COMPREHENSIVE FAITH

Several verses that I have used contain only the word “faith” or “belief” in regard to salvation or eternal life. I will be using several more as time goes on. Just to set the record straight, I do not subscribe to the Calvinistic doctrine of “salvation or justification by saith only.” James says in James 2:24: “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

The word “faith” is used in the New Testament in at least five different ways: Comprehensive faith, Historical faith, Textual faith, Motivational faith and Personal faith. I shall examine each of these in the mentioned order in other articles..

First, comprehensive faith. It is all-inclusive. Billy Graham, after making a speech in which he introduced John 3:16 as the “plan of salvation,” was questioned thusly: “Faith or belief is the only thing mentioned in the verse. Do you not believe that the love of God, repentance or confession are necessary components in the plan of salvation?” Mr. Graham said that these things are understood in the word faith or belief. In other words, faith is comprehensive. It includes all things that pertain to salvation.

For instance, if we believe in Christ, we believe all that he says and believing all that he says, we will then, from the heart, obey his every command. Mr. Graham was asked if baptism was necessary. Graham said “no!” Why not? Jesus said, in Mark 16:16: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” He sent forth his apostles with the charge to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19 ), and inspired them to say, “... Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins ...” ( Acts 2:38).

This is Comprehensive faith. It includes all things that pertain to salvation.

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