Exposing Misconceptions
About "Saving Faith"
(Part 3)

By William Handschumacher

Rock of Offence Special Commentary








***********************************************************

This is part 3 of a three-part Bible study.
To access the other parts click on the
appropriate link below:

Part 1 ----- Part 2

Return To Home Page
Return To Basics of Salvation Page
***********************************************************




How Some Churches and
Denominations add works
to God's Gift by
twisting the words of
Saint Paul - then refer
to this modification as
'Saving Faith'


In Acts chapter 26 the Apostle Paul is brought before King Agrippa concerning accusations brought by certain Jews who opposed his ministry. The King began the court hearing by giving Paul permission to speak for himself, which was a rare privilege in those days. Paul then thanked the King and began to explain, without opposition, how he came to faith in Christ, which included his life-changing vision of Jesus on the Damascus road. We won't repeat everything Paul said at this official court hearing except for the following statement :

“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. (Acts 26:19-20)


Why is this statement so important? Paul is giving three general steps for obtaining a 'saving faith in Christ'. The steps Paul mentioned are:


Repentance

Turning to God

Doing the works that
demonstrate repentance



Obviously, Paul was under pressure to be brief and wasn't able to preach the full details about how to be saved during his speech before the King. Yet, these kinds of generalities in Scripture are all some ministers and denominations need to create a false evangelistic message. As a result, it is often stated that 'doing works that demonstrates repentance' is a requirement that must be met - to God's satisfaction - before anyone can be saved. However, if this is what Paul is saying then he just contradicted his own teachings that declare salvation to be the free unmerited gift of God. If you must perform certain works before you can possess a gift - then the word 'gift' becomes nonsensical. The twisting of Paul's words in Acts chapter 26 is often used as the foundation for a popular yet false evangelistic message that states ;


You must first prove to God
that you have truly repented
by stopping all sin in your
life (something the Bible
says is actually impossible)
and performing certain works

... Before He will save you.

Some preachers refer to this
doctrine and corresponding
mindset as 'saving faith'.
But, the New Testament warns
that it actually represents
a counterfeit faith that
Paul refers to as; "walking
according to the flesh", which
is something God condemns and
rejects after the cross.



What Paul is saying before King
Agrippa's court agrees with
everything else he taught about
salvation and works, where ...


FIRST:
We receive salvation by hearing
the Gospel - through 'a faith
without works'.

SECOND:
After we securely possess salvation
we should then do the works that
testify to our new life in Christ.



This is why good works (or 'doing works that demonstrates repentance') can never be a pre-condition to obtain God's free gift of salvation (eternal life) ... otherwise His gift is not really a gift.

Yet, these works do
have a place.


Once salvation is securely received, the recipient (now a new born-again child of God) will be inwardly motivated, through the Holy Spirit that now indwells them, to do the works associated with their "new life in Christ".

In other words, eternal salvation comes first and the works follow - not the other way around.


So ... what happens if they fail to produce any good works (or are severely deficient in good works) after they are saved? Wouldn't they lose their salvation? In this situation, and contrary to popular church teachings, Scripture clearly states (quoted below) that they would not lose their salvation (or their right to have heaven as their eternal home) - since it was given through 'faith apart from works' - as God's gift according to Grace (or God's unmerited and undeserved favor). These 'carnal Christians' - as Paul calls them - are penalized by losing rewards (or receiving no rewards) after they arrive in their new heavenly home which was freely purchased for them by the blood of Christ. They are never penalized by having their salvation revoked - and being sent to hell.


"...not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:5-7)

“Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin." (Romans 4:4-8)

"And if by Grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work." (Romans 11:6)

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He love us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by Grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His Grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by Grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:4-9)

"For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]" (Romans 11:29 Amplified Bible)



'Saving Faith' According to
the Authentic Gospel of
Christ


The principles that govern New Testament salvation are almost exclusively found in the Epistles of Saint Paul. Romans chapter 10 describes how salvation is obtained (and kept) after the cross. Paul refers to the subject of this study involving “saving faith” - but describes it using slightly different terminology. He calls it “the word of faith that we preach”. Let’s look at the whole context of this vitally important section of Scripture:


"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13)



When we consider that God now offers eternal life as a gift, certain characteristics that pertains to 'a gift' must remain true. When someone gives us a gift - that they paid for - all that is necessary is to receive it and say thank you. Christ's salvation is received in much the same way - with a few qualifiers. Since New Testament salvation comes through faith, there are two prerequisites connected to this faith that must be embraced. Contrary to popular opinion, we can’t just 'believe anything we want' - call it 'faith in Christ' - and expect to be saved. It’s important to understand that these two prerequisites connected to 'God's gift' (listed below) do not involve doing good works or behaving a certain way.

FIRST:

We must confess that Jesus is Lord. Most modern day evangelists assume that their audience knows what the word "Lord" means. The English word "Lord" used in various translations - comes from the Greek root word "kurios" which means Lord--God--Master. By confessing (and believing) that Jesus Christ is Lord; we are also proclaiming that He is God. Scripture reveals that God exists as a “Trinity” (meaning three). Bible Scholars refer to this as “The Three In One - or The Godhead”, and consists of God the Father, God the Son - and God the Holy Spirit. When confessing with our mouth that “Jesus is Lord” we are, in fact, testifying to the world that He is God the Son (or the Son of God), Who is the second person of the Godhead - or Trinity. A good example is what Thomas said after first seeing Jesus after His resurrection.


