Michael Demory
A touchstone is a hard black stone such as jasper or basalt, formerly used to test the quality of gold or silver by comparing the streak left on the stone by one of these metals. Calvinists have invented their own touchstone with Ephesians 2:8-9 to test other passages of Scripture in determining whether or not those passages line up with their preconceived doctrine of salvation by faith alone/only. In this spiritual battle for the truth, each side (faith only vs. active obedient faith) holds their view as the Biblical position of salvation, while believing the other is teaching another gospel, that is a false one. We have no problem with that whatsoever, because the absoluteness of truth says there is logically only one truth. It is correct that only one side holds the Biblical position of salvation while the other side does not, or that both sides are wrong and both are teaching another gospel, in other words, a false one. The question is, how do we sort it out? How do we find the Biblical view of salvation? By using one passage of Scripture as our touchstone, or by using all the Word of God (context) before drawing a conclusion as what God’s Word teaches? The honest and rational way is the later.
Calvinists love to cite Web Pages and YouTube videos that support their religious view, but didn’t God say, all men are liars, while only God is true (Rom. 3:4)? Should we not instead be citing the word of God to prove our case and not what other men are teaching? After all, it is the words of God that will be used to judge us all in the end, not my words or yours (John 12:48). Because Calvinists are not taught how to properly argue their case, and choose to use what other men say about their doctrine, it’s hard to take them serious that they say they care about the truth. I would love to have a serious and rational discussion on the subject of salvation, but that is impossible, as long as they constantly refer me to some website, rather than to the Scriptures. An honest discussion should be between two individuals, not an individual and a website. They say they love Christ, but did Christ not love the entire world that He gave Himself for (John 3:16)? So why do these people who say they love Christ, yet will not follow His example and try to save me (Luke 19:10; 1 Pet. 2:21)? That is what I’m trying to do with this series of articles, in hopes of stirring even a slight interest in open and honest dialogue so that we can come to a common understanding on the subject of salvation. After all, that is what Jesus prayed for (John 17:20-21), is it not?
Calvinists are so influenced by their doctrine of original sin that they refuse to see the forest for the trees. Their “welfare salvation” is based upon the false assumption they were born sinners, incapable of doing anything good, including seeking the salvation of their souls. Therefore, they must depend upon God to save them, by becoming dependent upon a skewed view of God’s grace. By ignoring figurative speech, and context, they instead have established one touchstone passage, allowing them to believe God does it all, and there is not one thing they must do to be saved. Thus “welfare salvation” was born. A doctrine whereby God established a program that would distribute aid (salvation) to those disadvantaged by original sin. This program (Calvinism) chose who was disadvantaged and who was not. To receive the benefits of the program, nothing is required of the individual, because God chose them for the program, gave them faith, repentance, and Christ’s righteousness. Then, to cap it all off, once in the program, always in the program. Why would anyone want to give up being part of such a program, where there is not one thing they have to do to acquire a heavenly home?
The problem is, nowhere has God ever established such a program. Not one passage of Scripture can prove the existence of such a program (except taken out of context). Ephesians 2:8-10 has been misinterpreted and not for the better. The way Calvinists interpret it, they blaspheme the Holy Spirit every time they use it to support their error. Anyone believing in the necessity of baptism for salvation is referred to as a “cult,” or “unbelievers.” But enough of the preliminaries, let us now focus on Ephesians 2:8-10 to see whether or not it alone should be our touchstone of truth.
It is stated by the faith only groups that Ephesians 2:8-10 are clearly worded, and unequivocal that salvation is by faith alone. That however, is nothing more than an assumption. The only way to come to such a conclusion is by ignoring the context (immediate and remote) and not setting aside one’s preconceived beliefs. We must always look at a passage as if we are viewing it for the first time and have no idea what it teaches, and know it may require some research to understand the author’s intended teaching. A teaching that harmonizes with other texts the author has written. Assuming that Ephesians 2:8-10 is a faith alone passage, when the word alone/only is not found in the text, is to be dishonest in one’s interpretation. It is also what is called the False Assumption Fallacy. To falsely assume that every time the word faith is found in a passage that it “implies” that such faith is alone or only, when a proper hermeneutic proves otherwise.
