The "law of faith."

[Hansen]

Paul draws our attention to different laws. In Romans 7 and 8 there is the law of “sin and death” and the law of the “spirit of life”. There is the “law of works” and the “law of faith” in Roman 3. He quotes from law in Romans 3:10-18. The verses he quotes are selected mostly from Psalms, perhaps Proverbs and Isaiah as well. Although there is nothing from the writings of Moses, Paul calls these verses “law” in verse 19:

10 as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one;

11 There is none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God;

12 They have all turned aside, they are together become unprofitable; There is none that doeth good, no, not, so much as one:

13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; With their tongues they have used deceit: The poison of asps is under their lips:

14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

15 Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;

17 And the way of peace have they not known:

18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:

He quotes a passage from Isaiah in I Corinthians 14:21 and calls it law:

in the law it is written, "BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME," says the lord.

Jesus, quoting from Psalms, calls the passages “law”:

Joh 10:34 Jesus answered them, "has it not been written in your law, ‘I SAID, YOU ARE GODS’?

Joh 15:25 "but they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their law, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’

It is clear in the verses above that “law” refers to the OT, not the writings of Moses, or the Decalogue, in particular.

In verse 27 of Romans 3, Paul explains that the law, that is the OT, is a law of faith because it was always about saving people by faith, not by works. Paul makes the point in verses 21 and 22 that the law and the prophets foretold that the righteousness of God would become available by faith to all who believe.

That’s why the OT is referred to as a “law of faith” As verse 31 says, “faith upholds [establishes] the law” because faith, not works, is the proper response to the message of the OT.

[BibleOnly]

Agreed. I won't comment directly on the fact that God speaks to the church through the gift of tongues, but people won't listen :0)

But, I think it's important to realise that while the law was a 'law of faith', that it was not understood to be that way, for reasons that make perfect sense. A law is, by definition, a set of rules, which engenders a legalistic view, and not one of faith.

Rom 10:4 For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

and

Rom 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

Rom 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not [in] the oldness of the letter.

Rom 7:7 ¶ What shall we say then? [is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Rom 7:8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin [was] dead.

Rom 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and died.

Rom 7:10 And the commandment, which [was ordained] to life, I found [to be] unto death.

Rom 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew [me].

It was not unreasonable for those given the law, to see it in a legalistic way. It's obvious to us now, but it was revolutionary to most when Jesus came and told them that instead of just living within the law, they should take on the attitude of the golden rule.

[skyblue888]

But, I think it's important to realise that while the law was a 'law of faith', that it was not understood to be that way, for reasons that make perfect sense. A law is, by definition, a set of rules, which engenders a legalistic view, and not one of faith.

BibleOnly

_____________

At Sinai, the Jewish people received the law as a set of rules. "The letter kills." 2 Cor.3:6.

But if they had trusted in the merits of a Saviour to come and received that law as the voice of God from Heaven speaking to the soul in promise, they would have been converted for the voice of God imparts power, it begets life, even a new life in Christ Jesus. "The words that I SPEAK unto you," Jesus said, "they are Spirit and they are Life." John 6:63. The voice of God is "the ministration of the Spirit" (2 Cor.3:8) and "the Spirit is life because of righteousness." (Rom.8:10)

"I know that His commandment is life everlasting." John 12:50.

Received as the voice of God speaking to the soul it is a law of faith for it brings the righteousness of Christ into the life and it is made manifest in obedience.

"I the Lord SPEAK righteousness... The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness." Isaiah 45:19,23.

The law of His mouth is the word of faith and righteousness.

"All Thy commandments are righteousness." Psalm 119:172.

sky

[BibleOnly]

Well, they would have been in a better place to be able to keep the law, but there's two issues.

