Faith as a Spiritual Gift

[the_last_gunslinger]

1st Corinthians 12:8-10 gives us a list of spiritual gifts. In verse 9, we read of the gift of faith. It is my understanding, however, that all spiritual gifts are not given to all people. Throughout this Bible passage, for example, Paul says that:

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

This indicates that not all spiritual gifts are given to all. To one is given one gift, and to another, another gift. Likewise, In Romans 12:6, we are told that we have gifts that differ according to the grace afforded us.

I can assume, then, that different people receive different gifts according to God's will for the purpose of building up the church. With this in mind, I am a little unsure of how Faith is seen as a spiritual gift. Is there a difference between the spiritual gift of faith and the faith that all Christians must have if they are to receive salvation? The scriptures make it plain that one must believe in Christ and exercise faith in him for salvation, so clearly, God doesn't just decide who will receive faith and who won't.

Any thoughts on this? I'm thinking that the gift of faith might be defined in terms of degrees. One kind of faith is merely to trust in Christ for salvation, and can be developed through diligence and obedience. Maybe the gift of faith allows some to believe more readily with less proof? Or inspire them to become greater leaders for the Christian movement, their faith serving as an example to others?

I don't know. This question has been stuck in my head for a while now. I'm just curious to hear some fresh perspective on this.

 

[prodigal]

hi, well theres the two main perspectives and most fit somewhere inbetween, the Calvinists that believe that one must be drawn to god and in no way could ever find their own way and the Armenian view of search and you will find, i knock at the door etc etc. now scripturally we see figures that seem to be chosen for specific tasks. i.e. Moses, Joseph, Jonah and the disciples including paul etc. . then we see verses that suggest some will search and find,

Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

Jeremiah 29:13
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Proverbs 8:171599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

[SUP]17 [/SUP]I love them that love me: and they that seek me [SUP][a][/SUP]early shall find me.

as for me i'm in the middle somewhere. so as you can see from here whatever perspective you take will lead to different understandings of the gifts, i.e to a Calvinist the gift of faith and the amount of that faith given is soley down to god whereas an Armenian would suggest that our own will has a bearing on it...hope this helps to further the study

 

[dcontroversal]

God has dealt to every man a measure of faith (the ability to believe)

Unto Jesus it states,

He has not been dealt faith in measure (paraphrasing)

 

[Jeff_56]

1st Corinthians 12:8-10 gives us a list of spiritual gifts. In verse 9, we read of the gift of faith. It is my understanding, however, that all spiritual gifts are not given to all people. Throughout this Bible passage, for example, Paul says that:

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

This indicates that not all spiritual gifts are given to all. To one is given one gift, and to another, another gift. Likewise, In Romans 12:6, we are told that we have gifts that differ according to the grace afforded us.

I can assume, then, that different people receive different gifts according to God's will for the purpose of building up the church. With this in mind, I am a little unsure of how Faith is seen as a spiritual gift. Is there a difference between the spiritual gift of faith and the faith that all Christians must have if they are to receive salvation? The scriptures make it plain that one must believe in Christ and exercise faith in him for salvation, so clearly, God doesn't just decide who will receive faith and who won't.

Any thoughts on this? I'm thinking that the gift of faith might be defined in terms of degrees. One kind of faith is merely to trust in Christ for salvation, and can be developed through diligence and obedience. Maybe the gift of faith allows some to believe more readily with less proof? Or inspire them to become greater leaders for the Christian movement, their faith serving as an example to others?

