Meaning of faith (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Faith:

The faith is the belief, trust or consent of a person in relation to something or someone, and as such, appears above the need to have evidence proving the truth of what they believed. The word comes from the Latin fides , which means 'loyalty', 'fidelity'.

Faith also means having full confidence in something or someone: "I have faith that politicians will find a solution to the world's problems."

In religious practice, faith is essential. In this context, faith is the set of beliefs of a religion, in which case it is equivalent to doctrine. All religions require faith.

Thus, faith can refer to both 1) believing in something and 2) the things or principles that we believe in.

It is, therefore, under faith that believers accept as absolute truth the principles spread by the religion they profess: the belief in a supreme being and the submission to his divine will.

Faith, on the other hand, is also synonymous with religion or worship: Islamic faith, Christian faith, Jewish faith.

Also, as faith is called the credibility that has been given to something or someone due to the authority, fame or reputation of the person who affirms it: "The minister said he had faith that the negotiations would come to fruition."

Finally, a faith is also a document that certifies the truth of something and that can only be issued by duly authorized public officials: single faith, life faith.

Faith in Christianity

Faith is based on the belief in the revelation of God proposed by the Christian Church. In Christianity, faith is the main of the three theological virtues. The other two theological virtues are hope and charity.

Through faith the person manages to believe in the revealed truth, that is, in Jesus as the Messiah, Son of God. This faith instills feelings of hope and charity.

Faith is also understood to be a gift that has been infused into the person through the Holy Spirit. She leads to the relationship with God.

This implies that faith in Christianity is limited not only to accept the doctrine as valid, but to live according to the teachings.

See also Theological virtues.

Faith in the Bible (Biblical phrases about faith)

Faith is defined in the New Testament as "the guarantee of the goods that are expected, the full certainty of the realities that are not seen" (Heb 11, 1).

Thus, to have faith in God is to believe in his existence, his omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience; it is also believing in his Word and the teachings of Jesus Christ, transmitted through the Bible.

In the Bible we can read some phrases that reaffirm these principles. Let's see.

• Old Testament:
  • Therefore, thus says the Lord: See that I put a stone in Zion, a foolproof stone, a cornerstone, chosen, well founded: he who has faith will not hesitate. Is 28, 16. Your testimonies, Lord, are worthy of faith, holiness beautifies your House throughout time. Ps 93, 5. May good faith and loyalty never abandon you: tie them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart, and you will find favor and approval in the eyes of God and men. Prov 3, 3-4.Fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love, and it is by faith that one begins to unite with him. Ecli 25, 12 An intelligent man trusts the Law and has it as much faith as a divine oracle. Ecli, 33, 3.
  New Testament:
  • He answered them: "Why are you afraid, you of little faith ?" And rising, he rebuked the wind and the sea, and a great calm ensued. Mt, 8, 26. Seeing the faith of these men, Jesus said to the paralytic: "Have confidence, son, your sins are forgiven." Mt 9, 2.Jesus turned around, and when he saw her, he said: "Have confidence, daughter, your faith has saved you." And from that moment the woman was cured. Mt 9:22. Then Jesus said to her: «Woman, how great is your faith! Let your wish come true! » And at that moment her daughter was healed. Mt 15, 28. I assure you that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed, they would say to this mountain: "Move from here to there," and the mountain would move; and nothing would be impossible for you ». Mt 17:20. Jesus answered them: «I assure you that if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what I have just done with the fig tree, but you will be able to say to this mountain:« Get out of there and throw yourself into the sea », and it will. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will achieve. Mt 21, 21-22. «If you can do something, have mercy on us and help us». "If you can…!" Replied Jesus. "Everything is possible for the one who believes". Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I think, help me because I have little faith." Mk 9: 22-24: If someone should scandalize one of these little ones who have faith, it would be preferable for him to have a grinding stone tied around his neck and thrown into the sea. Mk 9:42. Jesus replied, "Have faith in God. Because I assure you that if someone says to this mountain: "Get out of there and throw yourself into the sea", without hesitating inside, but believing that what he says will happen, he will succeed. Mk 11: 22-23. Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you, go in peace." Lk 7:50. The Apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." Lk 17, 5. Then he said to Thomas: «Bring your finger here: here are my hands. Bring your hand closer: stick it in my side. From now on, don't be an unbeliever, but a man of faith. Tomas replied: "My Lord and my God!". Jesus said to him, "Now you believe, because you have seen me. Happy those who believe without having seen! ». Jn 20: 27-29 The righteous will live by faith. Rom 1:17. Therefore, the inheritance is obtained through faith, so that this inheritance is free and the promise is assured for all the descendants of Abraham, not only those who are by Law, but also those who are by faith. Because he is our common father. Rom 4, 16.For the husband who has no faith is sanctified by his wife, and the wife who has no faith is sanctified by the husband. 1 Cor 7, 14.… now there are three things: faith, hope and love, but the greatest of all is love. 1 Cor 13:13 Remain firm in the faith. 1 Cor 16:13 Now, faith is the guarantee of the goods that are expected, the full certainty of the realities that are not seen. Heb 11: 1 The same thing happens with faith: if it is not accompanied by works, it is completely dead. However, someone may object: "One has faith and another has works." To that one should reply: «Show me, if you can, your faith without works. I, on the other hand, through works, will show you my faith ». Sant 2, 17-18.

