Survey of Doctrine: Topic: Faith

Topic: Faith

Introduction: Faith is from God. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit in us. Faith is intrinsic to forgiveness of sin. It is one of many factors in healing. The doctrine makes clear what faith is, our need for it and its relationship to healing. To wit:

1] Faith comes from God
2] We are to develop and invoke the faith of God continually.
3] Faith in God and use of medical science do not clash.
4] God's will trumps our faith. Faith is not a guarantee of healing.
5] Lack of faith and lack of healing is not a sin.

Source of healing	Faith	God vs. Medical science	Jesus	Member responsibility
Godly purpose	Bible	Effect of healings	Meaning of word	Medical science
God's promise	Sin/degeneration	Cause of sickness	Gospel	Salvation
Resurrection	Healing symbolism	Disciples-1st century	Healings today	Righteousness
Ministry	Right attitude	Wrong attitude	Healing	Doctrine Summary

Key Statement/Teaching	Paragraph
Divine healing is according to faith, as well as other factors.	1
Faith of the sinner and the mercy of God are intrinsic to the forgiveness of sin.	61
Jesus often responded positively through people's faith in Him.	67
Jesus healed according to an individual's faith.	67
Faith is essential to the cleansing of sin at conversion and the transformation of our bodies at the resurrection.	67
Regardless of the number and types of healings today, we can know for sure the awesome spiritual meaning that Jesus' healings have for us today—the confidence that they generate, the faith that they give us.	85
We can know for sure that the same Personality who healed the sick, cleansed the lepers and raised the dead has promised, and has the power to forgive our sins, cleanse our bodies and spirits, and eventually resurrect us from the dead. This, in reality, is the ultimate miracle, and this, indeed, is the ultimate faith.	85
It is through our faith in the reality of Jesus' healings that we can be assured that, through this same power, God has promised to forgive us of our sins, cleanse our minds and, ultimately, to resurrect our bodies from the dead.	88
Faith is not the sole criterion for determining whether a person shall be healed.	90
The Bible shows that there are different "kinds" of faith, or at least different levels of faith. There is a faith which all Christians are required to have for salvation, but this is not necessarily the same kind of faith needed for healing.	96
It is impossible to "work up" faith. Only God can supply this faith.	96
Faith is the belief that God shall heal.	97
The lack of faith is not sin, nor is the lack of healing a sin.	98
We all, in some manner, lack faith. This is no more an indictment than to say that we are all human.	99
If seeking external help in any way indicates a "lack of faith," then such lack of faith is in no way a sin, because it is God's responsibility to give us this special faith, though we certainly have our part in it.	100
Faith is total belief. However, there is also the will and purpose of God and anything held in faithful belief will not come about if it is contrary to God's will in the specific situation.	101
Healing is an extension of God's mercy; it is not an absolute promise according to one's faith.	102
A Christian must walk in continual faith.	109
If God allows a person to die, this may be a demonstration of faith.	109
If one can live many long and useful years in God's service through an operation, rather than be debilitated by disease or even die in agony, that cannot be condemned as a lack of faith.	109
One of the biggest factors that blocks a person from receiving more faith is his own erroneous belief that he already has enough faith when he does not.	110
One reason people are not healed is because they do not have the appropriate faith.	110
Death may in some cases be a greater sign of faith than life and healing.	114
Going to a dentist, taking medicine or tending to a wound is not an affront to God as our Healer; nor do they contradict faith.	120
Faith in God and scientific confidence in man are not in conflict. Faith in God is a matter of the heart between a person and God. It is entirely possible to receive medical help—and even have a positive trust in that technological help—without having this trust or confidence supersede or negate one's faith in God.	123
The technical utilization of modern medical science is not the factor that must decide where one's faith is. Faith is fully determined by the person's attitude in his private relationship with God.	123
Faith says that God can heal; it is not a guarantee that God shall heal in every individual situation.	125
It is surely not a sign of faith to neglect appropriate physical methods which can cure a disease, slow an illness or relieve suffering.	125
It is also not a sign of faith to seek obscure second-class treatment when competent first-class health care is readily available.	125
If one can live many long and useful years in God's service through an operation, rather than wasting those years by suffering in agony, how can that be condemned as lack of faith?	128
Faith in God for healing and the sensible, sagacious use of the most modern medical/health procedures do not clash.	130

Conclusion: Key points:

	Faith is not the sole criteria determining whether a person shall be healed.
	Faith of the sinner and mercy of God are intrinsic to forgiveness of sin.

We can know that Jesus has the power to forgive sins, cleanse our bodies and spirits and eventually resurrect us from the dead.

Ultimate faith is knowing that Christ will resurrect us.

There are different levels of faith.

Only God can supply faith.

Lack of faith and lack of healing are not sins.

God's will in a given situation trumps our faith or belief about what will or should happen.

Healing is not an absolute promise according to one's faith.

A Christian must seek the same faith God has continually.

God allowing a person to die can be a great demonstration of faith.

Going to a doctor, hospital or taking medicine does not contradict faith.

Faith is fully determined by the person's relationship with God.

Faith says God can heal. It is not a guarantee that God will heal in every situation.

Faith in God for healing and sagacious use of modern medical/health procedures do not clash.

The following are not signs of faith:

a] neglecting appropriate methods which can cure a disease, slow an illness or relieve suffering.
b] seeking second class treatment when first class treatment is readily available.

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