HERMENEUTICS-BY STEVE FINNELL

Hermeneutics is the science of interpretation of the Scriptures. Isolating verses of Scripture to prove a point of doctrine is common practice, but is it a valid scientific approach to understanding God's word?

Let us examine this approach when dealing with the question, "WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?"

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Is that verse true? Yes, but does it include all the requirements for salvation? No, it does not.

Mark 16:16 He who has believed and been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

Is that verse true? Yes, but does it include all the requirements for salvation?

Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Yes, that verse is true; but does include all the requirements for salvation?

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of of God.

Is that verse true? Yes, but it does not explain the process to be born of water and the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

Is that verse true? Yes, we have the opportunity for salvation because of God's grace, however, that verse does not say that we are saved by grace alone nor does it say we are saved by faith only.

Romans 6:4-5 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in the newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,

Is that verse true? Yes, but baptism alone is not the only requirement in order to walk in newness of life.

1 Peter 3:21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you---not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience---through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Is it true that water baptism saves us? Yes, but that verse does not say baptism alone saves us.

Acts 22:16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name!

Is that verse true? Yes, but does it list all the requirements for salvation?

Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Is that verse true? Yes, but only if faith precedes baptism.

Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Is that verse true? Yes, but it does not mean that you can have your sins forgiven without having faith and confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior.  

Acts 16:30-31..."Sirs what must I do to be saved?" 31 They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Is that verse true? Yes, however, it does not state that men are saved by "faith only."

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The Bible says we saved by grace. It does not state we are saved by grace alone.

The Bible says we we are saved by believing in Jesus. It does not say we are saved by faith only.

The Bible says we are saved by confessing Jesus as Lord and believing that God raised Him from the dead. It does not say that by confessing Him and believing in His resurrection alone that we will be saved.

The Bible does says we must repent in order to have our sins  forgiven. The Bible does not say repentance alone saves us.

The Bible teaches us that water baptism is for the forgiveness of sins and that it saves us. It does not say baptism alone saves us.

WE ARE SAVED BY?

We are saved by grace.
We are saved by faith.
We are saved by repentance.
We are saved by confession.
We are saved by water baptism.

WHICH REQUIREMENT OF GOD'S PLAN FOR OUR SALVATION CAN WE ELIMINATE AND STILL BE SAVED?

The jailer and his household believed and were baptized that very hour. (Acts 16:30-33) There was no law keeping nor good deeds required for them to be saved.