Q191. But doth faith come only by hearing?
It is usually begotten by the word preached, but after it is begotten, it is increased several ways. It is increased by prayer. It is increased by Christian conference. It is increased by reading. It is increased by meditation. It is increased by the remembrance of former experiences.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Luke 17:5
“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.”
Mark 9:24
“And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”
Romans 1:12
“That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.”
Romans 16:25,26
“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:”
1 Timothy 4:12–16
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
Matthew 16:8,9
“Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?”