Biblical Faith
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Scott Bushey
Puritanboard Commissioner
What biblical faith is:
A component of the ordo salutis: The ordo salutis is 1) election, 2) predestination, 3) gospel call 4) inward call 5) regeneration, 6) conversion (faith & repentance), 7) justification,
8) sanctification, and 9) glorification. (Rom 8:29-30)
WCF ch 11: II. Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification:[4] yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love.[5]
4. John 3:18, 36; Rom. 3:28; 5:1
5. James 2:17, 22, 26; Gal. 5:6
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
The gift of faith can be bestowed upon Gods elect at any time, based upon Gods good will, decree and for His glory alone.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith
faith (uncountable except as indicated; plural faiths)
Mental acceptance of and confidence in a claim as truth without proof supporting the claim.
I have faith in the goodness of my fellow man.
(Christian theology) Belief and trust in God's promises revealed through Christ and the Scriptures.
"Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld." (Hebrews 11:1)
A feeling or belief, that something is true, real, or will happen.
Have faith that the criminal justice system will avenge the murder.
A trust in the intentions or abilities of a person or object.
I have faith in a just and loving God.
(countable) A system of religious belief.
The Christian faith has been spread by proselytizing.
An obligation of loyalty or fidelity.
The observance of such an obligation.
He acted in good faith to restore broken diplomatic ties after defeating the incumbent.
[edit]
Synonyms
(feeling or belief, without direct evidence but based on indirect evidence and experience (inductive reasoning), that something is true, real, or will happen): confidence, trust
(system of religious belief): religion
(Belief without proof)
What biblical faith looks like:
Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."
Gal 3:11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith."
Jam 2:17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
What biblical faith produces
Jam 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
[Edited on 11-22-2005 by Scott Bushey]
Faith is an ascent to a proposition Rom 10:9-10. Faith is not a work, it is the empty hand. Rom 3:28.
But..... LBCF says that saving faith is never alone Chapter XI:2. Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification; yet it is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love.
( Romans 3:28; Galatians 5:6; James 2:17, 22, 26 )
Have you read What Is Faith? John W. Robbins
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/journal.php?id=53
You might find it helpful.
VanVos
But..... LBCF says that saving faith is never alone Chapter XI:2. Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification; yet it is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but worketh by love.
( Romans 3:28; Galatians 5:6; James 2:17, 22, 26 )
Have you read What Is Faith? John W. Robbins
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/journal.php?id=53
You might find it helpful.
VanVos
Scot
Puritan Board Sophomore
"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith" 1 Thes. 1:3
"Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power. 2 Thes. 1:11
"Fight the good fight of faith..." 1 Timothy 6:12
Saiph
Puritan Board Junior
Faith is trusting in Jesus as Lord and saviour.
Mat 8:8-10
But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.
For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to 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 this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. . .
Mat 8:8-10
But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.
For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to 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 this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. . .
Scott Bushey
Puritanboard Commissioner
Jim,
Men cannot be regenerated without Gods word firstly applied. The refomed view is that God goes to the sinner by His word and regenerates. The regeneration makes the word effectual unto conversion.
Here's a paper by Berkhof:
http://www.ccel.org/pipeline/1-html/5-berkhof-summery/Berkhof 19.htm
BobVigneault
Bawberator
"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith" 1 Thes. 1:3
Dan, we are to remember without ceasing that faith is doing it's work within us. We do not work up faith, we do not work faith, we receive the gift of faith and then witness it's transforming work in us. Faith is a work but it is the work of the Spirit and not of our own.
Dan, we are to remember without ceasing that faith is doing it's work within us. We do not work up faith, we do not work faith, we receive the gift of faith and then witness it's transforming work in us. Faith is a work but it is the work of the Spirit and not of our own.
BobVigneault
Bawberator
The confusion comes because we forget that faith is a specific gift that comes from God, it is that vital connectiveness with Christ Jesus - the channel through which all the blessings of salvation pass; but we also use the word 'faith' to describe the works of faith that we see in our sanctification. We are often tempted to label these works of the Spirit as our own.
Scott Bushey
Puritanboard Commissioner
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
The question is, what is the it referring to? Grace or faith?
Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
The question is, what is the it referring to? Grace or faith?
Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
JohnV
Puritan Board Post-Graduate
I was taught the following, in summary:
Faith is an assurance and a conviction:
Heidelberg Catechism, answer 21:
True faith is not only a sure knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word,[1] but also a hearty trust,[2] which the Holy Ghost [3] works in me by the Gospel,[4] that not only to others, but to me also, forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation are freely given by God,[5] merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits.[6]
1. James 1:6
2. Rom. 4:16-18; 5:1
3. II Cor. 4:13; Phil. 1:19, 29
4. Rom. 1:16; 10:17
5. Heb. 11:1-2; Rom. 1:17
6. Eph. 2:7-9; Rom. 3:24-25; Gal. 2:16; Acts 10:43
So faith is a work, but of the Spirit. And faith is a work, after reception by the believer. It is not gained by work, but by grace. It is not qualification for grace, but a gift of grace. Faith without works is dead. We are justified by faith alone, by grace; but if it remains like a seed in the ground that does not grow, it is dead.
There are aspects of faith that are defined as parts of it. One is certainty in truth; another is depth of trust in the promises and work of salvation; and a third is the intrinsic relationship with Christ without which none of these are real. Faith is an assurance and a conviction.
I think these cover your questions, Marcos.
[Edited on 11-23-2005 by JohnV]
Faith is an assurance and a conviction:
Heidelberg Catechism, answer 21:
True faith is not only a sure knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word,[1] but also a hearty trust,[2] which the Holy Ghost [3] works in me by the Gospel,[4] that not only to others, but to me also, forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation are freely given by God,[5] merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits.[6]
1. James 1:6
2. Rom. 4:16-18; 5:1
3. II Cor. 4:13; Phil. 1:19, 29
4. Rom. 1:16; 10:17
5. Heb. 11:1-2; Rom. 1:17
6. Eph. 2:7-9; Rom. 3:24-25; Gal. 2:16; Acts 10:43
So faith is a work, but of the Spirit. And faith is a work, after reception by the believer. It is not gained by work, but by grace. It is not qualification for grace, but a gift of grace. Faith without works is dead. We are justified by faith alone, by grace; but if it remains like a seed in the ground that does not grow, it is dead.
There are aspects of faith that are defined as parts of it. One is certainty in truth; another is depth of trust in the promises and work of salvation; and a third is the intrinsic relationship with Christ without which none of these are real. Faith is an assurance and a conviction.
I think these cover your questions, Marcos.
[Edited on 11-23-2005 by JohnV]
I think perhaps neither, Scott. Instead, *it* and *gift* are describing *saved*. Salvation does not come from one´s own efforts, but as a gift from God. Salvation is the gift. Grace and faith is *how* it (salvation) is given and received, so in that sense they too are included in the gift.
Also, *it* isn´t in the greek. You could translate it like this:
"œFor by grace have you been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: of God is the gift."
"¦I think
Scott Bushey
Puritanboard Commissioner
But what is the gift, faith or grace? Most say it is faith. Thats what I've been taught. Possibly the Greek scholors can illuminate it accurately.
This passage helps:
Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
'the gift'....???
[Edited on 11-23-2005 by Scott Bushey]
This passage helps:
Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
'the gift'....???
[Edited on 11-23-2005 by Scott Bushey]
Scott,
Actually the Reformed view varies regarding the ordo salutis. You seem to be using regeneration in two different senses (i.e., the narrow and general sense). I am using it in the narrow or Van Mastricht sense, i.e., a new life principle. Therefore regeneration can occur before the Word is heard and applied (e.g. in the case of infants). As Van Mastricht would say how can one apply or hear the word unless he was already regenerated. Hence, the Word of God always effects conversion (i.e., results in the exercising of faith and repentance) not necessarily regeneration, narrowly speaking.
Jim
[Edited on 11-23-2005 by JWJ]
Scott Bushey
Puritanboard Commissioner
Jim,
Cigar buddy;
Can a man or infant be regenerated outside of the word of God? Example: John the Baptist. He was, by the word of God regenerated in the womb. He was later converted under the ministry of Gods servants.
Van Mastricht writes:
Regeneration, narrowly defined, should not be understood as creating a habit or exercising a new spiritual power.
Van Mastrichts ordo: regeneration, conversion, union, justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification.
