Topical Bible: Faith: Through It Is: Inheritance of the Promises

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Topical Encyclopedia

Faith, as a central tenet of Christian doctrine, is the means by which believers inherit the promises of God. It is through faith that the covenantal blessings and assurances given by God are realized in the life of a believer. The concept of faith as a conduit for receiving divine promises is deeply rooted in Scripture and is exemplified in the lives of biblical figures who trusted in God's word.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently presents faith as the key to accessing God's promises. Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Chapter," provides a comprehensive list of individuals who, through faith, inherited God's promises. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This assurance and certainty are foundational for receiving God's promises.

Abraham: The Father of Faith

Abraham is a quintessential example of faith leading to the inheritance of promises. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations and that through his offspring, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3). Despite his advanced age and the barrenness of his wife Sarah, Abraham believed God's promise. Romans 4:20-21 states, "Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised."

The Promised Land

The Israelites' journey to the Promised Land is another illustration of faith as the means to inherit God's promises. Despite the challenges and the report of giants in the land, Joshua and Caleb demonstrated faith in God's promise to give them the land. Numbers 14:8-9 records their confidence: "If the LORD delights in us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and He will give it to us."

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, faith in Jesus Christ is the means by which believers inherit the promises of eternal life and salvation. Galatians 3:22 states, "But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ, the promise might be given to those who believe." This promise of eternal life is further affirmed in 1 John 2:25 : "And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life."

Faith and the Holy Spirit

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is another promise received through faith. Ephesians 1:13-14 explains, "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory."

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, faith is portrayed as the essential element for inheriting the promises of God. From the patriarchs of the Old Testament to the believers in the New Testament, faith remains the unwavering trust in God's character and His word, enabling believers to receive the fullness of His promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 3:22
But the scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 6:12
That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Our Inheritance
... Holy Spirit life can only be obtained through this God ... It is the "inheritance among
them which are sanctified ... Abraham by promise, and as his faith grasped hold ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter v our inheritance.htm

The Meaning of Faith
... he was to receive as an inheritance, and he ... Through faith Abraham, when put to the
test, sacrificed Isaac ... although he had received the divine promises and had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the meaning of faith.htm

Sanctified by Faith
... Kadesh Barnea, who had all the promises of God ... was the type of this spiritual
inheritance of sanctification ... the spiritual seed of Abraham through faith in Christ ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter vi sanctified by faith.htm

God's Promises Tests
... burden-bearing shoulder and seem to last through slow years ... it will test of what
contexture our faith is ... a King, and look forward to a royal inheritance, but in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/gods promises tests.htm

In that Flesh in which the Saints have Suffered So Many ...
... If, then, God promised him the inheritance of the ... to Abraham thus saying, "The promises
were spoken to ... God would justify the heathen through faith, declared to ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxii in that flesh in.htm

Joseph's Faith
... as we are apt to do, that those promises were to ... that, living, the hope of the
inheritance must have ... And such certitude is given through faith which grasps the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/josephs faith.htm

The Faith of Abraham.
... His reward consisted, not in an earthly inheritance, not in mere salvation ... this is
unquestionably the meaning of the words "and through his faith he being ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xi the faith of.htm

On the Comparison of the Law and the Gospel
... 15:6; Rom.4; Heb.11,) and the inheritance of eternal life was promised through
the imputation of the righteousness of faith, and through ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 13 on the comparison.htm

A Coffin in Egypt
... that the shortest road to the inheritance was round ... But through all the darkening
course of Israel in these ... coffin,' the token of a triumphant faith which had ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a coffin in egypt.htm

Faith in Christ
... on holiness: that is the last: 'inheritance among them ... to believe Him whether He
promises, reveals, or ... are saved by faith, we mean accurately, through faith. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/faith in christ.htm