m youTHi If you'd enjoy the thrill of helping win h e a rt-h u n g ry youth in your area and across America, write: Youth Gospel Crusade, Inc. Box 111 Wheaton, III.
A Penny a Day (Not such a large sum to invest for eternity) W ill give spiritual sight to the blind H O W ? For information write to THE CHR ISTIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND Now in its 26th year of operation 430 East 141st Street - New York 54, N.Y. John Binns, Pres. James E. Bennet, Treas. John Ernest Brown, Field Rept.
Doctrinol pointers by Gerald B. Stanton, Th.D. Prof, of Systematic Theology, Talbot Theological Seminary F a i t h
H igh up on the list of important Bible themes must be placed the doctrine of faith. We are saved by faith; we walk by faith; it is by faith that we are to overcome the world (1 John 5:4). Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is the watchword of Christianity. With out it there is no salvation—no ap proach to God—no victory. Some difficulties have arisen over the framing of a definition. Hebrews 11:1 states that “ . . . faith is the sub stance of things hoped for, the evi dence of things not seen,” but this defines faith functionally, telling what it does rather than what it is. Faith has been variously defined as the “ gaze of the soul upon a saving God,” “ believing what God has said is true simply because God has said it” and as “ personal confidence in God.” In the form of an acrostic, faith has been interpreted to mean “Forsaking All I Take Him.” Once again, faith has been defined as “ an attitude of implicit trust in God” or more simply, “ believing God.” The Old Testament concept of faith carries the idea of stability, stead fastness and reliability. According to Warfield it is associated with “what ever holds, is steady, or can be de pended upon, whether a wall which securely holds a nail (Isa. 22:23,25), or a brook which does not fail (Jer. 15:18), or a kingdom which is firmly established (2 Sam. 7:16) or an as sertion which has been verified (Gen. 42:20). Or it may be an enduring covenant (Ps. 89:28), or a heart found faithful (Neh. 9:8), or a man who can be trusted (Neh. 13:13) or God. Himself who keeps covenant (Deut. 7:9).” While the primary development of the doctrine of faith is reserved for the New Testament, Hebrews 11 makes it abundantly clear that men of God during Old Testament times were also men of faith. However, the manner by which they expressed their faith did not always have the same form. Abel by faith made an offer ing; Enoch pleased God; Noah built an ark. Faith was demonstrated by believing what God said was true
and by implicit obedience to His will. It was expressed by a firm and unwavering confidence that God would perform all He had promised. In the New Testament, at least four separate ideas are depicted by the word faith. (1) It represents the faithfulness of God, declaring that God must be true though every man be found a liar (Rom. 3 :3 ,4 ). In a similar way the term is used as a title for Christ. After faith has come (that is, Christ, the object of faith) we are no longer governed by the Mosaic law (Gal. 2:23,25). (2) There is creedal faith, the word being used to designate the Gospel message (Acts 24:24; Gal. 1:23), or the whole body of revealed truth (Jude 1:3). In this sense we are to keep the faith (2 Tim. 4:7), while men who forsake ortho dox Christianity are said to have de parted from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1; 5:8, 12; 2 Tim. 3:8; cp. Eph. 4:5). Even more significant, however, is the value of (3) saving faith. Ephe sians 2:8 declares faith to be essen tial for the receiving of salvation, while Romans 4:5 and 5:1 declare that men are justified by faith alone and have peace with God on that basis. Christ is the object of saving faith (Acts 20:21; Heb. 12:2). Since this is true, even a little faith in Christ will save from sin, while a large faith in the wrong object, such as self-righteousness, will never lead to true salvation. When it is salva tion that is in view, faith may be de fined as an implicit trust in Christ. Last of all, (4) faith is a life prin ciple. Its primary source is the Word of God (Rom. 10:17) and its final ob ject is God Himself (Mark 11:22). The constant exercise of faith will strengthen it and cause it to grow (Luke 17:5). As a life principle, faith is a personal and unwavering confi dence in God. To the believer it is a shield and breastplate (Eph. 6:16; 1 Thes. 5:8), enabling him to engage successfully in the “ good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12). Such faith will sustain the Christian even in life’s darkest hour. It will enable him al ways to walk with spiritual confi dence and strength. END.
101 new and beautiful, titled, hymn slides in natural, full-color. These are authentic pictures of the Holy Land, attractively lettered with favorite hymns of the Church. Must be seen to be appreciated. To se id for sample slide on approval, together with list of hymn and scene titles, write to: PALESTINE HYMN SLIDES, JUANITA STUDIOS 92 North Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 1, Calif. SACRED PIANO SOLOS "There’s a Wideness to God's Mercy” Classical arrangements. Original instructions. Rich harmonic. Brilliant cadenzas. Modulations. Chimes. Suitable for radio performances. Each 35c. ALL THREE $1.00 postpaid. Order from CORDON E. HOOKER 558 So. Hope St. Los Angeles 17, Calif. "Blessed Be the Fountain" "Safe in the Arms of Jesus"
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