Bible

11:1-3
1: Now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.
2: For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3: Through faith we understand that the worlds (ages) were framed (prepared) by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (are visible).
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A description of what faith does. Two truths is stated here.
1* Faith provides substance (greek word→hypostasis). Though broad in its usages, this greek word normally has the meaning of "assurance" in the New Testament.
2* Faith provides evidence (Greek word→elegchos). It is evidence in the sense of proof that results in conviction. The difference between 'assurance' and 'evidence' would be minimal if not for the phrase qualifying each: of things hoped for and of things not seen. The first involes future hope; the second involves present realities that are unseen. The first includes the hope of the ressurrection, the return of Christ, and the glorification of the saints. The second involves unseen realities, such as the forgiveness of sin through Christ's sacrifice and the present intercession of Christ in heaven. Hope is faith relating to the future; conviction is faith relating to the present.
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Faith at the dawn of history
4:
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.
5:
By faith Enoch was translated (so) that he should not see death; AND WAS NOT FOUND, BECAUSE GOD HAD TRANSLATED HIM: for before his translation he had this testamony, that he pleased God.
6:
But without faith it is imposible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7:
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear (reverence), 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.
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11:4. Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain: In what way was his sacrifice better? Was it because his was an animal and Cain's a vegetable? Or was it because his was a firstling and Cain's not the firstfruit? Or was his with blood and Cain's without?
Both Hebrews and Genesis (4:1-15) demonstrate that it was not the offering that made one acceptable and not the other. God accepts both grain and animal offerings according to their purposes. The difference was, was that Abel offered his by faith; Cain obviously did not. Before Cain even made his sacrifice, his heart was not right with God.
11:7 Things not yet seen: Noah had never seen the rain (Genesis 2:5), God had asked that Noah build an ark for the coming flood, (Genesis 6:13-17) and through faith, Noah built the ark exactly how God wanted it.
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Faithful Abraham
8:
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 (where he was going)
9:
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange (foreign) country, dwelling in tabernacles (tents) with Issac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10:
For he looked (was waiting) for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11:
Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was (bore) delivered of a child when she was passed age, because she judged him who had promised.
12:
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 seashore innumerable.
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11:8 Abraham Genesis 12:1-4.
11:11 Sarah: Genesis 17:19; 18:11-14; 21:1&2
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