Is Faith Alone Sufficient for Salvation?

Direct Answer

Yes — Scripture and Les Feldick both teach that salvation is by faith alone, with nothing added to faith.

Romans 3:28 says a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law, and Les Feldick calls this "faith plus nothing." This applies to salvation itself, not to the Christian life, and no work or religious ritual is part of justification.

Key Scriptures

Romans 3:28 — It directly states that justification is by faith, without works of the law.

Romans 3:22 — It places the righteousness of God upon all who believe, adding no requirement to belief.

Romans 4:3 — It gives Abraham's example of justification by faith alone — he believed God, and it was counted as righteousness.

What Does the Bible Say About Faith Alone?

Romans 3:22 says, "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference." The verse presents one instrument — faith — through which God's righteousness comes. Verse 26 adds that God is "just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." The sinner's believing is the only qualification mentioned. Romans 3:28 is the most direct statement: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." The law and its deeds are explicitly excluded. Paul then asks in verse 29 whether God is the God of the Jews only and answers that He is also the God of the Gentiles, showing the same belief-based righteousness is for all people. Romans 4:3 brings the Old Testament witness: "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Abraham's faith was the sole ground of his righteousness in that verse — nothing is said of works, baptism, or law-keeping.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About Faith Alone?

Les Feldick repeatedly summarizes the way of salvation as "faith plus nothing." He points to Romans 3:26 and says God is the justifier of the person who believes in Jesus; the path to salvation is "by believing," and the other word for believing is "faith plus how much? Nothing." He is explicit that this statement concerns only salvation, not the Christian life or Christian works. Les uses Abraham as the foundational example. He says all the references to Abraham's saving faith show that he "believed. Plus nothing." Believers in this age of grace are brought into a relationship with God the same way as Abraham — by faith and faith alone. He also warns against substituting works for faith. Baptism, joining a church, visiting the sick, helping the poor — these are things people "try to do for salvation," but Les says "it won't work. God won't recognize it." He adds that saving faith is a wholehearted trust in what God did — if you or I were the only person living, Christ would still have gone to the cross for our redemption.

What Does "Faith Plus Nothing" Really Mean?

Les uses the phrase "faith plus nothing" to describe how a person is saved. He is careful to say he is not talking about the Christian life or Christian works after salvation; he is talking about the moment of salvation. The reaction of many people, he says, is quizzical: "Don't I have to do this? Don't I have to do that?" His answer is, "No, not for salvation."

Does Scripture Add Anything to Belief for Justification?

No. Romans 3:22 puts God's righteousness "upon all them that believe" with no condition added. Romans 3:28 says a man is justified "by faith without the deeds of the law." And Romans 4:3 shows Abraham was counted righteous because he believed God — nothing more is recorded.

How Is Abraham Connected to Faith Alone?

Les points out that Abraham did not follow his faith with required works to become righteous. "All the references to Abraham's saving faith is that he what? He believed. Plus nothing." In this age of grace, believers are brought into a relationship with God the same way, by faith and faith alone. Abraham's example is the only way to mentally connect yourself to Abraham.

Can Religious Works Such as Baptism Save?

Les says baptism is something you can decide to do, which makes it a work of the flesh. He lists other deeds — going to a pastor, joining a church, visiting the sick, going to a nursing home, giving to the poor — and says the world is trying to do these things for salvation. "And it won't work. God won't recognize it." Works have their proper place after salvation, but not before it.

Does Faith Alone Leave Room for a Careless Life?

Les draws a clear line between salvation and the Christian life. While he preaches "faith plus nothing" for salvation, he also says the Bible teaches why believers are not saved just to then "go and live carelessly." The transcripts of these clips do not yet expand that teaching, but the distinction is clear.

From the Teaching

Justification by Faith: What Does It Really Mean?

All right, now this is what the Word of God is going to do for us when we step into the truth of it. It's like being put in the spotlight, and it is being witnessed by the law and the prophets. Now I always want people to understand, yes, I am a great proponent of Paul as the apostle of the Gentiles, and that all our scriptures, but those of you who have been with me over the years, you know I don…

By Believing — Faith Plus Nothing

Les teaches that the way to salvation is believing, and that believing means faith plus nothing; no good work is added.

Righteousness of God by Faith

Les shows from Romans 3:22 that God's righteousness is received only by faith, with no mention of man's good works.

Abraham Believed, Plus Nothing

Les says Abraham's saving faith was simply believing, plus nothing, and that believers in this age connect to Abraham by faith alone.

A Faith God Calls Salvation

Les describes saving faith as wholehearted trust in Christ's death for our sins and says God sees that faith as salvation.

Works Don't Save

Les says baptism, church membership, and charitable deeds are all works of the flesh when done for salvation, and God will not recognize them.

Justified by Faith Without Works

Les reinforces Romans 3:28 — justification is by faith without deeds of the law — and introduces that believers are not saved to live carelessly.

Faith Plus Nothing — Hard to Swallow

Les acknowledges that "faith plus nothing" sounds surprising to people, but says it is what the Scripture teaches for salvation.

Bible Verses

Romans 3:22: Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

This verse establishes that the righteousness of God comes to every person through faith, without adding any work.

Romans 3:26: To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

God can be just while justifying the sinner who believes in Jesus — the only requirement shown is believing.

Romans 3:28: Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

This is the clearest biblical summary that justification comes by faith alone, not by law-keeping.

Romans 3:29: Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

It proves the same faith-based justification is available to both Jews and Gentiles.

Romans 4:3: For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Abraham is the Old Testament proof that righteousness comes through believing, not through works.

Romans 5:1: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Justification by faith is presented as the starting point of peace with God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is faith alone sufficient for salvation according to Les Feldick?

Yes. Les consistently says salvation is "faith plus nothing." He clarifies that he is speaking of salvation itself, not the Christian life or works after salvation.

Why does Les Feldick say baptism cannot save?

Les says baptism is something a person decides to do, which makes it a work of the flesh. Works done for salvation "won't work" and God will not recognize them; they belong in their proper place after salvation.

How does Romans 3:28 answer the question?

Romans 3:28 says a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law, which is the scripture's own way of saying faith alone is sufficient for justification.

Was Abraham saved by faith without works?

Les points out that Abraham's saving faith is described as believing, plus nothing, and Romans 4:3 confirms that he believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.

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Watch the Teaching: Justification by Faith: What Does It Really Mean?