Some in the church have a denominational view of Ephesians 2:8-9. This writer does not question their sincerity, but their understanding and knowledge. A clear statement of their position is, “We do not contribute one whit to our salvation” (Rubel Shelly, quoted in Yokefellow, vol. 18, no. 4, p. 3). They take the phrase, “not of works” (Ephesians 2:9) as the main emphasis that destroys any other understanding of the passage. Salvation comes, they teach, by grace only. If “we do not contribute one whit to our salvation,” then there is nothing for man to do. He is entirely passive in the salvation process, and God is the sole actor. If anyone is saved, it is the independent act of God. If anyone is lost, it is God’s fault and He alone is to blame.
In the Scriptures, grace is referred to in past tense. Titus 2:11 KJV says, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Grace “happened” for all men. The grace referred to by Paul in this passage is not something that comes to each saved man as the future unfolds, but it is some past favor. The apostle points back to the cross when the Lamb of God died for the sins of the world. If there is nothing for man to do, then salvation is universal, because Jesus died for all (John 3:16-17; Romans 5:6-21).
Notice again in Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved….” This blends with the revealed expression of divine sovereignty. God creates a plan. He created a process of salvation. Grace reveals the plan to all men to either receive or reject through faith (Romans 10:17; Acts 28:23-24). The phrase, “obedience of faith” (Romans 16:26) assumes a sovereign God. He established a plan and determined that those submitting to the plan receive salvation. It is certain that if God has a plan, He follows that plan.
God’s plan of salvation affirms the free will of man. God does not ban free will. He grants it! The plan of salvation demonstrates that those who follow the plan “shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Man cannot compel God to save him. Salvation is “not of works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:9). The plan comes from God’s will and not by man’s works which he devises. Paul did not want men to think they had done some “great thing” by which they forced God to save them. Salvation is by grace (the plan made known – Titus 2:11-12). It is also by submission to God. Elsewhere Paul calls it “obedience of faith” (Romans 16:26). The saved man does not boast (Ephesians 2:9) but willingly submits to God’s plan of salvation by grace through faith (Romans 10:16-17).
Those who abuse Ephesians 2:8-9, making the phrase “not of works” mean any works – any activity, takes the passage out of its biblical context and promotes what Paul condemns. They accuse the Bible of teaching salvation by works when it only teaches God’s plan of salvation, which really declares salvation by grace. Paul says our salvation is by "grace through faith." Saving faith requires obedience to every law of God (James 2:14-26).
Dear reader, we do not obey our own plan of salvation but God’s plan of salvation revealed by His grace. Therefore, there is no boasting. Truth is the word of God understood (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:17). God’s sovereign will says, “I have a plan” — and God’s grace is included in that plan.
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
In the Scriptures, grace is referred to in past tense. Titus 2:11 KJV says, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Grace “happened” for all men. The grace referred to by Paul in this passage is not something that comes to each saved man as the future unfolds, but it is some past favor. The apostle points back to the cross when the Lamb of God died for the sins of the world. If there is nothing for man to do, then salvation is universal, because Jesus died for all (John 3:16-17; Romans 5:6-21).
God’s plan of salvation affirms the free will of man. God does not ban free will. He grants it! The plan of salvation demonstrates that those who follow the plan “shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Man cannot compel God to save him. Salvation is “not of works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:9). The plan comes from God’s will and not by man’s works which he devises. Paul did not want men to think they had done some “great thing” by which they forced God to save them. Salvation is by grace (the plan made known – Titus 2:11-12). It is also by submission to God. Elsewhere Paul calls it “obedience of faith” (Romans 16:26). The saved man does not boast (Ephesians 2:9) but willingly submits to God’s plan of salvation by grace through faith (Romans 10:16-17).
Those who abuse Ephesians 2:8-9, making the phrase “not of works” mean any works – any activity, takes the passage out of its biblical context and promotes what Paul condemns. They accuse the Bible of teaching salvation by works when it only teaches God’s plan of salvation, which really declares salvation by grace. Paul says our salvation is by "grace through faith." Saving faith requires obedience to every law of God (James 2:14-26).
Dear reader, we do not obey our own plan of salvation but God’s plan of salvation revealed by His grace. Therefore, there is no boasting. Truth is the word of God understood (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:17). God’s sovereign will says, “I have a plan” — and God’s grace is included in that plan.
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
NAAMAN AND FAITH ONLY BELIEVERS BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteHave you ever noticed the parallels between Naaman's cure of his leprosy and faith only believers doctrine of forgiveness of sin?
Naaman wanted his leprosy washed away, but he did not want to follow the plan of God's man, the prophet Elisa.
Faith only believers want to have sins washed away, but they do not want to follow the plan of the man Jesus selected to implement that plan, the apostle Peter.
2 Kings 5:10-11 Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean. 11 But Naaman was furious and went away and said, "Behold, I thought, 'He will surely come to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper'
Naaman thought calling on the name of the Lord and waving of Elisha's hand would cure his leprosy. Naaman did not want to get wet. Naaman did not want to baptize himself seven times. Naaman thought "faith only" would cure his leprosy.
Acts 2:37-38....what shall we do?" 38 Peter said to them, "Repent and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Faith only believers do not want to get wet. They do not want to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. They want to call on the name of the Lord and say the "Sinner's Prayer."
Naaman's servant convinced him to follow Elisha's plan.
2 Kings 5:14 So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean.
Naaman's leprosy was not removed by faith only. Naaman's leprosy was removed and his flesh was restored only after he baptized himself seven times in the Jordan. Naaman did not sprinkle himself seven times in the Jordan . Naaman did not pour himself seven times in the Jordan. Naaman dipped (baptized) himself in the Jordan seven times. Naaman had faith in the God of the prophet Elisha, however, obedience was required in order to have his leprosy cured.
UNDER THE NEW COVENANT faith is essential in order to have sins forgiven, however, obedience in water baptism is also required in order to have sins forgiven.
NAAMAN HAD A DIFFERENT VIEW OF HIS LEPROSY CURE; THAN FAITH ONLY BELIEVERS DO OF THEIR BAPTISM.
Naaman did not say dipping in water had absolutely nothing to do with his being cleansed of leprosy.
Naaman did not proclaim that his leprosy was cleansed the minute he believed God had the power to cure his leprosy.
Naaman did not assert that dipping in the Jordan was an outward sign of his cure that had taken place before he entered the water.
Naaman did not say he baptized himself because his leprosy had already been cured.
Naaman did tell others that he baptized himself because Elisha command it, and it was just an act of obedience.
Naaman did not proclaim that his leprosy was cured by faith only.
Naaman did not say dipping in the Jordan was "a work of righteousness" and works cannot wash away leprosy.
Naaman failed to assert that baptizing himself was a testimony of his faith, but was not essential to having his leprosy cured.
QUESTION: Can "faith only" believers reject what God's man, the apostle Peter, said about repentance and water baptism and
have their sins forgiven? (Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21)
THERE IS NO VERSE OF SCRIPTURE THAT STATES, THAT MEN ARE SAVED BY "FAITH ONLY."
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