noun
complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.
But a better definition is found in
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
And a complete reading of Chapter 11 demonstrates how God was pleased to accept mankind prior to the Cross; they showed their faith by their works.
A review of the word faith in the gospels proves interesting. In the Gospels several of the references are words of Christ and it speaks of “little faith”.
Matthew 6:30, 8:26, 14:31, 16:8, 17:17,20, 23:23, Mark 4:40, 9:19,
Luke 8:25, 9:41, 12:28,42, 16:10,11,12
But He did find those with Faith.
Matthew 8:10, 9:2,22,29, 15:28, Mark 2:5, 5:34, 10:52, Luke 5:20, 7:9,50, Luke 8:48, 17:19, 18:8,42, 22:32, John 20:27
And He taught about being faithful.
Matthew 24:25, 25:21,23, Mark 11:22 Luke 16:6, 19:17,
In the book of Acts “Faith” was used in reference to believing in the name of Jesus (as Messiah).
Acts 3:16, 6:5,7,8, 11:24, 13:8, 14:9,22,27, 15:9, 16:5,15, 20:21, 24:24, 26:18
The apostle Paul in his epistles gives the best understanding of Faith. In Hebrews, as stated above, chapter 11 FAITH is best defined. Paul speaks of Faith 187 times in his epistles. Many times he used it in his greetings and oft times in his salutations.
Romans (34) 1 Corinthians (12) 2 Corinthians (6) Galatians (20) Ephesians (10) Philippians (4) Colossians (9) 1 Thessalonians (9) 2 Thessalonians (5) 1 Timothy (23) 2 Timothy (11) Titus (8) Philemon (2) Hebrews (34)
Before continuing the study of Faith, what does Grace have to do with it? Paul best answers that question.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Then without GRACE there is no salvation. However God extends His Grace:
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
James, Peter, John and Jude write to Jewish believers also speak of Faith giving many practical applications of Faith:
James (12) 1:3,6, 2:1,5,14,17,18,20,22,24,26,5:15
1 Peter (7) 1:5,7,9,21, 4:19,5:9,12
2 Peter (2) 1:1,5
1 John (2) 1:9, 5:4
3 John (1) 1:5
Jude (2) 1:3,20
Revelation (11) 1:5, 2:10,13,19, 3:14, 13:10, 14:12, 17:14, 19:11, 21:5, 22:6