I don't know. This question has been stuck in my head for a while now. I'm just curious to hear some fresh perspective on this.

calvinism is wrong. some calvinists may be not too wrong, unless they trust calvin. then they are wrong too. (btw)


spirituals is a better translation instead of spiritual gifts. it's not at all as if apart from Christ Jesus anyone can do anything. likewise, it's not at all as if if Christ Jesus is present that He won't or can't do
whatever He pleases. (along with the well known, whereever 2 or 3 are gathered in My Name, there Am I in the midst of them --- (which is still rare anyway) ) ....

and as 'frequently' recounted, do not seek the manifestations(like some bad guy(s) wanted to buy it and such, as if it could be bought with any amount of gold and silver)

but as always, seek ABBA YAHWEH, seek the Father in Heaven, seek Him purely and totally, and fully,

and keep on seeking Him as YAHSHUA says, so gradually your focus will change to Him from self,

and likewise so gradually you (we) can learn what ABBA wants, see what ABBA does and do it, HEAR ABBA and speak what ABBA speaks.

THAT is true life in YAHSHUA.

 

[crossnote]

Faith (pistis) is one of those pregnant words with pages of shades of meanings depending on the context. There is no one to one meaning when translating pistis from Greek to English.

 

[SeaBass]

1st Corinthians 12:8-10 gives us a list of spiritual gifts. In verse 9, we read of the gift of faith. It is my understanding, however, that all spiritual gifts are not given to all people. Throughout this Bible passage, for example, Paul says that:

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

This indicates that not all spiritual gifts are given to all. To one is given one gift, and to another, another gift. Likewise, In Romans 12:6, we are told that we have gifts that differ according to the grace afforded us.

I can assume, then, that different people receive different gifts according to God's will for the purpose of building up the church. With this in mind, I am a little unsure of how Faith is seen as a spiritual gift. Is there a difference between the spiritual gift of faith and the faith that all Christians must have if they are to receive salvation? The scriptures make it plain that one must believe in Christ and exercise faith in him for salvation, so clearly, God doesn't just decide who will receive faith and who won't.

Any thoughts on this? I'm thinking that the gift of faith might be defined in terms of degrees. One kind of faith is merely to trust in Christ for salvation, and can be developed through diligence and obedience. Maybe the gift of faith allows some to believe more readily with less proof? Or inspire them to become greater leaders for the Christian movement, their faith serving as an example to others?

I don't know. This question has been stuck in my head for a while now. I'm just curious to hear some fresh perspective on this.

In the context of 1 Cor 12, Paul is dealing issues/problems those Christians at Corinth were having over miraculous gifts. Those gifts were being misused, some used them in prideful ways, competition developed among those with different gifts and those without a gift were looked upon as being useless to the body (church).

Within this context, the faith of verse 9 would refer to a miraculous faith, a faith that could miraculously change nature, 1 Cor 13:2.


For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

It would not refer to a faith that brings salvation for that faith comes by hearing the word of God, Rom 10:17 and that faith is available to anyone, everyone that desires to have it. Those Corinthians Paul wrote to in 1 Cor 12 were already Christians who already had faith so the faith given them would not be a saving faith which they already had but one of a miraculous nature. Note how various gifts were given "to one" and other gifts were given "to another". Miraculous faith was a gift given "to another", miraculous in nature for ALL those Corinthians already had the type of faith that saves since they were already Christians.
Faith that saves per Rom 10:17 is not a faith God or the Holy Spirit give to some men and withhold from others for that idea puts moral culpability upon God/Holy Spirit for those that are faithless and lost.

 

[Jeff_56]

there are many who desire to have faith (saving faith) and do not have it, and may never get it.
so desiring saving faith is not enough to get saving faith.\

according to Jesus' Word on Judgment Day in Revelation, many may be raised from the dead thinking they have saving faith,
thinking they did all sorts of things even for Jesus, and He tells them get lost, I (Jesus) NEVER knew you.

 

[SoulWeaver]

Biblical gift of Faith is different than the saving faith we have or the measure of faith every man is given (how much he can contain).

Biblical gift of Faith is supernatural revelation of faith and the mind of God... when you have so powerful faith that something will happen, that you just know it will happen. You have no shadow of a doubt, it's not even believing, it's knowing the outcome in your spirit - and it glorifies God, of course, as all the gifts. Per example, praying for a healing and having complete assurance that the person will be healed. Biblical examples of this gift are many, usually surrounding Jesus - the bleeding woman knew she would be healed if she touched the end of Jesus' robe, the man whose daughter died knew she would live if Jesus laid hands on her, etc.

Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

Not who knows, she might be revived, not maybe, she will live. This man was completely assured by the revelation from the Holy Spirit. Because, as we know, our petitions dont always fit God's plan, but Holy Spirit sometimes makes it crystal clear that it will be answered, this amazing gift is called Faith.

In the same way, the gift called Word of Knowledge is not the same as knowledge, and Word of Wisdom is not the same as wisdom, I'd like to mention them too because it's often confused so someone reading might be interested...

Word of knowledge is supernatural revelation of previously unknown information or specifics, by God, and is used to glorify God and bring someone closer to Him. Per example, when Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well and told her that she had 5 husbands, and the one living with her was not her husband. This was a supernatural revelation of knowledge and it is a spiritual gift, and is not same as being knowledgeable, or having knowledge about God and His ways through faith (and application in our walk), which is - very roughly defined - what is Biblically considered Knowledge.

Word of wisdom is, similarly, supernatural revelation of wisdom by God in a situation, again always glorifies God, and makes people marvel because it's unmistakeably not from man... It is the strategy to approach or solve the problem, that could not have come from convential wisdom but direct instruction of what to do or say from the mind of God. Like when Solomon judged between two mothers that argued over a child and who was the real mother - Solomon said to cut the child in half and give half to each, to exposed the true mother, who asked that her son is given to another woman, just that he is alive. Then he gave the child to her.

 

[Stephen63]

A MEASURE GIVEN TO EVERYONE:
Romans 12:3 (KJV) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

A GIFT:
1 Corinthians 12:6-11 (KJV) [SUP]6 [/SUP]And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. [SUP]7 [/SUP]But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. [SUP]8 [/SUP]For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; [SUP]9[/SUP]To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; [SUP]10 [/SUP]To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: [SUP]11 [/SUP]But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

A FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT:
Galatians 5:21-23 (KJV) [SUP]21 [/SUP]Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. [SUP]22 [/SUP]But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [SUP]23 [/SUP]Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

 

[SoulWeaver]

P.S. Biblical gift of Faith is basically getting absolute faith on a particular issue. Now Jesus... HE had Faith (absolute faith), not just a measure of faith like us, on EVERY single issue... lol
He kept marvelling why would even His disciples not be assured without doubting, just like He was.

 

[JesusLives]

I believe that faith is something that we must develop with God's help and that He has joy in helping us grow in faith. We are not required to have bushels of it as in.....

Matthew 17:20
20And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.

Facing trials helps our faith to grow because.....are we trying to fix things for ourselves or are we allowing and trusting/believing God will fix things for us thereby helping our faith to grow in Him?

James 1: 2-4
2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing

 

[JesusLives]

P.S. I believe Jesus had unlimited faith and if we believe in Him then we too should have unlimited faith....just a Blond thought...

 

[SoulWeaver]

P.S. I believe Jesus had unlimited faith and if we believe in Him then we too should have unlimited faith....just a Blond thought...

It's a process of growth though... faith comes by hearing the Word of God... so our faith grows to be more like His with the renewal of our minds... even the apostles doubted at times so it likely never reaches His perfection though, while in this fleshly body. But yes ideally, our faith should be like His and we should earnestly desire it. amen

 

[JesusLives]

It's a process of growth though... faith comes by hearing the Word of God... so our faith grows to be more like His with the renewal of our minds... even the apostles doubted at times so it likely never reaches His perfection though, while in this fleshly body. But yes ideally, our faith should be like His and we should earnestly desire it. amen

I am wondering though why now right now we can't have that kind of faith as in Jesus was 100% human and 100% God but He did not use His Godly powers unless it honored God the Father while He was here on earth..... We are 100% human so why should we doubt. We are trusting and believing in God's ability not our own....so what is there to doubt about? Am I the only one that thinks this way? Again just wondering.....

