Saved By Faith, But Not By Faith Only (False Doctrines)

The false teaching of men – the error they teach – has terrible consequences

Mt. 24:24 – Error deceives For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

1 Cor. 1:10 – Error divides Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

2 Pet. 3:16-17 – Error condemns As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction…

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

2 Th. 2:12 “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (KJV) “That they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (NKJV)

“that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (ASV) Damned – condemned - judged

“Those the apostle is describing in the context did not have a desire to know the truth; they did not love it and would not believe it. There, they would be condemned.” Bob Winton

Mt. 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?...

and in thy name have cast out devils and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

One must believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, in order to be saved from his sins

Jn. 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.

Jn. 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Mk. 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

I. How Can One Believe? Some say that faith is a gift of God which is put in the sinner’s heart by a miracle (Irresistible grace) What does the Bible Say?

Rom. 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Rom. 10:13-14 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

It is necessary for the gospel of Christ to be preached so that sinners can believe and be saved Where the gospel has not gone, people have not heard, and no one is saved

Lk. 24:46-47 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

II. What does it mean to believe? Many teach that one is saved by faith alone without any further acts of obedience

“Justification includes pardon of sin, and the gift of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done,

But solely through faith in Christ…” … But solely through faith in Christ…” …..” baptism is not essential to salvation..” (The Standard Manual for Baptist churches, pp. 64,62)

What does the Bible say?

Mk. 2:1-5 And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them…

And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay…

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Js. 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Js. 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Js. 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

III. The Conversion of the Jailer Those who teach sinners are saved by faith only often use this account of conversion to prove their teaching

Acts 16:16-40

A summary of how the Philippian jailer & his family were saved 1. He asked, “What must I do?” 2. He was told to, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” 3. Paul and Silas preached the word to him and his family so they could believe

4. He washed their stripes – this shows he had repented 5. He and his family were baptized He obviously thought baptism was important

Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

Acts 16:34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

Gal. 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Have you been saved from your sins? If not, you can be saved today!