Faith alone doctrine is false part 1

 Faith alone doctrine is false part 1

The cry from the Protestant-Baptist-Evangelical churches is "Sole Fide" and infact this was the cry of the reformation of the 1500's. Many fundamentalists today still have emotional ties to the great reformation and it's leaders such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox and others. 

It was a monumental time period in our world's history. It was the Protest against a corrupt Roman Catholic Church and it's abusive clergy namely the Papacy. The men who led out in the reformation were brave and valiant. The reformation freed many from the clutches of an oppressive religious system and opened God's word to the so called "laity".

It was a remarkable time period indeed. However, not all was perfect and the reformation wasn't without some serious negative consequences for the church namely Western Christianity. The "Faith alone" doctrine of the reformers, while initially freeing people from the clutches of unbiblical traditions and a requirement for man-made works, has had a devastating long term effect on the churches adherence to the teachings of Jehoshua. This is because Jehoshua commands us to do good works as does his brother James. Infact, the whole of scripture commands us to do good works. 

The short term result of the "faith alone" doctrine was liberating as it got people out of the clutches of Sacramental Romanism, however the long term effects are being seen now in Western Christendom and it's astonishing apostasy from the faith. The "faith alone" doctrine has resulted in lawlessness in the majority of the churches causing the churches to accept just about every sin and lifestyle as acceptable. The churches are longer pillars of their community and the Pastors are no longer looked at as community leaders. The light has gone out of much of Christendom as a direct result of the "faith alone" doctrine. 

Let's now look at passages that people use to support this doctrine as well as passages that outright refute it.

Romans 3:21-26

21 But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; 24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 whom God set forth [to be] a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God; 26 for the showing, [I say], of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus.

Note that nowhere here does Paul use the phrase "faith alone". Also, even the faith that Paul is talking about here does not negate obedient works. What did Peter tell those present at Pentecost who heard the gospel?

Acts 2:38

"And Peter [said] unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit"

Baptism is an immediate response to faith in the gospel of Jehoshua Messiah. Today's modern churches call baptism a work. 

What Paul is talking about in Romans 3 is initial justification not ultimate salvation. Although Martin Luther promoted the "faith alone" doctrine he later repented and taught double justification meaning that faith initially saves you but you must be sanctified unto obedience after that initial justification. This later version of Martin Luther is rarely if ever talked about in Christian circles.

Before one can do any works in Jehovah's name they must first be in relationship with Him. The entrance into covenant relationship with Jehovah God is to believe and have faith in His only begotten Son Jehoshua as the mercyseat for sins. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and thereby need atonement just as old covenant Israel did. The day of atonement for old covenant Israel did not negate their obligation to obey and do the works of the commandments of God. The same is true of new covenant Israel. Our faith in the atonement of Jehoshua's blood does not negate our obligation to keep God's commandments and do works meet for repentance. 

In Revelation chapter 2 Jehoshua connects faith to good works:

Revelation 2:19

"I know thy works, and thy love and faith and ministry and patience, and that thy last works are more than the first"

Jehoshua connects works with love, faith and patience. All three of those are interconnected yet today's churches try to isolate faith from works and love. They have adopted the world's definition of love rather than the scriptural one (1 John 5:2-3).

Later in Revelation 2 Jehoshua clearly says works are required for salvation:

Revelation 2:26-29

26 And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations: 27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father: 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

There is a condition imposed on us by Jehoshua in order to rule and reign with him in the Kingdom and that is we must overcome and keep his works unto the end. Do you see what the Son of God is saying here? He is rejecting the "faith alone" doctrine of the Protestant reformation and saying that only those who do (keep) his good works unto the end will be given the morning star (Davidic kingship) and rule with him on his throne. The end is either when we die and go to the grave or when Jehoshua comes back. 

We must understand that Paul in Romans 3 is simply talking about initial justification not total salvation, which comes at the last day resurrection ultimately. The Son of God's words ultimately have authority when there is any seeming contradiction. Unfortunately, the churches have done the opposite and have made Paul the ultimate authority. Remember, Peter said Paul was hard to understand and that it is the wicked (lawless) who misrepresent Paul's words.

More words from Jehoshua that contradict the "faith alone" doctrine:

Revelation 3:1-3

1 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead. 2 Be thou watchful, and establish the things that remain, which were ready to die: for I have found no works of thine perfected before my God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear; and keep [it], and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Notice what Jehoshua tells the Sardisians, he says that their works are dead even though they have a reputation that they are alive. Sounds like much of Christendom today. Although the Sardisians are dead there seems to be a few works that they have that are not dead but barely alive. Jehoshua commands them to strengthen those works that do remain as they are on life support. Jehoshua tells them that he has found none of their works perfected before His God. Why would Jehoshua say this if just having "faith alone" was enough for salvation? 

