Abraham: Father of ALL Who Believe!

Abraham: Father of ALL Who Believe!

Father Abraham is an example of faith. The Apostle Paul tells us throughout the Book of Romans, and especially in chapter 4 that if you are a believer in Jesus Christ... YOU ARE A SON OR DAUGHTER OF ABRAHAM.

This concept was very controversial and the Apostle Paul meant it to be! The Jewish leaders were under the impression they were sons of Abraham because of their biological birth as Israelis. However, Paul asks a very important question... let's take a look in Romans 4:9-12...

9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Now, many people don't understand that circumcision for Abraham is almost the equivalent of our baptism today. It was a sign that you are a person of faith. So even though Abraham wasn't baptized in the sense we speak of today let me rewrite the Apostle Paul's discourse by using the sacramental terms we understand. 

9 Is this salvation only for the baptized, or also for the unbaptized? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was baptized, or before? It was not credited after, but credited before Abraham was baptized! 11 And Abraham received baptism as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he already had by faith while unbaptized. Therefore, Abraham is the father of all who believe, even though they may not have been baptized, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12 And Abraham is then also the father of the baptized who not only are baptized but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was baptized.

Paul's point is that to be in the household of faith... you must be faithful! You are not part of the household of faith because you have undergone a given sacrament or come from the right kind of people... ALL SACRAMENTS TAKE PLACE WITH THE INTENT OF THE HEART... NOT WITH THE ACT OF RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT!

We are NOT SAVED because we...

• We have been baptized, or...
• Receive Holy Communion regularly, or...
• Have gone through Confirmation, or...
• Go to Church when the doors are open, or...
• Don't drink, chew, or hang out in pool halls, or...
• Whatever else you think... might make you a Christian.

As Romans 10:10 indicates...

"For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

The mouth comes AFTER a CHANGED HEART! Rituals are something we do and share TO DECLARE OUR FAITH... NOT TO GET OUR FAITH! Faith is demonstrated, salvation is received... BEFORE ANY KIND OF WORK!!!!!!!

See you tomorrow for more about Abraham!