"This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:11-12).

FAITH'S ABSOLUTE INTEGRITY
May I begin the brilliant exposition the apostle Peter gives in his first epistle:

(NIV) 1Pet 1:1-12 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered [better: a dispersion] throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father (see Rom 8:28-30; Eph 1:3-12), through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood (on the altar of the Holy of Holies [Gk. naos] which the High Priest of God, Jesus Christ, has given us direct access to): Grace and peace be yours in abundance. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time (time: Gk kairo; from which we have words such as chronology; last: Gk. eschato; from which we have the theological term eschatology: the knowledge [given through prophecy] of the last times [just prior to the Second Coming].

Faith in Greek is pistis. It and its variants are used over 300 times in the NT. It simply means: belief, trust, faith. The Hebrew equivalent enuma and its variants have the same meanings.

1Pet 1:6 In this (assurance of God finishing His work in each of us who endure in the Faith) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed (at His Coming). 8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls (Gk. psuche: whole being and life). 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was forewitnessing (i.e., testifying to beforehand as in Ps 22, Isa 53) to the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. (The prophets and the patriarchs of the OT had the same Gospel Paul and Peter taught). 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you (and likewise today's saints are servants to those to receive salvation in the future), when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Let's pick up on the theme of the role of the Holy Spirit. Paul says in 1Cor 2:5, "that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men (who are self-sent, not God-sent) but in the power of God." Anyone claiming to be representing God is verified by the characteristics of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God produces the kind of behaviour exhibited in the apostles, prophets, and the other saints in the Scriptures. Paul's statement in 2Cor 5:7 "For we walk by faith, and not by sight" is also observable. We have faith in Jesus Christ, whom we have not seen, and faith in the examples of the mighty men and women in the Scriptures, whom we have not seen.

People seem to be constantly seeking to see visible signs of God's working in an organisation. In those efforts all kinds of illusions are created. Do you know of any church that does not have numerous letters of praise, descriptions of miracles and healings? But how many are real? But why do so few passionately hunger and thirst after the righteousness of the Jesus Christ described in the Scriptures? There are many christs and many gospels. Is it no wonder that the Son of God should ask the question: "Will I find faith (and the Faith) on the earth (when I return)?"

PAUL'S ESSENTIAL DEFINITION OF FAITH
is in:

Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ! ('My experience of Christian life identifies with the life of Jesus Christ,' Paul says). It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Further in Galatians we are told:

Gal 5:4-7 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt (by your own efforts and human will worship [Col 2:22,23]) to be justified by law (that is supposedly God's, but which is falsely attributed to God's Law), have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith (righteousness by the power of God). 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything (This indicates that what Paul is speaking of is the imposition of regulations that appear to have a basis in Scripture, but are in fact the ideas of men), but faith working through (the) love (that is defined by God, and not love defined by man). 7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? (How amazing that people instructed by Christ, and by Paul, left them [Jn 6:65,66; 2Tim 1:15]).

THE FAITHFULNESS OF JESUS CHRIST
is expressed with great passion by Paul:

Eph 1:15-19 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (the true Christ), 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.

Continuing the theme in Ephesians 3, we read:

Eph 3:16-21 (Oh) that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man ("I delight in the Law of God after the inner man" [Rom 7:22]; "the inner man is renewed day by day" [2Cor 4:16b] - these are characteristics of a saint, someone who is seeking the godliness of the son of God), 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love (Part of the root system of the Tree of Life, in the grounds of the Eden of God, and on the Rock, the Foundation of the Temple, the Church of the Living God [2Cor 6:16]) 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height; 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (and therefore experience the spiritual progress of growth towards the perfection in the Father that Christ leads us in, and which is just like all the wonderful saints of the Scriptures experienced and are experiencing). 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the Power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (The Hebrew for amen is amen and is derived from the same root as the word faith in Hebrew, emuna or emun).

Col 1:3-8 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (so as Paul wrote this, in c. 61-62AD, he thought that Christ had a God and Father, and is consistent with 1Cor 15:24,28) praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in Heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit (Oh, how often we have rejoiced in hearing such words from our ministers).

FAITH AND WORKS
The last verse of James chapter 2 says:

"For as the body is dead with out the Spirit, so Faith without works is dead!"

Here is a startling description of a NT Church of God:

1Th 1:2-7 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

THE HUNGER FOR FAITH IN THE CHURCH
is expressed by Paul's example in:

1Th 3:5-13 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the Tempter had tempted you, and our labour might be in vain. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you (How beautiful is that mutual love and respect!); 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith? 11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

What is required so that each of us might increase even more in love and faith?

(NRSV) 2Cor 13:5-9 Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the Faith (This is hard self-questioning. The faithful question themselves until the answers are forthcoming. And if they know the answers they do them!) 6 I hope you will find out that we have not failed. 7 But we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong - not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth (if we are genuine saints). 9 For we rejoice when we (Paul, Luke, Timothy) are weak and you are strong. This is what we pray for, that you may become perfect.

