Salvation by faith alone?

One of the most universally accepted teachings in the modern evangelical church is salvation by faith alone.  “Salvation is not of works,” preachers boldly proclaim, citing Ephesians 2:8-10.  “It is a gift of God, and there is nothing you could ever do to earn it or keep it. All you have to do is believe.”  This view of salvation rose to prominence during the Protestant Reformation and was championed by Martin Luther and John Calvin.  Called by the Latin term sola fide (faith alone), this doctrine has been lauded by mainstream churches for the past 500 years as the essence of true Christianity.

But what about the 1500 years before that?  What did Jesus, the Apostles, and the early Christians believe about salvation?  Did they teach that salvation is by faith, works, or perhaps something else?  Were the teachings of the early church consistent with those of the Bible?  Let’s examine what the early Christian writers said about this doctrine.

Salvation according to the early church

• “For what reason was our father Abraham blessed?  Was it not because he worked righteousness and truth through faith?” – Clement of Rome (c. 96)
• “Into this joy, many persons desire to enter.  They know that ‘by grace you are saved, not of works,’ but by the will of God through Jesus Christ. . . . But He who raised him up from the dead will raise up us also – if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness.” – Polycarp (c. 135)
• “Rightly, then, to those who have believed and obey, grace will abound beyond measure.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “Trusting is more than faith.  For when one has believed that the Son of God is our Teacher, he trusts that His teaching is true.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “For it is in this manner that one truly follows the Savior: by aiming at sinlessness and at His perfection.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “This shows that transgressions are blotted out and that reconciliation is made for sins.  But who are the ones who have reconciliation made for their sins – except those who believe on His name and propitiate His countenance by good works?” – Hippolytus (c. 205)
• “The Son of God, . . . taking the form of a servant, was made obedient unto death so that He might teach obedience to those who could not obtain salvation other than by obedience.” – Origen (c. 225)
• “How can a man say that he believes in Christ, if he does not do what Christ commanded him to do?  From where will he attain the reward of faith, if he will not keep the faith of the commandment? . . . He will make no advancement in his walk toward salvation, for he does not keep the truth of the way of salvation.” – Cyprian (c. 250)
• “He follows Christ who stands in His commandments, who walks in the way of His teaching, who follows His footsteps and His ways, who imitates that which Christ both did and taught. . . . To put on the name of Christ, and yet not to go in the way of Christ – what else is this but a mockery of the divine name! It is a desertion of the way of salvation.  For He Himself teaches and says that the persons who keep His commandments will come into life.” – Cyprian (c. 250)

Far from being proof-texts, these quotations are representative of the average work written by the early Christians.  In over 5,000 pages of the Ante-Nicene Fathers, no prominent Christian writer differed from the view of salvation presented above.  Salvation is not by faith alone, but by faith and continued obedience to Christ.

Is that what the Bible says?

The passage most commonly used to support salvation by faith alone is Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV): “For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

The early Christians believed in two stages of salvation.  The first stage is repenting of our sin and putting our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  No works could ever redeem us; it is only by grace through faith that we are saved (see verses 8 and 9).  However, this is only the first half of the Gospel.

The second stage, according to Scripture, is active obedience to the commands of Christ.  When we are made new creatures in Christ, we are created for good works (verse 10), with the understanding that God intends us to walk in them.  Faith without works is dead, according to James 2:17.  Jesus said that keeping His commandments is what keeps us in His love (John 15:10).

The first stage: True repentance

True repentance for salvation involves not only contrition for our sins but a change of mind, a change of heart, and a change of direction.  Acts 3:19 exhorts, “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”  Likewise, Acts 26:20 says, “They should repent, and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.”  What did the early church write about repentance and the forgiveness of sins?

