THE FAITH OF CHRIST

[Doug]

There is a prevalent teaching that "the faith of Jesus Christ" means that Christ had faith; It is His faith that justifies us unto eternal life.

[Gal 2:16 KJV] 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

In the above verse the faith of Jesus Christ is stated as having believed in Jesus Christ.

The faith of Jesus Christ defines what our faith is to be placed in.

The faith of Jesus identifies the object of our faith; Jesus is the object of our faith; our faith is placed in him and solely in his redemptive work by the cross.

It is not saying Jesus had faith, although He is said to be faithful.

[Rom 3:3 KJV] 3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

Consider Romans 3:3 above, it says the faith of God, should we now say God has faith?

[Tit 1:1 KJV] 1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

Here is found a couple of examples of how the word "of" is used.

Where it says "an apostle of Jesus Christ" it identifies and describes Jesus as being the one who sent the apostle.

Where it says "according to the faith of God's elect" it identifies the faith by which Paul is pronounced and qualified to be an apostle.

[Gal 2:7 KJV] 7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as [the gospel] of the circumcision [was] unto Peter;

Another example of the use of the word "of"

The gospel of the uncircumcision and circumcision identifies what gospel it is.

The faith of Jesus Christ is not saying that it is the faith that Jesus has that saves us, but rather our faith is placed in Him; it is our faith in Him and His redemption that saves us. The faith of Jesus Christ identifies where our faith is to be placed. Faith is to be placed in the gospel of Christ and in Him.

 

[Lambano]

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Galatians 2:16)

The Greek construction πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (pisteus Iesou Christou) is a genitive case. The theologians argue whether this is an objective genitive (faith IN Jesus Christ) or a subjective genitive (the faith OF Jesus Christ). A good comparison would be the phrase “the love of God”. An objective genitive would be OUR love for God; a subjective genitive would GOD’s love for us. Either would be valid, depending on context.

If Paul had in mind the subjective genitive, I propose that Galatians 2:16, Romans 3:22, and Romans 3:26 should read “the faithFULNESS of Jesus Christ”, which I would then understand to be Paul’s shorthand referring to Christ’s faithful death for us on the cross and everything else that would go in the category of “the finished work of Christ”.

 

[Doug]

The Greek construction πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (pisteus Iesou Christou) is a genetive case. The theologians argue whether this is an objective genitive (faith IN Jesus Christ) or a subjective genitive (the faith OF Jesus Christ). A good comparison would be the phrase “the love of God”. An objective genitive would be OUR love for God; a subjective genitive would GOD’s love for us. Either would be valid, depending on context.

If Paul had in mind the subjective genitive, I propose that it should read “the faithFULNESS of Jesus Christ”, which I would then understand to be Paul’s shorthand referring to Christ’s faithful death for us on the cross and everything else that would go in the category of “the finished work of Christ”.

[1Th 5:24 KJV] 24 Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will do [it].

The Lord is faithful to fulfil his word and promises

 

[Johann]

[1Th 5:24 KJV] 24 Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will do [it].

Greek (1 Thessalonians 5:24):
Πιστὸς ἐστὶ ὁ καλῶν ὑμᾶς, ὃς καὶ ποιήσει.
Key Greek Words:
Πιστὸς (Pistos) - "Faithful" (adjective).
ἐστὶ (esti) - "is" (verb "to be").
ὁ καλῶν (ho kalon) - "He who calls" or "the one who calls."
ὑμᾶς (hymas) - "you" (plural, direct object).
ποιήσει (poiesei) - "will do" or "will accomplish."
Translation and Interpretation:
The phrase Πιστὸς ἐστὶ ὁ καλῶν ὑμᾶς can be rendered as "Faithful is the one who calls you."
The second part, ὃς καὶ ποιήσει, would then be "who also will do it."

Here, "Faithful is He who calls you" highlights the character of God (or Christ, depending on theological context), emphasizing His faithfulness to fulfill His promises, especially the calling of believers. The second part, "who also will do it," refers to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His purpose for the Thessalonians.


The adjective Πιστὸς (pistos) emphasizes the faithfulness of the one who calls (God or Christ). It indicates that the one who has called the Thessalonians into salvation is reliable and will surely accomplish the task.

