Topical Bible: Faith: Through It Is: Eternal Life

◄ Faith: Through It Is: Eternal Life ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Faith, a central tenet of Christian doctrine, is the means by which believers receive the gift of eternal life. It is through faith that individuals are justified and reconciled to God, leading to the promise of eternal life with Him. The concept of faith is deeply rooted in Scripture and is essential for understanding the Christian path to salvation.

Definition and Nature of Faith

Faith, as described in the Bible, is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is a confident trust in the promises of God, even when they are not visible to the human eye. This trust is not a blind leap but is based on the character and faithfulness of God as revealed in Scripture.

Faith and Justification

The Apostle Paul emphasizes that faith is the means by which believers are justified before God. In Romans 5:1 , Paul writes, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This justification is not earned by works but is a gift of grace received through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Faith and Eternal Life

Eternal life is the ultimate promise for those who have faith in Jesus Christ. In John 3:16 , it is declared, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse underscores the direct link between faith in Christ and the promise of eternal life.

Jesus Himself affirms this connection in John 5:24 : "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life." Faith in Christ is the passage from spiritual death to eternal life.

Faith as a Living and Active Trust

Faith is not merely intellectual assent but involves a living and active trust in God. James 2:17 states, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." Genuine faith manifests in a transformed life, characterized by obedience to God's commands and love for others.

The Role of Faith in the Believer's Life

Faith is foundational to the believer's relationship with God. It is through faith that believers receive the Holy Spirit, who empowers them to live according to God's will (Galatians 3:14). Faith also provides the strength to endure trials and tribulations, as it is the means by which believers overcome the world (1 John 5:4).

Faith and the Assurance of Salvation

Believers can have assurance of their salvation through faith. In 1 John 5:13 , the Apostle John writes, "I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." This assurance is not based on human merit but on the finished work of Christ and the promises of God.

Conclusion

Faith is the key to eternal life, as it is through faith that believers are justified, receive the Holy Spirit, and are assured of their salvation. The Bible consistently teaches that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life, and it is through this faith that believers are united with God for eternity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 3:15,16
That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 6:40,47
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

166. aionios -- agelong, eternal
... "Eternal (166 ) life operates simultaneously of time, of time, and beyond time --
ie what gives time its everlasting meaning for the believer through faith, ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/166.htm - 8k

3962. pater -- a father
... birth to the gift of eternal life through the birth ... Through ongoing sanctification,
the believer more and more their ... ie each time they receive faith from Him ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3962.htm - 8k

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... 3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone ... Faith is always work. Our
believing has eternal meaning when it becomes "-believing" by the transforming ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Library

The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
... repeated,"as Christ, and God, and faith, and heaven ... no liberty and freedom to walk
through the affections ... to themselves an interest and right to eternal life. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture iv the scriptures reveal.htm

Faith and Life
... Just as faith is a boon which is to be obtained ... beat within you, with joy and peace
through believing. ... and does not prepare him for the eternal life before the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/faith and life.htm

Rejection of Errors
... and the obedience of faith, although imperfect, as the perfect obedience of the
law, and does esteem it worthy of the reward of eternal life through grace. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/rejection of errors 2.htm

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
... cross, that those who look unto him in faith (Isaiah 45:22) may find life through
him"I ... whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxiv jesus attends the first 2.htm

The Patriarchs and Prophets by Pointing Out the Advent of Christ ...
... man receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal, that both he ... and prophets,
who even prefigured our faith, and disseminated through the earth ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxiii the patriarchs and prophets.htm

Divine Election and Reprobation
... from destruction, and have the gift of eternal life conferred upon ... in God, but in
man himself; whereas faith in Jesus Christ and salvation through Him is ...
/.../anonymous/synod of dort/divine election and reprobation.htm

How Can I Obtain Faith?
... Jesus, and found pardon, peace, and life eternal; when he ... the person addressed, then
conviction and faith are wrought ... who shall believe on him through our word ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/how can i obtain faith.htm

Rejection of Errors
... the light of nature aright, be pious, humble, meek, and fit for eternal life, as
if ... For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith"and this not from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/rejection of errors.htm

On Justification
... in God himself, and an assured expectation of life eternal. ... preceding sins are for,
given, and through the whole ... they repent and flee by true faith to Christ ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xlviii on justification.htm

Law and Grace.
... by whom also we have access by faith into this ... God has grace enough to carry us right
through without faltering. ... GRACE says"The gift of God is eternal life. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter v law and grace.htm