Running head: FAITH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT 1

Faith in the New Testament

Robert Emslie

Grand Canyon University

August 11, 2014

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Faith in the New Testament

This paper will look at the meaning of faith with a brief look at New Testament passages

on the topic of faith. In light of these passages there will be an examination of the role of faith in

the Christian life.

What is Faith?

According to Elwell & Beitzel (1988), “Faith in the OT and NT carries several
meanings. It may mean simple trust in God or in the Word of God, and at other times faith
almost becomes equivalent to active obedience” (p. 761). This former understanding of faith

can be seen in John 3:16, where faith just requires belief in Christ for salvation, as the offer
was made to Nicodemus; the latter understanding can be seen in the Great Commission of
Matthew 28:18-20, where faith in Christ required active obedience to take the gospel to the
world and make disciples of Christ from all the nations.

Manser (2009) gave us another definition of faith, “A constant outlook of trust

towards God, whereby human beings abandon all reliance on their own efforts and put their
full confidence in him, his word and his promises” (8020 faith). This way of looking at faith
showed that faith requires complete trust in God and dependence on Him.

The New Testament on Faith

The New Testament gives many different views of faith and it’s outworking in the
life of Christ and his followers this will be a brief look at passages from the Gospels, Acts
and the Pauline and General Epistles.

Faith Bringing Healing

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are

forgiven.” (Mark 2:5 ESV)

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And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see

and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health

in the presence of you all (Acts 3:16 ESV).

In these verses we can see two men healed one by Jesus, the other by Peter, the first
based on the faith of his friends that brought him to Jesus and lowered him through the
roof and the latter based on his own faith in Christ. From this we can see that faith in
Christ can be a source of physical healing and spiritual healing.

Faith Strengthened in Community

They continued faithfully in the teaching of the emissaries, in fellowship, in

breaking bread and in the prayers (Acts 2:42 CJB).

Yes, I am convinced of this; so I know I will stay on with you in order to help you

progress in the faith and have joy in it (Philippians 1:25 CJB)

These verses showed that the faith of the early community was built up through the
teaching of the apostles, fellowship with one another and in prayer. Faith needs
strengthening and in a strong community the faith of all the believers can be strengthened
and thereby build up all members and the community as a whole.

Faith Requires Standing Firm

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13

ESV)

Dear friends, I was busily at work writing to you about the salvation we share,

when I found it necessary to write, urging you to keep contending earnestly for

the faith which was once and for all passed on to God’s people (Jude 3 CJB).
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In both Paul’s letter to Corinth and Jude’s letter it can be seen that faith required
each believer to stand firm for their faith and that this must be an ongoing effort. Faith to
be strong must be built up and defended. Both men knew that life was filled with challenges
to faith and that to stand strong the believers must be ready to defend their faith.

Faith Requires Action

What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but has no actions to

prove it? Is such “faith” able to save him? (James 2:14 CJB)

and the passage of the Scriptures was fulfilled which says, “Abraham had faith in

God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness.” He was even called

God’s friend (James 2:23 CJB).

In these two verses from James it can be seen that faith is more than just a belief but
requires action. Faith that is just a personal belief that is not shared and lived out is not
true faith. Earlier in James we read in 1:27:

“The religious observance that God the Father considers pure and faultless is this:

to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being

contaminated by the world” (CJB).

The life of faith requires demonstration by Godly actions and in serving others,
especially those like widows and orphans and others in need and on the margins of society
then faith is seen being lived out, not just internally held.

In Abraham, we see that his faith in God was the basis of his righteousness before
God, but his faith in God was not just an internal action it required him to leave his home
and family and go where God told him to go, to the Promised Land. He gave up all
connections to his past when he put his faith in God and showed his faith by going where
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God sent him. Abraham’s faith was seen in his actions.

Conclusion

This paper looked at the meaning of faith and also looked at a survey of New Testament

passages on the topic of faith. In light of these passages there was also examination of the role of

faith in the Christian life and how faith is demonstrated in the life of believers.
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References
Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Book House.

Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible themes: The accessible and comprehensive tool for topical
studies. London: Martin Manser.