Is The “Faith Only” Doctrine Biblical?
Spiritual Questions with Scriptural Answers.
The Bible teaches that salvation comes to those who obey the Lord.
Carefully consider the following passages:
- “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).
- “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
- “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Heb. 5:8–9).
While these passages clearly show the essentiality of responding by faith in obedience, there are many who deny that obedience is even important! Statements are made such as, “You don’t have to do anything to be saved; just believe.”
The problem with that statement is two-fold:
- First, it is not a biblical statement.
- Second, it is a contradiction because believing is doing something!
The Bible teaches that belief is a work.
Did you know that belief is a work?
Some say, “Nobody is saved by works,” yet completely dismiss that there are works involved in man’s salvation, including belief:
- “Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:28–29).
- “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34–35).
In light of Ephesians 2:8–9, it is important to understand that nobody will be saved by works of merit, i.e you cannot earn your salvation, but the very ones to whom Paul wrote had put their faith into action by obeying the Gospel of Christ (Acts 18–19; Eph. 1:7)!
What is biblical belief?
Our question today stems from a misunderstanding of biblical belief. The word “believe,” as it is used in the New Testament, means to hear what God says, trust in what God says, and do what God says!
The word “believe,” as it is used in the given context, is a “synecdoche” which is a figure of speech where a part of the thing is used to represent the whole. For example, a farmer might say he has 100 head of cattle. “Head” is a synecdoche for the whole animal.
When the word “faith” is used in the New Testament, it is utilized in a personal sense (“your faith” (Mark 11:22; Heb. 11:1, 6; 1 John 5:4) but also in reference to the system of faith, i.e the Gospel (“the faith” (Acts 6:7; Rom. 1:5; 16:26; Jude 3).
Putting one’s personal faith into practice is emphasized repeatedly in “Faith’s Hall of Fame” (Heb. 11).
- “By faith, Abel offered…” (Heb. 11:4).
- “By faith, Noah moved…prepared an ark…” (Heb. 11:7).
- “By faith, Abraham obeyed…” (Heb. 11:8).
This pattern is seen throughout the chapter and is consistent with one who has faith in God, thus faith alone (without action) is useless and will not save anyone.
“Faith only” appears one time in the New Testament.
James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote a very logical explanation of what happens when a “faith-alone” doctrine is presented. Consider the text of James 2:14–26.
Can faith without works save a man (Jas. 2:14)? Faith, by itself, if it does not have works, is DEAD (Jas. 2:17, 20, 26)!
The only time we read of “faith only” in the New Testament is in this context, and the phrase is preceded by the word “NOT”: “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (Jas. 2:24).
Belief by itself (“faith alone”) is not sufficient for man’s salvation. Man must respond by faith in obedience to what God has said.
James points out that even demons believe! What is not understood or appreciated by so many is that the demons actually acted on what they believed, i.e “put their faith into action,” in that they “trembled” (Jas. 2:19). So, the demons and those who believe in the “faith only doctrine” both believe, but only one acts!
Dear friends, the “faith only” doctrine is man-made and teaches something that clearly contradicts what Jesus has said (Matt. 15:9; 2 Pet. 3:16).
Why not put what you believe into practice and obey God? Those who fail to do what He says will be punished, yes those who practice and teach others the lie that “salvation comes by faith alone” (2 Thess. 1:7–9).
I lovingly encourage and challenge you to consider the passages that have been presented and “study to show yourself approved unto God” (2 Tim. 2:15).
If you have any questions or would like to study the Bible, please feel free to contact me.
God bless you as you study His Word!
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