The word ποιήσει (poiesei) refers to the action God will perform, further stressing His reliability in bringing about what He has promised.

A slightly more literal translation could be:
"Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also do it."

This emphasizes both God's faithfulness and His assurance that He will complete His work in the Thessalonians, reinforcing the idea of God as both the initiator and the finisher of salvation and sanctification.

J.

 

[Doug]

Greek (1 Thessalonians 5:24):
Πιστὸς ἐστὶ ὁ καλῶν ὑμᾶς, ὃς καὶ ποιήσει.
Key Greek Words:
Πιστὸς (Pistos) - "Faithful" (adjective).
ἐστὶ (esti) - "is" (verb "to be").
ὁ καλῶν (ho kalon) - "He who calls" or "the one who calls."
ὑμᾶς (hymas) - "you" (plural, direct object).
ποιήσει (poiesei) - "will do" or "will accomplish."
Translation and Interpretation:
The phrase Πιστὸς ἐστὶ ὁ καλῶν ὑμᾶς can be rendered as "Faithful is the one who calls you."
The second part, ὃς καὶ ποιήσει, would then be "who also will do it."

Here, "Faithful is He who calls you" highlights the character of God (or Christ, depending on theological context), emphasizing His faithfulness to fulfill His promises, especially the calling of believers. The second part, "who also will do it," refers to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His purpose for the Thessalonians.


The adjective Πιστὸς (pistos) emphasizes the faithfulness of the one who calls (God or Christ). It indicates that the one who has called the Thessalonians into salvation is reliable and will surely accomplish the task.

The word ποιήσει (poiesei) refers to the action God will perform, further stressing His reliability in bringing about what He has promised.

A slightly more literal translation could be:
"Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also do it."

This emphasizes both God's faithfulness and His assurance that He will complete His work in the Thessalonians, reinforcing the idea of God as both the initiator and the finisher of salvation and sanctification.

J.

Thanks

 

[Scott Downey]

Jesus trusted in the Father as He was born as a man.
He emptied Himself and became a bondservant of the Father
Christ had faith in His Father that the Father would save Him from death

Of Jesus God says

Hebrews 1
5 For to which of the angels did He ever say:

“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You”?
And again:

“I will be to Him a Father,
And He shall be to Me a Son”?
6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:

“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”

Hebrews 5
5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.”
6 As He also says in another place:

“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek”;
7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

Philippians 2

The Humbled and Exalted Christ​

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [b]robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [c]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

[Scott Downey]

And also Acts 2, shows the faith and hope the Son, born as a man had in the Father

25 For David says concerning Him:

‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face,
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’

 

[Doug]

Christ had faith in His Father that the Father would save Him from death

I understand what you are saying but the teaching among quite a few is that it is Jesus's faith that saves us

 

[Scott Downey]

I understand what you are saying but the teaching among quite a few is that it is Jesus's faith that saves us

Well, that is rather obscure as Jesus did tell people 'your' faith saved you

Luke 7

49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

 

[Scott Downey]

The Just Live by Faith​

Paul quotes from Habakkuk 2:4

Romans 1
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [a]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Galatians 3,
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is [a]justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

Habakkuk 2:4
“Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.

 

[brightfame52]

@Doug

The faith of Jesus Christ is not saying that it is the faith that Jesus has that saves us, but rather our faith is placed in Him; it is our faith in Him and His redemption that saves us. The faith of Jesus Christ identifies where our faith is to be placed. Faith is to be placed in the gospel of Christ and in Him.

I believe its His Faithfulness to the covenant engagements of the everlasting covenant He was a Surety of, for a chosen people, having fulfilled that covenant by dying for their sins, living a obedient life to the law for them, that saved them, made them right/justified before God, and when they are regenerated by the Spirit, they are given Faith in Christ to apprehend that Justification.

 

[Scott Downey]

The faith we have received is according to the grace of God towards us.
As it is His gift, it makes the promise sure to all the seed. (His children)

But none will be saved without faith. And faith given to you as His gift is then like any gift it is yours.
Jesus is the author and finisher of your faith, meaning HE will see you through this entire life in the body and bring you to God and Himself without fail.

