Saved By Grace Through Faith

Eph 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Throughout the Past Century, Apostolic Soteriology has been challenged and come against. Many have challenged the Acts 2:38 model of salvation as not really being the biblical plan of salvation (of course this is a summary of what they do by challenging baptismal regeneration and non-acceptance of the baptism of the holy spirit as a definite experience which tongues is the official evidence of) and claim that the Apostolic model of salvation cannot be biblical because it downplays the doctrine of justification by faith which many throughout Church history have died defending.


I was recently listening to a debate Dr. David K. Bernard participated in. He is president of Urshan Graduate School of Theology and one of the primer Apostolic Theologians alive today. In this debate Dr. Bernard was strong in his stance that we are saved by grace through faith which is demonstrated by Repentance,Water baptism in Jesus Name and the Infilling of the Holy Spirit (evidenced by speaking with tongues). What I was impressed with was Dr. Bernard's emphasis on our salvation by grace through faith. I have in recent times adopted this approach and strongly argue the first part as necessary for the latter. While many believe you must have either or I would argue that both come together to give the true apostolic definition of salvation.

The Example of Noah

Many people are of the belief that Noah was saved because he was somehow morally better than other people of his day. Many bible story books set up the story this way. A Mark Driscoll clip on youtube caused me to abandon this false perspective of the story. He said that he was reading his children this story and one pointed out that the story neglected to mention the real reason for Noah's salvation:

Gen 6:5-8 NKJV
5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the Lord said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

This is the real reason why Noah was spared from the flood. Although I am focusing on Noah I must take time to note that everyone one in the Old Testament who is noted as Hero of Faith or saw salvation of some time always experience it by grace through faith:

• Abraham was an Idol worshiper - His dad made them
• Moses was a murderer
• David seemed to enjoy chasing skirts and killing people who got in his way

When I look at this trend I have no difficulty saying that Noah was saved by grace through faith.

What Is The Grace of God?

A common definition for grace is "The unmerited favor of God". The Nelson's Bible Dictionary says the following: The grace of God was supremely revealed and given in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus was not only the beneficiary of God's grace (Luke 2:40), but He was also its very embodiment (John 1:14), bringing it to mankind for salvation (Titus 2:11). By His death and resurrection, Jesus restored the broken fellowship between God and His people, both Jew and Gentile. The only way of salvation for any person is "through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 15:11).

A true definition of grace is an understanding that man is a sinner and unable to save himself. It is only this thing called the grace of God which is able to save us. God looks at helpless man and provides him with a way of salvation.

• For Noah the grace of God was seen when God told him that a flood would come and gave him the plans for the ark so he could be saved.
• For Abraham it was God speaking to this idolater and telling him to leave his country and father's household and go to a place God would show him.
  
• For us it is the Gospel of 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures, he was buried and he rose the third day according to the scriptures.

The Human Element of Faith

Man people seem to teach that man is saved by the grace of God only. They seem to neglect that Paul says we are saved by grace through faith. This faith is man's part in the salvation process (Calvinists will argue that salvation is the work of God alone but the scripture speaks differently).

Paul does say that salvation is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast. How can man not boast if he plays a part in his salvation? Simple. Because he knows that salvation is a gift from God which he only receives by this thing called faith. While he plays a part he understands that without God his act of faith is useless and he does not even have anything to have faith in.

Faith Without Works is Dead

James 2:14-23
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

This scripture is very difficult to come to grips with especially in light of Eph 2:8-9. It seems almost contradictory. James 2:23 has inspired the now popular Israel Houghton song "Friend of God" but also parallels Romans 4 where Paul argues Justification by Faith alone. James does not contradict any of this: He clarifies it all by making everyone aware of the fact that faith is more than mental action.

It would be ridiculous for us to believe that men thought the bible pleased God simply by saying "I believe you God" their belief had to have action to back it up. Many use the chair example for this - If you believe the chair will hold you up you don't have faith until you sit in it. Of course James uses the example of speaking comforting words without actually giving a helping hand as a lack of faith and Abraham's proof of faith by choosing to sacrifice Issac

Peter's Argument for Water Baptism

In Peter's first letter he does an excellent Job of defending the necessity of water baptism which he presented in Acts 2:38. He does this by using the Noah argument which I have been using. I have already said that is was firstly the grace of God that saved Noah and that this was through Noah's faith which was demonstrated by him obeying the command of God.

1 Peter 3:18-22 ESV

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

I can think of no better way of presenting the truth of the Gospel than Peter did. He speaks of the Gospel (Christ dying for our sins) And uses the story of Noah showing that the grace of God was extend to all (some may argue this point but I stand ready to be corrected) by his patience waiting for them but only eight were saved because they had the faith in God's grace that provided an ark. Baptism which corresponds to all of this by being a means by which we show our faith in the grace of God being extended to all now saves us, not by removing dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience.

Final Thoughts

Apostolic Christians should not be afraid to boldly hammer the truth that reformers died for: Salvation is by grace through faith alone. We understand that our faith is demonstrated by our obedience to the word of God. Baptism in Jesus name is just as much a work as confessing Jesus with the mouth.

