LAW all over again.

James 2:10 (NIV)
[SUP]10 [/SUP] For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.


Therefore the purpose of Mat. 5:48 could be to drive us to our knees crying out for a Savior who can live that perfect life for us, relying solely on what HE DID, to qualify us for SALVATION. Even Paul recognized that a 100% reality.

Romans 7:21-25 (NASB)
[SUP]21 [/SUP] I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.
[SUP]22 [/SUP] For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man,
[SUP]23 [/SUP] but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.
[SUP]24 [/SUP] Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?
[SUP]25 [/SUP] Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

I think Dr. John MacAurthur summed it up best:
"A Christian is not sinless, however as he matures spiritually, he will sin less, and less, and less."
 
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Linda70

Guest
#66
We "work out" that which God has already "worked in". We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The "works" are the result of our salvation, not the cause of it.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Biblical repentance means a turning to God and a change of mind toward God that results in a change of life. Repentance is a supernatural work of God, not a "work" of man. God gives the lost repentance through Holy Spirit conviction.

Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,742
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#67
We "work out" that which God has already "worked in". We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The "works" are the result of our salvation, not the cause of it.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Biblical repentance means a turning to God and a change of mind toward God that results in a change of life. Repentance is a supernatural work of God, not a "work" of man. God gives the lost repentance through Holy Spirit conviction.

Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
I would also add...

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
(Php 2:12-13)
 

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
11,995
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#68
We "work out" that which God has already "worked in". We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The "works" are the result of our salvation, not the cause of it.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Biblical repentance means a turning to God and a change of mind toward God that results in a change of life. Repentance is a supernatural work of God, not a "work" of man. God gives the lost repentance through Holy Spirit conviction.

Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

John 1:12-13 (NASB)
[SUP]12 [/SUP] But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
[SUP]13 [/SUP] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.


And since we ARE children of GOD, we need to ACT LIKE IT, so that our character reflects who our Spiritual Daddy IS.

Romans 8:14-16 (NASB)
[SUP]14 [/SUP] For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
[SUP]15 [/SUP] For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a
spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
[SUP]16 [/SUP] The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

(
NOT WILL BE CHILDREN OF GOD, WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD! )
 
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ChosenbyHim

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2011
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#69
Is one saved by:

1) faith with no works (faith only)

Yes. Today in the dispensation of Grace, everyone is saved by faith without any works (Eph 2:8-10; Tit. 3:5).


2) faith and works

In the Old Testament, people were saved by Faith and Works. That is how the Israelites were saved. And that is how people will be saved in the time of Jacob's trouble.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#70
Yes. Today in the dispensation of Grace, everyone is saved by faith without any works (Eph 2:8-10; Tit. 3:5).





In the Old Testament, people were saved by Faith and Works. That is how the Israelites were saved. And that is how people will be saved in the time of Jacob's trouble.
Old and New one was justified by grace thru faith.
We are justified by faith alone but upon our faith in the Gospel we receive the Holy Spirit who continues His work of sanctifying us/preparing us for good works, which is a life time work of God. One day at the rapture/resurrection we will be glorified made in His image.
 

ChosenbyHim

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2011
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#71
Old and New one was justified by grace thru faith.
Hello there Crossnote, salvation in the Old Testament was based mainly on Faith AND Works.


We are justified by faith alone but upon our faith in the Gospel we receive the Holy Spirit who continues His work of sanctifying us/preparing us for good works, which is a life time work of God. One day at the rapture/resurrection we will be glorified made in His image.

Yes, we are saved and justified by faith alone today in the Church Age. But after the rapture of the Body of Christ, salvation in Daniel's 70th week will be by faith and works.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#72
Hello there Crossnote, salvation in the Old Testament was based mainly on Faith AND Works.


Yes, we are saved and justified by faith alone today in the Church Age. But after the rapture of the Body of Christ, salvation in Daniel's 70th week will be by faith and works.

What works saved the OT saints? They were saved through the Abrahamic Covenant and faith in it's promises not by the Mosaic Covenant.
 
