The Faith of Jesus
Two faiths. There is the "faith in Christ" and there is the "faith of Christ". It cannot be just the faith in Jesus or the faith about Jesus that saves us. It has to be the faith of Jesus.
- Romans 1:17: For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.”
"righteousness of God. Our righteousness and God’s righteousness are two different things. God’s righteousness affects His decisions. His righteousness is perfect, so anyone who relates to Him must do so on a perfect basis. We do not have perfect righteousness in ourselves; God must give us that righteousness.
"revealed in the gospel." The gospel is something “revealed” rather than a human perspective. The word “revealed” means to uncover what is hidden, to unveil. God’s nature would be hidden to man were it not for revelation. The gospel unveils God’s righteousness; it lifts the veil off His absolute righteousness.
"from faith to faith." This phrase literally reads out of faith to faith. Faith is both the ground and the goal. We obtain God’s righteousness solely by faith. “To faith” refers to the action of faith on the part of the believer, not his works. The gospel both awakens faith and produces faith. From the faith of God, who makes the offer, to the faith of men, who receive it; from the faith of preachers to the faith of hearers; from the faith of Paul to the faith of the Romans, ch. Romans 1:12; from the faith of the strong to the faith of the weak, ch. Romans 14:1. The revelation spoken of proceeds from faith and is designed to produce faith. (1) The initial step, the entrance to justification, is faith: (2) The life of the justified is maintained by faith: faith is the starting-point and the course.
From Jesus overcoming faith and pursuing faith in us, to our reciprocating faith in him.
Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith
As our perfect example, Jesus showed us a perfect faith which we can emulate.
- Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
"founder." In the Greek, archegos (G747), from arche, "beginning, origin, first." Refers to one that takes the lead in anything and thus is an example. It could include meanings such as: founder, leader, pioneer, or an author. However, this word does not strictly mean "author" but rather "a person who is originator or founder of a movement and continues as the leader—i.e. 'pioneer leader, founding leader'. Similar wording is found in Hebrews 2:10 (where G747, archegos, is used) and 5:9 (where G159, aitios, is used). In these two latter cases, the word "author" is not the best translation either.
"perfecter." In the Greek, teleioten (G5051: a completer, finisher, consummator). It follows the sense of finishing a race as mentioned in the previous verse.
Jesus manifested the most perfect faith and trust in his Father. In spite of everything around him saying otherwise, that his Father had abandoned him, the suffering he went through at the end, in spite of all of this, he trusted his Father. That his Father loved him and had the best in mind for him.
Faith in Christ
Scriptures
- Romans 1:8: First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.
- Ephesians 1:15: For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,
- Colossians 1:4: since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,
- 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospelI preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
- Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
- Ephesians 3:17: so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith
- Romans 3:25: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Gospel in five (5) parts: Christ died; for our sins; was buried; he rose again; according to the Scriptures.
Faith of Jesus
In the three angels' messages, the two bookends are the everlasting gospel (1st angel) and the faith of Jesus (3rd angel). The last verse in the message of the third angel reads as follows:
- Revelation 14:12 (NKJV): Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
You may have a different translation. Your translation may read, "and the faith in Jesus." Well, the Greek there is pistin Jesou (Jesus' faith). It is Jesus' faith, not faith in Jesus. The saints will have Jesus' faith. This may sound odd to you, but that's how it reads. Now, here's a question for you. At the end of time, would you rather have your faith or Jesus' faith to carry you through? I personally would rather have Jesus' faith. His faith is better than mine, or yours or anyone else's.
It turns out, this phrase, "Jesus' faith" or "Christ's faith" is found in several other places in the New Testament. However, not all translators translate it correctly. Versions that translate it consistently as it is in the Greek include: KJV, ISV (International Standard Version), NET (New English Translation), JUB (Jubilee Bible 2000), and YLT (Young's Literal Translation). The RSV is a hit or miss as is the ESV.
I would like to read some of these occurrences in the New Testament, so you can see the significance.
pistis Christou (Christ's faith) [Modified NET version]
- Romans 3:(20-)22: For no one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (which is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed—22 namely, the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ's faith for all who believe. For there is no distinction,
- Galatians 2:(15-)16: We are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners, 16 yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but through the faith of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
- Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- Galatians 3:22: But the scripture imprisoned everything under sin so that the promise could be given—because of the faith of Jesus Christ—to those who believe.
- Ephesians 3:(11-)12: This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access to God by way of Christ’s [orig. his] faith.
- Philippians 3:(7-)9: But these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ. 8 More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things—indeed, I regard them as dung!—that I may gain Christ, 9 and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes through the faith of Christ—a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ’s faithfulness.
Implications. Thus, the New Testament speaks of two faiths: my faith and Jesus' faith. I am justified not by my faith, but by Christ's faith. (Read this twice!) By becoming one with Christ, I am given his faith, I enter into his faith. It is a faith that is both imputed and imparted. The righteousness of God (God's righteousness) is accomplished through Christ's faithfulness. We are justified by Christ's faithfulness. The life I now live is because of Christ's faithfulness. It's a different way of looking at things. I don't live by my faith but by Christ's faith. I become an imitator of Christ and his faithfulness.
