"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."
No mention of any faith, repentance or baptism yet these works are labeled as a religion that is "pure and faultless".
Baptism for the remission of sins is clearly commanded, not in every single verse but still commanded.
You are just fighting the obvious to protect a theology.
This is true.Everything is faith alone to some people,but the Bible says charity is greater than faith,which charity is love in action.
Abraham was justified by works,and his faith made perfect,because he obeyed God,love God.Rahab was justified by works when she helped the 2 Jewish men have safe passage,love people.
The 2 greatest commandments,love God,and love people,and charity is love in action,and charity is greater than faith.
Jesus said be born of water and the Spirit,putting a distinction between water and the Spirit,that they are two separate experiences.
And the Bible says if we are planted together in the likeness of His death,we will arise to newness of life,and in another place baptism also now does save us,not the washing away of the filth of the flesh,but a good conscience towards God.
The man Christ Jesus died,was buried,and rose again.
And we as a human have to repent,be water baptized,and receive the Spirit.
And the Bible says we are a living sacrifice unto God.
Water baptism is part of the salvation plan of God,and they cannot be made out to be a work that is not necessary.
Faith alone,not saved by works,when we confess Christ for that is all we can do.
But after we receive the Spirit,the situation changes to spiritual,then it a person is justified by works,and not faith alone.
Because charity is greater than faith,and charity is love in action,it has the works of God,and the works of loving people,that is required.