Article 1. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word, by which, and by prayer, the Christian ordinances, and other means appointed of God, it is also increased and strengthened.
Article 2. By this faith a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word for the authority of God Himself speaking therein and acts appropriately upon that which each particular passage thereof contains, yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come. Nevertheless, the principle acts of saving faith have immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and resting upon Him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of God's gracious promise.
Article 3. This faith, although it be different in degrees and may be weak or strong, yet is even in its least degree different in the kind or nature, as is all other saving grace, from the faith and common grace of temporary believers. Therefore, though it may be many times assailed and weakened, yet it gets the victory, growing in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.
Article 2. By this faith a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word for the authority of God Himself speaking therein and acts appropriately upon that which each particular passage thereof contains, yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come. Nevertheless, the principle acts of saving faith have immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and resting upon Him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of God's gracious promise.
Article 3. This faith, although it be different in degrees and may be weak or strong, yet is even in its least degree different in the kind or nature, as is all other saving grace, from the faith and common grace of temporary believers. Therefore, though it may be many times assailed and weakened, yet it gets the victory, growing in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.
Q. What is faith?
A. It is not only a knowledge, whereby I surely assent to all things which God has revealed to us in His Word, but also an assured trust kindled in my heart by the Holy Spirit, through the gospel, whereby I make my repose in God being assuredly resolved that remission of sins, everlasting righteousness, and life is given not to others only, but to me also and that freely through the mercy of God for the merits of Christ alone.
An Orthodox Catechism, Question 21.
