What is Faith?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
P

pablocito

Guest
#1
#1
The bible states that -
"Without faith it is impossible to please God"

So what is the definition of faith?

The bible's definition of faith is -

Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
The evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

In our world of the 5 senses (and for some who also claim a 6th sense),
the bible's definition is out of this world, and does not fit any model of any known definition on the face of this earth.

Can you imagine sending some astronauts to the moon and telling them, we hope you reach there, because we really don't have any evidence that you will actually reach there.

You probably would have to go to the mental institutions or "like places" to secure any volunteers for such a mission. For sure the millionaire, with his huge wealth here on this earth would not go.

Everyone in today's world in his right state of mind, will want some guarantee for anything he does.

Would you go to your job, working for 8 hours, knowing that there is no guarantee that you will be paid. I doubt it, especially with the scams and greed that people resort to.

I wonder if anyone would like to comment on this definition of faith by the bible, for faith is the requirement into the kingdom of God.
 
J

John146

Senior Member
#2
Jan 13, 2016
17,111
3,687
113
#2
pablocito said:
The bible states that -
"Without faith it is impossible to please God"

So what is the definition of faith?

The bible's definition of faith is -

Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
The evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

In our world of the 5 senses (and for some who also claim a 6th sense),
the bible's definition is out of this world, and does not fit any model of any known definition on the face of this earth.

Can you imagine sending some astronauts to the moon and telling them, we hope you reach there, because we really don't have any evidence that you will actually reach there.

You probably would have to go to the mental institutions or "like places" to secure any volunteers for such a mission. For sure the millionaire, with his huge wealth here on this earth would not go.

Everyone in today's world in his right state of mind, will want some guarantee for anything he does.

Would you go to your job, working for 8 hours, knowing that there is no guarantee that you will be paid. I doubt it, especially with the scams and greed that people resort to.

I wonder if anyone would like to comment on this definition of faith by the bible, for faith is the requirement into the kingdom of God.
Click to expand...
I would add that "Faith come by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Faith is hearing the word of God and believing it even though you can't see it happening yet. Noah had faith in what God told him and the ark is evidence of Noah's faith.
 
A

arthurfleminger

Well-known member
#3
Aug 18, 2021
1,405
779
113
#3
pablocito said:
The bible states that -
"Without faith it is impossible to please God"

So what is the definition of faith?

The bible's definition of faith is -

Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
The evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

In our world of the 5 senses (and for some who also claim a 6th sense),
the bible's definition is out of this world, and does not fit any model of any known definition on the face of this earth.

Can you imagine sending some astronauts to the moon and telling them, we hope you reach there, because we really don't have any evidence that you will actually reach there.

You probably would have to go to the mental institutions or "like places" to secure any volunteers for such a mission. For sure the millionaire, with his huge wealth here on this earth would not go.

Everyone in today's world in his right state of mind, will want some guarantee for anything he does.

Would you go to your job, working for 8 hours, knowing that there is no guarantee that you will be paid. I doubt it, especially with the scams and greed that people resort to.

I wonder if anyone would like to comment on this definition of faith by the bible, for faith is the requirement into the kingdom of God.
Click to expand...

You ask, "What is faith"? Great question. So, what is faith in Jesus? Some have a very truncated view that 'faith in Jesus' is just a mental acceptance that He is Lord, God, and Savior. Others view 'faith in Jesus' in both acknowledging Him as Lord, God, and Savior and obeying/following His teachings and comandments that He gave us in the Gospels during His ministry on earth.
 
Pemican

Pemican

Senior Member
#4
Sep 27, 2014
959
246
43
#4
pablocito said:
The bible states that -
"Without faith it is impossible to please God"

So what is the definition of faith?

The bible's definition of faith is -

Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
The evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

In our world of the 5 senses (and for some who also claim a 6th sense),
the bible's definition is out of this world, and does not fit any model of any known definition on the face of this earth.

Can you imagine sending some astronauts to the moon and telling them, we hope you reach there, because we really don't have any evidence that you will actually reach there.

You probably would have to go to the mental institutions or "like places" to secure any volunteers for such a mission. For sure the millionaire, with his huge wealth here on this earth would not go.

