Faith specific phrase "the faith (pistis)"

The faith (4102) (pistis) is a specific phrase (definite article "the" plus "faith") found some 38x in the NASB, some instances referring to saving faith in Christ exercised by an individual and necessary for salvation. The faith - 6" class="scriptRef">16" class="scriptRef">Acts 3:16; 6:7; 13" class="scriptRef">13.8" class="scriptRef">13:8; 14.22" class="scriptRef">14:22; 16:5; Ro 4:11f, 16; 14:22; 1Co 16:13; 2Co 13:5; Gal 1:23; 3:23; 6:10; Eph 1:15; 4:13; Phil 1:25, 27; Col 1:23; 1Ti 1:2, 14; 3:9, 13; 4:1, 6; 5:8; 6:10, 21; 2Ti 1:13; 2:18; 3:8; 4:7; Titus 1:1, 13; 3:15; Philemon 1:5; Jude 1:3; Rev 13:10 Approximately one-half of the 38 occurrences of the specific phrase the faith refer not to the ACT of believing but rather to WHAT is believed, the latter being the usage that the present context would seem to favor (cp retain the standard of sound words, 2Ti 1:13, guard...the treasure 2Ti 1:14, handling accurately the Word of truth 2Ti 2:15). It follows that the specific meaning of this phrase is dependent on the context (the text that goes with the text in question). The first use of "the faith" referring to the body of truth believed is recorded by Luke who writes that the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith." (Acts 6:7) Robertson remarks that here "the faith" means the gospel, the faith system as in Gal 1:23; Jude 1:3, etc. Here the (phrase "the faith") means more than individual trust in Christ." (Robertson, A. T. Word Pictures in the New Testament) In a similar use we read of Elymas the magician (for thus his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. (Acts 13:8) Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, (not in "their faith" but in the body of truth they had placed their faith in) and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:21,22) Similarly we read that the churches were being strengthened in the faith, (in the doctrinal truths concerning the gospel) and were increasing in number daily." (Acts 16:5) The believers in Jerusalem only knew Paul by reputation and "they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” (Gal 1:23) This is another clear example of "the faith" referring to the objective body of truth that composed the gospel message which Paul preached ceaselessly (1Cor 1:17, 2:1 2:2). Here is an illustration of a faithful man writing that... At the height of WWII, Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was imprisoned for taking a stand against Hitler. Yet he continued to urge fellow believers to resist Nazi tyranny. A group of Christians, believing that Hitler was the Antichrist, asked Bonhoeffer, “Why do you expose yourself to all this danger? Jesus will return any day, and all your work and suffering will be for nothing.” Bonhoeffer replied, “If Jesus returns tomorrow, then tomorrow I’ll rest from my labor. But today I have work to do. I must continue the struggle until it’s finished. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, (sound doctrine they had believed) act like men, be strong. (1Cor 16:13) The faith is used in a similar way in Paul's first letter to Timothy (1Ti 3:9,4:1, 5:8, 6:10). Jude writes that we are to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" which is clearly not a reference to the believers' faith but to the whole body of revealed salvation truth contained in the Scriptures, the objective truths which were to be believed, and the very truths which Jude warns were in danger of being distorted (Jude 1:3). And so here in second Timothy 4, the faith Paul had guarded refers in general to the revealed truth in the Word of God and more specifically to the unchangeable message of the gospel which brings salvation. Even in his final hours Paul is reminding Timothy that the faith or the gospel which saved Paul was the faith that he had faithfully, carefully watched over so as to protect its integrity. This was Paul's clear charge to his young disciple: Guard what has been entrusted to you..." (1Ti 6:20). Retain the standard of sound words" (2Ti 1:13-note). Guard through the Holy Spirit Who indwells us the treasure which has been entrusted to you" (2Ti 1:14-note). Dearly beloved, we too as disciples of Christ, have been charged to guard the faith, the glorious treasure of the gospel in the midst of hostile opposition because it is the only message that begets salvation of sinners. Vine succinctly summarizes Paul's epitaph and draws out an important application for every saint to ponder: There is no expression of regret about the past, no sighing for what might have been, no “longing, lingering, look behind.” As a warrior his warfare had been well waged; as a racer his course had been completed; as a guardian of the faith he had kept his treasure to the end. How goodly an example he set us! (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson or Logos) Edwards adds that It was Paul's past faithfulness to his divine task which made his present home going that much more attractive and satisfying. He knew that he had made the best possible use of his life and that he could appear before his King as "a workman who does not need to be ashamed." The end of the race