Salvation by-faith-on-condition
•Download as PPTX, PDF•
3 likes•543 views
Salvation by faith on condition. What does the Bible say about salvation? Is it promised instantly, as many churches claim? Is it earned as a payment for "works" or service rendered, as taught by Judaism and Catholicism? Abundant bible references and plain logic provide an answer that falls somewhere between the two extremes.
Recommended
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (20)
Viewers also liked
Viewers also liked (20)
Similar to Salvation by-faith-on-condition
Similar to Salvation by-faith-on-condition (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Salvation by-faith-on-condition
- 1. Salvation by faith: on what conditions? A public Bible presentation James 2:14-26 Hymns 169, 5, 178
- 2. Salvation by faith: on what conditions? A public Bible presentation London, Ontario Sunday, October 19, 2014
- 3. Two popular claims 1. Salvation is guaranteed instantly (and easily!) 2. Salvation is entirely independent of 'works'
- 4. Two counter-claims 1. Salvation is conditional upon several factors over and above a mere expression of belief (e.g. baptism). 2. Salvation is to be granted at a future time.
- 5. Saved by works / Not by works • "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9) • "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2 Timothy 1:9) • "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy [Spirit]" (Titus 3:4-5)
- 6. Saved by works / Not by works • "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:1-5) Contradiction?
- 7. Saved by works / Not by works • "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 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. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:21-24) • "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone … For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:17, 26)
- 8. Baptism essential? • "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38) • "Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized… And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:47-48) • "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21)
- 9. Baptism essential? • "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5) • "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16)
- 10. Which one is a 'work'? John 3:16 X Faith only? Luke 13:3 X Repentance only? Matthew 10:32 X Confession only? 1 Peter 3:21 X Baptism only? Romans 10:9 X X Faith + Confession Mark 16:16 X X Faith + Baptism Acts 2:38 X X Repentance + Baptism Sum of Truth X X X X All 4 are required
- 11. What belief in Jesus means • To be saved: • Believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 11:27; 20:31; Acts 8:37) • Believe that Jesus is Lord (Acts 11:7; 16:31; Rom 10:9) • Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead (Rom 4:24; 10:9; 1Cor 15:15) • Believe that Jesus came to save us from sin (Matt 1:21; Acts 3:19; Rom 8:2; 1Jn 1:7) • Believe that Jesus is Christ (John 20:31; 1Jn 5:1) • Believe in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12; 1Jn 3:23) • Believe the gospel (Mark 1:15; Acts 15:7; Eph 1:13) • Etc.
- 12. 'Just confess and believe'? • "But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 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" (Romans 10:6-9)
- 13. 'Just confess and believe'? • Quoting from Deuteronomy 30:11-14. "for this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it." • "I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments." (see Deuteronomy 30:15-16)
- 14. Belief and obedience linked • "Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner" (1 Peter 2:7) • We are commanded to believe: • "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent" (John 6:28-29) • "he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6) • "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 3:23)
- 15. Do good works matter? • "[Paul] shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance" (Acts 26:20) • "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10) • "That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:17) • "these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works" (Titus 3:8)
- 16. Keep the commandments • "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” (1 John 2:3-6) • "And he that keepeth his [i.e. Jesus’] commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him" (1 John 3:24)
- 17. Keep the commandments • "Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations" (Deuteronomy 7:9) • "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies" (Psalm 24:10) • "But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded" (Proverbs 13:13)
- 18. Keep the commandments • "And behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he [Jesus] said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:16-17) • "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Hebrews 5:8-9)
- 19. Continued obedience • "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22) • "For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified" (Romans 2:13) • "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him" (1 John 2:29) • "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city" (Revelation 22:14)
- 20. Continued obedience • "And you, that were sometime [i.e. ‘once before’] alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard and which was preached" (Colossians 1:21-23)
- 21. Continued obedience • "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (1 Timothy 4:6) • "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son" (2 John 1:9) • "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son" (Revelation 21:7)
- 22. Continued obedience • "Behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:12) • "Who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, [God will render] eternal life" (Romans 2:6-7) • "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end" (Hebrews 3:14)
- 23. Continued obedience • "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith" etc. (Hebrews 10:36 onward) • "and ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22)
- 24. Continued obedience • "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him" (James 1:12) • "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7) • "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2)
- 25. The true Bible hope • "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself a ransom for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:11-14)
- 26. The true Bible hope • "As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him." (John 17:2) • "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." (1 John 5:11) • "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4)
- 27. The true Bible hope • "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (1 Corinthians 15:50-52)
- 28. The true Bible hope • "the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:28-29) • "there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust" (Acts 24:15) • "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25) • "Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you" (2 Corinthians 4:14)
- 29. The true Bible hope • "even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:23) • "…we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself" (Philippians 3:21) • "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2)
- 30. The true Bible hope • "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." (Revelation 20:6)
- 31. The true Bible hope • "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner." (Proverbs 11:31) • "For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." (Psalm 37:9-11)
- 32. Summary • Only in the Bible can we find the truth about God’s offer of salvation. • The Bible does not say saved by faith only, nor by works only. • Faith coupled with God's works = salvation • Commandments are God's works; saved by these, not our own works. • Genuine faith is a way of life. • Bible's message clear: salvation from death (eternal life), for those who believe truth about Christ & obey his commands to the end. • Our hope is resurrection and glorification when Jesus returns.
