Is Infant Baptism Biblical? Response to Catholic Truth
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Monthly Archives: January 2025
Romans 4- All Nations Will Be Blessed
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. Romans 4:9-12
So who can be saved? Is salvation only for the Jews (the circumcised) or also for the Gentiles (the uncircumcised)? As the Apostle Paul reveals, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit , “He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” (Galatians 3:14) What most Christians don’t realize is the promise of salvation, which is Jesus Christ, came through Abraham (Israel) and we are also grafted into the New Covenant (Romans 11) Everyone who calls upon the name of The Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13)
The next question is, was it the act of circumcision that saved Abraham? Circumcision was a sign or a seal of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 17:10-14) While circumcision is an act of faith, its a sign of obedience, the act of circumcision doesn’t save you. Many who were circumcised were not saved, many who were not circumcised are saved. As talked about previously in this chapter, salvation is by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8) As scripture says “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe,” (v11)
Abraham was already declared righteous by His faith, even before He became circumcised. (Genesis 15:6) The act of circumcision didn’t save Abraham, but it was a sign He made a covenant with God. This is the same with baptism in the New Covenant, its a sign you are professing faith in Christ and are in the New Covenant. (Romans 6:3-4) However the act of baptism doesn’t save you, you are saved also by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8)
Therefor, Abraham is the spiritual father of all those who are saved in Christ, as the Apostle Paul says “Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. (Galatians 3:7-9) All nations will be blessed through Abraham because of Christ by faith and not of our own works, Amen
United Methodist Pastor ARRESTED
Romans 4- Saved By Faith
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Romans 4:5-8
While faith without works is dead faith, we can’t do anything to save ourselves. The fact that any of us are saved at all is because of God’s grace and mercy. As the Apostle Paul said “He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we have done, but according to His mercy , through the washing of the new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) Any works that we do produce is because of the Holy Spirit living inside of us. As Paul says here “But believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” Faith in Christ is what saves you, not by any of our own works, its all because of the grace of God
The Apostle Paul used Abraham alot as a great example as being saved by faith, and that obedience being accredited as righteousness. Now he quotes King David as an example also of being saved by faith. David says “Blessed are those whose iniquities/transgressions/lawless deeds are forgiven, who sins are covered” (v7, Psalm 32:1-2) What an amazing thought, that God is willing to forgive our sins, that Jesus Christ became flesh and took our place on the cross. The sacrifice of Christ covered our sins, that we are justified before the Father because of Christ, that Christ has given us the Holy Spirit to live inside of us
King David also says “Blessed is the man who The Lord shall not impute sin or count sin against us or has cleared us of sin” (v8, Psalm 32:2) What have you done to have your sins forgiven, to have your sins erased? Nothing, you have no power to save yourself, its by the grace of God, through faith in Christ, that you are saved (Ephesians 2:8) As the Apostle Paul said “For He made Him (Christ) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (Christ) (2 Corinthians 5:21)
This reminds me of the parable Jesus told about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, The Pharisee prayed “Thank God I’m not a sinner like other people, including this tax collector” I do all these works to justify I’m righteous. The tax collector said “God have mercy on me , a sinner” Who do you think was justified before God? Jesus said it was the tax collector because they were humbled with repentance. (Luke 18:9-14)
King David had committed great sins in his life, however God declared him righteous because of his faith and repentance. Salvation can never be earned, its only by faith in the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, trust in Him and not yourself, don’t be deceived like the Pharisee, have faith like Abraham, like David, like the Tax Collector, Amen!
UMC Pastor Declares Mark Miller a Prophet?
Romans 4- Abraham justified by faith
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. Romans 4:1-4
The Apostle Paul uses Abraham as an example of being saved by grace through faith, and not of our own works. However Abraham is a great reminder, that God didn’t save us with “cheap grace” meaning if we truly have faith in God, then we should also be obedient and listen to God.As The Lord Jesus said “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) Paul begins by saying “If Abraham was justified by works, He has something to boast about, but not before God” If Abrahams was saved by his own works, then He can give himself credit for His salvation and not Christ
However as the Apostle Paul says “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, “ (Ephesians 2:8) You are saved by grace through faith and not by your own works. Abraham was obedient to God, but it wasn’t His obedience that produced salvation, it was the works of Christ on the cross that has given mankind salvation. (Romans 8:32)
You might ask, when did Abraham know Jesus Christ? Remember before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham was face to face with The Lord Jesus Christ “Then Yahweh appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day.” (Genesis 18:1) (LSB) God in the flesh appeared to Abraham and prophesied He would receive a son named Isaac (Genesis 18:14) Most Christians probably don’t realize, Abraham probably knew more about Christ than you do, as He met Him face to face
So Abrahams salvation is the same as our salvation, by grace through faith in Christ. As scripture tells us “Then he believed in Yahweh; and He counted it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6) (LSB) The Apostle Paul tells us the same thing “just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Galatians 3:6) Don’t forget the prophecy of Christ was foretold since the fall at the garden of Eden “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15)
As the Apostle James said “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17) Abraham truly had faith, therefor it produced the works of obedience, if we truly have faith, then we should produce righteous fruits (Matthew 7, Galatians 5) As The Lord Jesus said “You will be known by your fruits” (Matthew 7:16) While Abraham responded in faith, all glory goes to God. Without Christ there is no salvation and there is no possibility of producing fruits. Abraham believed God and its was accounted to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3) Amen
Unashamed of Jesus 