(Biblestudent Post - General chit chat – Dr. Ruckman - Post #252) -
Aloha brother Sammy,
I'm not going to belabor the point nor am I going to go off in a huff because someone doesn't agree with me (after all I am fallible)
, however I will try to expound a bit more.
Your quote – Post #252
Quote:
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“I think Hebrews 11:1 is just one of the definitions of faith. In fact, Hebrews 11 seems to emphasize the IMPORTANCE of faith rather than give the "only" definition of faith.”
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Do you know of any other definitions of “faith” in the Scriptures?
To be honest, I haven't looked real hard in the Bible for other definitions of "faith" (there may be more). However, when I read the whole Chapter of Hebrews 11 - I have a slightly different "take" on it than you do.
In addition to emphasizing the “
importance” of faith [Verse 6]; Hebrews 11:1 gives us the “
definition” of “faith”; while the vast majority of Chapter 11 illustrates “
HOW” faith works {i.e.
by “faith} or demonstrates “faith” in operation {i.e.
through “faith”} - by giving us various
examples of “faith”, (through the personal experiences of Old Testament saints) which I believe is the
main purpose of the chapter.
So we have:
#1. The definition of “faith” {Verse 1)
#2. Illustrations or demonstrations of “faith” in operation. {Most of the Verses}
#3. The “importance” of “faith” {Verse 6)
At the beginning of the Chapter (to insure that no one substitutes their “private opinion” or “private interpretation” of "faith") God gives us His definition of “faith” – The same “faith” that is illustrated or demonstrated in the rest of the Chapter.
First of all, when it comes to the
definition of
words in the Bible that are of any
spiritual significance or
importance – I NEVER rely on Webster’s; Strong’s; Thayers; Kittel’s; or any other man to define God’s words. I always go to the “Source” – the Holy Scriptures - for God’s definition (comparing scripture with scripture –
Isaiah 28:10&13).
Let’s “rightly divide the word of truth” – according to the testimony of God’s word:
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
“
faith is the substance”
#1. So then: FAITH = a
SUBSTANCE.
“
faith is the substance of things hoped for”
#2. and: that SUBSTANCE =
THINGS hoped for
“
faith is the substance of things hoped for”
#3. then: those THINGS that are =
HOPED FOR – are not tangible – they are “
hoped”
for!
“
faith is the substance of things hoped for”, the evidence of things not seen.
#4. and: the SUBSTANCE of FAITH =
EVIDENCE of
things not seen
“
faith is the substance of things hoped for”, the evidence of things not seen.
#5. and: the EVIDENCE of the SUBSTANCE of FAITH =
THINGS not seen.
“
faith is the substance of things hoped for”, the evidence of things not seen.
#6. and the EVIDENCE of the SUBSTANCE of FAITH = THINGS
NOT SEEN!
So then we have:
“FAITH is the SUBSTANCE of THINGS HOPED FOR, the EVIDENCE of THINGS NOT SEEN.”
You cannot taste, touch, feel, or
SEE the
THINGS (they are intangible) that make up the
SUBSTANCE of "FAITH". You can, however,
receive "FAITH" upon
HEARING the word of God. As a matter of Scriptural fact this is the
only way (today) that you can receive "FAITH"!
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
This is why the Holy Scriptures of Truth are so vitally important , because today in the United States they (the Scriptures) are not only being altered and changed by apostates; they are also being added to (the “traditions of men”) or being ignored by the so-called "Evangelicals" and “Fundamentalists”.
Hebrews 11:1 Now “faith” is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:2 For by “it” the elders obtained a good report.
So
by “
it” (faith) the
elders (Old Testament saints)
obtained a
good report. [
2Timothy 2:15]
Hebrews 11:3 Through “faith” we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Notice “
things” again. There are “
things” which are seen which are made of “
things” you
cannot see.
Hebrews 11:4 By “faith” Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Hebrews 11:5 By “faith” Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Hebrews 11:6 But without “faith” it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
NOTICE: Here then is the “
importance” of “faith” (for all of mankind - extremely important!).
Hebrews 11:7 By “faith” Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by “faith”.
NOTICE: The “
things not seen” – again [
Hebrews 11:1].
Hebrews 11:8 By “faith” Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Hebrews 11:9 By “faith” he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Hebrews 11:11 Through “faith” also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in “faith”, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
NOTICE: “having
seen them afar off” – is in reference to the “
promises”
not “
things”.
Hebrews 11:17 By “faith” Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Hebrews 11:20 By “faith” Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
NOTICE: Those “things” – again.
Hebrews 11:21 By “faith” Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
Hebrews 11:22 By “faith” Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Hebrews 11:23 By “faith” Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
Hebrews 11:24 By “faith” Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Hebrews 11:27 By “faith” he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
NOTICE: Moses hadn’t “
seen” God
yet – However, he forsook Egypt
by “faith”
as if he had “
seen” Him (that’s the
essence of “faith” –
not seeing, but still believing!).
Hebrews 11:28 Through “faith” he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Hebrews 11:29 By “faith” they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Hebrews 11:30 By “faith” the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
Hebrews 11:31 By “faith” the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through “faith” subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through “faith”, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
NOTICE: That “
thing” – again.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our “faith”; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews Chapter 11 certainly gives us the “
definition” of “faith and the “
importance” of “faith”; but more than these two very important points – it gives us
illustrations of
HOW “faith”
works and
demonstrates “faith”
in operation so that we: “
through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
REMEMBER: the “things” hoped for? [
Hebrews 11:1]
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Thomas needed to
see in order to
believe. The Lord Jesus Christ rebukes Thomas for being "
faithless" (
John 20:27). He was not talking about a "
lack" of “faith” - He was rebuking Thomas for having
NO “
FAITH”. He
refused to
believe the disciples
words (the
record - the words of God). In J
ohn 20:29 the Lord clearly states: "
because thou hast
seen me,
thou hast
believed:
blessed are
they that have
not seen, and
yet have believed." Thomas
refused to
believe by "faith" - he insisted (required) on "
seeing", and when he "
saw" he
believed. Those of
us who have
heard the word of God and
believed have done so
by "faith",
without seeing. There is a
difference - the Lord Jesus Christ said so. (
John 20:29)
John 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Thomas was "
faithless" and
refused to "
believe" unless he could actually: "
see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe." (
John 20:25)
The Bible states quite clearly HOW faith comes:
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
So then, Thomas
refused to
hear the
words of God (the
disciples'
testimony), and in doing so
he refused to
believe (
by "faith"). Instead he insisted on
SEEING before he would
BELIEVE - Again "FAITH" had nothing to do with his believing -
IF "faith" cometh by hearing the word of God - which since the Scriptures declare it to be so - I accept the Bible record with no emendations, subtractions, or additions.
Psalms 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.