King James Bible - New Testament Topic Tracking: Faith

Matthew

Faith 1: Even in the seminal work of Christianity, faith appears as a fundamental aspect of the religion. Mary and Joseph must act entirely on faith in the birth of Jesus. Mary believes the word of God when she is told she will bear a son. Joseph believes God's messenger and does not reject his pregnant wife-to-be.

Faith 2: The incident on the water begins the testing of the disciples' faith. Throughout the New Testament, the theme of testing one's faith is prevalent. Faith is the most personal connection between a man and God. Therefore, it must be strong. Jesus tests his disciples' faith in him and in God on the water.

Mark

Faith 3: The Gospel of Mark continues the same themes of faith from Matthew. Faith is the ultimate covenant between man and God. The woman who believes that she will be healed by touching Jesus' clothes is healed by the power of her own faith. The people follow Jesus wherever he goes, believing that he will care for their needs.

Faith 4: The resurrection was witnessed by very few, according to Mark. This even became the ultimate emblem of faith. Because it remained as a central symbol of the Christian church, the resurrection evolved into the miracle of miracles and the greatest test of faith. Mary and James' mother believed, and so did the disciples. They went out into the world to preach about such an unbelievable event.

John

Faith 5: Even the disciples cannot believe in the resurrection on faith alone. Jesus must appear before them before they will believe the word. Thomas, upon seeing Jesus, still does not believe. He must put his finger into Jesus' wound before he is willing to believe it. These are the men that are to wander and spread the word of Jesus to be believed on faith alone.

Acts

Faith 6: With the passing of Jesus, faith becomes the most important element of the new religion. Although the disciples could perform some miracles, most new converts believed on faith alone. In addition the early disciples and apostles, working under tremendous duress and prejudice, must have had considerable faith in what they were doing to continue for so long.

Romans

Faith 7: Paul writes of Abraham to discuss circumcision. The gist of his argument is that Abraham had faith before he was circumcised: circumcision was the covenant that he made with God after he had already proved himself. Paul emphasizes that it is not a physical covenant that makes a man closer to God: it is spiritual faith that makes a man holy.

Faith 8: Paul continues to alter the emphasis of the Jewish tradition. He emphasizes that faith is the ultimate path to God; no man may approach God without it. Then, he shows that he subsists on faith, that his love of God is what makes him strong.

2 Corinthians

Faith 9: As the followers of Christ get further and further from the time of Christ, faith evolves into the most important facet of religion. No member of the church of Corinth has witnessed miracles or the preaching of Jesus, therefore the word of God becomes tantamount to miracles. They must believe the word because there is nothing else.

Ephesians

Faith 10: Paul takes great pains to emphasize that his Gospel comes straight from God. Other men and churches must take this on faith alone because there is no way for Paul to prove this.

Hebrews

Faith 11: In Hebrews, the founders of the early church endeavor to show that faith has been a vital part of religion throughout human memory. All of the leaders of the people had tremendous faith in order to carry out the things God asked. The Christians must have similar faith.