The Abrahamic Covenant - Part Six

Circumcision also had a hygienic implication; one which was symbolic of being made spiritually clean or righteous. As it was Abraham that received the covenant, this sign of cleansing pointed to Abraham’s righteous standing before God by faith. 

Physical circumcision never made anyone clean before God; however, it was a reminder of the need to be clean. It was a sign, pointing to the necessity of faith by which Christ’s righteousness is applied.

Romans 4:11: 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, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised. (kjv)

To be identified as a true child of Abraham, you must have the same kind of faith that he had. 

 

Abraham is described as “the father of all those who believe”. It wasn’t physical circumcision that made Abraham righteous and acceptable to God. He was acceptable through his faith as we have already noted. Neither are Christians today made righteous through physical circumcision, or, by any church sacrament. They are seen as righteous if they have the same kind of faith as Abraham.

Galatians 3:6-7: just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. (kjv)

Link to Part One

Do we need a Pope to be head of the church?

The Roman Catholic Church has just elected a new Pope to be head of the church. They see the Pope as the successor to Peter. They think Peter is the 'rock' mentioned in the following passage.

 

...Matthew 16:18: And I (Jesus Christ) say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (kjv)

However the name Peter is 'pétros' which means a small stone or pebble. The original word for rock here is 'pétra' which means a cliff or boulder. If you read what is written before this verse, we see the 'rock' is not referring to Peter, but to Christ! Peter's confession of Christ is the focus of this conversation.

Matthew 16:16-17: And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven... (kjv)

Jesus is saying something like this: Hey Peter! You are just a small stone in comparison to me; I am a huge rock! Christ is the rock 'pétra', not Peter 'pétros'. Christ is clearly represented as a rock in the following passage.

1 Corinthians 10:4: And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (kjv)
 

Jesus is head of the church, not Peter or the Pope.

Colossians 1:18: And he (Jesus Christ) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (kjv)

The Abrahamic Covenant - Part Five

Through Abraham, God is revealing more of his redemptive plan to mankind. The answer begins with Abraham and ends with Jesus Christ. This is why our attention is drawn backwards through the genealogy, towards Abraham at the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel. Genealogy is a key to understanding the link between Abraham and Jesus Christ.

Abraham’s obligation to keeping this covenant was to have every male child circumcised.

Genesis 17:10-11: This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. (kjv)

The covenant requirements should be kept by Abraham and his descendants. Physical circumcision is never said to be a guarantee of acceptance with God for those who were actually circumcised. It was to be understood as a sign of the promise. This sign of circumcision was made pointing forwards in genealogy towards Christ. 


Link to Part One

The Abrahamic Covenant - Part Four

It is through the following blessing that God’s salvation to all mankind will come, by way of the Messiah.

Genesis 12:3: …And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 
(kjv)

This speaks of God’s intention to ultimately make mercy nonexclusive. Jesus Christ is the one who makes this possible as the mediator between God and man. He is the one who alone is able to make mankind acceptable to God by his perfect obedience and sacrifice. Even though the covenant is dependent on God’s grace, there must accompany it necessary evidence of that grace in those who are effectually called.

James 2:23: And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 
(kjv)

Although Abraham did have sin, he had faith in God which enabled to be a friend of God. Abraham was not exempted from the rule of obedience. His faith led him on to becoming obedient to God.

Likewise the Christian is called by God and saved by his grace. He is not saved because of his works, by his keeping of the law. His religious endeavours can only be acceptable through the mediation of Jesus Christ who fulfils the law on his behalf. However, just because God has saved him doesn’t mean he is free to live as he pleases. Obedience is still an important part of the new covenant. However, this is achieved through God’s grace with help from the Holy Spirit. The Christian is enabled to become more practically obedient through the knowledge of Jesus Christ and faith. Grace doesn’t do away with the law it fulfils it.

Link to Part One

The Abrahamic Covenant - Part Three

Genesis 12:2: “I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing. 
(kjv)

These promises set out God’s absolute commitment to his covenant to Abraham. Although Abraham’s obedience to God’s law is far from perfect, God’s commitment to him is certain. Indeed, Abraham wasn’t of his own works perfect before God. One example is when Abraham seeks to deceive the Egyptians. Abraham didn’t want them to think that Sarai was his wife.

Genesis 12:12-13: Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.” 
(kjv)

In one sense Sarai was Abraham’s sister; however, he was disobedient by wanting to deceive the Egyptians. Abraham repeats the same mistake again in Genesis 20. Even so, God still came to him with grace. Certainly God’s grace to him reaches beyond his ability to keep God’s law perfectly. We are to look beyond Abraham for an answer to sin. The ultimate fulfilment of this covenant would depend on someone who could fulfil God’s law perfectly? It is through Jesus Christ that the covenant would ultimately be realised. 

Link to Part One

The Abrahamic Covenant - Part Two

The Scriptures clearly set forth a connection between Abraham and Jesus Christ from the outset of the New Testament. When considering the fulfilment of the Abrahamic covenant it is essential to keep this in mind if we are to truly understand its fulfilment. The covenant between God and Abraham was revealed to Abraham in stages throughout his life. Often the covenant was reaffirmed to him alongside further revelation of its details. God’s plan for a covenant with Abraham is mentioned here in Genesis 12:1.

“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.”

God commands Abraham to get out from where he is. He is to be holy, he is to be separate.

Even though the covenant God makes with Abraham is of grace, God still expects Abraham to be obedient to him. Even though God is now going to reveal more of his grace towards mankind through Abraham, mankind should still listen to the commands of God. A covenant agreement is between at least two parties; here the covenant is between God and Abraham. God shows Abraham that he still expects obedience by commanding him to “Get out of your country,” however; he is now going to reveal his grace and commitment to him. 

Link to Part One