“But without faith it is impossible to please him:” Heb. 11:6 “Greek” - Pistis Red = ReadDear = Deer Cold = Temperature / Sickness

“earnestly contend for the faith” Jude 3 “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.” 2 Cor. 13:5 NKJV “some will depart from the faith” 1 Tim. 4:1 Lord Faith Baptism

“The Faith” “What is believed” - “The contents of belief” The Gospel - the sum of all that Christians believe and obey “a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:7 “now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” Gal. 1:23

Recognized body of Teaching:  Plan of Salvation  Worship  Organization  Work

1 Cor. 12:9 - One of 9 spiritual gifts Given by one who had received baptism of the Holy Spirit Faith = a miraculous faith which made men able to exert power 1 Cor. 13:2 Matt. 17:20 and Luke 17:6

Provided only for the early church 1 Cor. 13:8-10  They have ceased  Were given only to confirm the truth  We now have the Bible

“But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.” Rom. 14:23 Faith = convictions of one’s conscience One has a conscience against eating The other has a conscience that allows eating

Context of Romans 14 Could they eat meat offered to idols? Weak in faith could not eat – v. 2 They felt it was wrong. God made no law about the eating of this meat. It was not sin to eat it. v. 3 OK if he wishes to eat or not to eat.

Context of Romans 14 v God had no laws condemning the eating of this meat. v Don’t destroy your brother v “whatever is not from faith is sin.”

Does not refer to what is revealed in the Word Refers to personal conscience The Convictions of one’s own conscience

Hebrews 11 – chapter on Faith  Greek word “Pistis”  23 times  Trust – depend upon God

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Heb. 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” ESV Substance – Assurance = ground, basis, support Evidence – Conviction = proof that our hopes really do exist

“So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 NKJV Faith is formed by a proper understanding of God’s word. We can be assured that God will keep His Word. This trust is based on the evidence given in the Bible.

“belief, trust, firm belief in something for which there is no proof.” Web. P. 300 “Belief without need of certain proof.” Funk & Wagnalls p. 228 “A believing without proof” Barnhart P. 94 “Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.”

Teaches that faith is not based on evidence No proof required or needed Blind acceptance Probability – implies that our faith may not be true. It could be wrong. The Bible says there is evidence for Faith – Heb.11:1

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Tim. 1:12 There was no doubt in Paul’s faith It was not a probability.

Faith as described in the Bible Knowledge must precede faith – Rm.10:17 Man uses his intellect to look at the evidence This leads to the conclusion that God exists. Faith means that we TRUST God We rely on, trust, believe. Faith comes as a result of the examination of the data, evidence or proofs

Mark 16:16 “believes” John 8:24 “if you do not believe that I am He” Heb. 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” Confidence that God Will keep His word

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Evening Jan. 9, 2011