God’s Plan of
Salvation
Our Faith
What is faith?
• πίστις, pistis (noun),
πιστεύω pisteou (verb)
• “firm persuasion, a conviction
based upon hearing” (Vine’s)
• “to believe to the extent of complete
trust and reliance” (L&N, 31.85)
• Trust, belief, assurance, conviction,
fidelity, etc.
What is faith?
•Various forms found more
than 490 times. As a noun it
is usually translated ‘faith’ and
as a verb, ‘believe’
•Faith is BELIEVING God and
TRUSTING Him.
Faith is NOT:
•Mere belief – it begins with
belief, but it goes much
further.
James 2:14-18 – faith
without works is dead
Faith is NOT:
•Blind – we have evidence that
God exists and that He can do
what He promises
Romans 1:20
Faith is NOT:
•Merely a feeling – while faith
involves feelings, it is not
purely emotional.
Feelings are subjective and
can be wrong Acts 26:9
Faith is NOT:
• Given through the direct
operation of the Holy Spirit – (aka
Calvinism – “irresistible grace”).
We are “free will” agents. We
CAN understand God’s word
Romans 10:17, Eph. 5:17
God is no respecter of persons –
Acts 10:34, Rom. 2:11
Faith is NOT:
• Exclusive in our salvation – there are
many factors in our salvation - Grace,
blood, mercy, love, Jesus, the Holy
Spirit, obedience, confession, baptism,
the word, must obey, etc.
As grace comprehensively describes
God’s part, so faith can describe man’s
part (Acts 16:31, Rom. 3:26,
Eph. 2:8)
Philippians 2:12
Faith – Hebrews 11:1
• “Now faith is the substance of things hoped
for, the evidence of things not seen.” (NKJV,
KJV)
• “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped
for, the conviction of things not seen.”
(NASB95)
“Faith means being sure of the things we
hope for and knowing that something is real
even if we do not see it.” (NCV)
Faith – Hebrews 11:1
•Substance of things hoped for
by faith we know that God is
true and will keep His
promises. (cf. Heb. 11:8,
13-16)
We remain faithful in a world
filled with doubt and rejection
Faith – Hebrews 11:1
• Evidence of things not seen
while we have not seen God,
there is proof He exists! (cf.
Heb. 11:3)
Psalm 19:1-4
Our minds developed tell us
there is something out there
greater than we are.
Faith – Hebrews 11:1
• Evidence of things not seen
we live our lives demonstrating
our faith. Our lives are PROOF
to others of OUR faith.
We TRUST Him with our lives,
give up worldly pleasures, make
unnatural sacrifices, etc.
Faith in the Bible
•Personal belief
Heb. 11:1, 6, 2 Cor. 4:18,
5:7 cf. John 20:29
This is the attitude that
causes us to follow Him
Faith in the Bible
•Conduct based upon trust
Matt. 9:2, James 2:14-18
This is the obedience
associated with our faith
Faith in the Bible
•Trustworthiness
Matt. 24:45; 25:21, 23
1 Corinthians 4:2
This is the result of our faith
Faith in the Bible
• A system of doctrine
Jude 3, Gal. 1:23, Eph. 4:5,
13, Acts 6:7, Rom. 1:17
This is the whole process –
God’s part, man’s part, etc.
What we know and do is based
upon “the faith”.
Faith & our salvation
•We are saved by faith
Ephesians 2:8
Romans 10:9-10, 5:1
cf. 1 Peter 3:21 “the
answer of a good conscience
toward God”
Faith & our salvation
•Faith comes by hearing
Romans 10:17, 1:16-17,
10:14
Faith & our salvation
•Faith is obedient
Romans 1:5, 16:26
Acts 6:7, Matt. 7:21-27,
Hebrews 11:6, etc.
NOTE: Obedience does not
set aside our faith, it
demonstrates faith!
Faith & our salvation
•Faith keeps us saved
Romans 1:17,
Hebrews 10:38
“Now the just shall live by
faith”
Revelation 2:10
Are we saved by “faith only”?
• NO!!!!!
• James 2:24
• James 2:19, “Even the demons
believe and tremble”
• Note enough to merely believe
John 7:12-13, 9:22, 12:42-43
• Faith works Gal. 5:6, 1 Thess.
1:3, 2 Thess. 1:11
So what about
you?
How is your
faith?