I. Religious Ceremonies Not Needed For Salvation Vs. 9-12
A. Abraham’s “Religious” Condition When Justified Vs. 9, 10
1. Paul has used both Abraham and David as examples that man is justified by faith, and not by works.
a. The Jewish mind probably objected to this, citing that God had told Abraham to be circumcised.
b. The Jewish mind equated a man’s right standing with God as coming through circumcision; circumcision and a right standing before God being inseparable.
2. The blessedness that Paul alludes to is that which is seen in Vs. 6- 8, the blessedness of being forgiven, and not having your sins imputed to you, and having righteousness
imputed to you.
3. In other words, the blessedness of justification/salvation.
4. Paul’s question reworded for today might be: “Does salvation come only to people who are baptized, or are church members, or who speak in tongues?”
a. There are those within Christendom that insist a person is not saved unless they
have gone through certain rituals or had certain experiences.
b. For example: Baptism; baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; baptism only in Jesus name, speaking in tongues, church membership at a certain
church, using only a certain version of the Bible, etc.
c. Adopting that mentality convolutes the Gospel, and adds works to faith.
d. It limits salvation only to those who follow a certain tribe’s unbiblical precepts.
5. Genesis 15:6– Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him as righteousness.
6. In Genesis 17, God instructed Abraham regarding the rite of circumcision, which was at least 14 years later.
7. Clearly, Abraham was first justified by faith, and then the religious rite followed.
B. The Reason For Religious Ceremonies Vs. 11, 12
1. Circumcision was a sign and a seal.
a. Sign-a mark or token, that which distinguishes
b. Seal- that which confirms, proves, authenticates; a token of proof.
2. Circumcision was a mark which confirmed the righteousness of Abraham.
a. It was a visible token which proved the righteousness of Abraham.
b. A distinguishing mark which authenticated his pre-existing righteousness.
c. This answers the question posed in Romans 3:1.
d. Circumcision did not confer righteousness, but confirmed righteousness.
3. Faith in God came first, which resulted in righteousness. Authentication of that faith followed; first faith, then the sign of faith.
a. Baptism follows justification; it doesn’t produce it and is not its source.
b. Speaking in tongues may follow faith, but for some, is a sign of faith.
4. Essentially, Abraham was a Gentile when he became justified by faith.
5. In being saved apart from ritual, Abraham became the spiritual father of those who have yet to practice ritual, and of those who eventually do practice ritual.
6. NOTE- The important thing is this: those who are justified are those who walk in the steps of faith of Abraham.
II. Religious Ceremonies Not Needed For Spiritual Blessings Vs. 13-24
A. Abraham Blessed Because Of Faith, Not Ceremony Vs. 13-16
1. Besides being justified by faith, Abraham received a promise because of his faith.
2. Genesis 17– God promised to make him a father of many nations, to make him exceedingly fruitful, to bring forth many nations from him, to bring forth kings from
him. By default, those promises would work their way down through his sons, Isaac and Jacob. All of this happened before the Law of Moses existed.
3. V. 14– Heirs are those who receive something promised as a gift, not as a debt owed.
a. If one has to perform to receive the promise, it is no longer a gift, but a debt.
b. That would invalidate the “freeness” of the gift.
4. If one has to obey the laws of God, i.e. circumcision/baptism to receive justification, then there is no hope, for no one can obey the law perfectly.
a. The law only brings judgment.
b. V. 15- where there is no law- One might sin apart from knowing a stated set of rules. It would be sinning against one’s conscience. But if the rules/Law is clearly stated,
liability increases, and guilt is increased.
5. V. 16- The blessings came to Abraham in this way: God’s grace (divine favor) brought Abraham the chance to have faith. Grace comes first, and then we respond in faith,
apart from works. Stott- “Faith’s exclusive function is to humbly receive what grace offers”
6. That process becomes the standard for all who follow in the steps of Abraham, whether they are exposed to the law with its ceremonies, or not. Very inclusive.
7. V. 13- Heir of the world…a promise extended to all of Abraham’s spiritual children.
(Matthew 5:5; 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 1:6, 5:10, 20:6)
B. A Snapshot Of Abraham’s Faith. Vs. 17-22
1. V. 17- God gives life to the dead, and proclaims that which will happen though it seems impossible to man. Abraham believed this about God.
2. V. 18- Contrary to human logic, Abraham believed the promise of God, and by his faith, he appropriated the promise that God made to him. Innumerable descendants, both physically and spiritually. Stott- “Faith is a reasoning trust”. Reasoning led to faith.
3. V.19- Both Sarah and Abraham were beyond the years of being able to have children.
Abraham ignored the deadness of his body, and went into his wife. God gave vitality to them both, and she conceived. Out of a double death, God brought forth life.
4. Vs. 20, 21– Waver- to be divided. Hebrews 11:11, 12 11By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.
12Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as
the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
5. V. 22- God saw Abraham’s faith, and counted it to him as having right standing.
C. That Same Saving Faith Is Available To Us. Vs. 23-25
1. These historical facts are written that we may see man’s faith in God’s promises prevailing over the human struggle.
2. God can raise a dead body (Jesus), give life to a sexually dead body (Abraham & Sarah), or give spiritual life to a dead soul.
3. V. 25- Delivered- to cast someone into prison, deliver them to justice.
a. Jesus was delivered to justice to die for our sins. (on account of our sins)
b. He was raised to life because our justification was secured.
c. Bishop Handley Moule– “We sinned, therefore, He suffered; we were justified, therefore He rose”