[Pastor Ralph]

Q5. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1? What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1? In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith? How did he live by faith? In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith?

[Commissioned]

Q5. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1?
The "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1 are the many believers who are now dead. However, the author paints them as looking on and urging us to complete the race.

What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1?
The analogy is that of an athlete in competition. They are admonished to put off everything that will hinder them when in competition.

In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith?
Jesus is the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith in that He is our example. His example of living here on earth is what we should pattern ours after.

How did he live by faith?
He lived by faith as he obeyed his Father's will and completed the race set before him.

In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith?
As "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith, Jesus successfully finished his assignment here on earth and as our example we look forward to the day when, like Jesus, we would also be at home with the Father.

[Tabatha]

Q5. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1? What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1? In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith? How did he live by faith? In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith?

[Tabatha]

Q5. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1? What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1? In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith? How did he live by faith? In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith?

The " great cloud of witnesses' is composed of the people described in chapter 11.Their faithfulness is a constant encouragement to us. We do not struggle alone. and we are not the first to struggle with the problems we face. Others have run the race an won, and their witness stirs us to run and win also. What an inspiring heritage we have.

Using the analogy of running a race, we must never take our eyes off the goal.
( Phil. 3:14 ) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Knowing Christ with the single-mindedness of an athlete in training. We must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract us from keeping our eyes on Jesus ,winning the prize which is in heaven with Christ.

An Author is one who begins something so others may enter into, He is "One who takes the lead in anything and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter" ( Thayer 77 )
Christ is also the pioneer who stands before us to blaze the trail before us as the perfect example

The perfect Son of God became the victorious Pioneer of our Faith accomplished His mission. He defeated death and satan himself. Jesus was born for the cross as the death dealing blow to satan in the strategy to rescue sinners. He is the pioneer of our faith victorious and compassionate.

He lived by faith because He looked beyond His current struggle to the goal, the end, the joy of completion, when He would sit down at His Father's right hand....... Mission accomplished.

"Finisher' means, " Perfection or completeness, " or "one who brings any enterprise to its full and perfect consummation"
Jesus is the Beginning ( John 1: 1-5 ) and the end ( Rev. 5:1-12 ) of salvation.
( 14:12 ) And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. AMEN

[charisbarak]

The cloud of witnesses are those martyrs who lived victoriously in their faith life to the end.

The analogy is of an athlete running a race.

Jesus is the "author" of our faith--He came to earth as a man to live the kind of life He wants us to emulate until we die and join Him!

He totally lived by faith. He would do nothing that was not of His Father. He believed even though it meant going through such suffering--just for us!

He is the finisher--He brings our faith to completion and by His victory we can finish well too!

[Helenmm]

Q5. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1? What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1? In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith? How did he live by faith? In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith?

The great cloud of witnesses are thosse who have completed the race and barrack for us these days!


Laying aside every weight makes me think of a jockey who loses weight before a race. We too have to lose the weight of anything that sets us back, even though it cost us something.!

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith in that (a) He was there at creation, (2) He completed the task set for Him at the Cross, showing us that we too will have battles

[masika]

The huge crowds of witness is composed of the people described in Chapter 11. Their faithfullness s a constant encouragement to us as believers in our walk with Jesus.
The Bible states clearly that Jesus is the one who created everything, so He is the Author of our Life.
To live effectively, we must keep our eyes on Jesus. We will stumble if we look away from Him to `stare at ourselves or at the cirumstances surrounding us

[Stan]

Q5. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1? What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1? In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith? How did he live by faith? In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith?

The Saints who have gone on before and are watching us run our race and cheering us on.

12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
It is that faith will help us to run our race if we give up the sinful things of this world and seek what is right, our faith will become stronger and we will be able to endure the struggles of this life.

Jesus is the author of our faith because He is the first of many brethren. He was the first raised by the Father and sat at His right hand. He was the first to finished the job the Father gave Him to do with out fault. He lived by faith knowing that what lay ahead was much better than what He was going to have to suffer. He was finisher because He completed the work God gave Him to do and made a way for us to be able to come to the Father through Him. With out Him and His completion of His chosen task we would be lost. He was made perfect by the Father, He knew no sin but died for our sins taking on our guilt and shedding it like a coat when He rose and over came death by the power given Him by the Father.

