“Faith in general is the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Philippians 1:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests.”—Easton’s Bible Dictionary.

“Faith is trusting God—believing that He loves us and knows best what is for our good. Thus, instead of our own, it leads us to choose His way. In place of our ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place of our weakness, His strength; in place of our sinfulness, His righteousness. Our lives, ourselves, are already His; faith acknowledges His ownership and accepts its blessing. Truth, uprightness, purity, have been pointed out as secrets of life’s success. It is faith that puts us in possession of these principles.”—Education, p. 253.

The primary idea of faith is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust, based on the evidence on which it rests. We need it in order to be saved for eternity through God’s gift of grace. Derived from God, it is nonetheless, a human act, certain, active in love, growth-oriented, and a taste of heaven.

In our Bibles, we can identify four distinct types of faith—some good, some bad:

Dead faith: faith without works is dead (James 2:17) if your faith is real, you will produce good fruits. A dead faith is one that cannot produce genuine fruits, but will be full of selfish thoughts, cruel words, and immoral deeds.

Demonic faith: The demons fully believe that Jesus is the Son of the living God, but they rebelliously choose to serve a different master. (James 2:19.) Satan is actually a diligent Bible student, and his theology is more thoroughly known to him than yours or mine. He has crystal clear knowledge of Christ’s death and resurrection, but all this knowledge cannot save him. In other words, mere possession of technically accurate theology is meaningless if we cannot put it into practice and live by it in our daily transactions.

Vain faith: In Matthew 7:21–23, we hear dreadful words that shock believers in the Gospel. This leaves us wondering where we stand. . . . Is my faith vain? Our Saviour’s plea is that we should not be among the people who complete all kinds of religious milestones, only to cry out on the final day, “Lord! Lord! . . . in your name we preached, traveled extensively, healed, and moved the crowds,” finally to hear the dreadful words, “I never knew you; depart from me.” (See Matthew 7:22, 23.)

Saving faith: If we consider carefully,  we’ll understand that the three types of faith above, cannot save; they are merely straw. The purpose of faith is to bring us to an expected end, a hope and a joyful future—that joy of seeing our Saviour coming in the clouds and our eyes glued to that beautiful scene. The smiles will never fade as we pass through unfallen worlds, Jesus leading us to the Father. Those angelic chorales, that music full of beauty and pathos, eating special fruits that Adam left in Eden and now with a full and perfect knowledge that fear, death, and decay will no longer exist. Can you visualize that? This is the kind of faith that Heaven wants us to have—a saving faith! Ultimately, we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8).

And as we live by saving faith, we are provided with Heaven-sent strength to produce good fruit. This is evidence that we are no longer slaves to sin but are made to do good works and point people to the Saviour.

“Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver. The grace of Christ in the soul is like a spring in the desert, welling up to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the water of life.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 195.

Let us consider how faith grows:

• Milk (beginner’s faith): “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). Just like a baby in the natural world, a new believer is a newborn baby in the Spirit. They need simple words and doctrines to enable them grow; they cannot be like other members of the church who have grown. Instead, they are learning from other experienced brethren; they are but lambs.

• Strong meat (a grownup’s faith): “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12–14).

These have been weaned and have become members of the church, believing and practicing the gospel truth. They are exposed to strong doctrine which the lambs cannot bear. They are no longer lambs, but are sheep still growing to reach “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).

• A special group: There’s also another group with a higher calibre of faith—those men of strong faith. Even among the apostles, there were three with especially strong faith; Christ was exclusively with them on three special occasions, namely:

1. In the house of Jairus

“And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James” (Mark 5:37).

2. On the mount of transfiguration

“And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus” (Mark 9:2–4).

3. In Gethsemane

“And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; and saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch” (Mark 14:32–34).

“God is testing the motives and principles of men and women. Strong faith and much prayer will bring heavenly angels to our side. By patient continuance in well-doing, we become channels of light.”—The Australasian Union Recorder, March 1, 1901.

“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:20, 21).

