LOL, smh, Then why are you placing yourself above Scripture? Submit to what Scripture says about how to be saved. Remove this nonsense about "belief only" (a concept found in only one verse in Scripture, and then in the negative).
Does "Belief Only" Appear in Scripture?
Your argument claims that the concept of "belief only" appears in only one verse, and in the negative. This likely refers to James 2:19:
“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”
However, this verse is not a refutation of salvation by faith; rather, James is addressing a dead faith that lacks works as evidence. James does not say faith is unnecessary but that true faith results in action.
More importantly, the Bible does teach salvation by faith alone in multiple places:
John 3:16 – “Whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 5:24 – “Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.”
John 6:29 – “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
Acts 16:31 – “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”
Romans 3:28 – “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works.”
These verses do not merely suggest faith is part of salvation but explicitly state that it is the means of receiving eternal life. Your argument that faith alone is a "one-verse concept" is completely false.
2. What About Obedience? Doesn't That Include Baptism?
The accusation also assumes that salvation requires baptism or works, yet Scripture refutes this.
Romans 4:5 – “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”
Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.”
Baptism is an act of obedience following salvation, but it is not the cause of salvation. If baptism were necessary for salvation, Paul would not have said:
1 Corinthians 1:17 – “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel.”
If baptism were essential, Paul’s statement would make no sense.
Instead, faith is the requirement, and baptism is an outward sign of that faith, just as circumcision was in the Old Covenant (Romans 4:11).
3. Are We Placing Ourselves Above Scripture?
The accusation that believing in salvation by faith alone is "placing oneself above Scripture" is ironic, given that Scripture itself teaches salvation by faith apart from works (Romans 3:28, Ephesians 2:8-9). Those insisting on works-based salvation are the ones adding to Scripture.
Rather than "removing" anything, the biblical position affirms what God has already said:
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Good works are the result of salvation, not the cause.
Final Thought
Your argument is based on a misrepresentation of Scripture, ignores numerous passages that affirm salvation by faith, and assumes that baptism or works contribute to justification. The biblical teaching remains: faith alone in Christ saves, and true faith will produce obedience as evidence-not as a requirement for justification.
J.