Is Faith an exclusive gift 🎁

[throughfaith]

Is the Faith needed for salvation a gift . And is this ' gift 'Exclusive , only given to some ?
I do not believe this is the case . I also do not believe anyone reading the bible ( alone ) would ever come to this conclusion. This idea as it was introduced to RC sproul as written on the black board of his seminary class " regeneration precedes faith " was a shock to him as he'd always believed that faith preceded regeneration prior .

Is faith a work ? This seems to be how calvinists are arriving at there conclusions.
This was a shock to me also when I first understood that within christianity this concept was taught.
The bible however says that faith is always the opposite of works .( Rom 3.27 ) ?
Its our faith that is the prerequisite to access the grace . Rom 5.2 . Rom 4.5
Faith ( pistus) is trust , believe , assurance , conviction ect .

God gives pistus ( assurance ) of the resurrection in Acts 17 .
31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance ( pistus) unto ALL MEN in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Eph 2 .8 is often used to support the concept of RPF but this is quite astonishing. I cannot understand how any one without any influence concludes that ' Faith ' is the gift here ..Let alone a EXCLUSIVE gift .

But here we are . The absolute essential component of salvation is at stake here and within christianity we have a system that says " no . We can't believe, we can't have faith ..Faith has to be given first ?
I believe that everything we have is a gift from God. Our lives ,our food and the very air we breath . But I don't believe these are ' exclusive ' gifts given only to some of course .
I could have trust / faith / assurance in a toy car to get me to work but id be putting my faith in the wrong thing ,the wrong object to get me to work . Putting your trust / faith in the right object ( Jesus ) saves us . He saves us when we obey from the heart . When we BELIEVE from the heart . Rom 10,9 . We have to believe
1cor 1.21
Thoughts ?

 

[Magenta]

The bible however says that faith is always the opposite of works .( Rom 3.27 ) ?

Romans 3:25 God presented Him (Jesus Christ) as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. 26 He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

I don't see Scripture saying faith and works are opposites. Works are a result of faith.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do
good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
Ephesians 2:10

 

[throughfaith]

Romans 3:25 God presented Him (Jesus Christ) as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. 26 He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

I don't see Scripture saying faith and works are opposites. Works are a result of faith.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do
good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
Ephesians 2:10

I meant faith is not a work .

 

[Corban]

I would be interested to hear your exegesis on Ephesians 2:8. The grammar seems quite clear. Faith is the gift. This is confirmed by Hebrews 12:2; "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God", and by Romans 12:3; "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

There is no problem with faith being given to a select company of men. God's choice (not salvation) is because of foreknowledge. He does not throw a life-ring to men He knows will not grab it. It would be like you making breakfast for a dead man.

 

[fredoheaven]

I hold to the "gift of salvation" not '"gift of faith" as mentioned in Ephesians 2:8 base on it's context. It talks about salvation not faith though faith is how a sinner received God's righteousness. Hebrews 2 speaks about the theme of getting patient of running the race and doesn't talked about salvation. While the cross is being given an example, but the the subject is more of endurance.

 

[throughfaith]

I would be interested to hear your exegesis on Ephesians 2:8. The grammar seems quite clear. Faith is the gift. This is confirmed by Hebrews 12:2; "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God", and by Romans 12:3; "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

There is no problem with faith being given to a select company of men. God's choice (not salvation) is because of foreknowledge. He does not throw a life-ring to men He knows will not grab it. It would be like you making breakfast for a dead man.

Ephesians would definitely be the opportunity for Paul to mention ' irresistible grace ' but we never see it mentioned in there ?
I don't think hebrews is talking about Jesus authoring an individuals faith from beginning to end. But The faith from the old testament till the end Jesus is the Author.

Eph 2 is about Grace and about being blessed with all spiritual blessings IN HIM . I believe Paul is saying its through faith not works . Thats the point of Ephesians 2.8 .
Paul already says in the lead up to verse 8 :
5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved
6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Its by Grace we are saved.

 

[throughfaith]

I would be interested to hear your exegesis on Ephesians 2:8. The grammar seems quite clear. Faith is the gift. This is confirmed by Hebrews 12:2; "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God", and by Romans 12:3; "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

There is no problem with faith being given to a select company of men. God's choice (not salvation) is because of foreknowledge. He does not throw a life-ring to men He knows will not grab it. It would be like you making breakfast for a dead man.

Which verses would you use to say God because of his foreknowledge throws a lifeline only to those he knows who will grab it ? Is this previenient grace ' your meaning? I believe God knows us as a son After we believe.

 

[throughfaith]

I would be interested to hear your exegesis on Ephesians 2:8. The grammar seems quite clear. Faith is the gift. This is confirmed by Hebrews 12:2; "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God", and by Romans 12:3; "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

There is no problem with faith being given to a select company of men. God's choice (not salvation) is because of foreknowledge. He does not throw a life-ring to men He knows will not grab it. It would be like you making breakfast for a dead man.

We've got two views of Rom 12 .3
One ,that it refers to Gifts accompanied with salvation and that of a measure of faith is given to us after we are saved . ( verse 6 )

Or its referring to EVERY man who lives God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith
This would be in line with the air we breath and the food we eat ,are all gifts. With our faith we are saved when we place our faith in the right object . Jesus .

