Growing in Faith & Love

FAITH

The word FAITH as we read in the King James Version of the Scriptures is usually translated from the Greek word PISTIS which has the meaning PERSUASION, CONVICTION, BELIEF, ASSURANCE; see Strong’s 4102. In this article the word BELIEF will be used rather than FAITH.

Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahshua the Messiah for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Kodesh Spirit, Acts 2:38. This Spirit is given to the believer who has repented of disobeying Yahweh in the sin of transgressing the law, 1 John 3:4; and is now obeying Acts 5:32.

We see in 1 Corinthians 12 that this Spirit gives certain gifts to these believers. One of these gifts is that of BELIEF, verse 9. This is a wonderful gift to possess. Consider praying for healing. First of all, being one who has repented of sin and is now obeying Yahweh, whatsoever we ask we receive of Him because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight, 1 John 3:22. Otherwise our prayer is an abomination, Proverbs 28:9. One of the commandments is to keep the seventh day Saturday Sabbath properly separated apart. Secondly, Yahshua said, all things whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, BELIEVING, you shall receive, Matthew 21:22. We see that BELIEVING is a key word. This is a gift we hope to have for the prayer to be answered. We are to be zealous for the better gifts, 1 Corinthians 12:31.

Another important point here is what Yahshua said in John 14:13, “Whatsoever you shall ask IN MY NAME, that will I do, that the Father may be esteemed in the Son.” So we need to pray believing, not doubting, and in Yahshua’s name. Notice Yahshua’s statement about believing at Mark 11:24, “What things soever you desire, when you pray, BELIEVE that you receive, and you shall have.” Yahshua does not lie. Believe Him. Consider verses 25 and 26 also, “When you stand praying, forgive if you have aught against any, that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

James 5:14-16 indicates to call for the elders of the assembly for one sick. They pray anointing the person with oil in the name of the Master; and the prayer of BELIEF shall save the sick. The ones praying need to be believing, not doubting Yahweh will heal. Remember Yahweh says it is He that heals, Exodus 15:26. Yahweh does not lie either. Here also we read of the importance of obeying the commandments of Yahweh.

A classic example of healing in Yahshua’s name with BELIEF is recorded at Acts 3:1-16. A certain man lame from birth was made strong in perfect soundness, leaping and walking. Yahweh esteemed His Son, Yahshua; and through Peter having BELIEF in Yahshua’s name, verse 16, the man became strong, and leaped and walked. Peter knew, doubted not, that the man would walk; therefore he could say as he did in verse 6, “In the name of Yahshua the Messiah of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Peter was greatly blessed with the gift of BELIEF.

Another case of healing because of BELIEF was that of a woman having an issue of blood 12 years. She had spent all her living upon physicians, and was not healed of any, Luke 8:43-48. She came behind Yahshua and knew (had undoubting belief) if she might but touch His garment that she would be healed; and she was, immediately. Yahshua said, “Your belief has made you whole.” Also see Matthew 9:20-22 and Mark 5:25-34. We see the physicians did not heal the woman. Belief did – through Yahshua. We might conclude that rather than go to a physician for healing, we had best believe Yahweh will heal if we ask in Yahshua’s name. However, if we do not ask Yahweh, the alternative is to go to a physician; but then the consequence might be disastrous as we read in 2 Chronicles 16:12, 13. On the other hand, after first asking Yahweh to heal, He may direct us to do something about it ourselves. Through checking and testing, physicians may tell us nearly exactly what our problem is; and thus helping us to know what to do. Also, a saint with the gift of a cure may advise what to do (1 Corinthians 12:9), as in 2 Kings 20:7. Be open to this also. Above all, however, first ask Yahweh to heal, and BELIEVE He will, however He chooses. No matter what, we had better believe Yahweh will heal if we ask Him – and for sure if we decide not to go to a physician at all.

It is of extreme importance that we believe we receive the atonement through our Master Yahshua the Messiah, Romans 5:11; and that we are justified by belief, Romans 5:1 and Romans 3:28. Note verse 27 of Romans 3, the law of belief. Even righteousness was reckoned to Abraham because of belief that Yahweh was able to perform what He had promised, Romans 4:20-22 – and also to us shall righteousness be reckoned by believing on Him that raised up Yahshua our Master from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification, verses 23-25.

For an in depth study of belief, read every text listed in Strong’s Concordance under faith, believe, believed, believers, believest, believeth, and believing.

BELIEF is a gift, 1 Corinthians 12:9. Earnestly seek the better gifts, verse 31.

George Kinney