Page 16 - Epistle to the Romans in the Twenty-First Century

LESSON EIGHT:

“UNDERSTANDING ABRAHAM’S JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH”

This is one of Paul’s “difficult truths” found in Romans.
Being the descendants of Abraham by physical linage
is not the same as being spiritual sons of Abraham via
the new birth.

Romans Chapter Four makes Paul’s case for Gentiles
also being “sons of Abraham.” Paul clearly states
Abraham to be “the father of us all” due to expressing
like faith as did Abraham in trusting God to make him
righteous (Rom. 4:16).

“THE GOSPELS PRESENT A VERY DISTORTED THINKING
OF THE JEWS CONCERNING ABRAHAM…
ABRAHAM
THE JEWS TOOK PRIDE IN THEIR PHYSICAL
DESCENT FROM ABRAHAM BELIEVING THAT
BEING “HIS SEED” WAS SYNONYMOUS WITH
SALVATION…

AS ABRAHAM’S DESCENDANTS,
THEY BELIEVED THEY HAD CONFIRMED
RESERVATIONS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD…

THE JEWS SAW THE GENTILES AS THOSE WHO
WOULD NEVER ENTER INTO THE BLESSINGS
PROMISED ABRAHAM…

HOWEVER, JEWISH PERSPECTIVE OF
PHYSICAL DESCENT RIGHTEOUSNESS AS
FROM ABRAHAM IS NOT
THE BASIS OF SALVATION.”