I am reminded of Pauls words in Romans 15: For everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope (Romans 15:4). (Hebrews 11:1-3) God spoke the universe into existence. In this church, we are committed to preach Gods Word, for it is Gods Word that speaks to us of the Son, through whom men can be saved. 6 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible. Being unconditionally certain that it's true requires faith. The value of godly examples is not just true for Old Testament saints; it is also true for godly men and women today. 4 By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. These saints had a great love and respect for the Old Testament and for the Old Testament saints. He was faithful, trusting God even when everything in him probably cried out against it. The Revelation of John is the one book in the New Testament that claims John as its author. But let there be no doubt as to what the source of our faith is. Losing hope, she took matters into her own hands. The fact that the story of Abels acceptance is recorded in Scripture, and now that his example is called to mind many years after his death, calls attention to the great impact living by faith can have on others even those who are living long after our death. T he 11 th chapter of Hebrews is known as the Hall of Faith in the Bible. It is also important to notice that while Abel died because of his faith, Enoch was spared from death because of his faith. A towering figure in the Old Testament, Moses is honored in Hebrews 11:23-29. 8 But what does it say? It walks through Abraham's lineage and the way each exercised faith. He can foresee the future because He is all-knowing and all-powerful. While all of these . For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2, emphasis mine). Faith allowed Moses to leave Egypt twice (Exodus 2:15; 12:31-42). We're resuming our periodic study in Hebrews this morning and the text before us Hebrews 11:4-7 is part of this famous so-called "Hall of Faith" passage in Hebrews. We would do well to recall that Enoch lived during some very dark days, days that preceded the flood, days that necessitated the flood. 8 You have not seen him, but you love him. 1. These people still minister to us. Unemployment rates were low, and salaries were high (certainly in comparison with salaries in the Third World). Bible verses related to Faith from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance. Here is what we do know from Scripture regarding Cain and Abel and their sacrifices. Hebrews 11 has been called the Hall of Faith. Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God . In addition, anyone who wants to share the Bible with others can print unlimited copies and give them away free to others. Learn more in our section on the Prophets of the Bible.. She and Abraham waited a quarter centurylong past Sarahs childbearing yearsto have the promised son, Isaac (Genesis 12:1-4; 17:19; 18:10-14; 21:1-2, 5). This salvation comes when we place our faith in Jesus Christ as Gods only provision for the forgiveness of our sins and for the assurance of eternal life. This is the edited manuscript of Lesson 25 in the series, Near to the Heart of God A Study of the Book of Hebrews, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh on February 1, 2009. But He knew God, the giver of life, was able to raise him up, even from the dead (Hebrews 11:19). The writer to the Hebrews began this chapter speaking of faith in the present tense: Now faith is. The turning point for Jacob came after a dramatic, all-night wrestling match with God. In other words, the problem wasnt just with the offering, but with the offerer. One of his sons was Joseph, a key figure in the Old Testament. Anyone anywhere in the world with an Internet connection will be able to use and print out the NET Bible without cost for personal study. Barak was a courageous warrior who answered God's call, but in the end, a woman, Jael, received credit for his defeat of the Canaanite army. What do I do about calling a priest father at my Catholic University? Gods people have not always been spared from trials, tortures and martyrdom (verses 35b-38). The transition to the third aspect of the Lord's work is given in Hebrews 9:11-12 where Christ is specifically stated as the High Priest, the . For some, their only hope is that there will be no existence beyond the grave. 13) . For a world headed to destruction, our own efforts can't save us from that horrible end. 1 Now faith is being sure2 of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.3 2 For by it the people of old received Gods commendation. Study more about this vital subject in these articles: Mike Bennett is editorial content manager for the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in the Dallas, Texas, area. Noah (Hebrews 11:7; his story fills Genesis chapters 6-9). Timothy is mentioned toward the close of the letter, and a whole host of Old Testament characters are listed in Chapter 11, the "Faith Hall of Fame." Key Verses Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. That's an easy way to score rhetorical points, but it's also an anti-intellectual way to shut-down a serious discussion. Faith is not the same thing as hope, but the two are closely related: And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. Abraham says ' hineni' three times in the course of the story: first when God calls him (22:1); second, poignantly, when Isaac addresses him to ask where is the lamb for sacrifice (22:7 - and check how it is done into English in your favourite version); and thirdly, when the angel of the Lord addresses him from heaven (22:11) to stop him By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order at Gods command, so that the visible has its origin in the invisible (Hebrews 11:3). Chapter 11 then gives us examples to true faith among the many Old Testament characters who heard the voice of God, obeyed, and endured to the end. Many Americans had medical and life insurance and retirement plans. -Samson's mother was barren. 