1 - the law is written on our hearts by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which could not occur until Jesus died. This means that while the law was perfect, no-one could keep it, in the Old Testament

2 - It's the nature of the law that if I offend, I am an offender. What I mean by this is, if the law says I can never covet my neighbours ass, but it's just so much better than mine that I can't help but think to myself one day that I'd be better off if it were mine, at that point, the law condemns me, with no avenue of redemption. If I commit adultery with his wife or not, if I kill him or not, I'll still be a law breaker. The Gospel does NOT allow us to do whatever we like and just ask forgiveness, but it DOES allow us to make mistakes, recognise them, and to keep striving towards the goal of being like Jesus. That is why at the time of communion, we examine ourselves, not to judgement, but to forgiveness for small mistakes and ways we see we could do better. This is also why Christians escape the judgement at the end of the millenium, because we've already been judged, by the bible and by the Holy Spirit in us, as we constantly examine ourselves against those benchmarks.

[Hansen]

"A law is, by definition, a set of rules, which engenders a legalistic view, and not one of faith." SkyBlue

That's a big part of the problem. That is what a law is to us today; however, in the Bible, law often means "teaching." "Torah," which is often translated as "law" is sometimes translated as "teaching."

Possibly the earliest use of the word in Scripture is here:

Job 22:22 "please receive instruction <08451> from his mouth and establish his words <0561> in your heart.

The word "instruction" is "torah" in the OL. Notice a similar passage from Psalms. In both these cases, a parallel construct equates "torah" with "words"

"

Ps 78:1 «A Maskil of Asaph.» listen, O my people, to my instruction <08451>; incline your ears to the words <0561> of my mouth.

When we think of God's laws, including the Decalogue, as teachings, rather than arbitrary commands, it gives us new eyes.

[BibleOnly]

"That's a big part of the problem. That is what a law is to us today; however, in the Bible, law often means "teaching." "Torah," which is often translated as "law" is sometimes translated as "teaching.""

But I'm paraphrasing Paul, he regarded the law as working this way.

[Hansen]

Bible Only, That may be true in Romans 7 and other places, however, in Romans 3 and 4 it is not that way at all. Romans 3 points out the problem the Jews had was not believing the OT. Romans 4 serves to illustrate the argument he advanced in chapter 3. Abraham serves as his primary illustration that the OT taught righteousness by faith rather than by works

The schoolmaster of Galatians also supports the law as a teacher concept. Some people think of the "schoolmaster" as a tyrant who ruled the child with rigor. In fact, the schoolmaster was a trusted servant who cared for the youngster. One of his responsibilities included driving off predatory, older, homosexual men looking for young "students."

The law failed as a method of attaining righteousness but its primary purpose was to teach people about a coming Messiah who would justify through faith. That's why Paul says faith establishes or validates the law[as a witness to the coming Messiah].

[BibleOnly]

The core issue really is that Paul says we have no more need of a schoolmaster. I never intended to suggest that the law was a tyrant :-)

[Gerr]

Thanks for pointing out that the Law (Torah) was/is a Law of faith. However, it seems to me that in the immediate context of ESV | &#8206;Ro 3:27 "Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith," is mentioned means - if you have faith in Jesus you are justified, reckoned as righteous. But I believe you are correct that the Law (Torah) is about a law of faith, because ESV | &#8206;Ge 15:6 "And he [Abram] believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness." Paul also makes clear that the law of faith does not do - ESV | &#8206;Ro 3:31 "Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law." That Abraham understood that the law of faith does not negate obedience to law is testified to by God himself - ESV | &#8206;Ge 26:5 "Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”

[Gerr]

How do you understand - Rom 10:4 For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.?

[Gerr]

The core issue really is that Paul says we have no more need of a schoolmaster. I never intended to suggest that the law was a tyrant :-)

Yep, good, obedient, school boys don't need a schoolmaster. They have mastered their ABCs. It is now written in their hearts & obeying it from their hearts, rather than obeying from a check list.

[Hansen]

Gerry,

Romans 3:31 does not mean that we establish the law or uphold it by doing anything other than believing its testimony about Christ. Paul launches into his discourse about Abraham's faith to illustrate that very point. Salvation is by grace because it isn't owed to us by God. That's Paul's argument in Romans 4.

