The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum The Most Divisive Verses in the Bible

IF you are looking for that magic "silver bullet" of an argument I think you are looking in vain. For no matter how sound an argument is the convincing of its verity is not something you can create in another.

However, there are some basic biblical principles of hermeneutics (interpretation) which must be acknowledged and adhered to:

1. The Epistles interpret the Gospels
2. The Didactic interpret the Symbolic
3. The perspicuous interpret the less clear or unclear

So, can we find in the Epistles some direct teaching which clearly and directly deals with the subject of salvation in a broad sense but even more so in a narrow sense, i.e., justification? Why yes, such can be found. In fact, here are a few places:

1. Galatians 2:1-5 (ASV) "Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain. But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.... (11-16) But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned. For before that certain came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Cephas before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as do the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, how compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We being Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
   
   Note that the issue at Galatia was the requirement of xxxx in addition to faith in Christ in order to be justified. And even more to the point, Paul specifically mentions those Judaizers who demanded that Titus be circumcised in addition to his faith in order to be saved, which Paul and Barnabas sorely resisted. This is important because Paul also wrote in Colossians 2:11-13 that circumcision, which was the sign of the old covenant, has been replaced by baptism as the sign of the new covenant. Thus, the apostles refusal to have one circumcised unto justification is directly related to one demanding one be baptized unto justification.
   
   Secondly, Paul makes very clear that one is NOT justified by the works of the law but by faith (alone). It is by faith alone by simple reason since ALL works are excluded, thus leaving faith as the only (alone) instrument and prerequisite for salvation/justification.
   

2. Romans 3:19-28 (ASV) "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law [cometh] the knowledge of sin. But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 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; 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. Where then is the glorying? It is excluded. By what manner of law? of works? Nay: but by a law of faith. We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law."
   
   Romans 5:1-2 (ASV) "Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
   
   Note: In both these passages, Paul labored to show that ALL works of any kind are excluded from salvation. The only basis for salvation is the meritorious, substitutionary work of Jesus Christ whom the sinner embraces by faith (alone). It is Christ Jesus who has provided all the works of the law which God requires in behalf of all those for whom He died. There is therefore no work required on the part of a believing sinner to be saved, including baptism or even more so, even faith itself.

The irony of this whole matter is that both sides are equally in error albeit in opposite ways.