By Junrey J. Moncada – Pastor, Berea Baptist Church,
Sabang, Caburan Big, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.

Heb 11:6 KJV –
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

       

When I was young in Christ, I heard the teachings of my pastor, as well as lectures in the seminars I attended, concerning the subject of faith and its common classification into four types: intellectual faith, saving faith, believers’ faith, and faith derived from a system of doctrines. At the time, I accepted these classifications as legitimate and scriptural truths.

However, upon deeper reflection, a foundational theological question arose: from whom do all these forms of faith ultimately originate? If saving faith is a gift granted by God, what then is the status of faith that is grounded in a system of doctrines? Does such faith likewise proceed from God, even though the devil himself possesses doctrinal accuracy and intellectual clarity, yet remains opposed to the truth?

This question became more pressing with the emergence of an extremist and heretical group from within our own ranks. This group has sought to persuade our sister churches that there is no salvation apart from doctrinal correctness—particularly adherence to the rigid understanding of the TULIP doctrines—and that salvation is exclusive to their group alone, where doctrinal purity is allegedly found. This position has not been accepted by the majority, for it is well known that even within our own fellowship there exist secondary and minor doctrinal differences that cannot rightly be elevated as criteria for salvation.

Nevertheless, this must not be misunderstood as a denial of the importance of doctrinal truth in the Christian life and ministry. On the contrary, sound doctrine is essential for guarding the truth and guiding the church, constrain us the value of meditations and study. Yet, from a theological standpoint, it must be clearly stated that doctrinal knowledge, in and of itself, possesses no saving power. Doctrine cannot serve as the ground of salvation; rather, it is the fruit as it follows in growing in the genuine faith in Christ.

The examples of the thief on the cross, Zacchaeus, and countless believers throughout the centuries—who were not well-versed in systematic theological formulations but who repented and trusted solely in the salvation proclaimed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ—testify that salvation is not the product of intellectual attainment or doctrinal perfection. Rather, salvation is a work of the grace of God—from Him, through Him, and to Him alone.

Therefore, we are compelled to affirm that true faith is not measured by the sophistication of one’s doctrinal system, but by genuine trust in Christ as Lord and Savior. Any form of faith that does not arise from the grace of God, regardless of its intellectual rigor or organizational precision, remains deficient and incapable of pleasing Him. For in the final analysis, as the Scriptures declare, salvation belongs to the Lord and to the Lord alone.

        Due to the present situation, this pushes us the need to study the types of faith revealed in the scriptures as such that we have no other authority to believe but the scriptures alone. We have categorized this type of faith not into 4 kinds but only into 2 kinds because only 2 types of faith are revealed in the scriptures, where the other kinds of faith fall into these categories.

        This study is concise and in outline for the reason that everyone may open their Bible in every passages we quote, that we may affirm this study as a scripturally base study in a systematic way.

☐ 1- The rational faith.

● This type of faith is the COMMON faith on the basis of physical and material evidences, in other words, “Seeing Is believing”.
● This is the intellectual faith produced out of earthly awareness through rational observations or intellectual reasons:
        a). Obtain by generational tradition of men (Mark 7:7-8; Col. 2:8;   1Pet. 1;18)
        b). Obtain by learning through human strive in academic studies about doctrinal systems –
            1. POSITIVE: the right knowledge (Jude 3,16; 1Tim. 4:6,13,16; 2Tim.4:2-3; Tit.1:9).
            2. NEGATIVE: the wrong knowledge ( Rom.16:17; Eph.4;14; Col. 2:8; 1Tim.1:3; 4:1; Jer. 10:7-8; Heb. 13:9; Rev.2:14-15)
* Athiesm is also a system of belief produce out of a NARROW LIMITED thinking (Rom.1:19-20; 2Pet.2:10-12).
● This faith is the same faith possess by the demons; they are doctrinally right in the knowledge about God and the Existence of Christ as the eternal Son, the Holy One of God. (Matt. 8:29; Mark 1:24; James 2:19)
● Having this kind of faith isn’t a blessed faith (John 20:26-29), in other words, cannot please God.
● Having merely this kind of faith saves nobody more likely as damnable demons that having a dead faith ( James 2:19, 26; 3:15-16).

