There are many who press that we are saved by “faith alone,” yet it is surprising that most of them will not defend such teaching in an open forum. When we look at the Bible’s teaching on salvation, it should be evident that we agree on at least two principles. First, we must accept only what the Bible says on the subject.  Second, we must accept all that the Bible says on the subject.

It is clear that, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). Right away this should dismiss the idea that we are saved by anything “alone” as we clearly are saved by grace through faith. Both, “grace” and “faith” are essential. However, false teachers make a grave mistake in assuming that water baptism in the name of Christ is not “by grace through faith.” They contend that doing such would be adding to Jesus’ work and “earning” salvation. Salvation is a gift, but simply meeting the criteria or conditions to receive salvation does not make one “earn” it. I cannot think of a greater insult to heaven’s delight and pleasure than to suggest that simple humble obedience in baptism, which takes but a finite minute of time, could “earn” the eternal wonder and awe of heaven’s glory and the tremendous and colossal gift of the Christ on the cross!  Further, if any and all works make one “earn” his salvation, then belief (faith) makes one “earn” his salvation because it is as much a work as baptism (see Jn. 6:29; Col. 2:12, 13).

The Ephesians were saved by “grace through faith” only after they believed and were baptized. One can note their historical conversion in Acts 19:5. After the apostle Paul preached Jesus to them, the Bible testifies, “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Baptism in the name of the Lord is and always has been water baptism (see Acts 2:38; 8:12, 15, 36-38; 10:47, 48). We submit that water baptism, when done as prescribed by the New Testament is the meeting place of man’s faith and the gracious death of Jesus, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Rom. 6:3). Baptism is into Christ and into His death. To teach that one can be saved before and without water baptism is to teach that one can be saved outside of Christ and His death!

Let it be evident to the reader, that the Bible does teach that we are neither saved by the works of the Law of Moses (Rom. 7:4-7), nor boastful works (Eph. 2:9); nor works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19, 20). However, do not conclude that we are saved by faith without works. Paul wrote, “For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works. . .” (Eph. 2:10). Also the apostle commended the Thessalonians, “remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. . .” (1 Thess. 1:3). Hope must be patient; love must labor; faith must work. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (Jas. 2:26). To offer to God anything short of a faith that works, is to offer up a dead and defiled, yes, even a foul smelling faith that is just as rotten as a carcass and just as useful as the faith of demons (Jas. 2:19). The faith that saves is the faith that obeys! Do you believe it?