A better perception of “faith” and the greatness thereof

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unobtrusive

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Jul 23, 2017
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The Hebrew word for “faith” can be defined by the pictorial letters as ‘God secures us by His only begotten Son who reveals the truth.’ There are 5 pictures in this one Hebrew word, the individual meanings of each are in sequence as follows.

1. (א) A strong powerful leader depicted by an image of an ox head.
2. (מ) blood, mighty, and chaos, depicted by the image of water.
3. (וּ) secure depicted by the image of a tent peg.
4. (נָ) Continue, heir, son depicted by the image of a seed.
5. (ה) To look, reveal, and Breath (spirit) depicted by the image of a man with his arms raised.

“Faith” is defined 7 ways in the Old Testament and 4 ways in the New testament. Nevertheless, the word “faith” shows up in the New Testament many more times that the Old Testament. As I see it, we can examine the more expanded definition of “faith” in the Old Testament in order to confirm the greater value of the word “faith” in the New Testament that I will define later according to the Greek.

More to follow at the appropriate time. Please share your thoughts on "faith."
 
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I believe to have true faith one must have the proper perspective of faith.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for,the evidence of things not seen,and without faith it is impossible to please God.

But many do not have the proper perspective of faith,for to have that they must have the proper perspective of God,and His kingdom,for it is the evidence of things not seen.

God hates sin,and wants us to abstain from sin by the Spirit.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
1Co 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Jas 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Jas 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Jas 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

1Jn 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Gal 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Gal 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

2Ti 3:4 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The proper perspective of God is that He hates sin,and wants us to abstain from sin,which if we hate sin,and do not want sin,by the Spirit we can abstain from sin.

To not have that perspective of God is to not have proper faith.

Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

1Co 13:2 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, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

1Ti 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness(monetary,material): from such withdraw thyself.
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Act 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Act 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
Act 4:35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

The proper perspective of God's kingdom is love,and love is the fulfilling of the law,and God only blesses us with our needs,not our wants,and to help people with their needs if possible.

To not have that perspective of God's kingdom is to not have proper faith.
 
Faith is energized by love:

Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.


The word "worketh" is the Greek word energoumenē (from energeó).

HELPS Word-studies defines energeó as:


1754 energéō (from 1722 /en, "engaged in," which intensifies 2041 /érgon, "work") – properly, energize, working in a situation which brings it from one stage (point) to the next, like an electrical current energizing a wire, bringing it to a shining light bulb.

http://biblehub.com/greek/1754.htm
 
Faith is energized by love:

Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.


The word "worketh" is the Greek word energoumenē (from energeó).

HELPS Word-studies defines energeó as:


1754 energéō (from 1722 /en, "engaged in," which intensifies 2041 /érgon, "work") – properly, energize, working in a situation which brings it from one stage (point) to the next, like an electrical current energizing a wire, bringing it to a shining light bulb.

http://biblehub.com/greek/1754.htm


May as close to car fuel by gasoline. No gasoline not going to work
 
Faith is energized by love:

Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.


The word "worketh" is the Greek word energoumenē (from energeó).

HELPS Word-studies defines energeó as:


1754 energéō (from 1722 /en, "engaged in," which intensifies 2041 /érgon, "work") – properly, energize, working in a situation which brings it from one stage (point) to the next, like an electrical current energizing a wire, bringing it to a shining light bulb.

http://biblehub.com/greek/1754.htm

ἐνεργέω (energéō, “to be active”)

"energéō" is where we get the English word energetic. Good post reneweddaybyday! :)
A faith that's energetic and shows true love. That's pretty explanatory.
 
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The following describes the seven meanings of this one Hebrew word (אֱמוּנָה) for faith.

Faith (Hebrew) אֱמוּנָה ʼĕmûwnâh, em-oo-naw'; literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity:—faith(-ful, -ly, -ness, (man)), set office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily.

