Topical Bible: Faith: The Scriptures Designed to Produce

◄ Faith: The Scriptures Designed to Produce ►

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Faith, as a central tenet of Christian belief, is intricately woven throughout the fabric of the Bible. The Scriptures are divinely inspired to cultivate and strengthen faith in the hearts of believers. This entry explores the role of the Bible in producing faith, drawing from various passages to illustrate this foundational concept.

Faith as Assurance and Conviction

The Bible defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). This assurance and conviction are not self-generated but are nurtured through the Word of God. The Scriptures serve as the primary means by which believers come to understand and trust in God's promises, character, and redemptive plan.

The Role of Hearing the Word

Romans 10:17 states, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" . This passage underscores the importance of the Scriptures in the development of faith. The proclamation and study of God's Word are essential for individuals to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to grow in their faith journey. The Bible, therefore, is not merely a historical document but a living and active tool used by the Holy Spirit to instill faith.

Scriptures as a Source of Hope and Encouragement

The Scriptures are replete with narratives and teachings that provide hope and encouragement, essential components of faith. Romans 15:4 affirms, "For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope" . The accounts of faithfulness, deliverance, and divine intervention found in the Bible serve to bolster the believer's faith, reminding them of God's unchanging nature and His faithfulness to His promises.

Faith Exemplified in Biblical Figures

The Bible presents numerous examples of individuals whose lives exemplified faith, serving as models for believers. Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Hall of Fame," highlights figures such as Abraham, Moses, and Rahab, who demonstrated unwavering faith in God despite challenges and uncertainties. These accounts are designed to inspire and instruct believers, showing that faith is both a gift and a response to God's revelation.

The Transformative Power of Scripture

The transformative power of Scripture is evident in its ability to produce faith that leads to salvation and sanctification. James 1:21 encourages believers to "humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls" . The Word of God, when received with humility and openness, has the power to transform lives, leading individuals to a deeper faith and a closer walk with God.

Faith and Obedience

The Scriptures also teach that genuine faith is evidenced by obedience. James 2:17 states, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead" . The Bible calls believers to a faith that is active and alive, demonstrated through obedience to God's commands. This obedience is not a means of earning salvation but a natural outflow of a faith that is rooted in the truth of Scripture.

Conclusion

The Bible is designed to produce faith, serving as the foundation upon which believers build their trust in God. Through hearing, studying, and applying the Word, faith is nurtured and strengthened, enabling believers to live lives that reflect the hope and assurance found in Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 20:31
But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Timothy 3:15
And that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Declaration of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. ...
... before the foundation of the world, designed to redeem ... in all questions touching
their religious faith and practice is to the Sacred Scriptures. IV. ...
/.../the declaration of the congregational.htm

The Prayer of Faith.
... That the text was not designed by our Saviour to refer exclusively to the ... How did
Daniel make out to offer the prayer of faith? He searched the Scriptures. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture v the prayer of.htm

The Saviour Lifted Up, and the Look of Faith.
... term "perish." It is common in the Scriptures to find ... of the brazen serpent was no
doubt designed to try ... was so; for they might have looked without real faith. ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/iv the saviour lifted up.htm

Reprobation.
... yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your ... of their creation, must follow
from such scriptures as the ... The other he designed to produce, or rather induce ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xliv reprobation.htm

Extracts No. Iii.
... not anticipate the use which you had designed to make of ... and that the writers of
the scriptures being thus ... in a proper manner, the object of faith is obtained. ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no iii.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... nature, and of this supreme faculty, the scriptures teach, that ... No, if he do it before
faith make this in ... THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST IS TO RE-PRODUCE MAN'S ORIGINAL ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

The Seventh Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans.
... and exercises of a Christian, and designed to exhibit ... a practice of interpreting
the Scriptures in disregard ... And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/the seventh chapter of the.htm

The Impotence of the Law.
... A religion designed to prompt the utterance of the ... of the Christian's penitence and
faith, is, in ... Why is the commandment enunciated in the Scriptures, and why ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the impotence of the law.htm

Boniface, Apostle of the Germans.
... In questions of faith he would only recognise the ... upon the basis that the Scriptures,
explained by ... If Providence designed to lead uncivilized men through the ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/boniface apostle of the germans.htm

The Holy Spirit of Promise
... stand out distinctly in many of the scriptures; and yet ... earthly ministry, but the
Father has designed that the ... by the Holy Ghost, and in, through faith in, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter iv the holy spirit.htm