Faith: Where does faith come from? Some believe that saving faith is a special gift that is given a person at the time of regeneration (new birth) or shortly after, whereas others see faith as preceding salvation. Salvation is regeneration, the new birth Titus 3:5. Paul settles the question of where faith comes from. If you are told by anyone that believing faith is a special infused gift then you know from what Paul tells us that this belief is false.
Paul states, "Romans 10:17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.
Two things necessary for faith to be possible: (1) a human being and (2) the message about Christ
Luke writes: Acts 16:28 But Paul called out in a loud voice, "Don't harm yourself, because all of us are here!" 29 Then the jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he escorted them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." (W) 32 Then they spoke the message of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house. 33 He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized. 34 He brought them up into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had believed God with his entire household.
Luke records Jesus as saying: Luke 7:50 And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."
Relationship of Ephesians 2:8 to Romans 10:17
Certain groups press the idea that Ephesians 2:8 teaches that "faith" is a gift from this verse. Such, assumption, is not in agreement with the context, the verse and it's grammar, and Romans 10:17. One must twist the meaning to see faith as the antecedent of "this" and this view is driven by bias from within a particular belief system. All verses in the Bible that address saving faith are defined by Romans 10:17. To do otherwise is to violate as clear a statement as one could ask on the source of "believing faith".
Relationship of Titus 3:5 to Luke 7:50
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
Luke 7:50 And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
First "saved" is "by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.
Second "faith has saved us (HOW) by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.
Third, notice what the following states: Acts 15:9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
The Steps of Faith
First, to have faith in something an object is required. The word faith is an abstract noun. Its object can be physical, or non physical. An idea can be the object as well as tangible things. Humans have trust, faith, and belief in all types of things both physical and abstract.
Second, man is created in God's image. What does this mean? It means we have the ability to develop intellectually, emotionally and volitionally (in our capacity to make choices).
Our God given likeness is limited to our realm, genetic disposition and spiritual condition, the sin nature. The sin nature described as dead in sins and trespasses is not a spirit/soul that is in a state compared to actual cessation of life but of separation, estrangement from God. Sin cannot be in the presence of God and this separation is as such called death but the reality is the spirit/soul is alive. The spirit/soul will be alive in heaven or hell so the concept that the deadness of the spirit/soul is to be compared to physical death is not correct. Death in Biblical terms spiritually speaking is separation not cessation of life of the Soul/Spirit.
Third, the solution to the sin problem was solved in the death burial and resurrection of Christ. Without this all the faith in anything that exists or believed to exist is worthless. It is still faith but it is faith in vain because faith on its own cannot save a single person if that faith is in the wrong object. Scripture and real life teach us that sinful man erects objects of his making and inventions, world religions, anti religious; the list is endless of man's own inventions of substitute gods, to replace God.
This is called man’s work; it is his method or idea of solving his problem. Practically, when looked at in light of God’s word the created can’t create a solution for his own salvation - it (the solution) of necessity must come from the Creator. If man creates in thought or deed a solution to his problem it is a work of man and all the faith in his own invention or thinking is worthless. On the other hand if man accepts the work of God he acknowledges he cannot save himself and must trust in what he cannot do for himself. The transfer of trust form self works to God’s work is what we call believing faith.
Fourth, faith then is the transfer of trust form self solutions to God’s solution. The object of man’s trust moves from creature to creator. However, to move from creature to creator is not sufficient apart from several things; (1) knowledge of God's work {the object of faith) and supernatural aid {God regenerates once faith is placed in God's work}. Because we are created in the image of God we have the ability as depraved spirit/souls to be touched by God’s Spirit. Our hearts can be reached. The transfer of trust from creature to creator involves knowing truth and this truth is used by the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin. The death of Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the receiving of truth are the elements or components necessary to bring a lost spirit/soul to a point of decision. Apart from these it is impossible.
Relationship of Titus 3:5 to Luke 7:50
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
Luke 7:50 And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
First "saved" is "by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.
Second "faith has saved us (HOW) by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.
Third, notice what the following states: Acts 15:9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
The Steps of Faith
First, to have faith in something an object is required. The word faith is an abstract noun. Its object can be physical, or non physical. An idea can be the object as well as tangible things. Humans have trust, faith, and belief in all types of things both physical and abstract.
Second, man is created in God's image. What does this mean? It means we have the ability to develop intellectually, emotionally and volitionally (in our capacity to make choices).
Our God given likeness is limited to our realm, genetic disposition and spiritual condition, the sin nature. The sin nature described as dead in sins and trespasses is not a spirit/soul that is in a state compared to actual cessation of life but of separation, estrangement from God. Sin cannot be in the presence of God and this separation is as such called death but the reality is the spirit/soul is alive. The spirit/soul will be alive in heaven or hell so the concept that the deadness of the spirit/soul is to be compared to physical death is not correct. Death in Biblical terms spiritually speaking is separation not cessation of life of the Soul/Spirit.
Third, the solution to the sin problem was solved in the death burial and resurrection of Christ. Without this all the faith in anything that exists or believed to exist is worthless. It is still faith but it is faith in vain because faith on its own cannot save a single person if that faith is in the wrong object. Scripture and real life teach us that sinful man erects objects of his making and inventions, world religions, anti religious; the list is endless of man's own inventions of substitute gods, to replace God.
This is called man’s work; it is his method or idea of solving his problem. Practically, when looked at in light of God’s word the created can’t create a solution for his own salvation - it (the solution) of necessity must come from the Creator. If man creates in thought or deed a solution to his problem it is a work of man and all the faith in his own invention or thinking is worthless. On the other hand if man accepts the work of God he acknowledges he cannot save himself and must trust in what he cannot do for himself. The transfer of trust form self works to God’s work is what we call believing faith.
Fourth, faith then is the transfer of trust form self solutions to God’s solution. The object of man’s trust moves from creature to creator. However, to move from creature to creator is not sufficient apart from several things; (1) knowledge of God's work {the object of faith) and supernatural aid {God regenerates once faith is placed in God's work}. Because we are created in the image of God we have the ability as depraved spirit/souls to be touched by God’s Spirit. Our hearts can be reached. The transfer of trust from creature to creator involves knowing truth and this truth is used by the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sin. The death of Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the receiving of truth are the elements or components necessary to bring a lost spirit/soul to a point of decision. Apart from these it is impossible.
