The phrase "the faith" is an unusually interesting concept as presented in the Bible. Found some 42 times in the New Testament, much of what we can know about Jesus and His covenant relationship with mankind today can be learned with an appreciation of just these two words.

We must first understand that "the faith" is not the same thing as "faith". The word "faith" simply means to believe and tells us nothing about what is believed. What is believed must always be spelled out. As the Bible uses it, "the faith" almost always refers not to just one thing we might believe or even a dozen things we believe. It is nearly always making reference to the entire system of truth that God has delivered to us by His Son Jesus Christ. Since Jesus is our prophet in these last days, Heb 1:1, "the faith" is nothing more nor anything less than the New Testament. With this understanding, here are some very interesting facts the New Testament reveals about itself.

"The faith" can be obeyed, Acts 6:7; Rom 1:5. It can be turned from, Acts 13:8. You can continue in "the faith", Acts 14:22; Col 1:23. Churches as well as Christians can be established in it, Acts 16:5; Col 2:7. This is interesting, failing to believe in "the faith" will not change its effectiveness, Rom 3:3, it will still accomplish what God intended it to do, Isa 55:11. We can be either weak or strong in "the faith", Rom 14:1. Christians are to stand fast in "the faith", 1 Cor 16:13. Christians are to examine themselves whether they are in "the faith", 2 Cor 13:5.

"The faith" can be preached, Gal 1:23. Christians are justified by "the faith" also "the faith" is of Jesus Christ meaning it came from Him, Gal 2:16, confirmed by Heb 1:1. Christians are to live by "the faith", Gal 2:20. "The faith" has been revealed to us today, Gal 3:23. This one is real important, Christians can have boldness and access to God with confidence by "the faith", Eph 3:12; 1 Tim 3:13. All Christians can be united in "the faith", Eph 4:13. Christians are to strive together for "the faith", Php 1:27. Righteousness is through "the faith", Php 3:9. Christians are buried with Christ in baptism and raised with Him through "the faith", Col 2:12. "The faith" can be a mystery even though it has been revealed, 1 Tim 3:9. In the latter times some shall depart from "the faith" giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, 1 Tim 4:1. "The Faith" can be denied, 1 Tim 5:8. It can be erred from, 1 Tim 6:10,21. It can be kept, 2 Tim 4:7. Christians are to earnestly contend for "the faith" and "the faith" was once delivered, Jude 3. "The faith" is the gospel of Jesus Christ, Php 1:27 and is everything to a Christian. By following it we are saved and have eternal life. Those who ignore it and fail to appreciate it’s truth will be judged by it in the judgment and heaven will not be their home.

Send comments or questions to the Clintwood Church of Christ, POB 746, Clintwood, Va. 24228 or E-mail me at bryanwa@ntelos.net

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