His Holiness Pope Shenouda III addresses in this lecture the meaning of faith and its various dimensions as found in the Holy Bible, explaining that it is the foundation distinguishing the believer from the unbeliever and encompasses all the truths of faith and the means of salvation.

1. Faith in God

Faith firstly means belief in the existence of God and His attributes, and this is what distinguishes the believer from the unbeliever.

2. Sequence of repentance, faith, and fruits

He explains that there is a sequence: repentance comes before faith (“Repent and believe the gospel”), and then the fruits of faith come after its occurrence.

3. Theoretical faith versus practical faith

He distinguishes between theoretical faith (intellectual belief, like the demons’ acknowledgment of the existence of a god without repentance) and practical faith which appears in works and love, referring to James’ statement: “faith without works is dead.”

4. Definition of faith and its objects

He cites the definition of faith in Hebrews 11: “the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen” — this includes belief in God, angels, heaven, eternity, and God’s promises and things unseen.

5. Degrees of faith

He discusses degrees of faith: great faith that moves mountains, and weak faith that needs help (“I believe, Lord; help my unbelief”), and mentions Christ’s rebuke of Peter when he doubted.

6. Right (correct) faith

He affirms the concept of a correct faith demanded by Scripture (as Paul calls to speak according to sound faith), which is a living faith active in love, not merely an intellectual confession.

Spiritual core: the call to a true integrated faith — beginning with sincere repentance, embodied in works of love, progressing in degrees strengthened by grace, because true faith in the Coptic Orthodox tradition is a practical spiritual life linked to inner transformation and visible fruits.

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