What Is Faith?

A main theme of the book of Hebrews is faith. Was the Gospel also preached to ancient Israel? What was missing?

“For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.” (Hebrews 4:2 NIV)

Is faith one of the basic things we were taught about Christ?

“We must try to become mature and start thinking about more than just the basic things we were taught about Christ. We shouldn't need to keep talking about why we ought to turn from deeds that bring death and why we ought to have faith in God.” (Hebrews 6:1 CEV)

Why imitate those who have faith?

“so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12 ESV)

Does assurance have anything to do with faith?

“let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22 HCSB)

Do we live by faith?

“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” (Hebrews 10:38 KJV)

What is faith?

“Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

What were the patriarchs and matriarchs commended for?

“This [faith] is what the ancients were commended for.” (Hebrews 11:2)

Do we have faith that God created all things?

“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.” (Hebrews 11:3 NKJV)

What was the difference between Abel and Cain’s offerings?

“It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.” (Hebrews 11:4 NLT)

Was faith also Enoch’s trait?

“By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated [changed] him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 11:5 WEB)

Can we please God without faith?

“It’s impossible to please God without faith because the one who draws near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards people who try to find him.” (Hebrews 11:6 CEB)

What actions proved Noah’s faith?

“Because Noah had faith, he was warned about something that had not yet happened. He obeyed and built a boat that saved him and his family. In this way the people of the world were judged, and Noah was given the blessings that come to everyone who pleases God.” (Hebrews 11:7 CEV)

What actions proved Abraham’s faith, and what was he looking forward to?

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10 ESV)

How did God bless Sarah’s faith?

“By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful...” (Hebrews 11:11-12 HCSB)

Did they receive the promises in this life or were they pilgrims, desiring a better country?

“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. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:13-16 KJV)

How else did Abraham act in faith?

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had received the promises was offering up his only son; it was he to whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac your descendants shall be named.’ He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.” (Hebrews 11:17-19 NASB)