Question: What is faith in Jesus Christ?
Answer: Faith in Jesus Christ is acknowledging the truth of everything that God has revealed in his Word, trusting in him, and also receiving and resting on him alone for salvation as he is offered to us in the gospel.
Scripture: Galatians 2:20
Pastor Benjamin Beddome wrote A Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism in 1752. As he comes the 91st question of The Baptist Catechism, What is Faith in Jesus Christ?, Beddome asks and answers the following questions.
- Is faith a free gift and therefore a grace? Yes. 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? Yes. 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? Yes. “Tis the faith of God’s elect, Titus 1:1.
- Is it a saving grace? Yes. For we believe to the saving of the soul, Hebrews 10:39.
- But is it so by any inherent merit of efficacy of its own? No. But as it receives the gift of righteousness, Roman 5:17.
- Is God the ultimate object of our faith? Yes. Ye believe in God, John 14:1.
- And is Christ the immediate object of it? Yes. Believe also in me, John 14:1.
- Is the heart the seat of it? Yes. With the heart man beleiveth unto righteousness, Romans 10:10.
- And are sensible convinced sinners the subject of it? Yes. They shall come who were ready to perish, Isaiah 27:13.
- Is faith imperfect in the present life? Yes. Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief, Mark 9:24.
- But shall weak faith be supported? Yes. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, Matthew 12:20.
- And strengthened? Yes. I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me, Philippians 4:13.
- Does true faith imply an assent of the understanding? Yes. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Acts 8:37.
- And a consent of the will? Yes. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, 1 Timothy 1:15.
- Doth it imply the soul’s reception of Christ. Yes. Ye have received the Lord Jesus Christ, Colossians 2:6.
- And its reliance upon him? Yes. In whom ye also trusted, Ephesians 1:13.
- And cleaving to him? Yes. And exhorted them all that with purpose of heart, they would cleave to the Lord, Acts 11:23.
- And that to the utter exclusion of every thing else? Yes. For whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, Philippians 3:8.
May God grant us the grace and gift of faith.
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Ed Willougbhy 