The Bible teaches that salvation is by faith alone, distinct from works, as demonstrated in Genesis with Abraham.
The doctrine of salvation by faith is rooted in the Old Testament, where we see that Abraham was justified by his faith in God, not by his works. In Romans 4, Galatians 3, and James 2, it is repeated that Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. This demonstrates that faith is a gift from God, not a product of human effort or merit, aligning with the overall message of the New Testament that our salvation is wholly dependent on Christ's completed work and not our own deeds.
Scripture References:
Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6, James 2:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 3:1-6, John 1:12, John 3:3-5, John 3:14-15, Isaiah 45:22, Romans 3:24, Romans 4:16
Commentary