Christ First Forum

Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?

Question: "Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?"

Answer: This is perhaps the most important question in all of Christian theology. This question is the cause of the Reformation, the split between the Protestant churches and Catholic Church. This question is a key difference between biblical Christianity and most of the “Christian” cults. Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works? Am I saved just by believing in Jesus, or do I have to believe in Jesus and do certain things?

The question of faith alone or faith plus works is made difficult by some hard-to-reconcile Bible passages. Compare Romans 3:28, 5:1 and Galatians 3:24 with James 2:24. Some see a difference between Paul (salvation is by faith alone) and James (salvation is by faith plus works). Paul dogmatically says that justification is by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), while James appears to be saying that justification is by faith plus works. This apparent problem is answered by examining what exactly James is talking about. James is refuting the belief that a person can have faith without producing any good works (James 2:17-18). James is emphasizing the point that genuine faith in Christ will produce a changed life and good works (James 2:20-26). James is not saying that justification is by faith plus works, but rather that a person who is truly justified by faith will have good works in his/her life. If a person claims to be a believer, but has no good works in his/her life, then he/she likely does not have genuine faith in Christ (James 2:14, 17, 20, 26).

Paul says the same thing in his writings. The good fruit believers should have in their lives is listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Immediately after telling us that we are saved by faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9), Paul informs us that we were created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). Paul expects just as much of a changed life as James does: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). James and Paul do not disagree in their teaching regarding salvation. They approach the same subject from different perspectives. Paul simply emphasized that justification is by faith alone while James put emphasis on the fact that genuine faith in Christ produces good works.

http://www.gotquestions.org/salvation-faith-alone.html

I think that Eph. 2:8,9 says it all. "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not work, lest any man should boast." We are saved by the grace of God through faith that He gives us. Even our faith doesn't come from us. It also makes it very plain that we are NOT saved by works to avoid boasting. Jesus did ALL that was necessary on the cross.

Since I don't believe the tribulation is for believers but for unbelievers, I believe believers will be removed from the earth before the tribulation begins. There are people (supposedly Christians) who believe we will go through half of the tribulation, all of it, or they believe there is no removal of believers (Rapture). One reason many believe we will go through the tribulation (or at least half of it) is because there WILL be Christians here during the tribulation who will be persecuted and murdered for their beliefs. The thing is that they will be those who are saved during the tribulation when many realize that what they had heard about Christ's return is true after all when millions of people (including babies and all those who are mentally capable of being held responsible) suddenly disappear.

Think about it: Babies will disappear from hospitals, from the crib in their home, from their mother's arms as she holds her little darling, and from wherever they are. How many will that be? Can the Rapture be an unnoticed event? I don't think so. The verse that says that Christ will return as a thief in the night refers to His return after the tribulation when He removes all the UNbelievers and begins His reign on earth with the believers.

While belief in the Rapture is not necessary for salvation, it is something that will happen--just when is something people want to debate (argue about actually). I don't like arguing and will avoid it if possible. I have read the entire Bible through MANY times and studied much of it, and I have a fair knowledge of what is true and what isn't, but I will not get into an argument with anyone about it. I will state what I am sure is the truth, and people can either accept it or deny it.

There is also confusion about the Rapture and Christ's second coming TO the earth. Many seem to put the two separate events as one event and happening at the same time--generally AFTER the tribulation. Actually, Jesus does NOT set foot on the earth at the time of the Rapture and does when He returns to set up His 1,000 reign on earth after the tribulation. That time has nothing whatsoever to do with the Rapture. There are 7 years between the Rapture and the start of His 1,000 year reign.

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." So, since babies can't call upon the Lord, does that mean they go to hell if they die? A just and loving God would not allow that to happen and would make allowances for those who are unable in any way to call upon the Lord due to lack of ability to understand or to call on Him verbally or even in their mind.