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Jason Choi
Mr. Cosmin
English 102
7 May 2015
Is Faith Necessary For Salvation?
Salvation is the ultimate goal of Christian life the end of ones journey, so to say
(BNCIL, 373). Christians long for salvation and they want to know how to earn it. Many
of them believe that salvation comes from grace, confession, hope, the blood of Christ,
repentance, the Holy Spirit, God, faith, baptism or ones works. But one of the most famous
verses in the Bible says For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Believe
by definition is to have a firm religious faith (Merriam-Webster). To believe is to have a
strong faith, and the Bible says that faith in Jesus will give salvation.
To understand if faith is necessary for salvation, we need to understand the right
meaning of faith. The Baltimore Catechism states that faith is the virtue by which we firmly
believe all the truths God has revealed, on the word of God revealing them, who can neither
deceive nor be deceived (Connell, 200). The Catholic church defines it in this way:
Both a gift of God and a human act by which the believer gives personal
adherence to God who invites his response, and freely assents to the whole
truth that God has revealed. It is this revelation of God which the Church
proposes for our belief, and which we profess in the Creed, celebrate in the
sacraments, live by right conduct that fulfills the twofold commandment of
charity (as specified in the ten commandments), and respond to in our

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prayers of faith. Faith is both a theological virtue given by God as grace, and
an obligation which flows from the first Commandment of God. (Catholic
Church Catechism, 2087)
Many people have defined faith in different ways. But the true meaning of faith can be found
in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. Like stated in the previous paragraph the dictionary
meaning is to have firm religious faith. The Bible defines faith as the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1) The verse is telling us that faith is
some kind of assurance for what we hoped for, such as salvation, promises, and blessings.
Also it is the evidence of things we have not seen. Many people have not seen God, nor seen
the creation, nor miracles. Still Christians believe in those, because they have faith. In the
same chapter of the book, it states, But without faith it is impossible to please him
(Hebrews 11:6). Faith is the substance of things which we hoped for and it is also the
substance that God hoped for us to have. In John 3:36, Scripture states, He that believeth on
the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath
of God abideth on him (John 3:36). If one does not have faith, which is not believing that
Jesus came to save humanity, it is said that the wrath of God is upon them. If the wrath of
God is upon an individual, it is impossible to please Him. Having wrath on someone is very
similar to not pleasing someone. A Bible researcher defines faith in this way:
Faith is not hope. Faith is the means by which we receive those things we
hope for. Neither is faith sight. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Faith
can only operate in the realm of the invisible concerning those things we
hope for and do not yet see. Faith cannot exist in the visible realm. When the
things we hope for are manifested to our sight, then faith, the invisible

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substance, having done its work, is supplanted by the visible substance, that
is, the things we hope for. When the actuality comes into view, then the
image faith vanishes. (Freeman, 4)
Faith is the assurance and the evidence. And it is important to have faith, receiving what we
hope for, to have salvation.
Many Scripture texts support the position that salvation comes from faith in Jesus,
such as this example from 2 Timothy: And that from a child thou hast known the holy
scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus (2Timothy 3:15). The Bible also states the following:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is
written, the just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:16-17)
These two verses tell us that salvation comes from faith. 2 Timothy says we are saved
through faith in Christ. It is very similar to John 3:16 which said to believe in the only
begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The book of Romans tells us that salvation is given to everyone
under a condition and that condition is whoever that believes. Whoever has faith will be
saved. In the Old Testament days, Jonah was crying out to God saying Salvation is of the
Lord (Jonah 2:9). Jonah knew that the Lord only can save him and save the people in
Nineveh. Also, there was a man who was saved by his faith.
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, if thou
be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying,
dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we

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indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath
done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou
comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee,
today shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:39-43)
There is nothing but faith in Jesus that He will save him. The man was not baptized, nor he
attended the synagogue. Ellen G White says in her book, Desire of Ages, about the man on
the cross.
The Holy Spirit illuminates his mind, and little by little the chain of evidence
is joined together. In Jesus, bruised, mocked, and hanging upon the cross, he
sees the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Hope is mingled
with anguish in his voice as the helpless, dying soul casts himself upon a
dying Saviour. Lord, remember me, he cries, When Thou comest into Thy
kingdom. (White, 750)
He saw Christ as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Seeing Jesus as the
Lamb of God is believing that Jesus is the Savior. He also had faith in Jesus to ask Him for
his salvation. Not only in the days of Old testament or the days of Jesus, in the days of the
New Testament, Paul and Silas were kept in the prison after saving a certain man from a
demon. The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, these men are the servants of the
most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. (Acts16:17). Even the evil spirits
knew that Paul understood the way of salvation.
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the
prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every
one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his

