Biblical Faith

Wayne Jackson wrote this article which appeared in the January 1974 edition of the "Christian Courier", published by the East Main Street Church of Christ in Stockton, California and edited by Jackson.

There is considerable disagreement in the religious world as to what constitutes Biblical faith. Some have defined the term as a combination of belief in historical facts about Christ, along with a willingness to trust Him as Savior. This is the basis of those who preach the theory of salvation by FAITH ALONE. Let us honestly examine the matter.

I. The verb "believe" in the Greek New Testament is pisteuo. In their Greek Lexicon, noted scholars Liddell and Scott show that the word pisteuo may also mean "to comply." They further state that pisteuo is the opposite of apisteuo, which may mean "to be disobedient...refuse to comply." Cremer (Biblico - Theological Lexicon) says that "faith" (pistis) both in the Old and New Testaments "is a bearing towards God and His revelation which recognizes and confides in Him and in it, which not only acknowledges and holds to His word as true, but practically applies and appropriates it." W.E. Vine acknowledges that pistis involves "a personal surrender" to Christ. And lexicographer J.H. Thayer says that pisteuo is "used especially of the faith by which a man embraces Jesus, i.e. a conviction, full of joyful trust, that Jesus is the Messiah - the divinely appointed author of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God, conjoined with obedience to Christ." Specific contexts will of course, also determine New Testament usages of the word.

II. That acceptable faith requires ACTION in addition to trusting the historical Christ, the following points will abundantly prove.

(1) When the Lord observed the action of the four who brought the palsied man, Mark declares that Jesus saw "their faith" (Mark 2:5) and with this concept agree the words of James when he challenges "show me thy faith apart from works" (James 2:18).

(2) Belief and disobedience are set in vivid contrast in the Scriptures. "He that believeth on the Son of God hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36). Similarly, those Israelites "that were disobedient" were condemned "because of unbelief" (Hebrews 3:18-19; 4:3,6).

(3) While John 3:16 promises eternal life to him that "believeth", Hebrews 5:9 attributes eternal salvation to such as "obey" thus demonstrating that the two are not mutually exclusive, rather saving faith involves obedience!

(4) Paul, citing Genesis 15:6, argues that Abraham was accounted righteous because he "believed God" (Romans 4:3). Note: when Paul discounts "works" in connection with Abraham's justification, he does not refer to works of divine obedience but to works of human effort whereby he might "glory." James, also citing Genesis 15:6, shows that Jehovah's promise concerning Abraham's accounted righteousness was not "fulfilled" until the patriarch's faith was consummated by works (obedience) in offering Isaac (James 2:21).

(5) That mere mental reception of Christ as the Son of God is not enough to constitute one a child of God is clearly evidenced by John 1:12 where those who "believe on His name" are said to "have the right TO BECOME children of God."

(6) The New Testament uses the word "faith" as a synecdoche (a part put for the whole) to denote the sum total of gospel obedience in becoming a Christian. For example, Paul says: "Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God..." (Romans 5:1). That this means more than mere mental faith is proved by Paul's own conversion. He believed in Jesus' Lordship on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:10) but he had no "peace" for three days subsequent thereto; until he was baptized (Acts 22:16; 9:18-19). Repentance results in life (Acts 11:18) but not repentance alone. Baptism saves (First Peter 3:21) but not baptism alone. Availing faith (Galatians 5:6) therefore, is that which accepts the Biblical facts regarding the Christ, trusts the Savior with singleness of heart, turns from evil with godly sorrow and acknowledges the Lord's death by being immersed in water to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). With no less, can you become a Christian. Please, consider this.