Jerry C. Brewer
According to the ministers of Satan who preach in the denominational industry, the only verse in the Bible relating to salvation is John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” If they mention any other verse in that regard, it is usually Romans 5:1. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” They camp out on these verses as though the rest of the New Testament is superfluous and God had it written (if they even believe it is inspired) just to fill space. Then they take these verses and twist them to mean what they were never intended to mean—that it is “faith alone” that saves us.
Mention “works” and they go ballistic, screaming, “salvation is by faith only, not by works.” If they mean works of merit that man does, they are right. But man is saved by works as well as faith—works commanded by God. In fact, one cannot truthfully claim to have faith in Jesus Christ who refuses to do the works Christ commands. Salvation comes through works prompted by faith. A prime example of that is the case of Abraham’s offering of Isaac which is related in Hebrews 11 as a matter of Abraham’s faith and in James 2 as a matter of Abraham’s works.
Faith and works are not mutually exclusive as the denominational industry proclaims. Salvation for any man today is dependent upon his faith that produces the works of God. Hebrews puts it this way:
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God was able to raise him up from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure (Heb. 11:17-18).
The inspired James takes that same act and ascribes Abraham’s justification to works.
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God (Jas. 2:21-23).
Did Abraham believe in God? Yes. Did Abraham believe God? Yes. There is a vast difference in believing in God and believing God.
One may believe in God, but refuse to do what God commands. In that refusal, one does not believe God. Abraham did, and it was that belief of God’s word which moved him to works—the offering of Isaac. Abraham’s faith was perfected in his works. In James’ words, Abraham’s faith “wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect.” The word wrought means “worked.” Abraham’s faith worked with his works and brought justification. Without works, faith is imperfect—and the word perfect in this case simply means “complete.”
Faith in Christ is not complete until it is expressed in works. It is an imperfect faith and an imperfect faith will save no one. It is that kind of faith that denominational gurus spout when they quote John 3:16 and Romans 5:1. Both of those passages teach salvation by faith, but not by faith alone, as James concludes. “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (Jas. 2:24). Is James excluding faith? No. He simply shows that faith and works must be combined in order to be saved. The words, “faith only” are found only in this verse in the New Testament and they teach that salvation does not come in this manner. That is a far cry from the Methodist Discipline’s Article 9 which says, “Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort.” No man who reads the New Testament, understands it, and believes it can come to that conclusion. Salvation by “faith only” is neither a wholesome nor comfortable doctrine.
Do you believe in Christ? If you do, that’s well and good. But the question that remains is, “Do you believe Christ?” He said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). His statement couples the kind of faith and works that bring salvation to one’s soul. If you believe in Christ, but refuse to be baptized, you do not believe Christ. True faith in the Lord leads the penitent soul to the waters of baptism, as faith “wrought” with Abraham’s works.
And don’t let one of Satan’s denominational ministers tell you that baptism is “a work of human merit.” That kind of work is performed by man in order to obligate God to save him. That can never be done. But baptism is, indeed, a work—a work of God:
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:4-7).
“Not by works” means works of human merit. We are saved “not by… but by…” Not by what? Works of human righteousness. But by what? “The washing of regeneration” and that is baptism. Baptism is not a work of human merit, but a work of God commanded of us in order to salvation. Faith and works are not mutually exclusive. They are both necessary to our salvation and without works, faith remains imperfect. Do you believe God? If so, your faith will lead you to obedience and justification, as did Abraham’s faith.