Thomas addressed Jesus as;
"My Lord and my God"
(John 20:27-29).


Saint John describes it
this way ...


"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; For this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; He who does not have the Son does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." (1 John 5:9-13)


The apostle Paul said it
this way:


"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:13-14)


Saint John comments again
and writes ...


"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him Who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." (1 John 5:20)


Upon seeing Christ after His
resurrection, Saint Thomas made
the following confession ...


(Jesus is speaking) "Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto Him, my Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20:27-29)



SECOND:

We must believe that God raised (resurrected) Jesus from the dead (or the grave). According to the New Testament, the forgiveness of our sins was an established fact until Jesus, after His death on the cross, was raised from the dead.


This one truth separates
Christianity from all
other religions of the
world.



The head of the Christian Church died, was resurrected and is still alive - and rules the Church today through the Holy Spirit that now indwells all true believers. It was Christ’s resurrection that initiated God’s redemptive plan for the human race. This is why believing that God the Father raised Jesus (His Son) from the dead is a prerequisite for obtaining His gift of eternal life.

Saint Paul said it this way ...


"Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:12-22)


"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ Who died, and furthermore is also risen, Who is even at the right hand of God, Who also makes intercession for us." (Romans 8:31-34)


"Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by Grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He (God) had promised, He was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it (righteousness) shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:16-25)



Authentic 'Saving Faith' is
Simple to Understand


Paul warned about “a different” or counterfeit gospel of Christ that “corrupts our minds” and takes us away from the simplicity of Christ.

"But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted - you may well put up with it!" (2 Corinthians 11:3-4)


The term “saving faith” is understood to mean the level of faith needed to obtain eternal life (or salvation). According to the teachings of the New Covenant found in the Epistles of Saint Paul;


IF YOU ...

Confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord;
meaning that you believe and confess that He is
the Son of God - or the second person of the
Trinity or Godhead - and therefore has the right
to be your only God and master.

And ...


Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus Christ
from the dead - meaning that you believe Jesus is
no longer dead and in the grave, but alive today as
described in Romans 4:16-25, 1 Cor. 15:12-22
and Romans 8:31-34) ...


THEN, YOU WILL BE SAVED.




By confessing Jesus as Lord (which is also confessing that He is God) - you are inviting Him to hold the highest position of authority in your life. This also means that you do not permit anyone (apostle, prophet, elder, evangelist, pastor, priest, bishop or Pope ... and even yourself), to usurp His Lordship position - which operates through the Holy Spirit (also known as 'the Spirit of Christ') that now indwells all true Christian believers.

As a result, Jesus is now
your only Lord and Master


As we previously discovered - a process called Sanctification begins immediately after salvation is received ... and continues for the rest of your earthly life. Sanctification is specifically designed for those who are already saved. It can be simply understood as a 'Divine training program' - where the Holy Spirit teaches you how to allow Jesus to rule your life as Lord. All pre-existing and future sin in your life will be addresssed under this same program. However, your success or failure in sanctification does not add to, subtract from or cancel the eternal life that God freely gives to you as a gift. Otherwise, 'His gift' becomes meaningless and nonsensical. Learning obedience to Christ’s authority is important - but it is not a prerequisite or condition for obtaining and keeping eternal life. Every true believer will have a different measure of success in learning to yield to Christ's Lordship authority. This is one reason God does not grant salvation (eternal life) on the basis of our sinlessness, good works, behavior and personal merit - following the sacrificial death of His Son.


Contrary to some popular Bible
teaching, if you believe and
act on the simple truths from
Romans 10:9-10 listed above
then you possess ...

'True Saving Faith'



Don’t let any minister or Bible teacher deceive you. God’s gift of eternal life is so simple to understand that a correctly taught young child can receive it. This is why some Bible scholars refer to 'saving faith' as 'child-like faith' ...

For whoever calls on the name
of the Lord shall be saved.
(Romans 10:13)





***********************************************************

This is part 3 of a three-part Bible study.
To access the other parts click on the
appropriate link below:

Part 1 ----- Part 2

Return To Home Page
Return To Basics of Salvation Page
***********************************************************





Disclaimer

Rock of Offence is a “not-for-profit” Internet-based Biblical research and public educational project of the owner. It is not a church or religious organization and has no paid staff and no building or offices. We are not a commercial business. We do not solicit money or ask for monetary “offerings” from the public. This project is referred to as “a Bible-based ministry”. Yet, it receives no monetary support that traditional religious organizations require. We do not receive any money, revenue or financial benefit from advertisements or products found or displayed on any website hyper-link, which is included on this website or webpage. We receive no compensation of any kind from any groups, individuals or corporations mentioned on this website/webpage or its hyper-links. The information found on this website is offered only as the opinion of the author. Unfortunately, we do not personally know you or have all the required information about your specific situation. For that reason, the comments and opinions offered on this website are never to be substituted for the advice of a licensed professional. All visitors should seek the guidance of a minister or professional counselor familiar with you and your family before making any important personal decisions about your life. All Scripture quotes in our research articles and commentaries are from the King James and the New King James versions of the Bible unless specifically noted. Due to the non-profit research and educational nature of Rock of Offence, we qualify under Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107 of the “fair use” clause for copyrighted materials. For this reason, any copyrighted work on this website is provided under the “fair use” provision without profit or payment for non-profit research, educational and discussion purposes only. This provision of U.S. Law can be viewed at:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml



Copyright © 2019 Rock of Offence
Most recent revision January 2019