- 33. Thank you for your time!
- 34. Salvation by faith: on what conditions? A public Bible presentation London, Ontario Sunday, March 16, 2014
Editor's Notes
- Accept Jesus. Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart. The moment you do, you're saved irrevocably – "once saved, always saved!" Only faith saves you, and nothing else. Your behaviour after you believed can't change your status because being saved has nothing to do with what you do, just what you feel.
- The Bible says that faith has to be proven in action over an extended period of time to be considered legitimate. A number of "if" statements in the Bible show that specific behaviours have a direct impact on eligibility for salvation. One example is baptism. Many verses in the Bible imply or outright say that only one large group of people will be saved all together, all at once, at a very specific future time. God has invited people to begin qualifying for it, which we can do at any time. Salvation is offered right now, but not available for present possession.
- The word "grace," simply defined, means "unmerited favour." To be saved by grace means that to be saved without deserving to be. Grace is not negated just because God has also said that man must do certain things in order to be saved. Nobody prompted God to offer salvation, and nobody has earned it or deserves it. Yet, He has offered it nonetheless. Another way to read this verse (paraphrase): "Because of God's unmerited favour, salvation is available to those who believe. The opportunity to be saved doesn't come from you, it comes from Him." Hence, it was according to His purpose, not ours, as we read in 2Tim 1:9. The point behind all of these verses is that we cannot take the credit for what God has offered. The offer was not made based on our merit; we can't boast. That doesn't mean future behaviour is irrelevant. The verses say nothing about future behaviour. So how can God's gift be free if it is conditional? A 'no-purchase-necessary' contest can still require a 'skill-testing question.' God's offer of salvation can be a free gift and yet require certain criteria to be met. Essentially, salvation is available by grace, attainable on condition.
- Note "if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory" = clue. Context: humility vs. boasting. This is once again a passage about who gets the glory. It wasn't done because of Abraham's actions, but because of his mental character. Righteousness was imputed to Abraham based on his attitude of belief. Does that mean that Abraham's obedience didn't matter? Was it necessary for Abraham to obey? How did Abraham show his faith?
- How is the Bible to be harmonized when it says "we are saved by works," and "we are not saved by works"? Do Paul and James, both writing God's word by the influence of God's spirit, disagree about God's process? No. The context here is different. This passage is not about who gets the glory; it's about the kind of faith that pleases God. Abraham showed his faith specifically by his actions. That is what God desires. The point is we are not justified by faith ONLY, but by faith which shows itself through "works" – i.e. acts of obedience. Without these, faith is dead. Can a 'dead' faith save? So, in what sense are we saved by works? Not by taking credit, but by showing faith. We are saved by humbly doing the works of God – the things God has commanded that we do. Is baptism a work of God?
- Note: many churches falsely teach a distortion of this: "Repent and be baptized because your sins have already been forgiven." Peter commanded baptism. Is a COMMAND from an apostle something we can consider optional? [Noah and the ark, v.20] – Peter says baptism saves us. When he wrote this, he was repeating the instructions of Jesus!
- Note: many churches falsely teach a reversal of this: "He who believes and is saved, should be baptized." The fact is, the apostles record a number of things associated with salvation, not just faith. For example… [see next slide: chart]
- First column is faith/belief; Second is repentance; Third is confession; Fourth is baptism. John 3:16 – "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" Luke 13:3 – "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perishÈ Matthew 10:32 – "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven" 1 Peter 3:21 – "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" Romans 10:9 – "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" Mark 16:16 – "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" Acts 2:38 – "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" We can see from this chart that baptism, as an act of obedience that proves faith, must also be accompanied by repentance and confession if it is to be meaningful. In reality, there is even more required for salvation than these four things.
- Not God the Son King and sovereign on behalf of God Therefore not a substitute because he didn't stay dead How? By bearing the sin nature and never yielding to it. "Destroyed the devil." Anointed = prophet, priest, king. Davidic line. Sacrifice. More appropriately "into" the name – i.e. baptism and lifelong walk The good news of the coming kingdom of God on earth, as also preached to Abraham et al.
- Does that mean confession and belief are all you need?
- Note that what was in their mouths and hearts was also a ‘commandment’ to be done. Very next verses (Deut 30:15-16): "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land…" - Command to love God, walk in His ways, keep His commands, etc.
