By What does Salvation Come?

This paper answers questions such as:

• Does salvation really come by faith 'alone' as some churches teach?

• What were the real 'works' Paul referred to that didn't save us?

• What is the 'big picture' regarding salvation?

Faith....'Alone?'

Scriptures teach that 'Faith' is much more than declaring 'Jesus is your Lord and Savior.' 

While it is the important first step, even evil spirits 'have faith' that Jesus is the savior.  (James 2:19)

Some Christians today equate "faith" with a "decision for Christ."  Faith is not a major decision that happens once or twice or a few times in a person's life: Faith is a way of life that opens the gate (albeit narrow) to salvation.

A majority of Christians are snagged by a single concept.  The have been taught that salvation comes simply, completely, and wholly by faith (i.e. belief)  'alone.'  After all, the King James bible says:

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Furthermore, the Inspired Version adds the word 'alone' to the text:

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith alone without the deeds of the law.

This scripture gives pause to ponder 'is faith the only element necessary for salvation?'

Of historical interest:  The word 'alone' was not in the original Greek translation of Romans 3:28.  The world grasped this concept four centuries ago as it was inserted by Martin Luther to his German translation of the Bible in 1528.

Luther's main complaint was that Catholicsm ardently taught that salvation required works in addition to the atonement.  Was Romans 3:28 speaking against this concept?  Luther seemed to think so...but was this what the scripture was really teaching?

In spite of Luther's insertion of his own words into God's scripture,  Luther even defended his adding the word 'alone' as follows:

"...You tell me what a great fuss the Papists are making because the word 'alone' is not in the text of Paul. If your Papist makes such an unnecessary row about the word 'alone,' say right out to him: -- 'Dr. Martin Luther will have it so,' and say: -- 'Papists and asses are one and the same thing.' I will have it so, and I order it to be so, and my will is reason enough. I know very well that the word 'alone' is not in the Latin and Greek text, and it was not necessary for the Papists to teach me that. It is true, those letters are not in it, which letters the jackasses look at, as a cow stares at a new gate.... It ['alone'] shall remain in my New Testament, and if all the Popish donkeys were to get mad and beside themselves, they will not get it out" (words of Martin Luther)

Rebuilding a Lost Faith, By John L. Stoddard, p. 88.

The actual original Greek Text read as follows:

(For comments on why Joseph Smith added the word 'alone' in the Inspired Version passage of Romans 3:28, click here).

Furthermore, Luther continued to attack any New Testament writings that mentioned 'works' along with Salvation.  For instance, he called the Book of James "the epistle of Straw...;" in addition, he was totally willing to remove the books of Jude, Hebrews and Revelation from the bible, because he believed they added 'works' to 'grace,' and therefore could not be the true word of God (or so Luther thought).

Luther wanted to believe (and reform the world into understanding) that salvation through Jesus Christ was accomplished in and only by possessing the element of faith in Jesus.

Back to Romans 3:28

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith (alone) without the deeds of the law.

Was this passage saying 'salvation comes by faith (i.e. belief) alone?

The worlds' rendering of Romans 3:28 implies that salvation comes to man by simply believing in Christ.  Notice, however, does the text contain the word 'salvation?'  No.  Rather it uses the word 'justification.'  

What is justification?  Justification is the process of being made spiritually righteous. Paul' s point (and Joseph Smith's as well) was that becoming spiritually righteous can happen only through faith alone in Jesus--nothing else can bring about the perfection process in mankind.  The problem, in Paul's day, was that spiritual righteousness was still being sought for though faith in the Mosaic acts, not faith in Christ's command.

Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident; for, The just shall live by faith.

Again, not faith as a spiritual element in itself, but faith purely and wholly directed toward Jesus, and Jesus alone, brings one to spiritual perfection.

What was this 'Law' under discussion?

It helps, firstly, to examine some original definitions.  Definition of the word "Law" as found nearly entirely in the books of Galations, Hebrews, Romans:

Greek "nomos," which came from the Greek word "nemos" which meant to mete out (food) bit by bit, as to grazing animals or livestock.  According to Strong's "Nomos" referred to 'the Law', the Hebrew Torah, specifically the 'Law of Moses!'

