Topical Bible: The Gospel is Called the Word of Faith

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Topical Encyclopedia

The phrase "the word of faith" is a significant term found within the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. It encapsulates the essence of the Gospel message and its transformative power in the life of a believer. The term is most prominently featured in Romans 10:8, where Paul writes, "But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart'—that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming" .

Biblical Context

In Romans 10, Paul addresses the righteousness that comes from the law versus the righteousness that comes from faith. He emphasizes that the law, while holy and good, cannot bring about salvation. Instead, salvation is accessible through faith in Jesus Christ. The "word of faith" refers to the message of the Gospel, which proclaims that belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ leads to righteousness and salvation. This message is not distant or unattainable; it is near, accessible, and can be internalized by believers.

Theological Significance

The term "word of faith" underscores the centrality of faith in the Christian life. It highlights that the Gospel is not merely a set of doctrines or moral teachings but a living and active message that requires a response of faith. This faith is not a mere intellectual assent but a deep-seated trust and reliance on the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "word of faith" is transformative, bringing about a new creation in those who believe (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Faith and Confession

Romans 10:9-10 further elaborates on the relationship between faith and confession: "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved" . This passage emphasizes that faith is both an inward conviction and an outward expression. The "word of faith" is not only believed internally but also proclaimed externally, demonstrating the believer's allegiance to Christ.

The Role of Preaching

The proclamation of the "word of faith" is central to the mission of the Church. Romans 10:14-17 highlights the necessity of preaching for the spread of the Gospel: "How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?" . The "word of faith" is disseminated through the faithful preaching and teaching of the Gospel, enabling others to hear, believe, and call upon the name of the Lord for salvation.

Faith as a Gift

While the "word of faith" calls for a response, it is important to recognize that faith itself is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast" . This underscores the grace of God in the salvation process, affirming that the ability to respond to the "word of faith" is enabled by divine grace.

Conclusion

The Gospel, as the "word of faith," is a powerful and life-changing message that calls individuals to a relationship with Jesus Christ through faith. It is a message that is near, accessible, and transformative, requiring both belief in the heart and confession with the mouth. Through the faithful proclamation of this word, the Church fulfills its mission to make disciples of all nations, inviting all to experience the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 10:8
But what said it? The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Word as a Means of Grace
... or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit hath called me through the Gospel, enlightened
me ... V.: "For by the Word and Sacraments, as by instruments, the Holy ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xvii the word as.htm

On Faith in God and Christ
... The second part now follows, which is called "the obedience ... which we know that it
is the word of God ... produced by the Holy Spirit, through the gospel, in sinners ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xliv on faith in.htm

The Title "Word" is to be Interpreted by the Same Method as the ...
... in the Acts, that the stone is no other than Christ; the Gospel as follows ... they proceed
differently and ask, What is the Son of God when called the Word? ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/23 the title word is.htm

On the Church of the New Testament, or under the Gospel
... from the period of his ascension into heaven, began to be called out from a state
of sin which was plainly manifested by the word of the gospel, and by ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lii on the church.htm

On the Repentance by which Men Answer to the Divine Vocation
... the gospel, which is the word of faith. The third is the observance of God's commands,
in which consists holiness of life, to which believers are called, and ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xliii on the repentance.htm

How under King Sigbert, through the Preaching of Cedd, the East ...
... who, finding that the work of the Gospel had prospered ... and deacons to assist him
in the Word of faith ... in the language of the Saxons, is called Ythancaestir, as ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxii how under king.htm

How the Word is the Maker of all Things, and Even the Holy Spirit ...
... a servant of Christ Jesus, a called Apostle, separated to ... aforehand by the prophets
His own Gospel, the prophets ... His ministers, and having their word to speak ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/6 how the word is.htm

The Corruption of Man, his Conversion to God, and the Manner ...
... nor of God, who calls men by the gospel and confers ... fault lies in themselves; some
of whom when called, regardless of their danger, reject the Word of life ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/the corruption of man his.htm

How the West Saxons Received the Word of God by the Preaching of ...
... he thought it better to preach the Word there, than ... Now, as he was spreading the
Gospel in the aforesaid ... kings gave to the bishop the city called Dorcic, there ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap vii how the west.htm

How Bishop Wilfrid Converted the Province of the South Saxons to ...
... But Bishop Wilfrid, while preaching the Gospel to the people ... sort of place is by
the Latins called a peninsula ... He himself, both in word and deed performed the ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xiii how bishop wilfrid.htm