Reference: Faith
American
The assent of the understanding to any truth. Religious faith is assent to the truth of divine revelation and of the events and doctrines contained in it. This may be merely historical, without producing any effect on our lives and conversation; and it is then a dead faith, such as even the devils have. But a living or saving faith not only believes the great doctrines of religion as true, but embraces them with the heart and affections; and is thus the source of sincere obedience to the divine will, exhibited in the life and conversation. Faith in Christ is a grace wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, whereby we receive Christ as our Savior, our Prophet, Priest, and King, and love and obey him as such. This living faith in Christ is the means of salvation-not meritoriously, but instrumentally. Without it there can be no forgiveness of sins, and no holiness of life; and they who are justified by faith, live and walk by faith, Mr 16:16; Joh 3:15-16; Ac 16:31; 1Jo 5:10.
True faith is an essential grace, and a mainspring of Christian life. By it the Christian overcomes the world, the flesh, and the devil, and receives the crown of righteousness, 1Ti 4:7-8. In virtue of it, worthy men of old wrought great wonders, Heb 11; Ac 14:9; 1Co 13:2, being sustained by Omnipotence in doing whatever God enjoined, Mt 17:20; Mr 9:23; 11:23-24. In Ro 1:8, faith is put for the exhibition of faith, in the practice of all the duties implied in a profession of faith.
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because of your incredulity, said Jesus: for I tell you truly, if ye had ever so little faith, ye might say to this mountain, remove hence to yonder place, and it should remove; and nothing would be too difficult for you.
Jesus said to him, provided you can believe, there is nothing but what may be effected for those that believe.
for I assuredly tell you, that whoever shall say to this mountain, be removed, and cast into the sea, having no doubt in his mind, but believing what he says shall be effected, what he pronounces shall actually be accomplished. therefore whenever you pray, be fully persuaded of obtaining your request, and I assure you it shall be granted, whatever it be.
he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that disbelieves, shall be condemned.
that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life. for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life.
one day he heard Paul preach, who fixing his eyes upon him, and perceiving that he expected to be cured,
believe, said they, on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you, and your family.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is celebrated through the whole world.
as for prophane and groundless fables, reject them. exercise yourself in piety: for those exercises which relate only to the body are of little consequence, but piety is of absolute use, having the promises both of the present life, and of the life that is to come.
Easton
Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Php 1:27; 2Th 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests.
Faith is the result of teaching (Ro 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (Joh 10:38; 1Jo 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act of the will in addition to the act of the understanding. Assent to the truth is of the essence of faith, and the ultimate ground on which our assent to any revealed truth rests is the veracity of God.
Historical faith is the apprehension of and assent to certain statements which are regarded as mere facts of history.
Temporary faith is that state of mind which is awakened in men (e.g., Felix) by the exhibition of the truth and by the influence of religious sympathy, or by what is sometimes styled the common operation of the Holy Spirit.
Saving faith is so called because it has eternal life inseparably connected with it. It cannot be better defined than in the words of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism: "Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel."
The object of saving faith is the whole revealed Word of God. Faith accepts and believes it as the very truth most sure. But the special act of faith which unites to Christ has as its object the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Joh 7:38; Ac 16:31). This is the specific act of faith by which a sinner is justified before God (Ro 3:22,25; Ga 2:16; Php 3:9; Joh 3:16-36; Ac 10:43; 16:31). In this act of faith the believer appropriates and rests on Christ alone as Mediator in all his offices.
This assent to or belief in the truth received upon the divine testimony has always associated with it a deep sense of sin, a distinct view of Christ, a consenting will, and a loving heart, together with a reliance on, a trusting in, or resting in Christ. It is that state of mind in which a poor sinner, conscious of his sin, flees from his guilty self to Christ his Saviour, and rolls over the burden of all his sins on him. It consists chiefly, not in the assent given to the testimony of God in his Word, but in embracing with fiducial reliance and trust the one and only Saviour whom God reveals. This trust and reliance is of the essence of faith. By faith the believer directly and immediately appropriates Christ as his own. Faith in its direct act makes Christ ours. It is not a work which God graciously accepts instead of perfect obedience, but is only the hand by which we take hold of the person and work of our Redeemer as the only ground of our salvation.
Saving faith is a moral act, as it proceeds from a renewed will, and a renewed will is necessary to believing assent to the truth of God (1Co 2:14; 2Co 4:4). Faith, therefore, has its seat in the moral part of our nature fully as much as in the intellectual. The mind must first be enlightened by divine teaching (Joh 6:44; Ac 13:48; 2Co 4:6; Eph 1:17-18) before it can discern the things of the Spirit.
Faith is necessary to our salvation (Mr 16:16), not because there is any merit in it, but simply because it is the sinner's taking the place assigned him by God, his falling in with what God is doing.
The warrant or ground of faith is the divine testimony, not the reasonableness of what God says, but the simple fact that he says it. Faith rests immediately on, "Thus saith the Lord." But in order to this faith the veracity, sincerity, and truth of God must be owned and appreciated, together with his unchangeableness. God's word encourages and emboldens the sinner personally to transact with Christ as God's gift, to close with him, embrace him, give himself to Christ, and take Christ as his. That word comes with power, for it is the word of God who has revealed himself in his works, and especially in the cross. God is to be believed for his word's sake, but also for his name's sake.