So, what was the real point that Paul was making in Romans 3:28?  If was not that 'salvation came solely by faith as in the act of believing, but rather that spiritual righteousness came by faith alone in Christ (i.e. the object of the faith), and not faith in the Mosaic Law. 

The biggest news of the 1st century was that the Mosaic Law was fulfilled and done with--Christ's death on the cross ended it.  (See Handouts on Law of Moses and Bible, Law of Moses and Book of Mormon, Did Paul really Keep the Law as a Christian)

As Christians, our first objective in studying New Testament writings must be to differentiate between Paul's discussion of the passing of the Mosaic Law, versus the works required by Christ of Christians.

To prove that Paul wasn't minimizing at all minimizing the requirement for obedience by works in response to Christ's gospel, Paul, goes on in the next chapter to write:

Romans 4:16 Therefore ye are justified of faith and works, through grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; ...

What?  Paul writing that being 'justified' (to be made spiritually righteous) comes by faith AND works?  Yes!

Other scriptures further drive this point home, but it becomes obvious that Paul never intended what modern Christianity has dubbed an entire religion of being 'saved by Grace' alone.  Of course salvation is only possible because of the atonement of Jesus Christ, but believing in that alone is not the only requisite for salvation.

What does it mean to be saved 'by Grace...'

Why all this talk about Grace and works?  The old covenant, the Mosaic Law, had just been abolished and the Jews were blindsided by this--many just couldn't believe that this law was done.  Christ's sacrifice ended all animal sacrifices, sundry laws of Moses, etc.  This doesn't mean that people didn't have to obey exactly Jesus laws, but that the old law was done.  The foundation of salvation was and can only ever be Jesus' sacrifice--this is the synonym for 'Grace.'  But while he offers this freely, we are obligated to respond as Christ wishes in order for salvation to be securely ours--these are our 'works.'

So what was Paul saying?  He was telling people that they weren't saved because of the sacrifice of a lamb, but because of the sacrifice of the 'Lamb of God'--Jesus.  So, he put it in terms the people of the day understood very well.  He said, you're not saved by 

• 'works'
• 'works of the law'
• 'the law'
• 'the law of works'

All these descriptions (above) were synonymous for the Mosaic Law, and used interchangeably throughout the New Testament.  The Mosaic law was the 'martial law' of sacrifices, washings, temple rituals, dietary laws, etc., imposed over Israel for 1500 years, prophesied to be abolished in Jesus death.  The entire purpose of the Mosaic Law was to do one thing:  point to the death of Jesus as the ultimate and only real sacrifice for sin--it was an entire type and shadow.

But the Mosaic Law was not to last forever--in fact it was supposed to, and did, end with Jesus death on the cross.  Therefore, Paul expends much energy writing and preaching on this theme--he had to settle the issue to Jews who had been keeping the Mosaic Law, assuming it brought salvation.  They got so caught up in 'The Law,' they lost the whole point regarding what it meant.

Are you 'Saved'....?

Most evangelical Christians use the word "saved" to mean that they have applied what Paul declared in:

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

But, by reading the text in context, we find that Paul makes this assertion because there were, once again, followers confused that the Law of Moses was now fulfilled.  Paul was in the act of saying:

Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law (i.e. Law of Moses) for righteousness to everyone that believeth.

10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

(Here is the comparison of faith in the Law to faith in Jesus)

10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is to bring Christ down from above;)

10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

The point is that it was not a mere verbal confession that secured salvation--he was merely contrasting that with a profession of the (former) profession of faith in the Mosaic Law.

Paul was contradicting old notions, instead teaching that salvation came by Christ, to which the entire law was designed to point.  (See Handouts on Law of Moses and Bible, Law of Moses and Book of Mormon, Did Paul really Keep the Law as a Christian?)

"Deeds of the Law" were referencing deeds required by the law of Moses (i.e. blood sacrifices, burnt offerings, etc.) , and not the requirements of God for works by men in the flesh. Again, references to "the Law" were usually references to the "Law of Moses." After all, the previous 1500 years had been spent under the Law of Moses. Most people knew the phrase "the Law" just as American citizens today might refer to the Constitution of the United States of America as simply "the Constitution."

