Eph 2:8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
I do believe that by the grace of God I have been saved, through faith. And this faith does not come from me but from God.
By grace you have been saved. Grace is a gift, not something earned. The gift comes from God.
The verse is talking about the works of the law of Moses. That is why the chapter talks about the barrier of hostility between the circumcised and the circumcision in verses 11-18.
Verse 8 explains that it is not by works of the law alone that you are saved. If it were by works of the law alone, then you would boast that it was from your own power that you were saved.
If it is not by works alone, does it mean you are saved by grace alone? No. Does it mean you are saved by faith alone? No.
Does the verse say you are saved by grace alone? No. The entire bible does not say you are saved by "grace alone."
Does it say you are saved by faith alone? No. The entire bible does not say you are saved by "faith alone."
The bible mentions "faith alone" only once --- for the purpose of explaining that faith alone will not save you:
You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. (James 2:24)Romans 12:3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you
Acts 3:16By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
Romans 12:3 does not say we are saved by grace alone; it does not say were are saved by faith alone.
It's saying that you should not think too highly of your own role in the church. If your role is to serve, just serve in faith; do not teach scripture if you do not have the role of a teacher.
Acts 3:16 does not say we are saved by faith alone.
Acts 3:16 is about physical healing, not about eternal salvation. The lame beggar was asking for money, not salvation. It was not the faith of the lame beggar that healed him, it was the faith of Peter and John. The lame beggar did not yet have faith. All he was interested in at the time was alms, not spiritual salvation.
As Paul testified, that faith is in Christ Jesus.
1 tim 1:13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
It does not say "grace alone;" it does not say "faith alone."
Paul did a lot of work as the apostle to the Gentiles.
Paul did not stop with faith alone.
==================================
Can that faith sufficient enough for salvation? Yes, because those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham. And that by that faith we are justified.
Gal 3:8Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”d9So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Galatians 3 explains that salvation used to be available only to the Jews, but is now extended to all. It used to be available only to the bloodline of Abraham. Now, those who have faith in Jesus Christ are considered children of Abraham spiritually, even if they are not literal descendants of Abraham.
Note that when Paul mentions "works" here, he means the "works of the Law of Moses:"
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. (Gal. 3:1-9)If you rely on faith, you will be blessed. It means salvation will also be available to you, just as it was available to the Jews.
Abraham was credited with righteousness, even if the law did not yet exist during his time. It means faith is the one that is important, not the law of Moses. That is why the Gentiles received the Spirit by faith and not because of their works of law of Moses.
Therefore, it is a contrast between the works of the law of Moses and faith. It is faith that is required, not the works of the law of Moses. But it is not a negation of good works; it is merely a negation of the works of the law of Moses.
It does not say that all you need is "faith alone" without good works, and you are guaranteed salvation.
On the contrary, the bible says Abraham was considered righteous not by "faith alone," but by faith + works:
21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. (James 2:21-24)Here's what the bible does say about good works:
6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. (Rom. 2:6-7)Does it say God will give eternal life according to our "faith alone"? That those who by persistence in having "faith alone" will be given eternal life?
===================================
Romans 12
..in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you..
So the boundaries of such action is in accordance with the faith that God has given.
You're out of context.
The verse is explaining that each has a different role to play in the church. The early Christians were warned --- Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Some are given the role of a teacher, but not all can be teachers.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Rom. 12:3-8)Is it talking about salvation? No. Is it saying "faith alone" without good works? No.
On the contrary, it's talking about good works in the church, and that each has his own function in the totality of the good works of the "one body with many members."
What about James 2?
James 2:17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James 2:20You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is uselessd ? 21Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
The faith that cometh from God is always accompanied by action. Your action validates your faith or the evidence of your faith.
James 2
...his faith was made complete by what he did. ...
Instead of contradicting my position, you're actually supporting it.
Faith is dead if not accompanied by works. Abraham's faith and actions were working together. Faith is made complete by action. Therefore, it's faith + works.
It cannot be faith alone.
The devil believes in God. Is the devil saved?
19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (James 2:19)==================================
"
Faith alone" vs. "
faith + works" --- which is correct? James explains:
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:14-26) Your action validates your faith or the evidence of your faith.
Thanks for agreeing with me.