Faith in Christ secures for the believer freedom from condemnation, or justification before God; a participation in the life that is in Christ, the divine life (Joh 14:19; Ro 6:4-10; Eph 4:15-16, etc.); "peace with God" (Ro 5:1); and sanctification (Ac 26:18; Ga 5:6; Ac 15:9).
All who thus believe in Christ will certainly be saved (Joh 6:37,40; 10:27-28; Ro 8:1).
The faith=the gospel (Ac 6:7; Ro 1:5; Ga 1:23; 1Ti 3:9; Jude 1:3).
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he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that disbelieves, shall be condemned.
for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life. for God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. read more. he that believeth on him, shall not be condemned: but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the only begotten son of God. and this is the subject of their condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men have loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. for every one that doth evil, hateth the light, and shunneth the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. but he that doth right, cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, because they are agreeable to the will of God. After this Jesus went with his disciples into Judea, where he stay'd with them for some time, and baptized, while John was likewise baptizing in Enon, near Salim, it being a place abounding with water: so that people came to be baptized there. for John was not yet cast into prison. Now there happen'd to be a dispute about baptism between a Jews, and some of John's disciples: who thereupon went to John, and said, master, he that was with you beyond Jordan, to whom you bore testimony, he himself does now baptize likewise, and the people flock to him. but John made them this answer, a man can have no authority, but what he derives from heaven. you yourselves can bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but was only sent before him: the bridegroom is he that hath a right to the bride: as for the friend of the bridegroom, who is nigh his person and heareth him, he greatly rejoyces at the voice of the bridegroom: upon this account my joy is compleat. he must advance, but I must decline. he that cometh from above, is above all: he that is from the earth, is earthly, and his language is likewise earthly: he that cometh from heaven is above all. and what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; but his testimony doth no man receive. he that hath received his testimony, hath set his seal to this, that God is true. for he whom God hath sent, saith nothing but what is divine: for God hath given him the spirit without restriction. the father loveth the son, and hath given all things into his hand. he that believeth on the son, hath a right to everlasting life: and he that disobeys the son, shall not enjoy life; but be expos'd to divine wrath.
all those whom my father gives me, shall come to me; and I will not reject any that come to me.
I say, is the will of him that sent me, that every one who observes the son, and believeth on him, should have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
no man can come to me, except the father who hath sent me, conduct him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
he that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.
my sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. it is I that give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any one force them out of my hand.
but if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and believe that the father is in me, and I in him.
yet a little while, and the world shall see me no more: but ye shall see me: because I shall live again, and ye shall live also.
thus the word of God was spread; and the number of disciples encreased very much at Jerusalem; and a numerous body of priests embrac'd the faith.
he is the person to whom all the prophets give this attestation, that all who believe in him, shall receive remission of sins, by his authority.
when the Gentiles heard this, they received the word with joy, glorifying the Lord: and as many as were dispos'd to eternal life, believed.
making no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by the faith.
believe, said they, on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you, and your family.
believe, said they, on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you, and your family.
and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and partake of the inheritance of the saints, by believing on me."
by whose favour I have received the office of an apostle to bring the Gentiles every where to the obedience of faith preached in his name:
that divine justification, which by faith in Jesus Christ is extended to all, that believe; for there is no distinction:
whom God had ordained, thro' faith, to be the propitiatory victim by his blood, for the manifestation of his goodness, by patiently passing over their past transgressions: to manifest,
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ,
therefore we are buried with him by being plunged into a sort of death: that as Christ was raised up from the dead into a state of glory with the father, even so we also should proceed to a new state of life. for if we resembled him with regard to death, certainly we shall likewise do so with regard to his resurrection: read more. considering this, that our vicious passions were crucified with him, that the body of sin being destroyed, we might not any longer be vassals to sin. for by its being dead, we are set free from sin. since then we died with Christ, we are persuaded that we shall also live with him: knowing that Christ being raised from the dead, is to die no more; death hath no more dominion over him. for as to his death, he died upon the account of sin once for all; but as to his being alive, he lives to the glory of God for ever.
Sentence of death therefore shall not pass upon those christians who do not lead a vicious life.
But how, say you, shall they call on him on whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent? as it is written, "how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" read more. 'tis true, faith comes by preaching, and preaching is by the divine appointment. but all do not obey the gospel. for Esaias saith, "Lord, who hath believed our report?"
but the animal man does not receive the effusions of the spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him; neither can he understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
who had only heard, that I, who formerly persecuted them, did now preach the gospel of faith, which I once endeavoured to suppress:
yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in him, and not by the works of the law, by which there is no justification.
for in the christian-dispensation, neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but an active benevolent faith.