Where is the call; inward our outward? Van Mastricht was not excluding those components; everyone knows that the salvation of Gods people must come from above via the word and via His ministers. Van Mastricht did not mention them in his book based upon the idea that they are theologically assumed.
Cigar buddy;
Can a man or infant be regenerated outside of the word of God? Example: John the Baptist. He was, by the word of God regenerated in the womb. He was later converted under the ministry of Gods servants. Van Mastricht writes:
Regeneration, narrowly defined, should not be understood as creating a habit or exercising a new spiritual power.
Van Mastrichts ordo: regeneration, conversion, union, justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification.
Where is the call; inward our outward? Van Mastricht was not excluding those components; everyone knows that the salvation of Gods people must come from above via the word and via His ministers. Van Mastricht did not mention them in his book based upon the idea that they are theologically assumed.
Originally posted by Scott Bushey
Jim,
Cigar buddy;
Van Mastricht writes:
Regeneration, narrowly defined, should not be understood as creating a habit or exercising a new spiritual power.
Van Mastrichts ordo: regeneration, conversion, union, justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification.
Where is the call; inward our outward? Van Mastricht was not excluding those components; everyone knows that the salvation of Gods people must come from above via the word and via His ministers. Van Mastricht did not mention them in his book based upon the idea that they are theologically assumed.
Scott,
I think we are misunderstanidng one another. What do you mean by "outside of the word of God"? What do you mean by the word of God? Do you mean the outward call or inward call? If you mean the inward call then yes I agree. All I am trying to say is that before one can hear, the physical word, he must already be alive (regenerated).
Scott Bushey
Puritanboard Commissioner
Originally posted by JWJ
Originally posted by Scott Bushey
Jim,
Cigar buddy;
Van Mastricht writes:
Regeneration, narrowly defined, should not be understood as creating a habit or exercising a new spiritual power.
Van Mastrichts ordo: regeneration, conversion, union, justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification.
Where is the call; inward our outward? Van Mastricht was not excluding those components; everyone knows that the salvation of Gods people must come from above via the word and via His ministers. Van Mastricht did not mention them in his book based upon the idea that they are theologically assumed.
Scott,
I think we are misunderstanidng one another. What do you mean by "outside of the word of God"? What do you mean by the word of God? Do you mean the outward call or inward call? If you mean the inward call then yes I agree. All I am trying to say is that before one can hear, the physical word, he must already be alive (regenerated).
I think we are essentially on the same page; The HS brings the inward call, i.e. the word, and a person is regenerated. The person then hears the outward word by Gods messengers and is converted.
Yes?
[Edited on 11-23-2005 by Scott Bushey]
Scott Bushey
Puritanboard Commissioner
Jim,
For the record, Gods spirit, by His word, regenerates; this is the inward call. The outward call of the gospel, converts.
Here is Matts ordo: He doesn't even mention regeneration. Regeneration/conversion are more a process of components.
1) Decrees of God 2) Predestination, 3) Election 4) Outward call 5) Effectual call 6) Saving Faith 7) Repentance), 8) Justification,
8) Adoption, 9) Sanctification. 10) Death 11) Glorification
For the record, Gods spirit, by His word, regenerates; this is the inward call. The outward call of the gospel, converts.
Here is Matts ordo: He doesn't even mention regeneration. Regeneration/conversion are more a process of components.
1) Decrees of God 2) Predestination, 3) Election 4) Outward call 5) Effectual call 6) Saving Faith 7) Repentance), 8) Justification,
8) Adoption, 9) Sanctification. 10) Death 11) Glorification
I just wanted to make sure we were on the same path. Notice, when I said regeneration in the order I listed above, I put in parenthesis (inward call).
Scott Bushey
Puritanboard Commissioner
You have a u2u
I do have one more question. When you said "Example: John the Baptist. He was, by the word of God regenerated in the womb. He was later converted under the ministry of Gods servants." I assume you are saying that this was not the result of the outward call or preaching by God's servants, but rather the Spirit's inward sowing of the Word?
Jim
Jim
Scott Bushey
Puritanboard Commissioner
I am not saying that. You mention Van Mastricht; did you read his treatise on regeneration? Components of the ordo are not necessarily just logically orderd. They can be as well chronological.
See this thread:
http://www.puritanboard.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=11042#pid158060
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