What does "Faith is a Gift" mean?

[Paleouss]

Greetings all. So as the title says, what is meant by the position "faith is a gift from God"? Looking for more of an unpacking of the statement. It seems to me that many say the phrase but there is some theological unpacking that needs to go on to understand what they are saying.

How about you?

 

[KenH]

“Many are the acts and instances of divine goodness to the people of God in common. It has been observed, that the attribute of "goodness", and the epithet of "good", belong to each of the three divine persons, Father, Son, and Spirit; and they have each of them manifested their goodness in acts of it.

Jehovah the Father, has displayed his goodness to his special people, in his good designs towards them, and thoughts of them; in setting them apart for himself, his own glory, and their good; in laying up all good things for them in Christ, and in the covenant of his grace; in making promises of good things to them, both for this life, and that which is to come; and in bestowing good gifts on them, the gift of himself, the gift of his Son, and the gift of his Spirit; and all the blessings of goodness, as of adoption, justification, pardon of sin, etc. and all the graces of the Spirit, as the gift of faith, of repentance, of a good hope of eternal life, and also the gift of eternal life itself. Jehovah the Son, has manifested his goodness to the same persons; in becoming a Surety, and undertaking for their good; in partaking of their nature, in which good will to men was expressed; and in working out the great and good work of their redemption and salvation; he is the good Shepherd, and has shown himself to be so, by laying down his life for the sheep, and by providing a good fold, and good pasture for them: he is, and has been, in all ages, the Fountain of goodness and grace to all his people, for the supply of all their wants; and he ever lives to speak a good word, and intercede for good things for them. Jehovah the Spirit, is good unto them, as a Teacher, Sanctifier, and Comforter of them, as a Spirit of adoption, grace, and supplication; as the author of the good work of grace in them; as the guide of them through this world; and as the earnest and pledge of their future glory, and a sealer of them up unto the day of redemption.”

“The covenant God made with Abraham and his seed, concerning their having the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession, was conditional; if willing and obedient, and so long as they behaved themselves well, according to the laws of God given them, they were to possess it, and enjoy the good things of it, (Isaiah 1:19) but if otherwise, to be dispossessed of it; and accordingly, when they broke the laws of God, their neighboring nations were let in upon them, and harassed and distressed them, or they were carried captive by them out of it; as, first by the Assyrians, then by the Chaldeans, and at last by the Romans; in which state they now are. But not such is the covenant of grace, that is without any conditions on the part of men. Some, indeed, make it to be a conditional covenant, and faith and repentance to be the conditions of it.

But these are not conditions, but blessings of the covenant, and are as absolutely promised in it, as anything else; the promise of a "new heart", and of a "new spirit", includes the gift of faith, and every other grace; and that of taking away the "stony heart", and giving an "heart of flesh", is fully expressive of the gift of the grace of repentance, (Ezekiel 36:26). Besides, if these were conditions of the covenant, to be performed by men in their own strength, in order to be admitted into it, and receive the benefits of it; they would be as hard, and as difficult to be performed, as the condition of the covenant of works, perfect obedience; since faith requires, to the production of it, almighty power, even such as was put forth in raising Christ from the dead, (Ephesians 1:19,20) and though God may give men means, and time, and space of repentance, yet if he does not give them grace to repent, they never will. Christ's work, and the Spirit's grace, supersede all conditions in the covenant, respecting men; since they provide for everything that can be thought of, that is required or is wanting: Christ's work of redemption, atonement, and satisfaction for sin, as has been observed, is the only condition of the covenant; and that lies on the Mediator and Surety of the covenant, and not on the persons for whose sake it is made; "When you shall make his soul", or, "if his soul shall make an offering for sin", (Isaiah 53:10) then such and such things are promised in the covenant, both to him and to his seed. Otherwise, the promises to them are absolute and unconditional, and run in this strain, I "will", and they "shall", without any "ifs" or conditions; as, I "will" be their God, and they "shall" be my people; I "will" put my law in their hearts; I "will" forgive their iniquities; they "shall" all know me, from the least to the greatest; I "will" put my fear in their hearts, that they "shall" not depart from me; I "will" sprinkle clean water upon you, and you "shall" be clean; I "will" give you a new heart, and a new spirit, and an heart of flesh; and I "will" take away the stony heart, and I "will" put my Spirit within you, and "cause" you to walk in my statutes, and you "shall" keep my judgments, and do them, (Jeremiah 31:33,34,32:38,40; Ezekiel 36:25-27).

