The book of Hebrews Chapter 11 is considered the Hallmark of faith or the faith Hall fame. The book’s writer talks about the great men and women who accomplished mighty things in the kingdom of God. He introduces an impressive list of heroic figures from the Old Testament.
These are remarkable men and women whose stories stand out to encourage, inspire and challenge our faith to live and achieve great things in our lifetime. Here are Some of these heroes of the Bible, who are well-known personalities.
1). Abel – First Martyr in the Bible
The first person listed in the Hall of Faith is Abel.
Hebrews 11:4
It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering proved that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us through his example of faith. (NLT)
Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve. He was the first martyr in the Bible and also the first shepherd. Very little else is known about Abel except that he found favor in God’s eyes by offering him a pleasing sacrifice. As a result, Abel was murdered by his older brother Cain, whose sacrifice did not please God.
2). Enoch – The Man Who Walked With God
The next member of the Hall of Faith is Enoch, the man who walked with God. Enoch so pleased the Lord God that he was spared the experience of death.
Hebrews 11:5-6
It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying — “he disappeared because God took him.” Before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
3). Noah – A Righteous Man
The Animals Board Noah’s Ark.
Noah is the third hero named in the Hall of Faith.
Hebrews 11:7
It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith, Noah condemned the rest of the world and received the righteousness that comes from faith.
Noah was known to be a righteous man. He was blameless among the people of his time. This does not mean Noah was perfect or sinless, but that he loved God wholeheartedly and was fully committed to obedience. Noah’s life — his singular, unshakable faith amid a faithless society — has much to teach us today.
4). Abraham – Father of the Jewish Nation
Abraham receives much more than a brief mention among the heroes of faith. A good deal of emphasis (from Hebrews 11:8-19) is given to this biblical giant and father of the Jewish nation.
One of Abraham’s most notable feats of faith occurred when he willingly obeyed God’s command in Genesis 22:2: “Take your son, your only son — yes, Isaac, whom you love so much — and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”
Abraham was fully prepared to slay his son while trusting God to resurrect Isaac from the dead or provide a substitutionary sacrifice. At the last minute, God intervened and supplied the necessary ram. The death of Isaac would have contradicted every promise God had made to Abraham, so his willingness to perform the ultimate sacrifice of killing his son is probably the most dramatic example of faith and trust in God found in the entire Bible.
5). Sarah – Mother of the Jewish Nation
Influential Women of the Bible
Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is one of only two women named among the heroes of faith (Some translations, however, render the verse so that only Abraham receives credit.)
Hebrews 11:11
It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.
Sarah waited long past child-bearing age to have a baby. At times she doubted, struggling to believe God would fulfill his promise. Losing hope, she took matters into her own hands. Like most of us, Sarah looked at God’s promise from her limited, human perspective.
But the Lord used her life to unfold an extraordinary plan, proving that God is never restricted by what usually happens. Sarah’s faith is an inspiration to every person who has ever waited on God to act.
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