Works Only vs Faith Only

Acts 10 is the story of the conversion of Cornelius. It is a good chapter to use for framing two extremes.

Works Only

Faith Only

There are verses in the chapter that help frame the arguments against both. Works without Christ's plan of salvation can't save. Many religions practice good works without Christ. As Cornelius worked before trusting in Christ.

Act 10:2  A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 

Act 10:3  He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 

You see Cornelius is described as a man with the right attitudes and the right works. He was devout with a strong belief in God and he prayed and gave to the needy. He even had a vision.

He shows that a good attitude and good works aren't enough to save. He still needed to hear Peter's message and comply with the terms. Works alone weren't enough.

Act 10:4  And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 

Act 10:5  And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 

Act 10:6  He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

The word oughest is actually officially appointed.

So, he wasn't saved by his moral works without Peter's message.

On the other hand, a later verse outlines the need for working in our lives to follow what is right. Works alone couldn't save without the grace of Christ, the Grace of Christ was for those who work righteousness.

Act 10:35  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 

So, alms and prayer and visions alone could not save Cornelius, yet he had to fulfill the idea of working righteousness. It is a requirement but has no ability to complete salvation, God does that. Like when Jesus was baptized he said it was to fulfill all righteousness. 

Matthew 3:15 - fulfill all righteousness

Acts 10:35 - worketh righteousness

Mat 3:15  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 

The chapter shows that salvation isn't moral works alone, but that working righteousness is necessary to be acceptable to God.

Salvation is neither faith only nor is it works only.

The term righteousness means to be in tune with God's mind. It doesn't mean to follow law such as the law of Moses unless God directed it so, it could be following the great commission in baptism.based upon ones belief in the Gospel, if that is God's plan.

Act 10:47  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 

Act 10:48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.