UNDERSTANDING FAITH"Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1 A.S.V.). It appears the King James translators got the full meaning of the word "substance" from the rest of the chapter. They said that it is the substance of things hoped for and, to the... [ Continue Reading ]
FAITH FROM CREATION TO THE FLOOD The faith of Abel is seen through his actions (Genesis 4:3-5; 1 John 3:11-12). Since Paul says faith comes by hearing God's word (Romans 10:17), it is clear that Abel was obedient to God's command. Milligan believes it was this obedient attitude which made Abel's sac... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM Like Noah, Abraham displayed actions of faith when he received the call from God (Genesis 12:1-3), even though he was to leave the safety of his homeland and go to a place unknown to him. He moved by faith and was promised the land as an inheritance (Genesis 12:7). Fudge says Ab... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOPE OF HEAVEN Milligan points out the meaning of the expression "these all died in faith," saying, "they died as they had lived, in faith." He goes on to say that the all referred to includes Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob. God had made several promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), but he onl... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FAITH OF THE FATHERS God asked Abraham to take that son of promise, Isaac, and offer him up as a sacrifice (Hebrews 11:17; Genesis 22:1-14), thus causing his faith to be tested to its fullest. Yet, Abraham was ready to obey God completely, even to the sacrificing of this son of promise. Remembe... [ Continue Reading ]
THOSE WHO OVERCAME BY FAITH It is by faith that the walls of Jericho fell (Joshua 6:1-21). Only faith that obedience of Jehovah and his servant would work could have destroyed such a city in such a way. They showed faith by obeying God and believing He would keep His promise. Because she believed i... [ Continue Reading ]
A BETTER THING IS PROVIDED FOR THOSE FOLLOWING CHRIST The way the men and women of faith lived set them above the people around them, much like Noah who was also a man of faith (Genesis 6:1-22; Genesis 7:1-24; Genesis 8:1-22; Genesis 9:1-29). The writer went on to conclude this brief commentary on... [ Continue Reading ]