“There are men and women whom the Lord, through peculiar circumstances, will bring to the front in His work. These will be men and women who have consecrated themselves to Him. As they walk before Him in faith and trust, He will lead them to places of usefulness and honour. To those who rely upon Him He is a present help in every time of need. Those who honour His name He will qualify for important and perilous service. They may not have time to obtain all the education they desire, but the great Teacher understands. What He calls for is the willing devotion of heart and mind. When this is given Him, He will fit the givers for His service, in spite of apparent difficulties and obstacles. In His name and in His strength they will go forth to conquer.”—Ibid.

The question is: where do I belong right now?

The Gospel is the good news of Christ’s kingdom in all of its glorious facets. See Acts 20:24; Matthew 4:23; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 1:13; 6:15.

We also need to be aware that Satan, too, has his gospel preached by his ministers and is supported by his angels as the Bible tells: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:14, 15).

Faith in the true Gospel is the good news and assurance or belief that Christ died for our sins to make it possible for us to be counted righteous with God and enjoy eternal life in heaven and the new earth. This includes:

Belief in Jesus Christ:Believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Saviour and Redeemer of the world.

Trusting in Jesus Christ:Trusting in Jesus Christ and what He says, and knowing that He has the power to keep His promises.

Repentance: Accepting and applying Jesus Christ’s atonement and teachings, which includes repenting of our sins.

Faithful actions: Taking outward actions that align with what one ought to do.

Relational trust: Accepting a message alongside personal trust.

While many people wrote gospel books, only four were consistently considered inspired to be approved for inclusion in the New Testament canon. And each of these four writers views Jesus from a different perspective. Nevertheless, there are many lessons we can derive from them.

From Matthew, Mark, Luke and John there are rich jewels of truth and facts revealed for our learning. The first three gospel books (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) are often referred to as synoptic gospels, since they look at things and tell their stories in a similar way.

We have full assurance that these servants of God believed the gospel and wrote it in their own words, having been inspired by the Spirit of God. And whatever is entailed in them is very necessary for our salvation if we believe, learn and practice it. To God be the glory also for gifting us with the Spirit of Prophecy to expound to us the hidden meaning of words and illustrations used in the Bible.

“When the truth is received into the heart, the habits and customs are conformed to Christ. The learner feels bound to uplift the Saviour. The truth works by love and purifies the soul, and he regards God’s commands, not as being abrogated, but as unchangeable truth which was given to the world in the beginning. He presents the treasures of God’s Word in a fresh and agreeable way, because the truth has taken possession of his mind, his heart, his entire being.” —The Signs of the Times, March 1, 1899.

Matthew begins with genealogy, tracing Jesus’ lineage through Abraham and King David thus proving His royalty, affirming His rightful place as the Messiah (Matthew 1:1–17) and the One who fulfills Old Testament prophecies. It gives a rich account of Jesus Christ’s life, teachings, death, and resurrection.

In Jewish culture, women were marginalized, yet Matthew recognized and included them in his testament.

From Rahab’s inclusion in the genealogy of Christ we can learn that:

• The transformative power of faith is stronger than past mistakes—growing from a sinner to the family of Christ.

• God can use anyone willing for His eternal and redemptive purposes.

• God’s redemptive plan extends beyond the boundaries of Israel, even to the believing Gentile.

• God honors and rewards faith. Rahab protected the Israelite spies and expressed her belief in their God (Joshua 2:11) and was not disappointed.

We have Ruth, the Moabite woman, who clung to her mother-in-law Naomi and was very kind to her. Here we can learn that:

• God can use anyone to accomplish His eternal and redemptive purposes regardless of their past.

• God rewards & honors faith; Ruth chose the God of the Israelites to be her God (Ruth 1:16).

• God’s redemptive plan is not limited within the boundaries of Israel, but goes beyond reaching even the believing Gentile in full measure.

• God not only redeems individuals but also restores relationships.

Also included is Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite. Her relationship with King David was deeply rooted in sin (2 Samuel 11:2–5). Yet her inclusion in the genealogy of Christ shows that:

• God can bring good from human sin and failure.

• God’s plan of redemption is available to all humanity upon condition of repentance, regardless of one’s past.

• God is faithful to His covenant promises. He promised that Christ would be born in the house of Judah and this happened perfectly.

The Great Commission is a call to all believers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19, 20), by precept and example, prayers and means.

