Some
Saved by Grace
During my time being more active, as a Seventh-Day Adventist (since around summer/fall 08), I have noticed that there are some misunderstandings as to what I believe, my church believes, regarding works, grace, salvation. Some believe that we teach we are or can be saved by works.
It seems that with Dr. Ben Carson now running for president, this movement is receiving more attention. People are asking questions.
(8) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (9) not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. [Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV]
- Can any Bible believing religion believe in salvation by works?
- what parts here are being played?
- why are each relevant?
(10) so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. [Colossians 1:10 ESV]
- Lots of verbs there, no?
Faith without works is dead
(14) What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? (15) If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, (16) and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? (17) So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (18) But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (19) You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe–and shudder! (20) Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? (21) Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? (22) You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; (23) and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”–and he was called a friend of God. (24) You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. (25) And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? (26) For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. [James 2:14-26 ESV]
Faith leads to action
(4) By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. (5) By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. (6) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (7) By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (8) By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. [Hebrews 11:4-8 ESV]
Did you catch all the verbs? Friends, the SDA church does not teach we are saved by works. If someone approaches you spreading those lies, dismiss it. You wouldn’t like to be misrepresented either, would you? And this is great news, we teach something the Bible established already 🙂 Lets look at one more example. You be the judge.
Cooperation
(2) Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. (3) In these lay a multitude of invalids–blind, lame, and paralyzed. (4) (5) One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. (6) When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” (7) The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” (8) Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” (9) And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. [John 5:2-9 ESV]
(13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. [Philippians 4:13 KJV]
(20) I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [Galatians 2:20 ESV]
Lets reason together 