Faith is a Condition of Salvation

The text  of Mark 16:15-16 begins, “He that believeth....” Of this believer, our Lord concludes, “shall be saved.” The essential nature of belief for salvation is obvious in the closing words of the verse, “but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). One of the conditions upon which salvation depends, according to this verse, is faith (belief).

This is a point upon which almost all are agreed throughout the religious world. The New Testament makes it clear that God requires faith, on the part of the sinner, for his salvation. For example, we are told, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

The entire eleventh chapter of Hebrews shows the important role of faith in the lives of those pleasing to God, even in the days of the Old Testament. But, the faith described in that chapter is not faith alone; it is faith that responds in obedience to God. Even here, in verse 6, we have action inferred by the references to coming to God and seeking Him. It is that kind of faith (active, obedient) that justifies (Romans 5:1). Bear in mind that this faith comes from hearing God’s Word (10:17). As noted earlier, in the verse preceding our text, Jesus commissioned the preaching of the Gospel. That is the God-given way for people to hear the Gospel. “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (I Corinthians 1:21).

We will soon note in Mark 16:16, faith is not the only condition of salvation according to the Gospel. James’ words are emphatic on the connection between faith and action. “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (Jam. 2:24). This, by the way, is the only Biblical reference to faith only. It is significant that James tells us that justification (another word for salvation) is NOT by faith only in spite of the very popular denominational teaching to the contrary.

James then concludes his discussion of faith and works with these words, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (2:26). It could not be any clearer! The faith that saves involves more than mental assent; faith must act to save.

There are even New Testament examples of some who believed, but were not saved. Consider those among the chief rulers: “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43).

Consider the devils (demons, ASV): “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19). Felix believed and “trembled” at the preaching of Paul (Acts 24:25). King Agrippa also believed according to Paul’s own appraisal, “I know that thou believest” (26:27). It is, therefore, clear that man is not and cannot be saved by faith alone; nevertheless, faith is absolutely essential to salvation.

Obedience is also necessary for salvation. Referring to Jesus, the writer of Hebrews notes, “And having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9). According to this, Jesus is the “author of eternal salvation” to “all them that obey him.” Add to this the statement of Peter, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently” (I Peter 1:22). Souls are purified (i.e. cleansed, forgiven of sins, etc.) by “obedience to the truth.”

According to the context of Mark 16:16, that which is to be believed is the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. The historical facts of the Gospel are the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (I Corinthians 15:1-4). Paul wrote that the resurrection was the powerful proof that Jesus was the Son of God, “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Hence, Jesus insisted, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). Our sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), and thereby cause us to be in need of salvation. If sin remains unforgiven in our lives, we will be lost! Therefore, part of the Gospel which must be believed in order to be saved is that Jesus is God’s Son. Recall that when Philip had preached Jesus to the Eunuch on the road between Jerusalem and Gaza and when the eunuch desired baptism, Philip said, “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest” (Acts 8:37). The Ethiopian then properly confessed his faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God (cf. Matthew 10:32), and was baptized. Paul commented on faith and confession in Romans 10. He wrote, “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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Rom. 10:9-10).

Infants And Others Exempt From The Requirements Of This Verse

The necessity of belief to be saved rules out infants and the mentally deficient. Babies cannot believe, nor can those who lack the mental capabilities to learn and make rational decisions for themselves. These are not candidates for baptism since they are incapable of belief which is prerequisite to baptism.

Indeed, these individuals are not in need of salvation for they are safe. The Bible refutes the claim of Calvinism of “inherited total depravity”—that babies are born sinners of the worst sort! Children are born innocent and those who do not mentally progress to the point of making rational decisions based on information given remain in that innocent condition. We are told that we are responsible for our own sins, and not for the sins of our ancestors, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him (Ezekiel 18:20).           

Jesus further told us that in order to be saved, we must become like little children, “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

So, we must conclude that children should not be baptized because they cannot be believers, and that children are not in need of salvation until they become sinners.

Lester Kamp

A Fifty-year-old Decision

"People do not accidentally attend worship without missing one worship service for twenty years.  They must have planned always to attend.  Soon after I obeyed the gospel in the fall of 1909, I read of an old brother who had not missed going to worship a single Sunday in 41 years.  That story caused me to resolve and to purpose in my heart that I would never miss the worship on a single Lord's Day as long as I lived, if possible to attend.  I have missed four Sundays in over fifty years, and then it was because of illness.

Once I made that decision, the question has not come up as to whether I would attend church services or not.  In fact, I did not decide last Lord's Day to go to worship, nor the Sunday before.  That decision was made more than fifty years ago. 

“It is a sin for any member of the church to miss the worship unless he is unable to attend.  The very nature of our religion is such that those who feel this is a burden need to be converted."

 Gus Nichols

“When Your Hands Are Tied”

One of the most difficult, perplexing, and heartrending situations is when one must sit back and watch others make decisions the results of which will create more problems than the decision-makers ever thought. In fact, what compounds the problem is when one knows that those making the decisions think that their choice is the solution to a legitimate problem or problems. 

