Covenant with Abraham - In Essence, a Christian Covenant?

[ralliann]

That’s what the new covenant is.

The renewed or refreshed covenant, with Christ Jesus throughHis blood.


It’s a better covenant based on better promises.


The Baptism with the Holy Spirit for one.



JLB

Maybe it is just me, but it seems you are saying two conflicting things. It is either new or renewed. If the promises are better they are not renewed promises, but distinct promises. Now, we who are it's recipients may be renewed, but that's different than the covenant being renewed.

 

[msortwell]

Consider the following familiar text . . .

Galatians 3:13-29
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. KJV

It seems clear that any attempt to extricate the Abrahamic Covenant from the New Covenant in Christ (or vise versa) would leave both covenants seriously damaged.

 

[ralliann]

It seems clear that any attempt to extricate the Abrahamic Covenant from the New Covenant in Christ (or vise versa) would leave both covenants seriously damaged.

I agree. But my thoughts would bring a different way of saying it.
Any attempt to extricate Christ from the Abrahamic covenant promises would leave both seriously damaged.

 

[Gup20]

Galatians 4:22
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman.
23 But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.
24 This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar.​

Galatians 2:16
nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
​

So the first thing we see here is that Paul talks about two possible ways that someone might be justified as righteous. These two entities are the two covenants as Paul defines them. This agrees with the Galatians 4:24 passage where Paul describes the two covenants as two women. He equates Hagar & Ishmael to The Law and Sarah & Isaac to faith.

The writer of Hebrews holds the same definition of the two covenants:

Hebrews 8:6
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.
8 For finding fault with them, He says, “BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;
9 NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS ON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD.
10 “FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS. AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
12 “FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE.”
13 When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.​

So the two covenants are: works of the law and faith.

Since death came by sin, it stands to reason that life can only come by righteousness. That is where the two covenants come in. These two covenants are covenants for being justified as righteous.

Galatians 3:21
Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. ​

But how does that righteousness become ours? It seems the scripture is saying that of the two ways to be declared righteous, only one of these ways can actually impart life.

Galatians 2:21
“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

Romans 3:20
because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

Romans 4:5
But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,

Matthew 5:20
“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”​

So the mechanism for salvation is righteousness.
So how do we obtain righteousness? Well the Scriptures seem to indicate that there are two ways to be righteous.

Romans 10:5
For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.
6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down),
7 or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”
8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,​

Galatians is a wonderful book. It explains in exquisite detail how salvation works.
In Galatians 3, Paul discusses what is, in my opinion, one of the most amazing revelations of scripture.

Galatians 3:6
Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.​

This is the scriptural basis for faith being the exchange currency for righteousness. Paul shows that the Torah, the law itself, provides the basis for salvation by faith because he is quoting from Genesis 15 (part of the Torah).

Genesis 15:5
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.​

When praying and studying this, what God showed me was that it wasn’t that Abraham simply believed God when He told him any random thing. The reason Abraham was credited as righteous was because he believed something very specific. For example, if God said “the sky is blue” and I believed Him, it doesn’t make me righteous. Paul continues to lay out the case in Galatians 3 for us:

Galatians 3:16
Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.​

According to Paul, when God says to Abraham in Genesis 15:5 “so shall thy seed be” He was talking about Jesus Christ! It wasn’t that Abraham believed any random thing, but rather that God told Abraham specifically about Jesus Christ, and when Abraham believed God regarding Jesus Christ, he was made righteous. Isn’t this the same as we Christians do today? Aren’t we made righteous by believing the gospel of Jesus Christ? Some might say, “but faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Yes, that is true and I believe that God Himself was preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to Abraham and when Abraham believed the gospel of Jesus Christ, he was saved – or made righteous. Paul confirms this in Galatians 3:8:

Galatians 3:8
The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.”​

So Abraham was made righteous because God preached the gospel to him and he believed the gospel! This means Abraham was the first “Christian” – the first person saved by grace through their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul confirms that Abraham was indeed the first believer:

Galatians 3:7
Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

Galatians 3:9
So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

Luke 19:9
And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.”​

Rom 4:9-13
9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." 10 How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; 11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised. 13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.​

So yes... not only is the Abrahamic covenant a Christian covenant, it is THE Christian covenant.