[JustJeff]

The "great cloud of witnesses" referred to in Heb 12:1 are the saints that went on before us, never having received the promise, who depend upon us to make it happen.
The analogy of a race is used here and in 1 Cor 9:24-27 to illustrate that it takes tremendous spiritual endurance to attain the finish line, to inherit our blessed hope, the New Jerusalem, the Kingdom of Heaven, eternity with our Savior, the One Holy Father.
Jesus, being the First Born of the Dead, walked first in the flesh to prove that we can live holy lives in this place, He paved the way. His great faith in the Father allowed Him to endure all things, knowing that once finished, He would inherit His rightful place at God's right hand.
By His resurrection He completed the work assigned to Him by Our Father, He perfected our faith, illustrating that we too, will be resurrected to glory with Him.

[June]

The witnesses are God's faithful saints.
By keeping the faith we can conquer all that entangles us and run & not give up, pressing on to the finish. Keeping our eyes on Jesus and all He did and by trying to duplicate our life after His. He was committed to God and trusted Him for His Will to be done.
By resurrection He procured perfect salvation for all. They will receive, as will we, our full inheritance together in the New Heaven & New Earth
Though we may not know where we are going today, we must follow the leading of Christ and believe with faith that we will be going "home" to a greater place and will be made perfect in holiness with Christ when that great day comes.
Jesus said, It is finished."

[s8nfighter]

Q5. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1? What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1? In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith? How did he live by faith? In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith?

The writer moves on from the Old Testament describing those who did great things because of their faith ( who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised) into the New Testament and the first Christians who faced persecution because of their faith (These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised).
NOT YET RECIEVED THE PROMISE!!! And then I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth; sin has not yet been destroyed, Satan is still the ruler over the earth, and untill then the battle is still on.
They are a great cloud of witnesses because they have offered proof by their actions that loving and living for Christ is worthy, much more worthy than a life centered around self and sin.

Darrell

[Loisb]

Q5. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1? What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1? In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith? How did he live by faith? In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith?

1) The faithful Saints who came before, the dead, who had witnessed all of the previous things of life. They are around us like a cloud.

2) Let us keep running in the race that God has planned for us. Let nothing distract us from reaching our goal. Keep our eyes on our reward.

3) Jesus is our example. He lived a righteous life and we are to follow His example.

4) He lived by faith when He suffered and died on the cross and never hesitated to not complete his goal.

5) He is the finisher of our faith because He endured to the end what He came to earth to do.

[PATJOE]

Q5. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1? What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1? In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith? How did he live by faith? In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith?

All of the prophets as well as Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel are the great cloud of witnesses. To live the ife of faith, we are to throw off the weight of sin that slows us down as we run the race and run it with perseverence. Jesus is the author and pioneer of our faith as He has run this race before us in obedience to His father, on the cross, and He fixed His focus on the end result and the joy of completion to be at His father's side. This is our example to do the same. By this example He perfected our faith for us.

[PCHRIS]

The great cloud of witnesses are those who have gone before us, those whose blood has been spilt for the glory of God.

The analogy used is one of running a race, like in 1Cor 9, to keep focused on the glorious prize at the end.

Jesus is our prime example and we are to strive to imitate Him.
Totally lived by faith as we must do to.

[Patricia A]

[quote name='Pastor Ralph' date='Apr 18 2007, 10:26 PM' post='25834']
Q5. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1?


What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1?

One running a life is used as an analogy.



In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith?


33 He has run this race before us and we can learn from his example. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end of faith.



How did he live by faith? In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith?
He looked beyond his current struggle to the goal, the end, the joy of completion, when he would sit down at his Father's right hand -- mission accomplished.
It was that forward look that enabled him to "endure" (hupomenō) the cross



[/quote]

[Craig]

The great cloud of witnesses mentioned in 12:1 are those saints gone on before us. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to run the race marked out for us. To faithfully live out our faith until we depart this world.

