What is faith in Jesus Christ?
Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.
Proofs
- Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, (Hebrews 10:39)
- whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel. (John 1:12; Isaiah 26:3–4; Philippians 3:9; Galatians 2:16)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Is faith a free gift and therefore a grace?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, to believe on him, (Philippians 1:29)
Is it particularly a gift of the Spirit?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thus Barnabas is said to be full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, (Acts 11:24)
And a gift that distinguishes the elect of God from all others?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: ’Tis the faith of God’s elect, (Titus 1:1)
Is it a saving grace?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For we believe to the saving of the soul, (Hebrews 10:39)
But is it so by any inherent merit or efficacy of its own?
Answer: No.
Proof: But as it receives the gift of righteousness, (Romans 5:17)
Section 2
Is God the ultimate object of faith?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Ye believe in God, (John 14:1)
And is Christ the immediate object of it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Believe also in me, (John 14:1)
Is the heart the seat of it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: With the heart man believeth unto righteousness. (Romans 10:10)
And are sensible convinced sinners the subjects of it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They shall come who were ready to perish, (Isaiah 27:13)
Is faith imperfect in the present life?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief. (Mark 9:24)
But shall weak faith be supported?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, (Matthew 12:20)
And strengthened?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me, (Philippians 4:13)
Section 3
Does true faith imply an assent of the understanding?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, (Acts 8:37)
And a consent of the will?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, (1 Timothy 1:15)
Doth it imply the soul’s reception of Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Ye have received the Lord Jesus Christ, (Colossians 2:6)
And its reliance upon him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: In whom ye also trusted, (Ephesians 1:13)
And its cleaving to him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: And exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart, they would cleave unto the Lord, (Acts 11:23)
And that to the utter exclusion of every thing else?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:8)
Section 4
Is there something which the believing soul commits to Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I know whom I have believed, and that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him, (2 Timothy 1:12)
And something that he expects from him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life, (Jude 21)
Is true faith a vital principle?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The just shall live by faith, (Habakkuk 2:4)
And an active principle?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: It worketh by love, (Galatians 5:6)
And a victorious principle?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith, (1 John 5:4)
And an establishing principle?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: By faith ye stand, (2 Corinthians 1:24)
And a soul comforting principle?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I had fainted unless I had believed, (Psalm 27:13)
And a God exalting principle?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Abraham was strong in faith, giving glory to God, (Romans 4:20)
And is it on all these accounts a precious principle?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: To them that have obtained like precious faith, (2 Peter 1:1)