1. We Cannot Be Saved Without Obeying The Lord By Faith
Are We Saved By Works?
No & Yes!
We Cannot Be Saved Without Obeying The Lord By Faith
How Then Can Baptism Be Essential For Salvation?

2. We Are Not Saved By Works,
Ephesians 2:8,9
Romans 4:2-4
Romans 11:6
Titus 3:3-5
The “law of contradiction,” briefly stated, is this: A thing cannot both be, and not be:
(1) for the same object; (2) at the same time; (3) in the same sense.

3. We Are Not Saved By Works,
“We're not saved by the water. That's not going to save you. "By grace are you saved, through what?" "Faith, that not of yourself, not of works," not of works I have to confess that you can be saved and not be baptized, but you're in a condition of disobedience ”
We're not saved by the water. That's not going to save you. "By grace are you saved, through what?" "Faith, that not of yourself, not of works," not of works. Paul says in I Corinthians 1:14, "I'm glad that I baptized none of you." Now, if that was a saving act, how could he say that? It doesn't save you. You can go through all the water you want and not be saved. And, I have to confess that you can be saved and not be baptized, but you're in a condition of disobedience. Baptism produces nothing but blessing. Nothing but the joy and the reward of obedience. Nothing but the affirmation of God to an obedient child. It doesn't save you, it doesn't make you holier than somebody else. It just brings you the blessing of obedience; that's what it does.

4. We Are Not Saved By Works,
“Baptism produces nothing but blessing. Nothing but the joy and the reward of obedience. Nothing but the affirmation of God to an obedient child. It doesn't save you, it doesn't make you holier than somebody else. It just brings you the blessing of obedience; that's what it does.”
We're not saved by the water. That's not going to save you. "By grace are you saved, through what?" "Faith, that not of yourself, not of works," not of works. Paul says in I Corinthians 1:14, "I'm glad that I baptized none of you." Now, if that was a saving act, how could he say that? It doesn't save you. You can go through all the water you want and not be saved. And, I have to confess that you can be saved and not be baptized, but you're in a condition of disobedience. Baptism produces nothing but blessing. Nothing but the joy and the reward of obedience. Nothing but the affirmation of God to an obedient child. It doesn't save you, it doesn't make you holier than somebody else. It just brings you the blessing of obedience; that's what it does.

5. We Are Not Saved By Works,
Baptism is a work, therefore baptism is not essential for salvation!
The consequence of a faulty premise –
The failure to include, and properly discern, all of the evidence –
The failure to properly apply the correct sense of terms involved.

6. We Are Not Saved By Works,
James 2:14-26
if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? . . .
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead
24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
James 2:14-24 (NKJV) 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

7. The “Law of Contradiction”
Are We Saved By Works?
The “Law of Contradiction”
A thing cannot both be, and not be:
for the same object;
at the same time;
in the same sense.

8. Different Kinds of Works
Works of the Law of Moses (Rom. 3:28; 4; Gal. 2:18)
Works of merit (Rom 11:6; Eph 2:8)
Works of Our Own Righteousness (Tit 3:5)
Works of God (Jn 6:28)
Works of God’s Righteousness (Acts 10:35; 1 John. 2:29; 3:7; 3:10)
Works of Faith (1 Th. 1:3; Ja. 2:14-26)
Good Works (Eph. 2:10; Tit. 3:8-14)
The “law of contradiction,” briefly stated, is this: A thing cannot both be, and not be:
(1) for the same object; (2) at the same time; (3) in the same sense.

9. We Are Not Saved By Works,
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

10. God Not Under Obligation to Man
We Are Not Saved By Works,
Merit – Earned - Value = Price
GRACE
Unmerited Favor –
God Not Under Obligation to Man
Rom 3:24; 4:4,5
Eph. 2:8
Mat 18:23-35
Luke 17:10
God’s Love is unmerited! – John 3:16; Rom 5:8
The means of salvation is unmerited! – Mat 26:28; Rom 5:8-10
All spiritual blessings in Christ are unmerited – Eph. 1:3; John 3:16
God’s grace received conditionally – 2 Cor. 6:1,2
Unmerited Favor –
God Not Under Obligation to Man
Rom 4:4, 5 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. [5] But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
Matthew 18:23-35 (NKJV) Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. [24] And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. [25] But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. [26] The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' [27] Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. [28] But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' [29] So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' [30] And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. [31] So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. [32] Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. [33] Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' [34] And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. [35] So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."
God’s Love is unmerited! –
John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 5:8 (NKJV) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The means of salvation is unmerited! –
Matthew 26:28 (NKJV) For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Romans 5:8-10 (NKJV) [9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. [10] For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
All spiritual blessings in Christ are unmerited – Ep 1:3; John 3:16
Salvation By Grace Through Faith – Value = Price – Unmerited favor

11. We Are Not Saved By Works,
Salvation is a gift of God which no man deserves – Rom 3:23
Salvation is received through the means of our faith – John 8:24; Heb 11:6
Salvation not earned through our own merits – Rom. 11:6
No saved man can boast – Rom. 4:2
For by grace (tēi gar chariti). Explanatory reason. "By the grace" already mentioned in Ephes. 2:5 and so with the article.
Through faith (dia pisteōs). This phrase he adds in repeating what he said in Ephes. 2:5 to make it plainer. "Grace" is God's part, "faith" ours.
And that (kai touto). Neuter, not feminine tautē, and so refers not to pistis (feminine) or to charis (feminine also), but to the act of being saved by grace conditioned on faith on our part. Paul shows that salvation does not have its source (ex humōn, out of you) in men, but from God. Besides, it is God's gift (dōron) and not the result of our work.
— Word Pictures in the New Testament
(A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, p. 525).

