Saving 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 More

Not 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 More

Lessons 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 More

Reading 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 More

At 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 More

The 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 More

Why 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 More

Jericho 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 More

Are 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 More

Justification 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 More

By 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 More

Shouldn’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 More

Was 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 More

Does 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 More

How 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 More

Lessons 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 More

The 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 More

Does 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 More

Save 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 More

Does 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 More

Is 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 More

What 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 More

Faith 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 More

What 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 More

Was 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 More

Aren’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 More

What 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 More

How 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 More

Does 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 More

A 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 More

No 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 More

Religious 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 More

Questions 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…

Read More

Doesn’t John 3:16 prove that you can be saved without baptism?

Question: Hi. I was reading your article on “Can a man be saved without baptism?” and was wondering (as a young bible student) what about John 3:16? “… Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall not perish but have everlasting life.” This does not indicate that baptism is a requirement of salvation, but…

Read More

Aren’t you misinterpreting the Scriptures unless you teach faith alone?

Question: I agree with you on many points however I believe that you make many hasty judgments and contradict yourself many times over.  Whether you are Nazarene, Pentecostal, Baptist Church of Christ, etc. it truly does not matter because salvation is not found in your denomination rather in Christ Jesus.   Nazarenes do not believe that…

Read More

Faith Only

by Mark Russell published in Biblical Insights, Vol. 5, No. 7, July 2005 Even Martin Luther didn’t deny baptism as an expression of faith and as necessary to salvation. There were five Latin phrases, known as the “Five Solas” that became the mantra of the Protestant Reformation. These five ideas developed through the years and summarize…

Read More

Isn’t justification by faith alone?

Question: Isn’t justification by faith alone? Answer: It is common for people to approach the Scriptures with blinders on, seeking to prove their point by selective use of passages from the Bible. I find it amazing that when I state that justification is not by faith alone that people turn this around and claim that I’m…

Read More