Kent Bailey
Justification by faith is an important component found within God’s scheme of Redemption. We therefore need to fervently study the word of God regarding the Biblical definition of how faith is used within the Scriptures as a faith system. By the term system we speak with reference to an interacting group of components forming a unified totality or whole. A faith system, as it relates to Salvation from sin, is a group of components based upon the faith—the New Testament of Christ that brings the offer of justification to sinners in need of Salvation by which we obtain by an obedient faith.
To be justified one must be pronounced by the Justifier as being made “just.” In order for one to become “just” that individual must be made free from sin. In order for one to be made free from sin one must be made righteous. One is made righteous by obedience to the gospel of Christ. We note this great truth in Rom. 6:17-18: “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
In Rom. 1:16-17 we note that one is saved by the gospel of Christ. Therefore to be saved by the gospel of Christ and to be justified by faith is one and the same thing, the case being that the gospel and the faith system are one and the same.
In order for us to properly understand the phrase by faith we need to consider its use in additional passages. The best commentary on the New Testament is the New Testament itself. We do comprehend the phrase by faith as we see the concept of faith discussed in Hebrews 11. “By faith” Abel offered his sacrifice (11:4). “By faith” Noah built an ark (11:7). “By faith” Abraham went out (11:8). “By faith” Abraham offered Isaac (11:17). Therefore the logical and scriptural conclusion to the argument that Paul makes on the concept of one’s personal faith in Hebrews 11 is that a Biblical faith does not exclude Biblical obedience. As a matter of fact if one’s personal faith does not include acts of obedience one’s personal faith is not a Biblical faith at all (Jas. 2:14-26). In Galatians 3:26-27 Paul writes that Christians are children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. He then explains how such is the case by stating for as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. By giving careful attention to Galatians 3:24-25 the concept of “faith” in this passage is speaking with reference to the faith system which is the gospel and/or New Testament of Christ.
When we affirm that New Testament baptism is for the remission of sins we are not affirming:
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That water washes away sin.
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That baptism is our savior.
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That baptism is the only condition of Salvation.
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That one is saved without faith, repentance, grace , or the blood of Christ.
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That one earns salvation
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That works of human merit or human invention save.
When we affirm that New Testament baptism is for the remission of sins we do indeed affirm:
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That the type of faith that saves is a faith system.
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That a Biblical personal faith that saves is a working faith.
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That the type of personal faith that saves is an obedient working faith.
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That a true Biblical personal faith will lead one to repent of sins and confess Christ.
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That a true Biblical personal faith will lead one to be baptized into Christ and for the remission of sins.
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That New Testament baptism saves in the same way the faith system, one’s personal faith, repentance from sin, and confession of the deity of Christ saves.
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That New Testament baptism saves not as a Savior, but rather as a condition that Christ the Savior requires.
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That baptism saves as a component of the faith system.
Consider Mark 16:15-16. Just prior to his return to Heaven, Christ commissioned his followers to go into all of the world and to preach the gospel to the whole of creation. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. He who does not believe will be condemned. While the record does not specifically say that those who will not be baptized will be condemned. Such is taught by implication. If I were to state, “He that eats food and digests such shall lie, but he who does not eat will die.” I would not be required to specifically state, “he who dos not digest shall died.” Such is implied within the statement. One cannot digest food that one does not eat, and one cannot be baptized if they do not believe.
Consider Acts 2:36-38. Peter and the other apostles of Christ had preached the gospel of Christ for the very first time. The truth of Christ had been clearly presented regarding his deity, death, burial, and resurrection. 3,000 accountable Jewish individuals heard the truth, were convicted of their sins and desired to know what they must do to be saved. This desire for Salvation from sin was based upon their personal faith in Christ. Peter gave them the divinely inspired answer for them to repent and be baptized in the name of Christ for the remission of sins. Note that if these believers had been saved by faith alone the moment that they believed, then Peter, an inspired apostle of Christ, would have been wrong, however, he told them the truth. Therefore baptism for the remission of sins is indeed, justification by faith!
