Is believing/faith a work ?

[Brightfame52]

Paul must have taught false doctrine. He taught man has to take action to be saved.
Ro 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Philippian jailer.
Ac 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

It is not a work to receive God's offer of salvation. Work is going about to establish righteousness apart from God.
Romans 10:1 ¶ Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Context is a pesky necessity when it comes to properly dividing the word of God.

The action was to believe to be saved, not to get saved. Believing is the action of one who is already in a saved state. If a person beiieved it shows they were already alive spiritually, otherwise a spiritually dead lost person couldnt believe.

 

[John Mullally]

The action was to believe to be saved, not to get saved. Believing is the action of one who is already in a saved state. If a person beiieved it shows they were already alive spiritually, otherwise a spiritually dead lost person couldnt believe.

Beliieve the Gospel! Acts 2 was the first time the Gospel message was preached after the resurrection. The apostles did not recceive the Holy Spirit until after the resurrection (John 20:22). Here, Peter promised salvation (remission of sins and shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit) to those who willingly repented and were baptized. If those who responded already received the gift of the Holy Spirit (thouigh a prior spontaneous secret ceremony, strictly taught by Calvinsts), it would be a lie for Peter to promise it.

Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them​

The call in Acts 2:38-39 is not restricted to the elect, as God commands all to repent (Acts 17:30).

 

[Brightfame52]

Many tell us that in order to get saved you must accept Christ, now understand, if we call ourselves accepting Christ to get saved, that would be a work, since its an action we do. The word for work ergon:

1. an act, deed, thing done: the idea of working is emphasised in opp. to that which is less than work

So accepting Christ is an act on our part. But the scripture teaches Salvation without works See Eph 2:8-9; 2 Tim 1:9

Yes, if we must perform any act to get, or keep salvation, its no longer salvation by grace, but of works.

 

[Brightfame52]

Beliieve the Gospel! Acts 2 was the first time the Gospel message was preached after the resurrection. The apostles did not recceive the Holy Spirit until after the resurrection (John 20:22). Here, Peter promised salvation (remission of sins and shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit) to those who willingly repented and were baptized. If those who responded already received the gift of the Holy Spirit (thouigh a prior spontaneous secret ceremony, strictly taught by Calvinsts), it would be a lie for Peter to promise it.

Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them​

The call in Acts 2:38-39 is not restricted to the elect, as God commands all to repent (Acts 17:30).

This is advocating salvation by works.

 

[John Mullally]

Beliieve the Gospel! Acts 2 was the first time the Gospel message was preached after the resurrection. The apostles did not recceive the Holy Spirit until after the resurrection (John 20:22). Here, Peter promised salvation (remission of sins and shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit) to those who willingly repented and were baptized. If those who responded already received the gift of the Holy Spirit (thouigh a prior spontaneous secret ceremony, strictly taught by Calvinsts), it would be a lie for Peter to promise it.

Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them​

The call in Acts 2:38-39 is not restricted to the elect, as God commands all to repent (Acts 17:30).

This is advocating salvation by works.

If that is so, then Peter advocated salvation by works in Acts 2:36-41. Ever considered that your view of works is off? Believe the Gospel!

 

[Gr8Grace]

The action was to believe to be saved, not to get saved. Believing is the action of one who is already in a saved state. If a person beiieved it shows they were already alive spiritually, otherwise a spiritually dead lost person couldnt believe.

How is there merit in believing? You believe right? How is yours without merit, but others have merit?

I sit down in a chair and have faith that it will hold me. How does my faith in the chair have any merit on the strength and ability for the chair to support me?

 

[Brightfame52]

If that is so, then Peter advocated salvation by works in Acts 2:36-41. Ever considered that your view of works is off? Believe the Gospel!

Oh no Im not speaking about Peter.

 

[Brightfame52]

gr8grace

How is there merit in believing? Y

When you make it a condition you met in order for God to save you !

 

[Gr8Grace]

gr8grace



When you make it a condition you met in order for God to save you !

How can your belief be meritless, and mine be merit based though? Believing is like breathing, there is no merit in breathing(who can boast of breathing) the merit is in the air.

 

[John Mullally]

Beliieve the Gospel! Acts 2 was the first time the Gospel message was preached after the resurrection. The apostles did not recceive the Holy Spirit until after the resurrection (John 20:22). Here, Peter promised salvation (remission of sins and shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit) to those who willingly repented and were baptized. If those who responded already received the gift of the Holy Spirit (thouigh a prior spontaneous secret ceremony, strictly taught by Calvinsts), it would be a lie for Peter to promise it.

Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them

The call in Acts 2:38-39 is not restricted to the elect, as God commands all to repent (Acts 17:30).

This is advocating salvation by works.

