Blog – Page 24 – International Charismatic Bible Church (ICBC), Finland

Introduction

It has been discussed in our previous Newsletters that faith is not an abstract thing but it is a substance or an evidence that accords us with a personalized reality to the aspirations of hope, a hope that is anchored on nothing else but on Christ Jesus.

Faith in His Name

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3:6-8).

Many people receive their miracles through the powerful name of Jesus Christ. When Christ Jesus brings us deliverance, it is perfect. He adds no trouble with it. He further says that when He sets people free, they are free indeed (Joh 8:36). Peter, in referring to the name of Christ, opines that:

“And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers” (Acts 3:16-17).

Believers have been given the authority to use the name of Christ Jesus to bring freedom to humankind. It is written that signs shall accompany them that believe; for, in His name, they shall cast out devils and shall speak with new tongues (Mar 16:17). Our encouragement is that if we ask anything in His name, He will do it (Joh 14:14). The effect is always positive when the name of Christ Jesus is used by faith.

Salvation by Faith

Faith in the name of Christ Jesus does not only bring healing or miracles but also salvation. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom 10:13). It is also believed that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as the people of old (Acts 15:11). It is only by faith in His name that one receives salvation (Joh 20:31). All the prophets testified to this fact that through His name whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins (Acts 10:43). It is not the knowledge of God that gives us salvation but receiving and believing in the knowledge of God through faith which is in Christ Jesus (2Ti 3:15).

Whether a person is a Jew or not, the only sure way to salvation is by faith in Christ Jesus. It is by faith that we inherit the blessings of Abraham and the promise of the Spirit (Gal 3:14). The truth is that “no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith” (Gal 3:11). It is God who shall justify the circumcision (i.e. the Jews) by faith, and uncircumcision (i.e. the Gentiles) through faith (Rom 3:30). So then, faith in Christ is the only qualification to receive salvation.

Conclusion

Having faith in Christ Jesus has the power to bring down the promises and the blessings of God down into our lives. Also, a person is justified before God only by his/her faith in Christ Jesus. Observing the Mosaic Laws or being self-righteous is not a pre-requisite to salvation. It is about grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Our Lord and Savior, we ask for your grace to enlighten us to see your Son, Jesus Christ as our only hope for salvation. Help us to place all our hope in Him. In the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Introduction

Salvation with deliverance from the grips of the enemy is achieved through faith in Christ Jesus. Faith in the name of Christ has brought deliverance to those who have faith in Him. This piece of writing briefly discusses Paul´s conception of faith as detailed in the holy scriptures.

Faith Explained

Some have explained that faith is ´now´ whereas hope is ´future´. They mean that one´s faith should bring him his/her desires instantly as s/he prays. They take this from the scripture which reads that “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). However, the ´now´ preceding the ´faith’ does not form part of the definition of faith. It only informs us that the Apostle is going to explain his conception of the subject of faith.

From the above scripture (i.e. Heb 11:1), “faith is the substance of things hoped for” By implication, faith is a visible and a tangible thing that supports one´s claim to their hope and anticipation. Our faith is the substance of our hope, that there is God, and that Christ Jesus would come again to save those who are His.

Again, faith is “the evidence of things not seen”. What does the Apostle mean? He wants us to be convinced in our hearts and minds that our faith is that which elucidates or proves to us that some things which are not seen do exist. He, therefore, strongly contends that “.. 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).

Faith is thus, that substance or the evidence which provides an anchorage to our claims, that, some things which are not evident in our lives do exist or some things which factually exist in our lives do not actually exist. This is the truth because we have the “God who quickeneth the dead and calleth those things which be not as though they were” (Rom 4:17). He has the power to create things out of nothing. As it is written, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb 11:3). We are not moved by the things that are seen but by the living Word of God.

Our Faith and the Word of God

It should be mentioned that the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen, is the Word of God. It is this inspired Word of God that supports our claim to all things in Christ Jesus. It is believed that we can do all things through Christ (Php 4:13) because the Word of God says so. We believe that in His wounds we are healed of all our diseases (Isa 53:5, 1Pt 2:24) because the Word of God says so. Though childless today, tomorrow, we shall be mothers and fathers of multitudes (Isa 54:1) because the Word of God tells us so.

Has God said it and shall He not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not bring it to pass? (Num 23: 19). So then, there is no faith without the Word of God because the Word of God is our evidence and our substance. We, therefore, get or increase faith by hearing of the Word of God (Rom 10:17).

Conclusion

Faith is not a mere abstract thought but it is a substance that provides us with the required evidence to claim our blessings in God. We have no substance or evidence to substantiate our assertions if the Word of God is not the basis of those assertions or prayers. It is important that believers pray through the Word of God as that gives them faith to believe that their prayers would be answered.

Prayer: Almighty God, we ask of you to help us to depend on you as we live by your Word. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN!