Study

1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,

2 Corinthians 4:13 Ephesians 2:8

2 Corinthians 4:13 KJV Read in context

¹³We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Ephesians 2:8 KJV Read in context

⁸For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word;

Romans 10:14 Romans 10:17

Romans 10:14 KJV Read in context

¹⁴How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Romans 10:17 KJV Read in context

¹⁷So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

by which also, and by the administration of baptism and the Lord's supper, prayer, and other means appointed of God, it is increased and strengthened.

Luke 17:5 1 Peter 2:2 Acts 20:32

Luke 17:5 KJV Read in context

⁵And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

1 Peter 2:2 KJV Read in context

²As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Acts 20:32 KJV Read in context

³²And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

2. By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word for the authority of God Himself,

Acts 24:14

Acts 24:14 KJV Read in context

¹⁴But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

and also apprehendeth an excellency therein above all other writings and all things in the world,

Psalm 19:7-10 Psalm 119:72

Psalm 19:7-10 KJV Read in context

⁷The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. ⁸The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. ⁹The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. ¹⁰More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Psalm 119:72 KJV Read in context

⁷²The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

as it bears forth the glory of God in His attributes, the excellency of Christ in His nature and offices, and the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit in His workings and operations: and so is enabled to cast his soul upon the truth thus believed;

2 Timothy 1:12

2 Timothy 1:12 KJV Read in context

¹²For 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.

and also acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands,

John 15:14

John 15:14 KJV Read in context

¹⁴Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

trembling at the threatenings,

Isaiah 66:2

Isaiah 66:2 KJV Read in context

²For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come;

Hebrews 11:13

Hebrews 11:13 KJV Read in context

¹³These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

but the principal acts of saving faith have immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and resting upon Him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.

John 1:12 Acts 16:31 Galatians 2:20 Acts 15:11

John 1:12 KJV Read in context

¹²But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Acts 16:31 KJV Read in context

³¹And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Galatians 2:20 KJV Read in context

²⁰I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Acts 15:11 KJV Read in context

¹¹But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

3. This faith, although it be different in degrees, and may be weak or strong,

Hebrews 5:13-14 Matthew 6:30 Romans 4:19-20

Hebrews 5:13-14 KJV Read in context

¹³For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. ¹⁴But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Matthew 6:30 KJV Read in context

³⁰Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Romans 4:19-20 KJV Read in context

¹⁹And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: ²⁰He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

yet it is in the least degree of it different in the kind or nature of it, as is all other saving grace, from the faith and common grace of temporary believers;

2 Peter 1:1

2 Peter 1:1 KJV Read in context

¹Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

and therefore, though it may be many times assailed and weakened, yet it gets the victory,

Ephesians 6:16 1 John 5:4-5

Ephesians 6:16 KJV Read in context

¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

1 John 5:4-5 KJV Read in context

⁴For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. ⁵Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ,

Hebrews 6:11-12 Colossians 2:2

Hebrews 6:11-12 KJV Read in context

¹¹And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: ¹²That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Colossians 2:2 KJV Read in context

²That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

who is both the author and finisher of our faith.

Hebrews 12:2

Hebrews 12:2 KJV Read in context

²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.