Faith and Works FAQ

• Why don't you teach what the Bible teaches, namely that we are saved by faith alone?
• The Bible doesn't teach baptism is necessary to salvation, does it?
• John 3:16 and/or Ephesians 2:8-9 teach we are saved by faith only.
• The thief on the cross was saved without baptism.
• I have always wanted an authoritative source to explain how a "work," baptism, could save someone, when Ephesians 2:8,9 very clearly states the contrary.
• Are you not teaching salvation by works?
• Aren't you condemning everyone else? Please do not think me critical of your beliefs, but to claim that all Christendom is condemned because they do not believe as you about baptism, is very arrogant, and relegates you to the ranks of Mormons and Roman Catholics.
• You are just saying that if you don't belong to your church, you will not go to heaven. Nowhere do I find a reference to church membership as a criterion for salvation.
• I believe baptism is just a church ordinance.
• Baptism is just the first act of obedience by a SAVED person.
• Baptism is a "confession" and testimony outwardly of what has already taken place inwardly.
• To accuse non-Church of Christ Christians of teaching heresy is, in itself, heretical.
• As to references to faith/believing without baptism, John 3:16, 17 never once mentions baptism, in fact, when speaking of becoming "sons of God," only believing on the name of Jesus is mentioned as a requirement.
• The Philippian jailer was told to believe on the name of Jesus. He was not told to believe AND be baptized.
• John 3:16 says faith only saves.
• I think the Bible teaches that baptism is a work which a person chooses to do of his own free will and volition.
• We can do nothing to earn or merit salvation.
• Can't we just agree to disagree?
• The Bible says God gives us faith. Eph. 2:8-9 states "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."
• I believe anyone who has truly accepted Christ as savior, and not merely repeated meaningless words to get someone off their back, will want to be baptized. But I can find numerous places where faith is mentioned without reference to baptism, just as you can find numerous places where it is linked to baptism.
• I just can't get over thinking that faith is the only thing that saves.
• You believe the water saves instead of Jesus.
• The passages on baptism you quote just speak of Holy Spirit baptism.
• What you are teaching makes me furious/angry/upset and I'm going to email you and let you know about it!
• Do you have anything else to say about a faith only approach?