Salvation.
The bible makes it clear, that salvation is not, and never was dependant on the works of the law.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Romans 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (justified means to be free from judgment and seen as righteous in the sight of God)
Romans 3:21 “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;”
Romans 3:22 “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:"
This was the message of the Old and New Testament prophets.
Act 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Testimony concerning the Old Testament saints.
Abraham
Romans 4:3 “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
David
Romans 4:6-8 “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,” “Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”
Testimony concerning New Testament saints.
Peter could say - Acts 15:9 “And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” (That is between Jew and Gentile).
Paul could say - Acts 13:38 “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:” Acts 13:39 “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:17 “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
The epistle Of James.
Note – To use this passage to prove works as part of salvation, is to deny the truth of the rest of the bible.
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James 2:14 “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?”
James 2:17 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
This means that when anyone professors to be saved by faith or says he has faith in God, there must be evidence of this. If there is no evidence of the life of faith, then they are not truly saved. (You could say their faith is dead. It is a sham.)
James 2:21 “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” (Abraham’s faith was shown to be true, by his actions.)
Jas 2:22 "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" (perfect means complete.) God's purpose is that faith would characterise our whole life.
Jas 2:23 "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." Jas 2:24 "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (In the context, a person is justified or proven to be righteous, by their works.)
It should be noted in verse 22, that faith produced these works. His faith was shown to be perfect and not lacking in works. This proves that a profession of faith must be real. When one is saved or justified, faith is accompanied by works.
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