Question 91

1. Is faith a free gift and therefore a grace? Yes.

   “Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, to believe on him” Philippians 1:29

2. Is it particularly a gift of the Spirit? Yes.

   “Thus Barnabas is said to be full of the Holy Ghost and of faith” Acts 11:24

3. And a gift that distinguishes the elect of God from all others? Yes.

   “’Tis the faith of God’s elect” Titus 1:1

4. Is it a saving grace? Yes.

   “For we believe to the saving of the soul” Hebrews 10:39

5. But is it so by any inherent merit or efficacy of its own? No.

   “But as it receives the gift of righteousness” Romans 5:17

1. Is God the ultimate object of faith? Yes.

   “Ye believe in God” John 14:1

2. And is Christ the immediate object of it? Yes.

   “Believe also in me” John 14:1

3. Is the heart the seat of it? Yes.

   “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.” Romans 10:10

4. And are sensible convinced sinners the subjects of it? Yes.

   “They shall come who were ready to perish” Isaiah 27:13

5. Is faith imperfect in the present life? Yes.

   “Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief.” Mark 9:24

6. But shall weak faith be supported? Yes.

   “A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench” Matthew 12:20

7. And strengthened? Yes.

   “I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me” Philippians 4:13

1. Does true faith imply an assent of the understanding? Yes.

   “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” Acts 8:37

2. And a consent of the will? Yes.

   “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” 1 Timothy 1:15

3. Doth it imply the soul’s reception of Christ? Yes.

   “Ye have received the Lord Jesus Christ” Colossians 2:6

4. And its reliance upon him? Yes.

   “In whom ye also trusted” Ephesians 1:13

5. And its cleaving to him? Yes.

   “And exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart, they would cleave unto the Lord” Acts 11:23

6. And that to the utter exclusion of every thing else? Yes.

   “For whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” Philippians 3:8

1. Is there something which the believing soul commits to Christ? Yes.

   “I know whom I have believed, and that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him” 2 Timothy 1:12

2. And something that he expects from him? Yes.

   “Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” Jude 21

3. Is true faith a vital principle? Yes.

   “The just shall live by faith” Habakkuk 2:4

4. And an active principle? Yes.

   “It worketh by love” Galatians 5:6

5. And a victorious principle? Yes.

   “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” 1 John 5:4

6. And an establishing principle? Yes.

   “By faith ye stand” 2 Corinthians 1:24

7. And a soul comforting principle? Yes.

   “I had fainted unless I had believed” Psalm 27:13

8. And a God exalting principle? Yes.

   “Abraham was strong in faith, giving glory to God” Romans 4:20

9. And is it on all these accounts a precious principle? Yes.

   “To them that have obtained like precious faith” 2 Peter 1:1

Benjamin Beddome (1717–1795), pastor at Bourton-on-the-Water. Verses from the King James Version.