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If one were to decide to concoct a plan, promising salvation upon that single act apart from all others, the most reasonable choice would not be “faith only,” which is what most of the Protestant world advocates. The book of Acts records more than one case of conversion in which faith is not mentioned in the conversion process. Of course, it is always implied, and it is obviously always there, but it is nonetheless true that faith is not mentioned in every case.
The best one-act plan would not be “confession of faith only”; Acts seldom specifically mentions this condition of pardon, though its presence is implied in every conversion. It would not be “repentance only,” because repentance is seldom explicitly mentioned in the cases of conversion in Acts, although it is always implied.
The most sensible one-act “plan of salvation” would be “baptism only.” This plan would be on much firmer Scriptural ground than “faith only,” “confession only,” or “repentance only.” In every detailed case of conversion recorded in the book of Acts, baptism is always present, always mentioned, and is always the consummating act. Is it not exceedingly ironic that the one act (baptism) that the New Testament invariably mentions in the detailed cases of conversion is also the one act that Protestant denominations almost invariably reject as even being a part of the Lord’s plan of salvation? Ironic or not, that they do so is undeniable.
Even casual readers of the Bible know that it teaches no such thing as salvation by “baptism only.” It also true that the Bible teaches no such thing as salvation by confession of one’s faith alone or by repentance alone. Nor does the Bible teach salvation by faith alone.
“But doesn’t the Bible say we are saved by faith or belief?” Of course, it does so in numerous places (e.g., John 3:16; Rom. 1:16; et al.). That same Bible also says we are saved by confession of our faith (Mat. 10:32; Rom. 10:10b). It also says that we are saved by repentance (Acts 3:19; 17:30). However, never do we read of salvation by “faith only,” “confession only,” or “repentance only.”
Instead, the Bible teaches that all of these are necessary parts of and make up the whole of the Lord’s conversion process whereby He forgives the sinner, delivers him out of the darkness of sin and its control, and translates him into His kingdom, the church (Acts 2:37–47; Col. 1:13–14).
Jesus has only one plan of salvation for all, unless He is a respecter of persons (which He is not [Acts 10:34–35]). Men have as much right to remove faith, repentance, or confession of faith as conditions of salvation as they do to remove baptism—which is no right at all.
[Note: I wrote this article for and it appeared in the Denton Record-Chronicle, Denton, TX, November 9, 2007].
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