Everyone in today's world in his right state of mind, will want some guarantee for anything he does.

Would you go to your job, working for 8 hours, knowing that there is no guarantee that you will be paid. I doubt it, especially with the scams and greed that people resort to.

I wonder if anyone would like to comment on this definition of faith by the bible, for faith is the requirement into the kingdom of God.
Click to expand...
Hope in the NT is the Greek word elpis which is better translated confident expectation. The way we use hope is English is more of an uncertainty.
 
P

persistent

Guest
#5
#5
pablocito said:
The bible states that -
"Without faith it is impossible to please God"

So what is the definition of faith?

The bible's definition of faith is -

Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
The evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

In our world of the 5 senses (and for some who also claim a 6th sense),
the bible's definition is out of this world, and does not fit any model of any known definition on the face of this earth.

Can you imagine sending some astronauts to the moon and telling them, we hope you reach there, because we really don't have any evidence that you will actually reach there.

You probably would have to go to the mental institutions or "like places" to secure any volunteers for such a mission. For sure the millionaire, with his huge wealth here on this earth would not go.

Everyone in today's world in his right state of mind, will want some guarantee for anything he does.

Would you go to your job, working for 8 hours, knowing that there is no guarantee that you will be paid. I doubt it, especially with the scams and greed that people resort to.

I wonder if anyone would like to comment on this definition of faith by the bible, for faith is the requirement into the kingdom of God.
Click to expand...
Hey Pablocito I'm also a big P as in Persistent. That verse gets me too. So maybe like John 146 refers to ark. Makes me think that the ark would be the substance that would materialize in the coming catastrophe. Which it did materialize. With some effort on Noah's part. John146 also references '...comes by hearing..'. When I first read that verse I started thinking I should read out loud so I would hear what I was reading. But I find there is more to it than that. I started listening to recordings on the internet and realized I still wasn't getting the message and would some time have to play the same recording 2 or 3 times and still not completely get it. So it takes effort and prayer. I like that Pemican brought up the Proverb about us fools. We hate to admit that we were foolish not to study God's word and put some effort into it. It's probably easier than building an ark and I think there are verses that let us know the things that need to materialize will materialize if we do just as arthurfleminger refers to in that comment.
 
J

John146

Senior Member
#6
Jan 13, 2016
17,111
3,687
113
#6
Pemican said:
Hope in the NT is the Greek word elpis which is better translated confident expectation. The way we use hope is English is more of an uncertainty.
Click to expand...
Hope is the correct word regardless of how we use it today. Never change the word of God to fit the ever changing English language. Biblical hope is certain.
 
Eli1

Eli1

Well-known member
#7
Apr 5, 2022
4,704
2,020
113
46
#7
That verse is ultimate poetry and for me it’s a feeling that’s hard to describe.
But, the way i would interpret that passage would be:

You’re in a world full of smoke where it’s hard to breathe. Like a volcano or a house burning and you’re inside.
The clear oxygen and fresh air when you leave the area would be the faith and hope.
 
Pemican

Pemican

Senior Member
#8
Sep 27, 2014
959
246
43
#8
John146 said:
Hope is the correct word regardless of how we use it today. Never change the word of God to fit the ever changing English language. Biblical hope is certain.
Click to expand...
But the Word of God in the NT was not written in English. It was written in Greek. You have to go to the Greek to discover the correct meaning.
 
Mofastus

Mofastus

Active member
#9
May 23, 2019
400
225
43
#9
pablocito said:
Everyone in today's world in his right state of mind, will want some guarantee for anything he does.
Click to expand...
The Bible guarantees you can find God when "you" are in the right state of mind/heart "for" God.
The instructions how are clearly given over and over again, the failures of why others could not reach God are shown even more.

The astronaut was put through requirements to even become an astronaut, with no guarantee they would ever reach their objective. The employee has no guarantee they will get paid for the 8 hours they worked from their employer; any more than the employer has that the employee will truly work the 8 hours they are paying them to work. It's merely assumption of such being true.

The Bible is truth and has no assumptions and is complete without error, which indeed makes truth a "certainty". Man spends years trying figure out where he fits into the puzzle, when all along he was already a part of it, which shows him it wasn't ever about him to begin with, other than knowing the puzzle had only "One" piece.

