Episode 04: Gained, Given, Gotten

“Baptism doesn’t save, because faith alone saves.” I’ve heard this many times. It is an axiom, almost a mantra of many evangelical Christians, whose theology has descended from Reformed theologian Ulrich Zwingli as well as the Anabaptists of the sixteenth century. And it sounds so convincing to many, because Scripture clearly says that a sinner is saved by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28). So, if faith alone saves, how can you add anything to it? Yet, Scripture also says that Baptism saves (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Titus 3:5-8). So, how can Scripture say that Baptism saves if it also says that faith alone saves?

All this can be easily clarified if we understand the distinction between gained, given, and gotten. Our salvation is gained by Christ Jesus alone, who suffered and died for our sins and rose for our justification. Our salvation is given to us by the Holy Spirit through the Word, specifically, the Gospel. This Gospel is proclaimed through preaching, spoken in Baptism, Absolution, and in the administration of the Lord’s Supper. And finally, this salvation is gotten, that is, received through faith alone. So, when we talk about faith saving and Baptism saving, we are not talking about two competing things, but one, which gives and the other which receives. Baptism gives what Christ gained on the cross. Faith receives it. We wouldn’t say, “The preaching of the Gospel doesn’t save, because faith alone saves.” That would be ridiculous. Of course, the preaching of the Gospel saves. And that doesn’t take anything away from faith alone saving, because faith saves by receiving what the preaching of the Gospel gives. This is why Jesus says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16) Faith receives what Baptism gives. But if you do not believe, then Baptism doesn’t save you. Similarly, the preaching of the Gospel does not save the person who does not believe it. Not even the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ saves the person who does not believe it!

So, when we preach, when we read the Bible, and when we listen to preaching, we need to pay attention to how salvation is gained, given, and received. When we mix these up or exclude them, then we lose the Gospel and the salvation it offers.

What is Gained?

• Forgiveness of sins: He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14
• Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption: And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 1 Corinthians 1:30
• Peace with God: Luke 2:14; John 20:19
• Eternal life: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28
• Inheritance in the Kingdom of God: In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14;
• Adoption as children of God: Galatians 4:5

How is it Gained?

Salvation is gained in no other way than through the innocent sufferings and death of Christ Jesus, God’s own Son, who made satisfaction for our sins on the cross. Being true man, He was placed under the law and was obedient in our stead. He was able to suffer and die as our substitute. Being true God, He was able to bear the sin of the whole world and His death was sufficient to pay for the sins of the whole world.

• But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5
• 18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:18-21
• In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses Ephesians 1:7
• for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, Romans 3:23-25a
• This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:3-6
• knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:18-19
• He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:24-25
• For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 1 Peter 3:18
• And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14-15
• But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:11-12

Because Christ Jesus, true God and man, suffered and died for our sins, salvation must be by grace. It dishonors Christ to say that His obedience and His suffering and death are not enough to win for us eternal life. If there were an infinite number of worlds and an infinite number of sinners, Christ’s suffering and death would be enough to win salvation for all, because Christ Jesus is true God. This gives us confidence that our salvation is certain. This is why we fight so hard that salvation is by faith alone, because faith does not earn our salvation, but rather receives salvation as a free gift.

How is it Given?

• By the Holy Spirit, who enlivens, regenerates, and creates faith in the hearts of believers through the Word. The Holy Spirit is like the delivery man, who delivers what Christ has won for us on the Cross. Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” John 16:13-15
• This is why Augsburg Confession V states, “1 That we may obtain this faith, the Ministry of Teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted. For through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, 2 the Holy Ghost is given, who works faith; where and when it pleases God, in them that hear 3 the Gospel, to wit, that God, not for our own merits, but for Christ’s sake, justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ’s sake. 4 They condemn the Anabaptists and others who think that the Holy Ghost comes to men without the external Word, through their own preparations and works.”
• The Holy Spirit works through the Word and the Sacraments as instruments, that is, as tools. A carpenter uses a hammer and drill. The Holy Spirit uses God’s Word and Sacraments, which are empowered by the Word. The Word and Sacraments are the “means of grace.” Means of transportation: trains, plains, automobiles, are means by which you move from one place to another. Means of communication: phone, text, letter, email, are means by which you communicate. Means of grace are means by which God delivers to you His grace to be received through faith.
  • Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5
  • Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? Galatians 3:2-6
  • But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26
  • “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.” Acts 7:51
  • Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13
  • 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3
  • For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. John 3:34
  • 1 We will now return to the Gospel, which not merely in one way gives us counsel and aid against sin; for God is superabundantly rich [and liberal] in His grace [and goodness]. First, through the spoken Word by which the forgiveness of sins is preached [He commands to be preached] in the whole world; which is the peculiar office of the Gospel. Secondly, through Baptism. Thirdly, through the holy Sacrament of the Altar. Fourthly, through the power of the keys, and also through the mutual conversation and consolation of brethren, Matt. 18:20: Where two or three are gathered together, etc. (Smalcald Articles Part 3, Article IV: The Gospel)
    • Preaching: Mark 16:15; Luke 24:44-47
      • This is what Jesus’ parable about the wedding banquet is about. Luke 14:15-24. Luther says that a roast does you no good if you do not sit down and eat it!
    • Baptism: Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Titus 3:5-8; Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Peter 3:21; John 3:3-6
    • The Sacrament of the Altar: Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14; Luke 22; 1 Corinthians 11
    • The Office of the Keys: Matthew 16:16; 18:18; John 20:19-23
    • Mutual Conversation and Consolation of the Brethren: Matthew 18:20

How is it Gotten/Received?

• Faith alone. Faith is not a work you do that makes you favorable to God, but it is a gift from God, through which you receive the gift of salvation, gained by Christ and given by the Holy Spirit through the Word.
  • for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith (διὰ τῆς πίστεως) Romans 3:23-25
  • For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 3:28
  • 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, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2
  • yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. Galatians 2:16
  • Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, Romans 4:4-5
  • That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, Romans 4:16
  • For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.

Conclusion

The distinction between how your salvation is gained, given, and received helps protect the Gospel and give certainty to the sinner. You do not earn your salvation by believing or by going to church or by getting baptized. Salvation is earned by Christ alone, by His obedience, suffering, and death. Yet, you cannot benefit from this salvation Christ earned for you unless it is given to you! It is given to you by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, which is not always the bare Word, but also includes the Sacraments, where Christ’s Word and promise are added. Faith alone saves by receiving the salvation Christ won. Faith receives this salvation by hearing the Word.

• For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:13-17

This is also why those who refuse to go to Church, because they think they have faith are in danger. Faith does not come from your own strength or endurance. It comes through hearing the Gospel, which is the main reason to go to Church.

You can’t go to the cross of Christ to find Jesus there, neither can you go to His tomb or anywhere else on earth. Christ is found in His Word and Sacraments, which are received through faith alone. When you understand this distinction, you have confidence that your faith is receiving Christ and His salvation.