Different Kinds of Faith

To open their eyes,

in order to turn them

from darkness to light,

and from the power of

Satan to God,

that they may receive

forgiveness of sins

and an inheritance among those

who are sanctified by faith in Me.

Acts 26:18

     We must be faithful to Scripture and take the Bible seriously examining our steps before the Lord.  It is a true statement: "error begets error."  As Peter wrote: "Beloved, I now write to you third epistle (in both of  which I stir up our pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior" (2 Peter 3:1-2).  Taking serious the matter of faith we continue in this examination so that we are prepared to defend our faith when asked (1 Peter 3:15), as well as to undergird our faith.  Therefore, the definition that faith be the persuasion of the truth founded on testimony is admitted to be accepted, yet there are different kinds of faith.  How so?  The word faith designated by the mind is different in one case from what it is in others.  How can this be?  This difference partly stems from the nature of its objects, and partly from the nature or form of the testimony on which it is founded.  When faith is defined as a historical fact or a speculative truth; that is one thing; when it is supposed, to be an emotion and sensation, this being in opposition to its actuality as something intellectually understood in a theoretical non practical manner, or faith founded in moral truth, being another thing, faith in spiritual truth, especially when our faith is found in the promise of salvation made to ourselves another thing, then what must be said is that the state of mind gives, it another name, or designates faith in another, very different manner in each of the cases listed above, one from the other.  Therefore, God's testimony to truth is able to sustain that truth as different in kinds.  In one form it is directed especially to the understanding; in another to the conscience, in another to our regenerated nature.  It is then that there are three kinds of faith, speculative, temporary, and saving faith.

     Is it not true, and many of us can testify to that truth, that many people believe the Bible to be true, the Word of God and they receive unto themselves all that it teaches being orthodox in their doctrinal belief.  If you know of one, ask them the question, "why do they believe?"  I have, and I find that in almost every case the person is at a loss for an answer.  After they ponder the question for some time answers are given to say that they believe because others believe.  How often have you heard that a person is a "Christian" because mom and dad were Christian, or that the family has always gone to church, read the Bible and considered themselves to be Christian?  In fact many can refer back to the teachings they receive from their parent(s) from childhood, and even the church to which they belong inculcates this faith to them that this is true and necessary.  Here next is probably the most common reasons given for their faith: the evidence of the divine origin of the Bible, that evidence being within and from an external source, satisfying their minds and producing a rational conviction that the Scriptures are from God, to be believed because they are based upon His authority.  Yes, it has been written in these blogs that faith should be by necessity founded on the authority of God.  This is admitted, yet, if our faith even when founded on the authority of God is based upon simple rationalization from outside influence and even within Scripture as that which we so enjoin as a rational conviction is a faith that experience teaches and the problem or error is that this is compatible with worldly or wicked life.  This faith is what is known as dead faith.  Even Satan had faith that Jesus was the Son of God and could, although erroneously quoted, quoted Scripture; and faith founded upon speculation in no way can be faith that is alive and well, functioning in the lives of persons leading them to grow in their sanctification.  This is a leading manner of display in the liberal churches, they speak of God's word as being the sole authority yet holding often to a theory that the Bible is not infallible (that is contradictory but is preached and believed) and those outward demonstrations are evidence of their faith.  All that is  nothing more that speculation, built upon other things than true Biblical faith.

     Another form of faith is temporary faith, even though it may be deep and in some cases lasting impression. 
Even Spurgeon warned about the potential for confusing any system¹⁶ with salvation:
Even the statistics compiled using the invitation system show that only a very small percentage of "professors" show any signs of conversion even a few weeks after the decision. According to Sterling Huston, a survey after a crusade in the Pacific Northwest indicated that only 16 percent of the inquirers became new additions to the churches. While one should be appalled at the low rate of retention, Huston actually considers this a significant fact showing the value of the crusade!  Charles Haddon Spurgeon added:

Sometimes shut up that enquiry-room. I have my fears about that institution if it be used in permanence, and as an inevitable part of the services.... If you should ever see that a notion is fashioning itself that there is something to be got in the private room which is not to be had at once in the assembly, or that God is more at that penitent form than elsewhere, aim a blow at that notion at once

 It was men such as Charles Finney in his "New Measures" and the "Anxious Seat"  the calling for people to step forward to claim their salvation that has invaded the church producing a temporary faith.  Those great men of faith had this to say:
Two centuries ago, evangelist George Whitefield warned about this danger:

I am glad you know when persons are justified. It is a lesson I have not yet learnt. There are so many stony ground hearers, who receive the Word with joy, that I have determined to suspend my judgment till I know the tree by its fruits. That makes me so cautious now, which I was not thirty years ago, of dubbing converts so soon. I love now to wait a little, and see if people bring forth fruit; for there are so many blossoms which March winds you know blow away, that I cannot believe they are converts till I see fruit brought back; it will never do a sincere soul any harm.

Likewise Spurgeon warned:

Sometimes we are inclined to think that a very great portion of modern revivalism has been more a curse than a blessing, because it has led thousands to a kind of peace before they have known their misery; restoring the prodigal to the Father's house, and never making him say, Father, I have sinned."

In The Soul Winner. Spurgeon cautions against using pressure to secure quick decisions:

It very often happens that the converts that are born in excitement die when the excitement is over.... Some of the most glaring sinners known to me were once members of a church; and were, as I believe, led to make a profession by undue pressure, well-meant but ill-judged

     Therefore this temporary faith far too often fails  person because in times of trouble they become indifferent or even skeptical.  This is found many times at times of death even though previously they were convinced of their faith and the truth of Scripture.  Often disregarded and rejected when trials and tribulations beset their lives.  What kind of faith is this?  Faith due to common faith, faith that all men in some measure recognize and admit or just enjoy: "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven: for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45).  This common grace all men receive is due to the influence of the Holy Spirit, even working on the soul of men, yet without renewing it, never being received so as the truth is revealed to the consciousness and cause it to produce conviction.

      The final different faith is; saving faith, that which secures eternal life uniting His people, those given to Him by His Father to become living members of His body, making us the sons of God with all that is of our interest and benefit of redemption.  It is faith that produces love, works by love and is fruitful in good works, that which is the outcrop of faith, first faith, then good works as an evidence of that faith, but is not founded upon the moral evidence of the truth, but on the testimony of the Spirit with and by the truth to the renewed soul. 

     It is now imperative that we examine what is meant by the testimony of the Spirit; that is the next blog.

"You, Lord, in the beginning
     laid the foundation of the earth
And the heavens are the work
     of your hands.
They will perish, but You
     remain:
And they will all grow old like
      a garment;
Like a cloak You will fold
    them up,
And they will be changed.
But You are the same,
And Your years will not fail."
                          Hebrews 1:10-13

May God's Word be sounded deep
into your heart.

Richard L. Crumb