How Do I Refute Claims Opposing "Salvation Through Faith Alone"?

It can be very challenging trying to defend the biblical doctrine of salvation through faith alone when someone vehemently opposes it. Their objections can include claims that works are necessary, redemption is available through varying means, or faith only initiates salvation but obedience maintains it. However, Scripture teaches that redemption is an undeserved, unearned, and immediate gift from God credited to and received by individuals solely upon them placing their faith in Jesus Christ.

One of the clearest, most compelling, and straightforward passages establishing salvation as a gift obtained and sustained exclusively through faith is Ephesians 2:8-9. The apostle Paul wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Paul did not need to write “through faith only” or “through faith alone” to convey his intended meaning or for others to understand it. Additionally, his use of the Greek word “ergon” for “works” encompasses any deed, act, effort, labor, or toil, which clearly excludes all human endeavors from the salvation equation.

Consequently, according to Paul’s divinely inspired statement in Ephesians 2:8-9, salvation cannot be “by grace through faith and not of works” but also of works. It also cannot be “by grace through faith and not of works” after the required works are done. Neither can it be “by grace through faith” and not of some works but certainly of others. Such interpretations are internally contradictory and, thereby, false. Instead, Paul’s words plainly establish God’s gift of salvation as an unearned, undeserved, and immediate work of grace imputed to sinners through faith exclusively. Romans 11:6 further validates this truth by distinguishing the exclusivity of and incompatibility between grace and works. In this passage, Paul wrote, “if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise, grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.”

Opponents of salvation through faith alone often quote James 2:14-26 in response to Ephesians 2:8-9, claiming salvation is obtained through faith plus good works. They contend that redemption through faith alone is unbiblical due to James’ negative use of that phrase. However, when these verses in James are understood and interpreted in their surrounding context, James simply distinguished genuine salvation (saving faith) from pretense or charades (dead faith), using the evidence of good works as a determining factor. James contended that if someone claimed to be born-again but did not exhibit good works, their “faith” was not legitimate but imaginary and nonexistent.

Also, James' negative reference to "faith alone" does not oppose salvation through faith alone but disputes the claim of one's salvation through faith alone without any accompanying works verifying its authenticity. James presented Abraham's good work of offering Isaac to demonstrate that saving faith naturally produces good works. If James intended to teach that Abraham's good works saved him or caused him to be righteous before God, he would contradict Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:1-24, Galatians 3:6-9, and a multitude of other verses that emphatically state the opposite.

Another important point to remember regarding salvation being a gift obtained through faith alone is that the Bible never teaches salvation through varying means or illustrates “exceptions to the rule” when God saves sinners. God saves everyone alike when they trust exclusively in His Son by faith for redemption. A few examples of this truth are found in Luke 23:32-43 and Acts 10:1-48.

In Luke 23:32-43, a convicted thief deserving death was crucified next to Jesus. This criminal did not perform any good works or participate in religious ordinances during his crucifixion yet expressed sincere faith in Christ before his death. Immediately, this thief was born-again as evidenced by Jesus's words confirming he would enter heaven that very day.

In Acts 10:1-48, Cornelius and his relatives were devout, God-fearing Gentiles who prayed regularly and were full of good works. Yet none of them were born-again because of it. Upon hearing Peter preach about Jesus, declaring that whoever believes in Him will be forgiven, Cornelius and his relatives put their faith in Jesus. Immediately, they received the Holy Spirit, which was infallible evidence of their salvation.

In these two examples, neither the thief on the cross nor Cornelius and his relatives were special circumstances or concessions regarding redemption. They were biblical models demonstrating the truth of salvation through faith alone as taught consistently and harmoniously in passages like Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:4-7, Romans 3:21-26, Romans 5:1-2, and many others.

Another clear, compelling, and straightforward passage establishing salvation as a gift obtained and sustained exclusively through faith is 1 Peter 1:5. In this passage, Peter said believers are "kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." Peter's statement plainly identifies faith as God’s means for imparting and sustaining one’s salvation and contradicts the notion that faith only initiates salvation, but good works maintain it. Peter’s declaration also refutes the idiocy that one's forgiven state is somehow maintained through human effort.

According to Hebrews 9:22, 9:14, Matthew 26:28, and Ephesians 1:7, remission of sins is only attainable through the shedding of innocent blood—specifically Jesus' blood. Furthermore, God's requirement for dwelling in heaven is absolute righteousness. Given that believers still sin after becoming born-again (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8; Isaiah 64:60), the only way they achieve and sustain absolute righteousness is to continually trust in the Righteous One, whose perfect life of obedience and substitutionary death qualifies them for heaven. That is why the Bible proclaims only one Savior, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12), and only one way to the Father, which is exclusively through the one Savior (John 14:6) and nobody else. Therefore, salvation is by God's grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

I hope this information assists you in understanding salvation through faith alone and equips you to refute claims that salvation is acquired through anything other than faith exclusively in Jesus Christ.

P.S. For an exhaustive list of Scriptures regarding salvation through faith alone, click here.