OBJECT OF SAVING FAITH

THE OBJECT OF SAVING FAITH

Faith must have an object known to some extent - cf. John 9:36 cf. 35

"Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?"

                   The word of God written (Immediate tangible object) or spoken

                        1 Thess. 2:13 "The Word of God which ye heard of us." of Acts 17:1-4
                        - Faith not a magic which operates without an intelligible medium.

                   The historical facts concerning Christ (Mediating factual object)

1 Thess. 4:14 "For if  we believe that Jesus died and rose again."

                        Rom. 10:9 "Believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead."

                   Christ Himself as Lord and Savior (Ultimate spiritual object)

                        Acts 16:31, etc. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ."

Notes:

                      a. Note the movement of Faith - the Word, the Facts, Christ.
                        John 17:20 - word "Believe on me through their word."
                        John 20:30-31 - facts "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God."
                        John 12:44 - Christ  "He that believeth on me."
                      b. Christ Himself is the great ultimate object of faith. John 5:39 ARV

"These are they which bear witness of me"

                        cf. Warfield in Hasting's Bib. Encyc., quoted by McClain in Bibl. Sac.

                   The Scriptures have value in that they point unerringly to the object of faith.