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Faith Only by West End Church of Christ


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Faith Only by West End Church of Christ

Faith Only
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 
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