Salvation by-faith-on-condition

Salvation by faith:on what conditions?

A public Bible presentation

James 2:14-26Hymns 169, 5, 178



London, OntarioSunday, October 19, 2014

Two popular claims

1. Salvation is guaranteed instantly (and easily!)2. Salvation is entirely independent of 'works'

Two counter-claims

1. Salvation is conditional upon several factors over and above a mere expression of belief (e.g. baptism).

2. Salvation is to be granted at a future time.

Saved by works / Not by works

• "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9)• "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according

to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2 Timothy 1:9)• "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man

appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy [Spirit]" (Titus 3:4-5)


• "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."(Romans 4:1-5)

Contradiction?


• "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."(James 2:21-24)• "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone … For as the

body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also"(James 2:17, 26)

Baptism essential?

• "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38)• "Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should

not be baptized… And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:47-48)• "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not

the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21)

Baptism essential?

• "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5)• "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that

believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16)

Which one is a 'work'?

John 3:16 X Faith only?Luke 13:3 X Repentance only?Matthew 10:32 X Confession only?1 Peter 3:21 X Baptism only?Romans 10:9 X X Faith + ConfessionMark 16:16 X X Faith + BaptismActs 2:38 X X Repentance + Baptism

Sum of Truth X X X X All 4 are required

What belief in Jesus means

• To be saved:• Believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 11:27; 20:31; Acts 8:37)• Believe that Jesus is Lord (Acts 11:7; 16:31; Rom 10:9)• Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead (Rom 4:24; 10:9; 1Cor 15:15)• Believe that Jesus came to save us from sin

(Matt 1:21; Acts 3:19; Rom 8:2; 1Jn 1:7)• Believe that Jesus is Christ (John 20:31; 1Jn 5:1)• Believe in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12; 1Jn 3:23)• Believe the gospel (Mark 1:15; Acts 15:7; Eph 1:13)• Etc.

'Just confess and believe'?

• "But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved"(Romans 10:6-9)

'Just confess and believe'?

• Quoting from Deuteronomy 30:11-14."for this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it."• "I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in His

ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments." (see Deuteronomy 30:15-16)

Belief and obedience linked

• "Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner" (1 Peter 2:7)• We are commanded to believe:• "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of

God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent" (John 6:28-29)• "he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of

them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6)• "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his

Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 3:23)

Do good works matter?

• "[Paul] 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" (Acts 26:20)• "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,

which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10)• "That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all

good works" (2 Timothy 3:17)• "these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have

believed in God might be careful to maintain good works" (Titus 3:8)

Keep the commandments

• "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” (1 John 2:3-6)• "And he that keepeth his [i.e. Jesus’] commandments dwelleth in him,

and he in him" (1 John 3:24)


• "Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations" (Deuteronomy 7:9)• "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His

covenant and His testimonies" (Psalm 24:10)• "But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded"

(Proverbs 13:13)


• "And behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?And he [Jesus] said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:16-17)

• "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Hebrews 5:8-9)

Continued obedience

• "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22)• "For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but

the doers of the law who will be justified" (Romans 2:13)• "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth

righteousness is born of him" (1 John 2:29)• "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" (Revelation 22:14)

Continued obedience

• "And you, that were sometime [i.e. ‘once before’] alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard and which was preached" (Colossians 1:21-23)

Continued obedience

• "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (1 Timothy 4:6)• "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ,

hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son" (2 John 1:9)• "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and

he shall be my son" (Revelation 21:7)

Continued obedience

• "Behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:12)• "Who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who

by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, [God will render] eternal life" (Romans 2:6-7)• "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our

confidence steadfast unto the end" (Hebrews 3:14)

Continued obedience

• "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith" etc. (Hebrews 10:36 onward)• "and ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that

endureth to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22)

Continued obedience

• "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him" (James 1:12)• "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold

that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7)• "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the

renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2)

The true Bible hope

• "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself a ransom for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:11-14)

The true Bible hope

• "As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him." (John 17:2)• "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this

life is in his Son." (1 John 5:11)• "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ,

who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4)

The true Bible hope

• "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."(1 Corinthians 15:50-52)

The true Bible hope

• "the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:28-29)• "there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust"

(Acts 24:15)• "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in

me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25)• "Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by

Jesus, and shall present us with you" (2 Corinthians 4:14)

The true Bible hope

• "even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:23)• "…we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile

body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself" (Philippians 3:21)• "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we

shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2)

The true Bible hope

• "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."(Revelation 20:6)

The true Bible hope

• "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner." (Proverbs 11:31)• "For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD,

they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." (Psalm 37:9-11)

Summary

• Only in the Bible can we find the truth about God’s offer of salvation.• The Bible does not say saved by faith only, nor by works only.• Faith coupled with God's works = salvation• Commandments are God's works; saved by these, not our own works.• Genuine faith is a way of life.• Bible's message clear: salvation from death (eternal life), for those

who believe truth about Christ & obey his commands to the end.• Our hope is resurrection and glorification when Jesus returns.

Thank you for your time!



London, OntarioSunday, March 16, 2014

Spiritual

Salvation by-faith-on-condition