can be fully savored only by the athlete who has fully strived. Only the disciple who has "fought the good fight" and "finished the course" can enter into the keen anticipation of stepping into the victor's circle, free from the sad regret of having run halfheartedly the greatest of all races." (2 Timothy- Call to Completion) Live as you will wish to have lived after you are dead or as Adoniram Judson the great missionary to Burma said The motto of every missionary, whether preacher, printer, or schoolmaster, ought to be 'Devoted for life.' We too can end the Christian race well, even if we began late, started slow, or faltered along the way. The secret is to stay true to Christ to the last moment. J W Jowett has the following devotional thoughts on this closing section of Paul's last known written communication... HERE is a most valiant pilgrim nearing home! By the mercy of Christ he can look back upon a brave day, and there’s a fine hopeful light in the evening sky. He has fought well! “I have fought a good fight.” And his has been a hard field. The enemy has ever regarded him as a leader in the army of the Lord and against him has the fiercest fight been waged. But he has never lost or stained his flag. And he has run well! “I have finished my course.” There was no melancholy turning back when the feverish start had cooled. There was no shrinking when the biting wind of malice and persecution swept across his track. On and on he ran, with increasing speed and ardour, until he reached the goal. And well had he guarded his treasure! “I have kept the faith.” He was the custodian of “unsearchable riches,” and he watched, day and night, lest any infernal burglar should despoil him of his wealth. He guarded his gospel, his liberty, his hope, as the sentinels guard the crown jewels in the Tower. And now the hard day is nearly over. “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord will give me at that day.” (My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year) ><> ><> ><> Our Daily Bread has a wonderful illustration of the fruit of preaching the word and keeping the faith - A deacon rebuked an elderly preacher one Sunday morning before the service. "Pastor," said the man, "something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There's been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he's just a boy." The minister listened, his eyes moistening and his thin hand trembling. "I feel it all," he replied, "but God knows I've tried to do my duty." On that day the minister's heart was heavy as he stood before his flock. As he finished the message, he felt a strong inclination to resign. After everyone else had left, that one new boy came to him and asked, "Do you think if I worked hard for an education, I could become a preacher—perhaps a missionary?" Again tears welled up in the minister's eyes. "Ah, this heals the ache I feel," he said. "Robert, I see the Divine hand now. May God bless you, my boy. Yes, I think you will become a preacher." Many years later an aged missionary returned to London from Africa. People spoke his name with reverence. Nobles invited him to their homes. He had added many souls to the church of Jesus Christ, reaching even some of Africa's most savage chiefs. His name was Robert Moffat,. the same Robert who years before had spoken to the pastor on that Sunday morning in the old Scottish church. Our service for Christ may sometimes seem fruitless. We wonder if anything significant is happening. But if we are faithful, God will give the increase. —D. J. De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) Faithfulness is God's requirement, Fruitfulness is His reward. ><> ><> ><> C H Spurgeon writes that... It is my desire that death will perfect my entire career, that death will be the capstone on the building, so that nothing is needed to complete my life’s work. Is it this way with you? Suppose you were to die at this moment, would your life be complete? Or would it be a broken column snapped off in the center? May our death not be one that needs flurry and hot haste to make us ready. Some die in that fashion, but they have so little grace as to be only “saved, yet so as through fire” (1Co 3:15). True Christians stand ready for death; they know the Bridegroom is coming soon and they keep their lamps well trimmed (Mt. 25:4). This is the way to live, and this is the way to die. Our home-going will be a simple matter if the Holy Spirit puts us in such a condition that the death angel may not catch us by surprise. It must be sad to be taken unwillingly, plucked like an unripe fruit from the tree. The unripe apple holds fast to its place, and many hold hard to their riches. They cling so fondly to earthly things that it takes a sharp pull to separate them from the world. Ripe fruit, however, adheres only lightly. When a gentle hand comes to take it, it yields freely, as if willing to be gathered. God made you unworldly. May He forbid you to cling so resolutely to things below, that your departure be not violent and full of terror.

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Faith specific phrase "the faith (pistis)"

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