What Does Faith Look Like?

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[LearsFool]

Perhaps that seems like a strange question. Can we see faith? You decide.

- Noah built the ark by faith (Heb. 11:7). What did the people without faith do?

- Rahab hid the spies by faith (Heb. 11:31). If she hadn't had faith, wouldn't she have turned them in instead? Did the people hunting for the spies have faith?

- Abraham left his home and went where God led him, not even knowing where he was going, because he had faith (Heb. 11:8-9). If he hadn't had faith, would he have gone or stayed home?

It is faith that causes us to do what the Lord tells us. We do it without asking - and often without being told - why He want us to do it. We do it because He said so. The servant doesn't ask his lord "Why?" He just does it. The disciple doesn't demand an explanation from his master, he just submits and obeys. That's what faith looks like.

"But we want answers!" Sometimes we develop a stubborn streak, and refuse to do as we're told until somebody explains it and we're convinced it's necessary, beneficial, whatever. But when we do this, who are we obeying? Not Jesus, but ourselves. The servant of Jesus doesn't say, "Explain it to me, Lord, and then I'll do it."

No, instead he says, "Command it, Lord, and I'll obey." This was the attitude of 3000 people on Pentecost, who asked, "What shall we do?" When the Lord through Peter commanded repentance and baptism, 3000 submitted to Christ's authority and obeyed.

"Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them." - Acts 2:41

What about those who rejected his word? Yes, some refused to submit to Christ's authority, just as some refuse to submit now. Rather than bow before this King, they bray and kick like stubborn mules against the Lord's authority and commands. Though they claim to have faith, their "faith" is actually no faith at all. This is why Jesus could sort hearers of the gospel into two groups in Mark 16:16...

1. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
2. "but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned."

Why is there no third group - "he that believeth but won't be baptized"? Because Jesus knew that only disbelievers will disobey. Believers will obey.

Which group are you in?

[stylin19a]

pray for rain and carry an umbrella.

[ShadowAce]

Good post.

We are saved through faith, but we show our faith through works.

[xzins]

faith looks like a grain of mustard seed

faith looks like choosing sides....even if no more than giving a cup of water to a person because that person is on Jesus’ team.

God will supply the rest.

Ro 10:13 - “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

[CodeToad]

If you are worried about optics of faith, you might not know faith.

[LearsFool]

I guess that was James’ problem, huh? Y’know, Mr. “Show Me Your Faith” himself.

But seriously, that’s the typical response of the faithless... “God knows my heart. I don’t have to prove my faith to anybody!”

Not even to themselves nor to God, apparently, since they won’t obey Him. They expect God to take it on faith or something.

I hope that’s not your attitude.

[LearsFool]

faith looks like choosing sides....even if no more than giving a cup of water to a person because that person is on Jesus’ team.

That's a good point. In those times of persecution which Jesus was there predicting, helping His disciples would be about the same as hiding Jews in Nazi Germany. It would put you at risk of the same treatment as the disciple you helped.

And insofar as you did it out of regard for his Master, you did it for Jesus Himself, and would be rewarded for it.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***We are saved through faith, but we show our faith through works. ***

Eph 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9

NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.

Eph 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

[xzins]

Jesus considered it a sign of faith. And so, “taking a side” is a real form of having faith.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***Which group are you in?***

The Cornelius group, as he received the Holy Spirit before he was baptized.

And look at the EXACT moment Cornelius was saved!

Act 10:43 Peter speaking...

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Act 10:44

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

Now look at all the earlier Jewish conversions...Repent be baptized, received the Holy Spirit! “And these signs shall FOLLOW them that believe.. they shall speak in new tongues (not Pentecostal gibberish).

Then the Samaritans...
Repent, be baptized...but no Holy Spirit till apostles from Jerusalem came and laid hands on them.

Then Cornelius..Holy Spirit came down showing he was saved before baptism. And all around were astonished!

And then Peter had to defend his actions before JAMES and those at Jerusalem because he went to men uncircumcised!

[LearsFool]

Yes indeed!

And isn’t that the story of Rahab the prostitute? Her faith is demonstrated not in repenting of prostitution, but in taking God’s side even against her own people.