 

[oldethennew]

tf,
what u have just said, just doesn't make any kind of sense:
He ALREADY KNOWS His own, and what they will do',
this does Not NEGATE their OWN choices before they are called,
because we have FREE-WILL, BUT HE ALREADY KNOWS, and so,
it is what it is = they do and reap, BUT, HE is in the wings, always,
just waiting for His Will to be done...

 

[Yahshua]

I think it's important to point out that faith isn't a status or condition, but a "substance"...and as a substance it isn't static or fixed. We can grow it and we can lose it.

Letting the scriptures explain themselves; the word translated as "substance" means "wealth". So faith is the "money" of things hoped for and the proof (or receipt) of things not seen.

Faith is the currency of the kingdom. This is the treasure we are to store up in heaven. This is the bank account we're expected to grow.

Father Yah gives each person a measure of this spiritual money as a gift...like an initial deposit...and what the person does with it is up to them.

Recall the parable of the talents of gold. A person can invest and grow their faith, or waste their faith on the wrong things, or bury their faith and do nothing with it never growing it.

...but the operative word that ties to faith is "do". We must do something with it. We must take action to grow faith and to prove we actually have it.

Sure we can yell, "Oh I believe, I believe, i BELIEVE!!" For absolutely anything. But if we do nothing to show faith in that thing, nothing will happen. We must put in work towards the things we believe in.

Abraham had faith that Father Yah would resurrect his son, and so he obeyed and proceeded to sacrifice Isaac. He took action. Faith didn't make him do it. He exercised his faith and did something. If he didn't he would've shown he didn't have faith in God.

Elisha had faith that he could heal the bitter waters...so he gets a simple stick to place in the waters and they were made clean. Even praying is doing something.

Scripture says Elijah was a regular man who prayed ceaselessly that it not rain except by his word. He believed it was possible before the proof was there and so took action, and his faith was rewarded with the drought.

Noah believe that a worldwide flood would come and so took 120 years of his life to build the ark. 120 years of not seeing what he was told would happen...but he kept working, proving massive faith.

Peter had enough faith to step out of the boat, but not enough faith to act further and walk to the Messiah.

Our actions prove our faith. And our actions also either grow our faith or shrink it (depending on what we do).

Again, it's the currency of the kingdom and very much behaves in the same way.

We first heard the good news of the gospel and believed the message, without any proof. Initial measure of faith exercised in our agreement. We've never seen the Messiah in the flesh...and yet we believe He exists and that he mediates on our behalf for our sins. We've never seen our record actually cleared but we know it to be true.

Accordingly, we obey His instructions every day, proving that faith of ours is real. And with our obedient actions we see manifested blessings and gifts and changes in our lives, which grow our faith even more to believe and to do even greater things than when we first believed.

Emunah is the Hebrew word for faith and it means "to heard and to obey". It means "so let it be; amen". When the apostles asked the Messiah to teach them how to grow their faith he told them a parable about a servant obeying his master.

True faith is ACTive, not passive.

Be blessed.

 

[breno785au]

Ephesians would definitely be the opportunity for Paul to mention ' irresistible grace ' but we never see it mentioned in there ?
I don't think hebrews is talking about Jesus authoring an individuals faith from beginning to end. But The faith from the old testament till the end Jesus is the Author.

Eph 2 is about Grace and about being blessed with all spiritual blessings IN HIM . I believe Paul is saying its through faith not works . Thats the point of Ephesians 2.8 .
Paul already says in the lead up to verse 8 :
5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved
6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Its by Grace we are saved.

What is the definition of 'irresistible grace'? I actively resisted God for years (what I mean is, I believed God was real, I knew Jesus was the Way but chose to not come to Him) before I acknowledged my need for Him.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Is the Faith needed for salvation a gift .

1. Saving faith is generated by the preaching of the pure Gospel. All may believe, since God desires the salvation of all.

2. The spiritual gift of faith is given to those who already have saving faith. This could be extraordinary faith.

3. The spiritual fruit of faith will be found in those who demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit.

 

[throughfaith]

What is the definition of 'irresistible grace'? I actively resisted God for years (what I mean is, I believed God was real, I knew Jesus was the Way but chose to not come to Him) before I acknowledged my need for Him.

Irresistible grace (or efficacious grace) is a doctrine in Christian theology particularly associated with Calvinism, which teaches that the saving grace of God is effectually applied to those whom He has determined to save (the elect) and, in God's timing, overcomes their resistance to obeying the call of the gospel, bringing them to faith in Christ.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Romans 3:25 God presented Him (Jesus Christ) as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. 26 He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

I don't see Scripture saying faith and works are opposites. Works are a result of faith.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do
good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
Ephesians 2:10

Amen, the Bible never states faith and works are opposite,

the Bible just states we are saved not by faith but By works.

the bible states we are saved by faith alone, but that faith is never alone,

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I would be interested to hear your exegesis on Ephesians 2:8. The grammar seems quite clear. Faith is the gift. This is confirmed by Hebrews 12:2; "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God", and by Romans 12:3; "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

There is no problem with faith being given to a select company of men. God's choice (not salvation) is because of foreknowledge. He does not throw a life-ring to men He knows will not grab it. It would be like you making breakfast for a dead man.

