Faith is a Gift, not just an action.

[Reformed]

Apart from the gift of faith (1 Corinthians 12:9), faith is nowhere referred to as a gift.

Ephesians 2:8 disagrees with you.

 

[37818]

Ephesians 2:8 disagrees with you.

Says no such thing. Salvation is the gift through faith. ". . . For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: . . ."
The subject is "saved" . . . σεσωσμενοι . . . δωρον . . . being the "gift."

 

[Reformed]

Says no such thing. Salvation is the gift through faith. ". . . For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: . . ."
The subject is "saved" . . . σεσωσμενοι . . . δωρον . . . being the "gift."

Go back and read a few posts that disagree with your take. Salvation, grace, and faith are all the gift of God.

 

[utilyan]

"Faith is a Gift, not just an action."

Since FAITH is an ACTION, FAITH IS A WORK.

Its like shooting yourself in the foot.

Also nothing says faith is an exclusive work granted to elect only.

 

[loDebar]

i agree, Grace is the gift, but faith, or the ability to believe comes from God as well. Where else?

Mar 10:15

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

 

[MB]

.

If faith is an action, it makes it works,

We do not believe with out minds, like a math problem we figure out, we believe with our hearts .It is not an action,

You are right we can't be saved with out faith.
MB

 

[GaoLu]

Are you certain that "Faith" = "Ability to believe?"

 

[MB]

Are you certain that "Faith" = "Ability to believe?"

Man has the ability to have faith in Christ. There is no such thing as an inability to have faith.
MB

 

[37818]

Go back and read a few posts that disagree with your take. Salvation, grace, and faith are all the gift of God.

Saying what is not true does not make what is not true to be true. Salvation is the gift, not the faith. Faith in God's grace is the vehicle for which God gives salvation.

 

[37818]

Man has the ability to have faith in Christ. There is no such thing as an inability to have faith.
MB

Yes. But there is the problem of resisting God's Spirit (Acts of the Apostles 7:51; 2 Thessalonians 2:13).

 

[37818]

Are you certain that "Faith" = "Ability to believe?"

One cannot believe what one refuses to hear. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

 

[loDebar]

Are you certain that "Faith" = "Ability to believe?"

well, yes, We cannot believe without faith, in something, but I see your point not just the ability but belief in something

technically faith gives us the opportunity to believe, belief is second. two separate things

Hebrews 1:1 the substance of things hoped for , the evidence if things not seen.

It is not that we have faith but faith in the correct thing

 

[MB]

Yes. But there is the problem of resisting God's Spirit (Acts of the Apostles 7:51; 2 Thessalonians 2:13).

This I know all to well. I resisted at first. I believe most do resist at first. How ever this shows directly that Salvation is not forced on anyone. The reason I did was because I just wasn't ready for such a commitment.
MB

 

[37818]

Now God does give something to enable one to believe, and it precedes faith (Acts of the Apostles 5:31; Acts of the Apostles 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Thessalonians 2:13).

 

[37818]

We cannot believe without faith,

Like saying a female woman.

 

[loDebar]

Like saying a female woman.

Well, maybe my point was better to say Grace can exist but our belief has to occur by God giving us the ability to receive God's gift.

but one can have faith but belief in the wrong thing

you just reminded me of the Cajun chef who would say "lady type female woman"

 

[loDebar]

1Co 2:12

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

 

[Reformed]

Saying what is not true does not make what is not true to be true.

OK. I say the same thing back to you. Tag. You are it.

 

[utilyan]

The act of breathing is a gift of God. So if you are still breathing then obviously your elect.

 

[utilyan]

Luke 11

13“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

Whats the Calvinist Answer?

Not much more at all. God does not give the holy spirit to anyone who asks.