The blessings of the covenant are not suspended on any conditions to be performed; they do not wait for any, but take place without them. Redemption by Christ, the great article of the covenant, was not deferred on account of any condition to be performed by men; but Christ, in the fullness of time agreed on in covenant, when men were without strength to do anything, died for the ungodly; while they were yet sinners Christ died for them; and when enemies, they were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; and herein appeared the love of God; not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins (Romans 5:6,8,10; 1 John 4:10). Adoption takes place among men, who were not the people of God; and justification has for its objects the ungodly; and God forgives the iniquities of men, and remembers them no more, though they have done nothing to deserve it, but are guilty of the greatest ingratitude and unkindness; and regeneration finds men dead in trespasses and sins, foolish, disobedient, serving divers lusts and pleasures, without any previous dispositions or preparations in them for it (Hosea 1:10; Romans 4:5; Isaiah 43:25; Ephesians 2:4,5).”

- Excerpts from John Gill’s A Body of Doctrinal Divinity

(emphasis mine)

 

[kyredneck]

What does "Faith is a Gift" mean?​

That it's not of yourself. It's a fruit of the Spirit.

 

[Paleouss]

Thank you kyredneck.

You say it is "a fruit" of the Spirit. Does this mean that God 'gives' a thing called faith? Or does it mean that the ability to have faith is actualized by the enlightenment of the Spirit?


Peace to you brother

 

[Paleouss]

Greetings Ken. Peace to you, love and blessings.

But not such is the covenant of grace, that is without any conditions on the part of men. Some, indeed, make it to be a conditional covenant, and faith and repentance to be the conditions of it.

In the above quote you wrote (or John Gill), "Some, indeed, make it to be a conditional covenant, and faith and repentance to be the conditions of it". This reminds me of something John Calvin wrote (below) which seems to lead toward a different conclusion.

"For by grace are ye saved. This is an inference from the former statements. Having treated of election and of effectual calling, he arrives at this general conclusion, that they had obtained salvation by faith alone. First, he asserts, that the salvation of the Ephesians was entirely the work, the gracious work of God. But then they had obtained this grace by faith." -- John Calvin Commentary Ephesians 2: 8-9

Then Calvin goes on to write about man's part.

"On one side, we must look at God; and, on the other, at man. God declares, that he owes us nothing; so that salvation is not a reward or recompense, but unmixed grace. The next question is, in what way do men receive that salvation which is offered to them by the hand of God? The answer is, by faith; and hence he concludes that nothing connected with it is our own." -- John Calvin Commentary Ephesians 2: 8-9

It seems as if Calvin is driving to a point that man has a part, i.e., bringing faith. Do you agree with John Calvin?

But these are not conditions, but blessings of the covenant, and are as absolutely promised in it, as anything else; the promise of a "new heart", and of a "new spirit", includes the gift of faith, and every other grace; and that of taking away the "stony heart", and giving an "heart of flesh", is fully expressive of the gift of the grace of repentance, (Ezekiel 36:26).

Interestingly, Calvin seems to paint a different formulation to the 'gift of faith' (as seen in the above quotes). He also describes faith this way (below)...

"Faith, then, brings a man empty to God". -- John Calvin Commentary Ephesians 2: 8-9

John Calvin thinks that faith is an 'emptiness'. For he says, "faith" is man coming before God "empty". Calvin goes on to write...

"If, on the part of God, it is grace alone, and if we bring nothing but faith, which strips us of all commendation, it follows that salvation does not come from us."

You then wrote (or John Gill wrote)...

Besides, if these were conditions of the covenant, to be performed by men in their own strength, in order to be admitted into it, and receive the benefits of it; they would be as hard, and as difficult to be performed, as the condition of the covenant of works, perfect obedience; since faith requires, to the production of it, almighty power, even such as was put forth in raising Christ from the dead, (Ephesians 1:19,20) and though God may give men means, and time, and space of repentance, yet if he does not give them grace to repent, they never will.

It seems to me that John Calvin's formulation of what faith is, avoids the force of Mr. Gill's argument in the above quote.

Two questions for you.

(1) Does mankind have a part as Calvin suggests? That part being faith?
(2) If faith is what Calvin suggests, that is being empty before the Lord. Is faith 'given' (as in a thing that must be put inside man) or is it's ability 'actualized' by the revelation of the Spirit in which mankind can now freely come before God 'empty'?



Keep seeking God's truth as if it were hidden treasure.

