Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

The book of Hebrews is a book of comparisons. Right at the beginning it tells us how the Lord spoke in times past by the prophets, but now has spoken to us by His son. It’s a book that speaks of how Christ’s ministry is superior to Moses, Aaron, and the Priestly ministry of the Old Testament. And how the tabernacle, and all that pertained to it, was actually symbolic of something to come. (The true heavenlies.)

I have heard many so called faith preachers misinterpret the 11th chapter of Hebrews. They use it, or should I say, misuse it, to support their doctrine on healing and prosperity. I believe in healing and prosperity but I don’t believe in taking scripture out of context to prove it. There are many other scriptures to prove God is our healer and provider. I believe this passage of scripture is very important. It supports the New Testament teaching of the present kingdom.  

The statement “Now faith” is a comparative phrase between the past and now.  Yes, a comparison between faith in the Old Testament and “now faith” the faith of the New Testament.

I believe in order to see this more plainly you should go to the 12th chapter and read verses 1-2.  “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking 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. “

This cloud of witnesses, were those in chapter 11 who not only had faith, but were faithful to the promise of God. They embraced those promises and through trial and test they stood firm. We are encouraged to run with patience, looking unto Jesus the inaugurator and completion of our faith. Hebrews 11:39-40 “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”  All those mentioned in chapter 11, had faith toward God. But now we have faith in God through Jesus Christ.

Now or Present faith is the substance of what they hoped for in the Old Testament. The word substance according to Webster’s Dictionary: “The real or essential part or element of anything; essence, reality, or basic matter”.  So now faith is the reality or fulfillment of what they were looking for in the Old Testament. All those spoken of in chapter 11, were by faith, looking for the coming of, the promised Messiah and the kingdom of God.

We could quote it like this: “Now faith is the reality of the things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

            We now have access into those things behind the veil which were not seen in the previous covenant. Hebrews 9:8-10 “The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.”

 By faith in Christ we enter into all the things that stood in symbol in the old covenant. We receive these things through faith in Jesus and believing Him to be the possessor of heaven and earth. We believe He is the fulfillment of all the Law and the Prophets.

The subject of faith is very important to the New Testament saints. We are saved by faith. As a matter of fact every promise in the New Testament is based upon faith. Abraham is called the father of faith, because he trusted God and didn’t lose focus of what God promised him. Galatians 3:7-9 “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”

             Notice verse 8 of the above passage. “And the scripture foreseeing”; In other words, the scripture was prophesying, of the coming Holy Ghost which would be God’s blessing on all nations.  Israel of the Old Testament were not the people of faith. They were under the Law Covenant, which was based upon works. And according to Hebrews 4:2 “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

            The receiving of the Holy Ghost is “the reality of the things hoped for and the  assurance of things not seen”

            Salvation depends on believing in the finished work of the cross at Calvary. We have many examples of believing and receiving in the New Testament. We can see in Hebrews chapter 11, that not only Abraham but all those honorably mentioned believed God would fulfill His promise. That He would bring about a spiritual kingdom and salvation to mankind.  Now faith reaches back to those Old Testament patriarch’s, and believes Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise. “Christ in you the hope of glory”

Questions or Comments:  Email Pastor Bud at:  covenantlifeky@insightbb.com 

Subject Line:  Pastors Thoughts