Saved by faith alone?

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JBTN

Active member
Feb 11, 2020
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Not only does the Bible not "explicitly" say that faith alone saves, it does not say it at all. Regardless of what adverb you use it does not state in any form the notion that faith alone is the sole agency of redemption. Injecting "alone" into any verse distorts the meaning of the scripture just as it does in any subject.

The rest of your words are simply human surmising.

If you or anyone else needs to inject a definitive into a verse to assert a theology then your theology is in question.
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.5.1.ESV

No reason to inject anything here. If everyone who believes has been born of God then belief is all that was required. To say anything else is required makes this verse untrue. I don’t see any way around this.
 

lrs68

Active member
Dec 30, 2024
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Well, it might have been possible for the thief on the cross if he had died before professing his faith.
He displayed his works by explaining to the other thief that they deserved their punishment because of the things they did (they were thieves like Satan and displayed whom they literally were followers of).

Then the thief explained but Jesus is innocent and doesn't deserve what they deserved.

So the thief showed 2 types of works. 1 from his sinful life and 1 from his understanding that he needed Christ (life). His Testimony is his works and we to this very day have his Testimony to prove his works.
 
Oct 19, 2024
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He displayed his works by explaining to the other thief that they deserved their punishment because of the things they did (they were thieves like Satan and displayed whom they literally were followers of).

Then the thief explained but Jesus is innocent and doesn't deserve what they deserved.

So the thief showed 2 types of works. 1 from his sinful life and 1 from his understanding that he needed Christ (life). His Testimony is his works and we to this very day have his Testimony to prove his works.
That's what I meant by "professing".
 
Nov 12, 2024
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“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.5.1.ESV

No reason to inject anything here. If everyone who believes has been born of God then belief is all that was required. To say anything else is required makes this verse untrue. I don’t see any way around this.
If you believe that this verse is a all-encompassing panacea in regards to the issue of human salvation then yes you most certainly need to inject alone into its verbiage.

I personally do not believe you even believe this.

If simple belief is all that is needed for salvation then the Bible contradicts itself.

And the many commands of the Bible are meaningless.

Repent or perish.
Confess Jesus as Lord.
Baptism for the remission of sins.
Be faithful to the end.
etc.

James 1:27
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.

Since faith is not mentioned as an acceptable part of God's view of a "pure and faultless" religion does faith even matter?

Since the word "faith" in 1st John 5:1 is not even defined does this mean any type or degree of faith will do?

Be careful not to selectively pick general verses and turn them into blanket assertions.

Remember even JW believe that "Jesus is the Christ". And many of them died for this belief.
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
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Why didn't Abraham's faith come by hearing, and hearing by the words of God?
It did. God gave His words to Abraham. Abraham heard and heeded and believed. And Abraham's own believing/faith was credited to Abraham in his "book" as positive righteousness.
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
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If you will check my post you will find that I was responding to 1 question you asked; not 3.
No the Bible does not say we are saved through faith alone. But the next obvious question is: is this what the Bible teaches? Thus, my question: besides by grace and through faith, what else does the Bible say we are saved through?
Maybe I can help. This text says that faith alone is dead.

Jas 2:17
Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone.

The Holy Spirit says that faith alone, without works, is dead.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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It did. God gave His words to Abraham. Abraham heard and heeded and believed. And Abraham's own believing/faith was credited to Abraham in his "book" as positive righteousness.
That's imputed righteousness. The source of righteousness was from outside of Abraham. He was counted as righteous. He was saved exactly like everyone else who has been saved.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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Maybe I can help. This text says that faith alone is dead.

Jas 2:17
Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone.

The Holy Spirit says that faith alone, without works, is dead.
Which means there was no faith. But it doesn't say that works cause faith.

Faith is the product of the work of God, and not man. It is produced when God employs His word and His Spirit to make application of the salvation Jesus wrought on the cross.

This results in a new creation; one zealous for good works, but not one created by the works of men.
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
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Which means there was no faith. But it doesn't say that works cause faith.

Faith is the product of the work of God, and not man. It is produced when God employs His word and His Spirit to make application of the salvation Jesus wrought on the cross.

This results in a new creation; one zealous for good works, but not one created by the works of men.
That's not what the text say. It says it was faith, but being alone as faith, it was dead. It does not say it was not faith.
 

TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
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Being saved is about standing before God the Father and being judged as righteous or not righteous.

With our own efforts we will never be acceptable. But if Christ imputs, places, His righteousness on us we are seen as perfect.

