What did Paul teach we are saved by?
The apostle Paul taught that salvation is by faith plus nothing. Unlike Israel under John’s message, who repented and were baptized and had faith plus sacrifice or works, Paul declared the believer is saved by faith alone, with nothing added. This ties believers to Abraham, who was also saved by faith plus nothing.
Les explains that John the Baptist came preaching to Israel a message of repentance and water baptism, joined with law-keeping and the prescribed sacrifice. That was faith plus something—faith plus sacrifice, works, or whatever else was added. Then the apostle Paul comes and says it is faith plus nothing. That ties believers to the only other man God dealt with on that basis: Abraham. Abraham was saved by faith plus nothing, and we are saved by faith plus nothing, while everybody in between was saved by faith plus works. Abraham had the promises of a spiritual seed in the heavenlies because they were to come in by faith plus nothing, though his physical relationship was with the nation of Israel, the earthly people of God. Les then returns to Romans chapter 4, where Abraham is the epitome of faith, and the promise was not through the law.