It would be impossible in the course of one sermon to notice all the innovations that have been introduced into the
doctrine of Christ. However, we do want to notice at least two of the most frequently taught. They deal with the
subjects of faith and grace. Namely, is it possible for one to be saved by faith alone, and once an individual is
saved, is it possible for that person to sin and be lost?
First of all, let us look at the subject of faith.
The Necessity of Faith
To begin with, let us prove the necessity of faith, lest someone get the idea that we doubt it. Heb. II :6, "But
without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligent! y seek him." Rom. I: 17, "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith
to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." And finally, 2 Cor. 5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight..."We
can clearly see that faith is a necessary part of our salvation. We cannot question that for a minute. But the question
is, "Can faith alone by itself save a person from sin?" The only way to answer that question is to go to the scriptures
and see if they teach such a doctrine.
Does Faith Alone Save?
It is noteworthy that many leading churches and church creeds teach that faith alone saves. Some even state that
the doctrine of faith only is a wholesome doctrine and full of comfort. But let us see: James 2:24, "Ye see then how
that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only..." The Bible teaches the very opposite, it says we are not
saved by faith only. How then, can man justify his erroneous teachings? Let us see more of the inconsistencies into
which this doctrine leads us. James 2:19, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also
believe, and tremble." Now if one is saved by merely believing, the devils will be saved too. And we know this could
not be. Again we read in J n. I: 11-12, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as
received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name..." The
Bible teaches here that the believer is not a son of God, but merely has the right to become a son of God. If faith
only saved, then the believer would indeed be a child of the Father. But this passage teaches that as a believer he
only has the right or permission to become a child of God if he so chooses or desires. Notice further In. 8:31, "Then
said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him. If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. . ."
Remember these Jews "believed on him." If faith alone saves they are saved, because they believed. However,
verse 44 tell us more, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from
the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of
his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." So we see from this verse that the very Jews that believed on Jesus
were of the devil. Their faith did not save them. Again in In. 12:42-43, "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also
many believed on him: but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the
synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." Here again, we have some people who
believed on the Lord, but for some reason failed to continue their obedience, and as a result were denounced. This
reemphasizes the truth that only believing will not save.
In closing this part of our discussion, I would like for you to read Acts 26:19-29. This is the account of Paul's
sermon before King Agrippa. You will notice that as Paul concludes he asks the following question, "...believest thou
the prophets? I know that thou believest." So there is no doubt that Agrippa is a believer. Now according to some, he
is saved. If faith only saves, he must be because he believes. He doesn't deny it, and Paul affirms it. But let us see
the next verse which is verse 28, "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." So
even though he was a believer, he was not a Christian. He was not saved. Agrippa knew more about salvation than
many modem day preachers. He knew that believing did not save him or make a Christian of him. Wouldn't it be fine
if everyone knew as much?
Grace and Salvation
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God..." Eph. 2:8. TIris
passage from the New Testament proves that we are saved by grace. It does not prove that we are saved by grace
only, but definitely teaches the grace of God plays a role in our salvation. However, we are interested in whether or
not after one is saved, he can ever fall from grace and be lost. Man says, no, he cannot. We offer the following
quote as proof:
"Does a Christian's sins damn his soul? We take the position that a Christian's sins do not damn his soul. The
way a Christian lives, what he says, his character, his conduct, or his attitude toward other people have nothing
whatever to do with the salvation of his soul. All the prayers a man may pray, all the Bible he may read, all the
churches he may belong to, all the services he may attend, all the sermons he may practice, all the debts he may
pay, all the, ordinances he may observe, all the laws he may keep, all the benevolent acts he may perform, will not
make his soul one whit safer; and all the sins he may commit, from idolatry to murder will not make his soul in any
more danger. The way a man lives has nothing whatever to do with the salvation of his soul." The above statement
is by Sam Morris, at the time Pastor of the First Bapti st Church, Stamford, Texas. Surely you can see the
implications of such a doctrine as this.
What Does the Bible Say?
Even though man says no, the Bible says a definite "yes." Man can fall from grace. The doctrine that man cannot
fall is an old one. The devil preached it to mother Eve in the garden of Eden. He said, "Thou shalt not surely die."
She believed him, and the result is still with us today. If the doctrine were true, it would make a fool out of the devil.
For he tries to get Christians to sin, and if it is impossible, what good will it do him, even if he succeeds? Let us
notice the following very carefully:
1. The Bible warns against it. In 1 Cor. 10:12, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
The word of God recognizes the possibility of falling. It even warns against it. Would it not be foolish for the Bible to
warn us of something that is not possible? Surely the Spirit knew what He was doing when He told us to "take heed."
2. A Bible example. In 1 Cor. 10:8 we are given a Bible example of some people who fell from grace. "Neither let us
commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand." A great multitude of
people sinned. They committed an immoral act. The result: they fell. It would probably be extremely difficult for some
of these modem preachers to convince these twenty three thousand of the validity of their doctrine.
3. The Bible says we can. That is right: in plain unmistakable terms. "Christ is become of no effect unto you,
whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." Gal. 5:4. Can anyone deny such plain language
as that? How can a man stand before an audience of intelligent people and tell them they cannot so sin and be lost
because of it, when the Bible says "ye are fallen from grace?"
We believe that above evidence from the Scriptures to be irrefutable. We are not boasting that one can fall from
grace, just recognizing what the Bible says about it. We have no desire to make that mistake ourselves, or to see
others make it. For that reason, we would like to notice the:
Bible Formula of Prevention.
This is found in 2 Pet. 1:5-9,and Jn. 15:5. In that order let us notice them. and beside this, giving all diligence, add
to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to
patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in
you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ." "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:
for without me ye can do nothing." The formula then for remaining faithful is to abide in Christ and add to our lives
those things mentioned by Peter. A failure to do these things leads to falling from Grace, something which the Bible
warns us against. Man says you cannot; the Bible says you can. WHICH WILL YOU BELIEVE?