 

[KenH]

It seems to me that John Calvin's formulation of what faith is, avoids the force of Mr. Gill's argument in the above quote.

Thus, I am not a "Calvinist"; I have not read Calvin's writings except for what I have read or heard other people quote. I am a sovereign grace Baptist. I attend Grace Baptist Church of Ruston; here are the articles of faith: Articles of Faith.

Items such as faith, repentance, good works are fruits of regeneration by the Holy Spirit under the preaching the gospel of Christ.

God decreed the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden, it was Adam who physically ate of the forbidden fruit.

God decreed David would number Israel, it was David who actually numbered Israel and confessed that he had sinned in so doing.

God decreed that Christ Jesus would be crucified, it was the Jews and the Romans who physically crucified Christ Jesus.

As a friend of mine, Brandan Kraft, has written: "God decreed all the events of the world including the fall of men, redemption, damnation, every drop of rain, every word uttered by men, and every grunt made by beast all before the foundation of the world in order to bring about His desired result." - Confession of a Hyper-Calvinist - Brandan Kraft

 

[kyredneck]

Does this mean that God 'gives' a thing called faith?

The 'thing' is called born from above/born of the Spirit, which enables one to 'see' and then to 'enter' the kingdom here on earth.

1st Corinthians Chapter 2

12​	But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God.
​
14​	Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually discerned

 

[Van]

Greetings all. So as the title says, what is meant by the position "faith is a gift from God"? Looking for more of an unpacking of the statement. It seems to me that many say the phrase but there is some theological unpacking that needs to go on to understand what they are saying.

How about you?

Everything good is a gift from God.

The issue is that some claim the lost are unable to "come to faith" when exposed to the gospel of Christ. Instead, they hoist the fiction that God instills faith (the gift of faith) into individuals He chose before creation using "irresistible grace."

Here are the fallacies:

1) The lost have limited spiritual ability, able to hear and understand spiritual milk, which includes the fundamentals of the gospel. The fallacy denies this biblical truth. Luke 13:24.

2) Another fallacy is that the only those compelled by irresistible grace enter the kingdom. Matthew 23:13 teaches the opposite, people in the process of entering are prevented by false teachers. Obviously the grace needed to begin the process of entry is not irresistible.

 

[Paleouss]

I am a sovereign grace Baptist. I attend Grace Baptist Church of Ruston; here are the articles of faith: Articles of Faith.

I am glad to meet you Ken of Ruston. A quick glance at the articles of faith tells me you lean Reformed Baptist. As I do.

Thus, I am not a "Calvinist"; I have not read Calvin's writings except for what I have read or heard other people quote.

Since your church leans Reformed, or so it appears to me, then I would think what John Calvin wrote would be accepted (as in open to consideration). Since Calvin is the beginnings of the Reformed movement.

Items such as faith, repentance, good works are fruits of regeneration by the Holy Spirit

So what I am reading here in your quote is that you are saying that 'faith' is not technically given but it is technically something that follows from some initial work of the Spirit. I am splitting hairs here and distinguishing between some other position that forwards that 'faith', whatever it is, is given (literally and directly). That is, that faith is the direct gift (something John Calvin says is not correct, Calvin quote below).

“And here we must advert to a very common error in the interpretation of this passage. Many persons restrict the word gift to faith alone. But Paul is only repeating in other words the former sentiment. His meaning is, not that faith is the gift of God, but that salvation is given to us by God, or, that we obtain it by the gift of God.” -- John Calvin Commentaries, Eph 2:8-9

As Calvin writes about Ephesians 2:8-9, salvation is the gift, not faith (although faith can now follow due to the gift).

As a friend of mine, Brandan Kraft, has written: "God decreed all the events of the world including the fall of men, redemption, damnation, every drop of rain, every word uttered by men, and every grunt made by beast all before the foundation of the world in order to bring about His desired result." - Confession of a Hyper-Calvinist - Brandan Kraft

I have no problem, myself, with this statement. Although, my own position of Un/Limited (notice it is a mix) holds to sovereignty and freedom of submission/non-submission. At least I think that is what the Bible teaches.

Thank you for your conversation Ken.

Peace to you brother.

 

[Charlie24]

Thus, I am not a "Calvinist"; I have not read Calvin's writings except for what I have read or heard other people quote. I am a sovereign grace Baptist. I attend Grace Baptist Church of Ruston; here are the articles of faith: Articles of Faith.

Items such as faith, repentance, good works are fruits of regeneration by the Holy Spirit under the preaching the gospel of Christ.