12. We Are Not Saved By Works,
Noah saved by grace through faith – Gen. 6:8; Heb 11:7
Walls of Jericho fell by grace through faith – Joshua 6:2,15,16,20; Heb 11:30
Naaman healed by grace through faith – 2 Kings 5:1-19; Lk 4:27
Obedience by faith does not nullify God’s grace!
For by grace (tēi gar chariti). Explanatory reason. "By the grace" already mentioned in Ephes. 2:5 and so with the article.
Through faith (dia pisteōs). This phrase he adds in repeating what he said in Ephes. 2:5 to make it plainer. "Grace" is God's part, "faith" ours.
And that (kai touto). Neuter, not feminine tautē, and so refers not to pistis (feminine) or to charis (feminine also), but to the act of being saved by grace conditioned on faith on our part. Paul shows that salvation does not have its source (ex humōn, out of you) in men, but from God. Besides, it is God's gift (dōron) and not the result of our work.
— Word Pictures in the New Testament
(A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, p. 525).

13. We Are Not Saved By Works,
Titus 3:3-5 (NKJV) 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
When a sinner does what God commands him to do – he is saved by grace through faith and that not of himself!!
What does every sinner deserve?

14. We Are Not Saved By Works,
God, in His kindness, love and mercy, has provided salvation for us through CHRIST!
God’s provision of salvation was NOT due to “works of righteousness which we have done” – Tit. 3:3; Rom. 5:6-8
God saves through the means of Baptism and His Spirit - Col 2:11-13
kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

15. We Are Not Saved By Works,
The
Conditions of
Salvation
Provision
Basis of
God's Universal Kindness, Love &
Mercy.
The Gracious
Gift of God’s Son & The Gospel
Keys to Understanding the Issue
Faith – Repentance – Confession – Baptism - Faithfulness

16. We Are Not Saved By Works,
Romans 4:1-8 (NKJV) 1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
Abraham was not righteous because he had never sinned
Abraham was a sinner counted as righteous through his faith

17. We Are Not Saved By Works,
Romans 4:1-8 (NKJV) 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin."
The Law justified ONLY the sinless – Gal 3:10-12
God justifies the sinner by grace through faith – Rom 4:12

18. We Are Not Saved By Works,
Sense of the term “works” defined in context –
Contrast of systems – (3:27,28)
By grace through faith – not merited due to perfect Law keeping – (4:4; 9:32; 11:6; cf. Gal. 3:10-12)
Obedience stressed by Paul in Romans – (Rom. 1:5; 4:12; 6:16-18; 16:26)

19. We Are Not Saved By Works,
Salvation is either merited or it is unmerited – It can’t be both!
Forgiveness is unmerited through Jesus Christ when we by faith obey Him – Heb. 5:8.9; Act 2:38
Romans 11:6 (NKJV) 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
The Gospel is NOT a system based on MERIT – but forgiveness through Jesus Christ when we by faith obey Him –

20. The Faith That Saves Is A Faith That Obeys!
We ARE Saved By Works,
James 2:14-26 (NKJV) 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
The Faith That Saves Is A Faith That Obeys!

21. Faith that does not obey is worthless! Demons Believe But Do Not Obey!
We ARE Saved By Works,
James 2:14-26 (NKJV) 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!
Faith that does not obey is worthless!
Demons Believe But Do Not Obey!

22. What kind of faith did Abraham have? Rom 4:12
We ARE Saved By Works,
Genesis 22:16-19
Before God!!
James 2:14-26 (NKJV) 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
What kind of faith did Abraham have? Rom 4:12

23. The Faith That Saves Is The Faith That Obeys!
We ARE Saved By Works,
Genesis 15:6
Before God!!
James 2:14-26 (NKJV) 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
The Faith That Saves Is The Faith That Obeys!

24. Rahab justified by faith
We ARE Saved By Works,
Hebrews 11:31
Rahab justified by faith
James 2:14-26 (NKJV) 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

25. We ARE Saved By Works, James 2:14 (NKJV)
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

26. Comparing Romans 4 & James 2
“WORKS used in two different senses or else a contradiction!
We Are NOT Saved By Works,
We Are Saved By Works,
Romans 4:1-6
Justified
Counted for righteousness
Fulfilled Genesis 15:6
Strong
Not of works
James 2:21-24
Justified
Counted for righteousness
Fulfilled Genesis 15:6
Perfect
By works
Comparing Romans 4 & James 2

27. Are We Saved By Works? Salvation God's Universal Kindness, Love &
The
Basis of
(Not of
WORKS)
God's Universal Kindness, Love &
Mercy.
The Gracious
Gift of God’s Son & The Gospel
The
Conditions
(WORKS) of
The
Provision of
(Not of
WORKS)
Keys to Understanding the Issue
Salvation
Faith – Repentance – Confession – Baptism - Faithfulness

28. We Are Saved By Works,
If We Are Using The Term Works In The Sense of Obeying The Lord By Faith!
Conversions in Acts
Believed
Repented
Confessed
Baptized
Pentecost – Acts 2:14-41
37,38
38,41
Samaria – Acts 8:5-13 12
12,13
Eunuch – Acts 8:35-39
36,37 37 38
Saul – Acts 9,22,26
22:16
Cornelius Acts 10:34-48 43 48
Lydia – Acts 16:13-15 14 15
Jailor – Acts 16:30-34 31 33
Corinthians Acts 18:8 8
Ephesians - Acts 19:3-5 5

30. We Are Not Saved By Works,
Charts by Don McClain
Prepared February 3-5, Preached February 6, 2011
West 65th Street church of Christ
P.O. Box
Little Rock AR 72219
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