Faith That Saves
Note: Definition of Faith.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Note: Perverse people have no faith.
And He said: “I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end
will be, for they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no
faith.” Deuteronomy 32:20
I will not look with approval at anything that is vile. I hate what
faithless people do; I will have no part in it. The perverse of heart
shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil.
Psalm 101:3-4
During the reign of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen
what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and
under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there. I thought
that after she had done all this, she would return to me but she did
not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. I gave faithless Israel
her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her
adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she
also went out and committed adultery. Because Israel’s immorality
mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery
with stone and wood. Jeremiah 3:6-9
Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how
long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him
here to Me." Matthew 17:17
Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how
long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." Luke
9:41
Note: People who worry have little faith.
"Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will
eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.
Is life not more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the
birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns;
yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than
they? Which of you, by worrying, can add one cubit to his stature? So
why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how
they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even
Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God
so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is
thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little
faith? Matthew 6:25-30
And which of you, by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you
then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet
I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of
these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field
and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you,
O you of little faith? Luke 12:25-28
Note: People who are fearful have little or no faith.
Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a
great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the
waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him,
saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" But He said to them, "Why
are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the
winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:23-26
And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that
it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.
And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we
are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the
sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have
no faith?" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who
can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!" Mark 4:37-41
But as they sailed, He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the
lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they
came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!"
Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And
they ceased, and there was calm. But He said to them, "Where is your
faith?" And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, "Who
can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey
Him!" Luke 8:23-25
Note: People who doubt Jesus Christ have little faith.
And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to
come to You on the water." So, He said, "Come." And when Peter had come
down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when
he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to
sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus
stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of
little faith, why did you doubt?" Matthew 14:28-31
So, Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you
have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the
fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast
into the sea,' it will be done.” Matthew 21:21
Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does
not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned
if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not
from faith is sin. Romans 14:22-23
Note: People with no spiritual discernment have little faith.
But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "O you of little faith, why
do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do
you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five
thousand and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves of the
four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? How is it you do
not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? --but to
beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Then they
understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread,
but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Matthew 16:8-12
Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from
Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. But He sighed deeply in His
spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I
say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation." And He left
them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. Now
the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more
than one loaf with them in the boat. Then He charged them, saying,
"Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of
Herod." And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we
have no bread." Mark 8:11-16
Note: Religious people have neglected faith in Jesus Christ.
“I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a
stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain
offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship
offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your
songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Amos 5:21-23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of
mint and anise and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of
the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done,
without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat
and swallow a camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For
you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full
of extortion and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:23-25
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of
Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked
around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an
altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So, you are ignorant of
the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to
you. “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of
heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And
he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he
himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one
man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth;
and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries
of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps
reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of
us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your
own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ “Therefore, since we are
God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold
or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past
God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people
everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world
with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to
everyone by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:22-31
Note: Jesus Christ healed and forgave sins based on faith.
Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus
saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your
sins are forgiven you." And at once some of the scribes said within
themselves, "This Man blasphemes!" But Jesus, knowing their thoughts,
said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to
say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise and walk'? But
that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive
sins"--then He said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go
to your house." And he arose and departed to his house. Matthew 9:2-7
And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out
and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Then many warned him
to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy
on me!" So, Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they
called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is
calling you." And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to
Jesus. So, Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do
for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my
sight." Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you
well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the
road. Mark 10:47-52
You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet
since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this
woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore, I say to you,
her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom
little is forgiven, the same loves little." Then He said to her, "Your
sins are forgiven." And those who sat at the table with Him began to
say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Then He said
to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." Luke 7:45-50
But you denied the Holy One and the Just and asked for a murderer to be
granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the
dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His
name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith
which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the
presence of you all. Acts 3:14-16
Note: Old Testament examples of people who had faith.
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,
through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying
of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch
was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found,
because God had taken him"; for before he was taken, he had this
testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to
please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that
He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being
divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared
an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world
and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. By
faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he
would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he
was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign
country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of
the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations,
whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received
strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the
age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore, from
one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the
sky in multitude--innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having
seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed
that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say
such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if
they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they
would have had the opportunity to return. But now they desire a better,
that is, a heavenly country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called
their God, for He has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when
he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises
offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "In Isaac your
seed shall be called," concluding that God was able to raise him up,
even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative
sense. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph,
and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when
he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel,
and gave instructions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was
born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a
beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command. By
faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of
Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the
people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the
reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he
looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath
of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he
kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed
the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red
Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were
drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were
encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with
those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon
and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the
prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness,
obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence
of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made
strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the
aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were
tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better
resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes,
and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in
two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in
sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented--of
whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains,
in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good
testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having
provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect
apart from us. Hebrews 11:5-40
Note: Faith in Jesus Christ supersedes the Old Testament Law.
