By Faith alone (Sola Fide)
– No person gets saved without having conscious faith in Jesus Christ, except for those who are unable to believe, like infants who die, and mentally disabled people.
— Saving faith is essentially a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-10).
— There is a distinction between false or temporary faith and true and saving faith (Matthew 13; Hebrews 6:4-10)
— Saving faith and Biblical repentance always go together, they are distinct graces, but should not be separated from each other in salvation.
— Saving faith includes, correct knowledge of the truths of the gospel, assent to the facts of the gospel, and trust in the Person and Work of Christ.
— Biblical repentance includes, conviction of sins (change of mind), contrition over sins (change of emotions), (not attrition), confession of sins and conversion (change of behavior). Shame and hatred for sins are included in the change of emotions.
— We are saved, strictly speaking, by trusting in Christ Jesus, receiving Christ for who He is: as Lord and Savior and Righteousness, or as King, Prophet and Priest.
— Every person who is regenerated by the Holy Spirit will repent and believe the gospel because God is the determining cause in granting faith and repentance and the exclusive cause in giving a new heart to desire Christ
— We are active in repenting of our sins and trusting in Christ, our emotions, minds and wills are involved.
— These emotions to desire Christ and hate sin, this will to be willing to choose Christ, rest in Christ, and turn from sin, and this mind to understand the facts of the gospel and agree to it, to be true, have been created by Christ (Ef 2:10).
— We are commanded to repent of our sins and turn to God and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15,16; John 14:1,2). Without our wills and affections and minds involved we are not saved. We have to commit to Christ to be saved.
— By faith, in Christ alone, people are justified of their sins, Christ’s righteousness are accounted (imputed, transferred) to the believer and their sins were put on (imputed, transferred) Jesus 2000 years ago (Romans 3:24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
— By faith alone, believers are adopted into God’s family (Galatians 3), receive forgiveness of sins, the gift (baptism) of the Holy Spirit and eternal life (John 1:12; John 3:16).
— Faith is the instrument by which we receive justification, forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit, not repentance.
Truths Transform 