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, whereby ye may know him: an enlightned understanding, that ye may see what great expectations he has called you to, and what abundant glory it is to the saints to be the lot of his inheritance.
but being sincere in mutual love, may be entirely united to Christ, who is the head: from which the whole body fitly framed, and compacted by the entire adherence and contribution of every part performing its respective function, increases and improves itself by the mutual concern of the parts.
only conduct yourselves in a manner becoming the gospel of Christ, that whether I come to see you, or else am absent, I may have this account of you, that you are stedfastly of the same resolution, and unanimously contend for the faith of the gospel,
and be his true disciple, not professing that justification, which is derived from the law, but that which is from the gospel,
let an air of modesty appear in all your discourse; and let it be seasoned with discretion, in making a proper reply, when you are call'd into question.
but avoid frivolous enquiries about genealogies, and vexatious disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
My beloved, as I was strongly bent upon writing to you of our common salvation, I thought it necessary to write to you at present, and exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith, which was once delivered to the saints.
Fausets
Heb 11:1, "the substance of things hoped for (i.e., it substantiates God's promises, the fulfillment of which we hope, it makes them present realities), the evidence (elengchos, the 'convincing proof' or 'demonstration') of things not seen." Faith accepts the truths revealed on the testimony of God (not merely on their intrinsic reasonableness), that testimony being to us given in Holy Scripture. Where sight is, there faith ceases (Joh 20:29; 1Pe 1:8). We are justified (i.e. counted just before God) judicially by God (Ro 8:33), meritoriously by Christ (Isa 53:11; Ro 5:19), mediately or instrumentally by faith (Ro 5:1), evidentially by works. Loving trust. Jas 2:14-26, "though a man say he hath faith, and have not works, can (such a) faith save him?" the emphasis is on "say," it will be a mere saying, and can no more save the soul than saying to a "naked and destitute brother, be warmed and filled" would warm and fill him.
Yea, a man (holding right views) may say, Thou hast faith and I have works, show (exhibit to) me (if thou canst, but it is impossible) thy (alleged) faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Abraham believed, and was justified before God on the ground of believing (Ge 15:6). Forty years afterward, when God did" tempt," i.e. put him to the test, his justification was demonstrated before the world by his offering Isaac (Genesis 22). "As the body apart from (chooris) the spirit is dead, so faith without the works (which ought to evidence it) is dead also." We might have expected faith to answer to the spirit, works to the body. As James reverses this, he must mean by "faith" here the FORM of faith, by "works" the working reality. Living faith does not derive its life from works, as the body does from its animating spirit.
But faith, apart from the spirit of faith, which is LOVE (whose evidence is works), is dead, as the body is dead without the spirit; thus James exactly agrees with Paul, 1Co 13:2, "though I have all faith ... and have not charity (love), I am nothing." In its barest primary form, faith is simply crediting or accepting God's testimony (1Jo 5:9-13). Not to credit it is to make God a "liar"! a consequence which unbelievers may well start back from. The necessary consequence of crediting God's testimony (pisteuoo Theoo) is believing in (pisteuoo eis ton huion, i.e. "trusting in") the Son of God; for He, and salvation in Him alone, form the grand subject of God's testimony. The Holy Spirit alone enables any man to accept God's testimony and accept Jesus Christ, as his divine Savior, and so to "have the witness in himself" (1Co 12:3). Faith is receptive of God's gratuitous gift of eternal life in Christ.
Faith is also an obedience to God's command to believe (1Jo 3:23); from whence it is called the "obedience of faith" (Ro 1:5; 16:26; Ac 6:7), the highest obedience, without which works seemingly good are disobediences to God (Heb 11:6). Faith justifies not by its own merit, but by the merit of Him in whom we believe (Ro 4:3; Ga 3:6). Faith makes the interchange, whereby our sin is imputed to Him and His righteousness is imputed to us (2Co 5:19,21; Jer 23:6; 1Co 1:30). "Such are we in the sight of God the Father, as is the very Son of God Himself" (Hooker) (2Pe 1:1; Ro 3:22; 4:6; 10:4; Isa 42:21; 45:21-25).
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Jesus said to him, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.
thus the word of God was spread; and the number of disciples encreased very much at Jerusalem; and a numerous body of priests embrac'd the faith.
by whose favour I have received the office of an apostle to bring the Gentiles every where to the obedience of faith preached in his name:
that divine justification, which by faith in Jesus Christ is extended to all, that believe; for there is no distinction:
for what saith the scripture? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness."
even as David also speaks of the happiness of the man whom God accounted righteous independently of his works,
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ,
for as by one man's disobedience many receiv'd the punishment of sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many receive the reward of the righteous.
who shall plead against God's elect? shall God who justifieth them?
for the end of the law was to bring men to Christ, that every one who believeth, might be justified.
and by the writings of the prophets (according to the commandment of the eternal God) made known to all the Gentiles, to induce them to obey the faith:
wherefore I give you to understand, that no man who has the spirit of God, can pronounce Jesus anathema: and that no man can acknowledge Jesus to be the Lord, but by the holy spirit.
and tho' I should have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and tho' I had all the faith necessary to remove mountains, and had no benevolence, it would signify nothing.
for it is God that has reconciled the world to himself, by Jesus Christ, by not imputing their sins to them; and hath committed to us the gospel of reconciliation.
for he hath made him who knew no sin to be a sin-offering for us, that we might be justified by God thro' him.
As Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness:
Now faith is the foundation of our hopes of happiness, and the persuasion we have about things not evident to our senses.
now without faith it is impossible to be acceptable to him: for he that presents himself to God, cannot but believe he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who make their addresses to him.
What advantage is it, my brethren, for a man to say he has faith, if he has no beneficence? can such a faith save him? suppose one of your brethren should be destitute of cloths, and of his daily nourishment, read more. and one of you should thus address him; "go and prosper, I wish you a warm fire, and a full meal:" without relieving his wants, would he be the better for your wish? just so faith, if it be not operative, is intirely lifeless. it will be said, "you have a speculative faith, but mine is practical. where is your faith, if no effects appear? as for me, my actions will vouch for my faith. you believe there is but one God, very well: the demons believe as much, and tremble." Vain man, must I show you how lifeless a thing faith is, without its effects? was not our father Abraham treated as just, in consequence of his actions, when he had attempted to sacrifice his son upon the altar? don't you see his actions and his faith conspir'd, and that his faith had its perfect effect in his conduct? it was then, that those words of scripture were accomplished, "Abraham believed God, and he was regarded for it as a man of virtue, and was the favourite of God." you see then, that a man is accounted just for his actions, and not for his bare faith. was it not likewise for her actions, that Rahab, formerly a loose liver, was accounted as just, for having entertain'd the messengers of Joshuah, and dismiss'd them the securest way? as the body then without the soul is a meer carcase, so faith without its effects is lifeless.
Simon Peter the servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who equally share with us in the advantages of faith, thro' the veracity of our God, and of Jesus Christ.
now this is his commandment, that we believe in his son Jesus Christ, and that we love one another, as he commanded us.
if we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater: now this is the testimony, which God has given us of his son. he that believeth on the son of God, hath the testimony of God thereto: he that does not believe God, impeaches his veracity, because he does not believe the testimony that God gave of his son. read more. Now what is testified, is this, that God has given to us eternal life: and this life is by his son. he that receives the son, is intitled to life; and he that does not receive the son of God, has no title to life. these things have I written to you, that you may know that you have eternal life, by your believing on the name of the son of God.
Hastings
Noun for believe, having in early Eng. ousted 'belief' (wh. see) from its ethical uses. By this severance of noun and vb. (so in Lat. fides
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Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but only they who do the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Simon Peter made answer, thou art Christ the son of the living God. to whom Jesus reply'd, blessed art thou Simon, son of Jona: for 'tis not man that hath revealed this unto thee, but my father who is in heaven. read more. and I tell thee likewise, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will hereafter build my church: and death shall not prevail against it. and I will give you the keys of the gospel-kingdom: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven. Then he charged his disciples not to tell any man that he was the Christ. from that time began Jesus to let his disciples know that he should go to Jerusalem, there suffer many indignities from the senators, chief priests, and scribes, be put to death, and be raised again the third day. then Peter taking him aside, began to expostulate with him, saying, God forbid, Sir, this should ever happen to you. but he frown'd upon Peter, and said, out of my sight pernicious obstacle to my designs; your views are all worldly, regardless of what is divine. Then addressing himself to his disciples, if any man, said he, would follow me, let him renounce himself, take up his cross, and so follow me. for whosoever will save himself, shall be a looser: and whosoever shall suffer loss for my sake, shall be a gainer. what advantage is it to a man to gain the whole world at the price of his life? or what would not a man pay down to preserve his life? for the son of man shall come in the glory of his father, with his angels; and then shall be make retribution to every man according to his works. I declare unto you, some are here present, who shall not die, till they have seen the son of man enter into his kingdom.
then came the disciples to Jesus in private, and said, why could not we cast him out?
But whoever shall occasion such an humble believer to fall off from the faith, it were better for him that a mill-stone were hang'd about his neck, and that he were plung'd to the bottom of the sea.
as the son of man came not to be ministred unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for all.
wo unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, who pay tithe of mint, anise, and cummin, but neglect those more important matters of the law, justice, mercy, and fidelity: these were the things ye ought to have practis'd, without neglecting however the other matters.
for this represents my blood, the blood of the new covenant which is shed for mankind for the remission of sins.
"the time, said he, is accomplish'd, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
they that believe shall be endued with these miraculous gifts: in my name they shall cast out demons: they shall speak new languages:
"blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he hath regarded and wrought a deliverance for his people: he hath rais'd up a powerful saviour for us, in the family of his servant David, read more. according to the antient promise he made by the mouth of the holy prophets, to deliver us from our enemies, and from the power of all that hate us: to show regard to our forefathers, in performing his holy covenant, the oath which he made to our father Abraham, to grant us this favour, that we should be delivered from the power of our enemies, and serve him with security, in the sincere practice of holiness and justice, all our days. and you, dear babe, you shall be the prophet of the most high: for you shall go before the Lord, in order to prepare his way, by acquainting his people how they may be saved by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun has visited us from on high, to enlighten those, who are in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to direct our steps into the ways of peace."
and happening to come in just at the same time, she likewise express'd her thanks to the lord, and spoke of Jesus to all those, who expected deliverance in Jerusalem.
the baptism, which I am to undergo, how do I long till it be accomplished?