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sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would
have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul
cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then
he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before
Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be
saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:26-31)
The guard already knew that he was going to die, so he decided to kill himself. When he
asked Paul and Silas for salvation, it is referring to eternal salvation, not an instant salvation
from his position on the earth. This is one of the few times that the Bible answers the matter
of salvation directly. John MacArthur said,
Our continued faith in Christ is instrument of Gods sustaining work. God
didnt save us apart from faith, and He doesnt keep us apart from faith. Our
faith is Gods gift, and through His protecting power He preserves it and
nurtures it. The maintenance of our faith is as much His work as every other
aspect of salvation. Our faith is kindled and driven and maintained and
fortified by Gods grace. But to say that faith is Gods gracious gift, which
He maintains, is not to say that faith operates apart from the human will. It is
our faith. We believe. We remain steadfast. We are not passive in the process.
The means by which God maintains our faith involves our full participation.
(MacArthur, 185)
MacArthur states that believers need faith and it is their own participation in salvation. Jonah
said salvation is of the Lord. He gives His people salvation as a gift. He already paid the price

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for salvation. Jesus came down to save those who serve Him from the sins and the world.
One simply needs to be steadfast and hold on to their faith for salvation.
Salvation is given to us through grace so one just needs to believe and have faith in
Him. In Ephesians it said For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). It states that His people are saved by grace through
faith. Grace is given by God. God showed His grace through sending His only begotten Son
to the earth to save humanity. He is grace. His grace was given as a gift. He provided it and
paid its price.
If you did anything to earn it or deserve it, it is not grace. If God owes it to
you because youre a pretty good person or youve tried to do the best you
can, it is not grace. If God gives it to you because He foresaw that you would
believe in Him of your own free will, it is not grace. Grace means that you
get the opposite of what you deserve. You deserve Gods wrath because you
have sinned against Him. Instead, He saves you by His grace. (Cole, 3)
On the other hand, faith is each individuals part. Christians must strive for their faith. God
cannot give us faith. Faith is the belief each individual has. Hebrews 11 shows the examples
of the faithful. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Gideon,
Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, Samuel, and other prophets pleased God by faith and did
great things. Faith is like an instrument; we have to earn the salvation by grace. Martin Luther
also writes about salvation by grace through faith. He states, God should contribute to the
salvation of all who believe, then salvation wont be our merit but Gods mercy (Luther). He
states that it is grace that saves humanity and one just needs to believe it. Grace is not what
one needs because it is already given to each individual. What one can do is to have faith and

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believe that Jesus is going to give us the salvation. For I delivered unto you first of all that
which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures (1
Corinthians 15:3) Christ, the redeemer, died for the sins of humanity to provide salvation.
Mrs. White also says in her book Faith,
If any man can merit salvation by anything he may do, then he is in the same
position as the Catholic to do penance for his sins. Salvation, then, is partly
of debt, that may be earned as wages. If man cannot, by any of his good
works, merit salvation, then it must be wholly of grace, received by man as a
sinner because he receives and believes in Jesus. It is wholly a free gift.
(White, 20)
It is by grace through faith that humanity receives salvation. Everyone is just a sinner, yet
Christ paid the price for their salvation. It is a free gift from God to us. One simply has to
believe it.
Humanity must preserve their faith till the end when Jesus comes. A Calvinist says
Let us not then take refuge in our sloth or encouragement in our lust from the abused
doctrine of the security of the believer. But let us appreciate the doctrine of the perseverance
of the saints and recognize that we may entertain the faith of our security in Christ only as we
persevere in faith and holiness to the end (Murray, 155). This is not simply a Calvinist
belief; a catholic wrote this,
Believing in Jesus Christ and in the One who sent him for our salvation is
necessary for obtaining that salvation therefore without faith no one has
ever attained justification nor will anyone obtain eternal life but he who
endures to the end. (Lovasik and Burns)

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The Bible says in 1 Peter that salvation is given to people who endure and preserve their faith
till the end.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to
his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible,
and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are
kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in
the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need
be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your
faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be
tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the
appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though
now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full
of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls
(1Peter 1:3-9)
These verses states that at the end of faith there will be salvation. Therefore ones faith needs
to be kept till the end. The books of Hebrews says,
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily
beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking
unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the
right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

