Is Salvation Based on Faith Alone or Do We Need to Do Works?

Direct Answer

No, salvation is by faith alone — faith plus nothing — not by works.

Les Feldick repeatedly teaches that justification is by faith without the deeds of the law. While works have a proper place after salvation, they are never the basis for being saved; adding any work to the gospel of grace makes it a works religion.

Key Scriptures

Romans 3:28 — This verse directly concludes that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Romans 4:5 — This verse says the one who does not work but believes is counted righteous — the pattern of faith alone.

Ephesians 2:8-9 — This is the classic statement that salvation is a gift, not a payment earned by works.

What Does the Bible Say?

Romans 3:27-28 asks, "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith." It then concludes, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." Romans 4:5 says, "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Ephesians 2:8-9 adds, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." These passages show that salvation is a gift received by faith, not a wage earned by works.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About Faith and Works?

Les Feldick drives home the phrase "faith plus nothing" when it comes to salvation. He shows from Romans 3 and 4 that justification comes by faith without the works of the law, and that boasting is excluded because no human work can be added. Works such as baptism, church membership, or charitable acts are fine after salvation and are what God expects, but when they are attempted for salvation, God will not recognize them. Les says anything done in the energy of the flesh — any human work — is not part of salvation; in fact, adding anything to the gospel of grace makes it a works religion and cancels the work of the cross. Salvation is a gift received by faith, not a payment earned by works.

What Is "the Law of Faith"?

In Romans 3:27, Paul asks what law excludes boasting. Les says it is not the law of works but the law of faith — faith without works is the only ground of salvation. The result is that there is no room for anyone to boast about what they did to get to heaven.

If Works Do Not Save, Do They Matter at All?

Yes. Les explains that works such as baptism, visiting the sick, and giving to the poor are fine in their proper place after salvation — that is what God expects. But they cannot be done for salvation; they are the result or reward that follows being saved, never the means of earning it.

What Happens When Works Are Added to the Gospel?

Les says attaching even a small work to the gospel makes it a works religion. Referring to Ephesians 2:8-9, he emphasizes that we are saved through faith, not of works. If works are attached to salvation, the gospel becomes worthless and the work of the cross is canceled.

From the Teaching

Boasting Excluded by the Law of Faith

Les explains that there is no room for boasting because the law that governs salvation is the law of faith, not the law of works — faith without works.

Justified by Faith Without the Law

Les concludes from Romans 3:28 that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law, summarizing it as "faith plus nothing."

Faith Plus Nothing for Salvation

Les says a person comes to salvation by believing, and "faith plus nothing" is what allows God to justify the sinner who believes in Jesus.

Works Have a Place After Salvation

Les says baptism, visiting the sick, and giving to the poor are works that have a proper place after salvation, but God will not recognize them when they are done to earn salvation.

Attaching Works Creates a Works Religion

Les says salvation is faith plus nothing; adding anything to the gospel of grace makes it a works religion, which he says is common in Christianity today.

Adding Works Cancels the Cross

Les says adding anything to faith cancels the work of the cross, and that God justifies those who work not but believe — not those who try to clean up their lives first.

Justification Repeats Over and Over

Les observes that Paul repeats "justified by faith" so often so we know we are not justified by what we do; a work is anything done in the energy of the flesh.

Saved by Grace Through Faith

Les applies Ephesians 2:8-9 directly: we are saved by grace through faith, not of works, so no one can boast; works belong to salvation's reward or result.

Bible Verses

Romans 3:27: Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

This verse shows that boasting is excluded because salvation is by the law of faith, not by works.

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

This is the conclusion Les repeats: justification is by faith without the deeds of the law.

Romans 4:5: But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

This verse says the one who does no work but believes is counted righteous.

Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

This verse declares that salvation is a gift, not something earned by works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is salvation by faith alone?

Yes. Les Feldick teaches that salvation is "faith plus nothing." Romans 3:28 concludes that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law, and Ephesians 2:8-9 says salvation is not of works.

Does 'faith without works is dead' mean we need works to be saved?

Les acknowledges that the book of James says faith without works is dead, but the clips end before he explains it. The consistent teaching from the verses he does explain is that justification is by faith apart from works.

What is 'faith plus nothing'?

It means no human activity is added to believing for salvation. Les emphasizes that as soon as you attach any work to the gospel of grace, it becomes a works religion and no longer saves.

Do works have a place in the Christian life?

Yes, after salvation. Les says works like baptism and helping others are what God expects, but they are the result and reward of salvation, never the means of obtaining it.

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