Illustration: A Tree

There are unique kinds of faith. The faith you start the Christian life with is different from what the apostles call the Faith--sound Christian doctrine. And both of those are different from the faith we exert when we perform good works in love—the one manifested through love which Paul called ‘faith working through love’ (Galatians 5:6).

One big clue that there are different kinds of faith is Romans 1, where Paul talks about how God's righteousness starts and ends with faith.

… in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith’ (Romans 1:17).

In order to understand how these three kinds of faith work together, the best illustration is a fruit tree. Through the wisdom of God, the fruit tree is the perfect illustration of how these three kinds of faith fit together. So let’s look at the three distinct faiths by using a fruit tree as our example. The tree will demonstrate how the three distinct faiths function together.

1. tree roots: saving faith -- trusting in Jesus

2. tree trunk: the Faith -- sound doctrine

3. tree fruit: living faith -- works of righteousness

With this illustration we aim to prove that God gives us 'a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.'

Review

Our last lesson was about how the Faith is used in Philippians 1. We addressed the meaning of progress in the Faith, joy in the Faith, and striving together for the Faith. But one thing we did not address is that Paul called the Faith (which we know means sound doctrine) by another name. He didn’t just call it the Faith. He called it the Faith of the Gospel. What does Paul mean when he speaks of the Faith of the Gospel?

The Faith of the Gospel is the same thing as the Faith--that’s right!

The Faith of the Gospel still means sound doctrine just as the Faith alone means sound doctrine. The only bonus information we get is that the preposition of—the Faith of the Gospel—indicates the origin of the Faith. So this new name for the Faith (the Faith of the Gospel) reveals where the Faith comes from.

The preposition of means “coming from a source.” So from the expression the Faith of the Gospel, we learn that the Faith (sound doctrine) comes from a source--that source is the Gospel. The Faith is of the Gospel.

Our sound Christian doctrine—the Faith—is borne out of the Gospel. The doctrine of the Apostles--standard Christian doctrine--wouldn’t exist without the Gospel just as you would not exist without your mother. The Gospel gave birth to sound doctrine like your mother gave birth to you!

1. Tree Roots: Saving Faith

Now, let’s get to the tree illustration. The roots of sound doctrine (the Faith) make up the Gospel. Visualize this tree with a thick trunk—and call that “the Faith.” That trunk has branches which we’ll talk about in a moment, and it bears fruit, which we’ll also address. But for now, focus on its root system. Its roots represent the Good News, the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Exactly how can we define this root system? If it sustains the Faith, it must be a source of life. Indeed it is. It's the Gospel and it's the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16).

Okay. So now it's time to answer the question "What exactly is the Gospel?" Paul breaks down the Gospel into four parts. We have numbered them for you below.

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the Gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this Gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:

1. that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures

2. that he was buried

3. that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures

4. and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve (1 Corinthians 15:1-5).

The summary of the Good News of the Kingdom is: 1) Jesus died. 2) He was buried. 3) He was raised. And 4) He appeared to faithful witnesses. Those are the four points of the Gospel. That he died (#1) and that God raised him from the Dead (#3) are well known and accepted by almost everybody in Christian circles as part of the Gospel message. However...

Two Difficult Points of the Gospel

There are two difficult points of the Gospel. Not many people can explain why #2 and #4 are part of the Gospel the apostles preached. Who can explain why they are necessary for salvation? We need to find someone because these two factors are required for salvation—even your salvation! Let’s start by analyzing the second point: that Jesus was buried.

Jesus Was Buried

The fact that Jesus was buried (point #2 of the Gospel) means that Jesus was in the Grave. Biblically, the term the Grave is synonymous with a place called Hades (the Greek word for the Hebrew Sheol) which is what some Nordic cultures might call the Netherworld. Others might call it the Realm of the Dead. However you call it, it’s a real place and it’s where people go when they die. It’s located under the Earth’s surface—either in or below the crust.

So, Jesus was among the Dead in Hades for three days. Still doesn’t sound very relevant to you? Then answer this question: How many people were down there when Jesus paid his visit? Millions. And how many are down there right now--today? Many millions more, even billions. Some of them are friends and family, aren't they?

Completing Salvation

You should now be able to understand why Jesus’ 3-day visit to Hades was so important and why it’s a part of the Good News, the Christian Gospel. Salvation is not only about people like you and me in the present. Salvation is not just for the Living, it’s for the Dead! The Dead need the Good News more than you do. Salvation is for all believers throughout history, and we cannot forget the billions who have died.

