Is salvation by faith plus nothing or by faith plus works?
Salvation is by faith plus nothing, not by faith plus works. Paul declares that the finished work of Christ is received through the hearing of faith, not by keeping the law. If salvation required works, Christ died in vain. The Spirit is received as evidence of salvation through faith, not law-keeping.
Les teaches that Paul's answer is clear: salvation is faith plus nothing. He explains this is not about the Christian experience as believers go on down the road, but about salvation itself. Paul argues that if it were not faith plus nothing, Christ died for nothing or in vain. The Galatians received the Spirit, the evidence of salvation, not by the works of the law but by the hearing of faith. Les then compares Scripture with Scripture, using Romans 10:17 to show that saving faith comes by hearing, and there is no work in hearing.
More Questions
Does 'faith plus nothing' apply to salvation or to the Christian life?
The 'faith plus nothing' teaching applies to salvation, not to the Christian experience or ongoing walk.
Does 'faith plus nothing' apply only to salvation and not to the Christian experience afterward?
Paul is talking about salvation, not the Christian experience that follows; salvation is faith plus nothing, while the Christian experience is a separate matter.