Keep in mind, this is NOT replacement theology. Look at scripture:

Isa 54:1
1 "Shout for joy, O barren one, you who have borne no [child;] Break forth into joyful shouting and cry aloud, you who have not travailed; For the sons of the desolate one [will be] more numerous Than the sons of the married woman," says the LORD.​

Gen 17:4-7
4 As for me, behold, my covenant [is] with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.​

What we see is that, this didn't replace the Jewish covenant... but this WAS the covenant from the beginning. The "replacement theologians" were the Jews who immediately followed Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and replaced the truth of Abraham being the "Father of Many Nations" with the lie that he was to be the father of One nation.

 

[ralliann]

Galatians 4:22
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman.
23 But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.
24 This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar.​

Galatians 2:16
nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
​

So the first thing we see here is that Paul talks about two possible ways that someone might be justified as righteous. These two entities are the two covenants as Paul defines them. This agrees with the Galatians 4:24 passage where Paul describes the two covenants as two women. He equates Hagar & Ishmael to The Law and Sarah & Isaac to faith.

The writer of Hebrews holds the same definition of the two covenants:

Hebrews 8:6
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.
8 For finding fault with them, He says, “BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;
9 NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS ON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD.
10 “FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS. AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
12 “FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE.”
13 When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.​

So the two covenants are: works of the law and faith.

Since death came by sin, it stands to reason that life can only come by righteousness. That is where the two covenants come in. These two covenants are covenants for being justified as righteous.

Galatians 3:21
Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. ​

But how does that righteousness become ours? It seems the scripture is saying that of the two ways to be declared righteous, only one of these ways can actually impart life.

Galatians 2:21
“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

Romans 3:20
because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

Romans 4:5
But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,

Matthew 5:20
“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”​

So the mechanism for salvation is righteousness.
So how do we obtain righteousness? Well the Scriptures seem to indicate that there are two ways to be righteous.

Romans 10:5
For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.
6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down),
7 or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”
8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,​

Galatians is a wonderful book. It explains in exquisite detail how salvation works.
In Galatians 3, Paul discusses what is, in my opinion, one of the most amazing revelations of scripture.

Galatians 3:6
Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.​

This is the scriptural basis for faith being the exchange currency for righteousness. Paul shows that the Torah, the law itself, provides the basis for salvation by faith because he is quoting from Genesis 15 (part of the Torah).

Genesis 15:5
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.​

When praying and studying this, what God showed me was that it wasn’t that Abraham simply believed God when He told him any random thing. The reason Abraham was credited as righteous was because he believed something very specific. For example, if God said “the sky is blue” and I believed Him, it doesn’t make me righteous. Paul continues to lay out the case in Galatians 3 for us:

Galatians 3:16
Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.​

According to Paul, when God says to Abraham in Genesis 15:5 “so shall thy seed be” He was talking about Jesus Christ! It wasn’t that Abraham believed any random thing, but rather that God told Abraham specifically about Jesus Christ, and when Abraham believed God regarding Jesus Christ, he was made righteous. Isn’t this the same as we Christians do today? Aren’t we made righteous by believing the gospel of Jesus Christ? Some might say, “but faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Yes, that is true and I believe that God Himself was preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to Abraham and when Abraham believed the gospel of Jesus Christ, he was saved – or made righteous. Paul confirms this in Galatians 3:8:

Galatians 3:8
The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.”​

So Abraham was made righteous because God preached the gospel to him and he believed the gospel! This means Abraham was the first “Christian” – the first person saved by grace through their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul confirms that Abraham was indeed the first believer:

Galatians 3:7
Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

Galatians 3:9
So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

Luke 19:9
And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.”​

Rom 4:9-13
9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." 10 How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; 11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised. 13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.​

So yes... not only is the Abrahamic covenant a Christian covenant, it is THE Christian covenant.