Whatever laws Abraham obeyed are irrelevant to the NT. Galatians plainly declares that the law came 430 years after the promises were given to Abraham Gal. 3:17. Romans 5:12-14 says there was no law until Moses. Paul was an inspired interpreter of the OT for redemptive purposes. If he made the point that there was no law until Moses, that means that whatever laws existed prior to Moses are irrelevant for salvation purposes.

Paul is very much concerned with convincing his readers that salvation is by God's promises, not by his laws. We are saved in the same was Abraham was saved, by faith in God's promises, not by keeping any of his laws, except the law of faith, which requires us to believe the promises.

[Gibs]

Ro 6:1 ¶ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Ro 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

You are under grace only as long as you don't fall back in sin. When you do the law revives and like Paul says, I died. The law remains as a schoolmaster never to be annulled.

Ro 7:8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

Ro 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Ro 7:10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

Ro 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

Jesus made it clear the law stands forever.

Mt 5:17 ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Mt 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Mt 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven

Now did you notice the condemnation put on him who would teach men to break any one of them, verse 19. Which is the least? None, to break one is guilty of all.

Anyone who has come to Jesus Christ and fully and truly repented is forgiven and Christ can come in then and fill that "cleaned" house. Then if the conversion was truly complete the will has become His Will and the love has become His Love. So the law then under His Grace is yours in your heart.

You have to put Him, Christ out to do a sin and when you do you have revived the schoolmaster, the law to condemn you hopefully cause you to come back and do a more dedicated repentance.

It will always remain, that to fall back in sin revives the law and you are again dead in sin. You have chosen to give up life, Christ in you to return to sin and then are dead again in treaapass of that law which returns in your face. Sin is transgression of that law of love, the 10 commandments and the 4'th one is as binding as the other nine whether an SDA or whatever you claim to be.

You fulfill it the same as the rest from love and in that case it is your love for Him and to do His will and to tabernacle and be with Him when He comes to be with us in a special way in that one window in time, the Holy Sabbath day. He marks the true and faithful ones who do, as His very own. It is a mark only the angels can see, evil and Holy ones alike.

He knew this would be the forgotten one, so He started it out with the Word "REMEMBER" and still many not only chose to remember it but to solidly refuse and refute it's claim.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Dr. Rich]

Hansen, "Faith" allows someone to believe and practice a lie without feeling guilty or being held accountable for not searching for and practing the truth.

"Faith" is what all realigions have in common with each other--they want people to simply have 'faith' without searching for and practicing the truth.

People who use "FAITH" as their foundation for belief don't care about facts.

Jesus NEVER needed faith as He KNEW the truth and spoke it.

The more truth one knows because of facts, the less faith he will need to have.

Remember, Jesus never said or taught that righteousness comes by faith or that anyone could be saved by faith or grace.

There is no such thing as 'dying the death of Christ' as that is just an invented but fictional idea dreamed up by the author of Romans. The proof for this is that Jesus taught just the opposite, to live by the food offered by Him--the words of Jesus Christ and them alone.

Jesus said that those who are saved will be rewarded for their works (deeds), not by their faith. When the Rich Young Ruler asked how he could be saved Jesus made it very clear that the ONLY way is to keep all ten of the commandments and hold fast to the words of Jesus (what Jesus testified to.) Matt. 19 and Jn. 18:37.

[Gerr]

Gerry,

Romans 3:31 does not mean that we establish the law or uphold it by doing anything other than believing its testimony about Christ. Paul launches into his discourse about Abraham's faith to illustrate that very point. Salvation is by grace because it isn't owed to us by God. That's Paul's argument in Romans 4.

