What is "the faith"?
Introduction. The Bible mentions the personal faith of individuals (Rom 1: 8). We call this subjective faith. In Acts 6: 7 we read, "...a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith." A.T. Robertson comments thus on Acts 6: 7: "The faith. Here meaning the gospel, the faith system...Here the word means more than individual trust in Christ" (Word Pictures in the New Testament, vol. 3, pgs. 74, 75). In Acts 6: 7 we have what is called faith objectively viewed, the system which produces personal faith (Rom. 10: 17).
The faith has arrived. Paul affirmed the arrival of the faith or gospel system (Gal. 3: 25). In fact, Paul is teaching that there cannot be two concurrent systems; hence, the law of Moses is not binding, he contends (Gal 3: 13-25). We read of the "unity of the faith" and "contending for the faith" (Eph. 4: 13; Jude 3). Jude also taught the finality of the faith, "...Once for all delivered..." (Jude 3, ASV). Christians are to examine themselves to determine if they are in the faith (2 Cor. 13: 5).
Preach the faith. "But they had heard only, that he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed," Paul wrote to the Galatians (Gal. 1: 23). One claiming to be an apostle or an angel from heaven, if they preach any other system, is to "be accursed" (Gal. 1: 6-9). Beloved, there is only one faith (Eph. 4: 5). We are to be obedient to the faith and continue therein (Acts 6: 7, 14: 22). Some have turned away from the faith (1 Tim. 4: 1). To err from the truth is to depart from the faith (James 5: 19, 20 cf. 1 Tim 6: 10). Those who depart are in sin (James 5: 20).
Conclusion. Do we appreciate the faith as we should? We must take advantage of the gospel system while time and opportunity are ours.
The faith has arrived. Paul affirmed the arrival of the faith or gospel system (Gal. 3: 25). In fact, Paul is teaching that there cannot be two concurrent systems; hence, the law of Moses is not binding, he contends (Gal 3: 13-25). We read of the "unity of the faith" and "contending for the faith" (Eph. 4: 13; Jude 3). Jude also taught the finality of the faith, "...Once for all delivered..." (Jude 3, ASV). Christians are to examine themselves to determine if they are in the faith (2 Cor. 13: 5).
Preach the faith. "But they had heard only, that he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed," Paul wrote to the Galatians (Gal. 1: 23). One claiming to be an apostle or an angel from heaven, if they preach any other system, is to "be accursed" (Gal. 1: 6-9). Beloved, there is only one faith (Eph. 4: 5). We are to be obedient to the faith and continue therein (Acts 6: 7, 14: 22). Some have turned away from the faith (1 Tim. 4: 1). To err from the truth is to depart from the faith (James 5: 19, 20 cf. 1 Tim 6: 10). Those who depart are in sin (James 5: 20).
Conclusion. Do we appreciate the faith as we should? We must take advantage of the gospel system while time and opportunity are ours.