“Faith Alone for All Peoples” (Romans 4:9–12)

“Faith Alone for All Peoples” (Romans 4:9–12)

Pastor Cameron Jungels

Eastside Baptist Church

Sunday AM, July 30, 2017

 

1.  Religious ritual cannot save you (4:9–10).

 

Historical Argument: Abraham’s justification by faith came before his circumcision. Implication: Circumcision has nothing to do whatsoever with one’s justification.

 

Theological Argument: Circumcision did not justify Abraham, because that was not its purpose and function. The purpose and function of circumcision was to serve as a sign and seal of Abraham’s faith that justified him before God.

 

2.  Ethnic heritage cannot save you (4:11–12).

 

⁷ Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. (Gal. 3:7, NIV)

 

²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  ²⁹ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:27-29, NIV)

 

These two points stated can be converted into two important, positive statements about the gospel:

 

• Only faith justifies you before God.
• It is faith alone that justifies anyone, from all of the world’s peoples.