• “When we hear, ‘Your faith has saved you,’ we do not understand Him to say absolutely that those who have believed in any way whatever will be saved.  For works must also follow.  But it was to the Jews alone that He spoke this utterance.  Those persons were Jews who kept the Law and lived blamelessly.  All they lacked was faith in the Lord.  No one, then, can be a believer and at the same time be licentious.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “True repentance means to be no longer bound in the same sins for which He denounced death against Himself.  Rather, it is to eradicate them completely from the soul.  For on their extirpation, God takes up His abode again in you.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “The Scripture says: ‘They were baptized, confessing their own sins.’  To us, it is a matter for thankfulness if we now do publicly confess our iniquities or our depravities.  For, by mortification of our flesh and spirit, we make satisfaction for our former sins.  At the same time, we lay in advance the foundation of defenses against the temptations that will closely follow.” – Tertullian (c. 198)
• “Repentance, then, is a result of faith.  For unless a man believes that to which he was addicted to be sin, he will not abandon it.  And he must believe that punishment looms over the transgressor.  He must believe that salvation belongs to the one who lives according to the commandments.  Otherwise, he will not reform.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “‘For by grace we are saved’ – but not, indeed, without good works.  Rather, we must be saved by being molded for what is good, acquiring an inclination for it.  And we must possess the healthy mind that is fixed on the pursuit of the good.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “Abraham believed in God and it was accounted to him as righteousness.  Assuredly, then, whoever believes in God and lives in faith is found righteous and is already blessed in faithful Abraham.” – Cyprian (c. 250)

What about those verses?

The verses of Scripture commonly used to support salvation by faith alone harmonize well with the early church’s understanding of the first stage of salvation.  There is nothing we could do to earn our redemption.  It is a gift of God, requiring repentance and faith, yet it is not by works.

• “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” – Titus 3:5
• “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” – Romans 3:28
• “[God] saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” – 2 Timothy 1:9
• “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:1
• “For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  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
• “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12

The second stage: Obedience to Christ

The second stage of salvation requires obedience – abiding in Christ, keeping His commandments, and bearing fruit.  This is the essence of Jesus’ words in John 15:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.  Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:1-11)

What did the early church say about obedience to Christ?

• “If you return to the Lord with all your heart, and practice righteousness the rest of your days, and serve him according to His will, He will heal your former sins, and you will have power to hold sway over the works of the devil.” – Hermas (c. 150)
• “It is those who not only believe, but also enter upon the life that Jesus taught.  This life elevates everyone who lives according to the commandments of Jesus.  It elevates them to friendship with God and communion with Him.” – Origen (c. 248)
• “We do not teach concerning the unrighteous man that it is sufficient for him to humble himself on account of his wickedness.  Rather, God will accept him only if – after passing condemnation upon himself for his past conduct – he walks humbly on account of it and in a righteous manner for his remaining days.” – Origen (c. 248)
• “By walking in the way of righteousness and following his Teacher, man can attain to eternal life.” – Lactantius (c. 304-313)
• “‘Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute sin’ [Ps. 32:2].  That is, having repented of his sins, he can receive remission of them from God.  But this is not as you [Jews] deceive yourselves, and some others who resemble you in this.  For they say, that even though they remain sinners, the Lord will not impute sin to them, because they know God.” – Justin Martyr (c. 160)
• “If anyone follows unrighteousness and does those things that are contrary to the will of God, such a person will be considered by God the same as the disobedient unbeliever.” – Apostolic Constitutions (compiled c. 390)
• “The apostolic teaching is that the soul, . . . after its departure from the world, will be recompensed according to its deserts.  It is destined to obtain either an inheritance of eternal life and blessedness (if its actions will have procured this for it) or to be delivered up to eternal fire and punishments – if the guilt of its crimes will have brought it down to this.” – Origen (c. 225)
• “God gives forgiveness of past sins.  However, as to future sins, each one procures this for himself.  He does this by repenting, by condemning the past deeds, and by begging the Father to blot them out.  For only the Father is the one who is able to undo what is done.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)

Obedience in Scripture

One of the key themes throughout the New Testament is obedience to Christ – abiding in Him, keeping His commandments, and bearing fruit.

• “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21
• “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” – John 8:31
• “For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” – Ephesians 5:5-6
• “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:6-7
• “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” – James 2:24
• “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.  I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” – Galatians 5:19-24
• “And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” – Hebrews 5:9
• “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” – Romans 8:14

What about the Law?

