20040929





A:link {color: blue;}
A:visited {color: blue;}
A:hover {color: red;}




Daily Bible Study






Index

When Did Faith Begin?

Faith is regarded by some as a "Christian" attribute, but Bible History records many acts of faith right from the very beginning. The righteous all knew and lived by the principle that to have faith was more than a feeling; it meant "to walk the walk, not just talk the talk." Faith is a matter of active obedience to God.

When Did Faith Begin?



Faith existed right from the beginning:


"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous" (Hebrews 11:4 KJV) (see also What Did Abel Have That Cain Didn't?)

Noah built the ark based on his faith:


"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." (Hebrews 11:7 KJV)

Abraham left his hometown (in what is today Iraq, see also Abraham And The "Tradition Trap") and went to what became the land of Israel, based on his faith. His son Isaac and grandson Jacob / Israel lived by the same 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" (Hebrews 11:8-10 KJV)

The Israelites crossed the parted Red Sea by faith:


"By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land" (Hebrews 11:29 KJV) (see also Old Testament Baptisms)

And what about by New Testament times? Did anything change?


"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God."

"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:17-24 KJV)

Fact Finder: Abraham's near-sacrifice of his son Isaac is regarded as a great act of faith, which it surely was. But who else had great faith there that day?
See Isaac's Faith And Obedience



Copyright © 2004 by Wayne Blank / Daily Bible Study. All rights reserved.






Wyszukiwarka