Faith is a step in the plan of Salvation

What is faith? Webster defines faith as: "belief in God; also, belief in religious or moral ideas without requiring proof as to whether they are true, right, etc. as blind faith. 2. Something that is believed; especially a particular religion. 3. Confidence; trust; as to have faith in one’s doctor." Vine’s Expository dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words defines faith as "a conviction respecting God and His Word and the believer’s relationship to Him." Vine’s defines believe as "the verb form of faith as to be persuaded of, and hence to place confidence in, to trust, signifies, in this sense of the word, reliance upon, not mere credence." It is most frequently used by Jojn. But the question to ask is What is faith according to the Bible? The word (pis’tis) [4102] which is translated faith is found 244 times in the New Testament. This word is translated faith 239 times, "assurance" (Acts 17:31), "believe" Rom. 3:16), "belief" (II Thess. 2:13), "them that believe" (Heb. 10:39) and "fidelity" (Titus 2:20). Therefore, the meaning of the word depends much on how it is used in context. The word (pisteu’o) [4100] which is translated believe is found 248 times in the New Testament. This word is translated "believe" 239 times, "commit unto" (John 2:24; Rom. 3:2; I Cor. 9:17; Gal. 2:7), "commit to (one’s) trust" (Luke 16:11), "be committed to (one’s) trust" (I Tim. 1:11), "be committed unto" (Titus 1:3), and "believer" (Acts 5:14). The word

(pistos’) [4103] which is translated faithful is found 66 times in the New Testament. This word is translated "faithful" 53 times,"believe" six times Acts 10:45; 16:1; II Cor. 6:15; I Tim. 4:3,10; 5:16), "believing" two times (John 20:27; I Tim. 6:2a), "true" two times (II Cor. 1:18; I Tim. 3:1), "faithfully" (III John 5), "believer" (I Tim. 4:12), and "sure" (Acts 13:34). These words need to understood since they are found some 558 times in the New Testament.

The inspired Word of God, the Bible, describes faith as being individual and as being the faith. There is the faith (Eph. 4:4-6). This is the faith of which Jude writes (Jude 3). The New Testament refers to "the faith" 35 times (Acts 14:22; 24:24; Rom. 1:5; 3:3,27; 4:11; I Cor. 16:13; II Cor. 13:5; Gal. 1:23; 2:16,20; 3:13,25; Eph. 4:4-6; 4:13; Phil. 1:27; Col. 1:23; 2:7,12; I Tim. 1:2; 3:9,13; 4:1; 5:8; 6:10,21; II Tim. 2:18; 3:8; 4:7; Titus 1:1,4,13; 3:15). "The Faith" then is the gospel of Christ, it is the sum of all that Christians are to believe and obey. In this case a part "faith" is put for the whole, because faith, belief is basic to the system of Christianity, the proper exercise of which determines the salvation of those who embrace it.

There is individual faith. Paul defines faith, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). What does Paul mean by substance? What does Paul mean by evidence? The word (hupos’tasis) [5287] which is translated substance means "a setting or placing under; thing put under,

substructure, foundation...that which has foundation, is firm...that which has actual existence; a substance, real being...the substantial quality, nature...confidence, firm trust, assurance." This word is translated "substance" only in Heb. 11:1, but it is translated "confidence 2 times (II Cor. 11:17; Heb. 3:14), "confident" (II Cor. 9:4), and "person" (Heb. 1:3). The word (el’engchos) [1650] which is translated evidence one time (Heb. 11:1) and reproof one time (II Tim. 3:16) means "correction, reproof, censure, conviction." This word Implies not merely the charge on the basis of which one is convicted, but also the manifestation of the truth of that charge." The things that are unseen concerning which we have faith, such things as God, angels, heaven, hell, the wondrous things of the past, the unspeakable things of the present spiritual world, and the world to come – now faith is nt evidence of these things, but faith is the result of evidence which brings faith. Paul shows what faith is by using examples (Heb. 11:3ff). James describes the kind of faith which God requires (James 2:14-26). Here is the examination of faith (James 2:14-17). Here is an explanation of faith (James 2:18-20). Here are examples of faith (2:21-26).

How does faith come and how is this faith strengthened within man? Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). How did Abel know what to offer for a sacrifice (Heb. 11:4)? How did Noah obtain his conviction that a flood was coming (Heb. 11:7)? How did Abraham obtain his conviction about the land when he did not know where it was (Heb. 11:8-10)? How do we receive our conviction,? Faith comes by the Word of God (II Tim. 2:15; Rom. 10:17). What is the result of the proper kind of faith (Eph. 1:3)? Does faith bring all the blessings by simply existing within a person, or by what it leads one to do and feel? Was it by faith alone that Abel received the blessing which his sacrifice brought him? Was it by faith alone that Enoch, Noah, Abraham, etc. received blessings from God (James 2:16-27)? NO What about our faith? How is it going to bring us to the forgiveness of our sins, to the salvation of our souls from all the sins of the past, and finally bring us through our journey to everlasting life? Not by causing us to offer a lamb as Abel did; not by causing us to build an ark as Noah did; not by causing us to go on a long journey to a far distant land, as did Abraham; not even by causing us to live in tents as he did. Our faith will cause us to act on the same principles as they did. Therefore, if our faith is to save us, it will be by causing us to act in harmony with the faith, the gospel of Christ, that is to obey the gospel of Christ. Thus our faith will cause us to live a life of love, of devotion, of service, to Him who is our Redeemer, our Savior and our Friend.

Faith moves one toward salvation. Paul wrote, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9,10).

Larry Powers