Fall [the fall]: Refers to man’s ‘fall’ from perfection into sin. Recorded in Genesis 3. Its impact is also described in Romans 5:12-21.
Faith: the attitude/response commanded by God. A combination of trust and obedience, as true faith never exists apart from obedience. True faith is only possible as a result of God’s action. It takes its value and significance from its object, not from itself.
False prophets: Persons falsely presenting as prophets of God. They are recognized by [1] failure of their predictions; [2] their false teaching, even if their predictions do eventuate [Deuteronomy 13:1-5], [3] their deceptive actions, and [4] a godless or disobedient lifestyle [Matthew 7:15-23].
False teaching [false teachers]: Teaching that arises within the church that is contrary to the truths given to the church by the biblical prophets and apostles.
Filioque clause: The addition of the phrase ‘and the Son’ in describing the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father in the Nicene Creed.
Flesh: a term that refers to the mindset of a person who by choice or by default relates to God on the basis of personal performance rather than in and through Jesus Christ. Some translations interpret ‘flesh’ as ‘sinful nature’. [Greek: sarx – flesh.]
Filled with the Spirit: Commanded in Ephesians 5:18-21, where it is a present, continuing control of the believer by the Holy Spirit. According to these verses, it is expressed in speaking about the Lord, singing in one’s heart, thankfulness, and submission to each other.
Finding the will of God: The common understanding of this term in some branches of contemporary Christianity is not biblical. It wrongly assumes God has a dot by dot plan for everyone’s life, which each person must find in order to have the blessed life God has individually planned for him/her.
Firstborn: [1] Position of authority and privilege in a household, usually, but not always, held by the first born son. [2] A title of Jesus Christ as the one who holds priority of rank and authority in God’s household [Colossians 1:15]; [3] used of Christ in relation to his resurrection [Colossians 1:18].
Firstfruits: [1] A feast of Israel [Exodus 23:16; 34:22; Leviticus 23:9-14], celebrating the beginning of the harvest. [2] A term used of the indwelling Holy Spirit [Romans 8:23]; [3] used to refer to Christ as the first to experience resurrection [1 Corinthians 15:20,23].
Flood: Recorded in Genesis 6-9: the worldwide flood sent by God as a judgment on the earth.
Forgiveness [forgive]: the removal of the sin-barrier between God and man. A present and permanent possession of all who are united to Christ by genuine faith.
Fornication: Any forbidden sexual practice [See Leviticus 18 for a comprehensive list.]
Freedom: the opposite of slavery or bondage. The spiritual state/position into which Christ brings us when he redeems us from sin, death, Satan and judgment.
Fruit of the Spirit: Listed in Galatians 5:22,23: the character traits produced in a life submissive to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.