In order to have salvation by grace through faith alone we must first work hard to present first the Grace of God which has been extended through man by the Gospel of the Death of Jesus for our sins, his burial and his resurrection on the third day.and then present the message of faith by obedience to the plan of salvation in Acts 2:38. This folks is exactly what Peter did on the day of Pentecost and it repeats itself throughout the book of Acts.

D.C. Lake

Lessons From Reformed Guys

As stated in my last blog post, I am not reformed in theology. I am Arminian and not Calvinist. I am more specifically apostolic and believe Calvinist doctrine is false doctrine and error however in recent times I have been listening to quite a bit of reformed guys. The top of the list would be John Piper who some guy jokingly said must be a distant cousin of Jesus but it also includes people like CJ Mahaney, Mark Driscoll, and John MacArthur. While I do have major doctrinal differences with these men I must admit that I have learnt a few things from them thus far from them.

1. Stay In The Bible

One thing I've noticed is that these guys take the words "Preach the word" literally. This really hits home when you see guys like Mark Driscoll who is a young pastor not following the trend to preach on some popular theme in today's culture but doing a biblical exposition of a scriptural passage. This especially re-enforces the fact that biblical is still relevant. It re-enforces the fact that the bible must be our final answer for all of our doctrine.

I remember hearing Mark Driscoll saying that when he asked his pastor what books he thought were good for him to read and his pastor took up the bible and asked if he had read it. His response was that he had read a bit of it but he wanted to know if there were any other books he should read. His pastor's response was that he should not think of reading anything until he had really gotten acquainted with his bible. Old school? Maybe but it will surely keep you on course.

I also remembering Dr. Piper in a Q & A session saying that he did not have a TV. He did not condemn those who did but said he did not have time for one and his most striking reason was that he would not have enough time to read his bible. He claims that even without him he still doesn't seem to have enough time to read. It must be noted that this man puts much emphasis on the word of God; reading it, studying it and memorizing it. This is a must for Christian living because the word of God is the sword of the spirit.

2. Doctrine Does Matter

Many in today's world argue for the ecumenicalism of the Christian Community. It is said that doctrine divides and God really wants unity and we should lay aside doctrinal preaching in favor of stuff that tells us how to handle our problems better. Reformed guys stand opposed to this and are committed to doctrinal preaching. What is even more interesting is that there churches are growing even with their emphasis on their doctrine which is supposed to divide and be irrelevant.


I believe apostolics can learn something from this. Our doctrine is important and must be proclaimed, we cannot run the risk of blurring lines and not being distinctive in our doctrine. In our ranks Bishop Paul D. Mooney, Assistant General Superintendent of the UPCI is famous for the statement: "You can't have a revival without doctrine." While we do not have to be mean or offensive in our presentation we must remain focussed on the truth of God's word and contend for doctrinal purity.


3. Focus On Jesus

It is really amazing that a trinitarian. Mark Driscoll has caused me, a Oneness Apostolic to love and appreciate Jesus more and more. One thing I must note about this pastor is the number of times he says Jesus in his preaching, not God ( Which is so abstract and non-specific) but the name Jesus. There is something so Christian about focusing on Jesus. It is something I notice they try to do and it has challenged me to do the same. It just seems that all their preaching is somehow focussed on Jesus. In reflection I have to admit that it seems allot of my preaching does not do that - I preach about living right, getting a blessing and other stuff but I am not sure how Christ centered it all is.

In one of his messages Driscoll also made public his anger over a group of Christian Churches having a rabbi speak and reveal to them the "secrets of the Old Testament". His anger was because the secret of the Old Testament is Jesus and this rabbi does not believe that Jesus is the Christ. Hebrews 12 tells us that we are not only to lay aside the weight and sin that besets us but we are also to run with patience, looking onto Jesus. It is interesting that when I read the book of Acts every time I see anyone preaching they were preaching only one thing : Jesus. It may be that is a reason for many of the miracles performed for them, when Jesus is preached in his glory and power everything we need will follow. In his name is authority and power and everything we need is gained through that name.

4. Preach The Gospel

Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 makes clear what the Gospel is: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, he was buried, and he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures. It is interesting that most ever preacher claims to be a preacher of the Gospel but few ever really preach the Gospel outside of the Easter season. I believe that the Gospel message of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection must be central to our Christian message because it is the only reason why we are saved.

Reformed preachers are becoming allot more palletable for me than allot of charismatic preaching which focuses mainly on prosperity and money. At the 2008 General Conference of the United Pentecostal Church, Bishop James Kilgore preached on the cross and challenged young preachers to preach on the cross, the name and the cross and he would guarantee a revival. I have taken up that challenge and since then allot of my preaching has been more Gospel centered and I definately have seen the effects, if not just on the live of those I preach too but mainly upon myself.

One of the major distinctive doctrines of pentecostal theology is divine healing which is so clearly tied to the Gospel in Isiah's prophecy of the suffering savior. It therefore can not be separated from the the message of the cross. It is also a liberating thing to know the great truth that Jesus Paid it all.

These 4 lessons have helped me, I believe to be a better Christian and a better preacher and I pray that they bless you:

1. Stay In the Bible
2. Doctrine Does Matter
3. Focus on Jesus
4. Preach The Gospel

D.C. Lake