Posts Tagged ‘faith alone’
How Many Facts in “Faith Only”?
by Terry Wane Benton Those brethren who now teach that salvation is at the moment of faith before repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins (they say that is “faith plus works”) never seem to get around to telling us what all is included in their “faith only” concept.…
Read MoreHearers Only
by Terry Wane Benton The Holy Spirit inspired James to write: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves“ (James 1:22 NKJV). There are only two choices: self-deception because of only hearing the word and truth because you are a doer of the word. Hearers-only are deceived mainly because of the…
Read MoreNot Quite …
by Steven Haper What we believe may not be quite right, according to God’s word. Not quite… How many people sincerely believe that the forbidden fruit of the tree from which Adam and Eve was an apple? But where in the Scriptures does it say this? [It doesn’t!] The Scriptures say, “And the LORD God…
Read MoreThe Umbrella Nature of the Term “Faith”
by Terry Wane Benton One preacher (Stephen Whitsett) argued the following: “In the same way, it would be possible that Acts 2:38 is indeed communicating the fact that they were to be baptized “as the result of” or “because” they already had believed and in doing so had already received forgiveness of their sins (John…
Read MoreSaving Faith Is Obedient Faith
by Dennis Abernathy Many passages could be cited to show that one must believe (have faith) to be saved. However, believing is more involved than the sole mental act. Ultimately, believing in the Lord is to do what He says, and refusing to obey His will is an expression of disbelief! The thought of “obedience” and “works”…
Read MoreNot By Faith Only
by Terry Wane Benton When the Bible says, “not by faith only” (James 2:14-24), why is it that you hear major denominations claiming that salvation is “by faith alone”? I would be embarrassed to hold to a doctrine that directly contradicts the word of God. If the Bible actually taught both things, it would be…
Read MoreLessons from Saul’s Conversion
by Terry Wane Benton Saul would become the saved apostle Paul, and his conversion from being totally against Jesus and his disciples to becoming a disciple of Jesus, from being a persecutor to being persecuted, is a remarkable account of what is involved in the process of conversion to Christ. Read Acts 9 and then…
Read MoreReading Past John 3:16
by Perry Hall Do we sometimes miss a powerful point because we stop reading? John 3:16 is so well-known that people stop reading. What happens if we keep reading? Notice these contrasts: “For God loved the world” (John 3:16) vs. “People loved the darkness” (John 3:19). “He gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16)…
Read MoreAt What Moment in Faith?
by Terry Wane Benton Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:6,8). Of this, there is no controversy. The question is, “At what moment in faith does salvation or remission of sins actually become ours through faith?” Has God designated an exact moment? The answer is very clear unless one has an agenda guided by…
Read MoreThe Freedom of Truth
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Freedom-of-Truth.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 8:30-59 I. Many began to believe on Jesus – John 8:30-31 A. Jesus said that if they would live in the words of Jesus, then they would truly be his disciples – John 8:32 1. Obedience to his teaching would cause them to know the truth. 2. Obedience leads to greater…
Read MoreWhy is more than faith required?
Question: I’m a bit confused about what Jesus is saying about how one gets to heaven. In John 3:16 he says that we just need to believe in God and we will be saved. And that there is no judgment for those who believe in Jesus. Yet, in Mathew 7:21 Jesus says that not everyone…
Read MoreJericho and our Salvation
by Jefferson David Tant After reading the title, some might wonder what the battle of Jericho has to do with our salvation today. The battle when Israel conquered Jericho was about 1410 B.C., over 3,400 years ago. Thus the question might be, “What in the world would some event over three thousand years ago have…
Read MoreAre there different gospels?
