What is Faith?

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Saul-to-Paul

Junior Member
Jun 5, 2017
341
58
28
#21
Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he (Christ) which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

It's Christ faith that leads the way. Our own faith is poo poo. Reason you're having problems with the definition of "faith"
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
57,377
26,974
113
#22
Are you saying they did not understand any of what Jesus was teaching them?
Eh? I said no such thing. I said they often did not understand and
asked for clarification on more than just Jesus' coming crucifixion.


Just read what I actually said instead of reading that which I did not say into it.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,139
5,273
113
#23
The bible states that -
"Without faith it is impossible to please God"

So what is the definition of faith?

The bible's definition of faith is -

Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
The evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

In our world of the 5 senses (and for some who also claim a 6th sense),
the bible's definition is out of this world, and does not fit any model of any known definition on the face of this earth.

Can you imagine sending some astronauts to the moon and telling them, we hope you reach there, because we really don't have any evidence that you will actually reach there.

You probably would have to go to the mental institutions or "like places" to secure any volunteers for such a mission. For sure the millionaire, with his huge wealth here on this earth would not go.

Everyone in today's world in his right state of mind, will want some guarantee for anything he does.

Would you go to your job, working for 8 hours, knowing that there is no guarantee that you will be paid. I doubt it, especially with the scams and greed that people resort to.

I wonder if anyone would like to comment on this definition of faith by the bible, for faith is the requirement into the kingdom of God.
faith has a source also

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

if you look there at Hebrews 11 a chapter solely dedicated to teaching us about faith you find the principle here

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

it’s recalling how creation happened God spoke it so there was darkness and no light the light didn’t exist but then

“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We see how creation came forth from his word from things that weren’t there but he spoke it forth. That is the first principle of faith of God declares anything it is certain even before we see it we have the evidence because God said it was so , that’s all the proof we need

his word creates hope of things we cannot see like when Jesus says “ whoever believes in my shall
Live even though they die and whoever lives and believes will never die “


This seems impossible by earths measure but we’ve heard God say it and that’s all the proof we need to know it’s true even though we can’t see it yet tangibly

faith is very simple when we start there at that principle you have faith working through a man like this

“And the LORD said unto Moses,

Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.

( Moses heard Gods word and responds in faith )

And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭10:21-22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God said it and it was so , the only factor was would Moses do what he had been told would cause the darkness ? Would Moses obey the word of faith ?

for Christian’s the gospel is that same principle as we hear it it creates hope of things we can’t see and things not part of this fallen world of sin and death but will we believe it ? And will we act in faith and start reaching forth our hands in his word ?

Noah was saved by faith through grace God gave him grace on genesis 6:8 and the. Spoke the words of faith and Noah believed the flood was coming even though he could t see it so he obeyed and built the ark God told him would save his family Noah acted in faith hearing Gods word and believing it this caused joy to build the ark he believes the world was ending in a flood because God said it so of course he acts on what God said would save him he believed God has said it

try ya how we need to be with Jesus and the gospel we need to first hear the gospel and then believe what’s being taught To us even though we can’t see the end result yet we are walking by faith believing what God said to us and pursuing it with our whole heart we want to be saved and believe Jesus has told us how
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
1,626
564
113
#24
Faith is the realization that God uses to carry out His Promises to His Children -----

God's Grace makes the Promises available to us -----

Faith Receives those Promises and brings them into our physical Realm ---

----God says I will supply all your needs according to His riches ----Philippians 4:19

So Wherever you see God WILL or God Himself saying I WILL-----this is a promise set by God -----and God is Faithful and True to acknowledge and carry out ALL His promises that He makes to His Children -----

But we can only manifest these promises into our lives by and through receiving that Promise into our lives -----

Philippians 4:19 AMP B CE

19 And my God will liberally supply ([a]fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Read full chapter

I say
So understanding these 2 words in this Scripture Philippians 4:19 is necessary -----Supply and Riches

Greek word for Supply -----

Lexicon
epichorégeó: to supply

"richly supply everything needed for an ancient chorus to be a grand production") – properly, lavishly supply, as it is suitable (apt) to outfit all that is needed to accomplish a grand objective.