Keep in mind, this is NOT replacement theology. Look at scripture:

Isa 54:1
1 "Shout for joy, O barren one, you who have borne no [child;] Break forth into joyful shouting and cry aloud, you who have not travailed; For the sons of the desolate one [will be] more numerous Than the sons of the married woman," says the LORD.​

Gen 17:4-7
4 As for me, behold, my covenant [is] with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.​

What we see is that, this didn't replace the Jewish covenant... but this WAS the covenant from the beginning. The "replacement theologians" were the Jews who immediately followed Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and replaced the truth of Abraham being the "Father of Many Nations" with the lie that he was to be the father of One nation.

I am not following the two ways argument you have made.
Paul speaks of the law of faith and law of works. He also says the law is not of faith.
Certainly the law says
De 6:25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

But then it says this....

De 9:4 Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.
De 9:5 Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Ro 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Ro 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

 

[Gup20]

I am not following the two ways argument you have made.
Paul speaks of the law of faith and law of works. He also says the law is not of faith.
Certainly the law says
De 6:25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

But then it says this....

De 9:4 Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.
De 9:5 Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Ro 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Ro 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Romans 10:3-11 (NASB) 3 For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, 'WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?' (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or 'WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)." 8 But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

Galatians 3:6-9 (NASB) 6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU." 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

Galatians 3:14-17 (NASB) 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.

What we have to realize is that the covenant of righteousness by faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ came to Abraham. This was 430 years before God gave The Law through Moses. So when the covenant of faith came, the law didn’t exist. God ratified that covenant in the latter half of Genesis 15. Once ratified, a covenant can no longer have conditions added to it. So when the law came 430 years later, it didn’t add anything to the covenant of faith, it only testified about the covenant of faith & established the covenant of Moses (the law).

Yet Abraham believed God when God preached the gospel of Christ to him, and for that faith he was credited as righteous... completely separate from the law which didn’t even yet exist.

Romans 4:13 (NASB) For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Romans 4:11 (NASB) and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,

We obtain righteousness by INHERITING it from Abraham. God does not make us righteous directly. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations and that those descendants would inherit the righteousness he was given as an everlasting covenant.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (NASB) 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

We follow the same pattern as Abraham. When we believe the gospel, we are adopted as children of Abraham and inherit the righteousness or blessing of Abraham. The Holy Spirit in us is circumcision of the heart. The outer man falls away & dies while the inner man lives.

Romans 8:10 (NASB) If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

Romans 8:15-17 (NASB) 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Isaiah 54:1 (NASB) "Shout for joy, O barren one, you who have borne no child; Break forth into joyful shouting and cry aloud, you who have not travailed; For the sons of the desolate one will be more numerous Than the sons of the married woman," says the LORD.

Galatians 3:29 (NASB) And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.

 

[William Lefranc]

I don't think so. It is more of a 'Jewish' Covenant and the New Covenant is the 'Christian Covenant.'

The new and eternal covenant is neither Jewish nor Christian. God's eternal covenant was made before the world was between God the Father and God the Son. The beneficiaries of the eternal covenant are only for people of faith that are connected to Christ, our Lord.

View attachment 262359

 

[JLB777]

The new and eternal covenant is neither Jewish nor Christian. God's eternal covenant was made before the world was between God the Father and God the Son. The beneficiaries of the eternal covenant are only for people of faith that are connected to Christ, our Lord.

View attachment 262359

Abraham was not a Jew.




JLB

 

[William Lefranc]

Abraham was not a Jew. JLB

Good. Abraham was a Gentile who became a Hebrew when he crossed over from the land of Ur of the Chaldea (representing the world) to the Promised Land that God was sending him to.
We too are Hebrews because we have left "our Chaldea" (the world) in order to be part of Christ's kingdom.

