Our Faith

God’s Plan of Salvation

What is faith?• πίστις, pistis (noun),

πιστεύω pisteou (verb) • “firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing” (Vine’s)

• “to believe to the extent of complete trust and reliance” (L&N, 31.85)

• Trust, belief, assurance, conviction, fidelity, etc.

What is faith?•Various forms found more than 490 times. As a noun it is usually translated ‘faith’ and as a verb, ‘believe’

•Faith is BELIEVING God and TRUSTING Him.

Faith is NOT:•Mere belief – it begins with belief, but it goes much further. James 2:14-18 – faith without works is dead

Faith is NOT:•Blind – we have evidence that God exists and that He can do what He promises Romans 1:20

Faith is NOT:•Merely a feeling – while faith involves feelings, it is not purely emotional. Feelings are subjective and can be wrong Acts 26:9

Faith is NOT:•Given through the direct operation of the Holy Spirit – (aka Calvinism – “irresistible grace”). We are “free will” agents. We CAN understand God’s word Romans 10:17, Eph. 5:17God is no respecter of persons – Acts 10:34, Rom. 2:11

Faith is NOT:• Exclusive in our salvation – there are

many factors in our salvation - Grace, blood, mercy, love, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, obedience, confession, baptism, the word, must obey, etc. As grace comprehensively describes God’s part, so faith can describe man’s part (Acts 16:31, Rom. 3:26, Eph. 2:8) Philippians 2:12

Faith – Hebrews 11:1• “Now faith is the substance of things hoped

for, the evidence of things not seen.” (NKJV, KJV)

• “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (NASB95) “Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.” (NCV)

Faith – Hebrews 11:1•Substance of things hoped for by faith we know that God is true and will keep His promises. (cf. Heb. 11:8, 13-16) We remain faithful in a world filled with doubt and rejection

Faith – Hebrews 11:1•Evidence of things not seenwhile we have not seen God, there is proof He exists! (cf. Heb. 11:3) Psalm 19:1-4Our minds developed tell us there is something out there greater than we are.

Faith – Hebrews 11:1•Evidence of things not seenwe live our lives demonstrating our faith. Our lives are PROOF to others of OUR faith. We TRUST Him with our lives, give up worldly pleasures, make unnatural sacrifices, etc.

Faith in the Bible•Personal belief Heb. 11:1, 6, 2 Cor. 4:18, 5:7 cf. John 20:29This is the attitude that causes us to follow Him

Faith in the Bible•Conduct based upon trust Matt. 9:2, James 2:14-18This is the obedience associated with our faith

Faith in the Bible•TrustworthinessMatt. 24:45; 25:21, 231 Corinthians 4:2 This is the result of our faith

Faith in the Bible• A system of doctrineJude 3, Gal. 1:23, Eph. 4:5, 13, Acts 6:7, Rom. 1:17This is the whole process – God’s part, man’s part, etc. What we know and do is based upon “the faith”.

Faith & our salvation•We are saved by faithEphesians 2:8Romans 10:9-10, 5:1cf. 1 Peter 3:21 “the answer of a good conscience toward God”

Faith & our salvation•Faith comes by hearingRomans 10:17, 1:16-17, 10:14

Faith & our salvation•Faith is obedientRomans 1:5, 16:26Acts 6:7, Matt. 7:21-27, Hebrews 11:6, etc. NOTE: Obedience does not set aside our faith, it demonstrates faith!

Faith & our salvation•Faith keeps us savedRomans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38“Now the just shall live by faith”Revelation 2:10

Are we saved by “faith only”?

• NO!!!!!• James 2:24• James 2:19, “Even the demons believe and tremble”

• Note enough to merely believe John 7:12-13, 9:22, 12:42-43

• Faith works Gal. 5:6, 1 Thess. 1:3, 2 Thess. 1:11

How is your faith?

So what about you?