Faith

The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please him” (Heb 11:6). “The righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith” (Rom 1:17). Faith is therefore an indispensable factor of salvation.

I.       What Do We Believe?

A.     We Believe in God (Jn 14:1)

1.        We believe that God is one (Mk 12:29; Jn 17:3; 1 Cor 8:6).

2.        We believe that all things in the universe were created by God (Gen 1:1; Heb 11:3, 3:4).

3.        We believe that life, death, prosperity, and adversity are all in the hand of God (Deut 32:39; 1 Sam 2:6, 7; Isa 45:7).

4.        We believe that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent (Mt 19:26; Rom 16:27; Eph 4:6).

5.        We believe that God loves the world, and is gracious and truthful in his treatment of all humankind (l Kgs 6:35; Ps 145:9; Jn 3:16).

B.     We Believe in Jesus Christ

1.        We believe that Jesus was born by the virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit, i.e., the Word manifest in the flesh. Later, Jesus was crucified on the cross for the sins of the world and was buried for three days. According to biblical prophecy, Jesus resurrected on the third day and ascended into heaven forty days after his resurrection. In future, the Lord will come again from heaven to judge the world according to everyone’s deeds (Mt 1:18–23, 25:31–34, 41, 46; Jn 1:1–2, 14; Acts 1:3, 9, 17:31; 1 Cor 15:1–4; 1 Pet 3:22).

2.        We believe that Jesus is the only Savior, for only through his precious blood can we be saved and reconciled with God (Lk 2:11; Jn 14:6; Acts 4:12; Heb 10:19–20).

3.        We believe that Jesus and the Father are one, i.e., Jesus  Christ is God (Isa 9:6; Jn 10:30; Rom 9:5).

C.     We Believe in the Holy Spirit

1.        We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, and is God himself, because the Lord Jesus says that “God is Spirit” (Mt 3:16; Jn 4:24).

2.        We believe that the Holy Spirit is one Spirit. The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of the Father, and the Spirit of Jesus, because the Father and Jesus are one (Mt 10:20; Acts 16:7; 1 Cor 12:4; Eph 4:4).

3.        We believe that Christians must receive the promised Holy Spirit as a seal, proof, and guarantee of their entrance into the heavenly kingdom (Lk 11:13; Jn 7:37–39; Eph 1:13–14).

4.        We believe that speaking in tongues is the evidence of having received the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44–46, 19:6–7; 1 Cor 14:2).

D.     We Believe in the Word of God—the Holy Scriptures

1.        We believe that the Scripture is inspired by God (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:21).

2.        We believe that the word of God is true and reliable, and that every word of God is pure and powerful (Prov 30:5; Lk 1:37).

3.        We believe that biblical promises and prophecies shall all be fulfilled (Isa 46:10; Ezek 12:26–28; Rom 4:20–21).

4.        We believe that God will judge the world according to his word (Jn 12:48; Rom 3:19; Jas 2:12).

5.        We believe that the words of God cannot be added to or taken away from (Deut 12:32; Rev 22:18–19).

E.     We Believe that the True Jesus Church Is Established and Approved by God

1.        To listen to the true church is to hear and follow Christ; to reject the true church is to reject Jesus Christ (Mt 18:17; Lk 10:16).

2.        The Jews of old believed in the LORD, but rejected Jesus as the Messiah, who was the Word manifest in the flesh. While it may seem harsh to say so, because of their rejection of Jesus Christ, their faith could not be true to God; rather, they were deceived by Satan (Jn 8:37–45).

3.        Today, if one believes in Jesus Christ yet rejects the true church established by the Holy Spirit, their faith does not abide in the truth. To oppose the true church is enmity with Christ. Why? Because the church is the Lord’s body, which we cannot go against (Acts 9:4–5; Eph 1:23).

4.        The true church should meet the following requirements:

 a.      The Spirit of Christ is in the true church (Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 12:13).

 b.      Signs, miracles, and wonders shall follow the true message (Mk 16:17–20; Heb 2:3–4).

 c.      The message of their gospel must be in complete accordance with the Scriptures (2 Cor 4:6, 11:2–4; Gal 1:6–9).

5.        The true church is a place where the Lord executes forgiveness and retainment of sins (Mt 18:17–18; Jn 20:21–23).

