Abraham and the Gospel
According to Gal.3:8, the gospel was preached to Abraham. The Bible in the preceding verse(Vs.6) (also Rom.4:3 and Gen.15:6) makes it unmistakeably clear that Abraham 1. heard the gospel and 2. believed the gospel. What was the gospel that was preached to Abraham? It can only be one of two things.1.the same gospel that is preached today, or 2. a different gospel than today. I have heard religious people say that people were saved different ways at different times. The Church Of Christ , in a weak attempt to explain away the thief on the cross' salvation without baptism, has said He was saved "under the Law" before Christ's death, therefore the absence of baptism being necessary for salvation. I agree with their assessment of baptism not being necessary for salvation; the only part I differ with is it not being necessary for any one at any time, not just the thief. Abraham is the shining example of pre-crucifixion salvation by faith apart from works( baptism, circumcision,sacraments,etc.) According to Gal.3:8, the gospel that was preached to Abraham had to do with1. the heathen, 2. faith, and 3. the nations being blessed. Verse 14 of this scripture plainly teaches us that the "blessed"with Abraham, the Gentiles, would receive the spirit through FAITH. Jesus told the salvation-by-works crowd that Abraham SAW HIS DAY (Jn.8:56). Heb.11:13 includes Abraham with those who "died in faith", not in works. Abraham was justified before He ever received the "sign" of circumcision (Ro.4:11). He was saved just like every other individual that has ever lived will have to be saved. He 1. heard the gospel 2. believed the gospel 3. was declared righteous BY GOD, not man,the very moment He BELIEVED(Gen.15:6). We are the "children of faith" (Ro.4:11-25) and Abraham is the "father of faith" (Ro.4:16). Abraham BY FAITH looked FORWARD to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ; We BY FAITH look back to the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord.This IS THE GOSPEL( 1Cor. 15:1-4) that we have believed. This is the ONLY GOSPEL that will bring salvation(Ro. 1:16). This is the ONLY GOSPEL authorized by God and the Holy spirit(Gal.1:6-9). The 'gospel" of religion includes works, ceremonies,rituals,lists, sacraments,etc., and WILL NOT bring salvation, only CONDEMNATION (Jn.3:18). Believe the right gospel like Abraham and get saved the right way (apart from works Ep.2:8-9,Tit.3:5), and enjoy the GIFT OF GOD ( not paycheck of God) of salvation and then let the Lord lead you in a sanctified life for Him! Sola Fide!
According to Gal.3:8, the gospel was preached to Abraham. The Bible in the preceding verse(Vs.6) (also Rom.4:3 and Gen.15:6) makes it unmistakeably clear that Abraham 1. heard the gospel and 2. believed the gospel. What was the gospel that was preached to Abraham? It can only be one of two things.1.the same gospel that is preached today, or 2. a different gospel than today. I have heard religious people say that people were saved different ways at different times. The Church Of Christ , in a weak attempt to explain away the thief on the cross' salvation without baptism, has said He was saved "under the Law" before Christ's death, therefore the absence of baptism being necessary for salvation. I agree with their assessment of baptism not being necessary for salvation; the only part I differ with is it not being necessary for any one at any time, not just the thief. Abraham is the shining example of pre-crucifixion salvation by faith apart from works( baptism, circumcision,sacraments,etc.) According to Gal.3:8, the gospel that was preached to Abraham had to do with1. the heathen, 2. faith, and 3. the nations being blessed. Verse 14 of this scripture plainly teaches us that the "blessed"with Abraham, the Gentiles, would receive the spirit through FAITH. Jesus told the salvation-by-works crowd that Abraham SAW HIS DAY (Jn.8:56). Heb.11:13 includes Abraham with those who "died in faith", not in works. Abraham was justified before He ever received the "sign" of circumcision (Ro.4:11). He was saved just like every other individual that has ever lived will have to be saved. He 1. heard the gospel 2. believed the gospel 3. was declared righteous BY GOD, not man,the very moment He BELIEVED(Gen.15:6). We are the "children of faith" (Ro.4:11-25) and Abraham is the "father of faith" (Ro.4:16). Abraham BY FAITH looked FORWARD to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ; We BY FAITH look back to the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord.This IS THE GOSPEL( 1Cor. 15:1-4) that we have believed. This is the ONLY GOSPEL that will bring salvation(Ro. 1:16). This is the ONLY GOSPEL authorized by God and the Holy spirit(Gal.1:6-9). The 'gospel" of religion includes works, ceremonies,rituals,lists, sacraments,etc., and WILL NOT bring salvation, only CONDEMNATION (Jn.3:18). Believe the right gospel like Abraham and get saved the right way (apart from works Ep.2:8-9,Tit.3:5), and enjoy the GIFT OF GOD ( not paycheck of God) of salvation and then let the Lord lead you in a sanctified life for Him! