Faith is a gift from God

[Stewardofthemystery]

[Brightfame52]

Predestinated to Faith in Christ !


Those who come to Faith in Christ were predestinated thereunto, whereby we read in Eph 1:4-5

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Predestinated to the adoption of Children or Sons by Jesus Christ ! The word for Children is actually the greek word huiothesia made up of Two words tith?mi :

I.to set, put, place

And the word huios :

I.a son

Hence to set or place as a Son through or by [dia] Jesus Christ !

And we are declared to be the Children/ Sons of God by Faith in Jesus Christ Gal 3:26

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Yes that word children here is the same greek word huios = Son !

And its because we were always Sons secretly even in Adam Lk 3:23, because of the Work of Christ to deliver us from the fall in him, The Spirit of Adoption is sent into our hearts to declare our Adoption Gal 4:6

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

And with the Spirit is effected the Fruit of Faith Gal 5:22 by which we come to Faith in Christ Jesus Gal 3:26.

Also Gal 4:6 is the fulfillment of the Covenant Promise to Ezk 36:26-27

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

All of this was Predestinated by God according to His choosing us in Christ before the foundation ! 11

[Revelations won]

Dear Stewardofthemystery,

The gift of faith and all other gifts of the spirit are indeed gifts.

We, however, must live worthy to properly receive those gifts and learn to exercise those gifts. As the apostle John declared "Faith without works is dead" it is obvious that all other gifts from God are effective with application and exercise thereof.

[Brightfame52]

Faith is the effect of election this we know by the inspired text of 2 Thessalonians 2:13, where it is stated that certain men had been beloved of God, chosen to Salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief/Faith in the Truth. That word belief being the Greek word pistei, a noun meaning Faith, so it actually can read and faith in the truth, which springs from having been beloved and Chosen, it is also why Paul calls it the faith of God's elect or Chosen Titus 1:1 ! Because Faith is the fruit of Gods Election in Christ!

[Brightfame52]

Faith is not a natural ability but a Spiritual Blessing !


Faith is not a natural ability but a Spiritual Blessing ! Its one of the many blessings Spiritual that God blesses His Chosen in Christ with Eph 1:3-4

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

And therefore its also called the Faith of God's Elect or Chosen Titus 1:1

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

The word elect here is from the word chosen in Eph 1:4, the word eklegomai:

I.to pick out, choose, to pick or choose out for one's self

One translation is :

Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, [fn]for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,NASB

The Bible teaches that Faith is a Spiritual Blessing as it is a fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith/faithfulness,

So this Faith is given to us of God as a Spiritual Blessing in accordance with He having Chosen us in Christ before the foundation !

Also this means that we were in Christ before we received Faith, so Faith is a consequence/ evidence of having been Chosen in Christ before the foundation !

Yes this means that a person is in Christ before they have Faith in Him !11

[placebofactor]

[Brightfame52]

[placebofactor]

[Replying to Brightfame52 in post #136]

The following came from my website, "firstseekwisdom." Synonyms for faith are fidelity, belief, and trust. And because you worked hard on this post, here is the Greek definition of faith. There are three different Greek words for faith, the one you're interested in is "pistis." as a past particle, firm persuasion, confiding belief in the truth, veracity, reality of any person or thing.

a. In the common Greek usage. Past particle and generally, Acts 17:31, “Wherefore he hath given assurance unto all men,” Romans 14:22, “Hast thou faith?” as in firmly persuaded, verse 23, ‘And he that doubts is damned if he eat, because he eats not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,” So with the idea of hope and certain expectation, 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight:” 1 Peter 1:5-7-9. Sequel follows genitive of object, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, “because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:” as in gospel truth.

b-1. As in good faith, faithfulness, sincerity, Matthew 23:23, “Omitted the weightier matters of the law, judging mercy and faith.” Romans 3:3, “shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?” Galatians 5:22. 1 Timothy 1:19, “Holding faith, and a good conscience;” as being faithful, sincere, 1 Timothy 2:7. 2 Timothy 2:22, 3:10, Titus 2:10, “but showing all good fidelity;” Revelation 2:19, 13:10. So in the usage of the Septuagint for Hebrew, 1 Samuel 26:23, “faithfulness,” Habakkuk 2:4. As in faith given, a pledge, promise; so, some, 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”

c-1. In N.T. as spoken about God and divine things, to Christ and his gospel, becomes in some measure a technical word, especially in the writings of Paul, pointing to that faith, that confiding belief, which is the essential trait of Christian life and character, as in gospel faith, Christian faith; compare, Romans 3:22, “even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:” sequel follows.

c-2. Of God. As faith in, on, towards God, Hebrews 6:1. 1 Thessalonians 1:8. 1 Peter 1:21. Common form genitive, Mark 11:22, “Have faith in God,” Colossians 2:12. Absolute, Matthew 17:20, 21:21. Luke 17:5-6. Compare, Mark 11:22, “Have faith in God,” with Hebrews 4:2, “not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” with, Hebrews 10:22, “in full assurance of faith,” Therefore, Hebrews 10:38, “Now the just shall live by faith:” in allusion to Habakkuk 2:4, where Septuagint for Hebrew, “Fidelity,” Hebrews 10:39, “but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” James 1:6, as in filial confidence, nothing doubting, James 5:15.

Spoken analogically of the faith of the patriarchs and holy men under the Jewish dispensation, who looked forward in faith and hope to the blessings of the gospel. Compare Galatians 3:7, “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” With Hebrews 11:13, “These all died in faith,” So, of Abraham, Romans 4:5-9-11-12-13-14-16-19-20. Hebrews 6:12. Generally of others, Hebrews 11:3-4-5-6-7-8-9-11-13-17-20-21-22-23-24-27-28-29-30-31-33-39. Luke 18:8. Of Christ, faith in Christ, as,

c-3. Able to work miracles, to heal the sick, etc. Absolute, Matthew 8:10, “I have not found so great faith, no, not is Israel.” Matthew 9:2, “and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy;” Matthew 9:22, “Thy faith,” verse 29, “According to your faith be it unto you.” Matthew 15:28, “Great is thy faith,” Mark 2:5, 5:34, 10:52. Luke 5:20, 7:9-50, 8:48, 17:19, 18:42. Acts 3:16, “The faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the patience of you all.” So, by means of, Acts 14:9.

c-4. Of faith in Christ’s death, as the ground of justification before God, as saving faith, only in Paul’s writing, Romans 3:22, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: and verses 25-26. So, from the connection, absolute, verses 27-28-30-31. 1 Corinthians 15:14-17. So generally, Romans 1:17, “From faith,” Galatians 2:16-20, “I live by the faith.” Galatians 3:25, “Hearing of faith.” Galatians 3:7-8-9-11-12-14-22-24. Galatians 5:5-6. Ephesians 2:8, 3:12. Philippians 3:9. So of the faith of Abraham, of others see Romans 1:17, “therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” as, Romans 3:22.

Generally as the Messiah and Savior, the Head of the gospel dispensation. Common form, Acts 20:21, 26:18. Colossians 2:5, “Your faith in Christ. Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 1:15. Colossians 1:4,” Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus,” 1 Timothy 1:14, 3:13. 2 Timothy 1:13, “in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15, “salvation through faith” James 2:1. Ephesians 4:13, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith,” common form genitive, Revelation 2:13, as thy faith toward me. Revelation 14:12 Absolute, Mark 4:40, “how is it that ye have no faith?” Luke 8:25, “Where is your faith?” Luke 22:32. Acts 6: 5-8, “And Stephen, full of faith and power,” Acts 11:24. Ephesians 3:17, Colossians 2:7, with verse 5. So, Ephesians 6:16, “Taking the shield of faith.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8, “putting on the breastplate of faith and love;”

d. Generally common form genitive, the faith of, or in the gospel as gospel-faith. Philippians 1:27, “with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” 2 Thessalonians 2:13. Absolute in the same sense, as in Christian faith, a firm and confiding belief in Jesus, and His gospel. Generally, 1 Corinthians 2:5, “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:13, Philippians 1:25, 2:17, “if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy,” 1 Thessalonians 1:3. 1 Timothy 1:5, 6:11-12. 2 Timothy 1:5, 2:18. Titus 1:1. Philemon 6. Hebrews 12:2. James 2:5. 1 Peter 5:9.

Elsewhere also, faith seems to mark various predominant traits of Christian character as arising from and combined with Christian faith, without implying, however, any sharp distinction, as Christian knowledge, especially in Paul and James. Romans 12:3-6, 14:1, “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” 1 Corinthians 12:9, 13:2-13. Titus 1:13. 2 Peter 1:5. So, in James, as opposed to “works.” James 2:14-17, “Faith if it hath not works, is dead.” James 2:20, “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” Verse 22, “And by works was faith made perfect?” Verse 24, “By works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” Verse 26, “so faith without works is dead also.”

So, of the Christian profession, the faith professed. Acts 13:8, 14:22, 15:9, 16:5, “And so were the churches established in the faith,” 1 Corinthians 16:13, 2 Corinthians 1:24, Galatians 6:10. 1 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 4:7. Of Christian zeal, passion in the faith, Romans 1:8, 11:20, “because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith.” 2 Corinthians 8:7, 10:15, 13:5. Ephesians 6:23. 2 Thessalonians 1:4-11. Of Christian love, as springing from faith, Romans 1:12, as mutual faith and love, 2 Thessalonians 1:3. Philemon 5. Of Christian life and morals, practical faith. 1 Timothy 4:12, 5:8-12, 6:10. Titus 2:2. Of constancy in the faith, Colossians 1:23.1 Thessalonians 3:2-5-6-7-10. Hebrews 13:7, James 1:3, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience.”

e. Of the object of Christian faith, the faith, as in doctrines received and believed. Christian doctrine, and generally, the system of Christian doctrines, the gospel, and the Christian religion. Acts 6:7, “a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” as they embraced the gospel. Romans 1:5, 16:26. Acts 14:27, “how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles,” as access for the gospel. Acts 24:24. Romans 10:8. 2 Corinthians 1:24. Galatians 1:23, 3:23-25. Ephesians 4:5, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” 1 Timothy 1:4-19, 3:9, “Mystery of faith,.” 1 Timothy 6:21. 2 Peter 1:1. 1 John 5:4. Jude 3-20. So, Titus 3:15, as in the gospel, as Christians. 1 Timothy 1:2, “Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith:” Titus 1:4. Emphatic. The true faith, true doctrine 2 Thessalonians 3:2, “for all men have not faith.” 1 Timothy 4:1, “That in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,” 1 Timothy 4:6. 2 Timothy 3:8.

[Brightfame52]

Faith is a Redemptive Blessing and Spiritual !


Many in false religion believe that the natural man can put faith in Christ in regards to Salvation, but that is a lie, Faith is a Gift bestowed upon redeemed man, and comes from his Head and Saviour Jesus Christ, Acts 5:31

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance/faith to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Repentance and Faith are the same blessing, identical twins. The word repentance is the greek word metanoia:

repentance, a change of mind, change in the inner man.

Its a change of mind in turning from dead works to Faith in God Heb 6:1

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Paul exhorted what in Acts 20:21

21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Repentance from God and or Christ persuades the Mind which gives birth to Faith !

Man in Adam did not have Faith in Christ because before the fall man had no need for it, being that Faith in Christ is connected with Christ as the Saviour from sin, it[Faith/Repentance] was not in man naturally by creation, it was a Gift stored in Christ for Redemptive Purposes, part of that fulness that in Him dwelled Col 1:18-19

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

And those of us who were Chosen in Him who is the head of the Church His Body, we receive from His fulness grace for grace Jn 1:16

16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Thats how we receive both Faith and Repentance, out of His Fulness as He is Our risen Saviour and Head Acts 5:31

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

The word Prince is equivalent to the word Head in Col 1:18

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

The word head kephalé:

(a) the head, (b) met: a corner stone, uniting two walls; head, ruler, lord.

anything supreme, chief, prominent; of persons, master, lord

And the word Prince in Acts 5:31 is the word archégos:

originator, author, founder, prince, leader

the chief leader, prince:

So Both words define the preeminence of Christ over His Body, in Acts 5:31 His Body is Israel, in Col 1:18 His Body is called the Church !

And the point is this, only as members of His Body/Israel do we receive Faith/ Repentance to believe in Him, its not in man by nature, hence Jesus says Jn 6:64-65

64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me[naturally speaking], except it were given[redemptively] unto him of my Father.

Its given to us redemptively when He gave us His Son in whom all redemptive fulness dwells, and if we be Christ's Church / Israel, we receive of His fulness, Grace for Grace Jn 1:16 ! 12