THE MYTH:

Salvation by Faith Only

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    When we study church history, individuals quickly move past the first century into the time when the Catholic Church was dominate.

 

B.      One of the focuses of Catholic Doctrine involved what has been named:  “Salvation by Works:” penance, indulgences, and limbo.

 

C.     Martin Luther, a Catholic priest was one of the first to rise up against these “works.” 

1.      He studied books like Romans and Galatians and was convinced that the Bible teaches “salvation by faith only.”

2.      Two interesting things Luther did.

a.      He added the word “only” to the text of Romans 3:28.

 

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

 

Luther:  “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith [only] without the deeds of the law.

 

b.      He also rejected the epistle of James because of what is written in James 2.  He said that it is a right strawy espistle. 

 

D.    Luther’s teaching on salvation by faith only has survived since the 1500s.  Many religious groups teach the doctrine.

1.      Westminster Confession of Faith

 

“Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification… (pp. 79-80, The Confession of Faith of The Presbyterian Church in the United States, Presbyterian Committee of Publication).

 

2.      Methodist Disciple

 

Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort” (p. 71, Doctrines and Discipline of The Methodist Church, 1956, The Methodist Publishing House).

 

3.      Baptist Manual

 

We believe 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 promise 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 the Redeemer’s blood… (p. 48, Baptist Church Manual, J.M. Pendleton, Broadman Press).

 

E.      We believe that this doctrine is a myth.  It certainly is not found in the pages of God’s Word. 

 

I.                   IT ADDS TO THE BIBLE

 

A.    First, let’s note that adding to God’s Word is condemned in Scripture (Rev. 22:18).

 

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.

 

B.      The words they add to the Bible are either “only” or “alone.”

 

C.     There is only one verse that has the words “faith only” together.  Every other verse about faith is never attached to the word “only.”

1.      Romans 1:17

 

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:  as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

 

2.      Romans 3:28

3.      Romans 5:1

 

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

4.      The one exception is James 2:24.

a.      The words “faith only” are used together.

b.      But, they were the reason Martin Luther rejected the inspiration of James.

 

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

 

c.       The only verse that has the words together condemns the doctrine instead of advocating it.

 

II.                THE DEFINITION OF ONLY

 

A.    The definition of the word “only” completely destroys the doctrine of salvation by faith only.

1.      Dictionary.com:  without others or anything further; alone; solely

2.      Webster:  no one or nothing more besides; solely or exclusively

 

B.      If a person is saved by “faith only,” he is saved by faith without anything further.  There is nothing besides faith that saves him.

1.      He is not saved by grace.  If he is, it is not by faith only.  It is by grace and faith.

2.      He is not saved by blood.  If he is, it is not by faith only.  It is by blood and faith.

3.      He is not saved by mercy.  If he is, it is not by faith only.  It is by mercy and faith.

4.      He is not saved by repentance.  If he is, it is not by faith only.  It is by repentance and faith.

5.      He is not saved by confession.  If he is, it is not by faith only.  It is by confession and faith.

 

C.     One question:  Are we saved by confessing the name of Jesus Christ? 

1.      Yes.

 

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.

 

2.      Therefore, we are not saved by faith only.  We are saved by faith and confessing the name of Jesus Christ. 

3.      NOTE:  This is just one question we could ask.

 

 

III.             THREE THINGS ARE MADE ONE

 

A.    We hear the doctrine of “salvation by faith only” expressed in several different ways.

1.      Just have faith and you can be saved.

2.      Just accept the Lord Jesus into your heart and you can be saved.

3.      Call upon the name of the Lord and you shall be saved.

4.      Right where you are, confess the name of the Lord Jesus and you can be saved.

 

B.      Those who make this statement make several different actions into one action.

1.      Faith is one action that is needed in order to be saved (Gal 3:16).

 

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law:  for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

 

2.      Confessing Jesus Christ is a completely separate action (Rom. 10:10).

 

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

3.      Calling on the name is an action that is separate from believing (Rom. 10:13-14).

 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?

 

a.      Before a person can call on the name of the Lord, he first has to believe.  They are not one action.  They are two.

b.      They are not one action any more than hearing and believing are one action. 

c.       One hears.  One believes.  One calls on the name of the Lord.  These are three separate actions.

 

IV.             FAITH ONLY DID NOT SAVE THEM

 

A.    In the days of Jesus, there were some of the Jewish leaders who believed in Jesus, but they were not saved (John 12:42).

 

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue.

 

B.      Paul said that King Agrippa believed, but he was not saved (Acts 26:28-29).

 

King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets?  I know that thou believest.  Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

 

C.     The devils believe, but are not saved (James 2:19).

 

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well:  the devils also believe, and tremble.

 

                        The devils have also confessed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but they are not saved                     (See Matt. 8:29).

 

And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God?

 

V.                FAITH ONLY OMITS OTHER COMMANDS

 

A.    For some reason, those who hold to the doctrine of “salvation by faith only” believe that this is the only command attached to salvation.

 

B.      There are several commands attached to salvation.

1.      On the day of Pentecost, Peter commanded the Jews gathered in Jerusalem to hear his words (Acts 2:22).  Could they have been saved if they refused to hear?

2.      Paul tells us that God now commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).  Can anyone be saved if he refuses to repent?

3.      Peter told those on Pentecost day to both “repent, and be baptized” for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).  Could they have been saved if they refused to obey his words?

 

C.     Faith is NOT the only command to be obeyed in the salvation process (See Matt. 5:19).

 

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven:  but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

 

VI.              NOT ONE CONVERSION ACCOUNT TEACHES FAITH ONLY SALVATION

 

A.    The book of Acts contains numerous accounts of conversions.  Not one of them involves salvation by faith only.

 

B.      The advocates of salvation by faith alone will argue that the Philippian jailor was saved by faith only, but was he?

1.      They turn to Acts 16:30-31.

 

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

 

2.      Two answers:

a.      First, he was told to believe, but he was not told to believe only. 

b.      Second, a person must continue to read the text and not stop at verse 31.

1.      They had to hear the Word of God (Acts 16:32).

 

And they spake unto them the word of the Lord, and to all that were in the house.

 

2.      The jailor evidenced a penitent heart (Acts 16:33a).

 

And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes…

 

3.      They were all baptized (Acts 16:33b).

 

…and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

 

4.      It was at this point, the process of believing came to fruition (Acts 16:34).

 

And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

CONCLUSION

 

A.    The Methodist Disciple calls “faith only” a “most wholesome and comforting doctrine.”

 

B.      The truth is that it is a most fallacious and condemning doctrine.

 

C.     Salvation never has been by faith alone.  Salvation never will be by faith alone.  It is a myth invented by the minds of men.

 

D.    We often hear:  “You don’t have to do anything to be saved, just believe.”  This is not what our precious Lord said (Matt. 7:21).

 

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.