The Apostles having said to the Lord, increase our faith, he answer'd them,
thus it is written, and thus it behov'd Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preach'd in his name, among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. read more. you are witnesses of these things.
The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "behold the lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world."
thus was the first miracle of Jesus wrought at Cana in Galilee, by which he displayed his power; and his disciples believed on him.
thus was the first miracle of Jesus wrought at Cana in Galilee, by which he displayed his power; and his disciples believed on him.
Jesus answered them, saying, destroy this temple, and within three days I will raise it up. to this said the Jews, forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? read more. but by the temple he meant his body. and when he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembred that expression of his: and they believed the scripture, and what Jesus had said. Now whilst he was in Jerusalem at the feast of the passover, many believed in him when they saw the miracles which he did.
Now whilst he was in Jerusalem at the feast of the passover, many believed in him when they saw the miracles which he did.
Now whilst he was in Jerusalem at the feast of the passover, many believed in him when they saw the miracles which he did.
who came to Jesus by night, and said to him, rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher sent from God: for no man can perform the miracles that you do, except God be with him.
but as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up:
he that believeth on him, shall not be condemned: but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the only begotten son of God.
he that believeth on the son, hath a right to everlasting life: and he that disobeys the son, shall not enjoy life; but be expos'd to divine wrath.
Now many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him, for that testimony which the woman gave him, "he told me all that ever I did."
but Jesus said to him, except you see signs and miracles, you will not believe.
The people, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, cry'd out, this is of a truth that prophet who was to come into the world.
Jesus answered them, the work which God requires is to believe on him whom he hath sent.
for he who is descended from heaven, and gives life to the world, is the bread that is truely divine.
Jesus answer'd, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me, shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me, shall never thirst.
besides many of the people believed on him, and said, when Christ comes, will he do more miracles than this man hath done?
he that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.
Jesus then having reassumed his discourse, said to them, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me, shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Jesus having heard that they had excommunicated him; and meeting with the man, he said to him, do you believe on the son of God?
Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me shall live even though he were dead:
Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me shall live even though he were dead:
many therefore of the Jews who came to see Mary, and had seen what Jesus had done, believed on him.
because he was the occasion that many of the Jews left them, and believed on Jesus.
but Jesus answered them, saying, the time is come, when the son of man is to be glorified. verily, verily I say unto you, when a corn of wheat is thrown into the ground, there it lies a single grain unless it dies: but if it die, it becomes very fruitful. read more. he that loveth his life, shall lose it: but he that sacrifices his life in this world, shall preserve it to eternity.
while ye have the light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. after having said these things, Jesus retir'd, and conceal'd himself from them.
so that the passage of Esaias the prophet was fulfilled, where he says, "Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
Let not your heart be troubled: you trust in God, trust also in me.
Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man can come to the father, but by me. if you had known me, you would likewise have known my father: and from henceforth you shall know him, nay, you have seen him.
believe me, I am in the father, and the father in me: at least believe me upon account of the very works. I assure you, he that believeth on me, shall likewise perform the works that I do; nay, greater works than these shall he do; because for that end am I going to my father.
nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I do not go away, the advocate will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.
neither pray I for these alone, but for those also who shall believe on me through their preaching.
Jesus said to him, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.
but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Messias, the son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name.
ye men of Israel attend to what I say; Jesus of Nazareth was a man whom God distinguished among you, by miracles, by prodigies, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you your selves also know:
ye men of Israel attend to what I say; Jesus of Nazareth was a man whom God distinguished among you, by miracles, by prodigies, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you your selves also know: him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by means of the wicked, have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, read more. having delivered him from the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be overpower'd by it. for David says concerning him, "I had the Lord always present before me, he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. therefore did my heart rejoice, my tongue was glad: and my body shall rest in hope. because thou wilt not leave my soul in the grave, nor wilt thou give thine holy one a prey to corruption. thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy by thy presence." men and brethren, let me with assurance tell you of the patriarch David, who died and was buried here, his sepulchre being with us to this day: that, as he was a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him, to place the fruit of his loins upon his throne: foreseeing this, he spoke of the resurrection of Christ, when he said, "that his soul was not lest in the grave, neither did his body undergo corruption."' 'tis this Jesus whom God hath raised up, of which we all are witnesses. therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the father the promise of the holy spirit, he has diffused that spirit, the effects of which ye now see and hear. for David is not ascended to heaven: yet he saith himself, "the Lord said to my Lord, sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool." therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, their hearts were struck with remorse, and they said to Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do? read more. Peter replied, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy spirit.
All that believed were united together, and had all things in common,
but thus it is that God has accomplished what he had foretold by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer.
and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you entirely recover'd. this is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but is become the chief of the angle. read more. salvation is not to be had by any other: for there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we can be saved.
