Is salvation by faith alone, or is it salvation by faith plus works? This is perhaps the most important question in all of Christian theology. This question was the cause of the Reformation, the split between Protestantism and Catholicism. This question is a key difference between biblical Christianity and most sects. Is salvation by faith alone or by faith plus human works? Put another way, am I saved by trusting in Jesus, or do I have to believe in Jesus and do certain things in addition?
The works required for salvation, in addition to faith, are different in different religious circles. Many groups claim that water baptism is a work to be added to faith for salvation: if you are not baptized, you are not saved. Some go even further: you have to be baptized by the right pastor, using the right method, and saying the right words.
Others advise meeting different requirements to be saved, although the formula is always faith + [fill in the blank]. Salvation is by faith + Mass attendance, faith + confession, faith + tithing, etc.
Many passages in the Bible teach that salvation is by faith alone, not faith plus works. Ephesians 2:8-9 , for example, is clearly worded and unambiguous: “For by grace you have been saved through faith—and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God—not as a result of works, so that no one can boast.” The word grace is vitally important, as it refers to God’s blessings on the undeserving. The very idea of grace negates any attempt to earn salvation. Paul makes that argument when he teaches about God’s election of the remnant of Israel: “And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not through good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is: free and undeserved” ( Romans 11:6 ESV).
Other passages that clearly teach salvation by faith alone are Acts 16:31 ; Romans 3:28 ; 4:5 ; 5:1 ; Galatians 2:16 ; 3:24 ; Ephesians 1:13 ; and Philippians 3:9 .
There are a few scriptures that, at first glance, appear to teach salvation by faith plus works. One of these is James 2:24 , which seems to say that justification is by faith plus works: “You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” This apparent problem is resolved by examining James’ entire argument in his epistle. James is refuting the idea that a person can have saving faith without producing any good works (see James 2:17-18).). According to James, genuine faith in Christ will bring about a changed life and produce good works ( James 2:20-26 ). James is not saying that justification is by faith plus works, but rather that a person who is truly justified by faith will have good works in his or her life. Works are an outward demonstration of genuine faith in Christ ( James 2:14 , 17 , 20 , 26 ), and it is that outward demonstration that “justifies” the believer in the eyes of others.
Paul says that those who have true faith in Jesus Christ will be “zealous for good works” ( Titus 2:14 ). Going back to Ephesians 2 , immediately after teaching that we are saved by faith, not works ( Ephesians 2:8-9 ), Paul says that we were created “for good works” ( Ephesians 2:10 ). Salvation comes by God’s grace through faith, and that faith is manifested in good works. Works accompany faith and are proof of it.
If we are to say that we are saved by works, we must specify whose works they are. We are not saved by our own works, no matter how meritorious they may seem to us. We are saved only by the work of Christ on our behalf. His death and resurrection are the works that save us. We receive our Savior by faith ( John 1:12) .