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NASB | Matthew 7:13 ¶ "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 7:13 ¶ "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. |
Subject: Faith plus Baptism or Faith alone? |
Bible Note: Arrow1: What's the difference between "to believe" and "to have faith"? And how do faith (belief) and repentance constitute "works"? Ephesians 2:8,9 makes a sharp distinction between faith and works -- having saving faith in Christ is not the same thing at all as attempting to earn salvation by works, such as the legalistic approach to salvation by "works of the Law" (Romans 3:20,28), which is consistently condemned in Scripture. We are justified by the gift of God's grace through the redemption which is in Jesus Christ (see the discussion in Romans 3:21-31). Faith and repentance are inward, things of the heart, renewing the mind, changing one's attitudes, aims, purposes, goals, system of values. They are not outward "works." Although they may well lead to good works, they are not themselves works at all in the bliblcal sense of "works." On the other hand, water baptism and the Lord's Supper (Communion) are "works" of obedience. Neither contributes to salvation, but both are outward manifestations of an inward change in one's life, i.e., of regeneration that leads to obedience. Repentance and saving faith manifest themselves in works but they themselves are not works. So much of our confusion and differences stem from a lack of a clear understanding of what we mean by the words we use. It would serve all of us well to engage in periodic reviews of the exact meanings of some of the prominent and common terms that we use in connection with our Christian faith. Certainly words such as belief, faith, repentance and works deserve a top spot on this list. Knowing exactly what we mean by what we say contributes to fuller understanding and more effective communicaton in a most delightful way. --Hank |