There is a problem though

faith is offered to all, it is however not received by all, the same God that showed himself showed himself to the world, (Romans 1) hence there is no excuse, it Is not Gods fault man rejects him, God allows him to do it, because he is a God of love a relational God, you can not have a relationship if you force someone to love you, you have a relationship when one receives your love and cherishes is freely,

faith is a gift in the fact that if not for ALL God does to draw people to himself, including the cross, we would never have the possibility to trust in him.

its not that he says, here I give you faith, now your saved, and I do not give you faith I allow you to die in your sins. That’s not a God of love

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Sad that we feel the need to have another anti calvinist thread

 

[throughfaith]

tf,
what u have just said, just doesn't make any kind of sense:
He ALREADY KNOWS His own, and what they will do',
this does Not NEGATE their OWN choices before they are called,
because we have FREE-WILL, BUT HE ALREADY KNOWS, and so,
it is what it is = they do and reap, BUT, HE is in the wings, always,
just waiting for His Will to be done...

How could we be known to God as a son before we become a son? Gal 4 .
9But now, after that ye have known God, OR RATHER ARE KNOWN OF GOD , how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Then read eph 2.11-12

 

[pottersclay]

I think possibly we have to make a distinction here.
Belief in God will not save you... belief in the son is what's needed.
Christianity is a new thing.... exclusive....set apart.....reserved for Christ him self.
I've meant many who believe in God but jesus is the stumbling block. Many believe if they believe in God it's the same....it is not.
The works of the father is to believe the son. The works of the son is to give us access to the father.
Jesus being our high priest, our sacrifice presented to God gives us this access.
Many will argue that Jesus is God and it's all the same. If it were so there would be no reason for the crucified ,resurrected Christ.
Which is our foundational core.
Many religions believe in God but have a stumbling of Christ.
We are exclusive in Christ. Our faith is unique. Our faith comes from the father's work and our hope is in him that was sent.

 

[ForestGreenCook]

Is the Faith needed for salvation a gift . And is this ' gift 'Exclusive , only given to some ?
I do not believe this is the case . I also do not believe anyone reading the bible ( alone ) would ever come to this conclusion. This idea as it was introduced to RC sproul as written on the black board of his seminary class " regeneration precedes faith " was a shock to him as he'd always believed that faith preceded regeneration prior .

Is faith a work ? This seems to be how calvinists are arriving at there conclusions.
This was a shock to me also when I first understood that within christianity this concept was taught.
The bible however says that faith is always the opposite of works .( Rom 3.27 ) ?
Its our faith that is the prerequisite to access the grace . Rom 5.2 . Rom 4.5
Faith ( pistus) is trust , believe , assurance , conviction ect .

God gives pistus ( assurance ) of the resurrection in Acts 17 .
31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance ( pistus) unto ALL MEN in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Eph 2 .8 is often used to support the concept of RPF but this is quite astonishing. I cannot understand how any one without any influence concludes that ' Faith ' is the gift here ..Let alone a EXCLUSIVE gift .

But here we are . The absolute essential component of salvation is at stake here and within christianity we have a system that says " no . We can't believe, we can't have faith ..Faith has to be given first ?
I believe that everything we have is a gift from God. Our lives ,our food and the very air we breath . But I don't believe these are ' exclusive ' gifts given only to some of course .
I could have trust / faith / assurance in a toy car to get me to work but id be putting my faith in the wrong thing ,the wrong object to get me to work . Putting your trust / faith in the right object ( Jesus ) saves us . He saves us when we obey from the heart . When we BELIEVE from the heart . Rom 10,9 . We have to believe
1cor 1.21
Thoughts ?

The scriptures do prove themselves, if you include all of them. 1 Cor tells us that their is two different kinds of faith. Faith of the unregenerate natural man, and faith of the regenerate spiritual man. Spiritual faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is given as a gift of God's grace with regeneration.

Romans 10 verse 8 Paul says that the word of faith which he preaches is in the heart. Is this word of faith in the heart of the natural man, or in the heart of the spiritual man?

Ezek 36:26, A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh, And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements, and do them. This is the new spiritual birth that God quickens us to in Eph 2.

Romans 10:9 is not the stony heart of the unregenerate natural man, but the fleshly heart of the regenerated spiritual man.

 

[ForestGreenCook]

Ephesians would definitely be the opportunity for Paul to mention ' irresistible grace ' but we never see it mentioned in there ?
I don't think hebrews is talking about Jesus authoring an individuals faith from beginning to end. But The faith from the old testament till the end Jesus is the Author.

Eph 2 is about Grace and about being blessed with all spiritual blessings IN HIM . I believe Paul is saying its through faith not works . Thats the point of Ephesians 2.8 .
Paul already says in the lead up to verse 8 :
5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved
6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Its by Grace we are saved.

We are delivered eternally by Jesus's faith, not our faith. Our faith can deliver us as we sojourn here in this world, but our faith cannot deliver us eternally.