Jesus modeled the type of faith the Christian should live. Jesus lived out His faith by obeying His Father even when it meant going to the cross and suffering pain and death for our sins. As as result of obediance God raised Him from the dead where He now sits on the right hand seat of the Throne of God. Jesus went the distance and if we travel with Him, we also will go the distance.

[Ms CJ]

Q5. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1? What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1? In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith? How did he live by faith? In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith?

Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1?

* the stands surrounding us are seated untold thousands of God's faithful people, now dead,
who are looking on, a "great cloud of witnesses" (martus from which get our word "martyr"),
"one who affirms or attests, testifier, witness."25 They "surround"26 us, and though unseen,
urge us on by their own example of faithfulness.

What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1?

* Lay asides our self and our sins and run the race and finish the course as these have

In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith?

* He has run this race before us and we can learn from his example. He is the Alpha and
the Omega, the beginning and the end of faith. Here our author calls him:

How did he live by faith?

* He looked beyond his current struggle to the goal, the end, the joy36 of completion,
when he would sit down at his Father's right hand -- mission accomplished.
* It was that forward look that enabled him to "endure" (hupomenō) the cross. This word,
which is the theme of Hebrews 12, means, "to maintain a belief or course of action in
the face of opposition, stand one's ground, hold out, endure."

In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith?

* Jesus possessed the kind of faith that could see the unseen beyond this life to the reward
to come, and that sight, that faith enabled him to live with integrity now and fulfill his destiny.
So much so that he scorned (kataphroneō) the shame38 of the cross. The verb means "to
look down on something with contempt or aversion, with implication that one considers the
object of little value." Then the meaning is extended to "care nothing for, disregard, be
unafraid of."39 It is this very kind of faith that our author holds before us to emulate.

[AngelOnLine]

Q5. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1?
The “great cloud of witnesses” are God’s faithful people who are now dead.

What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1?
It paints the picture of an athlete running the track with people in the stands encouraging us to keep on running and inspiring us with their faithfulness.

In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith?
He is the originator and our example to follow.

How did he live by faith?
He was completely obedient to the Will of His Father

In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith?
He finished what His Father sent Him here to do.

[Eudora]

Q5. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1? Well we just finished the chapter about the people of faith whom have gone on before us. Prophets, disciples that most became martyrs, are also I believe covered in the vast cloud of witnesses that have gone on before us. . All those who have borne testimony to the Truth are all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on?
I also think that we can think in these last days as well , of the folks who watch our every move because they too are witnesses to our every word

What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1? We too can blaze a trail. For all the eyes that are watching us, we can live faithful lives and for all who come behind us that find us faithful, our testimony will lead them to believe in Christ Jesus.

In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith? Being the author of our faith is easy for me to understand because since He is the Word and was there in the beginning, He place faith and eternity into our hearts.

Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

The word, world in the interlinear is `owlam, o-lawm' , which translates to or lolam {o-lawm'}; from 5956; properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always:--alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-))ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world (+ without end). So you could say that God placed eternity in our heart so that we would always have a yerning for the eternal. His Word is eternal, His Kingdom is eternal. for folks who have tried drugs, alcohol, sex and the like, eventually isn’t it possible that they are searching for something, they just don’t know what it is that will make them satisfied. I believe we all search for eternal truth, which is God Himself.

How did he live by faith? He too, believed in God. His purpose was set on finishes his purpose here on earth.

In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith? He is the one who leads us and will bring us all home, this is our faith from the Faith Giver.

[linda bass]

The "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in Hebrews 12:1 are the Old Testament saints and Christians who have died and are currently in heaven.
The analogy that is offered to the life of faith in verse 12:1 is, we are to throw off everything that hinders us, running with perserverance the race marked out for us.
Jesus is the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith in that He is the originator of it.
Jesus lived by faith by trusting in His heavenly Father to meet His needs.
Jesus is the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith in that He will bring it to a successful conclusion.