There are many passages which teach that one must have faith. "...that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16); "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life..." (John 3:36); "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God..." (Rom. 5:1).
Since we have these and many other passages which state the necessity of faith, many have concluded that one can be saved by faith and without baptism. The person who so contends, simply fails to understand the Bible teaching regarding faith. Certainly one cannot be saved by faith alone. "Ye see then how by works a man is justified and not by faith only" (Jas. 2:24). "...faith without works is dead" (Jas. 2:20). Then James 2:19 says "the devils also believed and trembled." Would anyone be willing to say that these devils are saved simply because they believe? We read in John 12:42, "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him." Would anyone be willing to say these rulers were saved even though they would not confess him?
It is obvious that when a passage mentions a condition of salvation, it does not exclude or void other conditions. There can be other conditions necessary, but there can never be LESS than the total that is mentioned. "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness" (Rom. 10:10). Does this verse teach one is saved by faith only? This passage does not mention repentance, but must one repent? “God...commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Is one saved by repentance only? "...and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom.10:10). Is one saved by confession only? Does this passage exclude faith and repentance? "And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:48). Peter said, “...baptism doth also now save us...”(I Pet. 3:21) Are men saved by baptism only? Do these passage exclude faith, repentance and confession?
These points should make clear to us that if only one condition is mentioned in a certain passage it does not exclude all other conditions. But if the faith passages exclude baptism, then repentance passages exclude faith, and the confession passages exclude faith and repentance. The baptism passages therefore would exclude faith, repentance and confession. The New Testament teaches that faith, repentance, confession and baptism are all necessary for one's salvation.
John 3:36, in the American Standard Version, says: "He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life." Romans 1:5 speaks of the "obedience of faith." In Hebrews 5:9 we read, "...he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."
In the great faith chapter, Hebrews 11, the faith discussed, compelled obedience. "By faith" Noah built the ark. "By faith" Abraham obeyed.
There is not any one verse that teaches all one must do in order to be saved. Note a few passages that baptism precedes salvation. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved...”(Mark 16:16); “...Repent and be baptized...for the remission of sins”(Acts 2:38); “...arise, and be baptized. and wash away thy sins...”Acts 22:16. There is not even one verse that teaches that salvation precedes baptism.
Friends, one is justified by faith when this faith compels obedience and not before.
“If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet.4:11).
Don H. Noblin
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