Greek word for Riches

Strong's Concordance
ploutos: wealth

Usage: riches, wealth, abundance, materially or spiritually.
HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 4149 ploútos (from 4183 /polýs, "much in number, quantity") – properly, abundance, possessions of many kinds; riches.

wealth (as fulness), i.e. (literally) money, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance, richness, (specially), valuable bestowment -- riches.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So God's Grace makes available to us all His Promises -----through our believing in that Promise we then take hold of that Promise and Welcome it into our lives -----

Faith Requires a Positive Response to bring it to us --so we accept it and embrace it and make it our own ------Faith moves us to accept and receive the Promise and then our Faith can manifest it ------Faith brings our Hope from the unseen realm into this seen realm ------Powerful

It is important to know what this Word Receives means

Greek word for Receive

Strong's Concordance
dechomai: to receive

I take, receive, accept, welcome.
with the accusative of the thing offered in speaking, teaching, instructing; to receive favorably, give ear to, embrace, make one's own, approve, not to reject:----means receive with "ready reception what is offered" i.e. "welcome with appropriate reception"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If someone calls you at work and says I am giving you this free gift that I will leave on your table and you come home and see the Gift on the table ----you have the Gift there --it is available --ready for you to receive -- but you don't actually go to the table and accept it ---you leave it there on the table ---then you haven't made a positive response to go and receive the gift ---the gift is just that a gift for you on the table ----it is not in your personal possession as you have not embraced it ---

Faith moves you to pick it up and open it and receive it ------that is your positive response -------

Faith is your title deed to what Grace makes available to You -----without the right Faith you cannot please God -----as per scripture -----

i say ------Great read on Faith ---
https://biblehub.com/greek/4102.htm
what faith is . . . and isn't

1663190503814.png
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,139
5,273
113
#25
Faith is the realization that God uses to carry out His Promises to His Children -----

God's Grace makes the Promises available to us -----

Faith Receives those Promises and brings them into our physical Realm ---

----God says I will supply all your needs according to His riches ----Philippians 4:19

So Wherever you see God WILL or God Himself saying I WILL-----this is a promise set by God -----and God is Faithful and True to acknowledge and carry out ALL His promises that He makes to His Children -----

But we can only manifest these promises into our lives by and through receiving that Promise into our lives -----

Philippians 4:19 AMP B CE

19 And my God will liberally supply ([a]fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Read full chapter

I say
So understanding these 2 words in this Scripture Philippians 4:19 is necessary -----Supply and Riches

Greek word for Supply -----

Lexicon
epichorégeó: to supply

"richly supply everything needed for an ancient chorus to be a grand production") – properly, lavishly supply, as it is suitable (apt) to outfit all that is needed to accomplish a grand objective.


Greek word for Riches

Strong's Concordance
ploutos: wealth

Usage: riches, wealth, abundance, materially or spiritually.
HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 4149 ploútos (from 4183 /polýs, "much in number, quantity") – properly, abundance, possessions of many kinds; riches.

wealth (as fulness), i.e. (literally) money, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance, richness, (specially), valuable bestowment -- riches.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So God's Grace makes available to us all His Promises -----through our believing in that Promise we then take hold of that Promise and Welcome it into our lives -----

Faith Requires a Positive Response to bring it to us --so we accept it and embrace it and make it our own ------Faith moves us to accept and receive the Promise and then our Faith can manifest it ------Faith brings our Hope from the unseen realm into this seen realm ------Powerful

It is important to know what this Word Receives means

Greek word for Receive

Strong's Concordance
dechomai: to receive

I take, receive, accept, welcome.
with the accusative of the thing offered in speaking, teaching, instructing; to receive favorably, give ear to, embrace, make one's own, approve, not to reject:----means receive with "ready reception what is offered" i.e. "welcome with appropriate reception"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If someone calls you at work and says I am giving you this free gift that I will leave on your table and you come home and see the Gift on the table ----you have the Gift there --it is available --ready for you to receive -- but you don't actually go to the table and accept it ---you leave it there on the table ---then you haven't made a positive response to go and receive the gift ---the gift is just that a gift for you on the table ----it is not in your personal possession as you have not embraced it ---

Faith moves you to pick it up and open it and receive it ------that is your positive response -------

Faith is your title deed to what Grace makes available to You -----without the right Faith you cannot please God -----as per scripture -----

i say ------Great read on Faith ---
https://biblehub.com/greek/4102.htm
what faith is . . . and isn't

View attachment 243434
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ( God caused the witness of his word to go onto all the world )

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; ( all It takes is to hear believe and act upon that faith created by hearing the word of life )


but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,

and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: ( they heard and believed and acted upon it and received the promise )

and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:38-39, 41‬ ‭

the promises are always conditioned on his terms an instruction and offer from God to fulfill a promise and then there’s those who hear it and believe and those who reject it.

when God makes a promise he always forst makes an instruction that if we obey it we will receive the promise he made
 

Saul-to-Paul

Junior Member
Jun 5, 2017
341
58
28
#26
James 2:26
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

If one says MY faith saved me then that person has worked for their own idea of salvation.

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,680
113
#27
The bible states that -
"Without faith it is impossible to please God"

So what is the definition of faith?

