The Hall of Faith
Why Hebrews
Chapter 11 is Called the Hall of Faith
by DR. MICHAEL L. WILLIAMS
There
are no shortages of sermons, songs, and sonnets about faith.
In fact, if you were to ask people what the
word faith means you might get a variety of answers that describe a trusting or
belief in something.
However, to fully understand faith, a good
place to study is Hebrews 11, which has been called by many the Hall of Faith.
Why is Hebrews 11
called the Hall of Faith?
Let us look at
Hebrews 11 and the answer will become clear.
What is faith?
The Bible gives us the answer in Hebrews
11:1, which says, “Now faith is the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Many times, when discussing faith with
self-professed unbelievers I will take them to this verse.
Unfortunately, most of the time when
unbelievers hear this verse, they make some sort of comment about how this
verse answers nothing as if it is some great mysterious riddle that has yet to
be solved.
However, when you really look at what this
verse says, it becomes quite clear from a Biblical perspective what faith is.
The first part of Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of
things hoped for…”
If faith is the substance of things hoped
for, then we must ask, what does the Bible define as the substance of hope?
The answer is quite clear.
The Bible says that Jesus Christ is our
hope (Colossians
1:27; 1 Timothy 1:1; Titus 2:13; Hebrew 6:18-20).
However, when also looking at hope from a
Biblical perspective we find that hope is not some sort of wish someone makes
upon a star, like we hope we get a promotion or we hope we win a contest.
No, hope is an anchor for the soul that is
sure and steadfast or unmovable that provides us entry into salvation through
Jesus Christ by the Word of God (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 6:17-20).
Therefore, in this context, faith is the
substance through which God saves us (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The second part of
Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is, “ …
the
evidence of things not seen.”
At the moment we are saved, God gives us
the Holy Spirit of Promise as a non-refundable guarantee of our salvation (Acts 1:4; Acts
2:33).
The Holy Spirit seals us until the day of
redemption, gives us the ability to understand Scripture, and enables us to
walk in newness of life (1
Corinthians 2:9-16; Ephesians 1:9-14; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Peter 1:3-5).
When we have the confidence, or hope of our
salvation, the ability to understand the Word of God, and the power to walk in
newness of life, God makes positive visible changes in our life that change us
to be more like Christ (Romans
8:26-39).
This positive change is seen as faith,
which is found as part of the fruit of the Spirit.
Therefore, in this context, faith is the
evidence that the Holy Spirit is in us and enables us to do great things for
the Lord (Galatians
5:22-26).
What is the Hall of Faith?
If you read on in Hebrews 11, you
immediately find in verse two that faith enables us and others to do many great
things for the Lord.
These
things, as listed in Hebrews 11 make up the Hall of Faith as follows:
1. “By
faith we are approved by God.” (Hebrews 11:2;
Romans 4:1-13)
2. “By faith we
understand that the things clearly seen of creation were created by the Word of
God.” (Hebrews 11:3)
3.
“By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain.”
(Hebrews
11:4)
4.
“By faith, Enoch did not see death, but was changed
from mortal to immortal by God.” (Hebrews 11:5;
Genesis 5:21-23)
5.
“By faith that God exists and rewards those whom
diligently seek Him, we are able to please God.”
(Hebrews
11:6)
6.
“By faith, Noah was convicted to build an ark to save
his household from the flood.” (Hebrews 11:7)
7.
“By faith, Abraham left his people and went out to
establish a new nation where God led him.”
(Hebrews
11:8-10)
8.
“By
faith, Sarah was able to conceive children in her old age, whose descendants
were as numerous as the stars.” (Hebrews 11:11-12)
9.
“By
faith, those who were alive before the coming of the Messiah were able to build
the nation of Israel.” (Hebrews 11:13-16)
10.
“By faith, Abraham obeyed God by offering his son Isaac as a sacrifice, knowing
that God would resurrect him.” (Hebrews 11:17-19)
11.
“By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau so that they
would fulfill God’s calling.” (Hebrews 11:20)
12.
“By faith, Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph as Isaac
had done to him and Esau.” (Hebrews 11:21)
13.
“By faith, Joseph knew of the exodus of Israel from
Egypt and commanded that his bones be carried with the Israelites.”
(Hebrews
11:22)
14.
“By faith, the parents of Moses hid him and trusted God
to provide for him when they put him in a basket in the river.”
(Hebrews
11:23)
15.
“By faith, Moses identified with the Hebrew people and
later led them out of Egypt.” (Hebrews 11:24-29)
16.
“By faith, the Israelites marched around Jericho for
seven days and saw the Lord destroy the walls.” (Hebrews 11:30)
17.
“By
faith, Rahab risked her life to accommodate the Hebrew spies seeking to
overthrow the city.” (Hebrews 11:31)
18. “By faith, many
others conquered, endured, obtained promises, overcame dangerous animals,
quenched fire, escaped death, gained strength, fought for God, endured torture,
were stoned, cut in half, endured temptation, survived famine, and gained
approval from God.” (Hebrews 11:32-39)
We can learn from the Hall of Faith, how is
that?
Simply stated, the Hall of Faith teaches us
that through faith, we can do anything and nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 17:20;
Matthew 19:26; Philippians 4:13).
Conclusion
If you were to ask
people what the word faith means you might get a variety of answers that
describe a trusting or belief in something.
However, to fully understand faith, a good
place to study is Hebrews 11, which has been called by many the Hall of Faith.
The Hall of Faith demonstrates that faith
enables us and others to do many great things for the Lord.
It teaches us that through faith, we can do
anything and nothing is impossible with God.
Would you want to have a deeper relationship
with God?
God has made it possible for you to know Him
and experience an amazing change in your own life by receiving His Son,
Jesus Christ, and have eternal life.
Say the following prayer:
“Father God, I confess I am a sinner and my sins have separated me
from You.
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Dr. Michael L. Williams is a pastor, author, Christian
educator and Biblical counselor who has served in ministry since March of 2000.
Dr. Mike holds under-graduate through post graduate degrees in Christian
Education and formerly worked as a nurse. Dr. Mike is the Senior Pastor of
Selah Mountain Ministries, which he founded in March of 2010 in Albuquerque,
New Mexico, USA (www.selahmountain.org). In addition to counseling, he teaches
how to overcome life issues Biblically on topics such as anger management,
marriage, addictions, and other subjects typically referred to as mental
illnesses. Dr. Mike and his wife Pamela Rose have several adult children and
grandchildren. Learn more about Dr. Mike at his ministry web site
Wisdom4Today.org
http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/why-is-hebrews-chapter-11-called-the-hall-of-faith/
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