Faith Only

Faith only?

Many groups believe it is adding stuff to the bible when you say you need more than Faith to be Saved. Is it adding stuff when you look at what the new testament time folks asked believers to do and you ask the same thing of believers today?

As I read the new testament I come a way with an understanding the EVERY new testament believer was a baptized believer (Starting at Pentecost). I also see other things being asked of the believers before they were considered to be “of the way” or Christians, things like HEAR, FAITH (BELIEVE), REPENTANCE, CONFESSION, along with BAPTISM. All these things were asked of people before they were considered followers of Christ.

Yes I believe we are saved only by the grace of God, but I believe we must accept that grace and what that looks like is where we get hung up. Here are some words from GOD that might help.

Jesus said in Mark 16:16 (NIV)
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 2:37-39 (NIV)
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)
9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Acts 22:16 (NIV)
16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'

Romans 6:2-4 (NIV)
2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

1 Peter 3:20-22 (NIV)
20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Acts 2:21 (NIV)
21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Matthew 7:21 (NIV)
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

So What Should we do?

Matthew 28 19-20 (NIV)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”