- 1Pet – The contrast is between those who ‘believe’ [Greek pres. Part., i.e. ‘continue believing’] and those who are ‘disobedient.’ This implies that disobedience is equal to disbelief (or, unbelief). In turn, that means that obedience is equated to belief. Jn. 6:29 – It is a work of God that we believe on Jesus Heb 11:6 – "must believe" = imperative. Note also the connection of 'reward' with this. 1Jn 3:23 – God's commandment is that we believe on Jesus If man is saved without any kind of works, then how can he be saved? Christ and the apostles said that faith is a work. Faith is a commandment of God, just as repentance and baptism also are the commandments of the Lord. To be saved by doing the things God commands, is not to be saved by the works of men, but by the works of God. We are saved by one kind (God's works), but not by the other kind (man's works). So we can see that the Bible does not contradict itself.
- Note how the works are described: "works meet for repentance," "good works." The Bible makes reference to many different kinds of "works:" some works are of man, some of the adversary, some of the slanderer, some of darkness, some of light, some of God. Some are good, some are evil. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."
- Keeping commandments = abiding in him We know him, love him, abide in him if we keep commandments
- Mercy received upon obedience: “keep covenant," "keep testimonies," and "fear commandment." Reward comes with obedience
- What good thing can anyone do in order to have eternal life? Note the answer from Jesus: "if you will enter into life, keep the commandments." Jesus said this, and he also demonstrated it in his own example. Note that he refuses to allow someone to call him "good." There is none good but God. Jesus knew he wasn't already 'in the clear' as it were, but that he was working toward perfection. He also had to live a life of obedience before he could be made perfect. The pattern established in Jesus himself is: eternal salvation to those who obey. [Sidenote: "Master" = Greek ‘teacher’]
- Those who don't DO are only deceiving themselves. Action is necessary. Once we know what is right, we have an obligation to DO it, i.e. put it into practical application. Only by DOING righteousness can we be considered 'born of him.' Doers justified = God’s procedure: where He has given a law, he requires obedience to it. The Jews had the entire OT; they manifested great deference for it, they heard it read with attention, and professed a willingness to yield themselves to it. Paul states a very plain and obvious principle, that this was insufficient to justify them before God, unless they rendered actual obedience. Only those who have been doers of God's law will be justified = absolved, acquitted and acknowledged to be fit for His kingdom. Blessed [Greek ‘favoured’ or ‘happy’] are the ones who DO his commandments. "Tree of life… enter in through the gates" = figurative language for having right to eternal life and entering into salvation
- Despite the present tense, the "if" mid-way through the verse shows us there is a condition. You are reconciled if you CONTINUE in the faith and are not moved away etc. This can only be determined after a lifetime of opportunity, and therefore it cannot be available in the present.
- Doctrine to be continued in for salvation "Abide in" = 'Live in' – i.e. sticking to doctrine required to ‘have’ God and Christ Those who overcome inherit all things and become God’s children So, when will be the time for this all to be determined? At the appearing of Jesus.
- Salvation is a reward to be given when Jesus comes, and given specifically according to a life of continued obedience. Rom 2:5 (for context) speaks of "the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds" etc. - If it is to be ‘rendered’ at some future time, it must not be a present gift. - If it is to be rendered according to ‘deeds,’ it must be a conditional gift. Note the big "if" in Heb 3:14. This is a condition imposed by God and recorded over and over again in scripture: a lifelong habit of good works and godly living is necessary for salvation.
- Jesus is coming, and then people who have lived according to faith will receive the things God has promised, if they endure to the end.
- The crown of life comes AFTER enduring. Faith is more precious when it comes through trial. Only by faith being ‘tried’ [Greek ‘put to the test’ – i.e. 'proven'] can we be found acceptable with Christ. How is a person tested or proven? - Renewal of mind (attitude, 'faith') and sincerely transformed lifestyle (behaviour, 'obedience') - cf. Eph 5:10-17 – walk not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, etc. - We must continually uphold the righteous will of God in thought and action.
- Looking for something (a) means it is not already a possession, and (b) implies futurity. Hoping for something means that it is not yet ours. Christ’s sacrifice was for the purpose of redeeming people from iniquity and separating a people who would be eager to do good works. Ultimately, this is the salvation offered in the Bible: to be redeemed by Jesus Christ as his particular people.
- Once we become Christ's, the Bible holds out an offer of glorious eternal life together with him as the true hope of salvation. How will this happen? Through a physical bodily change.
- This verse brings up two important points: Resurrection Change in bodily nature
- Resurrection of those who have died in order to be presented to Christ for judgment. The just and righteous who have done good will receive eternal life.
- Redemption of the body = change in bodily nature, from vile to glorious, just like his.
- Those who are glorified and made immortal will be free forever from sin and death. Their lifelong struggle to obey will have paid off. The power of death will have no more hold on them. They will join with Christ in his kingdom and reign together with him. Where? On a perfected earth.
- Wickedness will be removed and terminated forever, and the righteous will rule over the earth in eternal peace and happiness.
- It is when our faith is coupled with obedience (God's works) that we are saved, but we are not entitled to boast in this, for it is still God's prerogative to offer us salvation. Anything that is a commandment of God is a work of God. We have these commandments available in the clear words of Jesus and his apostles. We are saved by these works of God, and not by our own works. The kind of faith that pleases God and leads to salvation is a sincere belief that transforms a person's attitudes and influences his/her actions. It endures through trial and difficulty.