What Kind of Faith

WHAT KIND OF FAITH

By:  Randy Kea

There is a clear distinction in the Bible between a saved believer and an unsaved believer.  For instance, in the Book of John 3:15, 16, 18; 5:24; 7:38 and 11:26, the word believe indicates an obedient believer.  However, sometimes John uses the term believer referring to those who had not obeyed.  For example, in John 8:31, these believers were still children of the devil (see John 8:44), and in John 12:42, these believers would not confess Him.  The word “believe” is used referring to people in an unsaved condition.  In the Bible, a saved believer is always an obedient believer.

In the Book of Acts, a saved believer is always a baptized believer.  In Acts 2, those “that believed” (Verse 44) were those who had repented of sin and had been baptized (Verse 38).  The jailor was not a saved believer until after baptism (Acts 16:34; Mark 16:16).  Again, Crispus “believed on the Lord”, but this included being “baptized” by Paul (I Corinthians 1:14; compare Acts 18:8).

In Acts 19:2-3, it is clear to anyone who believes the Bible that Paul used the word “believed” in Verse 2 to include the word ‘baptized” in Verse 3.  Paul and James do not contradict one another.  Both Paul (in Romans and Galatians) and James (in James 2) teach that faith will not save or bless a person unless it is a living, active, obedient faith.

James says faith must work (act, obey) in James 2:14-26.  Paul says faith must work (act, obey) in Romans 1:5; 5:1; 6:17; 16:26; Galatians 5:6.

In the “Faith Chapter” (Hebrews 11), faith was never a blessing until after obedience to God’s instructions.  Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved . . . ” (Mark 16:16).  Peter said, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins . . .” (Acts 2:38).  Ananias said, “And now why tarriest thou?  Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins . . .” (Acts 22:16)