So, what's OUR problem?...

Simply put, we modern Christians ASSUME we know what Paul was talking about.  We have confused his discussion of 'works' required by the law of Moses, thinking it means 'I don't have TO DO anything' in order that salvation may occur.  

Do we have specific things required by us for salvation?  ABSOLUTELY YES!  Faith, repentance, baptism, receipt of the Holy Ghost, enduring to the end in keeping Christ's commandments...(see Two Minute Plan of Salvation).  Modernists MISTAKENLY reject these, saying they are 'works,' totally missing the essence of the subject Paul was discussing.  Paul was implying NOTHING about our response to salvation defined by Jesus; he was implying everything about the Mosaic covenant which had been done away.  The straight and narrow gate required by Jesus is full of works, required by God, for which we'll be judged.

So what has happened...

Countless Christian churches profess to be 'bringing people to Jesus' and yet never begin to teach people how to obey the fullness of the gospel, rejecting the very words of Jesus as 'works' which somehow don't fit in.

How cunning the plan of the evil one.  By far, the first, the absolute FIRST message taught by well intended Christians is '...there's nothing you have to do to be saved, just say you believe in Jesus....anything else is a work, and the scriptures say we're saved by Grace and not works...'

Before any doctrine is established, this is the first, and sometimes ONLY message some Christians ever hear, and some Christian churches ever teach. 

It's like in Christopher Columbus' day, the FIRST premise upon which all oceanic navigation rested was what everyone knew:  the world was FLAT!  It was, wasn't it?  After all, it had been taught that way for years, and if you looked around, it sure seemed flat because of our vantage point.  So compasses still pointed to a polar north; the sun rose in the east and set opposite; winds were generally westerly, students were schooled in these fundamental priciples...all these were true principles, but the European world was locked in a geographical prison because of the faultiness of the original premise--the assumption that the world was flat prevented humans discovery of the richness and bounty of the world.

Christopher challenged that fundamental premise.  And he never fell off the world.  Instead, he found the vast beauty of what had been preserved by God.

Many Christians are locked in a prison--a prison of knowledge.  By starting their walk with the Lord on the faulty premise that 'there is nothing I have to do....just believe...,' they will never find the richness of God's spiritual bounty.  God's desire is that in coming to Him, he bestows the gifts of the Holy Ghost, and the signs will follow those that truly believe (believe means 'to do.')  The generic Christian world loves to sing God's praises, expound on his power, magnify His majesty...in the long gone days of the Bible. But when it comes to seeing God move in power, not even moving a mountain, but healing a sick person, sending an angel, etc., they caution the 'believers' not to get their hopes up, because God probably won't do anything.  The true God is one who probably will.  If we have to console ourselves by continually saying 'it's not God's will....he did His work of miracles back then, He doesn't anymore...'  that's a huge red flag that something is wrong with the believer, not God.

People who have come in at 'the Gate' abound with testimonies of God's huge and supernatural intervention in their lives in miracles, prosperity, healing, prophecy, and truth--in this day and age, not only ages past.  The signs truly do follow those who believe.

For years, a false and uninformed attack against the Book of Mormon has been made by modern Christians, purporting that the Book of Revelation's warning about not adding to or taking from the words applies to the Book of Mormon.  Ironically it is the modern Christians who teach salvation by faith alone, with out the requirements professed by Jesus himself, who are indeed violating Revelation's warning.  These are they who 'take from' and 'add to' God's word (i.e. baptism is just an outward act, not a requirement, and many others...).

Saved by Grace means....

What then is the definition of Grace?  Grace means that salvation was made possible by God's choice to take upon himself flesh (Mosiah 8:28-31), hence called the 'Son of Man,' and choose to die so salvation could come to His creation.  God became subject to the flesh to break the bands of death on humanity.  He didn't have to do it.  That was the grace.