Question: Hello, I have been seeing more and more about the Kingdom Gospel vs the Gospel of Grace. Dispensationalism is becoming very popular on YouTube, and people are actually turning toward this teaching. I have seen comments that the churches of Christ intertwine the kingdom gospel and the grace gospel. Basically, they are saying that…
Read MoreJustification by Works and Baptism
by Matthew W. Bassford At the end of Romans 3 and the beginning of Romans 4, we encounter the most famous of Paul’s teachings: justification by faith in Jesus. Throughout the context, he contrasts it with justification by works. Abraham was not justified by works, nor was David, nor can we be. From this magnificent…
Read MoreBy Grace Through Faith with the Washing of Water
by Terry Wane Benton Notice the prepositions: by, through, and with. The Book of Ephesians uses all three to describe what is involved with our salvation. It teaches we are saved by grace. It teaches we are saved through faith. It teaches we are saved with the washing of water by the word. It is…
Read MoreShouldn’t we live by faith and not law?
Question: You said in one of your articles, “He offers forgiveness of sins if a person submits to God’s laws.” What about faith? Shouldn’t we live by faith and not law (Galatians 3:12)? Also, what about Romans 7:1-6? Answer: The requirement for faith is a part of God’s law. “And without faith it is impossible to…
Read MoreWas baptism only for the Jews?
Question: Good morning brother, I recently had a discussion with a brother in Christ who said that the book of Acts was addressed to the Jews because they killed Christ. He mentioned that the question asked after their hearts were pricked, “what shall we do” applied to those Jews that were assembled. He said that…
Read MoreDoes Jesus forgive all our sins: past, present, and future?
Question: Dear Brother in Christ, Greetings in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I went through your website and especially the questions and answers, I want to say that by God’s grace and His enabling you have done a good job. The answers to most of the questions are apt and scripture based. …
Read MoreHow do I show my coworker that it is not faith alone that saves?
Question: Hello, I am in a discussion of the Bible with a man that I work with. He is Lutheran and I go to a church of Christ. His beliefs are that faith saves and continues to recite the verse from Ephesians 2:8-9. I’m sure you’re very familiar with that verse. I have shared with…
Read MoreLessons on Evangelism: Addressing Faith Alone
by Andrew S. Hamilton Class Objective Preparing the members to handle common questions that will come up when running the tables. (1 Peter 3:15) Foundation Material Statements and Logic All chickens have three legs. Henry has three legs; therefore, Henry is a chicken. Only chickens have two legs. Henry has three legs; therefore, Henry is…
Read MoreThe Passing of Billy Graham
by Dan Gatlin Billy Graham passed away today. Some may not be familiar with what he taught. He said, “I believe baptism is important, and I have been baptized. But I think we violate the Scriptures when we make baptism the prime requirement for salvation … Paul’s central theme was Christ and His saving power.…
Read MoreDoes faith alone save one from his sins?
Question: Does faith alone save one from his sins? Answer: Faith does save (Acts 16:31). Grace saves (Acts 15:11). Jesus saves (Acts 4:12). The message saves (Acts 11:14). The resurrection saves (Romans 5:10). Hope saves (Romans 8:24). Confession saves (Romans 10:10). The gospel saves (I Corinthians 15:2). Knowledge saves (1 Timothy 4:2). The washing of…
Read MoreSave Yourselves
by Terry W. Benton Only because of what Jesus did for us on the cross and only through knowledge of what He did can we engage in the activity of faith that will result in our salvation. There is a common expression these days that “there is nothing you can do, Jesus did it all…
Read MoreDoes Acts 11:17 teach that people were saved only by faith?
Question: Those who believe in faith alone insist that because of Acts 11:17 they received the Holy Spirit by believing in Jesus they were saved. How must one defend against it? Answer: In Acts 11, Peter is defending his actions in Acts 10. “But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying:…
Read MoreIs justification through faith? Is a sinner forgiven when he prays?
Question: Dear Mr. Hamilton, I was reading your article on the NIV and I found it very informative! I just want to start off by saying thank you I had no idea there were a few discrepancies I needed to be aware of. With regards to this, I had a question. I completely agree with the point…
Read MoreWhat is exactly meant by works?