To argue that Ephesians 2:8-10 is clearly worded, is an understatement. There are many passages of Scripture that are clearly worded, but men still choose to twist them to their own destruction. Paul is writing to Christians in the city of Ephesus, a city where Paul spent 3 months reasoning through the Scriptures in the synagogue, then another 2 years in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:8-10). In verse 18 of that text, Luke says many that believed came, and confessed and shewed their deeds. The believers did more than trust in Christ, they repented, confessed that Jesus was the Christ and were baptized to have their sins washed away. How do we know that? In the first 7 verses of the chapter Paul met 12 men who had been baptized with John’s baptism. After Paul taught them the truth that John’s was a preparatory baptism, they were baptized in the name (by the authority) of Jesus. Later, when Paul returned to Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem, he met with the elders and reminded them of how he taught both Jews and Gentiles “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (20:21). The word faith in most places is figurative for the entirety of what God requires of all accountable men and women to procure salvation.
We know this to be true, because remitting of past sins is connected to water baptism, as is the need to repent of such sins (Acts 2:38; Luke 13:3). We also know by the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews chapter 11, that we have unequivocal proof that faith has always been an active obedient one. The walls of Jericho did not fall by faith alone, nor was the land of Canaan taken by the Israelites by faith alone. The ark that saved Noah and his family was not built by faith alone, nor did Sarah conceive Isaac by faith alone. All of it was by an active obedient faith, which is the same type of faith God requires today. But to have such a faith, one must discard the false assumption we are born sinners, and that God’s grace ignores the need for all accountable men an women to act upon His prerequisites for procuring salvation. God created this world as a testing ground for eternity. Part of our being tested, is how we react to the trials, temptations, pain and suffering brought about by Satan. Salvation and heaven for all eternity are not granted to us, without our having a part to play. Every accountable human being must first hear the gospel (Rom. 10:17; 2 Thess. 2:14). It is the gospel that gives us faith which is a work required by God (John 6:28-29). Then that faith, must motivate us to repent of all our past sins, then confess that Jesus is the Christ, and finally submit to water baptism, so that God, upon recognizing our active obedient faith, applies the saving blood of Christ to our account, washing away all our past sins, and adding us to the church Jesus established and died for (Luke 13:3; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 22:16; 1 Cor. 15:58; Rev. 2:10). All of that is included in Paul’s statement “for by grace are you saved through faith;” (Eph. 2:8). It is an active obedient faith that requires every step God requires of the faithful. No, it is not of ourselves, salvation is God’s gift to us. He offers us salvation, because His grace has provided the necessary sacrifice to make it possible. But it is only possible when we choose to obey His commandments (John 14:15). Our love for Him, should motivate us to want to obey Him on His terms, not ours.
To argue that Ephesians 2:8 finds Paul teaching the doctrine of faith alone, is to argue that Paul, an inspired apostle, was confused, teaching one thing in one letter and anoth
er in other letters, or that he and James taught different things concerning salvation. Using Ephesians 2:8-9 as a touchstone for every passage that speaks of faith and baptism is not only dishonest but irrational at best. We agree that salvation cannot be earned by our own self-righteous plans, but the necessity of water baptism does not fall into the category, except by dishonestly forcing it there. James 2:24 does not “appear” to say that justification is by faith plus works, James states it as fact. He is not however speaking of works of merit by man’s device. The naysayers of baptism use that idea to cast a negative light on any types of works. Paul speaks against works required by the Law of Moses (Romans; Galatians), while James speaks of works required by God (Jas. 2:24-26). Paul also speaks against works invented by men (Eph. 2:9; Titus 3:5). While at the same time speaking of works required by God (Rom. 1:16-17).
