Christian Salvation: Faith Alone

Overview

Christian salvation is being joined to Christ and receiving the benefits of his death as an atonement for sin. It is through Christ that a person is therefore saved or forgiven and attains a righteous standing before God. Nevertheless, how a person is joined to Christ for salvation has been a debated issue throughout the history of the Christian Church. Three positions have typically been taken.

1. A person is joined to Christ for salvation by obeying the law (either the Mosaic Law or the Moral Law). This was the belief of the Judaizers during the lifetime of the Apostles and is a works-based union with Christ.

2. A person is joined to Christ for salvation sacramentally. More specifically, a person is joined to Christ by participating in the Sacraments of the Church as rightly administered by those possessing Apostolic authority. This belief is held by the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church as well as some other groups.

3. A person is joined to Christ for salvation by faith. This is the general belief of the Protestant Church and is often referred to as 'Faith Alone' or ‘Sola Fide’.

According to the New Testament, a person is joined to Christ for salvation through faith or belief (John 3:16-18 & Acts 16:25-34). This means that once a person is joined to Christ through faith (which is a work performed by the Holy Spirit) all the benefits of Christ’s death are applied to the individual and they attain a righteous standing before God in Christ (Acts 26:12-23). This is why the New Testament refers to the benefits of Christ's death as a righteousness or justification received through faith rather than a reward earned through the works of the law (Acts 13:38-48 & Philippians 3:7-9). Put differently, we are saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, meaning that we are saved or forgiven by what Jesus has done for us (Jesus died as an atoning sacrifice for our sins) which we receive through faith apart from works (Acts 15:1-11, Ephesians 2:1-10, 2 Timothy 1:6-12 & Titus 3:3-8). It should be noted too that the mark or sign that a person has been joined to Christ through faith for salvation is the reception of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:34-48, 11:1-18, Ephesians 1:11-14 & 1 John 3:19-24).

After being joined to Christ through faith for salvation, a person is brought under the authority of Christ and strives to obey the law of Christ. This involves participating in the Sacraments of the Church (Baptism and the Lord's Supper) and obeying the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. However, whenever a person sins in their walk of Christian discipleship, Christ applies the blood of his sacrifice before the throne of God to maintain the person in a perpetual state of forgiveness (Hebrews 7:23-28 & 1 John 2:1-2). The intersession of Christ is therefore continual and neverending for those who are joined to him through faith for salvation.

Bible Passages

John 3:16-18

(16) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (17) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (18) Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Additional References: John

(35) The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. (36) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. (John 3:35-36)

(30) Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. (31) But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)

Acts 10:34-48

(34) Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism (35) but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. (36) You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. (37) You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached - (38) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

(39) “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, (40) but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. (41) He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen - by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. (42) He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. (43) All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

(44) While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. (45) The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. (46) For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, (47) “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” (48) So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Acts 11:1-18

(1) The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. (2) So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him (3) and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

(4) Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: (5) “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. (6) I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. (7) Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

(8) “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

(9) “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ (10) This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.

(11) “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. (12) The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. (13) He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. (14) He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’

(15) “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. (16) Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ (17) So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”

(18) When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Acts 13:38-48

(38) “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. (39) Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. (40) Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: (41) ‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”

(42) As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. (43) When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

(44) On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. (45) When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.

(46) Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. (47) For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

(48) When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

Acts 15:1-11

(1) Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” (2) This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. (3) The church sent them on their way, and as they travelled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. (4) When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.

(5) Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”

(6) The apostles and elders met to consider this question. (7) After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. (8) God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. (9) He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. (10) Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? (11) No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Acts 16:25-34

(25) About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. (26) Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. (27) The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. (28) But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

(29) The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. (30) He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

(31) They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household.” (32) Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. (33) At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. (34) The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God - he and his whole household.

Acts 26:12-23

(12) “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. (13) About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. (14) We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

(15) “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. (16) ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. (17) I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them (18) to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

(19) “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. (20) First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. (21) That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. (22) But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen - (23) that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

Additional References: Acts

(14) One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. (Acts 16:14)

(27) When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. (Acts 18:27)

(17) From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. (18) When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. (19) I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. (20) You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. (21) I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. (Acts 20:17-21)

(24) Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. (25) As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” (26) At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. (Acts 24:24-26)

Ephesians 1:11-14

(11) In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, (12) in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. (13) And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, (14) who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession - to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 2:1-10

(1) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, (2) in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. (3) All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. (4) But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, (5) made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. (6) And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, (7) in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (8) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - (9) not by works, so that no one can boast. (10) For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Additional References: Ephesians

(12) In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3:12)

Philippians 3:7-9

(7) But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. (8) What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ (9) and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

2 Timothy 1:6-12

(6) For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (7) For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (8) So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. (9) He has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, (10) but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (11) And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. (12) That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

Titus 3:3-8

(3) At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. (4) But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, (5) he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, (6) whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, (7) so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (8) This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Hebrews 7:23-28

(23) Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; (24) but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. (25) Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

(26) Such a high priest truly meets our need - one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. (27) Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. (28) For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

1 John 2:1-2

(1) My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. (2) He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 3:19-24

(19) This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: (20) If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God (22) and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. (23) And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. (24) The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Additional References: 1 John

(1) Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. (2) This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. (3) In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, (4) for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (5) Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:1-5)

(9) We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. (10) Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. (11) And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (12) Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (13) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:9-13)