Chapter 9
FAITH AND OBEDIENCE
Man's words
Q. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. — Westminster shorter catechism, Creeds of Christendom, Philip Schaff, page 676.
A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. — Westminster shorter catechism, Creeds of Christendom, Philip Schaff, page 676.
Q. According to GOD'S WORD, what is the whole duty of man?
"This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl. 12:13
"And Samuel said, Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." I Sam. 15:22
"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." Matt. 17:5
"He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36
"He (Jesus) became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation." Heb. 5:9
Man's words
Heidelburg Catechism
Q.21 What is true faith?
A. True faith is not only a sure knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word, but also a firm confidence which the Holy Spirit works in my heart by the gospel, that not only to others, but to me also, remission of sins, everlasting righteousness and salvation are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits.
Q.22 What, then, is necessary for a Christian to believe?
A. All that is promised us in the gospel, which the articles of our catholic and undoubted Christian faith teach us in a summary.
A. All that is promised us in the gospel, which the articles of our catholic and undoubted Christian faith teach us in a summary.
Q.23 What are these articles?
A. (The Apostle's Creed)
A. (The Apostle's Creed)
Q.59 But what does it profit you now that you believe all this (The Apostle's Creed)?
A. That I am righteous in Christ before God, and an heir to eternal life.
A. That I am righteous in Christ before God, and an heir to eternal life.
Q.60 How are you righteous before God?
A. Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ; that is, though my conscience accuse me that I have grievously sinned against all the commandments of God and kept none of them, and am still inclined to all evil, yet God, without any merit of mine, of mere grace, grants and imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never had nor committed any sin, and myself had accomplished all the obedience which Christ has rendered for me; if only I accept such benefit with a believing heart.
A. Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ; that is, though my conscience accuse me that I have grievously sinned against all the commandments of God and kept none of them, and am still inclined to all evil, yet God, without any merit of mine, of mere grace, grants and imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never had nor committed any sin, and myself had accomplished all the obedience which Christ has rendered for me; if only I accept such benefit with a believing heart.
Q.61 Why do you say that you are righteous only by faith?
A. Not that I am acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of my faith, but because only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God, and I can receive the same and make it my own in no other way than by faith only.
A. Not that I am acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of my faith, but because only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God, and I can receive the same and make it my own in no other way than by faith only.
Q. According to GOD'S WORD, are we saved "through faith" only, OR are we saved "through" many other necessary things?
| 1. "Through the tender mercy of our God" | Lk. 1:78 AV |
| 2. "Through the righteousness of God" | II Pet. 1:1 AV |
| 3. "Through grace" | Acts 15:11 |
| 4. "Through our Lord Jesus Christ" | I Cor. 15:57 |
| 5. "Through the offering of the body of Jesus" | Heb. 10:10 |
| 6. "Through his (Jesus') blood" | Eph. 1:7 |
| 7. "Through (Jesus') death" | Col. 1:22 |
| 8. "Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" | I Pet. 1:21 |
| 9. "Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" | Rom. 3:24 |
| 10. "Through his (Jesus') name" | Acts 10:43 |
| 11. "Through the truth" | John 17:17, 19 AV |
| 12. "Through the knowledge of Jesus" | II Pet. 2:20 |
| 13. "Through the word (of Jesus)" | John 15:3 AV |
| 14. "Through their (the disciples') word" | John 17:20 |
| 15. "Through the gospel" | I Cor. 4:15 |
| 16. "Through the foolishness of the preaching" | I Cor. 1:21 |
| 17. "Through ... belief of the truth" | II Thess. 2:13 AV |
| 18. "Through faith" | Eph. 2:8 |
| 19. "Through the washing of regeneration (baptism)" | Titus 3:5 |
| 20. "Through the ... renewing of the Holy Spirit" | Titus 3:5 |
| 21. "Through sanctification of the Spirit" | II Thess. 2:13 AV |
| 22. "Through many tribulations" | Acts 14:22 |
| 23. "Through patience" | Heb. 6:12 |
Q. Does GOD'S WORD teach that Abraham was justified by faith?
"For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness." Rom. 4:3
"To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness." Rom. 4:9
"Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness." Gal. 3:6
"By faith Abraham..." Heb. 11:8, 9, 17
Q. According to GOD'S WORD, was Abraham justified by "faith only", OR was he justified by a faith that actively obeyed God's commands?