☐ 2- The endowed faith.

■ This type of faith obtain only by a peculiar people ( John 8:46-47; Acts 13:48 cf. 2Thess.3:2)
■ This faith is the true faith that surpasses beyond rational earthly understanding and the need of physical and material evidences however this faith is a matter of full trust and assured hope (Heb.11:1,7, 27; Rom. 8:24; 2Cor. 4:18; 5:7).
■ The principal object of this authentic faith is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ alone ( Acts 4:8-12; 20:21; Rom. 3;26; 1Cor.1:17-19,23-24).
■ This faith is proceeded out from the Grace of God ( Acts 18:27 ; Eph.2:8; Phil. 1:29), by the renewing of the heart (Jer. 24:7; Ezek.36:26-27; Acts 16:14), causing to hear and believe the Gospel (Rom.10:9-10,17).
■ This faith is no longer an earthly rationality but a spiritual one, having spiritual discernment after hearing the words of truth revealed in the name of Jesus Christ ( 1Cor.2:14; Eph. 1:13; 4:21; Col.1:5).
■ This is called the SAVING FAITH (Matt.9:22; Eph.2:8)
■ This faith is not devoid with the right understanding or right reasons of the system of doctrines from the written Scriptures that centered on the knowledge of the Gospel of Christ ( 2Cor.4:5-6; Phil.3;8; Col.2:2-3; 1Tim.1:10-11; 2Tim. 3:15).
■ This faith produces wisdom and discernment that rests on the renewed heart (Prov.2:10;14:33; Jer.24:7; Ezek.36:26-27; 1Cor.2:14).
■ This kind of faith is inseparable from genuine repentance because only the true believer that is renewed by God recognized its sinful condition, the inability to save oneself and the soul’s great need and reliance of the Saviour Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15; Luke 24:47; Acst 20:21).
■ This faith is active, it works and grows out of love as a believer’s faith (Luke 17:5-6; Gal.5:6; Phil. 1:9; 1Thess.1:3; Jude20).

Conclusion:

In light of Hebrews 11:6, it is clear that the faith which pleases God is not a product of human reason, intellectual knowledge, or doctrinal precision alone. Scripture teaches that “without faith it is impossible to please Him”—a faith that originates from and rests upon God Himself, not upon human ability. Therefore, the source of true faith is neither the human mind, nor a religious system, nor organizational affiliation, but the grace of God at work in the heart through His Word and Spirit.
Rational Faith, though it may possess value in discerning truth and guarding against doctrinal error, is altogether incapable of saving. This form of faith may carry doctrinal correctness yet lack spiritual life, much like the faith of demons who possess accurate knowledge but remain in rebellion against God. Thus, doctrinal knowledge, apart from the gracious transformation of the heart, remains nothing more than dead faith.
By contrast, Endowed Faith is the gift of God—a living, active, and saving faith that is centered exclusively on Jesus Christ. This faith leads not only to salvation, but also to a proper understanding of doctrine, genuine repentance, and growth in holiness. Doctrine, in this context, cannot function as the foundation of salvation; rather, it is the fruit and servant of saving faith. The truth of the Gospel stands at the center, and all teaching must ultimately lead to the exaltation of Christ, not to human pride or sectarian superiority.
Therefore, we affirm that Scripture alone is our final authority in matters of faith and practice. The classification of faith into two categories—rational and endowed—is not intended to diminish the value of theological study, but to place it in its proper order: doctrinal study must follow and serve true faith that proceeds from God. Salvation, from beginning to end, belongs to the Lord alone.
May this study remind us that it is not the elegance or sophistication of our doctrinal systems that pleases God, but a heart that trusts, repents, and continually draws near to Him through Jesus Christ. And may we remain humble, charitable, and faithful to the truth of God’s Word, as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior.
“To Him be the glory now and forever.” Amen.

May God bless you.