How many do you know who are willing to do that? To go against their families and upbringings and friends to stand with Jesus and do only what He says? If we’re not willing to do like Rahab the prostitute, we ain’t worthy to be disciples of Jesus. (Mt. 10:34-38, Lk. 14:26-33, etc.)

[ShadowAce]

Yep. That’s pretty much what I said.

[LearsFool]

The Cornelius group, as he received the Holy Spirit before he was baptized.

Oh wow, check it out! A group of people Jesus didn't know anything about. /s

And look at the EXACT moment Cornelius was saved!

You didn't get that out of the Bible. But it seems you're trying to put it INTO the Bible.

Then Cornelius..Holy Spirit came down showing he was saved before baptism.

According to Peter, the Holy Spirit coming upon them showed something different. So we have two versions, yours and Peter's.

I think you've made it clear which of the two groups you're in.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Read it here yourself.

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, WHICH HAVE RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST AS WELL AS WE?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

ACTS 11
12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:

13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

15 And as I BEGAN to speak, THE HOLY GHOST FELL ON THEM, AS ON US AT THE BEGINNING.

16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

17 Forasmuch then as God gave them THE LIKE GIFT AS HE DID UNTO US, who BELIEVED on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

Say what you will, but THESE VERSES blows your baptismal regeneration out of the water.

[AppyPappy]

Noah and Abraham were told what to do. Rahab made a deal with the spies.

[LearsFool]

Let's compare the two versions of what happened:

- Peter: These Gentiles are ready for baptism.

- You: These Gentiles don't need baptism.

Peter understood that Cornelius and his household belonged in Jesus' first group: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."

But you don't want them in that group. Why not? Why don't you want people to be in the group that will be saved?

[LearsFool]

The story of Rahab reminds me of the Gentile centurion in Matt. 8, who showed a better understanding of Jesus than the Jews did:

"And when Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." - Mt. 8:10

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Read it again. Cornelius received the Holy Spirit before being baptized. All others received the Holy Spirit after being baptized or later with the laying on of hands.

Again, something different is happening. Look at what Peter later says...

ACTS 15
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, GIVING THEM THE HOLY GHOST, even as he did unto us;

9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ WE SHALL BE SAVED, EVEN AS THEY.

Did Peter say that people would now be saved by GRACE like Cornelius? Sure did!

[LearsFool]

Well you've finally spotted the reason for the Holy Ghost coming upon Cornelius. Something different, indeed.

This was the final step needed to show Peter than Gentiles would be accepted on the same terms as Jews. First was the vision of clean and unclean foods. Next was the Spirit telling him to go with these Gentiles without arguing. Then came the telling and retelling of the angel's visit to Cornelius. And finally, as Peter notes, "God bare them witness" (referring to the Gentiles) "and put no difference between us and them".

So, Gentiles would be saved on the same basis as Jews. That was indeed something new, something previously unrevealed - not to mention surprising and needing to overcome some resistance. No wonder God chose this method of making it known.

So, since these Gentiles believed in Jesus, Peter commands they be baptized for the remission of sins just the same as Jews, putting them in Jesus' first category.

- Peter's conclusion from all this is that things have changed and now Gentiles are candidates for salvation on the same basis as Jews.

- Your conclusion is that things have changed and now baptism is no longer for remission of sins.

To make his conclusion apparent to all, he asks whether anyone could forbid water for baptism (Acts 10:47). Had you been there, would you have raised your hand?

Peter realized that to forbid the waters of baptism for Gentiles to be saved, would be to "withstand God" (Acts 11:17). Had you been there, would you have withstood God?

[MosesKnows]

What Does Faith Look Like?

Faith looks like the person who has it. Faith is a belief that is not in evidence until acted upon. Grace is the purpose of faith.

Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe. Voltaire

“Faith is believing something you know ain't true." Mark Twain

"For those that have faith, no evidence is necessary, for those who do not, none is sufficient." – Anonymous

"You can do very little with faith, but you can do nothing without it."Samuel Butler

"Faith is different from proof; the latter is human, the former is a Gift from God." Blaise Pascal

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.