The Role of Obedience in Salvation: Understanding Salvation By Grace

1. Saved By Grace But When? Saved By Grace But When? The Role of Obedience in Salvation The Role of Obedience in Salvation

2. Thanks to many Thanks to many Including all my teachers, some of whom are here Mark Wilhelm David Gibson For ideas and thoughts to help this lesson. Including all my teachers, some of whom are here Mark Wilhelm David Gibson For ideas and thoughts to help this lesson.

3. Numerous Passages Teach Salvation By Grace Numerous Passages Teach Salvation By Grace Ephesians 2:8-9 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. boast Paul refers to works that accrue credit or merit to the doer. Ephesians 2:8-9 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. boast Paul refers to works that accrue credit or merit to the doer.

4. Not By Works Not By Works Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteous-ness which we have done, but accord-ing to His mercy He saved us 7 that having been justified by His grace. works of righteousness human deeds will never suffice to save. Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteous-ness which we have done, but accord-ing to His mercy He saved us 7 that having been justified by His grace. works of righteousness human deeds will never suffice to save.

5. ...But Not Without Them Either! ...But Not Without Them Either! James 2:14-24 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?.... 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ... 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. James 2:14-24 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?.... 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ... 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

6. Wrong Kinds of Works Wrong Kinds of Works Works to Earn Salvation Romans 4:1-6 Works of an Obsolete Law Rom 3:21 Works that nullify Christ -- Gal 5:1-4 Works to Earn Salvation Romans 4:1-6 Works of an Obsolete Law Rom 3:21 Works that nullify Christ -- Gal 5:1-4

7. Necessary Works Necessary Works Works that bring faith to life James 2:26 Obedience to the Gospel 2 Thess 1:8 Walking in the Light 1 John 1:7 These are necessary, though not sufficient, to save. Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse the guilt of sin! Works that bring faith to life James 2:26 Obedience to the Gospel 2 Thess 1:8 Walking in the Light 1 John 1:7 These are necessary, though not sufficient, to save. Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse the guilt of sin!

8. Baptism is not a work of merit Baptism is not a work of merit Colossians 2:12-13 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, Colossians 2:12-13 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

9. Baptism is not a work of merit Baptism is not a work of merit Colossians 2:12-13 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God , who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, In baptism you are buried, raised, made alive, and forgiven, by faith in the working of God. Colossians 2:12-13 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God , who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, In baptism you are buried, raised, made alive, and forgiven, by faith in the working of God.

10. Baptism is not a work of merit Baptism is not a work of merit Galatians 3:26-27 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Through baptism we come into Christ, into His body (church), by grace. Galatians 3:26-27 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Through baptism we come into Christ, into His body (church), by grace.

11. Objections to Biblical Baptism Objections to Biblical Baptism Primary logic: This cant be true, so we have to find a reason why. Primary method: eliminate, minimize, or change the meanings of the words used by the Holy Spirit. So how do opponents of the gospel try to do away with the connection between baptism and salvation? Primary logic: This cant be true, so we have to find a reason why. Primary method: eliminate, minimize, or change the meanings of the words used by the Holy Spirit. So how do opponents of the gospel try to do away with the connection between baptism and salvation?

12. #1 It isnt taught that much #1 It isnt taught that much By their count, 7 verses, (.0002% of Bible), even appear to teach that baptism is necessary for salvation. How many does it take? Judgment: I told you seven times! Virgin birth: 3 verses Baptism saves: actually 12 By their count, 7 verses, (.0002% of Bible), even appear to teach that baptism is necessary for salvation. How many does it take? Judgment: I told you seven times! Virgin birth: 3 verses Baptism saves: actually 12

13. #1 It isnt taught that much #1 It isnt taught that much About 40 different verses teach about Christian baptism (excluding Johns) These verses show consistently: A connection with salvation Done when responding to the gospel Because of the power of the cross Assumed universal among Christians. About 40 different verses teach about Christian baptism (excluding Johns) These verses show consistently: A connection with salvation Done when responding to the gospel Because of the power of the cross Assumed universal among Christians.

14. #2 1 Cor 1:17 #2 1 Cor 1:17 1 Cor 1:17 for Christ did not send me to baptize , but to preach the gospel. This refers to the physical act 1 Cor 1:13-16 were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. (see also John 4:1-2) This is an extreme example of a proof text without a context! 1 Cor 1:17 for Christ did not send me to baptize , but to preach the gospel. This refers to the physical act 1 Cor 1:13-16 were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. (see also John 4:1-2) This is an extreme example of a proof text without a context!

