ROMANS 1:5 THE FAITH There is a body of truth comprised of all the scriptures and the carrying out of them by those who believe and act upon them. The words of truth when acted upon in spirit and in truth make the Lord's people to be people of faith who commit themselves to "the faith." "The faith" is that which God has given us to know Him by and to give structure to our lives in a way that pleases Him. Truth is not just the information of what is right but is the corresponding of a statement with a fact.
Paul was gifted with apostleship by the grace of God given to him to carry out foundational work in the Church. When one has been gifted by God there is a reason behind that gift. He was to be obedient to the body of truth given to him by the Holy Spirit and was to take it to the Gentile nations for the Lord's name to be known by them. The Gentiles were to be obedient to "the faith" as well as the Jews. The body of truth they were to receive went way beyond the Old Testament scriptures. They included the truths of the New Testament that were put down in writing by the apostles and those who were in the foundation of the Church.
Now we are being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. The Corner Stone, our Lord Jesus Christ, is the One from which the truths of the faith are measured. We are not to be obedient to the traditions of men if they are not true to "the faith." The writings of the early Church fathers are just that - writings. They are not in the body of truth called "the faith." We are built on this foundation so that we too will be obedient to "the faith" and carry that message of truth to our generation. This has been going on since the times of the apostles and is God's method to still call the Gentiles to faith and to yield to the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. His name is known all around the world by those who have put their personal faith in Him because of "the faith" which was delivered to them by obedient servants.
It may seem to be a little word that by many is discounted. But the word "the" changes many mountains to one specific mountain. When it comes in front of "faith" the meaning is all changed From anything that we generally believe, to truth associated with Christ's name.
God did not intend us to be free-lances to believe whatever we choose. His plan is to unify His people and each one to tell what he knows To those around him or wherever he goes directed by gift and grace - That each place the name of the Lord is spoken about, will continue in words of "the faith."
The family of God bears the name of the Lord and His characteristics too. People may not pay heed to our words at first, but listen to the "Gospel according to you." Then when they see "the faith" lived out it will move them to seek the Lord. And they in turn will live out "the faith" as it is revealed in His Word.
So though one word may seem insignificant, it adds a lot of meaning To the words we read in the Bible when from its pages we are gleaning The thoughts and mind, and the will of God that we may grow thereby. And to "the faith" we must be true, and the truth we will have to buy.
"Father, may Thy truth sanctify me to the extent that I will not get turned aside by differing opinions of those who try to show us some "new truth." In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."