On the day of Pentecost the Apostle Peter repeated these words from the prophecy of Joel:
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2: 21).
But on the same occasion he commanded every one of them to repent and be baptized. (Acts 2: 38).
St. Paul says,
"A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." (Romans 3: 28).
It is made plain by other remarks which he makes in the same connection that he refers to the Jewish law, and not to deeds of righteousness, nor Gospel ordinances. In no place does the Bible teach that faith without works will save.
AN ILLUSTRATION.
Suppose a farmer were told these words by a friend: "If you only had a horse, you might do much more work." The farmer would at once understand that his friend meant that he should not only procure a horse, but that he should feed it, and use it in the harness in order to get the work performed. He would be considered a very foolish man if he merely bought the horse, and never fed it or used it, simply because his friend did not say the words "You must feed it and make use of it after you get it." The horse would soon die, and then be of no use to the owner if he treated it in such a way. Anyone who says he believes in Jesus Christ and never obeys His commandments has but a dead faith, which is of no more use to him than is a dead horse to a farmer.