Grace does not mean that one is saved simply by God's choice.  We have to respond and obey the gospel for grace (i.e. Jesus death) to have any affect.  Anything less than this is the notion of man. 

The vast majority of Paul's writings merely mentioning the word 'grace' couple it with a discussion of 'the law' or 'works of the law.'  Once again, this was simply a comparison of the New Covenant to the abolished Mosaic covenant:

Romans 4:16 Therefore ye are justified of faith and works, through grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to them only who are of the law, but to them also who are of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace; otherwise work is no more work.

What was Paul saying (above)? Essentially:  "...if you chose the Mosaic law, you haven't chosen Christ."  It's Mosaic vs. Christ, but it's not faith in Christ verses Jesus' baptism, repentance, etc...  Paul makes several comparisons, especially Romans 7, where he compares it to a marriage:  when the Law of Moses was alive, the Israelites were 'married' to it--when it died, they were remarried to another--Jesus laws.  But the simple fact remains, they can't be married to both at the same time.  This was the point Paul was making by comparing grace (i.e. Jesus Law) to works (i.e. Moses Law).

A glaring example of this is manifest in the naming of the two parts of the Bible:  The Old Testament, and The New Testament.  Did you know that 'Testament' means 'Covenant' in Hebrew and Greek?  Therefore, the Bible's very name connotes the portion lived under the Old covenant and the New covenant.  

Again, this was big news in Paul's day.  It's big news in our day.

By the way, the Book of Mormon most beautifully explained it:

2 Nephi 11:44 For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

11:45 And notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled; for, for this end was the law given;

11:46 Wherefore, the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ, because of our faith; (Nephi's words were written 600 B.C., while the Law of Moses was still in effect.)

So, By What Are We Saved?...

So, salvation, or returning to God, only became possible because of Jesus death on the cross.  This is the foundation of salvation.  Without it, faith, repentance, baptism, etc., would be meaningless.  But what are some of the requirements of the narrow way?  What did other biblical writers say we are 'saved by?'

First, definitions help. 

Redemption is "to return to a person a possession that once belonged to him."  (i.e. we were already in the presence of God once, and he desires us to return there.  This word 'redemption', by the way, by definition proves what some Christians are taught to doubt, that we had pre-existence prior to this life.  Redemption means to have again what we already had.)

Saved: Greek "sode'-zo" meaning: to deliver or protect; heal, preserve, do well, be made whole.  Hebrew "yaw-shah' " meaning: to be safe; to cause to be free or succor; to defend, preserve, avenge, deliver, help; to get victory; to bring salvation.

Therefore, do other scriptures deal with 'attributes' of being 'saved?'  Yes!  Many scriptures add qualities necessary for salvation (See also Two Minute Plan of Salvation):

Perhaps by this time, some are echoing scripture, asking this question:

Mark 10:25 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

The scripture references cited previously paint a much bigger and accurate picture of salvation than the narrow and misunderstood view of 'faith alone'.  These qualities all reflect the true response Christians should have in this life, for it is by these that we will be judged.  In other words, if we truly came in at the gate to Jesus, these are the fruit of the spirit we should bear--and will be judged by--at that judgment day.  He will judge whether we were hopeful, trusting, merciful, loving, valiant,  upright, broken and contrite, believing, acting, responding, enduring, etc.  This is what it means to be judged by our works.  Salvation comes down to not belief alone, but obedience:

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

The real promise of salvation comes to those who live a life of faith, live a life of repentance, have made a true covenant with the Heavenly Father, and overcome:

Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Main Points to Remember:

1.  Faith 'Alone' was man's addition to scripture implying only 'believing' was essential for salvation; the real point was that 'Faith Alone' IN JESUS  brought about the process of becoming spiritually righteous, or 'justified.'  Faith in any other object would bring no righteousness nor salvation.

2.  The 'works of the Law' were references to the Mosiac Law, which was finished when Christ died on the cross.

3.  Jesus laid out the plan of salvation with clear requirements of faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring in Christ's commandments to the end of this life.  Anything more or less is the notion of man.

4.  Mankind will be judged by their works--whether we were obedient to God or not.  We are called to overcome.