Does obedience to Christ imply that we are under the Law?  First, let’s look at what the early Christians said about the Mosaic Law:

• “If we still live according to the Jewish Law, we acknowledge that we have not received grace.” – Ignatius (c. 105)
• “We are no longer purified by the blood of sheep and goats, by the ashes of a heifer, or by the offerings of fine flour.  Rather, we are purified by faith through the blood of Christ.” – Justin Martyr (c. 160)
• “The former Law that had been given by Moses was about to cease, and a new law was to be given.  Another dispensation and a new covenant were to be given.  The old baptism was to cease and a new one was to begin.” – Cyprian (c. 250)
• “All these commandments had been given carnally, in previous times, to the people of Israel.  So it follows that afterwards there was to supervene a time when the commandments of the ancient Law and of the old ceremonies would cease.  There would come the promise of the new law, and the recognition of spiritual sacrifices, and the promise of the New Covenant.” – Tertullian (c. 197)
• “It is the office of Christ’s Gospel to call men from the Law to grace.” – Tertullian (c. 207)

Jesus fulfilled the law in its entirety: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4).  Ephesians 2:14-15 adds, “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances.”

When Jesus came, He fulfilled and then abolished the old law. He called men and women to embrace a new kingdom – the kingdom of heaven.  He gave them a new set of laws – the commandments of Christ.

• “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21
• “And [Jesus] went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom.” – Matthew 4:23
• “When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.” – Luke 9:11
• “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” – Colossians 1:13-14
• “That person is already in the kingdom of the heavens who lives according to the virtues.  Accordingly, the saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,’ refers to deeds and disposition – not to a certain time.  Christ, who is all virtue, has come.  For this reason, He says that the kingdom of God is within His disciples – not here or there.” – Origen (c. 225)

Does Jesus command us to be perfect?

Jesus commands His followers, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).  Likewise, James 1:4 says, “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  Perfection is the ultimate goal; however, we will all fall at times: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).

Nevertheless, the Scriptures contain numerous exhortations to remain in Christ and warn of the eternal consequences of departing from the faith (Matt. 3:10; Matt. 5:13; Matt. 24:13; Luke 9:62; Rom. 8:13; 1 Cor. 9:27; 2 Cor. 13:5; 1 Cor. 15:1-2; Eph. 4:30; Col. 1:21-23; 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 Tim. 6:10; 2 Tim. 2:11-13; Heb. 3:12-14; Heb. 4:1, 11; Heb. 6:4-8; Heb. 10:26-39; 2 Pet. 1:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-21; 1 John 2:24-25; 2 John 8-9; Jude 20-21; Rev. 3:11).

A few more insights from the early Christian writers are worthy of consideration.  As all of these people learned either directly or indirectly from the teachings of the apostles, let us not take lightly their warnings:

• “God especially desires for men to be cleansed from their sins.  Therefore, he commands them to repent.  Yet, to repent is nothing else than to profess and to affirm that one will sin no more.  Therefore, the ones who are pardoned are those who slip into sin unintentionally and incautiously. He who sins willfully has no pardon.” – Lactantius (c. 304-313)
• “The spiritual man will pray that he may never fall from virtue, giving his most strenuous cooperation in order that he may become unfailing.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “He who holds conversation with God must have his soul immaculate and pure, without stain.  It is essential to have made himself perfectly good.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “‘I heard, sir, that some teachers maintain that there is no other repentance than that which takes place when we descended into the water and received remission of our former sins.’  He said to me, ‘That was sound doctrine which you heard; for that is really the case.  For he who has received remission of his sins should not sin any more, but should live in purity. . . . And therefore I say to you, that if anyone is tempted by the devil, and he sins after that great and holy calling in which the Lord has called His people to everlasting life, he has opportunity to repent but once.  But if he should sin frequently after this, and then repent, to such a man his repentance will be of no avail.” – Hermas (c. 150)
• “Being very merciful, God has promised a second repentance for those who fall into some transgression yet remain in the faith.  In that manner, if anyone is tempted after his calling, and is overcome by force and fraud, he may still receive repentance.  But he must not turn away from that repentance.  ‘For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins.’ . . . But continual and successive repentings of sins does not differ at all from the case of those who have not believed at all.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “Let no one be disheartened.  Let no one despair concerning himself if he has turned aside to the way of unrighteousness because he was overcome by passion, impelled by desire, deceived by error, or compelled by force.  For it is possible for such a one to be brought back and to be set free. It is possible if he repents of his actions and makes satisfaction to God, turning to better things.” – Lactantius (c. 304-313)

Conclusion

We are saved by grace through faith, and we are justified as we keep our Lord’s commandments.  “Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you.  If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.  And this is the promise that he made to us – eternal life” (1 John 2:24-25).