God decreed the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden, it was Adam who physically ate of the forbidden fruit.

God decreed David would number Israel, it was David who actually numbered Israel and confessed that he had sinned in so doing.

God decreed that Christ Jesus would be crucified, it was the Jews and the Romans who physically crucified Christ Jesus.

As a friend of mine, Brandan Kraft, has written: "God decreed all the events of the world including the fall of men, redemption, damnation, every drop of rain, every word uttered by men, and every grunt made by beast all before the foundation of the world in order to bring about His desired result." - Confession of a Hyper-Calvinist - Brandan Kraft

I wonder if Brother Kraft realizes that God decreed Hell only for Satan and the fallen angels.

Hell is THE choice for those who decide to rebel against God. They go to be with their father.

 

[Paleouss]

born from above/born of the Spirit, which enables one to 'see'

Thank you for your insights kyredneck.

I'm trying to split hairs here. John Calvin writes (I'm using it as comparison to yours)...

“And here we must advert to a very common error in the interpretation of this passage. Many persons restrict the word gift to faith alone. But Paul is only repeating in other words the former sentiment. His meaning is, not that faith is the gift of God, but that salvation is given to us by God, or, that we obtain it by the gift of God.” -- John Calvin Commentaries, Eph 2:8-9

Calvin seems to be saying that faith is not the gift. Faith, according to Calvin, is man "coming before God empty" (Calvin). So according to Calvin, first there is God's part (grace) and then there is man's part (faith, which is how man's receives God's part). Is this similar to what you are saying?

Peace to you brother.

 

[Charlie24]

I wonder if Brother Kraft realizes that God decreed Hell only for Satan and the fallen angels.

Hell is THE choice for those who decide to rebel against God. They go to be with their father.

There is no forgiveness for Satan and his angels that chose to follow him.

But there is forgiveness for man, and man makes that choice to be with his father, either God or Satan.

 

[kyredneck]

Is this similar to what you are saying?

Greek scholars debate over this passage (Eph 2:8).

When it comes to 'faith' (which is NOT a choice, but a conviction), are we any different than Peter?:

Matthew Chapter 16

16​	And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17​	And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven.

I don't read Calvin.

 

[Paleouss]

Everything good is a gift from God.

Greetings Van. Thank you for you willingness to sharpen. And also, Amen to your quote above.

The issue is that some claim the lost are unable to "come to faith" when exposed to the gospel of Christ. Instead, they hoist the fiction that God instills faith (the gift of faith) into individuals He chose before creation using "irresistible grace."

This instilling of faith is one perspective I wanted to parse out. In this sense of faith, faith is literally 'given'. This idea of faith makes the function of the soul to demonstrate faith, non existent. As in, the will of man has no capacity to have this thing called faith whether we have the Spirit or not. Faith, under this formulation, must be given of man has no capicity for it.

I do find this formulation of what faith is to be problematic. First, one can clearly admit that mankind has the capacity to have faith and yet not admit that God has offered them anything to accept or have faith in. If we all are lost in total depravity then I'm not sure the point in denying man's part is faith (admitting he has the capacity for it). It therefore seems more of an apologetics tool.

Conversely, in another formulation, the soul or will has a function and capacity to have faith. Thus, "faith" is not given but the soul is 'enlightened' so that then this function of mankind can have faith or not.

using "irresistible grace."

Although related to the topic of faith. I'll stay away from this concept to keep the focus on faith.

Peace to you brother

 

[Paleouss]

I don't read Calvin.

Well, after reading some Calvin. He is not all that the High Calvinist's claim nor all what the Arminian's claim (I'll throw in there Catholics also).

I think he has some good stuff. Some wrong, but some good stuff also.

Peace to you brother.

 

[Van]

Greetings Van. Thank you for you willingness to sharpen. And also, Amen to your quote above.

This instilling of faith is one perspective I wanted to parse out. In this sense of faith, faith is literally 'given'. This idea of faith makes the function of the soul to demonstrate faith, non existent. As in, the will of man has no capacity to have this thing called faith whether we have the Spirit or not. Faith, under this formulation, must be given of man has no capicity for it.

I do find this formulation of what faith is to be problematic. First, one can clearly admit that mankind has the capacity to have faith and yet not admit that God has offered them anything to accept or have faith in. If we all are lost in total depravity then I'm not sure the point in denying man's part is faith (admitting he has the capacity for it). It therefore seems more of an apologetics tool.