"consider you despisers, be surpriz'd and turn pale, for I shall perform a work in your days, which you will not believe, whoever shall declare it unto you."
because he has fix'd the day, when he will judge in equity, by that man, whom he has appointed thereto: of which he has given full proof to all the world, by having raised him from the dead."
be therefore upon your guard to secure your selves, and the whole flock over which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.
for this reason I desir'd to see and talk with you; it being for the expectation of Israel that I am subject to this chain."
but as to his holy spirit miraculously declared to be the son of God, by his resurrection from the dead:
There it is that divine justification is revealed to be wholly by faith: as it is written, " the just shall live by faith."
Is this happiness then for the circumcised only, or for the uncircumcised also? for we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.
who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
but herein hath God displayed his love towards us, in that Christ died for us, even while we were yet sinners.
and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; although we now suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him. for I consider, that the sufferings of this present life are infinitely over-ballanc'd by that glory which shall hereafter be discovered to us. read more. mankind impatiently desire that the divine being would display himself to his creatures, who were not, by their own choice, expos'd to this uncertain state, but by virtue of him, who subjected them thereto: and therefore hope to be removed from this slavish condition of mortality to the free inheritance of divine glory. for we know that the whole creation groans, and labours with general pain even to this day. and not only they, but even those who have the first fruits of the spirit, even we our selves do inwardly groan for the fruit of our adoption, by the deliverance of our body from corruption.
as it is written, "behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling-stone, and a rock of offence: and whosoever believeth in him, shall not be ashamed."
for the end of the law was to bring men to Christ, that every one who believeth, might be justified.
what does it say "more? the word is nigh thee, let it be in thy mouth and in thy heart:" that is the word of faith which we preach. for if you openly confess, that Jesus is the Lord, and sincerely believe, that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. read more. for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
'tis true, faith comes by preaching, and preaching is by the divine appointment.
to another faith; to another the gifts of healing;
and tho' I should have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and tho' I had all the faith necessary to remove mountains, and had no benevolence, it would signify nothing.
Now if it has been declared, that Christ rose from the dead, how comes it, that some among you assert, "there is no resurrection of the dead?" for if there be no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. read more. and if Christ be not risen, then our preaching is empty talk, and your faith even meer amusement. yea, and we are no better than enthusiastic impostors by affirming that God raised up Christ, when he never did raise him up. for if the dead are not raised, then was not Christ raised: and if Christ was not raised, your faith is meer illusion, your sins are not yet forgiven. then they too who died christians, are entirely lost. if our expectations as christians all terminate in this life, we of all men are most to be pitied. But Christ is actually risen, as previous to those who were dead. for since by man came death, by man the resurrection of the dead will likewise come. for as by Adam all die, even so by Christ shall all be restored to life. but every one in proper order: Christ has the precedence, next they who were Christians shall rise at his advent. and then will be the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God even the father; after having abolished all rule, and all authority, and power. for he must reign, "till God has cast all his enemies under his feet." the last enemy that shall be destroyed, is death. for he hath subjected all things to him. but when it is said all things are subjected, it is plain that he is to be excepted, who did subject all things to him. and when all things shall be reduced under subjection to him, then shall the son also himself be subject to him that put all things under his subjection, that God may be all in all.
Having by the same spirit the same faith as David had when he said, "I believed, and therefore have I spoken:" I also believe, and therefore I speak;
for I have no regard to the things which are visible, but to such as are invisible: since visible things are temporary, but the invisible are eternal.
(for I regulate my conduct by my future expectations, not by visible enjoyments:
As Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness:
As Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness: so hence ye know, that it is they who believe who are the children of Abraham. read more. and the scripture insinuating, that God would justify the Gentiles thro' faith, gave Abraham an intimation of the gospel in these words, " in thee shall all nations be blessed."
but that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, is evident: for, " the just shall live by faith."
but before faith came, we were shut up together as prisoners under the custody of the law, 'till faith was to be revealed.
but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, sweetness of disposition, beneficence, faithfulness, meekness, temperance:
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, whereby ye may know him: an enlightned understanding, that ye may see what great expectations he has called you to, and what abundant glory it is to the saints to be the lot of his inheritance. read more. and how exceedingly great that power is, which he has employ'd upon us who believe, a power corresponding to that energy of his mighty strength; which he exerted in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at the head of his heavenly kingdom, far above all the principalities, all the powers, all the potentates, all the dominations, and whatever order can be named, not only in this age, but also in the age to come: for he has subjected all things to him, and constituted him supreme head of the church, which is his body, a work compleatly finished in all its parts.
he himself is the head of the church, which is his body. he is the prince, the first-born from the dead, that in all things he might be chief. for it seemed good to the father to inhabit the whole body of the church by Christ: read more. and having made peace by the blood of his cross, to reconcile all things to himself, both those in heaven, and those upon earth. You then that formerly were alienated from God, and were enemies by your imaginations and wicked practices, even you has Jesus Christ now reconciled to the body of his church, through his own death, to present you holy, and unblameable, and unreproveable in his own sight: provided you continue well-grounded and settled in the faith, and do not abandon that hope which has been offer'd to you by the gospel, and is proclaim'd to all mankind; of which I Paul am made a minister. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and am filling up the measure of those remaining afflictions, which in my turn I am to suffer in this life, in the cause of Christ, for the sake of his body, which is the church: of which I have been established a minister, according to the charge which God has given me to preach his gospel faithfully among you. ---
let an air of modesty appear in all your discourse; and let it be seasoned with discretion, in making a proper reply, when you are call'd into question.
