### 21. Q. What is true faith?

**A**. True faith is not only a sure knowledge by which I hold as true all that God has revealed to us in his Word;<sup>1</sup> it is also a wholehearted trust,<sup>2</sup> which the Holy Spirit works in me<sup>3</sup> by the gospel,<sup>4</sup> that God has freely granted, not only to others but to me also,<sup>5</sup> forgiveness of sins, eternal righteousness, and salvation.<sup>6</sup> These gifts are purely of grace, only because of Christ’s merit.<sup>7</sup>

<sup>1</sup> [John 17:3](/get-passage/John+17:3), [17](/get-passage/John+17:17); [Heb. 11:1-3](/get-passage/Hebrews+11:1-3); [James 2:19](/get-passage/James+2:19)
<sup>2</sup> [Rom. 4:18-21](/get-passage/Romans+4:18-21); [5:1](/get-passage/Romans+5); [10:10](/get-passage/Romans+10:10); [Heb. 4:14-16](/get-passage/Hebrews+4:14-16)
<sup>3</sup> [Matt. 16:15-17](/get-passage/Matthew+16:15-17); [John 3:5](/get-passage/John+3:5); [Acts 16:14](/get-passage/Acts+16:14)
<sup>4</sup> [Rom. 1:16](/get-passage/Romans+1:16); [10:17](/get-passage/Romans+10:17); [1 Cor. 1:21](/get-passage/1+Corinthians+1:21)
<sup>5</sup> [Gal. 2:20](/get-passage/Galatians+2:20)
<sup>6</sup> [Rom. 1:17](/get-passage/Romans+1:17); [Heb. 10:10](/get-passage/Hebrews+10:10)
<sup>7</sup> [Rom. 3:21-26](/get-passage/Romans+3:21-26); [Gal. 2:16](/get-passage/Galatians+2:16); [Eph. 2:8-10](/get-passage/Ephesians+2:8-10)