 

[JesusLives]

the_last_gunslinger - Hi there OP what is your take on what Soulweaver and I are discussing here in your thread?

 

[SoulWeaver]

I am wondering though why now right now we can't have that kind of faith as in Jesus was 100% human and 100% God but He did not use His Godly powers unless it honored God the Father while He was here on earth..... We are 100% human so why should we doubt. We are trusting and believing in God's ability not our own....so what is there to doubt about? Am I the only one that thinks this way? Again just wondering.....

I didnt say we cant. Do you have that level of perfect unwavering faith in every situation, you never stress even a little bit when things seem bad? I'm getting better with time but unfortunately still growing...

 

[JesusLives]

I didnt say we cant. Do you have that level of perfect unwavering faith in every situation, you never stress even a little bit when things seem bad? I'm getting better with time but unfortunately still growing...

Just like you I am learning but I gotta say with God's help I have come a long way in the last year or so since being laid off from work and no income....oh yes I am living off of the 401k account, but I have truly had to lean on God to keep me going in more ways than one and maybe too with age you learn to trust a bit more...as if everything goes right I would be dead before you because my number is higher than yours, but we don't know how long we will live, but my odds are to go first in the age game...

But the other thing I think about is Jesus was continually fussing at the disciples for their lack of faith and I believe His point was what I was saying above that we are believing in God's ability not our own so why doubt? He asked them that or would say oh ye of little faith to them all the time.... So we need to believe and stop the doubting.... at least that is the conclusion I have been coming to.

 

[SoulWeaver]

Just like you I am learning but I gotta say with God's help I have come a long way in the last year or so since being laid off from work and no income....oh yes I am living off of the 401k account, but I have truly had to lean on God to keep me going in more ways than one and maybe too with age you learn to trust a bit more...as if everything goes right I would be dead before you because my number is higher than yours, but we don't know how long we will live, but my odds are to go first in the age game...

But the other thing I think about it Jesus was continually fussing at the disciples for their lack of faith and I believe His point was what I was saying above that we are believing in God's ability not our own so why doubt? He asked them that or would say oh ye of little faith to them all the time.... So we need to believe and stop the doubting.... at least that is the conclusion I have been coming to.

We were saying the same thing just in a different way about the disciples... Completely in agreement to where you're coming from there.
P.S. you probably said it much better that I did right there in purple.

 

[dcontroversal]

I didnt say we cant. Do you have that level of perfect unwavering faith in every situation, you never stress even a little bit when things seem bad? I'm getting better with time but unfortunately still growing...

We are all a work in progress for sure.....!

 

[the_last_gunslinger]

the_last_gunslinger - Hi there OP what is your take on what Soulweaver and I are discussing here in your thread?

Both of you have contributed some very interesting thoughts and insights to the original question. There is much that I agree with. We truly are a work in progress. Someone who has just accepted Christ probably won't have the same level of faith in Him as those who have devoted decades to worshiping him.

A couple of things, though. The first is specifically how faith as a spiritual gift manifests itself. I believe soulweaver mentioned how faith comes through hearing the word of the Lord. That makes sense, for you cannot have faith in something you've never been taught. And I believe that everyone has the ability, the God-given moral agency, to choose to believe, to choose to put faith in Christ. How that translates to the spiritual gift of faith remains a bit murky for me. Is it merely God bestowing upon a believer an unwavering commitment to Him? I kind of doubt it. That seems like God would be choosing who believes and who doesn't. Does it mean that those who already have developed this faith are given faith that exceeds the common Christian to the working of mighty miracles and the convincing of men as to the truthfulness of the gospel? And if all believers ought to have faith, yet faith as a spiritual gift is not given to all, how does one determine whether or not he or she has that gift? How can it be distinguished from salvation-based faith?

I am also intrigued by the idea of Christ having perfect faith. It would be interesting to explore that idea. Given that the author of the Hebrews defines faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, it is difficult to imagine Christ, who is Divine, having to exercise this kind of faith. Did Christ hope for things he could not see? Or did he know these things?