This post will refute the Reformation teaching of Salvation by Faith Alone, or in other words the dialectical tension that Protestants have between faith and works, yet works always following faith. The assumption of the Protestant is if faith encompasses works, it follows that one has earned their salvation. This supposition is false and not found in Scripture or in the History of the Church.
What is comical is usually Protestants usually do not accept the logical conclusion to Sola Fide which is Salvation by Monergism via Predeterminism. Which would also logically follow Perseverance of the Saints or a form of OSAS since now Salvation by Faith alone reduces to the Human Will having no capability to reject the Divinely Decreed Salvation. Which also will logically follow to Monoenergism, that the Human Will of Jesus was predetermined and animated by the Divine Will to bring forth the Salvation of Man (since there is no synergism between the Human and Divine energies of Christ).
But I digress, I will defend the Biblical position of Faith from Hebrews 11. Which is a Faith that encompasses good deeds. This position usually gets strawmanned as Works-Based Salvation, the ability to earn your salvation or Legalism. This is not the position, we never merit our righteousness by any works, neither the Works of Christ of the Law of Moses. Righteousness is by Grace through Faith. Faith thus being abiding in Christ via cooperation between God and Man.
There are many passages that refuted the dialectical tension of faith and works. Rather, supporting the idea that faith encompasses works. I am going to focus on Hebrews 11 in this post.
The first example is with Rahab, where in Hebrews we read that by faith Rahab was justified. However, in James we read that Rahab is justified by works.
By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. (Hebrews 11:31 NKJV)
You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent [them] out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:24-26 NKJV)
It is clear that the Scripture does not teach a dialectical tension of faith and works, thus proving Protestantism is an innovation.
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten [son], of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” (Hebrews 11:17-18 NKJV)
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? (James 2:21 NKJV)
Another example from Hebrews, displaying that by Faith Abraham offered up Isaac. Yet in James, we see that Abraham was justified by works.
By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. (Hebrews 11:5 NKJV)
Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. (Genesis 5:21-24 NKJV)
In Hebrews we read that it was by faith that Enoch was taken away into the Heavenly Realm whilst in Genesis 5:24 the precondition for Enoch being taken up was him walking with God. Which can be interpreted as an continuance abiding in God (i.e. faith working through love), which other commentators will agree with this interpretation.
Enoch this statement, “he walked with God (Elohim);” and instead of the expression “and he died,” the announcement, “and he was not, for God (Elohim) took him.” The phrase “walked with God,” which is only applied to Enoch and Noah (Genesis 6:9), denotes the most confidential intercourse, the closest communion with the personal God, a walking as it were by the side of God, who still continued His visible intercourse with men (vid., Genesis 3:8). It must be distinguished from “walking before God” (Genesis 17:1; Genesis 24:40, etc.), and “walking after God” (Deuteronomy 13:4), both which phrases are used to indicate a pious, moral, blameless life under the law according to the directions of the divine commands.
(Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament)
Enoch walked with God.—This is translated in the LXX., “Enoch pleased God,” whence comes the “testimony” quoted in Hebrews 11:5. Really it gives the cause of which the Greek phrase is the effect; for it denotes a steady continuance in well-doing, and a life spent in the immediate presence of and in constant communion with God. (See Note on Genesis 4:18.)
He walked.’ There is no union with God in such communion possible, unless there be a union with Him by conformity of will and submission of effort and aim to His commandments.
He walked with God, but it was while treading the common path of secular life that he did so.
Other texts that clearly refute Sola Fide.
“But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. (Acts 10:35 NKJV)
“but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. (Acts 26:20 NKJV)
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:27-29 NKJV)
As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.“ And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:30-32 NKJV)
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. (John 15:5-8 NKJV)
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