In fact, Jehoshua tells them to repent (turn from, change your mind) and keep it i.e. the works so that they are found perfect before Jehovah God. Jehoshua gives the Sardis Ekklesia a warning that if they do not watch he will come as a thief. This warning brings us back to Jehoshua's words in Matthew 24 about watching because we know not what hour our Lord will come back.

Matthew 24:42-51

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through. 44 Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath. 48 But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth; 49 and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken; 50 the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, 51 and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

This passage is one of a few where Jehoshua explains what it means to watch. By looking at this passage we can then determine what Jehoshua meant when he warned the Sardis ekklesia about not watching. Jehoshua words above will clearly show that not watching results in a loss of salvation and eternal life.

In the parable above Jehoshua describes the servant who watches as a faithful and wise. We are called to watch constantly because we do not know the hour of Jehoshua's coming, therefore we need to be ready anytime for it. If it was all about "faith alone" why would the warnings about constantly staying on watch necessary? Jehoshua says that those who don't watch have their houses broken through (verse 43). This doesn't sound like they are saved as it matches Jehoshua's words at the end of the sermon on the mount:

Matthew 7:26-27

26 And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: 27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house;

Those who just hear Jehoshua's words and does not do the works associated with those words. Jehoshua calls these ones foolish. This doesn't sound like like they are justified by faith alone. These were obviously those that believed in the Son of God as they were interested in hearing his words yet they failed to obey those words.

In verse 27 Jehoshua says that the ones who just hear (faith alone) have their houses fall when the storms and winds of life come. The houses coming down on the disobedient parallels Matthew 24 and the houses being broken into of those who do not watch. The servant of Matthew 24 does not watch for his Saviours return and then starts to live in sin whereas the faithful servant gives meat to his household in due season. In other words, the unfaithful servant relys on faith alone without works and the faithful servant does works adding to his faith.

Clearly, any honest reader of these passages would acknowledge that the ones who have their houses broken into and come down are not gonna enter the Kingdom. Verses 50 and 51 prove that very thing. Jehoshua says that when he returns he will cut the unfaithful servants usunder appoint them their portion with the hypocrites where their will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. No one in their right mind could say that being appointed your portion with the hypocrites and cut asunder means that person inherits the Kingdom. 

The stark warning by the Son of God in these parables fits what he says in Revelation 22:14-15:

14 Happy are those doing His commands that the authority shall be theirs unto the tree of the life, and by the gates they may enter into the city; 15 and without [are] the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the whoremongers, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one who is loving and is doing a lie.

Only those that do the commands of Jehovah God will have access to the tree of life and enter into New Jerusalem, which is the paradise of God. Notice the connection between keeping the commandments of Jehovah God and having entrance into the holy city of New Jerusalem. Look who is without the city in verse 15, its those that do things that are contrary to the commands of God. Those who love and do lies will be outside the city of New Jerusalem with the dogs, sorcerer's and murderers. What is one of the features of liars according to scripture?

1 John 2:3-4

3 And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

Those who say they know Jehovah God but don't keep His commandments are liars according to John the apostle and the truth is not in them. This one verse flies right in the face of the once saved always saved faith alone doctrine. It outright contradicts most of the churches of Christendom teachings. Conversely, the evidence that someone knows God is that they keep His commandments. 

We combine this passage with Revelation 22:14 then it will be those who claim the name of Jesus and say they know God, yet don't keep His commandments, that will be in the lake of fire. These are the hypocrites that Jehoshua spoke of in that they call him Lord and say they know his Father yet they dont Keep the commandments.

Jehoshua testifies that liars will not make into the Kingdom but rather inherit eternal fire:

Revelation 22:16

"I Jehoshua have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright, the morning star"

Anyone who teaches faith alone and that you don't have to obey Jehoshua and His Father are liars and the truth is not in them and are in direct opposition to the Son of God and are thereby calling him a liar.