"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God. Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith." James 2:20-24
"Now Jehovah said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto the land that I will show thee...
So Abram went, as Jehovah had spoken unto him." Gen. 12:1, 4
So Abram went, as Jehovah had spoken unto him." Gen. 12:1, 4
"In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." Gen. 26:4-5
"And the angel of Jehovah called unto Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said, By myself have I sworn, saith Jehovah, because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is upon the seashore. And thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Because thou hast obeyed my voice." Gen. 22:15-18
"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise ... By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called." Heb. 11:8-9, 17-18
* * *
Q. Although man cannot earn his salvation by doing works, does GOD'S WORD teach that it is possible for man to obey God?
"Noah did according unto all that Jehovah commanded him." Gen. 7:5
"In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou (Abraham) hast obeyed my voice." Gen. 22:18
"Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." Gen. 26:5
"Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of Jehovah their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as Jehovah their God had sent him; and the people did fear before Jehovah." Hag. 1:12
"They turned aside quickly out of the way wherein their fathers walked, obeying the commandments of Jehovah." Judg. 2:17
"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed..." Heb. 11:8
Q. Although man cannot earn his salvation by doing works, does GOD'S WORD teach that God expects man to obey Him?
"Ye shall walk after Jehovah your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him." Deut. 13:4
"Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of Jehovah thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes." Deut. 27:10
"See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil ... I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before thee life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life, that thou mayest live, thou and thy seed; to love Jehovah thy God, to obey his voice, and to cleave unto him; for he is thy life, and the length of thy days." Deut. 30:15, 19-20
"This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl. 12:13
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it." Isa. 1:18-20
"But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you." Jer. 7:23 AV
"And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant, Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God." Jer. 11:3-4 AV
"But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD." Jer. 12:17 AV
"If thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments." Matt. 19:17
"If ye love me, ye will keep my (Jesus') commandments. ... He that hath my (Jesus') commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me ... Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word." John 14:15, 21, 23
"And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his (Jesus') commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his (Jesus') commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected." I John 2:3-5
Q. Where in all of GOD'S WORD is it taught that man is born so totally depraved that he cannot obey God?
Where in GOD'S WORD is it taught that man is born so totally depraved that he cannot obey the command of Jesus to believe and to be baptized for the remission of his sins?
Q. Is Calvinism's "faith only" true, OR does GOD'S WORD show that the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 demonstrated their faith by an active obedience to God's commands?
| "By faith Abel offered ... a sacrifice" | Heb. 11:4 |
| "By faith Noah ... prepared an ark" | Heb. 11:7 |
| "By faith Abraham ... obeyed" | Heb. 11:8 |
| "By faith he (Abraham) became a sojourner" | Heb. 11:9 |
| "By faith Abraham ... offered up Isaac" | Heb. 11:17 |
| "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau" | Heb. 11:20 |
| "By faith Jacob ... blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped" | Heb. 11:22 |
| "By faith Moses ... was hid three months by his parents" | Heb. 11:23 |
| "By faith Moses ... refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter" | Heb. 11:24 |
| "By faith he (Moses) forsook Egypt" | Heb. 11:27 |
| "By faith he (Moses) kept the passover" | Heb. 11:27 |
| "By faith they (Israel) passed through the Red sea" | Heb. 11:29 |
| "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about seven days" | Heb. 11:30 |
| "By faith Rahab ... perished not ... having received the spies with peace" | Heb. 11:31 |
