Receiving Faith's Promise: A Guide To Spiritual Fulfillment

Faith promise giving encourages believers to give more than they think they can afford to increase world missions. This model is often credited to A.B. Simpson, a 19th-century Canadian preacher, who based it on 2 Corinthians 10:15–16. The Bible is full of God's promises, and His word reminds us that He is faithful. Through faith in Jesus, we receive the promise of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts gives us the power to fulfill God's calling in our lives. Romans 4:16-20 states that the promise is received by faith and is a free gift. Hebrews 11:39-40 points out the foolishness of the assumption that we can still be faithful if we abandon Christ.

The promise is received by faith as a free gift

Faith is a powerful concept in Christianity, and the Bible is replete with God's promises to his followers. One such promise is that of the Holy Spirit, which is received through faith in Jesus Christ. This promise is a gift, freely given to those who believe, as illustrated in Romans 4:16-17, where it is written, "So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift."

The book of Hebrews highlights the importance of faith in receiving God's promises. Hebrews 11:39-40 states, "All these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect." This passage underscores that even the most faithful followers of God in the past, such as Abraham, did not receive the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises during their lifetimes. Instead, they trusted that God would bring about these promises in His perfect timing.

The New Testament sheds light on the nature of this promise. In Acts 1:4-5, Jesus gathers with his apostles before ascending to heaven and commands them to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit, explaining, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Receiving the Holy Spirit is synonymous with receiving God's power, and this promise is available to all who have faith.

The story of Abraham, often referred to as the "father of all who believe," exemplifies the concept of receiving the promise by faith. Despite his advanced age and seemingly impossible circumstances, Abraham never wavered in his faith and brought glory to God. His unwavering belief in God's promise led to him being counted as righteous in God's sight.

In conclusion, the promise of the Holy Spirit is a free gift from God, received by faith in Jesus Christ. This promise empowers believers to be witnesses for Christ and brings them into a closer relationship with God. By studying the lives of faithful men and women in the Bible, such as Abraham, Christians today can be encouraged to cling to their faith and trust in God's perfect timing and fulfillment of His promises.

Faith promise giving encourages believers to give beyond what they think they can give

Faith promise giving encourages believers to give more than they think they can. This is based on the belief that God will provide, and that he calls on people to trust in him to meet their needs. This model of giving is based on 2 Corinthians 10:15–16:

> "Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory."

Many churches use this model to promote giving, and it is often credited to the 19th-century Canadian preacher A.B. Simpson, who founded the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Faith promise gifts are different from regular offerings in that they require the giver to commit to giving what they do not currently have. This is a faith commitment, trusting that God will provide.

The Bible states that God will watch over those who give generously and with a willing heart, and he will provide for them. This is reflected in Isaiah 58:9; Psalm 41:1–3; Proverbs 22:9; and 2 Corinthians 9:8, 11.

The promise of the Holy Spirit

The first mention of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is in Matthew 1:18, regarding Jesus's conception. Here, the Holy Spirit is described as descending "in bodily form like a dove upon Him". At this point, God gives testimony to Jesus as his son. The Holy Spirit is again mentioned in Luke, where an angel tells Mary that "the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you".

Jesus was conceived and born of the Holy Spirit, filled with the Holy Spirit, and came to baptize with the Holy Spirit. The presence and importance of the Holy Spirit are, therefore, closely related to Jesus.

The initial promise of the Holy Spirit is found in Acts 1:4-5, where Jesus promises his apostles their baptism in the Holy Spirit.

> "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Receiving the Holy Spirit means receiving God's power. To be baptized in the Holy Spirit is to be immersed in this power. This power was first demonstrated in the words spoken by the disciples, who spoke with tongues and boldness, spreading the word of God.

God's promises about being with us

> "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

> "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 31:8)

> "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

> "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)

> "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

These verses remind us that God is always with us, ready to give us strength, comfort, and peace. He promises to never leave us nor forsake us and wants us to live without fear and anxiety, knowing that He is by our side.

Another well-known example of God's promise to be with us is the rainbow that He gave to Noah as a sign of His covenant (Genesis 9:12-17). This promise is a reminder that God will never again destroy the earth with a flood and that He will always be with us, guiding and protecting us.

God's promises about answering prayer

Prayer is a powerful way to connect with God, and He promises to answer our prayers. Here are some Bible verses that highlight God's promises about answering prayer:

God promises to answer our prayers:

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:12-13)

"Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." (John 15:7)

"Whatever you ask in my name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it." (John 14:13-14)

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." (1 John 5:14-15)

Conditions for answered prayers:

While God promises to answer our prayers, there are also conditions we must meet for our prayers to be answered. Here are some verses that highlight these conditions:

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." (John 15:7)

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you." (John 15:7)

"And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." (1 John 3:22)

"If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." (Psalm 66:18)

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

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