Whatever laws Abraham obeyed are irrelevant to the NT. Galatians plainly declares that the law came 430 years after the promises were given to Abraham Gal. 3:17. Romans 5:12-14 says there was no law until Moses. Paul was an inspired interpreter of the OT for redemptive purposes. If he made the point that there was no law until Moses, that means that whatever laws existed prior to Moses are irrelevant for salvation purposes.

Paul is very much concerned with convincing his readers that salvation is by God's promises, not by his laws. We are saved in the same was Abraham was saved, by faith in God's promises, not by keeping any of his laws, except the law of faith, which requires us to believe the promises.

Huh? Of course, salvation is by grace through faith ALONE. But Paul also says, "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!" Or as the KJV say, "God forbid!" Rom 6:1

Grace has never given anone a license to sin. Grace is extended to rebels inorder to bring them back into obedience to law. The same Paul says, ESV | &#8206;Ro 1:5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,

Abraham's obedience, just as much as his faith, is VERY relevant. He spend the whole of Rom 4 talking about Abraham's faith. His faith was manifested in obedience. As James, says, "Faith withoout works is DEAD!"

[Hansen]

Rich, The commandments of which Jesus speaks in Matthew 5 are not the Decalogue. He's talking about his teaching previously given, the "Blesseds."

If he is referring to the Decalogue, he contradicts himself immediately by invalidating the third commandment. The commandment says to not take the name of the Lord in vain, a reference to the cultural practice of oath taking. Jesus condemns oath taking of any kind, effectively abrogating the Commandment.

Gerry, That's such a classic Adventist line,

"We are saved by faith alone, but....." Frame it, put it on you wall, maybe make a t-shirt, bumper sticker, coffee mug. The typical Adventist mind has been so corrupted by legalistic indoctrination that it is impossible to conceive of salvation apart from the works of the law.

Good luck with that.

[Guest]

Hansen, "Faith" allows someone to believe and practice a lie without feeling guilty or being held accountable for not searching for and practing the truth.

That's not what Jesus said about faith. What you say about faith is pretty much the opposite of what Jesus said about it. All the while claiming to be His closest follower.

Jesus never said ANYTHING disparaging about faith, not once. He said nothing but good things about faith, and certainly not anything about it allowing you to practice a lie without feeling guilty. What is that??!

Satan has rolled your mind. You have been mugged my friend.

[phkrause]

You have been mugged my friend.

[Gerr]

Gerry, That's such a classic Adventist line,

"We are saved by faith alone, but....." Frame it, put it on you wall, maybe make a t-shirt, bumper sticker, coffee mug. The typical Adventist mind has been so corrupted by legalistic indoctrination that it is impossible to conceive of salvation apart from the works of the law.

Good luck with that.

So does grace give you license to break any of the 10c?

Is it possible that you are unable to conceive that a sinner who has been forgiven much will love much and will do anything for the One who has forgiven him? Is it to EARN forgiveness? Grace & law are not antithetical or mutually exclusive concepts. Only people make them so.

Grace without law is anarchy. Law without grace is tyranny.

[Dr. Rich]

Rich, The commandments of which Jesus speaks in Matthew 5 are not the Decalogue. He's talking about his teaching previously given, the "Blesseds."

If he is referring to the Decalogue, he contradicts himself immediately by invalidating the third commandment. The commandment says to not take the name of the Lord in vain, a reference to the cultural practice of oath taking. Jesus condemns oath taking of any kind, effectively abrogating the Commandment.

Gerry, That's such a classic Adventist line,

"We are saved by faith alone, but....." Frame it, put it on you wall, maybe make a t-shirt, bumper sticker, coffee mug. The typical Adventist mind has been so corrupted by legalistic indoctrination that it is impossible to conceive of salvation apart from the works of the law.

Good luck with that.

Jesus made it very clear in Matt. 19 and Rev. 12:17 what the "Commandments" are! That's a FACT that no one can argue! They are the same thing that will be found in the Ark of the Covenant--the measuring rod to Judge everyone found in Rev. 11:1.