Galatians 3:7 (NASB95)
7 "Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham."

 

[tdidymas]

Good. Abraham was a Gentile who became a Hebrew when he crossed over from the land of Ur of the Chaldea (representing the world) to the Promised Land that God was sending him to.
We too are Hebrews because we have left "our Chaldea" (the world) in order to be part of Christ's kingdom.

Galatians 3:7 (NASB95)
7 "Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham."

View attachment 262360

I do get your metaphorical usage of the terms. However, Abraham wasn't a Jew because the name "Jew" comes from "Judah" who was Abraham's descendant. And Abraham didn't "become" Hebrew, he was Hebrew because he was a descendant of Heber. The term "gentiles" means "nations" which in Biblical context is everyone except Hebrews, or people who were not citizens of Israel, or eventually weren't Jewish. And gentiles who are believers in Christ are "grafted into" the olive tree (the Jewish religion) which is rooted in Christ, and has become what we know as Christianity, or the universal Church. So what you wrote is partly true. And so, the NT book of Hebrews does apply to us, although we are not Hebrew in the flesh.
TD

 

[Gup20]

I do get your metaphorical usage of the terms. However, Abraham wasn't a Jew because the name "Jew" comes from "Judah" who was Abraham's descendant. And Abraham didn't "become" Hebrew, he was Hebrew because he was a descendant of Heber. The term "gentiles" means "nations" which in Biblical context is everyone except Hebrews, or people who were not citizens of Israel, or eventually weren't Jewish. And gentiles who are believers in Christ are "grafted into" the olive tree (the Jewish religion) which is rooted in Christ, and has become what we know as Christianity, or the universal Church. So what you wrote is partly true. And so, the NT book of Hebrews does apply to us, although we are not Hebrew in the flesh.
TD

Traditionally, a Jew is one who is circumcised. However, Abraham was made righteous for his faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ prior to circumcision.... so he was made righteous for his faith in the gospel as a Gentile.

[Rom 2:27-29 NASB] 27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter [of the Law] and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

[Rom 4:9-13 NASB] 9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." 10 How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; 11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised. 13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.

[Eph 1:13-14 NASB] 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of [God's own] possession, to the praise of His glory.

[Gal 3:7-9 NASB] 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, [saying,] "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU." 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.​

Circumcision was a foreshadow representation of the Holy Spirit's indwelling. Circumcision for the Christian believer is of the heart.

[Deu 30:6 NASB] 6 "Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.​

 

[tdidymas]

Traditionally, a Jew is one who is circumcised. However, Abraham was made righteous for his faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ prior to circumcision.... so he was made righteous for his faith in the gospel as a Gentile.

[Rom 2:27-29 NASB] 27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter [of the Law] and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

[Rom 4:9-13 NASB] 9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." 10 How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; 11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised. 13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.

[Eph 1:13-14 NASB] 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of [God's own] possession, to the praise of His glory.

[Gal 3:7-9 NASB] 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, [saying,] "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU." 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.​

Circumcision was a foreshadow representation of the Holy Spirit's indwelling. Circumcision for the Christian believer is of the heart.

[Deu 30:6 NASB] 6 "Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.​

Semantics. Paul was using the term "Jew" to mean the religion. The original and primary meaning of the term is the ethnic tribe of Judah.

And so what? It's just trivia.
TD

 

[ralliann]

Semantics. Paul was using the term "Jew" to mean the religion.

A man became a Jew through circumcision in the foreskin of the flesh. He became as one born in the land (a citizen) taking on the tribal affiliation to which he was received. Gentiles could not keep Jewish religion. No uncircumcised person could eat of the Passover for instance.
Ga 5:3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

The original and primary meaning of the term is the ethnic tribe of Judah.

And so what? It's just trivia.
TD

Yikes!
What's just trivia?

