The Necessity of Faith Copyright by N.L. Geisler 2007.

The Necessity of FaithThe Necessity of Faith

Copyright by N.L. Geisler 2007Copyright by N.L. Geisler 2007

The Essential Orthodox Doctrines 1. God’s unity 2. God’s tri-unity 3. Human depravity 4. Mary’s virginity 5. Christ’s purity 6. Christ’s deity 7. Christ’s humanity 8. God’s mercy 9. Faith’s necessity 10. Christ’s atoning death

11. Christ’s bodily resurrection 12. Christ’s bodily ascension 13. Christ’s priestly session 14. Christ’s second coming [15. Bible’s infallibility] [16. Literal interpretation]

The Essential Orthodox Doctrines 1. God’s unity 2. God’s tri-unity 3. Human depravity 4. Mary’s virginity 5. Christ’s purity 6. Christ’s deity 7. Christ’s humanity 8. God’s mercy 9. Faith’s necessity 10. Christ’s atoning death

11. Christ’s bodily resurrection 12. Christ’s bodily ascension 13. Christ’s priestly session 14. Christ’s second coming [15. Bible’s infallibility] [16. Literal interpretation]

OutlineOutlineI. The Biblical Basis

II. The Creedal Statements

III. The Doctrinal Importance

IV. The Nature of Faith

V. Some Objections

I. The Biblical Basis




V. Some Objections

I. The Biblical BasisI. The Biblical BasisGen. 4 (Heb. 11:4)—“By faith Abel offered to God a more

excellent sacrifice than Cain.”Gen. 5 (Heb. 11:5)—“By faith Enoch was translated so

that he did not see death.…”Gen. 6 (Heb. 11:7)—“By faith Noah…became heir of the

righteousness which is according to faith.”Gen.15:6—“And he believed in the LORD, and He

accounted it to him for righteousness.” Prov. 1:7—“The fear [reverential trust] of the Lord is the

beginning of knowledge.”Prov. 3:6—“Trust in the Lord with all your heart….”Hab. 2:4—“The just shall live by faith.”

Gen. 4 (Heb. 11:4)—“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.”

Gen. 5 (Heb. 11:5)—“By faith Enoch was translated so that he did not see death.…”

Gen. 6 (Heb. 11:7)—“By faith Noah…became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

Gen.15:6—“And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”

Prov. 1:7—“The fear [reverential trust] of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”

Prov. 3:6—“Trust in the Lord with all your heart….”Hab. 2:4—“The just shall live by faith.”

John 3:18—“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already.”

Acts 16:31—“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”

Rom. 4:4-5—“Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

Rom. 5:1—“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our lord Jesus Christ.”

Rom. 10:17—“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”

John 3:18—“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already.”

Acts 16:31—“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”

Rom. 4:4-5—“Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

Rom. 5:1—“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our lord Jesus Christ.”

Rom. 10:17—“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”

Gal. 3:11—“The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17; Heb. 10:38).

Eph. 2:8-9—“For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Phil. 3:9—“…that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness…but that which is though faith in Christ….”

Heb. 11:6—“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Gal. 3:11—“The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17; Heb. 10:38).

Eph. 2:8-9—“For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Phil. 3:9—“…that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness…but that which is though faith in Christ….”

Heb. 11:6—“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

The Apostles’ CreedThe Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the

Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried…. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried…. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

The Nicene Creed (325) The Nicene Creed (325) We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only

Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God.... For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven…. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures…. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God.... For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven…. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures…. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

The Chalcedonian Creed (451)

Following, then, the holy fathers, we unite in teaching all men to confess the one and only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ…. Before time began he was begotten of the Father, in respect of his deity, and now in these "last days," for us and on behalf of our salvation, this selfsame one was born of Mary the virgin, who is God-bearer in respect of his humanness.

The Chalcedonian Creed (451)

Following, then, the holy fathers, we unite in teaching all men to confess the one and only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ…. Before time began he was begotten of the Father, in respect of his deity, and now in these "last days," for us and on behalf of our salvation, this selfsame one was born of Mary the virgin, who is God-bearer in respect of his humanness.

III. The Doctrinal ImportanceIII. The Doctrinal ImportanceA. Faith acknowledges that we can’t save

ourselves. 1. Faith involves trust in another. a. By works we trust in ourselves. b. By faith we trust in God.

2. Faith admits we can’t do it our self. a. We trust the airplane.

b. We trust the elevator. c. We trust the automobile

Note: What I do by my works, I get credit for doing (and can boast about it--Eph. 2:9).

What I trust God to do, He gets credit for doing (and I must be humble about).