1 Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#10
Jul 3, 2015
59,946
29,307
113
#10
pablocito said:
The bible's definition of faith is -

Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
The evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
Click to expand...
That is not a full definition... perhaps more a descriptor, and has to do with things to come based on God's promises and what
we know of His plan for humanity, and does not in any way mean we have no evidence for the things we believe by faith.
 
Eli1

Eli1

Well-known member
#11
Apr 5, 2022
4,704
2,020
113
46
#11
Magenta said:
That is not a full definition... perhaps more a descriptor, and has to do with things to come based on God's promises and what
we know of His plan for humanity, and does not in any way mean we have no evidence for the things we believe by faith.
Click to expand...
This is also a very good point because that’s where miracles would fit in as evidence for our Faith.
 
F

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
#12
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
#12
pablocito said:
The bible states that -
"Without faith it is impossible to please God"

So what is the definition of faith?

The bible's definition of faith is -

Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
The evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

In our world of the 5 senses (and for some who also claim a 6th sense),
the bible's definition is out of this world, and does not fit any model of any known definition on the face of this earth.

Can you imagine sending some astronauts to the moon and telling them, we hope you reach there, because we really don't have any evidence that you will actually reach there.

You probably would have to go to the mental institutions or "like places" to secure any volunteers for such a mission. For sure the millionaire, with his huge wealth here on this earth would not go.

Everyone in today's world in his right state of mind, will want some guarantee for anything he does.

Would you go to your job, working for 8 hours, knowing that there is no guarantee that you will be paid. I doubt it, especially with the scams and greed that people resort to.

I wonder if anyone would like to comment on this definition of faith by the bible, for faith is the requirement into the kingdom of God.
Click to expand...

It all depends upon what faith you have reference to. The unregenerate person only has faith in mankind, and their accomplishments (1 Cor 2:14), He does not have faith on the things of the Spirit. The regenerate person has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, therefore, he has faith in spiritual things.
 
J

John146

Senior Member
#13
Jan 13, 2016
17,111
3,687
113
#13
Pemican said:
But the Word of God in the NT was not written in English. It was written in Greek. You have to go to the Greek to discover the correct meaning.
Click to expand...
And when you go to the Greek, then you have to decide out of the six different definitions. I trust my KJV and every word to be the correct English word. That's all. I know how the word "hope" is used today, but I also know how the word "hope" is used in the KJV.
 
F

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
#14
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
#14
John146 said:
I would add that "Faith come by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Faith is hearing the word of God and believing it even though you can't see it happening yet. Noah had faith in what God told him and the ark is evidence of Noah's faith.
Click to expand...

The unregenerate person can not understand the things of the Spirit, and thinks them to be foolishness.(1 Cor 2:14). Only the regenerate person can hear, and believe in spiritual things. (John 10:25-29).
 
J

John146

Senior Member
#15
Jan 13, 2016
17,111
3,687
113
#15
ForestGreenCook said:
The unregenerate person can not understand the things of the Spirit, and thinks them to be foolishness.(1 Cor 2:14). Only the regenerate person can hear, and believe in spiritual things. (John 10:25-29).
Click to expand...
Did Peter and the disciples understand things that Jesus was teaching? They did not have the Holy Spirit...
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#16
Jul 3, 2015
59,946
29,307
113
#16
John146 said:
Did Peter and the disciples understand things that Jesus was teaching? They did not have the Holy Spirit...
Click to expand...
They often did not... For example:

But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind
Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
 
D

Dirtman

Well-known member
#17
Jul 19, 2022
1,151
441
83
#17
Faith is dependency. Substance of things hoped for. Like a child depending on mother for care. Evidence of things not seen; like a child depending on dad to provide.
Child like dependence.
 
J

John146

Senior Member
#18
Jan 13, 2016
17,111
3,687
113
#18
Magenta said:
They often did not... For example:

But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind
Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Click to expand...
When referring to the cross...the cross was hidden from their understanding.
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#19
Jul 3, 2015
59,946
29,307
113
#19
John146 said:
When referring to the cross...the cross was hidden from their understanding.
Click to expand...
They asked for things to be explained to them on much more than that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.