Faith Only by West End Church of Christ

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Faith Only The study today deals with one of the most prevalent doctrines found anywhere in religion. It is proclaimed by nearly every protestant denomination in one way or another. That man is saved by "faith only" is almost a touchstone to judge the genuineness of Protestantism. In our study we will learn the origin of the doctrine, what it means, and seek to explain how and why it contradicts truth. The Origin of the Doctrine While others may have taught that sinners are saved through "faith alone," the great reformer, Martin Luther, gave it world wide attention and distribution. His greatest works include a translation of the very first German Bible. In it, he was so engulfed in the doctrine of "faith only" that he added the word "allein" (alone) to Paul's statement in Romans 2:28. Even the latest revision of Luther's Bible reads, "Denn wir sind ueberzeugt, dass der Mench gerecht wird ohne die Werke des Gesetzes, allein durch den Glauben." The phrase I emphasized reads in English, "only through faith." There is nothing in any Greek text to justify the addition of the word for only. Roland Bainton, in his biography of Luther, wrote of Luther's translating that it was accurate to the point of never attempting to harmonize minor discrepancies he found in the Old Testament. Bainton noted that "trivial errors gave him no concern." Then, he added, "But when doctrinal matters were involved, the case was different. Luther read the New Testament in the light of the Pauline message that the just shall live by faith and not by works of the law. That this doctrine is not enunciated with equal emphasis throughout the New testament and appears to be denied in the book of James did not escape Luther, and in his preface to the New Testament of 1522 James was stigmatized as 'an epistle of straw.' Once Luther remarked that he would give his doctor's beret to anyone who could reconcile James and Paul." Here I Stand, Abington - Cokesbury Press, page 331. From that day forward the doctrine of justification by "faith alone" became the cornerstone of Protestantism throughout the world. The Methodist discipline has an article of faith that reads, "We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort." Discipline of the Methodist Church, 1952, page 28. The Baptist Church teaches the same doctrine. "We believe the Scriptures teach that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in Christ; by means of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us by God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needed for time and eternity." The Standard Manual For Baptist Churches, Edward T. Hiscox, D.D., page 62. There are very few denominational bodies that do not teach the doctrine of faith only in one way or another. What Does it Mean? To say that one is justified by "faith only" means that nothing but faith is involved in justification. It is on this premise that such things as baptism, and other acts of obedience, are regarded as optional. Obedience is the result of salvation, they say, but obedience to commands is not essential to salvation. The Baptists have reacted to commands such as baptism as follows: "That the scriptures manifestly make a distinction between the relation which faith, and that which baptism bears to the remission of sins. We read in the Scriptures, and many such passages may be found, 'He that believeth not shall be damned.' 'Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.' 'If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathama maran-atha.' Now, we do not read, nor is it intimated, nor is any thing recorded, from which it may be fairly inferred, that if a man is not immersed, he is condemned, doomed to perish -- and to be anathematized at the coming of our Lord." Campbellism Examined, Jeremiah B. Jeter, 1855, page 250. You will encounter this very same reasoning today when discussing the relation of faith and baptism to salvation. Salvation by faith alone means salvation plus nothing, minus nothing. It is only by faith. Here is where it demonstrates its weakness. If it is by faith alone it is not by anything else. Repentance and loving God are excluded as well as any other act of obedience. Salvation is not by faith only if anything else is essential. The word only means, "alone, of its or their kind; by itself or by themselves; sole." That salvation is not by faith alone is clear from the book of James. James wrote, "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone" (James 2:24). Compare the statement from the Methodist Discipline with that of James. ---------------------------------------------------------- The Methodist Discipline James 2:24 The doctrine of faith only is a very wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort You see than that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone The Methodist discipline says man is justified by faith only -- the Bible says man is not justified by faith only. ----------------------------------------------------------- The book of Hebrews presents faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Faith originates with God. "So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). Faith is accomplished in man. "For with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation" (Romans 10:10). Faith, then is man's belief of what God reveals. Without revelation there is no faith. Relying on anything other than what God reveals cannot result in faith. Justification by faith means one is saved, pardoned, or redeemed by faith. But saying justification comes by faith is one thing; saying justification results from faith only is another. The expression "by faith" includes everything God has revealed for man to do in order to justification. Remember, faith is the act of the sinner who wants salvation. There is no question that salvation results from faith. Please look up and study the following list. John 3:16; 3:36; Acts 16:31; Romans 5:1-2; Romans 3:26-28; Ephesians 2:8. Notice that each of these passages say something about salvation or its equivalent and faith. None of them predicate salvation on faith only. The real issue is not that men are justified by faith; it is when faith justifies a sinner. Is a sinner justified by faith before and without obedience? Or is a sinner justified only when faith leads him to obey what God has revealed? If it is the latter, it cannot be by faith alone. When and if you study with someone who holds the doctrine of faith only, make sure this point is clear. It is useless to proceed until this point is well established. Read Hebrews 11. In the first thirty one verses eighteen times one reads "by faith" which is followed by action or results. One example will illustrate the point. "By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days" (verse 30). There is no question that the walls fell by the faith of those who marched around the city for seven days. But the question is when did the walls fall? Was it at the point of faith, without further acts of obedience? Or was it after their faith acted and completely obeyed the instructions of God. What Does Faith Include? Faith, that comes from God through revelation, includes obedience to all God Almighty has commanded the sinner to do. Faith never excludes obedience. Baptists will argue that if a person relies on baptism for salvation, that excludes salvation by faith. The contrary is true. Faith that saves is expressed in obedience to the command Christ gave to be baptized (Read Mark 16:15-16). Here is an excellent biblical example to prove it. The Ephesians were saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). They were penitent believers (Acts 19:19). But they were required to be baptized (Acts 19:1-6). Their baptism was the expression of their faith that led them into a right relationship with the Lord. Had they refused to be baptized, had they regarded it as merely optional, would they have been saved? What do you think? Conclusion: One who has faith and does not act on it cannot have God's blessing. The chief priests believed, but refused to confess their faith in Christ (John 12:43). They not only deserved to be rejected, they could not demonstrate their faith in the Lord. Every time someone mentions salvation by faith -- remind them that the Bible nowhere puts either the word "only" or "alone" by it -- with the exception of James 2:24. That passage denies salvation is by faith only. If you have any question at all about this topic, or if you would like extra study materials on it, contact us. If you would like to receive the Voice of West End call or write West End Church of Christ, 1609 Parkside Dr., Bowling Green, KY. 42101. Until the next time we have this opportunity to be with you by radio, may God richly bless you and yours. Good bye. Radio Sermon No. 35, Page 1