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I said therefore to you; that you shall die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you shall dies in your sins (John 8: 24)

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to Him must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of those who seek Him

(Hebrews 11: 6)

What is faith?

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  Hebrews 11: 1

Faith is defined in terms of assurance and conviction.  Faith is the assurance and conviction that those things hoped for but not seen, really exist and are waiting for us because God and Jesus exist and have truly spoken to us in the word.

What does systematic theology recognize about faith?

Systematic theology usually recognizes three elements of faith

• (Notitia) knowledge
• (Assensus) assent
• (Fiducia)  trust

What dimensions of faith are not recognized by this view?

While these terms may suffice for a definition of mere, secular faith, in my view, they are not sufficient to define “saving faith” or “justifying faith”.  This “saving faith”, is called by James “perfected faith”.  “Perfected faith” is a faith, which responds, demonstrates itself through works.  Faith without works (good sense) is dead and useless, totally ineffective (James 2: 14-26).  James is not the only one who recognizes that faith “works”, the apostle Paul wrote of the “faith, which works through love”  and the “obedience of faith” (Galatians 5: 6).  The writer of the epistle to the Hebrew also recognizes that faith works.  Read the eleventh chapter of the Hebrew Letter (Hebrews 10: 37-11: 40).  This is a compendium  of faith which works

Love is the final element associated with  “saving faith.”  Perfected faith, saving faith, justifying faith  is motivated by love.  This is true to the extent that Paul wrote faith that can move mountains is absolutely nothing without love               (1 Corinthians 13: 2)

What then are the five elements associated with faith?

Biblical saving faith demonstrates the following aspects:

• Knowledge- about God, the reward and Jesus the Son of God
• Assent- acknowledge the truth about the above
• Trust- must not only acknowledge the truth of but place your confidence in
• Obedience- will be led to obey the will of God.  Faith that does not work is dead and useless.
• Love- faith without love is nothing.  When we understand that God gave His Son out of love we will act out of the same motive; we love because He first loved us.

Notitia (knowledge) What must we believe?

We must believe:

• That God exist.  Hebrews 11: 6  It would be foolishness to expect a reward from someone who does not exist.
• That God rewards thus that diligently seek Him.  Hebrews 11: 6    One of the aspects of human nature that God has built into is to work only is there is some reasonable expectation of reward
• That God is One being, but three persons, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit
• That Jesus is the Messiah, the One who died, was buried and arose again for our justification.  John 8: 24   The death and the resurrection of Christ is the centerpiece of God’s plan of salvation.

Assensus (assent) To what must we assent?

We assent by accepting and acknowledging as true the above items in our own minds and then confessing the name of Christ before men.

Fiducia (trust)  What is the difference between trust and belief?

While belief signifies a mere acknowledgement as to existence, trust signifies a deep reliance upon or commitment to, that is demonstrated by the response elicited.

Why is faith alone dead or useless?

Faith alone is imperfect or incomplete.  As such it is ineffective in appropriating the grace of God.  Faith is the principle that leads to life, but when alone it leads to a miscarriage.

Why is faith without love nothing?

The ultimate goal of faith is not only to produce a living creature but a  creature  that is molded and shaped by the love of God so as to express this quality, love,  in its own nature.  If it fails to do so, it is vain and empty.

Is faith a gift of God or a response of man?

Gift of God

• This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.

           John 6: 29

• As God as allotted to each a measure of faith.  Romans 12: 3
• Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one.  1 Corinthians 3: 5
• And the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.  Acts 16: 14
• He helped greatly those who had believed by grace.  Acts 18: 27
• To those who had received a faith of the same kind as ours.  2 Peter 1: 1
• For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.  Ephesians 2: 8
• The Holy Spirit convicts (convinces) the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.  Acts 16: 8

A response of man

• Believe in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved.  Acts 16: 31
• For with the heart man believes resulting in righteousness.

Romans 10: 10

• So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

           Romans 10: 17

• With the mind we give assent to the information we receive
• Those things we do not attend to, we dismiss
• The things we attend to, we consider
• Those things we consider sufficiently, we believe and trust
• Eventually the things we believe, we do

It is clear to me that faith is both a gift of God and a response of man.  This should not surprise us for we are told to work out your salvation with trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Is faith essential to salvation?

The words of our Lord in John 8: 24 indicate that faith is a “life or death” issue.  Without faith we shall die in our sins.  Please note that without faith it is impossible to be pleasing to God.  Hebrews 11: 6

Does faith, itself, save us?

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God.  Not as a result of works, that no one may boast (Ephesians 2: 8, 9)

No, we are saved by the grace of God; Grace is the basis of salvation.  Faith, itself, does not save us but faith is the sole connection to grace (Romans 5: 2)  At this level we should not and cannot substitute “works,” “obedience,” “baptism”, “sacrament” or any other thing for grace.  At the same time we must recognize that faith alone is dead and useless and faith without love is nothing.

Can works introduce and connect us with grace?

Certainly not. If salvation is on the basis of works then salvation is a debt that God owes to those that work and grace is no longer a favor.  Romans 11: 6

Does this mean that obedience is not a factor in salvation?

No, it does not for at least two reasons.

 First:

• Jesus is the source of eternal salvation to those who through faith obey Him (Hebrews 5: 9)
• Those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord will receive the retribution of eternal destruction (2 Thessalonians 1: 8, 9)
• Jesus said those that do the will of the Father would enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7: 21)

Second:

• The obedience that proceeds form faith is not a work of righteousness or merit (Acts 6: 7; Romans 1: 5: 16: 26)
• There is a work of faith (1 Thessalonians 1: 3)
• There is a labor of love (1 Thessalonians 1: 3)

Does all faith avail?

