What is faith according to the Bible?
Faith is a God-given ability and power to believe what God says. It is a major gift and the starting point. Doctrine comes by faith, and faith plus doctrine produces experience. It is the basis for studying and understanding the Word of God, not to be replaced by experiences.
Les explains that faith is not merely an experience but a God-given ability and power to believe what God says. It is where we must begin: doctrine comes by faith, and when faith is joined with doctrine, experience follows. Too many people forget doctrine and focus only on experience, but that is not pleasing to God. Faith is one of the major gifts and the foundation for studying and understanding the Word of God. He also warns that we must be careful not to bring Old Testament instructions for Israel into operation, such as the command in Malachi to bring gifts and offerings into the storehouse.