Category: Faith Only

Even casual discussions with friends and loved ones who are outside of the churches of Christ can reveal a very strange mythology that has developed…

Every believer should be familiar with the words of Christ as they touch on the sentencing phase of Judgment Day. Where the wicked will hear,…

We are indeed justified, or saved by faith. The Bible clearly affirms such to be so. One of the most famous passages in all of God’s word states, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). We can say that our salvation is completely dependent upon our belief in Jesus. We can’t be saved if we do not believe. However, it is again incorrect to say that we are saved by faith alone. That is, that nothing more is required of us to gain that gift of salvation.

In this video, Stan Cox points out that while we are saved by Faith, the Bible clearly teaches that more than faith alone is required to be justified in the sight of God.

The Old Testament tells us about a preacher (prophet) who lied to a younger man (1 Kings 13). The lie was told in all good conscience. It was told with the intent of helping the young man (1 Kings 13:11-19). The young man believed the lie, benefited in an earthly way, but ended up losing his life (1 Kings 13:20-28). Thus, we know that religious leaders will sometimes tell a lie with the best intentions. We also know that religious followers will sometimes believe a lie.

The only way to be complete and to be saved by the finished work of Christ is to be “in Christ.” Scripture says we are “baptized into Jesus Christ.” If one is not baptized, he is not “in Christ,” for we are “baptized into Christ.” Thus, one must be baptized to be complete in Christ and to have the benefits of the finished work of Christ.

It is necessary for each sinner to be taught the truth in order to produce faith (Romans 10:17). His faith must lead to repentance (Acts 17:30; Acts 2:38), to confession (Romans 10:9,10), and to baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Upon being baptized he is a child of God, an heir of God, and joint heir with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17), added to the Lord’s church (Acts 2:47), and the recipient of all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). Truly, this is the man who has been saved by faith (Ephesians 2:1-10).

God demands that we respond to the good news of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. We must accept the facts of the gospel (believe), we must repent of our sins (turn away), we must confess Jesus as the Son of God, and we must be baptized to have our sins washed away. That is the part man plays in God’s Scheme of Redemption for man. God has done his part. All that remains is for each of us to do our part, that we might one day meet our Lord in the air, and ever be with him. If you have not yet obeyed the gospel, we invite you to do so today.

It is our desire that all who read this article will obtain the redemption of their soul. In order to do this you must believe in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). God sent His son to die for our sins. Jesus led a life of perfection, and submitted willingly to the cross. His blood purchased for us the forgiveness of sins. His resurrection enabled us to hope for eternal life. This eternal reward can be yours. Will you believe?

The plan of salvation is found in the Book of Romans. Not only does Paul tell us what God has done for us through His grace and His Son’s sacrifice (6:23), he also sets forth men’s responsibilities in order to be saved. Even Luther acknowledged that men had to do something when he taught the need for faith. The difference is that he believed that was the totality of men’s obligations whereas the inspired Apostle taught additional requirements.