Ephesians 2: 8-9
You have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.
CCF cites the bible verse above to justify its doctrine that faith alone saves. CCF simply connects the words "saved", "faith" and "not by works" to come up with the belief that faith alone saves. But do the verses really mean that faith alone saves ?
First, we must investigate the word "saved". Just what does the word saved in verse 8 pertain to ? To find out, we simply have to go back to Ephesians 2:5 which says, "that even though we were dead in sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. ( it is only by God's grace that you have been saved )".So saved in verse 8 means saved from being trapped in sin. Saved in this case means saved from the power of sin. Saved in this particular verse does not mean saved from judgement at all.
But through faith in Jesus' death and resurrection, we can achieve favorable judgement. Since we now have the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the power and influence of sin once we believe in Jesus' death and resurrection, there is hope that we can have eternal life. It is a gift of God since Jesus, after all, was God's gift to mankind. The death and resurrection of Jesus took place because of God's great love for humanity. It is this great love that manifested itself in the form of a gift in the person of Jesus Christ. But we have to note that we still can continue to live in sin if we choose to. We certainly can still be in sin if we refuse to have faith in Jesus' death and resurrection. Faith is indeed vital in overcoming sin. Hence, the word "faith" in verse 8.
The words "not of works" pertain to Jesus' death and resurrection which not a single man had something to do with to take place. No one may boast of having now the ability to resist sin because Jesus alone did all that is needed to give man such power. More importantly, aside from resisting sin, faith in Jesus' death and resurrection gives man the ability to do good works. Ephesian 2:10 says, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." And once we are driven to do good works, we then become more justified come Judgement Day.
James 2:24
So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.
So, what does CCF think of Ephesians 2:8-9 ?
Bro, again I want to comment.I'm with CCF for 2 years now and CCF teaches that salvation is by grace through faith. there's nothing we can do to earn salvation but our response to our salvation is doing good works as stated in Ephesians 2:10.Sa mga retreats ng CCF and even sa lahat ng sermons, ang doctrine ng CCF:
ReplyDeletefaith in Jesus=salvation--> resulting to good works.
Are we saved by grace or works?
ReplyDeleteChristian Apologetics and Research Ministry
(reposted from http://carm.org/grace-or-works)
by Matt Slick
Ephesians 2:8, 9; Romans 3:20, 28; Galatians 2:16 and James 2:24; Matthew 19:16-21
1. Saved by grace
1. (Ephesians 2:8-9) - "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, that no one should boast."
2. (Rom. 3:20, 28) - "because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin...For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law."
3. (Galatians 2:16) - "nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."
2. Saved by works
1. (James 2:24) - "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone."
2. (Matthew 19:16-17) - "And behold, one came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" 17And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."
God does not want a faith that is empty and hypocritical. James 2 is talking about those who "say" that they have faith but have no works. Therefore, people cannot tell if they are true believers or not, because there is no fruit. That kind of a faith is useless and is not a saving faith. True faith results in true works.
In Matthew 19:16-17, Jesus was speaking to a Lawyer who was self-righteous since he wanted to put Jesus to the test (Luke 10:25). He asked what he must do in order to obtain eternal life and Jesus responded with the requirements of keeping the commandments. If a person keeps all of the commandments, it would seem that they could obtain eternal life. However, nobody can keep all of the commandments. Therefore, Jesus' comments to this man show this man that justification can only be by faith since no one can keep all of the commandments. This is why it says in Eph. 2:8 that we are saved by grace through faith. Also, Romans 3:20,28 and Galatians 2:16 tells us that no one is justified in the sight of God by the law; that is, by the works that he can do.
