WORKS

Kinds of Works

Works of the flesh - Gal 5:19-21

Our own works - Acts 7:41, 2 Tim 1:9

Works of the law of Moses - Gal 2:16

Works of obedience - Acts 10:34-35, Lk 6:46, Jn 6:29. See "Obedience." See Lk 17:7-10 which proves that Obedience does not equal a works salvation. Rev 14:13, Tit 3:5; Acts 10:34-35; Rom 4:2-4; Jas 2:21-23; Rom 1:16-17; Lk 17:10

Faith is a work – Jn 6:29

Works of the Devil – 1 Jn 3:8

Work out your own Salvation – Phil 2:12; Tit 1:16; 1 Jn 3:10; Rom 8:13, 12:1-2

We will be Judged according to our works – Rev 20:12-13; Jas 1:22, 25

Works of righteousness – Rom 1:16; Tit 3:5; Lk 17:10; Acts 18:34-35

We are saved by works, but not our own – 2 Tim 1:8-11; Eph 2:10

Salvation by Grace excludes Works of boasting, since Belief, Repentance, Confession and Baptism are all Works of the Obedience of Faith (Rom 1:5, 16:26), and yet they are not Works of Merit which result in boasting (Lk 17:10). It follows that they are necessary in order for the sinner to be saved by Grace. Faith is as much a Work as Baptism (Jn 6:28-29). Eph 2:8-9 teaches that everything God does for us is an act of Grace. Everything which we do in Obeying Him is an act of Faith. 2 Cor 10:5

We are saved by works! James 2:24, 26 say that as a fact and remember, the Bible never contradicts itself. Of course not our own works that would earn us salvation however, this speaks of works of obedience. Tit 2:7 also talks about "a pattern of good works." The truth is we must believe and obey. In fact, if one truly believes, he will obey. Where would we be if the Son had not obeyed the Father? To love God means to obey Him (Jn 14:15, Jn 14:23, 1 Jn 2:3-6, 1 Jn 5:3). The scriptures make it clear that only those who obey God receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32). Also, in the book of Matthew, we find that Jesus tells us that we must do God's will in order to be joint "heirs" with Jesus, and to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt 7:21, Matt 12:50). Therefore, we can clearly see that the Bible tells us obedience to God's will is a necessary requirement for salvation. We are saved by grace through faith, but NOT without OBEDIENCE to God's commandments. God's Word gives "salvation THROUGH faith (NOT FAITH ONLY) which is in Christ Jesus." God wants all men to be saved. "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim 2:3-4). However, Jesus said of those who would find the strait gate and narrow way, "Few there be that find it" (Matt 7:14). The salvation God offers is accepted THROUGH obedience. (Heb 5:8-9). This obedience is what Paul speaks of in Romans 1:5: "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for OBEDIENCE to the faith among all nations, for his name." If we are saved before, Repentance - We shall all likewise perish (Luke 13:3), Confession - Christ will deny us before the Father (Matt 10:32-33), Baptism - we have not washed away our sins (Acts 22:16).

Those who abuse Ephesians 2:8-9, making the phrase “not of works” mean any works – any activity, takes the passage out of its biblical context and promotes what Paul condemns. They accuse the Bible of teaching salvation by works when it only teaches God’s plan of salvation, which really declares salvation by grace. Paul says our salvation is by grace through faith. Saving faith requires obedience to every law of God (Jas 2:14-26). We do not obey our own plan of salvation but God’s plan of salvation revealed by His grace. Therefore, there is no boasting. Truth is the word of God understood (Rom 12:2, Eph 5:17). God’s sovereign will says, “I have a plan”. God’s grace is included in that plan.

Ephesians 2:5-9 Colossians 2:11-13

Dead in trespasses(5) Dead in trespasses (13)

Alive together with Christ (5) Alive together with Him (13)

Raised up…with Christ (6) Raised with Him (12)

You have been saved (8) Have forgiven your trespasses (13)

Through faith (8) Through faith (12)

Not of works (9) Made without hands (11)

By grace you have been saved (8) Buried with Him in baptism (12)

By comparing these parallel passages we see that the Apostle Paul, as guided by the Holy Spirit, is not saying in Ephesians 2:5-9 that we are saved only by the grace of God but that through the grace of God He has given us a means by which we can be saved and that involves baptism! We are not saved by “grace only”, “faith only” or “baptism only”, but by complete obedience to the commands of God, which includes being baptized for the washing away of sins as stated in Acts 22:16.

Some say, we are not saved by works, baptism is a work, therefore, baptism is not necessary for salvation. Is this a true statement? Consider this…. If baptism plays no part in salvation because it is a work, then neither can we be saved by faith because faith is

also a work! (Jn 6:29). First, let’s notice that faith requires us to do something.

Romans 1:5 “Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name.”

Romans 16:26 “But now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith.”

Biblical faith requires “obedience” to the will of God!

Galatians 5:6 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.”

1 Thess 1:3 “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father.”

2 Thess 1:11 “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with

power.”

As we see in these verses, “Faith Is A Work!” Therefore, if we say that baptism plays no part in salvation because it is a work, then neither can we be saved by faith because faith is also a work! But what about passages like, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:1-5 and Titus 3:4-5 that seem to say works do not save us? Yet, James 2:14-24 says that we are saved by works! Which is true?

Works of Merit

Works done to earn something.

These people believe they deserve something because of their works – good deeds.

They go to church every Sunday

Give as they should

Take of the Lord’s supper

Give to the poor

Good moral people, don’t cuss, steal, lie, etc.

These are the works spoke of in Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 4:1-5; Titus 3:4-5.

Works of Faith (obedience)

Works done to receive a promise. These people do not think they deserve anything but want to receive what has been promised to them through obedience to God. They understand that their works of faith are simply their duty to obey God. It is only through the grace and mercy of God that these promises are being offered. These are the works spoken of in James 2:14-24

Works of Faith (obedience)

These are the type of works for which God created us and requires each of us, as Christians, to do.

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Hebrews 5:9 “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”

Works of faith (obedience to God) = Eternal Life

Works of Faith (obedience)

God expects us to work and has given us everything we need in order to do good works.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Baptism Requires Faith