In 1898 and 1899, A. T. Jones wrote, in the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, a series of articles on Faith.
He used a statement by Ellen G. White as the basis for this series and they are well worth the reading and understanding.
Faith is the expecting the word of God to do what the word says, and depending upon that word to do what the word says.
When this is clearly discerned, it is perfectly easy to see how it is that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Faith is the expecting the word of God to do what it says, and the depending upon that word to do what it says.
As that is faith, and as faith comes by the word of God, it is plain that the word of God, in order to inculcate faith, must teach that the word has in itself power to accomplish what itself says.
WHEN the centurion said to Jesus that he need not "come and heal" his servant, but that if he would "speak the word only," the servant would be healed, Jesus "said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."
"The knowledge of what the Scripture means when urging upon us the necessity of cultivating faith is more essential than any other knowledge that can be acquired."
The centurion desired that the Lord should do for him a certain thing. The Lord said, "I will come," and do it. The centurion said, No; "speak the word only," and it shall be done.
"The knowledge of what the Scripture means when urging upon us the necessity of cultivating faith, is more essential than any other knowledge that can be acquired."
In order to be able to know what the Scripture means when urging upon us the necessity of cultivating faith, it is essential to know, first of all, what is faith.
Without faith it is impossible to please God. The reason for this is that "whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom. 14:23), and of course sin cannot please God.
Without faith it is impossible to please God. The reason for this is that "whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23), and of course sin cannot please God.
This is why it is that, as stated by the Spirit of Prophecy on the first page of the Review, October 18, 1898, "The knowledge of what the Scripture means when urging upon us the necessity of cultivating faith is more essential than any other knowledge that can be acquired."