 

[tdidymas]

A man became a Jew through circumcision in the foreskin of the flesh. He became as one born in the land (a citizen) taking on the tribal affiliation to which he was received. Gentiles could not keep Jewish religion. No uncircumcised person could eat of the Passover for instance.
Ga 5:3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Yikes!
What's just trivia?

Ever played the game "Bible Trivia"? Trivia is so minor an issue that it doesn't affect one's relationship with God.

And besides that, carefully examine Esther, and you'll see that "Jew" is used for the ethnic tribe. The term didn't mean "one circumcised" in Biblical context until after the Babylonian exile, even though circumcision is assumed in the term. Even Paul uses the term that way, for example in Gal. 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Here he is using the term generically as an ethnic group. In other places, the context demands more specifics, as one circumcised or one "having the law."

Another case in point, Jer. 34:9 "That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother." This is speaking of a Jew as part of the Israelite ethnic group.
TD

 

[danielmears]

Consider the following . . .

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.(Gal 3:16-17 - KJV)

τοῦτο δὲ λέγω διαθήκην προκεκυρωμένην ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ εἰς Χριστὸν ὁ μετὰ ἔτη τετρακόσια καὶ τριάκοντα γεγονὼς νόμος οὐκ ἀκυροῖ εἰς τὸ καταργῆσαι τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν (Gal 3:17 - Textus Receptus)

Do you consider the Textus Receptus to be incorrect in its inclusion of εἰς Χριστὸν (which is carried into the KJV)?

Is the inclusion of this reference to Christ inconsistent with the truth taught in the balance of Galations 3? And, if the inclusion of the reference to Christ in Galation 3:17 is consistent with the balance of Galations 3, would that not make the Abrahamic Covenant, in a sense, a Christian covenant?

It is absolutely a Christian covenant even though Christ was not here yet. Christ came to fulfill the law, not to abolish the law. It is the same righteous system. Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen(us) through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Galatians 3:6-9 So, faith in God has always been available and some realized the covenant, inclining your ear to God, knowing he is with us, acting in faith, loving God and one another but many had lost their way. They were simply doing acts of no value, sacrificing but God said I desire mercy not sacrifice. God is love so that is the only way we can truly be connected to the vine. The Christ came to set the record straight on how God wants us to love, walk by faith and know He is with us. Jesus was one with the Father and prayed we too would, be one, as He and the Father, all of us, One in John 17:20-21 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. That they all may be one as thou, Father, art in me, and, I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. It is really a wondrous thing!

 

[JLB777]

It is absolutely a Christian covenant even though Christ was not here yet. Christ came to fulfill the law, not to abolish the law.

The Abrahamic Covenant and the law of Moses are two different things.


The Law of Moses has indeed been abolished.


For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, Ephesians 2:14-15

• having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances

JLB

 

[Blade]

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

 

[msortwell]

Christ did, in a sense, abolish the law. Paradoxically, he did so by fulfilling all of its righteous requirements. But, in a sense the law stands. It stands declaring Jesus fully righteous - without spot or blemish. It also condemns those outside of Christ.

But those in Christ, stand in His righteousness - declared by His resurrection.

 

[msortwell]

The Abrahamic Covenant and the law of Moses are two different things.

Indeed! Still, they coexisted. The Law covenant did not disannul the gracious covenant made with Abraham and his seed. Moses clearly understood this!

Then Moses pleaded with the Lord his God, and said: “Lord, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, ‘He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’ ”

 

[JLB777]

Indeed! Still, they coexisted. The Law covenant did not disannul the gracious covenant made with Abraham and his seed. Moses clearly understood this!

Then Moses pleaded with the Lord his God, and said: “Lord, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, ‘He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’ ”

The law was added to the Covenant, temporarily, until the Seed should come.


What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.
Galatians 3:19


Now we are no longer under, that is to say, under obligation to keep the law, but rather we are under the law of Christ, and are obligated to obey His commandments, and doctrine.


Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 9


again


He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4



JLB