Salvation by Allegiance: Rethinking Faith through Matthew Bates' Lens

In the Christian tradition, the word pistis—often translated as "faith"—has long been understood as the act of believing in God. For many, this belief is central to salvation: “We are saved by faith alone.” But in his groundbreaking book Salvation by Allegiance Alone, Matthew Bates challenges this understanding of faith, arguing that pistis in its original Greek context has a much broader and more active meaning. Instead of viewing faith solely as intellectual belief, Bates argues that pistis should be understood as "allegiance," a term that encompasses loyalty, obedience, and submission to Jesus as Lord.

The Redefinition of Faith as Allegiance

In Salvation by Allegiance Alone, Bates revisits the concept of pistis, which is central to key New Testament texts on salvation. He critiques the traditional Protestant notion that faith is merely trust or mental assent to the fact that Jesus is the Son of God. Bates argues that this understanding of faith is too narrow and does not fully capture what early Christians, particularly Paul, meant by pistis. Instead, Bates suggests that pistis carries the weight of a personal, whole-hearted allegiance to Jesus as King.

This shift in focus changes the way we understand passages like Romans 1:16-17, where Paul speaks of the gospel bringing salvation to those who have faith. Bates suggests that rather than merely trusting in the gospel, we are called to give our allegiance to Jesus, acknowledging His kingship and committing ourselves to follow Him.

Faith and Loyalty to Jesus as King

The language of allegiance makes sense within the context of the New Testament, where Jesus is frequently referred to as King and Lord. These are not merely religious titles but political ones as well. In the Roman world, to declare someone "Lord" was a profound statement, often reserved for Caesar. To say “Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9) was, therefore, a declaration of loyalty and submission to Christ as the true King, a challenge to the earthly powers and rulers of the time.

Bates emphasizes that salvation, then, is not just about trusting that Jesus saves us, but about giving our complete allegiance to Him. This involves not only mental assent but also a lived loyalty—a life of obedience, discipleship, and moral alignment with the teachings of Jesus. It is a relationship rooted in active participation in the kingdom of God, where our faithfulness reflects our allegiance to Christ’s lordship.

Works and Faith Reconsidered

One of the most controversial aspects of Bates’ argument is the implication it has for the relationship between faith and works. By interpreting pistis as allegiance, Bates introduces a model in which works and obedience are not simply “proof” of faith but are integral to faith itself. Obedience to Jesus, participation in His mission, and moral fidelity are all expressions of the allegiance that leads to salvation.

This does not mean that salvation is earned by works, but rather that true allegiance to Jesus necessarily produces a life of faithfulness and good works. The book of James supports this idea when it says, "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:17). Bates would agree, arguing that a faith that doesn’t manifest in loyalty and obedience isn’t faith at all, but an incomplete and shallow version of what the New Testament calls pistis.

Implications for Discipleship Today

Bates’ redefinition of faith as allegiance has significant implications for modern discipleship. It calls believers to move beyond a passive belief in Jesus and toward an active commitment to live under His rule. In this framework, faith is not a one-time decision or intellectual agreement but an ongoing relationship of loyalty and obedience.

For Christians today, this rethinking of faith offers both a challenge and an opportunity. It challenges us to reexamine our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus and pushes us toward a more active, holistic approach to discipleship. It is no longer sufficient to say we believe in Jesus without living out that belief in our actions, our moral choices, and our commitment to His kingdom.

This broader definition of pistis also opens the door for a richer understanding of salvation. Salvation becomes more than just a future promise of eternal life—it is a present reality in which we live as citizens of Christ’s kingdom, giving our allegiance to Him daily.

Conclusion

Matthew Bates’ Salvation by Allegiance Alone offers a fresh and thought-provoking interpretation of pistis, urging believers to understand faith as allegiance to Jesus as King. This perspective not only deepens our understanding of salvation but also encourages a more active and engaged form of discipleship. In a world where allegiance is often divided among many rulers and ideologies, Bates’ call to give our full and undivided allegiance to Christ offers a compelling challenge for believers to rethink what it means to truly live by faith.