Another dishonest attempt to cast a negative light upon God’s Word, is to argue that even Paul believed baptism unto salvation was not necessary because he said, “I thank God that I baptized none of you” (1 Cor. 1:14). But notice the rest of the verse “Except Crispus and Gaius” and then in verse 16 “and I baptized also the household of Stephanas.” However, they will focus on verse 17 “for Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel.” The context finds Paul immersing in water Crispus, Gaius and the household of Stephanas. So why did Christ not send him to baptize, and why did Paul chose not to obey Jesus by immersing some in Corinth? The fact is he did not. What Paul is saying, is that his primary mission was to preach the gospel, not spend time immersing those wanting to obey the gospel. While he did personally immerse a few, (thereby proving he believed baptism was necessary) that was not his primary focus during his ministry, others could and did perform the immersing while he continued to preach the gospel. The Calvinist argument becomes even more absurd as they argue, “if baptism is necessary for salvation, Paul would literally be saying in these verses, “I am thankful that you were not saved…” and “for Christ did not send me to save…” That would be an unbelievably ridiculous statement for Paul to make.” First of all Paul did not make such a statement, and secondly, it is an unbelievably ridiculous statement made by the Calvinists to use in defense of their error. But they are not through, as they further argue, “Paul gives a detailed outline of what he considers the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1- 8), why does he neglect to mention baptism? If baptism is a requirement for salvation, how could any presentation of the gospel lack a mention of baptism?” WOW! There is no end to the irrational arguments of the Calvinists. To cast such aspersions upon God is beyond belief. I guess they forgot Paul wrote God’s words (inspiration) not his own.
As they contend that the word “alone” is implied by the word “faith” (which there is not one iota of truth in that), we are going to show that baptism is in fact implied in the gospel of 1 Cor. 15:1-4). Obedience to the gospel is a necessity according to Paul and Peter who received God’s words by inspiration. In 2 Thess. 1:7-8 Paul wrote, “…when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Peter said basically the same thing in 1 Peter 4:17. Anyone refusing to the obey the gospel will receive Christ’s vengeance on Judgment Day! So how does one obey the gospel (the death, burial and resurrection of Christ)? Paul reminded the Christians in Rome that they had obeyed from the heart that form, that pattern, of the doctrine which was delivered to them—the gospel (Rom. 6:17). How did they obey that pattern, that form, of the gospel? When they were immersed in water they were baptized into Christ’s death, buried with Him into death, and like He was raised, they also were raised to walk in newness of life (born again) (Rom. 6:3-6; John 3:3-5).
Ephesians 2:8-10 is not a touchstone passage that proves water immersion is not necessary for salvation for the remission of sins. Because no one can be saved by faith alone, anymore than they can be saved by grace alone. When Mark 16:16 states “he that believes and is water immersed, shall be saved” it is dishonest and irrational to argue that because Ephesians 2:8-10 implies faith alone, then it must be faith alone in Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21; John 3:5; Acts 22:16 et al. The grammar of Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38 with the use of the conjunction “any” does not allow a faith alone view; ask any grammar teacher.
The same is true of 1 Peter 3:21, where they say the following, “As with any single verse or passage, we discern what it teaches by first filtering it through what we know the Bible teaches on the subject at hand. In the case of baptism and salvation, the Bible is clear that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of any kind, including baptism (Eph. 2:8-9).” Once again they choose to fall back on their “False Assumption” fallacy to argue against the necessity of water immersion in order to receive remission of sins. Where does the Bible teach that mere faith or trust in Jesus Christ procures the remission of sins? The only way they are able to defend it is by ignoring the grammar of the text, deleting and/or adding words found in the text.
Yes, the Bible is clear, abundantly clear in the case of baptism, grace, and faith concerning our salvation. The Bible teaches against any of these things being alone or only. They would like to ignore the definition of the words “alone/only” because they know it destroys their doctrine. They must pick only one thing “grace” or “faith,” they can’t have both when attaching the word alone or only to it. But then, since they choose to redefine words in the Bible, why not do the same with the dictionary. They choose to mock God by His choice of wording, so why not mock God’s grammar as well? I feel sad for men and women who have allowed themselves to be sucked into the vacuum of Calvinism and are unwilling to work (sorry for using that term) their way out of it in order to find the truth of God’s word. The fact of the matter is, that there is no one touchstone that defines every other passage of Scripture, especially Ephesians 2:8-10.
