| Introduction: |
| How is faith acquired? |
| Is faith necessary? |
| What kind of faith saves? |
| What all is involved in man's salvation or justification? |
| Conclusion. |
1. Faith is defined by Joseph Thayer "a conviction, full of joyful trust, that Jesus is the Messiah - the divine appointed author of eternal salvation in the kingdom, conjoined with obedience to Christ".
2. The Hebrew writer says "Now faith is the substance (assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen".
3. The Bible is a book of testimony, given to create faith in the human heart, "and many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name".
John 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (KJV)
4. When discussing the subject of salvation by faith, it must be noted, that there is a vast difference in salvation by faith, and salvation by faith only.
5. We must let the Bible speak on this subject and stand for and teach only that which the Bible authorizes on this important subject.
6. We will pursue our study by asking some important questions.
A. Many sincere religious people contend that faith comes as a result of the direct working of the Holy Spirit on the human heart. If such were true, all men would believe, since God is no respecter of persons.
Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: (KJV)
B. If the previous contention is false, then how does faith come? The Bible is quite explicit in this connection.
1. John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (KJV)
2. John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; (KJV)
3. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (KJV)
4. Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. (KJV)
5. Acts 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. (KJV)
C. The devil knows that the Word of God is the basis of faith, and knowing such he uses every means to steal it out of the hearts of people.
Luke 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. (KJV)
A. The necessity of faith is clearly set forth in the divine pages of sacred literature. Note the following:
1. The heart is cleansed by faith.
Acts 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (KJV)
2. Justification comes by faith.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (KJV)
3. Salvation comes by it.
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (KJV)
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (KJV)
4. Christians walk by it.
2Cor 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) (KJV)
5. The Christian life is regulated by it.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (KJV)
6. Without it one cannot please God.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (KJV)
7. Christians are kept by it.
1Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (KJV)
8. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (KJV)
B. For one to contend that faith is not necessary for salvation is to stand in direct opposition to the teaching of scripture.
III. WHAT KIND OF FAITH SAVES?
A. Faith that avails in Christ, is the faith that works by love.
Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. (KJV)
B. Faith saves, when faith leads one to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (KJV)
1. Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (KJV)
2. Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city. 9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. (KJV)
3. Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. (KJV)
4. Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. (KJV)
5. Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. (KJV)
C. The bible declares it takes an active faith to save.
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (KJV)
IV. WHAT ALL IS INVOLVED IN MAN'S SALVATION OR JUSTIFICATION?
A. The Bible declares that many factors contribute to man's salvation.
1. Grace.
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (KJV)
2. Christ (the ready agent).
Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (KJV)
3. Blood of Christ (the procuring agent).
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (KJV)
4. Name of Christ (authority of Christ the immediate agent).
1Cor 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (KJV)
5. Faith (human basic agent).
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (KJV)
6. Works (human active agent).
James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (KJV)
B. To stress one factor to the exclusion of another is to mishandle the scripture.
1. The doctrine of salvation by faith only is clearly and unmistakably false.
A. Faith without works is dead.
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (KJV)
B. If faith only were true, then demons would be saved.
James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (KJV)
C. The only time the word faith and only appear together is,
James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (KJV)
where it is revealed that justification is not by faith only.
D. Many of the rulers believed, but 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: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. (KJV)
2. Faith is clearly a part of man's salvation, but it is a faith that works by love.
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