Our Faith

Meaning

Faith means to have confidence or trust based on something held as true (Hebrews 11:1-2). The Old Testament does not have a particular word that defines faith, but the Hebrew uses many verb forms to convey the idea of faith. The Hebrews regarded faith as something that one does rather than as something one has; an activity rather than a possession. The New Testament uses one primary word, pisteo. First it means to believe what someone says as true (I John 4:1). Equally as important, the word is used to signify personal trust (Mark 1:15; Matthew 18:6; John 2:11).

Necessity

Salvation is always through faith, not because of faith (Eph 2:8). It is a channel through which we receive God's gift of eternal life (John 5:24; 17:3). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Kinds

The Scriptures seem to distinguish at least four kinds of faith.

1. Intellectual or historical. Truth that is learned through education or passed on from generation to generation, it is human in nature and does not save (Matt 7:26; Acts 26:27-28; James 2:19).
2. Miracle. It is seen as an ability to perform or have performed miracles and is not necessarily accompanied by salvation (Matt 8:10-13; 17:20; Acts 14:9).
3. Temporary. Similar to intellectual with personal interest (Luke 8:13).
4. Saving Faith. Reliance on the truth of the Gospel as revealed in the Word of God (John 20:25ff; 16:8-11;6:4).

As related to Faith in Action

We believe that we are exercising our trust and confidence in the person of Jesus Christ, not only eternally, but practically by responding to His command to love others (John 15:12). As we catch a glimpse of God's faithfulness in our lives, we choose to express our faith by living our lives differently than what the world expects (Eph 5:2) by loving others well.