Sermon Audio Archive

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

"SALVATION: BY GRACE ALONE THROUGH FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE"

Jarrod Jacobs

I recently saw a sign with the above inscription on it. As I considered the thought stated on the sign, I noticed a few things wrong with that sentiment on the sign.

The sign which said "Salvation: By Grace Alone Through Faith Alone In Christ Alone" is ......

1) Grammatically Incorrect:

1. To have one thing "alone" is to exclude everything else.

2. Ex: A gardener who plants sweet corn "alone" does not plant beans and carrots ALSO!

3. To have salvation in something (Grace, Faith, Christ) "alone" would exclude everything else.

   1. So, if salvation is by grace ALONE, then why did they speak of "faith" and "Christ"?

   2. If one is saved by faith ALONE, then how can one speak of "grace" or "Christ"?

   3. If it is in Christ ALONE that they have salvation, then where is there room for "grace" or "faith"?

4. If one wishes to say that all three are necessary for salvation, then none of these are ALONE!

5. Thus the reason why I say that this sign was grammatically incorrect!

2) Biblically Incorrect:

1. The Bible does not teach what that sign taught. And, interestingly enough, Scripture was missing from that sign, as well!

2. Does Ephesians 2:8 teach this? - No! It does not say anything about salvation in one thing "alone." The only time we read about "faith only" is in James 2:24! There James said that man is NOT saved by "faith only"!

3. Nothing "alone" saves anyone!

4. It is said that Noah "found grace in the eyes of the Lord" (Gen. 6:8). Yet, is was not grace "alone", for Hebrews 11:7 tells us he lived "by faith," "moved with fear," and "prepared an ark"! Here was a man who did something! Yes, God's grace was abundant toward Noah, but not grace "alone!" Nor, was it faith "alone," for Noah was busy in obeying God's command to "make thee an ark of gopher wood" (Gen. 6:14).

3) Illogical:

1. If one is saved by "grace alone," how can he also be saved "faith alone"? If it is only one thing "alone" which saves us, then what of: Luke 13:3? Romans 8:24? I Peter 3:21? Etc.

2. If we are saved by "Christ alone," then what about the Father, and the Holy Spirit? (I Timothy 2:3-4; Titus 1:3, 2:10, 3:4; Jude 25)

   1. But, if "Christ alone" INCLUDES the Father and the Holy Spirit, then can "faith alone" INCLUDE repentance and baptism? If not, why not?

Conclusion

To say one is saved by grace through faith in Christ is a true statement, and this is what I believe and teach (Eph. 1:3, 2:8; Gal. 3:26-27; etc.). Yet, to say that one is saved by grace ALONE through faith ALONE in Christ ALONE is a false doctrine! If you find a religious group teaching false doctrine on their sign, how can you trust them to teach you the truth inside their building???

Back to Bible Basics