27 See Acts 2:46; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. While some would appear to scoff at faith, I believe it is safe to say that everyone lives by some kind of faith. Here the author begins by giving us a two-fold description of what faith is certain about. ), It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. The ultimate promise is resurrection to eternal life as a child of God at Christs return (1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 John 3:2; see our article Purpose of Life). How could law-keeping under the Old Covenant be superior to faith in Christ through the New Covenant if no Old Testament saint was ever declared righteous because of law keeping? It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. But when the time came, Moses himself chose to give up the passing pleasures of sin that Egypt pictured and to suffer the reproach of Christthe affliction faced by Gods people (Hebrews 11:24-26; Exodus 2:11-15). Faith is defined in chapter 11 as the author more and more precisely defines it, punctuated by numerous examples from the Old Testament. Chapter 12 continues with an exhortation to overcome sin and to endure: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1). (By the way, there's little evidence she offered . Romans 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Cain is mentioned in 11:4 as a contrast to righteous Abel, just as the unnamed and hard-hearted Egyptian pharaoh is mentioned in 11:27 as a contrast to the obedient Moses, and ungrateful Esau in contrast to Jacob who desired the spiritual promises belonging to the firstborn son in 11:20.. Enochs faith, then, was evident by his consistent godly lifestyle while dwelling in a wicked culture, one that was soon to be wiped out because of its depravity. Faith (10:19-11:40) B. And to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abels does (Hebrews 12:24). He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left. In this chapter, the king of Syria was making war against Israel. But even when we get to Moses (who, after Abraham, is the most prominent example in chapter 11), nothing is said of him regarding the law. 5, 2023, learnreligions.com/hebrews-chapter-11-heroes-of-faith-700176. In our text, the author is very clear to say that God attested to the righteousness of both Abel25 and Enoch.26 God also bears witness to every true child of God that he or she has been eternally saved by His grace, through faith in Jesus: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God (Romans 8:14). Learn Religions, Apr. And so it is that the author of Hebrews will say in the very next chapter: 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, 2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Second, the good news of the gospel begins at creation. Remember that some of the Hebrews to whom this epistle is written are considering turning back to Judaism, to the Old Covenant, and to the Old Testament priesthood and sacrificial system, as though they were superior to the priesthood of Christ and to the New Covenant, which He inaugurated by the shedding of His precious blood. The question is not, Do you have faith? but rather, On what is your faith based? There is no better basis for faith than the Word of God and Gods faithfulness to keep His promises. Hebrews 11 is sometimes referred to as the "Hall of Faith" passage because it walks through the history of the Old Testament Here, we see what faith looks like and how it behaves. the action or event by which faith is expressed. This leads into a discussion of what faith is and what it looks like. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.Hebrews 11:29-31 . The bulk of the Faith Chapter involves stories of faithful men and women from the Old Testament. Although Moses is one of the most striking examples of heroic faith in the Bible, he was human like you and me, plagued by mistakes and frailties. In addition, six more men are listed in one verse, Hebrews 11:32: This summary takes stock of the final outcome and the faith shown by these men. As our author states in this chapter, these great men and women of faith continue to speak to us today, long after their death.8 We would do well to listen to them. However, by faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible (verse 3). All rights reserved. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9 because you are attaining the goal of your faith the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:3-9). Sacrificial lifestyle (vs 4) - Faith gives God our first and our best. D. These faithful ones passed on their faith from generation to generation (11:17-31).
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