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Like BNCIL stated, each individual is on a journey and a race. Christ has started it and
finished it for everyone who is willing. All one needs to do is to have faith and patiently wait
till the end. There is a wonderful story about being faithful till the end.
When the pagan Licinius ruled the eastern half of the Roman Empire (307323 AD), it was his evil intent to eliminate Christianity from the lands under
his control, and especially, for fear of treason, among the troops. One of his
supporters was a cruel man by the name of Agricola who commanded the
forces in the Armenian town of Sebaste, in what is now eastern Turkey.
Among his soldiers were forty devout Christians who wielded equally well
the sword of battle and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God
(Eph. 6:17). These men formed an elite bodyguard. When it came to
Agricola's attention that they were Christians, he determined to force them to
renounce their' faith and bow down to the pagan gods. He gave them two
alternatives: "Either offer sacrifice to the gods and earn great honors, or, in
the event of your disobedience, be stripped of your military rank and fall into
disgrace." The soldiers were thrown into jail to think this over. The next
morning Agrricola summoned them once again. This time he tried to
persuade them by flattering words, praising their valor and their
handsomeness. When the soldiers remained unmoved, they were again
thrown into prison for a week to await the arrival of Licius, a prince of some
authority. Licius repeated Agricola's arguments of persuasion, alternating
between threats and flattery. When he saw that words were of no avail, he
ordered the soldiers sent to jail while he thought up a form of torture sure to

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change their minds. The next day the soldiers were led to a lake. It was
winter and a frosty wind was blowing. The soldiers were stripped of their
clothes and ordered to stand through the night in the freezing waters. A guard
was set to watch over them. In order to tempt the holy warriors of Christ,
warm baths were set up on the side of the lake. Anyone who agreed to
sacrifice to the idols could flee the bitterly cold waters and warm his frozen
bones in the baths. This was a great temptation which in the first cruel hour
of the night overpowered one of the soldiers. He roused the sleeping guards
and, throwing off his clothes, ran into the lake shouting for all to hear, "I am
a Christian too!" And he brought the number of martyrs once again to forty.
(Forty Martyrs of Sebaste)
It will come a time when Christians will be persecuted again. Many of them will denounce
their faith like one of the soldiers did. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am,
there ye may be also (John 14:2-3). Christians need to remember this verse and stay faithful.
If one does not stay faithful till He comes back, there is no salvation. He promised to come
back and take His people to Heaven.
By grace through faith, receiving what is hoped for and the evidence of things
unseen, in Jesus faithfully till the end, humanity can receive salvation. It is not something one
can earn, it is given by God as a free gift. All one can do is believe Him and what He says. It
is not seen, but believed through faith.

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Work cited
BNCIL, Maria Yvonne. Print.
"Believe." Def. 2.Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, 2011.Web. 8 May 2011.
Catechism of the Catholic Church. New York: Doubleday, 1995. Print.
Cole, Steven J. "Salvation By Grace Through Faith Alone." Ephesians Lesson 14.
Flagstaff Christian Fellowship, Flagstaff, AZ. 21 Oct. 2007. Speech.
Connell, Francis J., and David Sharrock. The New Confraternity Edition, Revised
Baltimore Catechism and Mass No. 3: The Text of the Official Revised Edition 1949 with
Summarizations of Doctrine and Study Helps. New York: Benziger Bros., 1952. Print.
Freeman, Hobart E. Faith: For Healing. Warsaw, IN: Faith, n.d. Print.
"In Memory Of the Forty Martyrs Of SebasteA.D. 320." Forty Holy Martyrs of
Sebaste. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
Lovasik, Lawrence G., and Burns K. Seeley. The Apostolate's Family Catechism:The
Catholic Faith: Instruction and Prayer. Bloomingdale, OH: Apostolate for Family
Consecration, 1994. Print.
Luther, Martin. "Salvation through Faith Alone." Speech.
MacArthur, John. Faith Works: The Gospel According to the Apostles. Dallas: Word
Pub., 1993. Print.
Murray, John. Redemption - Accomplished and Applied. Micigan: Grand Rapids,
1955. Print.
The Holy Bible: King James Version. Iowa Falls, IA: World Bible Publishers, 2001.
White, Ellen Gould Harmon. Faith and Works: Sermons and Articles. Nashville:
Southern Pub. Association, 1979. Print.

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White, Ellen Gould Harmon. The Desire of Ages. Mountain View, CA, Portland, Or.:
Pacific Pub. Association, 1940. Print.