No the demons believe and tremble but they are not saved (James 2: 19)

Some of the Pharisees believed but did not confess for fear (John 12:43)

We know they were not saved because the record states they loved the approval of men more than the approval of God.  Paul said that that which avails in Christ is faith which works through love.(Galatians 5: 6)

What did Paul say about the relationship of justification to faith and works?

Paul taught that justification is by the principle of faith not law or works of that law.  Paul was giving the overview of justification, the broad picture.  Paul also gave us the expression, “obedience of faith”, and “work of faith.”  Obedience proceeds from faith not the reverse.  Faith is the principle, obedience the particular (Romans 3: 20; 5: 1; 1: 5; 16: 26; 1 Thessalonians 1: 3; Hebrews 5: 8)

What did James say of the relationship of justification to faith and works?

James would agree that justification is by the principle of faith, not law or works.  But James would insist that the faith which saves or justifies is never alone.  That faith always elicits a response of obedience.  Because he used the term, “work”, many have thought that he has contradicting Paul.  But this is not true.  He was using the term; “work”, meaning the obedience of faith or a work of faith.

But does calling on name of the Lord not save us?

For, “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved ( Romans 10: 13).

Certainly it is true, but what does it mean?

Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord.” Will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my father who is in heaven        (Matthew 7: 21)

And now why do you delay?  Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name (Acts 22: 16)

How about the so-called prayer of faith?

In the Scriptures, there is no indication of entering into a relationship with Christ through prayer.  Saul (the Apostle Paul) prayed three days, neither eating nor drinking.  If anyone had been saved by prayer, he would have. Yet when Ananias came to him, he told Paul to arise and be baptized washing away your sins.  Paul was still in his sins after praying three days (Acts 9: 6-16; James 5: 15; Galatians 3: 26-28; Romans 6: 1-6)

When does faith become effective in regard to salvation?

When it perfected or completed, motivated by love.

Is faith synonymous with credulity?

No, faith is trust, informed trust, reasonable trust; faith is based on sufficient evidence to arrive at a conclusion.  The Scriptures are the recorded personal testimony of eyewitness.  In many cases this testimony was sealed with their blood.

What is the difference between faith and knowledge?

Knowledge is some truth that can be proved in some direct way, while faith is holding to a proposition that can not be proved directly, but has sufficient evidence of an indirect kind to justify the belief.  Our courts often use indirect evidence to adjudicate life and death issues.

Is faith a blind leap?

Faith may be considered a leap because it is a momentous decision, but Biblical faith is never blind but always based on adequate evidence.  Those who use these derogatory terms do so to disparage faith.  But these people jump into their cars everyday and drive like the wind based upon faith that the person who is coming toward then at sixty miles an hour is licensed, has a car that will not malfunction and knows the law about driving in lanes.  These people will open a can of string beans and eat them all in faith that the distributor has followed sanitary practices without regard to possible botulism.  We all live by faith whether we admit it or not.

How do we come to faith?

In the beginning God gave various spiritual gifts according to the will of the Spirit.  I don’t pretend to understand these gifts, as they appear to be supernatural.  God apparently zapped some and they found themselves endowed with certain gifts.  But this was a temporary arrangement that was destined to pass away.  We are told that faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of God.  The power of God unto salvation is the gospel of Christ.  This power is love.  It opens our heart to the word of God.  God so loved the world that He gave His Son.  Jesus said there is no greater love than giving you life for another.  This is precisely what He did.  Faith is received when we attend to the things in God’s word and do not dismiss them.  As we continue to attend, we consider in our hearts, which produces faith.  Faith is both a gift of God and a response of man.

What is the principle of life?

Faith is the principle of life!

“But the righteous man will live by his faith.”  Habakkuk 2: 4

“But the righteous man shall live by faith.”  Romans 1: 17

“The righteous man shall live by faith.”  Galatians 3: 11

“But my righteous one shall live by faith.”  Hebrews 10: 38

Notice the form of these statements.  They are statement of fact, not a legal, binding agreement.  Compare them with the Law and note the difference.

“So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, “ by which a man may live, if he does them; I am the Lord.  Leviticus 18: 5

“Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the people, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  Exodus 19: 5, 6

In these last two verses God entered into a legal, binding agreement with Israel.  If they obey Him, they shall live.  Not so with the new covenant, now He gives a statement of fact, a promise, “the just shall live by faith.”  This statement is true but it does not put God under obligation.  He owes us nothing but He has given us everything.  Neither should the obedience of faith, the obedience that proceeds from faith, be construed to mean that God is obligated to us.  These things, such as repentance, confession and baptism, are God’s gifts to us.  They are instructions and commandments to help us, to guide us and to give us assurance and closure.  For example, we know because He has told us that when our faith responds in baptism, He will cleanse us from our sins, unite us with Christ and make us His children.  He gave us  baptism, not because baptism merits salvation, nor does faith merit salvation, but because baptism symbolizes all three.  The immersion in water symbolizes a cleansing of the soul when our sins are washed away.

What does God give to those who receive Christ by believing in His name?

God begets us by the exercise of His will when the word of God (the seed) is implanted in our heart (James 1: 18) Those that believe are given the right to become children of God by being born again, born of water (baptism) and the Spirit (John 1: 12, 13)  This correctly places “faith” in God’s plan of salvation; it also means that we are not children of God by believing.  We are giving the right to become a child of God.  We become a child of God when through faith, we are baptized into Christ and clothed with Christ (Galatians 3: 26, 27)

God Bless.

Arland  Pafford  

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