Question: I am a member of the Missouri Synod denomination, although I really don’t like to see the denominations as “separations.” I like to see us all as Christians — just Christians with different ideas. Anyway, I had read that faith without works is dead. Which I do agree with. I have always been taught…
Read MoreFaith and Works
by Keith Sharp The doctrine of salvation by faith alone is fundamental to Protestant theology. The old Methodist Discipline stated, “Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.” The Standard Baptist Manual, by Edward T. Hiscox teaches, “… the great gospel blessing which Christ secures…
Read MoreIs baptism unnecessary for salvation because every conversion in Acts doesn’t mention baptism?
Question: Hi. I received the below email and am having a tough time responding to these verses in regards to is baptism being necessary for salvation. I was hoping you might be able to help with these verses. Thank you Here are the places in Acts that you need to check out. Also, remember that…
Read MoreWhat Must I Do to be Saved?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Listening to preachers, pastors, and priests today, one wonders if they could answer the question, “What must I do to be saved?” in a manner similar to the apostles. What Must I Do to be Saved? In the very first sermon recorded, Peter convicted the Jews of participating in the death of…
Read MoreWas John the Baptist associated with the Baptist church?
Question: I love your site. It is very helpful and is the truth. Why was John called “John the Baptist?” I know there is no other religion mentioned in the Bible. Is this where the Baptist organization get its name? Is John the Baptist the same as John the apostle? Answer: Actually, the truth is…
Read MoreAren’t there passages that say we are saved by faith?
Question: You say that “You will never find where the Bible says that baptism is a symbol, or that one is saved at the point of faith.” What about Luke 7:50? Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from…
Read MoreWhat are some of the errors of Wesleyans?
Question: When you get a minute could you put up some of the things Wesleyans are teaching falsely on the web site? Answer: The Wesleyan Church has its roots in the Methodist Church. In fact, it originally used the name Wesleyan Methodist Church of America from 1843, at its founding, to 1968 when it merged…
Read MoreHow can faith be combined with works?
Question: I have been reading articles on this web site, especially the one about how salvation comes both from believing and works. My question is this: Did Paul lie to the prison guard when he said: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved”? I am having difficulty with the combination of…
Read MoreWhat if a person dies after accepting God but before he can be baptized?
Question: I have a question about baptism. People always ask what if a person is about to die and accepts God into his heart, does he go to heaven or hell? My response is two things: I tell them the guy had chances before, so God would be just in condemning him to hell. Even…
Read MoreDo you believe that the only way to heaven is by accepting Jesus as your Savior and not by good deeds or grace?
Question: Does the church of Christ believe that the only way to heaven is through the Lord Jesus Christ, by accepting Him as your Savior and not by good deeds or grace? Thanks. Answer: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). You cannot claim to accept the Lord as your Savior if you…
Read MoreDoes Romans 4:9-12 indicate that we are saved prior to baptism?
Question: Can you explain why Romans 4:9-12 does not indicate that we are saved prior to baptism? I am not sure how to put the answer into words for an acquaintance that insists that he was saved prior to baptism regardless of clear passages of Scripture. Thank you! Answer: When a person argues against what…
Read MoreA Perversion of Biblical Faith
by Wayne Jackson One of the great tragedies of ecclesiastical history is the fact that so many have failed to find a balanced view of human redemption as this concept is set forth in the biblical record. On the one hand, there is Roman Catholicism, arrogantly contending that salvation is conferred upon the basis of…
Read MoreNo Christian Was Ever Saved by Faith Alone
by Kent Heaton The doctrine of salvation by faith alone is a popular means by which many in the religious world have been deceived into believing they have obeyed the will of God and live under the presumption they are disciples of Christ. While the doctrine has been around for many years, Billy Graham did…
Read MoreReligious Bargain Hunting
Text: II Peter 2:1-3 I. There are few of us who don’t like a good bargain when we can get one. A. There are some here who will look high-and-low for the best deal, whether it be groceries or a used car. B. Of course, some people don’t seem to have a clue as to what truly…
Read MoreQuestions about James 2
Question: Alright, I read the two links you had for me, and they cleared a lot up. I read the second chapter and by what I can understand, the first part talks about following the law completely, and not just following one and leaving the other, because even if you follow all but one, you are…
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