What is Faith?
(i) Faith of Jesus Christ which Saves us All & All believers (Romans 3:22)
(ii) Our “faith in Christ” for those who “believe whilst not seeing” itself.
(iii) Brief Discussion for Edification, please consider:
Having “faith” is believing when “not seeing” (Definition of “our faith” Is Hebrews 11:1, where the phrase “unseen” or “not seen” proves this requirement)
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
So, the idea of having “faith in Christ” after “seeing” Him seems inconsistent with the “Scriptural Definition in Hebrews 11:1”.
But these ones being “Saved” without any faith in Christ prior (i.e. before “seeing Him”) is Scriptural & explainable via the accurate “Faith of Jesus Christ” which proves the Independency of “Christ Saving” without any condition of ‘faith in Christ’ first as ‘He has Mercy on whomever He Wills’, all Scripturally consistent with “verses” describing it.
(iv) Believing & Its relation to faith
The apostle Thomas case was “believing after seeing”
Christ called those ‘blessed’ who “believe whilst not seeing” (faith in Christ, this is consistent with the definition of Hebrews 11:1).
These are two “distinct” cases with regards to “believing” namely
(a) “believing after seeing” (not faith but acceptance of truth after experiencing the Truth)
(b) “believing before seeing” (‘faith’ meeting the conditions of definition in Hebrew 11:1)
These are distinct and not to be confused with each other
**Apostle Thomas is ‘not’ credited for ‘faith’ toward “Christ’s Resurrection only”; this does ‘not’ exclude ‘his faith’ in other ‘aspects’ regarding the Gospel which ‘he would have believed without seeing too’ and that’s how a ‘measure of faith’ given (Romans 12:3, Ephesians 4:7) can be understood too.
“I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 18:8)
Peace
P/S: Comments
A Simple Scriptural Example regarding Faith
Eample of a believer’s faith vs Faith of Jesus Christ explains the “how” of this Heart of the Gospel
(i) A Believer’s faith
Abraham’s faith (a gift of faith given to him) credits justification of rewards (blessings) & Salvation remains A Gift of God, not of ourselves —> meaning of “our righteousness”
(ii) Faith OF Jesus Christ
Faith of Jesus Christ saves All and all believers (distinctly mentioned in Original Greek Scripture, e.g. KJV and YLT accurately translating and nothing these two “distinct all” mentioned in Romans 3:22) —> bringing hope of Salvation toward “All” by the ‘Faith of Jesus Christ Alone’ —> meaning of “Righteousness of God” as this phrase is distinctly mentioned in Romans 3:22 too