II.    What Is A Genuine Faith?

A.     Faith Sincerely Motivated by Our Innermost Being

1.        Genuine faith entails faith in God’s words—a humility and openness to take the Bible as the truth we live by (Gen 15:5–6; Mk 11:22; Jn 4:50–53; Rev 21:5).

2.        Accept God’s words with full acceptance (Rom 10:9; 1 Tim 1:15, 4:8–9).

3.        Believe in God’s words completely (Rom 4:20–21).

B.     Faith Entails Absolute Obedience

1.        Faith without obedience is not true faith. Some examples of this principle are: Naaman, who did not listen to Elisha (2 Kgs 5:10–12) and the rich young man, who did not obey the Lord (Mt 19:21–22).

2.        Obedience is the true expression of faith. Good examples of this principle at work are found in the faith of both Abraham and the blind man in John’s gospel (Jn 9:6–7; Heb 11:8, 17).

3.        Faith without deeds is dead (Jas 2:19–26).

C.     Faith Entails Complete Trust

1.        Belief without trust is little to no faith (Mt 8:23–26; Mk 4:35–40).

2.        Firmly believe in the providential care of God (Mt 6:30–32; 1 Cor 10:13; Heb 11:6; 1 Pet 5:7).

3.        In all things, we must learn to trust and rely on an assurance of God’s grace (Ps 37:5; Isa 26:3; Phil 4:4–7).

III. The Effects Of A Genuine Faith Are Great

A.     Genuine Faith Is Acceptable in God’s Sight

1.        By faith Abel offered God an excellent sacrifice, through which he received approval that he was righteous, God bearing witness to this by accepting his gifts (Heb 11:4).

2.        By faith Enoch walked with God; he so pleased God that he was translated without seeing death (Heb 11:5).

3.        Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).

B.     Justification by Faith

1.        Justification does not result from the works of the law (Rom 3:20, 28; Gal 2:16).

2.        Justification does not result from good works (Rom 4:4–7; Eph 2:8–9).

3.        Humanity is justified by the redemption of Jesus Christ (Acts 13:39; Rom 3:24–25, 28; Gal 3:7).

C.     Faith Yields the Salvation of Souls

1.        The end of faith is the salvation of our souls (1 Pet 1:9).

2.        The word of the Lord is able to save souls (Jas 1:21).

3.        The gospel of Christ will save all who truly believe (Jn 3:15–16, 36; Rom 1:16).

D.     Faith Enables People to See the Future

1.        By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the things to come (Gen 27:27–29, 38–40; Heb 11:1, 20).

2.        By faith, Joseph made mention of the Israelite exodus and gave directions concerning his burial (Gen 50:24–25; Heb 11:22).

3.        By faith, we know the end of all things and the glory of the heavenly kingdom (Rom 8:17–18; 1 Cor 2:9; 2 Pet 3:8–10).

E.     Faith Makes God Accept Our Prayers

1.        The Lord Jesus said, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Mt 21:22; Mk 11:24).

2.        The prayer of faith will heal the sick (Mt 9:20–22; Jas 5:14–15).

3.        Those who waver in doubts receive nothing from the Lord (Jas 1:6–7).

F.      Faith Brings the Protection and Care of God

1.        By faith, Noah took heed to God’s warning and constructed an ark for his family’s salvation (Gen 6:13–22, 7:17–23; Heb 11:7).

2.        By faith, Israel kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood to escape death (Ex 12:1–13, 21–29; Heb 11:28).

3.        By faith, Rahab the harlot did not perish with the rest of Jericho (Josh 2:12–14, 17–21; Heb 11:31).

G.     Faith Triumphs Over the Impossible

1.        By faith, Sarah bore a son when she was past her child-bearing age (Rom 4:19–21; Heb 11:11).

2.        By faith, Abraham offered up Isaac, with full assurance that God could even raise him from the dead (Gen 22:9–14; Heb 11:17–19).

3.        By faith, the Israelites passed through the Red Sea (Ex 14:13–30; Heb 11:29).

H.    Faith Produces Courage

1.        By faith, Moses’ parents hid Moses for three months and were not afraid of the king’s edict to kill male babies (Ex 1:22, 2:1–2; Heb 11:23).