15. #3 Mark 16:16 #3 Mark 16:16 Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Their explanation leaves and is baptized meaning nothing. Compare the same wording in: Acts 18:8 And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Their explanation leaves and is baptized meaning nothing. Compare the same wording in: Acts 18:8 And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

16. #3 Mark 16:16 #3 Mark 16:16 Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Their explanation: only the last half matters: It should be noted that in the second half of this verse the only basis for condemnation is a refusal to believe. Therefore the only basis for salvation is belief, not baptism plus belief. Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Their explanation: only the last half matters: It should be noted that in the second half of this verse the only basis for condemnation is a refusal to believe. Therefore the only basis for salvation is belief, not baptism plus belief.

17. #4 Acts 2:38 #4 Acts 2:38 Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins . They contend that for here means pointing into, not in order that. In this they differ with every standard Greek lexicon, and every major committee translation. They have invented a meaning to support their belief. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins . They contend that for here means pointing into, not in order that. In this they differ with every standard Greek lexicon, and every major committee translation. They have invented a meaning to support their belief.

18. #4 Acts 2:38 #4 Acts 2:38 Matthew 26:28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins . Jesus words are the same as those used by Peter. If baptism follows salvation, then so does the shedding of Jesus blood. Matthew 26:28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins . Jesus words are the same as those used by Peter. If baptism follows salvation, then so does the shedding of Jesus blood.

19. #5 1 Peter 3:21 #5 1 Peter 3:21 1 Peter 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves usbaptism. Because the context is about the flood, they say that Noah was saved by staying out of the water. Thus they go from baptism saves us to baptism does not save us. The Spirit said what He meant! 1 Peter 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves usbaptism. Because the context is about the flood, they say that Noah was saved by staying out of the water. Thus they go from baptism saves us to baptism does not save us. The Spirit said what He meant!

20. #6 Acts 22:16 #6 Acts 22:16 Acts 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Their abuse of this verse is appalling. 1. Contend that Saul was already saved because Ananias called him (22:13) Brother. but Paul addressed the crowd in 22:1 the same way. Brother here means fellow Jew. Acts 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Their abuse of this verse is appalling. 1. Contend that Saul was already saved because Ananias called him (22:13) Brother. but Paul addressed the crowd in 22:1 the same way. Brother here means fellow Jew.

21. #6 Acts 22:16 #6 Acts 22:16 Acts 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 2. They give a literal Greek translation that turns arise into having arisen and calling into having called. Grammatically, these are commands, as every translation shows. I hope this is nothing but ignorance. Acts 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 2. They give a literal Greek translation that turns arise into having arisen and calling into having called. Grammatically, these are commands, as every translation shows. I hope this is nothing but ignorance.

22. #6 Acts 22:16 #6 Acts 22:16 Acts 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 3. They misquote from Matthew Henry, adding (not our baptism) to his words. He neither wrote nor believed that baptism was not connected to salvation. They were informed and agreed, but never retracted the words. They did ask the paper to retract a misprint. Acts 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 3. They misquote from Matthew Henry, adding (not our baptism) to his words. He neither wrote nor believed that baptism was not connected to salvation. They were informed and agreed, but never retracted the words. They did ask the paper to retract a misprint.

23. If God wanted to teach baptism was essential, could He If God wanted to teach baptism was essential, could He - put a passage in the Bible that says, baptism saves us? He did 1 Peter 3:21 - make it clear that baptism is the point at which our sins are washed away? He did -- Acts 22:16 - make sure that in every mention of baptism in conversion, baptism is always immediate? He did Acts 2:41, 8:12, 8:36, 9:18, 10:48, 16:15, 16:33, 18:8, 19:5, 22:16, - put a passage in the Bible that says, baptism saves us? He did 1 Peter 3:21 - make it clear that baptism is the point at which our sins are washed away? He did -- Acts 22:16 - make sure that in every mention of baptism in conversion, baptism is always immediate? He did Acts 2:41, 8:12, 8:36, 9:18, 10:48, 16:15, 16:33, 18:8, 19:5, 22:16,

24. If God wanted to teach baptism was essential, could He If God wanted to teach baptism was essential, could He - give an example of someone hearing the gospel and then asking immediately to be baptized? He did Acts 8:36. - Give an example of improper baptism being corrected?. He did -- Acts 19:5. God has spoken it is up to us to listen. - give an example of someone hearing the gospel and then asking immediately to be baptized? He did Acts 8:36. - Give an example of improper baptism being corrected?. He did -- Acts 19:5. God has spoken it is up to us to listen.

25. We are saved We are saved By grace, Through faith, On the basis of the blood of Christ, By the power of His resurrection, When we hear and obey the gospel, Through: belief, confession, repentance, and baptism. By grace, Through faith, On the basis of the blood of Christ, By the power of His resurrection, When we hear and obey the gospel, Through: belief, confession, repentance, and baptism.