Conversely, in another formulation, the soul or will has a function and capacity to have faith. Thus, "faith" is not given but the soul is 'enlightened' so that then this function of mankind can have faith or not.

Although related to the topic of faith. I'll stay away from this concept to keep the focus on faith.

Peace to you brother

1) Yes, Proverbs 27:17, glad you noticed!

2) Yes the false claim "the will of man has no capacity to have this thing called faith" is refuted and shown to be unbiblical nonsense by Roman 9:16 which teaches the lost do will and do work to be saved which is very essence of faith.

3) I disagree, God has offered to everyone "believing into Him" (John 3:16) eternal life.

4) We (when lost) are all fallen and made sinners (Romans 5:19) but the consequence of that is separation from God (we were all in Adam) and had no ability to merit, earn or cause our transfer into Christ.

5) The reason for the claim is not that it is an apologetic tool, the reason is Calvinism must manufacture false claim after false claim to support their house of cards built on sand.

a) The lost have limited spiritual ability, able to understand spiritual milk (1 Corinthians 3:1) but not spiritual solid food (1 Corinthians 2:14)

b) The lost are chosen for salvation during their lifetime, after they were once "not a people" chosen for God's own possession. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

c) Christ died as a ransom for all, not for some preselected individuals, 1 Timothy 2:6

d) Many of the lost seek the narrow door, but do not find it, invalidating "irresistible grace," Luke 13:24.​

​

 

[KenH]

I am glad to meet you Ken of Ruston.

I don't live in Ruston. I drive 54 miles to attend services there.

A quick glance at the articles of faith tells me you lean Reformed Baptist.

I prefer to not be called "Reformed" nor "Calvinist". In an article on "Reformed Baptists" on Wikipedia, there is a section entitled, "Sovereign Grace Baptists". Here is some of what it says:

' Sovereign Grace Baptists in the broadest sense are any "Calvinistic" Baptists that accept God's sovereign grace in salvation and predestination. In the narrower sense, certain churches and groups have preferred "Sovereign Grace" in their name, rather than using the terms "Calvinism", "Calvinist", or "Reformed Baptist". '

Also, it says:

' All of these groups generally agree with the Five Points of Calvinism - Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. Groups calling themselves "Sovereign Grace Baptists" have been particularly influenced by the writings of John Gill in the 18th century. Among American Baptists who have revived such Calvinist ideas were Rolfe P. Barnard and Henry T. Mahan, who organised the first Sovereign Grace Bible Conference in Ashland, Kentucky, in 1954, though groups designated as Sovereign Grace are not necessarily connected to them. '

The mention of Henry T. Mahan strikes home with me as the preacher at Grace Baptist of Ruston, Richard Warmack, heard the gospel of Christ from Henry T, Mahan back in the 1980s, and then I heard the gospel of Christ from Richard in mid-2021.

then I would think what John Calvin wrote would be accepted

I have heard Richard quote some from John Calvin. Personally, I prefer to read John Gill, Robert Hawker, J.C. Philpot, William Mason, Joseph Irons, J.K. Popham, et al.

Of course, I prefer reading God's Word most of all.

So what I am reading here in your quote is that you are saying that 'faith' is not technically given but it is technically something that follows from some initial work of the Spirit.

I think that is a distinction without a difference. No man can birth himself a second time, this time spiritually, just as no man can birth himself physically. The new birth is entirely the work of God the Holy Spirit based on all of the conditions for the salvation of God's elect, given to Christ before the world began to be their Surety and Redeemer, having been met by Christ Jesus in His life, death, and resurrection. Since man cannot produce saving faith, nor produce repentance of dead works, they are given to him as part of the new birth, having become a new creature.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.

 

[37818]

There is in distriction the gift of faith.
1 Corinthians 12:9, . . . To another faith by the same Spirit; . . .

 

[Van]

There is in distriction the gift of faith.
1 Corinthians 12:9, . . . To another faith by the same Spirit; . . .

Yes, the post salvation "gift of faith" is biblical, but the pre-salvation "gift of faith" via Irresistible grace is false doctrine. Note the audience, brothers (siblings in Christ).

 

[KenH]

All Biblical God-given faith comes after regeneration of God's elect(chosen before the world began and given to Christ to be their Surety and Redeemer) by the Holy Spirit, along with repentance from dead works.

Salvation is 100% by God's grace, and 0% by man's efforts or contribution. Period. To say that salvation is not 100% by God's grace, and that man contributes to his own salvation by his own efforts, is to teach a false gospel in which there is no salvation.