for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we must believe that God by Jesus will raise the dead, and assemble them with him.
but Jesus, who was for a while inferior to the angels by his sufferings and death, we see was crown'd with glory and honour; when by the divine goodness, he had pass'd thro' death for every man.
for to us was the good promise made, as well as to them: but the word address'd to them was not effectually receiv'd with faith by those that heard it.
so that he has an uninterrupted power to save those, that come to God by him, because he ever lives to make intercession for them.
but Christ, the high priest of a better dispensation that was to come, having appeared, is enter'd into the holy of holys by a nobler and more perfect tabernacle, not the effect of human art, but of a higher nature; nor with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood he enter'd once for all into the holy of holys, after having obtained for us an eternal redemption. read more. For if the blood of goats and of bulls, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkled on the unclean, can cleanse them from external impurities; how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the holy spirit offered himself a spotless victim to God, purify our souls from deadly sins, to serve the living God?
Wherefore, my brethren, since by virtue of the blood of Jesus we have the liberty of entring into the holy of holies,
let us draw near with sincerity, in full assurance of faith, having our consciences purified from guilt, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Now faith is the foundation of our hopes of happiness, and the persuasion we have about things not evident to our senses.
now without faith it is impossible to be acceptable to him: for he that presents himself to God, cannot but believe he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who make their addresses to him.
by faith he left Egypt without being apprehensive of the king's resentment: for he remain'd firm, as if he saw him who is invisible.
What advantage is it, my brethren, for a man to say he has faith, if he has no beneficence? can such a faith save him? suppose one of your brethren should be destitute of cloths, and of his daily nourishment, read more. and one of you should thus address him; "go and prosper, I wish you a warm fire, and a full meal:" without relieving his wants, would he be the better for your wish? just so faith, if it be not operative, is intirely lifeless. it will be said, "you have a speculative faith, but mine is practical. where is your faith, if no effects appear? as for me, my actions will vouch for my faith. you believe there is but one God, very well: the demons believe as much, and tremble." Vain man, must I show you how lifeless a thing faith is, without its effects? was not our father Abraham treated as just, in consequence of his actions, when he had attempted to sacrifice his son upon the altar? don't you see his actions and his faith conspir'd, and that his faith had its perfect effect in his conduct? it was then, that those words of scripture were accomplished, "Abraham believed God, and he was regarded for it as a man of virtue, and was the favourite of God."
it was then, that those words of scripture were accomplished, "Abraham believed God, and he was regarded for it as a man of virtue, and was the favourite of God." you see then, that a man is accounted just for his actions, and not for his bare faith. read more. was it not likewise for her actions, that Rahab, formerly a loose liver, was accounted as just, for having entertain'd the messengers of Joshuah, and dismiss'd them the securest way? as the body then without the soul is a meer carcase, so faith without its effects is lifeless.
whom though you have not seen, you love: and though he is not now the object of your view, yet you believe in him, and triumph with such a laudable transport, as cannot be express'd:
wherefore it is said in the scripture, I lay in Sion the principal stone of the angle, a choice one of great value: he that trusts thereon shall not be confounded. it will prove an honour to you, who believe; but to the incredulous, the same stone, which is the chief of the angle, read more. and which the architects rejected, will be an occasion to the incredulous of their stumbling, and bruising themselves thereby:
for he that is a true christian, overcomes the world: by obtaining faith, we have gain'd a victory over the world.
JOHN to the seven churches which are in Asia: favour and peace be with you from him WHO IS, WHO WAS, WHO WILL BE; and from the seven spirits who are before his throne; and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth: unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins by his own blood,
and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth: unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins by his own blood, who hath made us kings and priests to his God and father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Morish
??????. This is a kindred word to 'believe,' and indeed the two cannot be separated. In the O.T. the word 'faith' occurs but twice. De 32:20; Hab 2:4. The words are emun, emunah; but aman is often translated 'to believe.' The first time this occurs in the O.T. is when it is said of Abraham that "he believed in the Lord, and he counted it to him for righteousness." Ge 15:6. This is referred to in Rom. 6 where the faith of the believer is counted for righteousness, and the conclusion is drawn that if any believe on Him that raised up Jesus the Lord from the dead, righteousness will be reckoned to them.
This may be called saving faith. It is confidence in God founded on His word; it is believing in a person, as Abraham believed God. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." Joh 3:36. There is no virtue or merit in the faith itself; but it links the soul with the infinite God. Faith is indeed the gift of God. Eph 2:8. Salvation is on the principle of faith in contrast to works under the law. Ro 10:9. But true faith is manifested by good works. If a man says he has faith, it is reasonable to say to him, "Show me thy faith" by thy works. Jas 2:14-26. Otherwise, if the faith does not manifest itself, it is described as 'dead,' and is altogether different from real, active belief. A mental assent to what is stated, as a mere matter of history, is not faith. A natural man can believe such things: "the devils also believe and tremble," but true faith gives joy and peace.