1Th 5:5-11 You (who are children of light) are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep (as foolish virgins, or otherwise), sleep at night, and those who get drunk (the wine that produces 'wrath, a harlot's mind, and derangement' [Rev 17:2; 18:3; Jer 51:7]) are drunk at night (because in the night the light of the Gospel of Salvation cannot be seen. And so many are in darkness even now!). 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (Are we?)

John 12:35-36 "Only for a little while longer will the Light be with you (as it is now). Walk while you have the Light (visible to you), lest darkness overtake you (If you do not do what you presently know you now should do, you risk losing altogether what you have that is of God); he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, that you may become sons of Light."

Eph 5:8 "For you were once (in) darkness, but now you are (in the ) Light in the Lord. Walk as children of Light," (i.e., walk as He walked [1Jn 2:6]).
Eph 5:9-11 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 proving what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Lev 19:17 says: You shall not hate your brother in your heart (We must not dislike our brethren for their faults and sins, but we abhor all sins). You shall surely rebuke your neighbour, and not bear sin because of him (i.e., you are your brother's keeper, and have responsibility for his well-being, materially, psychologically, culturally, and spiritually).

1Tim 5:20 says: [NIV]: Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning. [NJB]: If anyone is at fault, reprimand him publicly, as a warning to the rest. [NEB]: Those who commit sins you must expose publicly, to put fear into the others.

Paul's second epistle to the Church of God in Thessalonika continues with these truths.

2Th 1:2-7 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels.

1Tim 1:5,12-17 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith (based on the Truth of God),
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful (God in His foreknowledge foresaw what Paul would do when called, as he was on the road to Damascus), putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief (Gk apistia, i.e., faithlessness). 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. (Paul admitted openly that he was "the least of the apostles" [1Cor 15:9]; "the least of all the saints" [Eph 3:8]; and he also said, "I worked more than any of the apostles, but I did that by the grace of God" [1Cor 15:10]. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.

2Tim 1:3-9,13 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears (If we have not seen this kind of affection, then why not?), that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (balanced, coherent, with "common" good sense, devoid of cognitive dissonance, and not subservient to carnal self-will as Rom 8:7 and Jer 17:9 describe). 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began ("God knows who are His" [2Tim 2:19]; their names are in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world [Phil 4:3; Heb 12:23; Rev 3:5; 17:8; Eph 1:4]).
13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words (which are godly and thus by nature coherent) which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

2Tim 3:10-15 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (How convenient that some "saints" are the universal exception to such prophecy, and assure themselves they will be in Petra, or Kadesh Barnea, or perhaps on the tail of a comet that protects them until His Coming). 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Phile 4-7 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you.

THE VASTNESS OF FAITH
is shown in that most famous chapter 11 of Hebrews.

Heb 11:1-4,17,24,25,31,33,34 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was framed by the word of God (see Rom 1:20), so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he (now) being dead still speaks.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, (thus playing out in parable the Father's offering of His only born Son [of promise]) and he (Abraham) who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son (the son of promise to Abraham).
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age (rejected the offer of rulership as a pharaoh; compare Lk 4:5-8), refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace (and confirming Divine praise for her action in saving the spies sent by the will of God, as James 2:25 tells us).
33 (These OT saints, who are part of the Bride of Jesus Christ) through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Are you overwhelmed by the gigantic and immeasurable demands of God? Does He really demand so much? Here is what James says:

Jas 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

The last book of the Bible expects growth in faith!

Rev 2:19 I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. (Faith is integral to growth in righteousness.)

He is called Almighty; the God who is good; the God who is faithful; He is merciful; the God of Truth; the God who cannot lie; the God whose understanding is infinite; the God who knows the end from the beginning; the God of godly love. That being the case, can God do anything that is by nature evil? Man may view God's purging activity or His vengeance as evil, but God is quite unlike the gods of the heathen. God is by nature good (Ps 73:1; Nah 1:7).

10 (But) He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face.

The 120 year old Moses sang to Israel. What kind of band, and lighting did he have? What kind of sound system broadcast this song to all Israel as they were about to enter the Land? Here is one stanza of that song.

Dt 32:4 He is the Rock. His Work is perfect (Everything God does is good).
All His ways are righteous
A God of Truth (Heb. El emuna; i.e., God of faithfulness) and without injustice.
Righteous and upright is He.

David, the shepherd of Israel (Ezk 34:23,24; 37:24-28), has beautiful words about faith:

Ps 31:1-5,24 In You, O LORD, I put my trust (faith); let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. 2 Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my Rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. 3 For You are my Rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your Name's sake, lead me and guide me. 4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. 5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth (faith).
24 Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD, i.e., the God who does not change ([Mal 3:6]; and Christ reflects His Father in that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever [Heb 13:8]).

Eph 6:23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Titus 3:15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. (The love of God cannot be perfected except in the Faith). Grace be with you all. Amen.

Isa 57:13b He who puts his trust (faith) in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My Holy Mountain.