Faith Alone (1)

Salvation by Faith “Alone?” (1)
Tim Haile

All who truly believe the Bible believe that salvation is by faith. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Most Bible students agree that this verse contains the theme of the book of Romans – justification by faith. Sadly, many people make the mistake of thinking of faith alone when they think of justification by faith. Please notice, however, that the passage affirms justification by faith: It does not affirm the concept of justification by faith only! There is a huge difference between the two doctrines. Justification by faith means justification by all of the things that faith includes. Whereas, faith “alone” involves only a mental assent of faith, and excludes everything else that is required by God.

Advocates of the faith only doctrine often attempt to defend themselves by accusing their opponents of believing in justification by “works.” Many intend to leave the impression that their opponents believe in salvation by works “only,” which is not necessarily true. Some religionists do believe in the concept of salvation by meritorious works, but their concept is entirely unbiblical and it has not the agreement or support of Bible believers. Let us avoid the prejudicial and unproductive rhetoric of those who are dishonest, and let us seek to understand the Truth on this important topic.

Is Salvation By Anything ALONE?

Would it be right to say that salvation is by “grace alone?” No, such would not be accurate. Salvation is “by grace” (Eph. 2:8), but not by grace alone. It must be seen that if salvation were wholly and exclusively by grace, that is, by grace “alone,” then it could not possibly be also “by faith,” and certainly not by faith “alone!” Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

Notice that salvation is not attributed to either grace or faith alone. Ephesians 2:8 harmonizes with itself only if salvation is attributed to both grace and faith, and to neither “alone.” Peter stated that we are saved by baptism (1 Peter 3:21). Did he mean baptism alone? No, he meant by baptism along with everything else that is involved in salvation, both man’s part and God’s. The Bible attributes salvation to several different things, but it never attributes salvation to one thing alone. We are saved by hope (Rom. 8:24), but not by hope alone. We are saved by belief and baptism (Mark 16:16), but not by belief and baptism alone. We are saved by repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38), but not by repentance and baptism alone. We are saved by confession by mouth (Rom. 10:10), but not by confession alone. We are saved by faithful living (Matt. 10:22), but not by faithful living alone. There are other things that could be cited (see the list in Romans 5:6-11), but these suffice to make the point. Salvation is by nothing “alone.”

Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: parkwaychurch@yahoo.com.