The faith of Jews and Gentiles who died trusting in the hope of a Messiah would not be complete if they hadn’t seen the man in whom they hoped. When those humble souls saw Jesus, their faith was made complete. They had hoped in the coming of the Lamb of God, and they saw him. They longed to behold the Son of Man, the Seed of the Woman, and God sent Jesus to them so that they would, as is required for all people who want salvation, put their faith in Jesus. Because they did that, when Jesus comes back he’ll resurrect them.

While he was in Hades, Jesus announced salvation to the souls that hoped in him before his appearing. He announced himself to Adam, Eve, Abel, Noah, Noah’s family, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, the prophets and all who believed the prophets.  

Appearing to the Twelve

Regarding point #4 of the Gospel, the fact that Jesus appeared to the Apostles means that our faith is based on the witness of trustworthy men. The Gospel is based on at least twelve eye witnesses—men who sealed their testimony with their blood. The testimony of Jesus was not told by Jesus. He himself recognized that a man’s testimony about himself is not valid. Others have testified to us about Jesus—men who reaped no personal benefit from Jesus’ ministry. Furthermore, the Twelve demonstrated that Jesus’ righteous, holy, powerful, truthful life can be replicated. And they loved one another! That’s the witness that Jesus is a true Savior.

Compare it to the fables, myths, and secret stories of other religions. The story of Jesus is Good News because the men who died to share this message demonstrated that they were serious and not seeking personal benefit. All other religions are led by men who sought (and often obtained) personal benefit in the form of riches, women, power, and fame.

A Christ-Centered Gospel

Observe that these Gospel “roots” are each Christ-centered. That’s why we say that ‘no one can lay any foundation other than… Jesus Christ’ (1 Corinthians 3:11). It’s also why Paul preached ‘Christ and him crucified’ (1 Corinthians 1:23; 2:2), and why John said that the Doctrine of Christ is the most fundamental doctrine of the New Testament.

Knowing Christ is so important that no other doctrine can stand without the Doctrine of Christ (Hebrews 6:1; 1 John 4:2; 2 John 1:7-11). Christ is the basis for the Gospel. If you want to evangelize someone so that they'll be saved from sin and escape condemnation, call them to repent, believe the Good News, and be baptized in Jesus’ name. They need to die to themselves and live for Christ.

2. Tree Trunk: The Faith

Only the Gospel can sustain the trunk—which is the Faith. This second kind of faith—the sound doctrine kind of faith—branches outward into each of the other six Realities. The Seven Realities start with the Faith, but from the Faith we learn about the one Body, one Spirit, one Hope, one Lord, one Baptism, and one God. These are distinct from the one Faith in this: that they are Truths, while the Faith consists of doctrines.

The Faith is sound doctrine and the fact that there is a body of sound doctrine which we got from Christ’s apostles, is a great Reality. However, the Faith is the one Truth that will lead us to something greater than doctrine. It will lead us to six other Truths. Those Truths are the tree branches in our illustration: the One Body, One Spirit, One Hope, One Lord, One Baptism, and the One God.

When a tree’s roots, trunk, and branches are healthy, the tree will produce fruit quite naturally. Likewise, the fruit of good works comes very naturally to someone who has exercised faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in sound doctrine.

3. Tree Fruit: Living Faith

The fact that the Christian life starts with faith in the Gospel and finishes with works of faith [‘faith working through love’ (Galatians 5:6)] proves that our righteousness is ‘by faith from first to last,’ as Paul proclaims in Romans here:

… in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith’ (Romans 1:17).

Anyone who has been born again has Christ living in them through his Spirit. As Christians, we do good works by faith. God leads us to them, so that’s the righteousness of God. Why? Because God is working in us (through faith in his Son Jesus) to produce the fruit of love and good works that he intended when he chose us.

We do not only start by faith, we finish by faith. The roots contribute to the fruit! There would be no good fruit without strong roots, a hearty trunk, and branches, would there?

Quick Overview: The 3 Faiths

We began by mentioning that faith in the Gospel is the kind of faith that saves us from sin and condemnation. This is the kind Paul describes in Ephesians 2:8 when he says ‘… it is by grace you have been saved, through faith…’ That’s the first kind of faith you need.

The saving grace we receive in the Gospel matures into sound doctrine if we stick to the testimony of the Apostles. This is what the members of the first church, the one that started in Jerusalem, called the doctrine of the apostles (Acts 2:42). Throughout the New Testament it is called the Faith. So, saving faith matures into the Faith in the mind of a believer who sits under a good teacher.

Finally, when a person is established in sound doctrine, their life becomes characterized by a faith that works—a faith that moves. This last kind of faith can even move mountains!

… if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:20).

… in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love (Galatians 5:6; NASB).

To prove the connection this final kind of faith--the fruit faith--has with saving faith, James famously said:

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds (James 2:18).

And, to conclude the argument, James put the nail in the coffin when he said:

... faith without deeds is useless (James 2:20).