Faith as a body of beliefs

Faith as the truth that Christians believe

Ga 1:23; 1 Ti 2:7

See also Ac 6:7; Eph 4:5; 1 Ti 1:2; Tt 3:15

Terms equivalent to “the faith”

The truth:

Jn 14:6; 1 Ti 3:15; 3 Jn 3

Ac 2:42 the apostles’ teaching

The gospel:

Ga 1:6–9; Php 1:7

2 Ti 1:13–14 the good deposit

Aspects of “the faith” summarised

Ac 2:22–24; Ac 2:32–33; 1 Co 15:1–4; Php 2:5–11; Col 1:15–20; 1 Ti 1:15; 1 Ti 3:16; 2 Ti 2:11–13; Heb 6:1–2

The source and transmission of the faith

The faith has been given by God

Galatians 1:11–12 KJV 1900

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

See also Jn 1:17; Jn 8:40; 1 Co 11:23; 2 Ti 3:16; 2 Pe 1:21

The faith is passed on by apostles and teachers

Titus 1:9 KJV 1900

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

See also Jn 15:20; Ac 4:20; 2 Ti 2:2; 2 Pe 1:16

Christians must remain true to the faith

Ac 14:21–22; 1 Co 16:13

See also Heb 4:14–16

Being strengthened in the faith

Php 1:25; Col 2:6–7

See also Eph 4:11–13; Jud 20

The danger of turning from the faith

Mt 24:10; Heb 6:6

See also Ac 13:8; 2 Co 13:5–6; 1 Ti 5:8; 1 Ti 6:10; 1 Ti 6:20–21; Heb 2:1; Heb 3:12; Heb 10:35; Heb 12:25

Christians must contend for the faith

Php 1:27; Jud 3

Refuting false teachers

See also 1 Ti 4:1–6; 2 Ti 3:6–8; Tt 1:10–13; 2 Jn 7

Witnessing to the truth

1 Peter 3:15 KJV 1900

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Contending for the faith is a responsibility of leaders

Apostles:

Php 1:7; Php 1:15–16; 2 Ti 4:7

1 Ti 3:2 overseers, who must be able to teach; 1 Ti 3:9 Deacons; 1 Ti 6:12 Timothy, responsible for the church at Ephesus