Christ in you. Not only are we to have the faith of Jesus, we are also to have other aspects of his character: his love, patience, joy, etc.
EGW
- 3SM 172.2: The third angel’s message is the proclamation of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ. The commandments of God have been proclaimed, but the faith of Jesus Christ has not been proclaimed by Seventh-day Adventists as of equal importance, the law and the gospel going hand in hand. I cannot find language to express this subject in its fullness.
- 3SM 172.3: “The faith of Jesus.” [Revelation 14:12.] It is talked of, but not understood. What constitutes the faith of Jesus that belongs to the third angel’s message? Jesus becoming our sin-bearer that He might become our sin-pardoning Saviour. He was treated as we deserve to be treated. He came to our world and took our sins that we might take His righteousness. Faith in the ability of Christ to save us amply and fully and entirely is the faith of Jesus.
- DA 756.2-3: Suddenly the gloom lifted from the cross, and in clear, trumpetlike tones, that seemed to resound throughout creation, Jesus cried, “It is finished.” “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” A light encircled the cross, and the face of the Saviour shone with a glory like the sun. He then bowed His head upon His breast, and died. Amid the awful darkness, apparently forsaken of God, Christ had drained the last dregs in the cup of human woe. In those dreadful hours He had relied upon the evidence of His Father's acceptance heretofore given Him. He was acquainted with the character of His Father; He understood His justice, His mercy, and His great love. By faith He rested in Him whom it had ever been His joy to obey. And as in submission He committed Himself to God, the sense of the loss of His Father's favor was withdrawn. By faith, Christ was victor.
This concept of the faith of Jesus is closely linked to the testimony of Jesus (see next section).
The testimony of Jesus
Together with possessing Jesus' faith, the remnant will also possess Jesus' testimony.
- Revelation 12:17 (NKJV): And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
In both instances, Revelation 12 and 14, the remnant keep the commandments of God, but in the first they have the testimony of Jesus and in the second they have the faith of Jesus. We already covered the faith of Jesus. Let's now cover the testimony of Jesus.
Testimony (definition). The Greek for "testimony" is marturia [G3141]. We get the word "martyr" from this word. It is used 38 times in the New Testament and translated variously: witness (15 times); testimony (14 times); record (7 times); and report (2 times). Although used by other NT writers, the apostle John uses this word far more than any other writer (31 of the 38 times). It is John's use of the word that should have our attention.
John's use of marturia. John himself in his first letter explains what marturia means. We will use a modern translation because they are widely regarded as more accurate than the KJV or NKJV for this passage. A story for another day.
- 1 John 5:6-12 (ESV/REV combined): This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the spirit is what testifies (marturia) [Greek, which is testifying] to this, because the spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify (marturia): 8 the spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. 9 If we receive the testimony (marturia) of men, the testimony (marturia) of God is greater, for this is the testimony (marturia) of God that he has testified (martyreō) concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony (marturia) in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony (marturia) that God has testified (martyreō) concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony (marturia), that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
At this point, through his constant repetition, you get the idea that John is trying to drive one idea home. And what is that idea? What is the testimony? What is the marturia? It's here in the text. It is found in verse 11. The testimony is that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. If you're going to become a martyr, if you're willing to die for something, you might as well know what you are willing to die for. Right? Let the congregation say it! Let the congregation say it loud! [quote verse 11.] Make this testimony your own! You are willing to lose your life in order to gain the life that God has given us by His Son.
- Revelation 12:11: And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony (marturia), for they loved not their lives even unto death.
Such a simple statement, yet so powerful. And for this, there have been martyrs throughout history, there are martyrs now, and there will be martyrs at the end of time.
The spirit is the witness. Back to verse 6 in the Greek, "And the spirit is what testifies (marturia) to this, because the spirit is the truth." This is the message of the prophets, the essence of prophecy, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. This is what all of prophecy points to, both Old and New Testaments. This is what the Bible is all about. This is what we preach, Jesus Christ and him crucified. What it means is that we are saved by and in Christ and none are saved outside of Him. Jesus himself said, "I am the way, the truth and the life: no one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). This is the revelation of the Eternal Purpose of God: that His Son be preeminent in all things. The Father has sent His Son as the savior of the world. The Father has set His Son in the ultimate place of authority, establishing that all are saved in His Son and none are saved without Him.
It is with this in mind that we can better understand Revelation 19:9-10.
- Revelation 19:9-10 (NKJV): Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
The angel speaking to John made it clear that those who have the testimony of Jesus are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! It is the spirit of this prophecy. If you miss this, you miss the whole thing. You miss the entire message of the Book of Revelation. It is the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is the prophecy of Jesus. It is the spirit of this prophecy. It all revolves around Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Read another way (on verse 10): Then I bowed down at the angel's feet to worship him, but he said to me, "Do not worship me! I am a servant like you and your brethren. Worship God, because the testimony [the message; the witness] of Jesus is the essence of true prophecy [or it is spirit-inspired prophecy; it is the spirit of prophecy].
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