Q. Is Calvinism's "faith only" true, OR does GOD'S WORD show saving faith and obedience to be equals?
"Woe to her that is rebellious and polluted! to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in Jehovah; she drew not near to her God." Zeph. 3:1-2
"Blessed is the man that trusteth in Jehovah, and whose trust Jehovah is ... I, Jehovah, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." Jer. 17:7, 10
"Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. ... Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith. ... For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead." James 2:17, 24, 26
"He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36
"And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed. But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren." Acts 14:1-2
"And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith." Acts 6:7
"By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, having received the spies with peace." Heb. 11:31
"And with whom was he displeased forty years? was it not with them that sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient? And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief." Heb. 3:17-19
"Peter, ... to the elect
... who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth..." I Pet. 1:1, 21-22
... who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth..." I Pet. 1:1, 21-22
"Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake." Rom. 1:4-5
"Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, ... is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith." Rom. 16:25-26
"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. ... And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him." Acts 2:38, 5:32
"In flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed." II Thess. 1:7-10
| Belief and Obedience | Contrasted with | Unbelief and Disobedience |
| "Believeth on the Son" | John 3:36 | "Obeyeth not the Son" |
| "Believeth and is baptized" | Mark 16:16 | "Disbelieveth" |
| "Jews and Greeks believed" | Acts 14:1-2 | "Jews ... were disobedient" |
| "Them that believed" | II Thess. 1:8-10 | "Them that obey not the gospel" |
| "The house of God" "The righteous" | I Pet. 4:17-18 | "Them that obey not the gospel" "The ungodly and sinner" |
| "Every one ... that heareth these words of mine (Jesus), and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man" | Matt. 7:24-26 | "Every one that heareth these words of mine (Jesus), and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man" |
| "Them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor" | Rom. 2:7-8 | "Them that ... obey not the truth" |
| "Ye became obedient from the heart to that form (pattern) of teaching (baptism Rom. 6:3-6) whereunto ye were delivered; and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness" | Rom. 6:17-18 | "Ye were the servants of sin" |
| "He saved us through the washing of regeneration" "That they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works" | Titus 3:3-8 | "For ye also once were ... disobedient" |
Q. GOD'S WORD teaches that man can only be saved because of the love and grace of God, but does GOD'S WORD also teach that man himself must show his faith by an active obedience?
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matt. 16:24
"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 18:4
"And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls." Acts 2:40-41
"Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." II Cor. 7:1
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure." Phil. 2:12-13
"Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble." II Pet. 1:10
"Keep yourselves in the love of God..." Jude 21
"Keep thyself pure." I Tim. 5:22
Q. If man can be saved by "faith only", why are the demons who confess Christ, and believe, and tremble, not also saved?
"And crying out with a loud voice, he saith, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I adjure thee by God, torment me not. For he (Jesus) said unto him, Come forth, thou unclean spirit, out of the man." Mark 5:7-8
"And the unclean spirits, whensoever they beheld him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God." Mark 3:11
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" James 2:19-20 AV
* * *
Q. Is Calvinism's "faith only" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that we can only be saved by a faith which obeys Jesus?
"Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. ... Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith. ... For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead." James 2:17, 24, 26
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. ... He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:16, 36
"And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned." Mark 16:15-16
"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. ... And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him." Acts 2:38, 5:32
"For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory." Eph. 2:8-9
"Not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit." Titus 3:5
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5
"He (Jesus) became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation..." Heb. 5:9
"Jesus ... said...
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak." John 12:44, 48-49
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak." John 12:44, 48-49
Q. Is Calvinism's "faith only" true, OR does GOD'S WORD teach that God will punish those who do not obey the gospel of His Son?
"Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me. To him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you. And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people." Acts 3:22-23
"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." Matt. 17:5
"He that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36
"But unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation, tribulation and anguish." Rom. 2:8-9
"See that ye refuse not him (Jesus) that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him (Jesus) that warneth from heaven." Heb. 12:25
"For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?" I Pet. 4:17
"At the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might." II Thess. 1:7-9
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