The bible's definition of faith is -

Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
The evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
It’s that simple to me. Faith is something someone hopes for. Keywords are hope and evidence. Evidence isn’t proof, I might add. Evidence is someone’s personal testimony about something they have experienced. Evidence isn’t something someone else can experience, it’s only something they can have faith in.

For example, your testimony is evidence, my testimony is evidence, the Bible is evidence, etc. That’s why pointless arguments are typically best avoided even with fellow believers because so much of the evidence is open to interpretation.

It’s better for individuals to get their own experiences and evidences; thus, God requires faith. To us who have experiences, it becomes proof.

Being a credible witness of good character, it’s possible to give a compelling testimony. When someone “hurts their witness” they are, in effect, damaging their credibility as a Christian. That’s all a big part of why we are called live a certain way as Christians.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,817
3,581
113
#28
Eh? I said no such thing. I said they often did not understand and
asked for clarification on more than just Jesus' coming crucifixion.


Just read what I actually said instead of reading that which I did not say into it.
I actually didn’t state you said anything. I simply asked a question. You assumed. Not good. My whole deal is with those using the 1 Corinthians argument to prove one needs to be regenerated by the Spirit to understand scripture. That is false.
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
5,365
1,681
113
#29
Faith - a confidence in or a trust.

When one trusts the word. They have confidence that what the word says is true, and a confidence that what God says he will do.

Faith is based on a hope. In the gospel sense. The hope is eternal life. Which God, who can not lie, promises before time began, based on his sons death.

While it is based on the evidence of things not scene (we can not see eternal life or heaven or God) if is not based on a lack of evidence. As we have the evidence of creation, of the word. And of Gods work in people..

Faith is not mere belief. Mere belief will not stay, because it is not based on a biblical hope in the promises of God. It is based on a more english definition of hope. Which is wishful thinking.. We HOPE it comes true. But we have no evidence it will.. etc etc.. as apposed to a biblical hope which is a confident hope that what God says he will do (I am confident that he who began a good work will complete it) and the hope is placed in God. Not self.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
57,377
26,974
113
#30
I actually didn’t state you said anything. I simply asked a question. You assumed. Not good. My whole deal is with those using the 1 Corinthians argument to prove one needs to be regenerated by the Spirit to understand scripture. That is false.
Regardless, your question completely overlooked what I did say, asking as if I'd said something I hadn't. Not good :p

If you'd simply read what I'd said, and grasped that, you would not have had to ask what you did.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#31
I wonder if anyone would like to comment on this definition of faith by the bible, for faith is the requirement into the kingdom of God.
The faith that we are to live by can be accompanied by a sure hope. We don't need to think we might be saved. We can, and should, know we are saved. I know God is real, omnipotent, and that He loves me. Faith comes easier when your knower is working.
 
P

pablocito

Guest
#32
I would add that "Faith come by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Faith is hearing the word of God and believing it even though you can't see it happening yet. Noah had faith in what God told him and the ark is evidence of Noah's faith.
Your response hit the nail on the head and specifically addresses to whom is your faith or allegiance.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
John 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

The consensus here is that true believers hear and recognize the voice of Jesus, and unbelievers hear and recognize the voice of the Devil who is their master.
 
P

pablocito

Guest
#33
You ask, "What is faith"? Great question. So, what is faith in Jesus? Some have a very truncated view that 'faith in Jesus' is just a mental acceptance that He is Lord, God, and Savior. Others view 'faith in Jesus' in both acknowledging Him as Lord, God, and Savior and obeying/following His teachings and comandments that He gave us in the Gospels during His ministry on earth.
God is infinite in all his ways and again I have to say that you hit the nail on the head when you simply stated that he who has faith obeys the commandment of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A person without faith cannot obey the commandments of God.

Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
 

Snacks

Well-known member
Feb 10, 2022
1,410
771
113
#34
You ask, "What is faith"? Great question. So, what is faith in Jesus? Some have a very truncated view that 'faith in Jesus' is just a mental acceptance that He is Lord, God, and Savior. Others view 'faith in Jesus' in both acknowledging Him as Lord, God, and Savior and obeying/following His teachings and comandments that He gave us in the Gospels during His ministry on earth.
I notice you and people like you spend all your time focusing on the splinters in other people’s eyes rather than the planks in your own eyes.
 
P

pablocito

Guest
#35
Hope in the NT is the Greek word elpis which is better translated confident expectation. The way we use hope is English is more of an uncertainty.
What you are saying seems to make sense in that one man's noise is another man's music and one's man's garbage is another man's treasure.

Thus we can expect that the words of the bible means a completely different thing depending on who is reading it. In this case to the non-believer, it is uncertainty.
While to the believer it is certainty.

