Why is there a need for the "Gift of Faith"? ...

Lately i've been taking a serious inventory of my past 25 years in Christ and how far Holy Spirit has brought me, what He's taught me, and in particular what's He's shown me, and i got to thinking about His precious "gifts" ...i've been amazed over the years at how many saints i've encountered who have no idea what their spiritual "gifts" are ... it was shortly after reading 1 Cor. 14 in my first love fervor as a "babe" in Christ that i began earnestly praying to prophesy ... Why? ... Simply because Paul said (and i love the Apostle Paul) it was the best "gift" to covet because it built up Christ's Body ... i have a tremendous burden for the Body of Christ as having come out of much spiritual darkness it quickly became apparent to me the areas of spiritual darkness the true Church was in, and i can tell you it's only gotten worse ... Why do i have such a burden? ... My only explanation for it is that God set it up this way ...Anyhow i believe that i have "one calling" and "three gifts" (amongst them "faith") ... Now i know why i believe Holy Spirit deemed it necessary to give me this "gift of faith" but am interested in why this "gift" would even be necessay in the first place ... So i'm asking you? ...- We know that "salvation faith" saves us into the "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" of Jesus Christ - but what is this "gift of faith"? ...- Why is the "gift of faith" necessary in the first place? ...1Cor.12[1] Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.[4] Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.[5] And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.[6] And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.[7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.[8] For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;[9] To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;[10] To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:[11] But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. - What can/does the "gift of faith" accomplish past initial "salvation faith"? ...1Cor.13[2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains- And what is "the measure of faith" in comparison to "the proportion of faith"? ... Rom.12[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.[4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:[5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.[6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.

- Why is the "gift of faith" necessary in the first place? ...Well.. I guess to answer that we would have to tell what the gift of faith is. I've been taught (my teaching on the gifts has come from under Lester Sumrall, who worked with Howard Carter for many years and Wigglesworth in the later part of his life) that the gift of faith is when God does something on your behalf, as opposed to through you. I would consider God doing something miraculous though you.. like through a touch of your hand.. or something to that nature the gift of miracles. The gift of faith would be something God does without you physically doing something. Something like you have prayed or spoke and God did a miracle. - And what is "the measure of faith" in comparison to "the proportion of faith"? ... I would say that God is not a respecter of persons and has given each born again Christian "the measure of faith" but the proportion would be how much we have allowed to overtake us. Faith comes by hearing the word. The more you hear and obey the word the closer you will get to..Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:Well these are just my thoughts on it. I'm not afraid to be corrected... Here is an excerpt from The Word of Knowledge, and Faith By Smith Wigglesworth"People say to me, "Have you not the gift of faith?" I say that it is an important gift, but what is still more important is for us every moment to be making an advancement in God. Looking at the Word of God today I find that its realities are greater to me today than they were yesterday. It is the most sublime, joyful truth that God brings an enlargement. Always an enlargement. There is nothing dead, dry or barren in this life of the Spirit; God is always moving us on to something higher, and as we move on in the Spirit our faith will always rise to the occasion as different circumstances arise.This is how the gift of faith is manifested. You see an object and you know that your own faith is nothing in the case. The other day I was in San Francisco. I sat on a car and saw a boy in great agony on the street. I said, "Let me get out." I rushed to where the boy was. He was in agony through cramp of the stomach. I put my hands on his stomach in the name of Jesus. The boy jumped, and stared at me with astonishment. He found himself instantly free. The gift of faith dared in the face of everything. It is as we are in the Spirit that the Spirit of God will operate this gift anywhere and at any time.When the Spirit of God is operating this gift within a man, He causes him to know what God is going to do. When the man with the withered hand was in the synagogue, Jesus got all the people to look to see what would happen. The gift of faith always knows the results. He said to the man, "Stretch forth thine hand." His word had creative force. He was not living on the line of speculation. He spoke and something happened. He spake at the beginning and the world came into being. He speaks today and these things have to come to pass. He is the Son of God and came to bring us into sonship. He was the firstfruit of the resurrection and He calls us to be firstfruits, to be the same kind of fruit like to Himself."

About 3 years ago, I witnessed the gift of faith that was given to a young family in our church. They had a new born son named James who at the age of 8 days old died. During and after the rush to the hospital, the funeral, and what comes afterwards both the husband and wife testified of the grace of God in their lives. Their lives were founded on the Rock. The gift was for them, but yet it was for the whole church and their immediate family. Many of their own family members witnessed the peace of God in this young family. Some submitted their lives to Christ because of this gift. Our church members were touched by this gift as well. We saw the strength that can only come from our Savior. One person may have the gift as you Rahman, but it is really for those all around you. I see it working amongst the brethren. God BlessJeff

