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BASIS OF FAITH

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 14, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 15.

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BASIS OF FAITH.

(Sabbath, April 30.)
1. WHAT are Paul's words about the impossibility of pleasing God without faith? "But without faith it is impossible to please him." Heb. 11:6.
2. What are the first two essential features of faith? "For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Heb. 11:6, last clause.
3. What does the apostle say that faith is? "Now faith is the ground, or confidence of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Heb. 11:1, margin.
4. Is faith exercised before the blessing is received, or after? "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:24.
5. How were the heavens and the earth made? "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap; he layeth up the depth in store-houses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." Ps. 33:6-9.
6. How do we know that this is so?—Because God's word says it is so. Heb. 11:3, first clause.
7. What kind of reasoning does faith discard? "Casting down reasonings, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Cor. 10:5, margin.
8. What made Abel's offering more acceptable than Cain's?—Abel's offering showed faith in the blood of Christ, to be shed according to God's promise. Heb. 11:4.
9. What was the difference in the two offerings? "And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering." Gen. 4:3, 4.
10. What was the basis of Noah's faith in the coming flood?—Faith in God's word. Gen. 6:13, 14.
11. How did Noah show that he believed what God had said? "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Heb. 11:7.
12. For how long a time was Noah required to exercise this faith? "And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh; yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years." Gen. 6:3.
13. To what are the days of Noah likened? "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matt. 24:37-39.
14. Were any saved in the ark except those who believed that a flood was coming?
15. What shall we then conclude respecting those who will be saved when Christ comes? "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Heb. 9:28.