Characteristics of faith

From a theological point of view, faith fulfills the following characteristics:

• It is received as a grace or a gift; It is a human act that does not quarrel neither with individual freedom nor with the dignity of being; It is understood that intelligence and human will cooperate with faith; Faith is strengthened in experience; Faith takes revelation for granted; Faith impels to deepen the relationship and knowledge; Faith is open to knowledge, considering all things as coming from the supreme being; Faith is persevering, and it depends on advancing in the way; Faith is necessary for the liberation of the subject from his apprehensions.

Importance of faith

Many wonder what faith is for and what its importance is. The first thing is to understand that faith is a leading value in human life, and not only in relation to religious belief systems.

From the anthropological point of view, faith can be understood as the trust that is placed in someone to become worthy of that faith.

Seen in this way, faith is the principle by which the human being establishes relationships with others, whether it is other human beings or a superior entity.

Faith is the beginning of all interpersonal relationships. And in fact, we apply it more than we think. When when he meets someone he tells us his name, age and trade, "we give faith" to his words, to what that person reveals about himself, from which a relationship is established.

For example, on faith (in its anthropological sense) depends the conviction that children can learn and, therefore, the patience of their educators (parents, representatives or teachers) depends. The more faith, the more patience.

The same can be said in all aspects of human life. Faith is what allows the individual to trust others and himself, to acquire attitudes of hope and affection that humanize his life experience.

Errata

In the field of printing, the list of errors observed in a book is called the errata faith. As such, it is inserted at the end or at the beginning of the book, informing the reader of the amendments that, in each case, must be made for reading.

Public faith

Public faith is called the legitimate authority attributed to public authorities (notaries, notaries, consuls and secretaries of courts, tribunals and other official institutes) so that the documents that they duly authorize, as well as their content, are considered as authentic and true..

Faith of life

A faith of life is a certification issued by a legitimately empowered official stating the presence and life of a person. Colloquially, the expression "attest to life" is used to refer to the act of presence that a person, long distant, makes to someone: "Orlando finally attested to life."

Good faith and bad faith

In Law, as good faith, the criterion of conduct to which a subject of law must conform is called, in accordance with the parameters of a straight and honest behavior. Bad faith, on the other hand, refers to the malice or malice with which one acts or with which one possesses or possesses some asset.

Expressions with faith

• In good faith: it is an expression that certainly means, surely, without a doubt. In good faith, as a gentleman, as a Christian, mine: an expression used to ensure that what is said is true. In good faith: means naively or without malice. Attest: expression to indicate that a notary has exercised public faith. It is also used to assure the truth of something that has been seen. In good faith: expression used to emphasize that what is said or done is executed with truth and sincerity. In bad faith: it is used to refer to what is done or said with malice or deceit. Blind faith: it is used to indicate that a person has placed their faith in something or someone without taking any kind of provisions and without having any doubts.