By way of review in our last issue we began to consider the Greek root word for faith. We found that The Greek word peitho {pi'-tho} Strong's number 3982 is where the noun (pistis) or faith comes from.
We saw that pistis was translated faith some 239 times among other words in the New Testament. The word "peitho" means to persuade, to induce one by words, to believe according to Strong's. We then began to look at this word "peitho" in the scriptures so we could see the meaning of the root word for faith.
Acts 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
Who persuaded (peitho) the Jews and the Greeks? Paul, as he reasoned with them in the synagogue. One of the key elements involved in every case we have consider thus far is that words precede this persuading.
Acts 19:26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
Who persuaded (peitho) much people once again Paul is guilty of persuading the people of the truth there be no gods which are made with hands. If Paul was around today and preached the same message I know of a few major denominations that would be saying the same thing about him.
Acts 19:23-32 23And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.28And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. 30And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. 32Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
Why did they get so upset and want to lay hands on Paul? Because he said there be no God's made with hands that includes religious figurines … just saying.
Acts 21:12-1412And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.14And when he would not be persuaded, (peitho) we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
In this record we see that many people tried to persuade Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. However, we also see the great law of free will when Paul refuses to listen not only to the People but also to the will of the Lord not to go to Jerusalem.
The word is clear when it speaks of the meaning of the word peitho. To have faith is to be persuaded from a source outside of oneself. This is exactly what Ephesians teaches.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Faith along with grace and salvation is a gift of God and it is not of or from ourselves.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
God is the author and distributer of faith
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Faith is a fruit of the spirit not a fruit of man's good works. Remember I taught you that words preceded man's persuading?
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Revelation precedes God's faith. When you study faith in the bible you will quickly find God's revelation is given first. Whenever someone decides to BELIEVE in their heart what God has revealed to them and act accordingly, God imparts the faith they need to accomplish the revelation.
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
First the revelation he was warned of God. We know he believed because it says he moved with fear in other words he acted on the revelation. And God energized the faith to build that boat over all those years. All throughout those years God continued to persuade and encourage Noah.
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
First the revelation God called him to go. Next he believed because it says he obeyed and went out. God energized the faith he needed to accomplish the revelation given to him. All throughout those years God continued to persuade and encourage Abraham.
Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
If you go back and read the record you will see once again revelation preceded faith.
KJV Joshua 6:1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. 2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.3 And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. 5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.
This is the revelation.
Joshua 6:6 And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD.
This is Joshua believing the revelation and acting. God then imparted faith to Joshua so he could accomplish this revelation. And God continued to persuade and encourage Joshua along the way and on the seventh day…
Joshua 6:20 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
Faith will always produce works, but works cannot produce faith. Works flow from faith not the other way around.
Now man has faith but it's not supernatural. If it's mountain moving faith it is supernatural and comes from God. Man's faith is his belief or what he trusts in or is convinced of.
God's faith is what gets the job done when mixed with heart believing.
Note: All scripture is from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. NIV indicates The New International Version, NKJV indicates the New King James Version, ASV means the American Standard Version, BBE means the Bible in Basic English, DBY means the Darby translation, NAU means the American Standard Version, 1995 Edition, and NAB means the New American Bible translation. For more information, go to theWorks Cited page.