I believe in salvation by grace through faith.
Yes, I believe in salvation by faith. I just think we need to know what we are talking about when we say faith.
Saving faith is not mental assent. It’s not something the same as what we typically call belief. We can see an example of that in John chapter 12: “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.” (John 12:42-43) These people came to have faith in Jesus, they believed in him, but they weren’t willing to act on that faith. Faith that never goes into action is not saving faith.
In Romans 1:5, Paul can talk about “the obedience that comes from faith.” Saving faith moves us to do something, to respond to God in some way. Faith without obedience is dead.
That’s why I have no problem in believing that baptism is the normal way that people come to be in a saving relationship with God, yet can also say that I believe in salvation by faith. Obedience is part of saving faith. Mere intellectual assent is not saving faith. We do nothing to earn our own salvation; it’s an exercise in futility to try. But at the same time, we put our faith into action or we admit that we have no real faith.
“These people came to have faith in Jesus, they believed in him, but they weren’t willing to act on that faith. Faith that never goes into action is not saving faith.”
Now that’s what I’m saying !!!. True Faith + Works = salvation
Mt:7:21: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Great post Bro! Good point Laymond. Thanks to both of you for sharing your wisdom and experience in a loving manner.
Dr. Carroll Osburn taught us that the Greek for “believe” requires obedience. In their language, there would be no such thing as disobedient faith / belief. For what it’s worth . . .
Might it be that in contexts where a promise is issued, to have faith or to trust requires only belief? (E.g. God’s promise to Abram) However, in contexts where action is commanded or required, to have faith or to trust demands obedience? (E.g. God’s command to Noah) If so, then we do not know how to respond in faith in a particular context until we have first heard the story or know the context. So, what does the story of the cross tell us? Paul’s pen in Galatians 3:26-27 seems to suggest that people initially express their trust in Jesus with baptism.
I agree with you. Limiting faith in all contexts to genuinely but just believing distorts the evidence.