Justification by faith is being seen as just and Holy because of what Christ has done. Imputed righteousness.

To recieve the justification and righteousness of Christ it requires faith.

Faith alone.

But who will recieve this justification?
Those written in the book of life.
How are we written in the book of life is the vital question.

Mat 7:20-23
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
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It seems that everyone is ignoring the door, which is a functional component of the house. Jesus said, 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock..." and "...I will come in...". If Jesus respects the boundary of your house, then why should we not recognize that we must only 'come through the door' of His house? And when He says, "Come in," do we not obey by stepping in? or do we obey by saying, 'no thank you, I was just passing by and just stopped to see if You were even home.'
 

TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
4,260
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Australia
Imputed
imputed righteousness refers to the righteousness of Christ being credited to believers, enabling justification.
Imparted
imparted righteousness is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit transforming believers into Christ's likeness, enabling sanctification.

Don't ignore the sanctification.
 

Beckworth

Well-known member
May 15, 2019
962
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Does the verse say that though?

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.


Consider the woman in Luke 7. She departed and was not baptized before leaving Jesus sight.

48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.

This was before Jesus died on the cross. Repentance and remission of sins was not preached for anyone to obey until Pentecost (Acts 2), 50 days after Jesus died on the cross. While on earth, Jesus could save anyone anyway he pleased. After His death, He had to have a “plan” for how people were going to be saved.
 
Apr 24, 2025
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This was before Jesus died on the cross. Repentance and remission of sins was not preached for anyone to obey until Pentecost (Acts 2), 50 days after Jesus died on the cross. While on earth, Jesus could save anyone anyway he pleased. After His death, He had to have a “plan” for how people were going to be saved.
I don't believe so.

Jesus died on the cross after teaching his Gospel so that all he taught would be fulfilled through belief in him.
 
Oct 19, 2024
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This was before Jesus died on the cross. Repentance and remission of sins was not preached for anyone to obey until Pentecost (Acts 2), 50 days after Jesus died on the cross. While on earth, Jesus could save anyone anyway he pleased. After His death, He had to have a “plan” for how people were going to be saved.
God has always had a plan of salvation, but it has been revealed to humanity in three main stages or dispensations:
1. creation to Abraham/Moses,
2. Moses/OT to Jesus/Gospel
3. Jesus/Church to Judgment/the Eschaton.
 
Feb 22, 2021
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op: faith 'alone'?
I have decided to follow Jesus?

John146 humbly/kindly asks:
What are some thoughts on the following passage? "Then is it no more of works."
When did grace start? When was it by works?

@GRACE_ambassador response:
Interesting phrase implying there was a time of 'faith PLUS works'? Confirmation:

1) Cain "brought the Incorrect 'work' not accepted by God, but:
Abel "brought the Correct 'work' to be accepted by God
(Genesis 4:3-7 cp Hebrews 11:4 "faith PLUS works" )

2) House of Israel:

When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness,​
and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity​
that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man​
turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and​
doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive."​

3) James, "by faith PLUS works," states to the Twelve tribes (v. 1):

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers​
only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22)​
"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and​
have not works? can faith save him?" (James 2:14 cp vs 17, 20 & 26)​

4) Finally, in the future, for Israel:

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the​
churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of​
life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7)​
+​
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the​
churches; he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."​
"Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right​
to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."​

Are not all these, As God Has Plainly Taught: "faith PLUS works"?

to be continued "I have decided to follow Jesus?"...
 
Feb 22, 2021
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"faith PLUS works"? continued: Further Confirmation by:

( God's Context Of ) prophecy/covenant-law Scriptures, Spoken By Christ on earth
To Twelve apostles for the Twelve tribes Israel:

I have decided to Follow ( The earthly ) Jesus?

A) Do I follow Him, and the doctrine He Spoke as The:

Humble Christ, on the earth, To Israel, 12 apostles, Under The Law/covenants
/Prophecy:

1) Repent (change mind about sin/agree With God "it is Wrong!") or perish
(Luk 13:3,5 Mar 1:4 24:47)
+
2) believe the gospel of the kingdom (Mat 4:23, 9:35, 24:14; Mar 1:14,15)
+
3) be water baptized "For the remission of sin" (Mar 1:4 Luk 3:3, 7:29:30, 24:47;
Act 2:38)
+
4) "show works meet for repentance" (Mat 3:8), because,
+
5) "to the twelve tribes of Israel," "faith Without works is dead"
(James 1:1, 2:17,26)
+
6) "keep the commandments" to "enter life" (Mat 19:17)
+
7) "one thing thou lackest...sell ALL/take up cross/follow Jesus"
(Mar 10:17-23)
+
8) pray as a watchman, for Great Tribulation, man of sin, son of perdition, and
signs of the end times, and Second Coming?