PreachParsly,You so wisely wrote;"Well these are just my thoughts on it. I'm not afraid to be corrected" ...Amen, and me either ... In fact in this inventory i'm begging God to correct me from ANY error i may be in ... The reason i've posted this thread is because i have no trouble in my faith about God in my salvation and Christian walk in accordance to Scripture, and neither do i have any trouble in knowing that the Bible is His infallable Word ... But i am experiencing some chinks in my armour regarding the things i've believed for so long that He has spoken to me in my spirit personally as to His use/intention for my life and His intention toward His Body in which to my assigned pastor/church i've acted on, even when i really didn't want to, but what i believed was only by His "gift of faith" went on an did anyhow ... But now (and i know it's because i'm tired and see no results after 20 years) i'm beginning to ask myself "Was it live (God) ... or was it Memorex (me)", and i ask God to forgive me if i'm wrong in doing so ...But the latter quite frankly causes me great concern because then it means i'm delusional (as i've been told) and have been for quite some time, God knows my tenacity, but having to let go if i'm in error even after so long a time doesn't concern me half as much as continuing in it ... But enough about the background for this thread and onto what i know God will teach me thru it ...This is what jumped out at me from your Smith Wigglesworth post ...Quote:"The gift of faith dared in the face of everything" ...This really coincides with what i believe the "gift of faith" to be ... i've always thought that this gift was given by Holy Spirit in union with a calling, commision, word of knowledge (especially fore knowledge) towards something that's coming down the pike that dares in the face of all disbelief (including ones own) to faith right on thru to fruition ... i often think of Abraham and even though he had actual physical communication with God wondered about his promised son ... i believe the "gift of faith" is that extra shot of faith given to we who walk not by sight whenever Holy Spirit give us a dream/vision far past what has become the status quo of the majority ... Quote:"When the Spirit of God is operating this gift within a man, He causes him to know what God is going to do"Now this i'm not so sure about ... i believe i've heard our Lord speak to me on a number of occasions but the big (3) are the following ...- I will make you a spokesman first to My Church, then to the nations.= ...- When your ministry takes off it will take a multitude with it ...- My final Revival is coming ...If in fact Wigglesworth comment is true then i've not heard the above from Holy Spirit because i don't "know" what God's gonna do but only "believe" (tho extraordinarilly) that He's gonna do ... To me whether standard salvation faith in Christ and scripture, or the gift of faith tho a special increased measure for whatever Holy Spirit's reason is still faith ... an assured expectation ... evidence of things not seen ... i never waver on these to points regarding God and His written Word, but i am prone to regarding these more personal "words of knowledge and instructions" and that's why i think Holy Spirit injects that extra B-12 shot a faith ... i think the "gift of faith" is given to overide all inner doubt to the point of actual spiritual mountain moving" ... Even now as i'm writing this what i call the gift of faith is telling me that i'm already past the mountain being moved, and i'm just overreacting because God hasn't shown it to me yet, or brought His vision(s) to me to fruition, and that i've still not learned to "wait on the Lord" ... Quote;"The gift of faith always knows the results" This i can get to ... Truth be told it's the "How long or Lord" that wreaks havoc on me ... Just as Holy Ghost is making progress with me in not returning evil, my ugly impatience rears anew ... Uggghhhhh ... :-P ... i'm so glad He loves us/me! ... Amen

Brother Jeff you wrote,"One person may have the gift as you Rahman, but it is really for those all around you. I see it working amongst the brethren"Aaaaaaaa-men ... Anything that God does in calling and gifting is for the uplifting and perfecting of the saints ... The servant is always third down the line from Christ and his brethren, fourth if we count our fellowman ...In regards to the exemplary couple you spoke of do you think that was the Holy Spirit's gift of faith to them, or their correct reaction to the promises of salvation faith? ...Isa.26:[3] Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.Phil.4:[6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.[7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.i suppose in a case like that it's both ... This "uncluttering" period that i'm going thru, as your "fire/Rock" period, has me open to and contemplating things i'd not thought of before ... i've listened to sermons regarding your "the Spirit bears witness" comment to me on the other thread ... Right now i'm listening to sermons on "the gifts of the Spirit" ...i just want to be clear and free from any error before our Lord as my spiritual spider senses tell me that this is the highest priority ... This is more important to me than holding onto anything and anyone that He has not put into my spirit/life ... Amen

Br. Rahman wroteIn regards to the exemplary couple you spoke of do you think that was the Holy Spirit's gift of faith to them, or their correct reaction to the promises of salvation faith? ...Isa.26:[3] Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.I believe it was an extra measure of faith that the Holy Spirit imparted into them for the work that He did. Isa 26: 3 speaks volumes to this situation. The good works that come from Him are most perfect, most pure. As you have been sharing, life is very good, very peaceful, and very refreshing. To know that God is using you is all that you need in this life. The teachings of self-esteem are replaced with giving all to Him who is faithful to finishes what He has started.It is all about Him. The passion for Him grows in us as He teaches us this precept. Amen and AmenIn Christjeff

Amen brother Jeff ...It is all about HimCompletely dying to "self" is the ultimate purge and Lord knows i'm ready to be even flushed of ALL dreams if they're in competition with Christ ... There's a reason why my spirit isn't soaring as i know it should be and whatever the ties that bind i pray God to remove them off me Himself, or show me so that i can ...i thank God for His use of you towards answering my prayers ... Amen