Gerry is mistakenly wrong about salvation. How come people refuse to seek the words of Jesus given to us by His eyewitnesses to establish the truth on salvation? Go fish? I guess it's because they love being fed lies and also enjoy standing on the wide road to destruction with the majority of christians how believe the same thing.

[Hansen]

Gerry, In the end, regardless of your posturing, it's all about the Decalogue, isn't it? For me it's all about Jesus and new life in the Spirit. Truth is, when you take all the Adventist spooftexts in John's writings away, you really aren't left with much. Matthew 19, well, come on. You really think Jesus was being serious when he told the RYR to enter into life by obeying the Decalogue? Nobody had ever done it. The RYR was no different than Paul who also had believed he was blameless in his observance of the law.

Jesus plainly told the RYR he was still not complete. Obviously, commandment-keeping wasn't enough. Zacharias, father of John the Baptist was also supposedly blameless in his law keeping, yet he was overcome by doubt and struck dumb by an angel. You think Abraham, the prevaricator and adulterer, kept all the laws, commandments, statutes, and ordinances of God? Must have been a fairly short list, if he could sleep with Hagar and then allow her to be driven into the wilderness to die.

Abraham violated the codes of the heathen. Ask Abimelech. How did he keep the commandments, ordinances, statutes, and laws of YHVH? Whatever Abraham obeyed or transgressed, it wasn't any law which is relevant to us. You think you understand God's plan better than Paul understood it? The law came 430 years after the promises to Abrahahm. That's what mattered to Paul

How anyone can read Romans 4 and still say "but" amazes me. Or even James. Abraham was either justifed by faith when he believed God's promise, or he wasn't. Circumcision and the offering of Issac came years later. Was he in some kind of Adventist limbo from he was reckoned righteous until he was circumcised and offered Issac?

Just admit it, "I'm a legalist."

[Gerr]

Gerry, That's such a classic Adventist line,

"We are saved by faith alone, but....." Frame it, put it on you wall, maybe make a t-shirt, bumper sticker, coffee mug. The typical Adventist mind has been so corrupted by legalistic indoctrination that it is impossible to conceive of salvation apart from the works of the law.

Good luck with that.

You will never find in any official SDA publication that one iota of one's works contributes in any way to one's salvation.

[Gerr]

Gerry, In the end, regardless of your posturing, it's all about the Decalogue, isn't it?

Absolutely absurd!

Quote:

For me it's all about Jesus and new life in the Spirit.

Anyone can make a claim, but "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' ...." You know the rest. "Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments....."

ESV | &#8206;1 Jn 2:4 "Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,"

Or is this invalid because John wrote it?

Quote:

Truth is, when you take all the Adventist spooftexts in John's writings away, you really aren't left with much.

Instead of calling them spooftexts, why don't you deal with them? After all, aren't they included in the Bible?

Quote:

Matthew 19, well, come on. You really think Jesus was being serious when he told the RYR to enter into life by obeying the Decalogue? Nobody had ever done it. The RYR was no different than Paul who also had believed he was blameless in his observance of the law.

Have you thought of the possibility that Jesus told him that in order to show him the impossibility of his meeting the righteousness required by the law? That's why Jesus said, "Follow Me." Jesus made it clear that in order to enter heaven, one's righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the Scribes & Pharisees. In terms of performance, none could do better than them. But their obedience was not from the heart.

Quote:

How anyone can read Romans 4 and still say "but" amazes me.

It is even more amazing that anyone could think that belief in Jesus and living by the Spirit precludes one from obeying the law. Gen 15 & Rom 4 says that Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. But Moses also pointed out that his belief in God did not lead him to loose living; he obeyed God, Gen 26. You have documented very well his failures. What that shows is that one's success in keeping the law is NOT what saves, but saved people will obey to the best of their ability. Peter says we are to walk in His steps. How did Jesus walk?