A. Faith acknowledges that we can’t save ourselves.

1. Faith involves trust in another. a. By works we trust in ourselves. b. By faith we trust in God.

2. Faith admits we can’t do it our self. a. We trust the airplane.

b. We trust the elevator. c. We trust the automobile

Note: What I do by my works, I get credit for doing (and can boast about it--Eph. 2:9).

What I trust God to do, He gets credit for doing (and I must be humble about).

III. The Doctrinal ImportanceIII. The Doctrinal Importance B. Faith produces virtues We are save by faith but for works “By grace we have been saved through

faith…, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…”(Eph. 2:8-10).

“Add to your faith virtue…” (2 Pet. 1:5). “By works faith was made perfect” (Jas. 2:21).

B. Faith produces virtues We are save by faith but for works “By grace we have been saved through

faith…, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…”(Eph. 2:8-10).

“Add to your faith virtue…” (2 Pet. 1:5). “By works faith was made perfect” (Jas. 2:21).

IV. The Nature of Faith IV. The Nature of FaithA. The Elements of Faith 1. Trust in God (Prov. 3:5) 2. Obedience to God (2 Thes. 1:8) 3. Repentance from Sin

Acts 17:30.—“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.”

Acts 20:21.—“Testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

B. The Contrast of Two Faiths

A. The Elements of Faith 1. Trust in God (Prov. 3:5) 2. Obedience to God (2 Thes. 1:8) 3. Repentance from Sin

Acts 17:30.—“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.”

Acts 20:21.—“Testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

B. The Contrast of Two Faiths

B. The Contrast of Two FaithsB. The Contrast of Two Faiths

Non-Saving Faith Saving FaithBelief That Belief InMind Understands Will AcceptsMind Perceives Will ReceiveSees Meaning Sees SignificanceObjectively Understands Subjectively AppliesMere Profession Actual PossessionDoesn’t Leads to Salvation Does lead to Salvation Doesn’t Lead to good works Does lead to good works

Support: Jn. 7:17; Jas. 2:14-18; Rom. 1:18 cf. 1 Cor. 2:14; Rom. 10:9; 2 Pet. 2:20

Non-Saving Faith Saving FaithBelief That Belief InMind Understands Will AcceptsMind Perceives Will ReceiveSees Meaning Sees SignificanceObjectively Understands Subjectively AppliesMere Profession Actual PossessionDoesn’t Leads to Salvation Does lead to Salvation Doesn’t Lead to good works Does lead to good works

Support: Jn. 7:17; Jas. 2:14-18; Rom. 1:18 cf. 1 Cor. 2:14; Rom. 10:9; 2 Pet. 2:20

Examples of Non-Saving Faith Matt. 7:22: “Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord,

Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

2 Peter 2:20: “For, if after they have escaped pollution of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.”

James 2:19: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”

Examples of Non-Saving Faith Matt. 7:22: “Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord,

Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

2 Peter 2:20: “For, if after they have escaped pollution of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.”

James 2:19: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”

C. The Stages of FaithC. The Stages of Faith1. We are justified by faith (Rom. 1:17)2. We are sanctified by faith (Gal. 3:2, 3,11)3. We are glorified without faith (1Cor.

13:12-13; 2 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 11:1).

Habakkuk 2:4

“The Just/ shall live/ by faith.” (Rom. 1:17) (Gal. 3:11) (Heb. 10:38)

1. We are justified by faith (Rom. 1:17)2. We are sanctified by faith (Gal. 3:2, 3,11)3. We are glorified without faith (1Cor.

13:12-13; 2 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 11:1).

Habakkuk 2:4

“The Just/ shall live/ by faith.” (Rom. 1:17) (Gal. 3:11) (Heb. 10:38)

IV. Some ObjectionsIV. Some ObjectionsA. Faith can be futile (1 Cor. 15:14). “If Christ is not

risen, then our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain.”

Response: If Christ did not rise, faith is futile. But he did rise from the dead! “But now Christ is risen from the dead” (1 Cor. 15:20).

1. Faith is futile, if it is in the wrong object. Faith in a dead Christ is dead faith and will not save anyone.

2. Faith is no stronger than its object. a. Great faith in thin ice won’t work. b. Little faith in thick ice will work (Mt. 17:20: Mk. 9:24).

A. Faith can be futile (1 Cor. 15:14). “If Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain.”

Response: If Christ did not rise, faith is futile. But he did rise from the dead! “But now Christ is risen from the dead” (1 Cor. 15:20).

1. Faith is futile, if it is in the wrong object. Faith in a dead Christ is dead faith and will not save anyone.

2. Faith is no stronger than its object. a. Great faith in thin ice won’t work. b. Little faith in thick ice will work (Mt. 17:20: Mk. 9:24).

