Father of Faith
The first trace of faith in the bible is found when Abel, Adams youngest son offered a sacrifice that was faith driven (He11:4). Both Cain and Abel offered sacrifices to God, but the product of both determined the intent by which they both offered; Abel offered with faith. Another trace of faith in the bible is found in Abraham when he was called by God to leave his land, he left, and when he was asked to sacrifice his only son he did (Ro4:16). Only two times is the word faith mentioned in the Old Testament in Deut 32:20; God called the children a faithless generation and Hab 2:4; the just shall live by faith. With faith being such a powerful tool, one would question why was it not exposed. In the New Testament faith is mentioned 200 times. The only way people could be justified in those days was through works only; by performing sacrifices with the priests. This new concept was then introduced by Jesus, faith and it was now required if anyone wanted to get close to God.
Romans 1:15-17
15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
The greatest challenge during the early church was to preach at Rome, because it was the place where the church was severely punished and persecuted. So, it took boldness and complete trust in God when heading to Rome to speak the word. The gospel provides a boost of faith that is powerful. Now, the word power in this context is dynamis – doonamis which means inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth. And, this power of the gospel was sent to anyone who believes, either Jew or Greek. But, the gospel of Jesus Christ would be plain letters it it were without faith. The gospels reveal God’s righteousness; what he stands for and believe, and it was handed down to us with faith. When Habakkuk tells the people of God that the just will live by faith he refers to faith that God placed on man; on his servants. God believed that his servants could do whatever he told them to do. But, in the New testament it required both aspects of faith; What God thinks we can do and our faith for doing what he wants for us. Luke tells us in the book of Hebrews that it is impossible to please God without faith (He11:6).
Since faith is handed down from the Father to, what is the agent of faith by which it comes? Paul tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing of the word of God (Ro10:17). Now, our faith is required of us! We need to believe on our own, the apostles told Jesus to increase their faith, but he told them that their faith could be as small as a mustard seed and it will release power (Lu17: 5-6). As people of faith we can spread faith and enrich someone else’s faith by preaching the gospel, because when accompanied with faith it is the power of God.
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.
Romans 4:16
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Deuteronomy 32:20
20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.
Habakkuk 2:4
4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Romans 10:17
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Luke 17:5-6
5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.