Bible Study: Faith, Obedience, and the Gospel Purpose:
Bible Study: Faith, Obedience, and the Gospel Purpose:
To explore what the Bible teaches about faith and obedience in salvation, particularly regarding water and Spirit baptism as seen in John 3:5 and Acts 2:38, and to understand how these relate to the faith emphasized in Romans 3-5. Introduction
(Read Aloud):
The Bible teaches that we are saved by grace through faith, but what does true faith look like? Does faith mean only believing, or does it include obeying God’s commands, such as being baptized in water and receiving the Holy Spirit? Today, we’ll study key Scriptures to see how faith and obedience work together in God’s plan for salvation. Let’s approach this with open hearts, letting the Word guide us. Materials Needed: Bible (preferably English Standard Version for consistency), notebook, pen. Study Format: Read each section’s Scriptures aloud, discuss the questions, and write down insights. Pray for understanding before starting.
Section 1: Faith as the Foundation of Salvation Scriptures:
Romans 3:23-25: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.”
Romans 4:3, 5: “For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’ … And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”
Romans 5:1-2: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand…”
Discussion Questions:
According to Romans 3:23-25, how are we justified, and what role does faith play?
In Romans 4:3, 5, why was Abraham’s faith counted as righteousness? What does it mean to “believe” in this context?
Romans 5:1-2 says faith gives us access to grace. How does this shape your understanding of what faith does for us?
Key Point: These verses show that faith in Jesus’ sacrifice is how we receive God’s grace and are justified. Faith is trusting God’s promise, as Abraham did, but let’s explore what faith involves. Section 2: The Gospel Command of Water and Spirit Baptism Scriptures:
John 3:5: “Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’”
Acts 2:38: “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
Mark 16:16: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Discussion Questions:
In John 3:5, what does Jesus say is necessary to enter the kingdom of God? What might “born of water and the Spirit” mean?
Acts 2:38 connects repentance, baptism, and the Holy Spirit to forgiveness of sins. How does this relate to the faith described in Romans?
Mark 16:16 pairs believing with baptism for salvation. Why do you think baptism is included here if faith is the key?
Key Point: These verses present water baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit as essential parts of responding to the gospel. They suggest that faith leads to specific actions to enter God’s kingdom. Section 3: Faith Without Works is Dead Scriptures:
James 2:17, 26: “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. … For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”
James 2:21-22: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.”
Romans 6:3-4: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
Discussion Questions:
What does James 2:17, 26 mean by “faith without works is dead”? How does this relate to believing without being baptized?
In James 2:21-22, how did Abraham’s works (obedience) show his faith? Can you think of modern examples where faith leads to action?
Romans 6:3-4 connects baptism to Christ’s death and resurrection. How does this show baptism as part of faith’s response to the gospel?
Key Point: James teaches that true faith produces works, like Abraham’s obedience. Baptism, as seen in Romans 6, is an act of faith that unites us with Christ’s saving work. Section 4: Examples of Faith and Obedience in Acts Scriptures:
Acts 8:35-38: “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 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 10:44-48: “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. … Then they asked him to remain for some days. And Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”
Acts 22:16: “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”
Discussion Questions:
In Acts 8:35-38, why did the eunuch want to be baptized after hearing about Jesus? What does this suggest about faith?
In Acts 10:44-48, the Holy Spirit came before water baptism, but Peter still commanded baptism. Why was baptism necessary if they had faith and the Spirit?
Acts 22:16 links baptism to washing away sins. How does this align with or challenge the idea that faith alone, without obedience, saves?
Key Point: In Acts, believers responded to the gospel with faith, baptism, and receiving the Holy Spirit. These actions were immediate expressions of their faith, not optional additions. Conclusion and Reflection Scriptures:
Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Hebrews 5:9: “And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.”
Final Questions:
Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes salvation by grace through faith, not works. How do John 3:5 and Acts 2:38 fit with this, considering baptism and the Spirit as faith’s response?
Hebrews 5:9 says Jesus saves those who obey Him. How can you balance faith as the root of salvation with obedience to commands like baptism?
Reflect: If faith includes trusting God enough to obey His commands, how might John 3:5 and Acts 2:38 apply to your walk with Christ?