IX. OF FAITH.

Faith, its nature-necessary-Evil of unbelief-Blessing of faith-Exhortations to faith-True faith in operation by works-living by faith-the end of faithprayer for.

1. What is faith?

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (11 Heb. 1.)

2. Is faith required by God?

Without faith it is impossible to please him. (11 Heb. 6.) 3. Is faith necessary to salvation?

God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (3 Jn. 16.)

We are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (10 Heb. 39.)

4. How are we saved through faith?

By grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast; for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained, that we should walk in them. (2 Eph. 8, 9, 10.)

5. Why is the Christian not ashamed of the gospel? I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth. (1 Ro. 16.) 6. How did St. Paul by faith esteem the knowledge of

Christ?

Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him;

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not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, Ch the righteousness which is of God by faith. (3 Phi. 8, 9.)

7. What is the comparative state of believers in Christ, and unbelievers?

He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not, is condemned already; because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (3Jn. 18.) He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (16 Mr. 16.)

8. What is the state of believers and unbelievers as to the eternal world?

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (3 Jn. 36.)

9. For what purpose did St. John write his gospel?

These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that, believing, ye might have life through his name. (20 Jn. 31.)

10. How did Paul and Silas address the jailor? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. (16 Ac. 31.)

11. What were the chief subjects of the apostle Paul's ministry?

Testifying both to the Greeks, and also to the Jews, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (20 Ac. 21.)

12. How does true faith work?

Faith which worketh by love. (5 Gal. 6.)

13. What is a dead faith?

Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (2 Jas. 17.) 14. What was the "faithful saying," which Titus was

commanded to "affirm constantly."

That they which have believed in God, might be careful to maintain good works. (3 Tit. 8.)

15. Do the people of God live by fuith?

The just shall live by faith. (1 Ro. 17.) (3 Gal. 11.)

The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (2 Gal. 20.)

16. How are the saints preserved in the life of faith, to its end?

Who are kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation; ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness, through manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ, = whom, having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet, believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (I.Pet. 1. 5 to 9.)

17. For what did St. Paul pray on behalf of the Ephesians?

That Christ maydwell in your hearts by faith. (3 Eph. 17.) 18. Was Abraham an admirable example of faith?

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able also to perform. (4 Rom. 20, 21.)

19. How did St. Paul express his firm faith?

I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. (II Tim. 1. 12.)

20. What should be our earnest and constant prayer? Lord, increase our faith. (17 Lk. 5.)

X. PRAYER AND PRAISE.

Prayer and Praise-Duty of, and invitation to-Promises and encouragements-Manner of performing-Divine assistance necessary-Subjects of prayer.

1. How does God require us to worship him? Offer unto God thanksgiving, and pay thy vows unto the Most High; and call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (50 P. 14, 15.)

2. How does Christ command and encourage us to pray? Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (11 Lk. 9.) 3. Did the Psalmist resolve to pray frequently? Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray. (55 P. 17.) 4. Must we continue in prayer and praise ?

Men ought always to pray, and not to faint. (18 Lk. 1.) Continuing instant in prayer. (12 Ro. 12.)

Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I Thes. 5. 17, 18.)

5. How did the Psalmist invite others to join in the work of praise?

O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. (95 P. 1, 2.)

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. (118 P. 1.)

6. Did the apostle exhort the Ephesians to abound in praise?

Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (5 Eph. 18, 19, 20.)

7. Should all unite in praising God?

Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. (19 Rev. 5.)

Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. (150 P. 6.) 8. Does God know our wants before we pray to him?

Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him. (6 Mt. 8.)

9. Does he yet require our prayers?

Thus saith the Lord God: I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them. (36 Ez. 37.)

10. How does God encourage us to call on him?

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; he also will hear their cry, and will save them. (145 P. 18, 19.)

This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he hear us, whatsover we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (I. Jn. 5. 14, 15.)

11. What promise has Christ given to encourage prayer? All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (21 Mt. 22.)

12. Are we to pray in the name of Christ ?

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name. Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. (16 Jn. 23, 24.)

Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (3 Col. 17.)

13. Does the sympathy of Christ, as our High Priest, encourage our confidence in prayer?

We have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (4 Heb. 15, 16.)

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