Portraits of Biblical Faith Series
What is Biblical Faith?
KEY RESOURCES Biblical Doctrine, by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue Sermon on Romans 4:17-22, by Tom Pennington What is Faith?, by R.C. Sproul
In the Footsteps of Faith, by John MacArthur
SOME WORLDLY VIEWS OF FAITH Sincerity of faith is all that matters - regardless of what you believe in Faith is denying reality Faith creates reality
The purpose of faith is to meet personal needs Faith is helpful because it gives people hope
WHY IS BIBLICAL FAITH IMPORTANT Biblical faith is required in order to please God Hebrews 11:6 6And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
WHY IS BIBLICAL FAITH IMPORTANT Biblical faith is required in order to please God Biblical faith is required in order to be saved Romans 3:28 28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
WHY IS BIBLICAL FAITH IMPORTANT Biblical faith is required in order to please God Biblical faith is required in order to be saved Biblical faith is required in order to have a godly and spiritually fruitful life 2 Peter 1:5–8 5Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your selfcontrol, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Notitia Knowledge, intellectual understanding of divine truth
Notitia – Knowledge
Fiducia – Trust
Galatians 2:16 16nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus… Assensus – Assent
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Notitia Knowledge, intellectual understanding of divine truth Involves the mind Often translated “believe that” John 8:24 24Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” Romans 10:9 9that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
Notitia – Knowledge
Fiducia – Trust
John 11:42 42I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sentAssensus Me.” – Assent
John 20:31 31but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Notitia Knowledge, intellectual understanding of divine truth Involves the mind Often translated “believe that”
Notitia – Knowledge
So far from being an alternative to Assensus – knowledge, true faith is based on knowledge; Assent it has its sure and solid foundation in the knowledge of divinely revealed truth…True faith has objective substance.
- John MacArthur -
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Notitia Knowledge, intellectual understanding of divine truth Involves the mind Often translated “believe that” Has the Word and character of God as its substance and object
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
Romans 10:17 17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Notitia Notitia – Fiducia – Knowledge Trust Knowledge, intellectual The Word understanding of divine truth and Involves the mind Character Often translated “believe that” God At its root, this is what faith is. It isofnot believing in God. It’s Has the Word and character of God. The Christian life is about believing God. It believing God as its substance and object – from His mouth. is about living by every word thatAssensus proceeds Assent It is about following Him into places where we’ve never been, into situations that we’ve never experienced, into countries that we’ve never seen – because we know who He is.
- R.C.Sproul -
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Notitia Knowledge, intellectual understanding of divine truth Involves the mind Often translated “believe that” Has the Word and character of God as its substance and object
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Assensus Assent, conviction of divine truth Involves the heart Often translated “believe [a person or proposition]” John 5:24 24“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Assensus Assent, conviction of divine truth Involves the heart Often translated “believe [a person or proposition]” John 8:31 31So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God
Fiducia – Trust
Assensus – statement; and Titus 3:8 8This is a trustworthy Assent concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Assensus Assent, conviction of divine truth Involves the heart Often translated “believe [a person or proposition]” Has an assurance and conviction even of things not seen
Notitia – Knowledge
Romans 4:20–21 20yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Assensus Assent, conviction of divine truth Involves the heart Often translated “believe [a person or proposition]” Has an assurance and conviction even of things not seen
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Fiducia Trust and acting upon divine truth James 2:19 19You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Fiducia Trust and acting upon divine truth Involves the will James 2:26 26For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Fiducia Trust and acting upon divine truth Involves the will Often translated “believe in”, “believe on”, “believe into” Philippians 1:29 29For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God
Fiducia – Trust
– Romans 10:11 11For Assensus the Scripture says, “WHOEVER Assent BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
1 John 5:13 13These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Fiducia Trust and acting upon divine truth Involves the will Often translated “believe in”, “believe on”, “believe into” Has turning, repentance, submission, Lordship as essential evidence 45:22 22“Turn
Isaiah to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God
Fiducia – Trust
Assensus – than that, I count all things Assent
3:8 8More
Philippians to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Fiducia Trust and acting upon divine truth Involves the will Often translated “believe in”, “believe on”, “believe into” Has turning, repentance, submission, Lordship as essential evidence Luke 9:23 23And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Fiducia Trust and acting upon divine truth Involves the will Often translated “believe in”, “believe on”, “believe into” Has turning, repentance, submission, Lordship as essential evidence
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Definition: Biblical faith is absolute trust in God and what He has declared to be true
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
BIBLICAL FAITH Is founded on God's Word
Is saving faith
Is rooted in God's character
Grows and endures
Is a certain hope in God's promises
Is sanctifying faith
Is contrary to human expectations
Gives God glory
Believes God in spite of our weaknesses and circumstances
Is a gift of God’s grace
IN CLOSING How’s your faith? Have you come to Christ in biblical faith? As a Christian, do you live according to biblical faith? Habakkuk 2:4b But the righteous will live by his faith. Colossians 2:6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 2 Cor 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight
KEY RESOURCES Biblical Doctrine, by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue Sermon on Romans 4:17-22, by Tom Pennington What is Faith?, by R.C. Sproul
In the Footsteps of Faith, by John MacArthur
SOME WORLDLY VIEWS OF FAITH Sincerity of faith is all that matters - regardless of what you believe in Faith is denying reality Faith creates reality
The purpose of faith is to meet personal needs Faith is helpful because it gives people hope
WHY IS BIBLICAL FAITH IMPORTANT Biblical faith is required in order to please God Hebrews 11:6 6And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
WHY IS BIBLICAL FAITH IMPORTANT Biblical faith is required in order to please God Biblical faith is required in order to be saved Romans 3:28 28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
WHY IS BIBLICAL FAITH IMPORTANT Biblical faith is required in order to please God Biblical faith is required in order to be saved Biblical faith is required in order to have a godly and spiritually fruitful life 2 Peter 1:5–8 5Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your selfcontrol, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Notitia Knowledge, intellectual understanding of divine truth
Notitia – Knowledge
Fiducia – Trust
Galatians 2:16 16nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus… Assensus – Assent
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Notitia Knowledge, intellectual understanding of divine truth Involves the mind Often translated “believe that” John 8:24 24Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” Romans 10:9 9that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
Notitia – Knowledge
Fiducia – Trust
John 11:42 42I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sentAssensus Me.” – Assent
John 20:31 31but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Notitia Knowledge, intellectual understanding of divine truth Involves the mind Often translated “believe that”
Notitia – Knowledge
So far from being an alternative to Assensus – knowledge, true faith is based on knowledge; Assent it has its sure and solid foundation in the knowledge of divinely revealed truth…True faith has objective substance.
- John MacArthur -
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Notitia Knowledge, intellectual understanding of divine truth Involves the mind Often translated “believe that” Has the Word and character of God as its substance and object
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
Romans 10:17 17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Notitia Notitia – Fiducia – Knowledge Trust Knowledge, intellectual The Word understanding of divine truth and Involves the mind Character Often translated “believe that” God At its root, this is what faith is. It isofnot believing in God. It’s Has the Word and character of God. The Christian life is about believing God. It believing God as its substance and object – from His mouth. is about living by every word thatAssensus proceeds Assent It is about following Him into places where we’ve never been, into situations that we’ve never experienced, into countries that we’ve never seen – because we know who He is.
- R.C.Sproul -
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Notitia Knowledge, intellectual understanding of divine truth Involves the mind Often translated “believe that” Has the Word and character of God as its substance and object
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Assensus Assent, conviction of divine truth Involves the heart Often translated “believe [a person or proposition]” John 5:24 24“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Assensus Assent, conviction of divine truth Involves the heart Often translated “believe [a person or proposition]” John 8:31 31So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God
Fiducia – Trust
Assensus – statement; and Titus 3:8 8This is a trustworthy Assent concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Assensus Assent, conviction of divine truth Involves the heart Often translated “believe [a person or proposition]” Has an assurance and conviction even of things not seen
Notitia – Knowledge
Romans 4:20–21 20yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Assensus Assent, conviction of divine truth Involves the heart Often translated “believe [a person or proposition]” Has an assurance and conviction even of things not seen
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Fiducia Trust and acting upon divine truth James 2:19 19You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Fiducia Trust and acting upon divine truth Involves the will James 2:26 26For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Fiducia Trust and acting upon divine truth Involves the will Often translated “believe in”, “believe on”, “believe into” Philippians 1:29 29For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God
Fiducia – Trust
– Romans 10:11 11For Assensus the Scripture says, “WHOEVER Assent BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
1 John 5:13 13These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Fiducia Trust and acting upon divine truth Involves the will Often translated “believe in”, “believe on”, “believe into” Has turning, repentance, submission, Lordship as essential evidence 45:22 22“Turn
Isaiah to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God
Fiducia – Trust
Assensus – than that, I count all things Assent
3:8 8More
Philippians to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Fiducia Trust and acting upon divine truth Involves the will Often translated “believe in”, “believe on”, “believe into” Has turning, repentance, submission, Lordship as essential evidence Luke 9:23 23And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Latin Fiducia Trust and acting upon divine truth Involves the will Often translated “believe in”, “believe on”, “believe into” Has turning, repentance, submission, Lordship as essential evidence
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
WHAT IS BIBLICAL FAITH Definition: Biblical faith is absolute trust in God and what He has declared to be true
Notitia – Knowledge
The Word and Character of God Assensus – Assent
Fiducia – Trust
BIBLICAL FAITH Is founded on God's Word
Is saving faith
Is rooted in God's character
Grows and endures
Is a certain hope in God's promises
Is sanctifying faith
Is contrary to human expectations
Gives God glory
Believes God in spite of our weaknesses and circumstances
Is a gift of God’s grace
IN CLOSING How’s your faith? Have you come to Christ in biblical faith? As a Christian, do you live according to biblical faith? Habakkuk 2:4b But the righteous will live by his faith. Colossians 2:6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 2 Cor 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight
