The dictionary defines faith as complete trust or confidence in someone or something. The Bible, in the book of Hebrews, defines faith in a more nuanced way:

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
(NKJV)

Now, what is "the substance" and "the evidence" that the Bible is talking about here?

Christianity is built on Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the substance and evidence on which we place our faith. Within the pages of the Bible, especially the New Testament, are clear statements of what Christians believe. These are also referred to as creeds or traditions. These statements succinctly and clearly define the basis and evidence for our faith. We can find them in:

• 1 Corinthians 8:6
• Romans 10:9-10
• 1 Corinthians 15:3-7

In the Old Testament, we have:
Deuteronomy 6:4

Let us focus on 1 Corinthians 15:3-7:

"3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me." (ESV)

Let's break it down verse by verse:

• V3: Christ died for our sins.
• V4: He was buried and rose again.
• V5: He then appeared, in his physical resurrected body, to Peter and the twelve disciples.
• V6: He then appeared to many others, some of whom were alive when Paul initially wrote 1 Corinthians 15.
• V7: He also appeared to James and all the apostles.
• V8: Lastly, he appeared to Paul.

Naturally speaking, dead people do not come back from the grave. Even the ancient people were aware of this. Hence, the claim that Jesus came back to life from the dead requires evidence. The evidence has been supplied in two crucial ways:

Firstly, his physical appearance in the flesh to those who were living at the time. He appeared not just to one or two people, but to many more. Many were still alive when Paul first penned 1 Corinthians 15 and were alive to confirm it.

Secondly, in verse 8, the Apostle Paul mentions the spiritual encounter he had with the Lord Jesus Christ. We can read more about this in Acts 9. Here, we read about the spiritual encounter Paul had with Jesus that changed his life forever. He became alive to God. He had personal evidence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This spiritual encounter Paul had with the Lord Jesus Christ still occurs today. Jesus referred to it as being born again (John 3:16). Spiritual birth is a unique experience for each person, but at its core is always an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not always as dramatic as Paul's experience, but it is real and provides more substance and evidence for our faith.

We can explain this evidence like this: We know there was a day we were born physically because we exist now. You may not be able to recall from memory the exact events and experiences you had on the day you were physically born, yet you are certain they occurred as you are here now to prove it.

The evidence for my physical birth is my current existence.

The same is true of my spiritual birth and Christ’s resurrection from the dead.

While I was not physically present when Jesus rose from the dead, the evidence of those who were, the impact He has had in my life, and in the lives of other believers, builds up to compelling evidence for my faith.