We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 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 Christ and not by the works of the law; for by
the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. Galatians 2:15-16
Therefore, He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among
you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
--just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for
righteousness." Therefore, know that only those who are of faith are
sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify
the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand,
saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." So then those who
are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. For as many as are of
the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is
everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the
book of the law, to do them." But that no one is justified by the law
in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:5-11
Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if
there had been a law given which could have given life, truly
righteousness would have been by the law. But the Scripture has
confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might
be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept
under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be
revealed. Therefore, the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that
we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no
longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in
Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:21-26
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood
of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through
the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house
of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies
washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope
without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:19-23
Note: The Apostles preached faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.
And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the
first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,
serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which
happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing
that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and
from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance
toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:18-21
“So, I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you
are persecuting. But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared
to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of
the things which you have seen and of the things which I will reveal to
you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the
Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn
them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that
they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who
are sanctified by faith in Me.'” Acts 26:15-18
Note: Early disciples of Jesus Christ were full of faith.
Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good
reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint
over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer
and to the ministry of the word." And the saying pleased the whole
multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy
Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a
proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when
they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread,
and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a
great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full
of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Acts
6:3-8
Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem,
and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and
had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that
with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a
good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people
were added to the Lord. Acts 11:22-24
Note: People who have faith in Jesus Christ will be in heaven.
Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading
with Him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed,
dreadfully tormented." And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal
him." The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You
should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will
be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under
me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,'
and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus
heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I
say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And
I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 8:5-11
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for
the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body
that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working
by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians
3:20-21
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying
always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of
your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for
you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of
the gospel. Colossians 1:3-5
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the
heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general
assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to
God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus
the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that
speaks better things than that of Abel. Hebrews 12:22-24
Note: Faith in Jesus Christ purifies your heart toward God.
Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. And
when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: "Men
and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that
by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and
believe. So, God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them
the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between
us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Acts 15:6-9
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a
good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having
strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the
law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they
affirm. 1 Timothy 1:5-7
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace
with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22
Note: People are justified before God by faith in Jesus Christ.
"Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of
God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also
for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from
faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Romans 1:16-17
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being
witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God,
through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there
is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood,
through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His
forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously
committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that
He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but
by the law of faith. Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by
faith apart from the deeds of the law. Romans 3:21-28
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about,
but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed
God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Now to him who
works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who
does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith
is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the
blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from
works: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose
sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute
sin." Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or
upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to
Abraham for righteousness. Romans 4:2-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should
boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of
all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be
found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law,
but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is
from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His
resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to
His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the
dead. Philippians 3:8-11
Note: Faith in Jesus Christ empowers people with hope.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by
faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the
glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,
knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance,
character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because
the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit
who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Galatians 5:5
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our
prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love,
and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God
and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 1
Thessalonians 1:2-4
Note: Confession of Jesus Christ results from faith to salvation.
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your
heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you
confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that
God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart
one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will
not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and
Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For
"whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:8-13
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of
faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have
confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge
you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ
Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you
keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus
Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is
the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no
man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
1 Timothy 6:11-16
Note: Faith in Jesus Christ comes from the word of God.
How then shall they call on Him in 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 unless they are
sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach
the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!" But they
have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has
believed our report?" So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by
the word of God. Romans 10:14-17
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been
assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from
childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make
you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped
for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Note: Spiritual gifts are granted based on faith.
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you,
not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to
think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as
we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the
same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and
individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing
according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if
prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let
us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who
exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads,
with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:3-8
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are
differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities
of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the
manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another
the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the
same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to
another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another
discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to
another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit
works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He
wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members
of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 1
Corinthians 12:4-12
Note: The resurrection of Jesus Christ validates our faith.
Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do
some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if
there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if
Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is
also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God because we
have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise
up--if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then
Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile;
you are still in your sins! 1 Corinthians 15:12-17
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not
need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun
profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are
of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the
resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
Nevertheless, the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal:
"The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the
name of Christ depart from iniquity." 2 Timothy 2:15-19
Note: Believers are to examine themselves about their faith.
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.
Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? --unless
indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are
not disqualified. 2 Corinthians 13:5-6
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of
an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out
as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have
fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me
only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:5-8
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before
us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for
the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
Note: Faith in Jesus Christ protects believers.
Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand
therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the
breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the
preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of
faith with which, you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked one. Ephesians 6:13-16
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of
faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not
appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus
Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live
together with Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10
Note: Sincere faith in Jesus Christ will be grounded in love.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not
love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I
have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all
knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my
goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but
have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind;
love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does
not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no
evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears
all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail;
whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge,
it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But
when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be
done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a
child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away
childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to
face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am
known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest
of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would
grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened
with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell
in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in
love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width
and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which
passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19
Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus
Christ in sincerity. Amen. Ephesians 6:23-24
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone
who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this
we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His
commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His
commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is
born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has
overcome the world--our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but
he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:1-5
MAIN INDEX
HINDU INDEX
MUSLIM INDEX
MORMON INDEX
BUDDHISM INDEX
WORD FAITH INDEX
WATCHTOWER INDEX
MISCELLANEOUS INDEX