BEN F. VICK, JR.
“Faith” is used in three senses in the New Testament. “Faith” can refer to one’s belief in God’s word. The writer of Hebrews penned, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1.) One cannot please God without faith: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb.11:6.)
Also, “faith “is applied to the system of faith, the gospel. Luke tells his readers that a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7). Paul said some had heard that he who had persecuted the church in the past now was preaching the faith which once he destroyed (Gal. 1:23). Jude wrote, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3.) One who has a genuine personal faith has based it on the system of faith (Rom. 10:17).
The word “faith” is used in a third way to refer to one’s conscience. Paul wrote, “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” (Rom. 14:23.) If one violates his conscience, even in an area that is a matter of judgment, he sins. A man’s conscience is based on what he has been taught. If one thinks that he would violate his conscience by eating meats offered to the idols and then sold in the marketplace, he should not eat. A knowledgeable brother should not cause the weak brother to violate his conscience. However, the weak brother must learn that such would not have been wrong. Thus, the reason Paul wrote of these matters (1 Cor. 8:1-13; 10: 23-33; Rom.14:1-15:7).
In this article, I use the word “faith” in the sense of the system of faith, the gospel. If one’s personal faith is not based on the gospel, it is an unreliable faith. It is based on the traditions of men rather than the tradition handed down by the Holy Spirit to the apostles and prophets (Matt. 15:9). Paul exhorted, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” (2 Thess. 2:15.) Observe that “the tradition” to which we should stand upon and hold fast was taught by inspired men either “by word [orally], or our epistle [writing].” Inspiration of the New Testament for a time was in the apostles and prophets only. They, in turn, wrote down what the Holy Spirit gave them. Ultimately, inspiration is only in written form as we have today, which has been preserved providentially. We should reject what cannot be supported by Scripture (1 Peter 4:11; Acts 17:11).
In matters of faith we must obey the gospel, the plan of salvation (1 Peter 4:17; 2 Thess. 1:6-9). We must believe that Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised from the dead according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1-4). Those are the three fundamental facts of the gospel. We must repent of our sins (Acts 2:39; 3:19; 2 Peter 3:9). We must confess Christ before men (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:37). We must be baptized for the forgiveness of our sins (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38). We must continue to walk in the light of God’s word (1 John 1:7).
In matters of faith, we must praise and worship God according to the gospel (John 4:23-24). This requires us to worship the true God in the manner and way he has prescribed. We are to worship with the saints on the Lord’s day. Worship includes praying, singing spiritual songs, preaching God’s word, observing the Lord’s supper on the first day of the week, and contributing our means each Lord’s day (Acts 2:42; Eph. 5:19; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2). Any way to carry out these acts is acceptable to God if one does not go beyond what is written. This requires things to be done decently and in order.
A matter of faith is the work of the church. Just what is the work of the church? One finds congregations doing many things for which there is no authority from the Lord (Col. 3:17). The body of Christ is to carry on the work that Jesus did while on earth; that is, to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). This is to be done through evangelism, edification, and benevolence. Paul mentioned two of these areas in his letter to the Galatians, and the letter implies the third. Paul wrote, “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.” (Gal. 2:9–10.)
So, as they went preaching to the heathen (evangelism), they would remember the poor (benevolence). “Remember” means to recognize and respond accordingly. Thus, the poor were to be helped. This help from the church was not just for saints but for others as there were opportunities (Gal. 6:10). The Galatian letter was a form of edification. All three of these areas would be efforts to save souls.
Some churches have giveaways, and people line up in church parking lots in nice vehicles to receive donations. Sometimes, when people learn something is free, they jump at the opportunity to accept what is offered. I am not opposed to the church’s or individual’s helping anyone in need. People fall on hard times. However, Paul told Titus, “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” (Titus 3:14.) So, let us maintain good works meeting “urgent needs” or “pressing needs.”
Forgive my skepticism, but I am suspicious of those “needy” ones who drive up in newer vehicles than some of our members wanting help for their “urgent needs.” The church in Jerusalem helped the needy. Many had traveled to Jerusalem from great distances to observe the Passover and Pentecost. They had been there going on for two months. They were needy. Luke records, “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” (Acts 2:44–45.) Let us help those genuinely in need and not simply salve our conscience by randomly giving handouts.