8/6/12
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WHAT IS FAITH?
What is “Faith”? Many people use this word; yet few have a clear definition of it. Thus each person’s understanding of it differs from the next person’s. So what does it mean, really?
First, let’s dismiss the most common misconception about it. Faith does not mean to blindly accept something without asking for any basis to believe it true. God created humans to be intelligent beings. He then gave us the great gift of free will. Therefore He wants us to be able to carefully consider our options, then make our choices based on a good understanding of the issues. So if that is what faith is not, then what is it?
The Bible defines faith quite differently than above. He 11:1, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith, then, is a substance, a tangible something; which serves as an evidence, a basis for believing.
Put simply, faith is something which serves as a proof that what has been promised is coming. That is, it’s a deposit to guarantee that more is going to be delivered. Furthermore, this proof is meant to be perceptible; because it is to help you believe in what’s coming. In order to trust in something you don’t yet have, you need to be able to see, hear, or feel that it actually exists and will be given to you. That’s the very definition of a deposit.
The tangible “something” that is given to us is the Holy Spirit. He is the deposit assuring us of more to come. That is, the Holy Spirit is our faith; and our faith is the Holy Spirit. The more Holy Spirit you have, the more faith you have.
Consider the parallel descriptions of the other members of the Godhead. It is said of the Father that He is Love: “God is Love,” 1 Jn 4:8. It is said of Jesus that He is the Word and Truth: “The Word was with God, and the Word was God,” Jn 1:1. “Thy Word is Truth,” Jn 17:17. Through this we see that the terms used to describe God are also those used to describe philosophical concepts — Love, Word, and Truth. To these terms and concepts we should add “Faith”; for Faith is the description of the Holy Spirit.
The presence of the Holy Spirit is offered to be with us, and in us, in proportion to our willingness to receive Him. There are three levels of interaction with the Holy Spirit: The basic measure; common to all mankind. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, or the Anointing; which comes in response to making a full commitment to Christ. The Pentecost experience; which is to receive the presence of the Holy Spirit without measure.
1. Basic measure: We use this to decide if we wish to pursue more. Ro 12:3, “God has dealt to every man a measure of faith.” This tells us that everyone is given a measure of faith. That means that everyone has within themselves enough evidence to believe in God; if they will just accept the proof they’ve been given . We are to use this initial measure to then gain more.
2. Baptism of the Holy Spirit / the Anointing: We use this to grow in understanding. It also gives us a limited amount of power to reveal what we would do if we were to be given a full measure of power. While in this stage we are to use what we are given to experiment and learn; thereby gaining still more talents and strength, even while working within set limits. 2 Cr 5:5, “God has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” Mt 10:1, “He called His disciples and gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and disease.”
3. Pentecost experience: This is receiving the presence of the Holy Spirit without limit. He is constantly within you; and through this you receive the ability and the power to do anything. Mt 21:21-22, “If you have faith … you can say to the mountain, ‘Be removed and cast into the sea’; and it shall be done. All things whatsoever you ask, you shall receive.” (c.f.: Mt 17:20b)
Once we have the full measure of faith, and thus have the presence of the Holy Spirit constantly with us, we are able to do the miracles we’ve read about in the Bible. Not only is it possible, it is then expected of us.
There is an example of this in an exchange between Jesus and His Disciples. The event occurred quite a while after Jesus had given them power. The Disciples were crossing the sea in a boat when a storm arose. The Disciples got scared and asked Jesus to save them. He did, of course; He calmed the storm. But afterwards He addressed the Disciples with surprise: “Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased and there was calm. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Where is your faith?” Lk 8:24-25. (c.f.: Mt 8:25-26; Mk 4:39-40; Lk 8:224-25)
Jesus expected the Disciples to use the power they had been given to take care of the problem themselves. He wouldn’t have asked this of them if it weren’t possible for them to actually do it.
All who fully commit themselves to God, to become His disciples and loyal children, will be given ever greater measures of faith. Their faith continues to grow, teaching and transforming them, until they fully represent matured and empowered sons and daughters of God.
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Recognizing a connection between the Holy Spirit and faith will help us understand more clearly certain Bible verses. In each of the verses below, the word faith is used. If, as you read these verses, you will understand “Holy Spirit” at each usage of “faith”, you may find a richer meaning of the entire verse.
The point of this exercise isn’t to make the Bible say something it doesn’t mean. Rather, it’s to better understand the fullest meaning of what it does say. Keep in mind that the Bible wasn’t originally written in English. So, reading texts using additional meanings for given words serves to give greater insight to the intended meaning. This practice is similar to reading more than one version in order to gain the perspective of other translators.
(In each verse below the word “faith” is substituted with the word Holy Spirit. These words are set off with brackets and italics to indicate the change.)
Mt 8:25-26. Mk 4:39-40. Lk 8:24-25.
His disciples came saying, “Lord save us, we perish!:; and He rose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. He said to them, Why are ye fearful? How is it ye have no [Holy Spirit]? / Where is your [Holy Spirit]?
Mt 17:20b. Mt 21:21-22. Mk 11:22-24. Lk 17:6
If ye have [Holy Spirit] as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain / fig tree / sycamore tree, Remove hence to yonder place / be cast into the sea, and it shall be done; nothing shall be impossible to you.
Lk 18:8. When the Son of Man comes, shall He find [manifestation of Holy Spirit] on Earth?
Ac 3:16. It is Jesus’ name and the [Holy Spirit] that comes through Him that has given complete healing to him.
Ro 1:17. The just shall live by [Holy Spirit].
Ro 5:1. Therefore being justified by [Holy Spirit] we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus by whom we also have access by [Holy Spirit] into this grace.
Ro 12:3. God has dealt to every man a measure of [Holy Spirit].
Ro 17:24. [Holy Spirit] comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Ga 2:20. I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by [manifestation of Holy Spirit] in the Son of God.
Ga 3:5. He works miracles among you … by the hearing of [Holy Spirit].
Ga 3:14. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by [manifestation of Holy Spirit] we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Note: The ‘promise’ of the HS is Pentecost.)
Ga 3:26-27. You are all sons of God through [manifestation of Holy Spirit] in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
1 Tm 1:20. Some have rejected the [Holy Spirit], so I delivered them to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
He 11:1. [Holy Spirit] is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
He 11:6. Without [Holy Spirit] it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
He 11:32-35. Through [manifestation of Holy Spirit] they: subdued kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained the promises of God, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, weak were made strong, fought valiantly, turned away armies, raised the dead back to life …
Ja 1:2. Count it joy when you face trials, because the testing of your [Holy Spirit] develops perseverance.
Ja 1:5. If anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given him. But let him ask in [the Holy Spirit], without doubt.
Ja 5:14-15. Is any of you sick? He should call the elders to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer offered in [Holy Spirit] will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
1 Pe 1:6-7. Greatly rejoice that for a little while you have to suffer grief and trials; these have come so that your [manifestation of Holy Spirit] –of greater worth than gold– may be proved, and may result in glory when Christ is revealed.
Jd 1:20. Build yourselves up in [Holy Spirit] and pray in the Holy Spirit.
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