There is also the power and action of faith in the Christian's walk: "we walk by faith; not by sight." 2Co 5:7. We see such faith exemplified in the lives of the Old Testament saints, as given in Heb. 11. The Lord had often to rebuke His disciples for their want of faith in their daily walk. The believer should have faith in the living God concerning all the details of his daily life.
THE FAITH is at times referred to in the sense of 'the truth;' that which has been recorded, and which the Christian has believed, to the saving of his soul. For this the Christian should contend earnestly; for it is fundamental; and many false prophets are gone into the world, and have even crept into association with the saints unawares. Jude 1:3.
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he that believeth on the son, hath a right to everlasting life: and he that disobeys the son, shall not enjoy life; but be expos'd to divine wrath.
for if you openly confess, that Jesus is the Lord, and sincerely believe, that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.
(for I regulate my conduct by my future expectations, not by visible enjoyments:
for by grace are ye saved, thro' faith (and that not from us:
What advantage is it, my brethren, for a man to say he has faith, if he has no beneficence? can such a faith save him? suppose one of your brethren should be destitute of cloths, and of his daily nourishment, read more. and one of you should thus address him; "go and prosper, I wish you a warm fire, and a full meal:" without relieving his wants, would he be the better for your wish? just so faith, if it be not operative, is intirely lifeless. it will be said, "you have a speculative faith, but mine is practical. where is your faith, if no effects appear? as for me, my actions will vouch for my faith. you believe there is but one God, very well: the demons believe as much, and tremble." Vain man, must I show you how lifeless a thing faith is, without its effects? was not our father Abraham treated as just, in consequence of his actions, when he had attempted to sacrifice his son upon the altar? don't you see his actions and his faith conspir'd, and that his faith had its perfect effect in his conduct? it was then, that those words of scripture were accomplished, "Abraham believed God, and he was regarded for it as a man of virtue, and was the favourite of God." you see then, that a man is accounted just for his actions, and not for his bare faith. was it not likewise for her actions, that Rahab, formerly a loose liver, was accounted as just, for having entertain'd the messengers of Joshuah, and dismiss'd them the securest way? as the body then without the soul is a meer carcase, so faith without its effects is lifeless.
My beloved, as I was strongly bent upon writing to you of our common salvation, I thought it necessary to write to you at present, and exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith, which was once delivered to the saints.
Watsons
FAITH, in Scripture, is presented to us under two leading views: the first is that of assent or persuasion; the second, that of confidence or reliance. The former may be separate from the latter, but the latter cannot exist without the former. Faith, in the sense of an intellectual assent to truth, is, by St. James, allowed to devils. A dead, inoperative faith is also supposed, or declared, to be possessed by wicked men, professing Christianity; for our Lord represents persons coming to him at the last day, saying, "Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?" &c, to whom he will say, "Depart from me, I never knew you." And yet the charge in this place does not lie against the sincerity of their belief, but against their conduct as "workers of iniquity." As this distinction is taught in Scripture, so it is also observed in experience: assent to the truths of revealed religion may result from examination and conviction, while yet the spirit and conduct may remain unrenewed and sinful.
2. The faith which is required of us as a condition of salvation always includes confidence or reliance, as well as assent or persuasion. That faith by which "the elders obtained a good report," was of this character; it united assent to the truth of God's revelations with a noble confidence in his promise. "Our fathers trusted in thee, and were not confounded." We have a farther illustration in our Lord's address to his disciples upon the withering away of the fig tree: "Have faith in God." He did not question whether they believed the existence of God, but exhorted them to confidence in his promises, when called by him to contend with mountainous difficulties: "Have faith in God; for verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe (trust) that these things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith." It was in reference to his simple confidence in Christ's power that our Lord so highly commended the centurion, and said, "I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel," Mt 8:10. And all the instances of faith in the persons miraculously healed by Christ, were also of this kind: their faith was belief in his claims, and also confidence in his goodness and power.
3. That faith in Christ which in the New Testament is connected with salvation, is clearly of this nature; that is, it combines assent with reliance, belief with trust. "Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name," that is, in dependence upon my interest and merits, "he shall give it you." Christ was preached both to Jews and Gentiles as the object of their trust, because he was preached as the only true sacrifice for sin; and they were required to renounce their dependence upon their own accustomed sacrifices, and to transfer that dependence to his death and mediation,
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when Jesus heard it, he was surpriz'd, and said to his followers, I profess I have not met with such an instance of faith, no not in Israel.
some time after he came to Cesarea with his wife Drusilla, a Jewess, when sending for Paul, he heard him discourse about the Christian faith.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is celebrated through the whole world.
keep the persuasion you have, to your own conscience. blessed is he that approves himself to God, without making any difference about meats: for he that makes a difference, is self-condemn'd, if he eats against his own persuasion: for every action of that kind is sin .
only conduct yourselves in a manner becoming the gospel of Christ, that whether I come to see you, or else am absent, I may have this account of you, that you are stedfastly of the same resolution, and unanimously contend for the faith of the gospel,
My beloved, as I was strongly bent upon writing to you of our common salvation, I thought it necessary to write to you at present, and exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith, which was once delivered to the saints.