Mark, beginning with the ministry of John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus, emphasizes the Lord’s actions over His teachings, as well as His authority and servanthood. Mark also emphasized miracles, casting out demons, healing the sick, and performing acts of compassion, thereby highlighting Christ’s authority and divine power (Mark 1:1–45). He highlights Jesus’ humanity, showing His emotions and struggles, particularly in Gethsemane (Mark 14:32–42).

The passion narrative details Jesus’ betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and ultimate resurrection (Mark 15:16).

Luke was not a Jew, but a Gentile physician and a companion of Paul. He gives a detailed account of Jesus’ life, teachings, and miracles, focusing significantly on His interactions with marginalized people like women, the poor, and sinners. The book emphasizes the compassion of Jesus and His mission to save the lost.

Using the parable of the prodigal son as an illustration, we can learn that:

• God welcomes back sinners with open arms.

• God’s grace supersedes human judgment. No one is beyond the reach of His grace, regardless of past transgressions.

• True repentance involves a change of heart and direction.

• Repentance leads to the restoration of a relationship with God.

• There is a caution given against self-righteousness and envy, a lack of understanding of grace and forgiveness.

• Believers should possess a heart of compassion rather than judgment.

• There is value in the role of free will, even if our choices lead us away from God.

• God’s unwavering desire is to bring His children back into a relationship with Him.

He reminds us that Jesus’ mission is to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and this should be our mission as well.

John’s gospel was called the spiritual gospel because it tells the story of Jesus in symbolic ways that differ from the other three. His narrative is not bent towards the Jews, but further away from them as he views their culture as cruel. He begins his gospel with the pre-existent Christ—the “Word,” the unique Son of God who became human and made God the Father known to us. He presents a profound account of Jesus’ life and ministry, emphasizing His divine nature as the Son of God. Christ is the life that brings light to humanity. This light shines in darkness, signifying the hope and salvation that Jesus brings.

In Matthew 24:14, the prophecy on Olivet emphasized the significance of preaching the gospel extensively. For this determines when the end shall come, i.e., the entire world must have an idea of what the gospel entails as a witness against them if they disobey—and an entrance into the kingdom of God if they receive and obey it.

“Every true Christian will be a missionary; for he will look upon himself as the servant of Christ. In that wonderful prayer of Christ recorded in the seventeenth chapter of John, the Saviour prayed, “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” As Christ was a missionary from a higher world to this, so His followers are to be missionaries, teaching the truth of the gospel by precept and example, showing men and women how to live righteous and godly lives in this present evil world.”—The Review and Herald, April 16, 1908.

Faith in the good news of the gospel will help us to understand that, hanging upon the cross, Christ was the gospel. It was first preached to Adam and by faith, the first man saw Christ hanging on the cross carrying the burden of his sin and guilt when he sacrificed the lamb for his transgression (Revelation 13:8). And this faith echoed down through the ages to his son Abel, his great grandsons Noah, Enoch, and beyond.The Levitical priesthood and sanctuary services ended in the aborted sacrifice of the lamb when the curtain in the sanctuary was torn apart and the lamb ran away, giving way to the real Passover, Christ, the Lamb of God hanging on the cross. The Gospel condemns outward PROPAGATION but promotes inward EDIFICATION by bringing a transformation of character to those who believe and are committed to the call. It also brings condemnation, peace and comfort. Since time is short, faithful men and women are needed to lead in this special work. And for them to be tactful, both young and old need training. This great COMMISSION needs both human and material resources. (Matthew 28:19, 20).

“Every truth received is a refining power. By the God of heaven the mind and heart of the receiver are imbued with a power corresponding to the heavenly origin and importance of the truth. By the death of Christ on the cross, human beings have been raised in the scale of moral value. [John 3:16 quoted.]”—Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 13, Ms 88, 1898.

“The gospel is not merely the New Testament. It is the Old as well as the New. The one is not complete without the other. Christ declared that the truths of the Old Testament are just as valuable as those of the New. Christ was just as much man’s Redeemer in the beginning of the world as He is today. No one has ever been saved except by faith in Him. In the Old Testament dispensation, as well as in the New, He was the only one who could speak pardon to the sons and daughters of Adam.”—Ibid.