2.        By faith, Ezra courageously made a hazardous journey to Jerusalem without the escort of Persian soldiers (Ezra 7:9, 8:21–23, 31–32).

3.        By faith, Christians of old did not worry about the hardships and perils of life (Ps 46:1–3; Acts 21:13; Heb 13:5–6).

I.       Faith Compels Sincere Offerings

1.        By faith, Abraham offered up his only son (Gen 22:15–17; Heb 11:17–18).

2.        By faith, the widow of Zarephath hospitably received Elijah, even though she was at the point of starvation (1 Kgs 17:8–16).

3.        By faith, believers in the early church offered their properties to the church for the common good (Acts 2:44–45, 4:36–37).

J.      Faith Gives Strength to Sacrifice Oneself

1.        By faith, Moses chose rather to suffer afflictions with Israel than to enjoy the pleasures of sin (Heb 11:24–26).

2.        By faith, the people of God had to suffer trials of cruel mockings, scourgings, chains, imprisonments, and even death (Heb 11:35–38).

3.        By faith, early Christians rejoiced in their sufferings for the Lord (Mt 5:10–13; Rom 8:17, 18; 1 Pet 4:12–13).

K.    Faith Produces Victory over Foes

1.        By faith, Israel encircled Jericho seven days, and the walls of Jericho fell down (Josh 6:11–20; Heb 11:30).

2.        By faith, David subdued Goliath, a Philistine giant (1 Sam 17:31–51).

3.        It is the victory of our faith that overcomes the world (1 Pet 5:9; 1 Jn 5:4).

IV.  What Are the Sources Of Faith?

A.     Hearing God’s Word

1.        Paul said, “Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ” (Rom 10:17).

2.        On the day of Pentecost, the people in Jerusalem were cut to the heart on hearing the testimony of Peter and the apostles, and three thousand were baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:37–41).

3.        The truth gives humanity both faith and hope (Jn 20:30–31; Rom 15:4; 2 Tim 3:15).

B.     Faith Is God’s Gift

1.        God assigns every person a measure of faith (Acts 3:16; Rom 12:3; 1 Cor 12:9).

2.        Faith does not rest in human wisdom, but in God’s power (1 Cor 2:4–5; Eph 2:8).

3.        Be sure to pray to the Lord to increase our faith (Mk 9:24; Lk 17:5).

C.     Strengthened by the Trial of Our Faith

1.        The trial of our faith is much more precious than gold, which, though perishable, is tested with fire (1 Pet 1:7; Jas 1:2–4).

2.        Abraham had a steadfast faith that “the Lord would prepare” from the trial he faced in sacrificing his son Isaac. Thus, Abraham ordered his old and faithful servant, Eliezer, to go and fetch a wife for Isaac from his homeland. He firmly believed that God is Jehovah-Jireh, i.e., the Lord will provide (Gen 24:2–7, 40; cf. Gen 22:13–14). We learn, therefore, that our faith grows through our trials in life.

V.     The Misery Of Unbelief

A.     Chastisement in Our Earthly Life

1.        Most of the Israelites died in the wilderness because of their unbelief (Num 14:11–12, 26–30; 1 Cor 10:5; Heb 3:19).

2.        A Samaritan lord disbelieved Elisha’s prediction that within twenty-four hours they would have plenty of provisions. Later, he was trodden to death by the people before the gate, just like the prophet Elisha had predicted (2 Kgs 7:1–2, 17).

3.        Zechariah, father of John the baptist, did not believe the message of the angel; therefore, the angel struck him dumb (Lk 1:19–20).

B.     Condemnation in the Afterlife

1.        If we do not believe, we will be condemned (Mk 16:16; Jn 3:18).

2.        Unbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev 19:20, 21:8).

3.        Those who do not know God, and do not obey the gospel of Christ, will be punished with eternal destruction (2 Thess 1:8–­9).

C.     Uncertainty with God’s Word

1.        Only by faith can we remain steadfast in our belief in God’s word (Rom 11:20; 2 Cor 1:24).

2.        Cast all doubts and fears aside (Heb 3:12; Jas 1:6).

3.        Keep the full assurance of the understanding and knowledge of Jesus Christ with you always (Col 2:2; 1 Thess 1:5).