A) Do I follow His earthly prophecy "faith PLUS works" program of covenants and law?
( OT, Mat - John, Heb - Rev ) or:

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From “Things That Differ” (online)

B) Do I follow Him As The Risen And Glorified "Head Of His Church" and ask:

I have decided to Follow ( The Heavenly ) LORD Jesus?

And, His Heavenly Pure Grace Program, According To The Revelation Of The Mystery?
(His Doctrine in Romans - Philemon)

Of course, Under God's Other Context Of Grace for The ( Heavenly ) ONE Body
Of Christ, Which began with ( ONE apostle ) Paul, Baptized By The ONE Spirit,
as the first 'member' of the ONE New man...
(Ephesians 2:15; 1 Timothy 1:16; Romans 11:13; Ephesians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13),

...it is ( as Paul states 21 x ) "But Now":

1) Have repentance toward God (change mind about sin/agree With God "it is Wrong!")
(Acts 20:21)
+
2) Have faith toward The LORD Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21), and trust/believe The Gospel
Of The Grace Of God: His Death ( ALL-Sufficient Work On The Cross ), Burial, And
Resurrection, According To The Scripture (Ephesians 2:5-9; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
+
3) Acknowledge I am Spiritually Baptized By The ONE Baptism Of The Holy Spirit
Into The ONE (Spiritual Organism) Body Of Christ, Seated In the Heavenlies
(Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13)
+
4) Acknowledge Christ Is Living in me, so I allow Him to, through me:
+
5) To Fulfil:

All Of His Law, In ONE Word: ►► love ◄◄ thy neighbor
as thyself!" (Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:8-10)
+
6) Study God's Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided to show myself "Approved Unto God"
(2 Timothy 2:15), and all the rest of these Bible study rules!
+
7) Work with my hands to "give to them in need," and the LORD "shall supply all my need"
(Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12; 1 Timothy 5:8)
+
8) Be a humble prayer warrior and:
"...look, watch, and Patiently WAIT For..." = The LORD Jesus Christ!
(2 Thessalonians 2:1; Romans 8:18-19; Romans 8:23; Romans 8:25; 1 Corinthians 1:7;
Ephesians 6:12-18; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 4:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 1:10;
1 Thessalonians 5:5-11; Titus 2:13)
+
9) Put on the FULL armour of God and stand, in the spiritual warfare I wrestle with
(Ephesians 6:10-18)
+
10)
Eph 6:19 "And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I
may open my mouth boldly, to make known the Mystery Of The Gospel,"
+
11)
Eph 3:9 "And to make all men see what is the fellowship of The Mystery, which from the
beginning of the world hath been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ"
+
12) Acknowledge that I am going to give an account at Judgment (1 Corinthians 3:8-15;
Romans 14:12), at my Heavenly Home-Going ( Great GRACE Departure! )

According to these and all the details of God's Sound Doctrinal Blueprint In
Romans Through Philemon?
(1 Timothy 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9):

Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

Or:

C) Do I speak after following the Many, who homogenize A) + B) into
Massive Confusion?

Final question would be: Which Option, Under Grace Today, should I take
To Honor and Glorify God, Who Plainly and Clear Says in 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."

Precious friend(s), thanks again. I appreciate all your prayerful and careful
consideration of this Eternally Important Matter.

Amen.

Extra Related study Bonus:

UnScriptural or UNdispensational?

Conclusion:
Big Difference between "Grace In a dispensation" and

"The ( Current ) Dispensation Of The Grace Of God, eh?

Amen.
 

Beckworth

Well-known member
May 15, 2019
962
390
63
I don't believe so.

Jesus died on the cross after teaching his Gospel so that all he taught would be fulfilled through belief in him.

Luke 24:47-this is AFTER Jesus died on the cross; just before his ascension into heaven. He told his disciples that “repentance and remission of sins would be preached “to all nations” BEGINNING at Jerusalem. They were instructed to “wait in Jerusalem”. for the Holy Spirit which they would receive from on high.

50 days later, there are Jews at Jerusalem “from every nation under heaven”; the Holy Spirit is poured out on the disciples and Peter tells the Jews to “REPENT and be baptized …For The REMISSION of SINS.” This was the “beginning” that Jesus was talking about in Luke 24. It was not preached before that day. The thieves had been dead for over a month.