What made these people witnesses to the Church of God? Just how did they qualify for that?
2007-09-13 14:53:51 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
n9wff, like short answers? How about some details and proofs to go with that statement?
2007-09-13 15:01:31 · update #1
plowsmcat, I may just be older than you.
2007-09-13 16:55:26 · update #2
39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (Hebrews 11)
Remember, Paul wasn't writing with chapter and verse in mind!
2007-09-13 15:11:11 · answer #1 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the ancient games, runners were not weighed down by clothes or equipment. “At foot-races, the combatants used to appear quite naked,” says the book The Life of the Greeks and Romans. Wearing no clothes gave the athletes agility, ease of movement, and deftness. There was no wasted energy resulting from unnecessary weight. Paul likely had this in mind when he wrote to the Hebrew Christians: “Let us also put off every weight, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
What type of weight can hinder us in the race for life? One would be the desire to accumulate unnecessary material things or to maintain a costly life-style. Some may look to wealth for security or see it as a source of happiness. Such excess “weight” may slow a runner down to the extent that, eventually, God may not really matter very much to him. Everlasting life may come to seem like a distant hope. ‘The new world will come someday,’ a person may reason, ‘but in the meantime we might as well take advantage of what this world offers.’ Such a materialistic outlook can very easily sidetrack one from the race for life or prevent one from even starting it.
2007-09-14 02:36:37 · answer #2 · answered by BJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you 12 years old or younger?
Look at chapter 11. It is all about faith and those that had it on many levels.
Chapter 12 is a continuation of chapter 11. Remember the epistles are letters and in there original form did not have chapter and verse.
So the "great cloud of witnesses" are those that have gone on before us and it is by their example of faith that we are to learn from when things get tough. So we are to run the race that is set before us, each of us. It will be different for us all for we have all been given different levels of faith.
So check out the context before asking silly questions, you will find that the bible will do a very good job of explaining itself.
2007-09-13 22:16:40 · answer #3 · answered by plowmscat 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Chapter 11 tells us that their strong faith made them witnesses of God. In fact, Hebrews 11:13(KJV) says: These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
They were among those called God's witnesses in Isaiah 43:10-12 10Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
11I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
12I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.
2007-09-13 22:12:56 · answer #4 · answered by babydoll 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Cloud of witnesses in this verse refers to Holy Angels that work in the behalf of fallen humanity. They have been commissioned by God for a very special work. We should not worship Angels but we should appreciate there efforts on our behalf.
2007-09-13 22:21:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The cloud of witnesses refers to the people of faith mentioned in ch.11. They are not actually spectators watching us; they are are witnesses testifying to the truth of the faith ( 11:2,4-6 )
2007-09-13 22:01:47 · answer #6 · answered by BaC Helen 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The answer from Helen is "right on"..., that's all that is being said. Great depth and understanding Helen.
2007-09-13 22:09:38 · answer #7 · answered by gg28 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Holy Spirit said so.
2007-09-13 22:00:30 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
perfectly qualified.
they're already on heaven...
2007-09-13 21:59:49 · answer #9 · answered by n9wff 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Faith!!
2007-09-13 22:02:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