Refuting the “Salvation by Faith Only” Doctrine

-Introduction

-Quick review of morning lesson

-When spreading the Gospel, one doctrine that we are sure to encounter at one time

  or another is the “Salvation by Faith Only” doctrine.

-We need to be prepared and ready to answer those who support it.

-Inconsistencies

-John 3:16

-Sometimes, supporters of the faith only doctrine will make statements that are very

  inconsistent.

            -For example:  They might say, “You don’t have to do anything to be saved.  All you

              have to do is believe...”

-If somebody says, “All you have to do to be saved is believe,” then ask them this, “What

  about repentance and confession of faith?”

            -Acts 16:31 - This is a very popular passage for the faith only camp.

            -But, here’s something important to ask, “Did the Philippian jailor have to repent of

              his sins and confess his faith?”  Most will correctly answer “yes.”  But, then

              respond, “How do you know that he had to?  They probably say something about

              what other passages say (and that’s correct).  You can then say, “Well, we need to

              see what other passages say about baptism.”

-So, you can ask somebody who teaches faith only salvation - “What does a person have

  to do to be saved.”  Their answer will normally be something like this:  Believe,

 Confess, Repent, Ask Jesus into his/her heart, say sinners prayer” - Several things to do.

-Faith only usually means no baptism necessary for salvation

            -To them, the necessity of baptism teaches salvation by works.

            -Yet, notice in John 3:16, the word “believeth” is a verb - an action word, something

        you do.

      -So, if teaching the necessity of baptism (something one has to do to be saved) is

        teaching salvation by works, then so is teaching salvation by faith (belief) only.

-Comparison of “Believeth”/”Believes” and “Heareth”/”Hears”

-Mark 16:16

            -example of going to the store to get milk and eggs

            -second half of statement - Of course, if a person doesn’t believe the Gospel, he/she

              certainly isn’t going to have any desire of being baptized.

            -Acts 8:37 - “if”

-When we think of the word “believeth” we don’t always think of it in terms of action.

  Even though it, in itself, is not an outward action, it is still an action.

-Example of “hears” in Rev 2&3:

            -Consider the letters to the seven churches of Asia.

            -Common statement:  “He that hath an ear, let him hear...”

            -We often times think of hearing similar to believing - inner action. 

-Then notice the link to “overcome.”

            -Rev 2:7 - Was this person to “hear” the words of Christ and then say, “That’s good

              enough?”  No.  Based upon what they heard, they were to overcome.

            -Rev 2:11; 17; 26,29; 3:5-6; 12-13; 21-22

            -If somebody didn’t “hear,” would that person “overcome”?

-Now, consider Mark 16:16 once again.  A person’s belief in Jesus and the truth of the

  Gospel should lead that person to the point of being baptized.

            -Belief and Baptism are given equal importance in Mark 16:16.

            -Neither is complete without the other.

-Summary and Invitation

-The doctrine of “Salvation by Faith Only” stands in direct contradiction to the scriptures.

           -James 2:24

     -John 14:15

     -Matt 7:21

-Luke 6:46-49

-The wise person will hear the Gospel, believe it and respond appropriately:

           -Belief (John 3:16, 8:24), Confession of faith (Matt 10:32, Rom 10:9-10), Repentance

            from sin (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30), Baptism into Christ (Mark 16:16, Gal 3:26-27)

          -Following obedience to the Gospel, one is to live faithfully.  If one turns away, he/she

            must come back through the avenue of acknowledging shortcomings, repenting of them

            and praying for God’s forgiveness - 1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24.