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Linda70

Guest
#73
What works saved the OT saints? They were saved through the Abrahamic Covenant and faith in it's promises not by the Mosaic Covenant.
Nobody is saved by adding "works" to faith...not even the OT saints! Men have always been saved by faith in God's Word (Romans 10:8-17).

I don't believe that the OT saints were saved through the Abrahamic Covenant, but simply through"faith in the promises of God which were contained in that covenant"...just as Abraham was (Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4).

The Mosaic Law was never given as a means of salvation but to reveal sin and to show man that he is a guilty sinner before God (Romans 3:19-20). It was also given to bring men to Jesus Christ - a schoolmaster (Galatians 3:24-25).

People in Old Testament times did not understand completely about how Jesus Christ would come to earth and die for their sins, but when they believed in the things God told them, they were saved by their faith in God's Word (Hebrews 11). Men have always been saved on the basis of Christ's blood and death (Romans 3:24). There is only one reason our holy God can forgive man's sins, and that is because Christ paid the penalty for those sins. Therefore, believers of all ages have been saved on the basis of Christ's bloody death, even though they did not necessarily fully understand this salvation (1 Peter 1:9-12). The Old Testament animal sacrifices did not remove sins, but only looked forward to Christ (John 1:29; Hebrews 10:1-4).
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#74
Nobody is saved by adding "works" to faith...not even the OT saints! Men have always been saved by faith in God's Word (Romans 10:8-17).

I don't believe that the OT saints were saved through the Abrahamic Covenant, but simply through"faith in the promises of God which were contained in that covenant"...just as Abraham was (Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4).

The Mosaic Law was never given as a means of salvation but to reveal sin and to show man that he is a guilty sinner before God (Romans 3:19-20). It was also given to bring men to Jesus Christ - a schoolmaster (Galatians 3:24-25).

People in Old Testament times did not understand completely about how Jesus Christ would come to earth and die for their sins, but when they believed in the things God told them, they were saved by their faith in God's Word (Hebrews 11). Men have always been saved on the basis of Christ's blood and death (Romans 3:24). There is only one reason our holy God can forgive man's sins, and that is because Christ paid the penalty for those sins. Therefore, believers of all ages have been saved on the basis of Christ's bloody death, even though they did not necessarily fully understand this salvation (1 Peter 1:9-12). The Old Testament animal sacrifices did not remove sins, but only looked forward to Christ (John 1:29; Hebrews 10:1-4).
I'm in agreement, I'm just taking the Abrahamic covenant (which was unconditional) as incorporating the promises made to Abraham,Isaac and Jacob. I never mentioned works.
 

VCO

Senior Member
Oct 14, 2013
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#75
I'm in agreement, I'm just taking the Abrahamic covenant (which was unconditional) as incorporating the promises made to Abraham,Isaac and Jacob. I never mentioned works.

Until your 'obedience' finds it's rest in His perfect obedience, it's efforts are fruitless.


I really like that saying! Pure TRUTH in a nutshell.
 

ChosenbyHim

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2011
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#76
What works saved the OT saints? They were saved through the Abrahamic Covenant and faith in it's promises not by the Mosaic Covenant.

How was Noah saved???

By faith and works.

What were Noah's works? He built an ark, just as God commanded him to (Gen. 6:14).


How was Abel saved? By offering the right sacrifice (Gen. 4:4).

Faith and the right works accompanying it.

Also once the Mosaic Covenant was given; and once the Mosaic Law was given to the Nation of Israel (Exo. 20) to keep and obey, and once Israel said that they would do all that the LORD had spoken (Ex. 19:8; 24:3; 24:7), Israel from that point on was then under the Law.
 
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Linda70

Guest
#77
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

True faith produces good works, but the fruit of salvation-works-is never to be confused with the root of salvation-grace. It wasn't the "works" (fruit) that made Noah and Abel righteous, it was their FAITH which produced those good works (fruit). It is never an admixture of faith and works which saves us...salvation has always been by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone - even for the OT saints....based on their understanding of the atonement, shedding of blood, and the promise of a coming Redeemer, the Seed of the woman, Jesus Christ - Genesis 3:15.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

The purpose of the Mosaic Law was to reveal sin and show man that he is a guilty sinner before God....it was never given as a means of salvation, because nobody could keep it in the OT and nobody will ever be able to keep it. That's how marvelous God's grace is!