The Promise Granted Through Faith​

13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be [d]sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

 

[brightfame52]

@Scott Downey

The faith we have received is according to the grace of God towards us.
As it is His gift, it makes the promise sure to all the seed. (His children)

Yes because He makes us the believing seed or children of Abraham, God declared him a Father of many nations Gen 17:5-6

5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

God made him the Father of the faithful Rom 4:12,16

And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.


Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Gal 3:8-9

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Abrahams Spiritual Seed Christ generates Abrahams spiritual children with faith to fulfill the promise

 

[Scott Downey]

@Scott Downey



Yes because He makes us the believing seed or children of Abraham, God declared him a Father of many nations Gen 17:5-6

5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

God made him the Father of the faithful Rom 4:12,16

And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.


Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Gal 3:8-9

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Abrahams Spiritual Seed Christ generates Abrahams spiritual children with faith to fulfill the promise

And it is the seed of Abraham that Christ aids to salvation, and only them.

Hebrews 2

Bringing Many Sons to Glory​

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who [g]sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying:

“I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”
13 And again:

“I will put My trust in Him.”
And again:

“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not [h]give aid to angels, but He does [i]give aid to the seed of Abraham.

17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being [j]tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

HE makes propitiation for the sins of the people of God, as only they have their sins forgiven them.

Who? Why the children of God given to Christ by the Father as only they will believe.

 

[PGS11]

Jesus preached the coming of the Kingdom of God Paul preached justification by faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

 

[Doug]

@Doug



I believe its His Faithfulness to the covenant engagements of the everlasting covenant He was a Surety of, for a chosen people, having fulfilled that covenant by dying for their sins, living a obedient life to the law for them, that saved them, made them right/justified before God, and when they are regenerated by the Spirit, they are given Faith in Christ to apprehend that Justification.

sorry I am not clear about what you are saying....covenant engagements?........apprehend that justification?

 

[Behold]

There is a prevalent teaching that "the faith of Jesus Christ" means that Christ had faith; It is His faith that justifies us unto eternal life.

Its God who justifies us, as "Grace through faith".......that is "Justification BY faith", = without works or deeds of the Law."

So, THAT faith, is... "Faith comes by hearing".. The Gospel....so, its OUR Faith, as we are the BELIEVER., who has TRUSTED in Christ.

However..

"Jesus is the author and finisher of our Faith".

And there is..

"God, who started Salvation in all the born again.... will HIMSELF.... be Faithful to Complete it".

How is JESUS the "author and finisher of our faith"....>Its by being the One we BELIEVE IN....who we TRUST, as if He was not available there would no way to place our TRUST in Him.

Se, we see how Jesus as the FINISHER of our Faith, is ...= God will be FAITHFUL to complete..... our salvation, that is literally God's Salvation, given to us as .. "THE GIFT of Salvation">

Whats that mean?

= Eternal Security.

It means that once you give God your faith in Christ ......then GOD... takes if from there and does the rest for you.

1.) He Cleanses you with the Blood of Jesus, so that you are "made free from sin"

2.) And now being made free from sin, He gives you.. """ the Gift of Righteousness", and then the "new Birth in Christ"

Welcome to : Salvation

 

[Scott Downey]

sorry I am not clear about what you are saying....covenant engagements?........apprehend that justification?

Philippians 3:12-14​

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New King James Version​

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Pressing Toward the Goal​

12 Not that I have already attained,[a] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [b]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Lay hold of, apprehend, lay claim to for yourself, believe it.

We press on in faith, not that we have yet finished our race to win that prize. We keep on believing.
Some ideas on that word.

We want to get a full reward from God, for us to have a warm welcome.

Striving for a Crown​

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may [i]obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize [j]is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Matthew 25
22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

 

[brightfame52]

sorry I am not clear about what you are saying....covenant engagements?........apprehend that justification?

Have you ever heard of the everlasting covenant in the scripture ?

 

[Doug]

Have you ever heard of the everlasting covenant in the scripture ?

Have not studied it out