Jesus told his disciples that “In the world you will have tribulation,” (John 16:33), and said that his disciples should expect to endure hardships for their faith in Him, “When tribulation or persecution arises on account of the Word,” in Matthew 13:21 and Mark 4:17. Our Lord also repeatedly describes His suffering with, “The Christ should suffer,” (Luke 24:46), He must “Suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed” in Matthew 16:21, Mark 8:31, and Luke 9:22. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life and obeyed His Father’s plan to both glorify God and redeem sinful mankind by suffering persecution and enduring a humiliating death on the cross. Jesus demonstrated courageous faith and encouraged his disciples to be courageous in facing trials, tribulations and suffering for His Name like He did for His Father’s Name.

The Apostle Paul wrote about 60% of the New Testament and was told in Acts 23:11 to take courage. In 2 Corinthians chapter 5 Paul twice describes those who have faith in Jesus Christ as being of good courage (2 Corinthians 5:6 and 5:8). Moreover, Paul says that he has full courage about his faith in Jesus in Philippians 1:20. The Apostle Paul was courageous throughout his ministry and was martyred for his faith in Jesus. Moreover, 11 of the 12 disciples courageously gave their lives for their faith in Jesus Christ. The New Testament is also permeated with verses and examples of our need to not be afraid of what people can do to us as fear is the opposite of living our lives courageously for our Lord and Savior. Courageous faith is New Testament faith and each book in this series acquaints us with stories of heroes of the faith who have courageously lived New Testament faith.