There is a further compounding of the problem when the decision-makers have been taught correctly and yet to no benefit concerning the decisions they make. In circumstances of this nature, some persons are moved to ask, what can we do to help the situation? The answer many times is: At this point there is nothing anyone can do that has not been done. 

To volunteer information to those who could have asked such of you but did not is folly. Under such circumstances people simply open themselves up to all manner of unwarranted charges and accusations. People need to learn where their responsibility begins and ends in trying to help others. Thus, under such circumstances and insofar as being able to help, honest folks must finally conclude that their hands are tied. 

God’s hands were tied regarding Adam and Eve’s decision to sin. God had informed them as to what was right and wrong and told them of the consequences if they chose to sin. Their choice and its blessings or consequences was theirs alone to make (Genesis 3). Such has been the case with God and man to the present and will continue for all time. What else could or can God do? (Romans 1:21-32; 3:23; Revelation 22:17). 

Parent’s hands are tied regarding their children’s decisions. Besides setting a Christian example before their children, godly parents have the responsibility of teaching, training, and disciplining them (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6). Some children, while still in the home, will appreciate none of this and decide to go their own way. In such situations when all is said and done if children are rebellious enough, there comes the time when there is nothing that parents can do to change the rebellious child. Remember, after others have done all that they can do, change is effected by the person who needs to change (Joshua 24:15; Acts 2:40; 8:22; II Peter 3:9; Revelation 2:5). 

As a faithful member of the Lord’s church many times one’s hands are tied regarding the various decisions other church members make insofar as changing said members (II Timothy 4:10; Revelation 2:21-25). Even when such decisions will have a detrimental impact on the whole church, there comes the time when the faithful child of God must conclude that at least at this juncture there is nothing else that can be done to alter the matter (Hosea 4:17; III John 9); especially is this true regarding false teachers. Some brethren just will not be warned. 

Finally, when all is said and done, the faithful children of God can and must act to protect themselves and other faithful brethren from the consequences of wrong decisions made by others (Joshua 9:1-21). What else could or can a faithful child of God do? “I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contraryto the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). 

David P. Brown

Let the Chips Fall

A famous frontiersman of long ago said, “Be sure you’re right, then go ahead.” Every congregation is involved in decisions that concern its work and worship. Decisions made in haste—rashly, without consideration—can result in harm to the precious body of our Lord.

We must all carefully examine every action in which we plan to engage. God gave us a brain and a Bible—both must be used. Paul wrote, “Prove all things; hold that which is good” (I Thessalonians 5:21). By the pen of the same inspired writer, the Holy Spirit clearly set forth that all we do in Christian work, worship, and conduct is to be done by Divine authority (Colossians 3:17). But even where the Lord has commanded, there sometimes exists indecision, even stagnation. Right decisions can be squelched because of fear of fallout! Proper action by the church can be deterred because some are afraid of possible results. Good, wholesome spiritual growth in a congregation is stunted by being overly worried about how some will react.

For example, let us say that a congregation is selecting teachers for Bible classes. One indicating a desire to teach is not faithful in her Christian duty and conduct. The elders or men of the congregation discuss the matter, the facts are ascertained, and it is documented that this sister forsakes the assemblies and frequents the community dance floor. She would not be allowed to teach except for the fact that her immediate and extended family make up 18 of the 75 members in the congregation, and give almost $300 of the weekly contribution. What should be done? The answer is obvious to the Bible student.

What is done in some congregations? Sister “unfaithful” is given a Bible class to teach. Preaching brethren can succumb to fear of where the “chips may fall.” When the sermon really needs to be preached, but is withheld for fear of temper tantrums in the pews, then the church is weakened.

The pulpit becomes impotent when it no longer rings with the Word “in season, out of season” (I Timothy 4:2). The preaching that folks like is not always what they need. Paul “shrank not from declaring…anything that was profitable” to the Ephesian brethren (Acts 20:20). The fearless preacher stated: “Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). It is not enough for a preacher to say, “I do not preach any error.” The question is, will you preach the whole counsel of God? Will you stand where valiant men of old stood to fight every false way, without fear or partiality?

Elders can let intimidation from cliques influence their decisions as well. How many preachers have been hushed or fired to keep smiles on the faces of ungodly, weak, and rebellious members? How much good work has been halted because of objections from an extra noisy, grouchy, bitter, “squeaking wheel”? How many times does the projected contribution figure dip when the church needs to take disciplinary action against a wayward church member?

Remember, it does not hurt an apple tree for bad apples to fall off. The sooner we realize that a congregation can grow spiritually when declining numerically, the stronger the church will be! Some brothers and sisters strengthen the church by their presence and some by their departure. That may not be “politically correct” in our day of compromise and acceptance, but it surely is Biblical (I Corinthians 11:19).

When we let fear of where the “chips may fall” influence our decisions, we are surely headed down a dark road toward candlestick removal. When we do things God’s way—the right way—we enjoy the blessings and approval of Heaven. Let us study our Bibles, be sure our course of action is right, then follow it boldly and confidently. Our God who spoke the world into existence is certainly able to take care of a few falling chips.

Lynn Parker