Quote:

Or even James. Abraham was either justifed by faith when he believed God's promise, or he wasn't. Circumcision and the offering of Issac came years later. Was he in some kind of Adventist limbo from he was reckoned righteous until he was circumcised and offered Issac?

Just admit it, "I'm a legalist."

Are you married? Are you a legalist because you don't cheat on your spouse? Was James a legalist because he demanded works as the evidence of a living faith? Was Jesus a legalist by saying, "If you love me, keep my commandments?" Was He a legalist when He told the adulteress, "Go & sin no more?"

Is God a legalist to give the 10c by wich to live by?

Circumcision, as Rom 4 points out, was the outward sign of something he already had inside. Outward obedience is the visible manifestation of the change that has already taken place inside a person's heart. Living according to the dictates of the flesh is breaking the law. Being led by the Spirit denies the demands of the flesh to break the law.

[Dr. Rich]

Gerry, In the end, regardless of your posturing, it's all about the Decalogue, isn't it? For me it's all about Jesus and new life in the Spirit. Truth is, when you take all the Adventist spooftexts in John's writings away, you really aren't left with much. Matthew 19, well, come on. You really think Jesus was being serious when he told the RYR to enter into life by obeying the Decalogue? Nobody had ever done it. The RYR was no different than Paul who also had believed he was blameless in his observance of the law.

Jesus plainly told the RYR he was still not complete. Obviously, commandment-keeping wasn't enough. Zacharias, father of John the Baptist was also supposedly blameless in his law keeping, yet he was overcome by doubt and struck dumb by an angel. You think Abraham, the prevaricator and adulterer, kept all the laws, commandments, statutes, and ordinances of God? Must have been a fairly short list, if he could sleep with Hagar and then allow her to be driven into the wilderness to die.

Abraham violated the codes of the heathen. Ask Abimelech. How did he keep the commandments, ordinances, statutes, and laws of YHVH? Whatever Abraham obeyed or transgressed, it wasn't any law which is relevant to us. You think you understand God's plan better than Paul understood it? The law came 430 years after the promises to Abrahahm. That's what mattered to Paul

How anyone can read Romans 4 and still say "but" amazes me. Or even James. Abraham was either justifed by faith when he believed God's promise, or he wasn't. Circumcision and the offering of Issac came years later. Was he in some kind of Adventist limbo from he was reckoned righteous until he was circumcised and offered Issac?

Just admit it, "I'm a legalist."

You are cluless my friend as you don't even know the difference between "Lawful" and "Legal".! It's lawful to speed and run stop signs as long as you don't interfere with anyone, but not legal since you signed a contract to obey the LEGAL code. Same goes for the Covenant vs. the Statutes and Codes for Israel!

It's all about obeying God--or not. What went for Adam now goes for you too and if you don't want to obey, then you slap God in the face when you say things like Paul did. Just like a marriage covenant--obey or cause the divorce.

[John317]

Hansen, "Faith" allows someone to believe and practice a lie without feeling guilty or being held accountable for not searching for and practing the truth.

"Faith" is what all realigions have in common with each other--they want people to simply have 'faith' without searching for and practicing the truth.

People who use "FAITH" as their foundation for belief don't care about facts.

You have a terribly mistaken notion of biblical faith.

Notice the following verses about the necessity of faith:

Matthew 21:21-22

And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen. [22] And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."

John 20:29

Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

NOTE: Christ promises a blessing for those who believe [or place their faith] in Christ despite never having actually seen Him. The Greek verb for "believe" is pisteuo. The noun for faith or belief or firm persuasion is pistis. The latter is also translated as "assurance, firm conviction."

Below, Jesus reprimands his followers for their lack of faith, whereas He also often clearly affirms the necessity of faith:

Matthew 8:26

And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

Matthew 9:22

Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well.

Matthew 9:29

Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you."

Matthew 8:13

And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.

Matthew 14:31

Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Matthew 15:28

Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.

Matthew 16:8

But Jesus, aware of this, said, "O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?

Matthew 17:17

And Jesus answered, "O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me."