What is Faith?

Related Topics

This page is my Bible study on defining faith. There is the basic definition that it is believing without seeing, but I think there’s more that connects this with our daily lives. What does this mean for those who call themselves by Yeshua’s title of Christ? For Christians, it means obedience to God’s Word, the Bible.

Hebrews 11:1-3
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. 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.

This says that faith is the substance of things hoped for, our confidence and support. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Evidence requires perception on our parts. Most people connect their daily lives with what they experience during the day. In order for us to consider something to be “evidence,” we must first be able to perceive it. When we have faith, it is the evidence to the world of what they cannot see.

Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

True faith is confidence in the Truth, written in the Word of God, that is unwavering even to death. It has been built stronger for me through understanding God’s Word by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I hope this study and the rest of this website my help spark some understanding of the glories of God and lead you to a closer relationship with Him. Continuing on...

Hebrews 11:4-6
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. 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. 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.

Faith is belief that what God says, He means and is Truth. And clearly this is true since one wouldn’t seek Christ if one didn’t first believe He is. Abel’s offering was acceptable to God and fit the typology of Christ’s sacrifice of blood. Enoch pleased God and was translated. In both cases, acceptance of God and desire to please Him led to their rewards. Seek and you will find Christ, that is the promise He has given to every one of us. The problem today seems to be like Kent Hovind said, “People can’t find God like a thief can’t find a cop.” We have to want and seek relationship, that action shows faith because we have accepted that He is in order to seek Him out.

Hebrews 11:7-16
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.

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. 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: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

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. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

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.

Even though Noah didn’t yet see the rain, he built the ark because God told Him to and He believed. Abraham also believed God and it was counted to Him as righteousness. Genesis 15:1-6 Abraham didn’t know where He was going, but believed the promise of inheritance. He never saw the fullness of that promise, but he obeyed anyway and now we can see it. How much stronger should our faith be in these times of prophetic fulfillment?

Hebrews 11:17-40
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

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. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

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: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. 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. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 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; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

If we are to live by faith, does that mean we don’t need to understand doctrine? I don’t believe so at all. In fact, Yeshua said about the end times that many would be deceived. Matthew 24:3-5 It was His first warning when the disciples asked Him about His coming and the end of the world. Israel’s failure to obey God’s Word to them brought about God’s rejection of her, we should learn from Israel’s mistakes and recognize the importance of understanding what God has to say about our existence. There are forces out to destroy us by any means and they are much smarter and wiser and better at deception than we are at perceiving it without understanding.

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Faith-Building Links

• Learn the Bible in 24 Hours - Chuck Missler’s presentation of scripture in 24 one-hour episodes takes you from Genesis to Revelation in a short time revealing a bigger picture of Bible prophecy that makes the Bible come alive and applicable to the near future events it foretold leading to eternity. The Bible is the Word of God and the source of our faith. Read the Bible and get a good overview of the history book of the Jews and the eternal Word of God for all mankind.
• Creation Science Evangelism - Learn the Truth about the scientific evidence of a global flood as well as the scientific misinterpretations that have been used to support the theory of evolution. This is a great faith-builder in God’s Word meaning exactly what it says as Kent also goes into many misconceptions about the Bible as well.
• Archaeological Discoveries - Chariot wheels at the bottom of the Red Sea, Noah’s Ark and Sodom & Gomorrah are all examined with clear evidence of Biblical Truth.
• Dr. John Baumgardner’s work related to the Genesis flood - What conceivable mechanism could have produced the vast geological transformation of the earth evident all around us in a single year-long Flood event? Answering this question correctly has been a major focus of mine for the past 25 years.
• Young Earth vs. Old Excuse - The Institute for Creation Research equips believers with evidences of the Bible’s accuracy and authority through scientific research, educational programs, and media presentations, all conducted within a thoroughly biblical framework.

Hidden Treasures of the Bible - Chuck Missler