So that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible: Most scientists at the time the Book of Hebrews was written believed the universe was created out of existing matter, not out of nothing. Since we understand faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, we know that God sees everything and does not “hope” for anything.ĭ. Since God sees and knows all things, “faith” in a human sense does not apply to Him. By faith we understand: This text does not say that God created the world with or by faith. But it is not unreasonable to believe that the God who created life and the womb could do this, and that He would do it according to His promise.Ĭ. For example, it might seem contrary to reason for God to expect Abraham to believe that Sarah’s dead womb could bring forth a child. Even in times when it seems when God expects a faith that contradicts reason, closer examination reveals He does not. Again, this is faith going beyond but not in contradiction to reason. We also know this by reason, because we know the world was created and created by an intelligent Designer. By faith we understand: We did not see this act of creation we only know of it by faith. As the Psalmist explained: By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth… For He spoke, and it was done He commanded, and it stood fast.” (Psalm 33:6, 33:9)ī. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word: This happened when God simply commanded, “ Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). (3) Faith gives understanding regarding the invisible world.īy 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.Ī. They needed a good testimony, and so they needed these examples of faith to break them out of discouragement. Obtained a good testimony: These Jewish Christians were discouraged and thought of giving up on Jesus and a distinctive Christianity. For by it the elders: The great examples of godliness all had different circumstances and personalities, but they all had one thing in common – faith.ī. (2) Faith enabled people in the past to overcome.įor by it the elders obtained a good testimony.Ī. It is a willingness to trust in, to rely on, and to cling to. Faith is the substance… the evidence: Faith is not a bare belief or intellectual understanding. Therefore, this is a belief beyond reason but not in contradiction to reason or against reason.Ĭ. But only faith can prove that the Bible is the Word of God. One may objectively prove the Bible is the most unique book ever published and has impacted society more than any other book. Faith does not contradict reason, though it may go beyond reason. Faith is needed for what we can’t see and can’t touch. Of things hoped for… of things not seen: If you have the substance before you or if you can see it, there is no use for faith. “Physical eyesight produces a conviction or evidence of visible things faith is the organ which enables people to see the invisible order.” (Bruce)ī. Its tests are not those of the senses, which yield uncertainty.” (Morris) “Faith extends beyond what we learn from our senses, and the author is saying that it has its reasons. But the reasons can’t be measured in a laboratory they have to be understood spiritually. The Bible doesn’t recommend a “blind leap” of faith. Now faith is the substance: Just as our physical eyesight is the sense that gives us evidence of the material world, faith is the “sense” that gives us evidence of the invisible, spiritual world. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.Ī.
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