Is having Faith in the gospel considered a "work"?

[friend of]

I've been having a discussion with certain Calvinists lately who claim that holding Faith in the gospel should be considered a work of man, thus Total Depravity is established and Arminianism must be false, for if one chooses to obey the gospel it then becomes works-based salvation (which both sides disagree with).

I believe scripture makes it clear that having Faith is distinguishable from Works, and God does not count Faith towards the gospel to be a work in the sense of "works salvationism." Faith is not the Law, although holding Faith in the gospel IS required in order to enter into Eternal life (both sides agreeing). Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:11, John 6:47

Romans 4:2-5 (NKJV)
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness...

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

I believe the scriptures above show that Faith is not considered a Work. Is it fair to say that Arminians believe in saving ourselves through the "Work" of holding Faith in the Gospel? If one, through their own free will puts their Faith in the gospel, are they "saving themselves"?


Blessings,

 

[Helen]

The phrase is a bit different than I would use.
I myself don't have "faith in the Gospel" Im not even sure what that means.

I have faith in Father God .. I'm not called to have faith in anything else.
What they asked Jesus - " What must we do to works the works of God."
He answered- " This is the work of God, that you believe on Him who He sent." So, if that is what your thread is about..yes, believing in God and His Son is an expectable good work and well pleasing to God.
( John 6:28 - )

 

[Nancy]

I've been having a discussion with certain Calvinists lately who claim that holding Faith in the gospel should be considered a work of man, thus Total Depravity is established and Arminianism must be false, for if one chooses to obey the gospel it then becomes works-based salvation (which both sides disagree with).

I believe scripture makes it clear that having Faith is distinguishable from Works, and God does not count Faith towards the gospel to be a work in the sense of "works salvationism." Faith is not the Law, although holding Faith in the gospel IS required in order to enter into Eternal life (both sides agreeing). Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:11, John 6:47

Romans 4:2-5 (NKJV)
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness...

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

I believe the scriptures above show that Faith is not considered a Work. Is it fair to say that Arminians believe in saving ourselves through the "Work" of holding Faith in the Gospel? If one, through their own free will puts their Faith in the gospel, are they "saving themselves"?


Blessings,

 

[Nancy]

"If one, through their own free will puts their Faith in the gospel, are they "saving themselves"?

IMHO no!

 

[Helen]

@Nancy

Where is your post?
It says in my Alert that you posted here...but I can't see it!!!

 

[Nancy]

"If one, through their own free will puts their Faith in the gospel, are they "saving themselves"?

IMHO no!

At least, no more "works" than obedience...which is better than sacrifice, BTW :)

 

[Helen]

"If one, through their own free will puts their Faith in the gospel, are they "saving themselves"?

IMHO no!

Okay..got it now..and agree..yet I still am not sure about "Putting faith IN the Gospel.." We are never told to put our faith in any one or anything than God Himself.

Shall I say what others say on her= < Verse please?>
or " can it be quoted,"... as bbyrd009 would say. lol

 

[Nancy]

@Nancy

Where is your post?
It says in my Alert that you posted here...but I can't see it!!!

Strange things have been happening to me on here lately. I had posted something and the post after mine was way below mine...had to toggle allot to get to the post below mine!
I don't know which post that might have been or where it went, sorry

 

[farouk]

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6.29)

 

[Nancy]

Okay..got it now..and agree..yet I still am not sure about "Putting faith IN the Gospel.." We are never told to put our faith in any one or anything than God Himself.

Shall I say what others say on her= < Verse please?>
or " can it be quoted,"... as bbyrd009 would say. lol

"or " can it be quoted,"... as bbyrd009 would say." Lol.

You are right to correct to say that Helen, yes...faith in none other than Christ! (Whom, I also see as God :) and, not in the Gospel but in Him ♥

 

[friend of]

Everyone here hates voting in polls lol

 

[friend of]

So, if that is what your thread is about..yes,

Yes. Putting Faith in gospel is just another way of saying one believes in God and His Son imo

 

[1stCenturyLady]

I've been having a discussion with certain Calvinists lately who claim that holding Faith in the gospel should be considered a work of man, thus Total Depravity is established and Arminianism must be false, for if one chooses to obey the gospel it then becomes works-based salvation (which both sides disagree with).