Two more parables in Matthew 25 drive home the point further that faith alone isn't enough:

Matthew 25:8

"And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out"

I highlighted this verse because it shows that the foolish virgins were indeed Christians as they had the oil of the holy spirit but it was running out. Let's read what the Son of God says concerning their fate when he returns:

Matthew 25:10-12

10 And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut.11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

The foolish virgins went away to buy more oil after the wise virgins told them that they couldn't give them any of theirs. This shows that there will be no riding of the coat-tails into the Kingdom of Jehovah God. Everyone is responsible for their own salvation. While the foolish virgins went away to buy more oil, the Son of God returned for the marriage supper and he shut the door to the feast after the wise virgins were let in. Remember what Jehoshua says about the key of David;

Revelation 3:7

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth"

The key of David represents being the govenor/king of the Kingdom of David and having authority over that Kingdom. The Kingdom of David is Jehoshua's Kingdom. Clearly, Jehoshua has shut the door on those who at one time were saved but failed to keep their lamps trimmed. These ones who simply had faith were shut out of the arriving Davidic Kingdom because they were running low on the holy spirit and failed to keep full with spirit. Amazingly, the churches are trying to open the door that Jehoshua has shut by contradicting the meaning of this passage and teaching people that no matter how they live and what works they do that they wilk still make it to the Kingdom.

Verses 11 and 12 mirror Matthew 7 in that the foolish virgins were professed Christians as they claimed they knew the Lord. Just like the ones who heard the teachings of Jehoshua in Matthew 7 yet were called foolish for not doing them, the foolish virgins are foolish because they let their oil run low meaning they failed to do the works which Jehoshua taught. The similarities between the end of Matthew 7 and the parable of the 10 virgins are striking. The foolish virgins call on the Lord when he returns at the judgment thinking he will grant them access because they professed faith in him. However, Jehoshua tells them that he doesn't know them.

Matthew 25:14-15

14 For [it is] as [when] a man, going into another country, called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey.

This is the parable of the talents, Jehoshua is the man who calls his servants. It is clear that the servants of the man (Jehoshua) are Christians otherwise Jehoshua wouldn't call them "his own servants". The once saved always saved folks cannot twist to fit their perverted doctrine. The fact that Jehoshua calls them his own servants and gives them his goods (talents) shows that the servants in the parable are indeed Christians. Jehoshua doesn't call unbelievers his own servants and he doesn't give them his goods to manage.

Matthew 25:18

"But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord`s money"

Whereas the other two servants multiplied the talents the Lord gave them this servant did nothing with the one talent he was given. This servant was obviously a faith alone no works type of Christian. We know indeed that he was a Christian for he was called the Lord's servant and was given the Lord's goods to manage.

Matthew 25:19-23

19 Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them. 20 And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 And he also that [received] the two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: lo, I have gained other two talents. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Look at what Jehoshua says to those who added faith to their works "well done, good and faithful servant". He doesn't done condemn them or chastise them for trying to earn their salvation by works. This is the ridiculous ideology that the faith alone people have, they accuse you of trying to earn your salvation. Many even say you will go to hell for trying to do good works out of obedience to Jehoshua. The Son of God contradicts these faith alone heretics and says to those who did good works that they will enter into the joy of their Lord i.e. the Kingdom of God on earth. They will also be put in authority over many things. Let's see what happens to the faith alone people:

Matthew 25:24-30

24 And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter; 25 and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own. 26 But his lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter; 27 thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own with interest. 28 Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away. 30 And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

This is a dynamite passage of scripture that utterly destroys the faith alone heresy. While the modern church talks about how warm and fuzzy Jehoshua and how he requires nothing of us in terms of salvation this parable paints a far different picture. The faith alone servant calls Jehoshua a hard man. What do we know about a hard man? We know that a hard man such as a boss requires much and doesn't accept excuses. 

The faith alone servant thought that Jehoshua's commandments were too demanding so instead of multiplying his talent he hid it away relying on faith alone. In verses 26 and 27 Jehoshua rebukes him and calls the faith alone servant wicked and slothful. The Son of God tells the servant that he should have done at the least the minimum requirements of his (Jehoshua's) commandments.

Unlike what the faith alone teachers say Jehoshua will take even the little that a person has if they don't multiply it. These verses (28 and 29) show that the faith alone people will not have nay inheritance in the Kingdom as Jehoshua says that even what little they have due to no works will be taken away.

Verse 30 seals the deal for the faith alone people. It makes no sense that faith alone without works saves you if Jehoshua says that wicked and slothful servant will be cast into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Obviously this is a reference to the lake of fire. Remember, the wicked and slothful servant was considered a servant of Jehoshua so he was a professing Christian. He also was given the Lord's goods to manage so you can't say this servant was an unbeliever. Jehoshua doesn't give unbelievers his goods to manage. Notice that the issue with wicked and slothful servant wasn't that he was living in sin or denying that Jehoshua was the Messiah but it was that he wasn't doing works. It was his failure to do works that got him cast into outer darkness.