This document provides scripture passages and summaries related to the topic of faith alone or sola fide. It begins with passages that describe faith or belief in God/Jesus leading to salvation, victory over sin, and eternal life. It then discusses obstacles, tests, weaknesses of faith and warnings against unbelief. Next it outlines aids to strengthening faith such as God's promises and works, the Bible, and asking God for wisdom. Finally it presents defenses of faith and admonitions to have courageous faith in God. The overall document examines faith from several angles to provide a thorough biblical perspective on the doctrine of sola fide.

1. The Basics: Sola FideMemorization Verses:1 Jn 5:1-5 Everyone who believes…Heb 11:6 And without faith…John 20:31 But these things are written…1 Tim 6:12 Fight the good…Prv 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord…Heb 11:1 Now faith is the assurance….

2. Opening PrayerAlmighty God, our heavenly Father, because of Your tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and finally come to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen LSB

5. P raiseRepentanceAppreciationYouEveryoneResolvePrayer Activity: Faith Alone

6. Luther on FaithThis faith alone, when based upon the sure promises of God, must save us; as our text clearly explains. And in the light of it all, they must become fools who have taught us other ways to become godly. ... Man may forever do as he will, he can never enter heaven unless God takes the first step with his Word, which offers him divine grace and enlightens his heart so as to get upon the right wayTHE SERMONS OF MARTIN LUTHER, VOL. III, PAGE 396

7. Book of Concord“many weaknesses and defects cling to the true believers and truly regenerate, even to the grave, still they must not on that account doubt either their righteousness which has been imputed to them by faith, or the salvation of their souls, but must regard it as certain that for Christ’s sake…they have a gracious God”Concordia Triglotta, 935,55f

8. Spencer KimballStatement of Opposition:"One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation."The Miracle of Forgiveness. P. 206

9. What is Faith?The activity of God in creating and sustaining in the New Man and by the Spirit of God, a heart and mind that firmly trusts and relies upon Christ as savior; His works, and the imputed righteousness thus secured in Himself for us.

10. Faith and Works?Categories based on the central work of SalvationFaith SavesWorks will followTherefore, Faith alone saves, but Faith is never alone.Allegory of the FlameFaith is the lightWorks are the warmth A Sermon Study on Romans 4:1–5, John C. Jeske

11. Degrees of Faith?Faith is the persuasion and conviction, and is not used in degree form in any NT texts.However, the language associated with degrees occurs where there is continual instruction and affirmation.SHOULD WE RETHINK THE IDEA OF DEGREES OF FAITH? BOB WILKIN Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society

12. Faith and ComfortI accept you, even though you feel unacceptable. I love you, even though you feel unlovable. No longer need you try to earn My approval; I give you My approval. A Sermon Study on Romans 4:1–5, John C. Jeske

13. A Mosaic of FaithThe sacrifice of AbelThe pitching of the ArkThe rising blade of AbrahamThe words of AaronThe wails of JobThe fortitude of DavidThe healing of a sonThe unused funeral spice…The taste of bread and wine

14. An Encore of Luther O, it is a living, busy, active, mighty thing, this faith; and so it is impossible for it not to do good works incessantly. It does not ask whether there are good works to do, but before the question rises, it has already done them, and is always at the doing of them…Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man would stake his life on it a thousand times. This confidence in God’s grace and knowledge of it makes men glad and bold and happy in dealing with God and with all His creatures; and this is the work of the Holy Ghost in faith. Hence a man is ready and glad, without compulsion, to do good to everyone, to serve everyone, to suffer everything, in love and praise of God, who has shown him this grace; and thus it is impossible to separate works from faith, quite as impossible as to separate heat and light from fire“Preface to the Epistle to the Romans,” 1522, Philadelphia Edition, VI, 451f; LW, 35, 370f

15. Questions:What is a faith alone?How is faith worked?How does faith work in us?M Faith (Trust): Grace Gift: Christ, Salvation, VictoryT Obstacles, Tests, Weaknesses, & WarningsW Aids to FaithTh Defenses, Proclamation, AdmonitionsF Faith’s Security, Promises, BlessingsResearch Teams

16. SS Faith (“trust”): A Grace Gift: Christ, Salvation, and VictorySB p. 2016Job 19:25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. Matthew 8:13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.Matthew 9:29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”Mark 9:23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.John 6:28-29 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”John 6:40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”Acts 13:39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.Romans 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,Philippians 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—Hebrews 11:33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.1 John 5:1-5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his bloodRevelation 19:11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.

17. M Obstacles, Tests, Weaknesses &WarningsM Obstacles, Tests, Weaknesses &WarningsGenesis 19:14 So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.Exodus 4:9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.”Deuteronomy 32:20 And he said, ‘I will hide my face from them; I will see what their end will be, For they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faithfulness.Psalm 78:19 They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness?Hosea 8:12 I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something alien.Matthew 13:58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.Matthew 14:31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”Matthew 21:32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.Luke 22:67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe,Luke 24:10-12 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.John 3:11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.John 4:48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”

18. M Obstacles, Tests, Weaknesses &WarningsJohn 6:64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)John 7:5 For not even his brothers believed in him.John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”John 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”Romans 9:33 “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 1 Timothy 1:5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.2 Timothy 2:13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.Hebrews 4:11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.James 2:17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.Jude 1:5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.Revelation 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.Revelation 20:4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

19. T Aids to FaithNotes on Romans 4; Heb 11, 1425-6: (2nd one)Matthew 14:26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.Luke 6:19 And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.Luke 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”John 10:25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me,John 20:31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.Acts 10:43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”Romans 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”Romans 4:20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.Galatians 3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?2 Timothy 3:15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.James 1:5-6 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

20. W Defenses, Proclamations, Admonitions 2 Chronicles 20:12 O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”2 Chronicles 32:7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.Joshua 14:12 So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.”Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.Matthew 17:20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 21:21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.Acts 8:36-38 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.Acts 27:25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.Ephesians 6:16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;Philippians 1:27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,1 Thessalonians 5:8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.Titus 1:13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,Jude 1:3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

21. Th Faith’s Security, Promises, BlessingsNotes on Ruth 2:12; p. 8421 Samuel 17:37 And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” 2 Samuel 22:31 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.1 Kings 8:56 “Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant.2 Chronicles 20:20 And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.”Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.Psalm 31:19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!Psalm 31:23 Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Psalm 115:11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.Psalm 125:1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.Isaiah 26:3-4 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.Daniel 3:17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.Matthew 6:30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?Luke 8:50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.”John 12:46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.Hebrews 10:22-23 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.Hebrews 11:39-40 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.James 5:15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

22. Questions:What is a faith alone?How is faith worked?How does faith work in us?M Faith (Trust): Grace Gift: Christ, Salvation, VictoryT Obstacles, Tests, Weaknesses, & WarningsW Aids to FaithTh Defenses, Proclamation, AdmonitionsF Faith’s Security, Promises, BlessingsConclusion

23. Closing PrayerAlmighty God, grant us a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, a cheerful hope in Your mercy, and a sincere love for You and one another; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen LSB

24. The Basics: The Solas: Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)Next Week…