IV. Some ObjectionsIV. Some ObjectionsB. Faith alone is not sufficient; repentance

is also needed (Acts 17:30; 20:21)Response: Repentance is part of true faith. Faith—“Come here”

Repentance—“Leave there.”

Note: 1) You can’t “come here” without “leaving there.”

2) Faith moves from trusting our self for salvation to trusting God. That is a real change of mind (=repentance)

B. Faith alone is not sufficient; repentance is also needed (Acts 17:30; 20:21)

Response: Repentance is part of true faith. Faith—“Come here”

Repentance—“Leave there.”

Note: 1) You can’t “come here” without “leaving there.”

2) Faith moves from trusting our self for salvation to trusting God. That is a real change of mind (=repentance)

ConclusionsConclusions1. We should not have faith in faith but

faith in a faithful God. 2. Faith has no power, but the God

who responds to faith has all power.3. Faith is resting in the faithfulness of

God (2 Tim. 2:13). “If we are faithless, He remains faithful

for he cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim. 2:13).

1. We should not have faith in faith but faith in a faithful God.

2. Faith has no power, but the God who responds to faith has all power.

3. Faith is resting in the faithfulness of God (2 Tim. 2:13).

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful for he cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim. 2:13).

My Faith Looks Up to TheeMy Faith Looks Up to Thee

My faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior Divine!

Now hear me while I pray,

Take all my guilt away,

O let me from this day

Be wholly Thine!

My faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior Divine!

Now hear me while I pray,

Take all my guilt away,

O let me from this day

Be wholly Thine!

Only Trust HimOnly Trust HimCome every soul by sin oppressed— There’s mercy with the Lord,And He will surely give you rest By trusting in His Word.Only trust Him; only trust Him. Only trust Him now.He will save you; He will save you. He will save you now.

Come every soul by sin oppressed— There’s mercy with the Lord,And He will surely give you rest By trusting in His Word.Only trust Him; only trust Him. Only trust Him now.He will save you; He will save you. He will save you now.

Trust And Obey When we walk with the Lord In the light of His WordWhat a glory He sheds on our way. While we do His good willHe abides with us still And with all who will Trust and obey.

Trust And Obey When we walk with the Lord In the light of His WordWhat a glory He sheds on our way. While we do His good willHe abides with us still And with all who will Trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweetWe will sit at His feet,Or we'll walk by His side in the way.What He says we will do;Where He sends we will go;Never fear only trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweetWe will sit at His feet,Or we'll walk by His side in the way.What He says we will do;Where He sends we will go;Never fear only trust and obey.

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word.Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know: “Thus saith the Lord.”

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word.Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know: “Thus saith the Lord.”

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word.Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know: “Thus saith the Lord.”I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus Savior, Friend;And I know that Thou art with me, Will be with me to the end.

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word.Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know: “Thus saith the Lord.”I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus Savior, Friend;And I know that Thou art with me, Will be with me to the end.

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word.Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know: “Thus saith the Lord.”I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus Savior, Friend;And I know that Thou art with me, Will be with me to the end.Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him? How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word.Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know: “Thus saith the Lord.”I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus Savior, Friend;And I know that Thou art with me, Will be with me to the end.Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him? How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!

Faith is the VictoryFaith is the VictoryEncamped along the hills of light, Ye Christian soldiers, riseAnd press the battle ere the night shall veil the glowing skies.

Encamped along the hills of light, Ye Christian soldiers, riseAnd press the battle ere the night shall veil the glowing skies.

Faith is the VictoryFaith is the VictoryEncamped along the hills of light, Ye Christian soldiers, riseAnd press the battle ere the night shall veil the glowing skies.Against the foe in vales below Let all our strength be hurled;Faith is the victory, we know That overcomes the world.

Encamped along the hills of light, Ye Christian soldiers, riseAnd press the battle ere the night shall veil the glowing skies.Against the foe in vales below Let all our strength be hurled;Faith is the victory, we know That overcomes the world.

Faith is the VictoryFaith is the VictoryEncamped along the hills of light, Ye Christian soldiers, riseAnd press the battle ere the night shall veil the glowing skies.Against the foe in vales below Let all our strength be hurled;Faith is the victory, we know That overcomes the world.Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!O glorious victory That overcomes the world!

Encamped along the hills of light, Ye Christian soldiers, riseAnd press the battle ere the night shall veil the glowing skies.Against the foe in vales below Let all our strength be hurled;Faith is the victory, we know That overcomes the world.Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!O glorious victory That overcomes the world!

The Necessity of Faith Copyright by N.L. Geisler 2007.

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Transcript of The Necessity of Faith Copyright by N.L. Geisler 2007.