The next spiritual gift we’ll study is the Gift of Faith.

This is a primary gift.  We won’t get any where without it. 

If a minister or layperson tries to teach the Bible without a personal faith and a trust in the Bible, the listeners will soon find a lack of interest in the class.  “But without faith it is impossible to please Him . . . “ (Hebrews 11:6).  

The Bible talks about faith from Genesis to Revelation. 

Hebrews chapter 11 is the greatest chapter on faith in the Bible.  And, it begins with the best definition of faith in verse one: “Now faith is the evidence of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1 KJV). “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen” (modern version).

Verse two says, “By it [faith] the elders obtained a good report.” 

The elders here are listed in chapter 11, beginning with Abel, Adam and Eve’s righteous son, and ends this list with prophet Samuel.  I counted 18 on the list. 

Two women are listed as “elders” here: Sara, father Abraham’s wife, and the woman Rahab, that shows God’s grace, for a repentant woman-of-the-night.

This list of the faithful is to encourage us to see them as a “great cloud of witnesses” and in seeing them “let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us and let us run the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 KJV).

When you study the lives of these 18 people of faith, you will see what they went through to be on such a prominent list. 

Of course Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Joshua and others are on the list. 

It is believed by many that the Apostle Paul wrote this list. He also wrote two-thirds of the New Testament. 

Paul is listing those from the Torah or the Old Testament. 

We know that the New Testament believers are now added to this list in Heaven.  You can probably think of who they are…

So how do we get this faith? 

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 KJV). 

The answer Scripture gives is Jesus the Messiah. 

Looking unto Jesus.  He authored our faith.  He finished it with His death, resurrection, and ascension.  

I like the acrostic created by Rev. Winkler, missionary to Africa:

F orsaking

A ll

I

T ake

H im

“He is the head of the long train of faith heroes. He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Consider Him (v.3). Observe and analyze every part of His life and conduct, His courage and sufferings.” (Finis Dake, Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible, pp. 253,254).

Jesus is the “Alpha” and the “Omega,” the “Aleph” and the “Tav,” the beginning and the end, the first and the last (Revelation 22:13). 

He gave everything for us to redeem us, to show us the way of life now, and in eternity.  He is the way to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

When you receive Him, you receive faith. 

“Dear Lord, I want to get on the train of the brave, faithful ones.  I choose faith in You. Bring faith into my spirit and soul through Your Son Jesus.  I choose life forever. In His Name.  Amen.” 

Relax and breathe deeply of God’s love and freshness.  Take time to be thankful in His presence…

Join me next week, as we investigate the four types of faith.