1. Faith (Habakkuk 2:4)
Paul confirms Habakkuk’s statement in Romans 1:17 “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith (God’s faithfulness) to faith (our faithfulness): as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” In Hebrew, Just means the right, moral equity of righteous discernment, and in Greek, just means equitable in character or act by implication of the innocent according to the circumstance i.e. holy (absolutely or relatively).

2. Steady (Exodus 17:12)
Unwavering and loyal in relation to Paul’s letter of 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

3. Truth (Deuteronomy 32:4) Truth leads to freedom. This can be in relation to the exodus of Israel from the slavery in Egypt.
Jesus said in John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

4. Office (3 times in 2 Chronicles 9) A position ordained only by God, confirmed by Peter.
1 Peter 2:9, “ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood.
Paul also compares the faith he has with the office he has been ordained to fill in Romans 11:13. “inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:”

5.Verily/faithfully (Psalm 37:3) This is comparable to the word “amen” (faithfully spoken) meaning ‘what is said is totally or unequivocally true’ as in John 3:3. “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

6. God’s faithfulness and His salvation (Psalm 40:10)
This is confirmed by John (the beloved) in 1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

7. Stability (Isaiah 33:6) unmovable as confirmed in Hebrews 3:6. “the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end,” and also in Hebrews 12:28 “receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved.”
 
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The following describes the four meanings of this one Greek word for faith.

Faith (Greek) πίστις pístis, pis'-tis; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

1. Assurance (Acts 17:31) בֶּטַח a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact of security, plus the feeling of trust, surely with assurance, confidence, hope, secure and safe.
"
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."

2. *Believe/belief (Romans 3:26, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Hebrews 10:39) אָמַן to go to the right hand, properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent.
"
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus ."
"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:"
"But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul."

3. Fidelity (Titus 2:10) אָמַן same as *believe, yet more so as the mutual faithfulness of God toward us, and our faithfulness toward God because of His faithfulness toward us.
"
Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things."

4. Faith (All other scriptures in the New Testament) אֱמוּנָה morally stable, confident, and secure.
"And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." (Acts 28:30-31)

 
Really great thread unobstrusive! Just wondering if you are using Jeff Banners writings? I mean the Ancient Hebrew symbols book he wrote.
 
Really great thread unobstrusive! Just wondering if you are using Jeff Banners writings? I mean the Ancient Hebrew symbols book he wrote.

No. I'm not using his writings. I study on my own, but I'm not real astute on Hebrew. What I share must be confirmed by the Truth, meaning God's holy Word. That's my goal. I have one more post to complete the concept of faith. I love that gift!! What would we ever do without it?
 
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I guess our understanding would be the "dead faith" that James speaks of . :)

That name is wrong by the way...It's Jeff Benner not Banner. An Introduction to Ancient Hebrew. Very good. And if you got that on your own in study, I would say that is from heaven. :)
 
Last of all.....

In summarizing this study, I have concluded that “Faith” points more to the character traits of our Saviour first. As I see it, according to the “Gospel,” at the moment that we are “born again” we start growing in these multiple traits of “faith” that our Saviour gives to us, because He manifested His faithfulness to us first. I think that’s why the Old Testament is more definitive.

“Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.” (1 John 2:7-8)

“Commandment” meaning “authoritative prescription” ἐντολή
“Old” meaning “not recent” παλαιός
“New” meaning “fresh” καινός

What John is actually saying, is the “authoritative prescription” of God is His Word, and both old and new are still relevant. In other words, he is pointing toward the Messiah who was the BRANCH (The Word) of ancient times, and is manifest as the Light (Messiah) shining on the darkness. I call this the mystery of the Gospel revealed.

“And ye shall eat old store, bring forth the old because of the new.” (Leviticus 26:10)

“We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
 
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Bringing forth the old because of the new. I was trying to find that ages ago. Now I know. This is to me, the revelation of Jesus in the OT, hidden in the Hebrew meanings of words through symbols and ideas of how they thought.