In 1 Timothy 1:5-11 the purpose of the law is made plain:

1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1 Timothy 1:6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
1 Timothy 1:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
1 Timothy 1:8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
1 Timothy 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1 Timothy 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1 Timothy 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
 
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Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
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#78
[SUP]I believe it doesn't matter whether one being water baptism or not if he not bear the fruit, than he will cast into fire mean not save.
And the fruit of the holy spirit is love. (Galatian 5 [/SUP]22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. 24 And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. 25 If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk. 26 Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.[SUP]

Let say one being baptis 100 time but he not bear the fruit than he will be cast into fire mean hell.

So being baptiz not guaranty salvation at all.

Look these verse said if you not bear fruit than you must be baptis than you save.

When we read the bible we must look it as the whole picture, than we know better.

1[/SUP] I am the true vine, and my Father is þ[SUP]e[/SUP] husbandman.

[SUP]2[/SUP] Euery branch in me that beareth not fruit, hee taketh away: and euery branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring foorth more fruit.
[SUP]3[/SUP] Now ye are cleane through the word which I haue spoken vnto you.
[SUP]4[/SUP] Abide in me, and in you: As the branch cannot beare fruit of itselfe, except it abide in the vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
[SUP]5[/SUP] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can doe nothing.
[SUP]6[/SUP] If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered, and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
[SUP]7[/SUP] If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall aske what ye will, and it shall be done vnto you.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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#79
Water Baptism is part of Christian Walk where we are trying to follow in the steps or likeness of JESUS CHRIST. Preferably, the Chrisitan Water Baptism should be our first step in our Christ-like walk.
Amen! Baptism put it in it's proper place, subsequent to saving faith as all rites and works must be. Baptism is for believers, and believers are already saved (Acts 10:43), for the Bible says we are saved by grace through faith, not by rites or religious works or good works. This does not remove good works from the Christian life, it just puts them in their proper place, subsequent to regeneration and justification (Titus 3:5; Romans 3:24; 5:1).

Preferably, the Chrisitan Water Baptism should be our first step in our Christ-like walk. SALVATION took place the very moment we first Believed unto receiving Jesus Christ as LORD (which means submitting to HIM as MASTER). At that same instant, the Holy Spirit entered our hearts, taking up residence there, while bringing our once DEAD to the Will of GOD human spirit to become ETERNALLY ALIVE with a desire to obey HIM.
Amen! Acts 10:43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" First step after conversion - 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

As that Eternally Alive human spirit is fed the WORD of God, it will grow and mature, becoming more and more like Christ, and eventually that new spiritual mind in one's Eternally Alive human spirit, will become dominant over the fleshly mind that lies between our ears.
Amen! 1 Peter 2:2 - as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. :)
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,453
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#80
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

It wasn't the "works" (fruit) that made Noah and Abel righteous, it was their FAITH which produced those good works (fruit).
Amen! Noah had already "found grace" (Genesis 6:8), was "a preacher of righteousness" (2 Peter 2:5), and "walked with God" BEFORE he built the ark. Building the ark was a DEMONSTRATION of his faith, not the origin of it.

By faith Abel offered a sacrifice (Heb. 11:4). Cain demonstrated an evil heart by his evil deeds, while Abel demonstrated a pious heart by his righteous deeds (1 John 3:12); and that Abel offered his sacrifice by faith and Cain did not. Because of Cain's faith, God accounted him as righteous. His faith was evidenced in obedience to God's requirement for sacrifice by which he obtained witness that he was righteous. That sacrifice did not make him become righteous, but through it he was shown to be righteous (James 2:18). Cain's sacrifice was evidence that his faith was not genuine. Abel's offering proved something about his faith that was not demonstrated by Cain's offering.