12:1 (A) How are we to regard these witnesses - are they looking down on us from heaven as some teach?
12:1 (A) How are we to regard these witnesses - are they looking down on us from heaven as some teach?
This is referring to the Old Testament saints of Ch 11 who died in faith, but it is not teaching that they are spectators, observing all that we do from heaven, as some believe.
Rather, it means that the godly examples they set during their lives on earth bear witness to the value and blessing of living faith.
Their past life of faith encourages us to live a life of faith also (CP 11:4-40).