I believe scripture makes it clear that having Faith is distinguishable from Works, and God does not count Faith towards the gospel to be a work in the sense of "works salvationism." Faith is not the Law, although holding Faith in the gospel IS required in order to enter into Eternal life (both sides agreeing). Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:11, John 6:47

Romans 4:2-5 (NKJV)
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness...

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

I believe the scriptures above show that Faith is not considered a Work. Is it fair to say that Arminians believe in saving ourselves through the "Work" of holding Faith in the Gospel? If one, through their own free will puts their Faith in the gospel, are they "saving themselves"?


Blessings,

Are you sure that is what Calvinists believe? It seem antichrist to me. Though I have never agreed with any Calvinist doctrine, this one seems extreme even for them.

 

[friend of]

Are you sure that is what Calvinists believe? It seem antichrist to me. Though I have never agreed with any Calvinist doctrine, this one seems extreme even for them.

I didn't intend to come off that drastic. I think it's just a Monergism vs. Synergism debate.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

This question is completely dependent on how a person defines the word "works".

 

[Earburner]

I've been having a discussion with certain Calvinists lately who claim that holding Faith in the gospel should be considered a work of man, thus Total Depravity is established and Arminianism must be false, for if one chooses to obey the gospel it then becomes works-based salvation (which both sides disagree with).

I believe scripture makes it clear that having Faith is distinguishable from Works, and God does not count Faith towards the gospel to be a work in the sense of "works salvationism." Faith is not the Law, although holding Faith in the gospel IS required in order to enter into Eternal life (both sides agreeing). Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:11, John 6:47

Romans 4:2-5 (NKJV)
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness...

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

I believe the scriptures above show that Faith is not considered a Work. Is it fair to say that Arminians believe in saving ourselves through the "Work" of holding Faith in the Gospel? If one, through their own free will puts their Faith in the gospel, are they "saving themselves"?


Blessings,

"Is having Faith in the gospel considered a "work"?"
I would have taken part in your poll, but you are asking the wrong question! As a result, all of those who do vote, will be skewered for truth on what to vote for. Many are doing "works", thinking that they are doing "the work(s) of God"

Your question should have been presented this way:
Is having Faith in JESUS considered a work"?
Which is supported by
John 6[29] Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

 

[friend of]

Your question should have been presented this way:
Is having Faith in JESUS considered a

...is it not literally the same thing? What's the difference between believing in Jesus and believing in the Gospel?

 

[Dan57]

I believe the scriptures above show that Faith is not considered a Work. Is it fair to say that Arminians believe in saving ourselves through the "Work" of holding Faith in the Gospel? If one, through their own free will puts their Faith in the gospel, are they "saving themselves"?

Works demonstrate our faith "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). Faith & belief aren't the same thing, we are saved by belief (John 3:16). Faith is the evidence of what we believe, i.e; faith is the substance (works & actions) of what we believe. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Jesus told many that he healed; "Thy faith has made you whole". It was the action they took by asking to be healed that demonstrated their faith, just as it was with the malefactor crucified with Christ who was told he'd go to paradise. We are saved by believing, but rewarded by faith. "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to every man according to his works" (Revelation 22:12). Believing without any faith (works) is considered professing one thing while doing another, Jesus referred to the Pharisees and scribes as hypocrites because "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me" (Mark 7:6). So it seems apparent that our actions and deeds are associated with sincerity, and walking the walk is the substance of what we claim to believe. "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father" (Matthew 7:21). We will reap in heaven what we sow on earth.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

I didn't intend to come off that drastic. I think it's just a Monergism vs. Synergism debate.

Two terms I don't come across often, and have never understood. What is the scriptural basis for each.

 

[friend of]

This website can explain it better than I ever could

www.gotquestions.org/amp/monergism-vs-synergism.html