If that is so, then Peter advocated salvation by works in Acts 2:36-41. Ever considered that your view of works is off? Believe the Gospel!

Oh no Im not speaking about Peter.

Is it too much to ask for an intelligible, actionable response? Peter, not myself, promised salvation to those who repent and are baptized. Believe the Gospel!

 

[Brightfame52]

How can your belief be meritless, and mine be merit based though? Believing is like breathing, there is no merit in breathing(who can boast of breathing) the merit is in the air.

Apparently you and I dont believe the same. If you condition your salvation on anything you do, its work merit.

 

[Brightfame52]

Is it too much to ask for an intelligible, actionable response? Peter, not myself, promised salvation to those who repent and are baptized. Believe the Gospel!

You not Peter teaching salvation by works.

 

[Gr8Grace]

Apparently you and I dont believe the same. If you condition your salvation on anything you do, its work merit.

Just asked a couple questions.

How is your belief different than mine? How is yours meritless and mine is merit based?

 

[Brightfame52]

Just asked a couple questions.

How is your belief different than mine? How is yours meritless and mine is merit based?

You obviously dont pay attention, we dont believe the same. You believe your faith/believing is a condition you met in order to get God to save you, I dont believe that. I believe Faith/Believing is a Gift God gives us when He saves us, its not a condition in my view, but it is in yours. You get it now ? Is that clear enough for you ? And if you would be paying attention to the thread OP you would know this.

 

[Receivedgrace]

Jesus worked and He said that the Father worked. We are told that we too shall work. We do not work to be saved. We cannot do works of righteousness to earn or merit salvation. We can and must be obedient to the word of God to be saved. If one cannot differentiate between works of righteousness and works of obedience to the word of God how can they be saved?
If any preaches a different gospel let then be accursed.
Consider Gal 3:1-5.

 

[Brightfame52]

RG

We cannot do works of righteousness to earn or merit salvation.

That is correct

We can and must be obedient to the word of God to be saved.

False, works are a result and evidence of having been saved. One is saved, then unto good works which God had ordained for the saved to walk therein Eph 2:10

10 For we are his workmanship, created[saved] in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Get that, saved, created in Christ Jesus UNTO good works, not for or because of good works !

If one cannot differentiate between works of righteousness and works of obedience to the word of God how can they be saved?

You need to ask yourself that question, since you seem to be stealthily mixing grace with works.

If any preaches a different gospel let then be accursed.
Consider Gal 3:1-5.

Thats right Gal 1:8-9

 

[Receivedgrace]

RG



That is correct



False, works are a result and evidence of having been saved. One is saved, then unto good works which God had ordained for the saved to walk therein Eph 2:10

10 For we are his workmanship, created[saved] in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Get that, saved, created in Christ Jesus UNTO good works, not for or because of good works !



You need to ask yourself that question, since you seem to be stealthily mixing grace with works.



Thats right Gal 1:8-9

There are some who are ever learning and never come to the truth.

 

[Brightfame52]

There are some who are ever learning and never come to the truth.

Perhaps you may look in the mirror

 

[Receivedgrace]

Perhaps you may look in the mirror

Looking into the word of God is the only way to come to God's truth.
Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Do not consult man but God on these matters.

 

[Brightfame52]

When the Jailer in Acts 16:30 asked what must I do to be saved,

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

He wasnt asking about what qualifying action he do to get himself saved, for he never used the word get as in get saved, but he used the word be, as be saved. The words be saved here are in the passive voice wherein the subject is the recipient of the action, for he was speaking from a frame of helplessness, hopelessness. Paul's response was not that he should do, act, or perform but to believe, that's promoting Faith and not works. Paul knew that believing was the Gift of God, that is, to believe in Christ savingly wasn't a natural inherent quality of the natural man, believing is having been given the Gift of Faith Eph 2:8. Paul testified to the fact that believing on Christ was something God gives here Phil 1:29

29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

That word given is basically the same word for grace charizomai derived from and the middle voice of charis translated 130 times in the NT as Grace.

So people believe because of Grace Acts 18:27.

So now even though technically believing is a doing, which technically is a work, nobody has the ability to believe until God by Grace, by Grace doing, its Gods Grace and Spirit working in the Spirit sanctified sinner causing the sinner to believe. No man by nature can truly believe in Christ as Saviour without first being saved by Grace and given the gift of Faith, so it is written 1 Pet 1:21

21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Phil 2:13

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

The do the Jailer needed to do to be saved, God needed to first worketh in him to do.

So thats how Salvation by works and Faith can be scripturally contrasted, when credit is given to Grace for a person doing the believing, and believing wasn't a natural freewill ability they had of themselves prior to regeneration.

But if we insist that believing was a condition, we met prior to being saved by grace, and we did it as natural men, and as a result, God saved us, that's making believing, faith a work we do for salvation.24