Act of faith

Act of faith
Faith Faith (f[=a]th), n. [OE. feith, fayth, fay, OF. feid, feit, fei, F. foi, fr. L. fides; akin to fidere to trust, Gr. pei`qein to persuade. The ending th is perhaps due to the influence of such words as truth, health, wealth. See {Bid}, {Bide}, and cf. {Confide}, {Defy}, {Fealty}.] 1. Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting solely and implicitly on his authority and veracity; reliance on testimony. [1913 Webster]

2. The assent of the mind to the statement or proposition of another, on the ground of the manifest truth of what he utters; firm and earnest belief, on probable evidence of any kind, especially in regard to important moral truth. [1913 Webster]

Faith, that is, fidelity, -- the fealty of the finite will and understanding to the reason. --Coleridge. [1913 Webster]

3. (Judeo-Christian Theol.) (a) The belief in the historic truthfulness of the Scripture narrative, and the supernatural origin of its teachings, sometimes called historical and speculative faith. (b) (Christian Theol.) The belief in the facts and truth of the Scriptures, with a practical love of them; especially, that confiding and affectionate belief in the person and work of Christ, which affects the character and life, and makes a man a true Christian, -- called a practical, evangelical, or saving faith. [1913 Webster]

Without faith it is impossible to please him [God]. --Heb. xi. 6. [1913 Webster]

The faith of the gospel is that emotion of the mind which is called ``trust'' or ``confidence'' exercised toward the moral character of God, and particularly of the Savior. --Dr. T. Dwight. [1913 Webster]

Faith is an affectionate, practical confidence in the testimony of God. --J. Hawes. [1913 Webster]

4. That which is believed on any subject, whether in science, politics, or religion; especially (Theol.), a system of religious belief of any kind; as, the Jewish or Mohammedan faith; the Christian faith; also, the creed or belief of a Christian society or church. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Which to believe of her, Must be a faith that reason without miracle Could never plant in me. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. --Gal. i. 23. [1913 Webster]

5. Fidelity to one's promises, or allegiance to duty, or to a person honored and beloved; loyalty. [1913 Webster]

Children in whom is no faith. --Deut. xxvii. 20. [1913 Webster]

Whose failing, while her faith to me remains, I should conceal. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

6. Word or honor pledged; promise given; fidelity; as, he violated his faith. [1913 Webster]

For you alone I broke me faith with injured Palamon. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

7. Credibility or truth. [R.] [1913 Webster]

The faith of the foregoing narrative. --Mitford. [1913 Webster]

{Act of faith}. See {Auto-da-f['e]}.

{Breach of faith}, {Confession of faith}, etc. See under {Breach}, {Confession}, etc.

{Faith cure}, a method or practice of treating diseases by prayer and the exercise of faith in God.

{In good faith}, with perfect sincerity. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Act of faith — Act Act ([a^]kt), n. [L. actus, fr. agere to drive, do: cf. F. acte. See {Agent}.] 1. That which is done or doing; the exercise of power, or the effect, of which power exerted is the cause; a performance; a deed. [1913 Webster] That best portion… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • act of faith — {n. phr.} An act or a deed that shows unquestioning belief in someone or something. * /It was a real act of faith on Mary s part to entrust her jewelry to her younger sister s care./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • act of faith — {n. phr.} An act or a deed that shows unquestioning belief in someone or something. * /It was a real act of faith on Mary s part to entrust her jewelry to her younger sister s care./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • act of faith — Etymology: translation of Portuguese auto da fé : an act requiring or displaying faith; specifically : auto da fé * * * an act that demonstrates or tests the strength of a person s convictions, as an important personal sacrifice. Cf. auto da fé.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • act\ of\ faith — n. phr. An act or a deed that shows unquestioning belief in someone or something. It was a real act of faith on Mary s part to entrust her jewelry to her younger sister s care …   Словарь американских идиом

  • act of faith — an act that demonstrates or tests the strength of a person s convictions, as an important personal sacrifice. Cf. auto da fé. * * * …   Universalium

  • act of faith — noun 1. an act which demonstrates or tests the strength of a person s convictions, as a personal sacrifice. 2. Colloquial a risk or gamble, especially one taken because of a hunch …  

  • act of faith —  Акт веры …   Вестминстерский словарь теологических терминов

  • Faith — • In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word means essentially steadfastness. As signifying man s attitude towards God it means trustfulness or fiducia Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Faith     Faith …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Faith —    Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in …   Easton's Bible Dictionary

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