John 3:16-17 Saved by God
Eph. 2:8 Saved by grace
Titus 3:5 Saved by mercy
Matt. 1:21 Saved by Jesus
Rom. 5:29 Saved by the blood of Jesus
2 Thess. 2:13-14 Saved by the Holy Spirit
Question: Will "faith only" save us?
Answer: A number of religious groups teach there is something "only" that saves us. Some will say we are saved by "grace only". Others will say we are saved by "faith only". However, a close examination of the scriptures reveals there are a number of different things that save us.
God's Part. Let's look at some of the scriptures where God plays a part in saving us.
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John 3:16-17 Saved by God |
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Eph. 2:8 Saved by grace |
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Titus 3:5 Saved by mercy |
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Matt. 1:21 Saved by Jesus |
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Rom. 5:29 Saved by the blood of Jesus |
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2 Thess. 2:13-14 Saved by the Holy Spirit |
Gospel's Part. Now, let's look at some of the scriptures where teaching plays a part in our salvation.
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Acts 11:14 Saved by words |
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James 1:21 Saved by the word |
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2 Thess. 2:10 Saved by the truth |
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1 Cor. 15:2 Saved by the gospel if you hold fast |
Man's Part. Now, let's look at some of the scriptures where we each play a part in our salvation.
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John 3:16 Saved by belief |
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Acts 16:31 Saved by faith |
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Rom 8:24 Saved by hope |
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Heb. 5:9 Saved by obedience |
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Mark 16:16 Saved by belief and baptism |
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Rom. 10:9 Saved by belief and confession |
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Luke 13:3 Saved by repentance |
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Acts 2:38 Saved by repentance and baptism |
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Acts 8:36-39 Saved by belief, confession and baptism |
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1 Peter 3:21 Saved by baptism |
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Rom. 10:13 Saved by calling on name of the Lord |
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Titus 3:5 Saved by washing of regeneration |
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John 3:3-5 Saved by being born of water and spirit |
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Matt. 10:22 Saved by enduring to the end |
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Rev. 2:10 Saved by being faithful unto death |
Conclusion. From looking at a cross-section of what the scriptures have to say about salvation, we must conclude there is no single thing that saves us. Certainly God's grace & mercy are extremely important to our salvation along with the gospel message and accepting that message by faith. But acts of obedience also play a role in our salvation (keeping Luke 17:10 in mind). To claim that we are saved by "grace only" and/or by "faith only" is a simplistic and false claim that must be rejected.