There is no contradiction at all when we examine the contexts. We are justified by faith but that faith must be alive (James 2). The Law cannot save us because we are incapable of keeping it (Matthew 19:16-17). Therefore, salvation is by grace through faith.
dear anonymous,
ReplyDeletei am glad that you take the time to comment. the truth will be revealed as we exchange ideas.
ask the ccf pastors what they say about ephesians 2:8-9. ask them exactly what the word saved means in verse 8. let them explain the grace or the gift of God that are mentioned in the verses. it is simply ridiculous to teach that salvation from judgement is without obedience to the laws of Christ. i maintain that faith is important to gain salvation. but faith must be accompanied with good works. isn't this the reason why Jesus talks about people who say lord to him will not be paid much attention to come judgement day ? and ask ccf pastors what james 2:24 means as well.
just look at the priority of ccf leaders because of their false doctrine that good works is not necessary for salvation. they would rather spend 3B on a building than chanelling the money in helping the sick, the dying, the poor, the uneducated, the homeless, the orphaned, the jobless and unfed. there lies the danger of such a doctrine.
God bless.
Brother efd, If you say that you're a Christian, why you have to judge CCF as a whole? I mean leadership of a church, PHP3B worth of building construction? So what if they spend too much, Matthew 16:18 says that "...and on this rock I will build my church....", there's nothing bad for building a church and worship center. I'm not from CCF but I really appreciate it because the church group must have a beautiful worship sunday gatherings, it is also for the Lord.
DeleteAbout feeding the poor? they also thnk of that, they also help the people. That's why they have a funds for like this or this one, It's God's blessing for that and no need to question funds of indigenous churches like CCF.
I ask you something, are you a former member of CCF? just wondering.... but no offense brother.
God bless
dear riel,
ReplyDeletethank you for your comments.
ccf leaders conveniently miss out on an important fact when they try to justify their belief that faith alone saves. they forget to highlight that the verses that they cite pertain to the laws of moses. note that in the verses that you mentioned, the Law being referred to is the mosaic law. you have to differentiate that with the law of Christ, which we christians today must take to heart and obey for salvation to be attained.
you also mentioned matthew 19:16. just what exactly did Jesus tell the man when he asked how he can have eternal life ? in verse 21, Jesus told the man to go and sell his possessions and give to the poor and you will have treasures in heaven and TO COME AND FOLLOW HIM. Jesus could have easily told the man to simply have faith if faith is all the man needs to go to heaven. but He did not. Jesus told the man to get rid of material possessions, give to the poor and to follow and obey Him to enter heaven.
God bless.
God bless.
This is the official doctrine of CCF:
ReplyDeleteSalvation
We believe that salvation, with its forgiveness of sins, impartation of a new nature, and eternal life, is a free gift from God. This gift is received when a person trusts in Jesus Christ to be his only Savior and Lord. It is given by God’s grace and cannot be earned by man through good works, baptism, church membership or any other means.
Cf. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1.
Good Works
We believe that good works are not the means to salvation but the expected byproduct in the life of a true believer in Christ. The evidence of true salvation and true faith is repentance, good works, and changed lives. It is every believer’s responsibility to pursue a life of good works through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Cf. Ephesians 2:8-10; Galatians 6:9-10; Matthew 5:16; 1 Timothy 6:18.
Source:
http://www.ccf.org.ph/about-us/what-we-believe/
dear riel,
ReplyDeletethank you for posting ccf's doctrine.
i notice that you just cite so many verses without really taking the time to explain fully what these verses mean. what exactly does ccf take ephesians 2:8-9 to mean ? does saved in the verses mean saved from hell ? or does it mean saved from being trapped in sin ?
going back to matthew 19:16 which you cited, it is very clear that you have been brainwashed into believing that Jesus did not emphasize the need to obey him to gain salvation. matthew 19:21 clearly illustrates that Jesus wanted the man to do the things that He says. Jesus did not tell the young man to just have faith in Him to gain salvation.
it is important to really investigate what ccf pastors are saying. i have proven that they have lied before. if you want to see the video that i have, tell me. i am all too willing to show you that your pastors hide the truth.
God bless.
ccf is false christ/half truth,half lies, because they said they are saved by grace but they do the law of works, the tight,they are trying very hard to comply the tenth of their earning in order to be saved
ReplyDelete