Only seen by Holy Spirits leading. I love this thread. :)
 
Bringing forth the old because of the new. I was trying to find that ages ago. Now I know. This is to me, the revelation of Jesus in the OT, hidden in the Hebrew meanings of words through symbols and ideas of how they thought.

Only seen by Holy Spirits leading. I love this thread. :)

That's it!!! Get a load of this one...

"Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, *provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries." (Exodus 23:20-22)

*"provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions" is discerned as ... 'this is what happens without repentance.'

Repeat..
"obey his voice, and do all that I speak;" "In the beginning was the Word." (John 1:1a)


 
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We have no right to insinuate (even if we don't say it outwardly) to brag about our faith. In reality, if we have received faith, it still continues to belong to our Master that gave it to us. One's possession of faith (which is a gift) can become repulsive to others when expounded upon, unless we handle that gift with prudence and humility in the sight of God first, and secondly to those who are looking at our character. Rhetorically, who are we supposed to represent? Let us not be more religious than we are representatives of the real Truth. Faith is not ours without the Giver of the faith. True faith is "togetherness" with the Giver.

Faith belongs to our Almighty God and Father of Jesus Christ. If we have it, we are part of Him. If we want it by just part of the Word that has come from The Giver, we really never have it in the first place.

Why the arguments between faith and law? That should create immense fear, wouldn't you say?
 
That's it!!! Get a load of this one...

"Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, *provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries." (Exodus 23:20-22)

*"provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions" is discerned as ... 'this is what happens without repentance.'

Repeat..
"obey his voice, and do all that I speak;" "In the beginning was the Word." (John 1:1a)



Missed this somehow. Yes, exactly...revelation!
 
We have no right to insinuate (even if we don't say it outwardly) to brag about our faith. In reality, if we have received faith, it still continues to belong to our Master that gave it to us. One's possession of faith (which is a gift) can become repulsive to others when expounded upon, unless we handle that gift with prudence and humility in the sight of God first, and secondly to those who are looking at our character. Rhetorically, who are we supposed to represent? Let us not be more religious than we are representatives of the real Truth. Faith is not ours without the Giver of the faith. True faith is "togetherness" with the Giver.

Faith belongs to our Almighty God and Father of Jesus Christ. If we have it, we are part of Him. If we want it by just part of the Word that has come from The Giver, we really never have it in the first place.

Why the arguments between faith and law? That should create immense fear, wouldn't you say?


No, in this I wouldn't agree obtrusive. The foundation of our faith is only Jesus Christ the Righteous. And building on it is revelation of Him both out of the Old, as you just did, and the inheritance left to His body, in the new.

Two much different covenants for one is you do this, and I'll do that; and the other is the will of inheritance that is unconditional, except to believe and receive. Being Spirit, walking as Spirit, one with Spirit. No laws needed with the change of the new nature. That doesn't mean we throw out anything, but the scriptures edify, and His Voice leads.

Understand what I mean? And do you agree or not?
 
No, in this I wouldn't agree obtrusive. The foundation of our faith is only Jesus Christ the Righteous. And building on it is revelation of Him both out of the Old, as you just did, and the inheritance left to His body, in the new.

Two much different covenants for one is you do this, and I'll do that; and the other is the will of inheritance that is unconditional, except to believe and receive. Being Spirit, walking as Spirit, one with Spirit. No laws needed with the change of the new nature. That doesn't mean we throw out anything, but the scriptures edify, and His Voice leads.

Understand what I mean? And do you agree or not?

I actually do agree with you. Where controversy comes into play is that many cannot see the spiritual in all of God's Word, making faith and law (instructions) issued from the same God as adversarial against each other. A house divided against itself cannot stand. Mostly, denominational people look at the Old Testament law with carnality, not being able to see it's spiritual relevance. This is where disagreements come from. By the way, you are quite astute, we all should be that way with boldness. Thanks.
 
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