JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ONLY

OBJ: Show in what sense it CAN and CANNOT be said that men are justified by faith only and how baptism and obedience fits into that.

That men are justified by faith anyone acquainted with the Bible must admit. But, what of baptism? Does that INCLUDE or EXCLUDE baptism. The religious world is told that to make baptism necessary to justification is to nullify Paul's teaching of justification without works, because baptism is a work.

Paul DOES teach justification by faith "alone" IN A SENSE - but, in WHAT sense? And, where does baptism fit into God's plan? Our study...

"Faith" & "works" in Romans

FAITH	OR	"WORKS" OF LAW
"APART FROM "WORKS"	APART FROM FAITH
Rom. 1:16,17; 4:4-8	Rom 9:30-10:5
Acknowledges his ungodliness;

Needs forgiveness	Gospel of Christ – NO

Anything that makes appeal to the cross or springs from faith in the gospel of Christ is NOT under this column

ONLY TWO CHOICES: Cannot choose both. Must be faith "only," not faith + "works."

Q; WHERE DOES BAPTISM FIT? (Under which column?)

Reasoning:

"Man just. by faith only, therefore bap. excluded." But, missing premise.

Man just. by faith only

To teach bap. a req. for just. is to nullify just. by faith

Therefore, baptism not a requirement for justification.

Mat 28:19	- "make disciples...baptize...in the name of Father, SON, & Holy Spirit"

Mar 16:16	- "believe...baptize...saved"

Act 2:38	- "baptized in the name of Jesus...for rem. of sins"

Act 2:41	- "those who received his word were baptized"

Act 8:12,13	- "believed...baptized"

Act 8:36,37	- "What prevents..baptized? ...If you believe"

Act 10:48	- "baptized in the name of Jesus Christ" Note v 43

Act 16:33,34	- "baptized...having believed"

Act 18:8	- "believed...baptized"

Act 19:5	- "baptized in the name of Lord Jesus"

Act 22:16	- "baptized, wash away sins...calling on his name"

Rom 6:3-4	- "baptized into Christ...into his death"

NOTE: Rom 1:5; 16:26 - "OBEDIENCE OF FAITH"

Common illustration showing fallacy of WRONG CONTRAST ("faith" vs "baptism"): Table with all kinds of meats and vegetables. "Please pass the salt." "Would you like the pepper also?" "No, the salt only." - Want no meat, vegetables?? MUST UNDERSTAND CONTRAST IN WRITER'S MIND.

STILL justified by faith (i.e. after baptism)

Used baptism because it a classic contested point and vital. But it is illustrative of whole subject.

John 3:16; Rom 1:16,17; 3:28; 4:5; 10:4 (All present tense)

Just like Abraham, David, must depend on grace of God in Christ Jesus. Cannot do enough, give enough, sacrifice enough to earn salvation. Such love ought to cause us to "live for Him..." 2Co 5:14.

BUT, it is a faith that works - Jas 2:20-24 Cmpr Rom 4:12, "follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham"

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Those who understand and believe the gospel WILL BE BAPTIZED. Mk 16:15,16. In fact, the problem may not be with understanding, BUT WITH FAITH!

And, those who understand and believe Christ to be their Savior and King, WILL BE OBEYING - serving, growing, worshipping, repenting, confessing, pressing on.

Is your faith "DEAD" or "ALIVE"? THAT will determine whether you can be justified by it.