1Co_2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The faith that we are to live by can be accompanied by a sure hope. We don't need to think we might be saved. We can, and should, know we are saved. I know God is real, omnipotent, and that He loves me. Faith comes easier when your knower is working.
I am going to translate the word "knower" to "our spirit".

1Co_2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Rom_8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
 
P

pablocito

Guest
#36
Hey Pablocito I'm also a big P as in Persistent. That verse gets me too. So maybe like John 146 refers to ark. Makes me think that the ark would be the substance that would materialize in the coming catastrophe. Which it did materialize. With some effort on Noah's part. John146 also references '...comes by hearing..'. When I first read that verse I started thinking I should read out loud so I would hear what I was reading. But I find there is more to it than that. I started listening to recordings on the internet and realized I still wasn't getting the message and would some time have to play the same recording 2 or 3 times and still not completely get it. So it takes effort and prayer. I like that Pemican brought up the Proverb about us fools. We hate to admit that we were foolish not to study God's word and put some effort into it. It's probably easier than building an ark and I think there are verses that let us know the things that need to materialize will materialize if we do just as arthurfleminger refers to in that comment.

I am understanding you to say that Christianity is not just a magic wand which one waves and by some miracle things happen. I agree thoroughly.

It must have take Noah a lot of time and energy to bring the Ark into existence and likewise we are going to have to do the hard work that is required of us.

Hard but pleasurable work as we see our salvation come into existence before our own very eyes.
 
P

pablocito

Guest
#37
The Bible guarantees you can find God when "you" are in the right state of mind/heart "for" God.
The instructions how are clearly given over and over again, the failures of why others could not reach God are shown even more.

The astronaut was put through requirements to even become an astronaut, with no guarantee they would ever reach their objective. The employee has no guarantee they will get paid for the 8 hours they worked from their employer; any more than the employer has that the employee will truly work the 8 hours they are paying them to work. It's merely assumption of such being true.

The Bible is truth and has no assumptions and is complete without error, which indeed makes truth a "certainty". Man spends years trying figure out where he fits into the puzzle, when all along he was already a part of it, which shows him it wasn't ever about him to begin with, other than knowing the puzzle had only "One" piece.

1 Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
Your faith is huge. I travelled for a long time before I could finally reach the place where you are at.
You mention that the bible instructions are clearly given over and over again. I would like to leave 2 verses of Solomon which backs up what you are saying.

Ecc 3:15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

Ecc 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
 
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pablocito

Guest
#38
That is not a full definition... perhaps more a descriptor, and has to do with things to come based on God's promises and what
we know of His plan for humanity, and does not in any way mean we have no evidence for the things we believe by faith.
I agree that one verse does not tell the whole story. Often a definition needs to be expanded on and clarified. (For we are deficient human beings, often corrupted).

We need the whole bible to get the full picture, but still the definition is the definition and cannot be faulted in anyway.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The definition really is for the spiritual man with spiritual eyes for the natural man cannot discern these things.
 
P

persistent

Guest
#39
I am understanding you to say that Christianity is not just a magic wand which one waves and by some miracle things happen. I agree thoroughly.

It must have take Noah a lot of time and energy to bring the Ark into existence and likewise we are going to have to do the hard work that is required of us.

Hard but pleasurable work as we see our salvation come into existence before our own very eyes.
But the power of God certainly can seem like magic. When I look back on my life I can see things that have happened for which there is no natural law explanation. Even secular people have had inexplicable experiences and just like me they don't "truly" recognize God's intervention. It took me 50+ years to acknowledge God intervening in my life. I don't think our work is as hard as Noah's was but possibly in some cases yes.
 
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pablocito

Guest
#40
It all depends upon what faith you have reference to. The unregenerate person only has faith in mankind, and their accomplishments (1 Cor 2:14), He does not have faith on the things of the Spirit. The regenerate person has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, therefore, he has faith in spiritual things.
You are right. The natural man cannot receive the things of God for they are foolishness to him.

But we have to be careful here, the bible clearly states that we (who are called) can reject the things of God even after receiving them, as a dog returns to it's vomit.

I like to say that faith is the doorway into God's kingdom, but as James says faith without works is dead. (I know this statement can lead us into man's arguments and debates concerning Calvinism and Arminianism ). But I will not go there as God would rather that I stay within his word only, and come to my own conclusions. (Let each man be convinced within his own mind.)

The important point is that God's omnipotence and sovereignty is so great and transcends everything that we ought to fear overstepping our bounds and not speak where God has not spoken. It is important that we acknowledge God's sovereignty, it is infinite, therefore while we are operating in one-dimensional mode, God is operating in infinite-dimensional mode.

Maybe that was why Paul could say in 2nd Corinthians 12:
2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Be careful what you say before God: Let your words be few before God, for we are men and God is not a man.
God will always within his own time enlighten us to his great truths, but only in his own time.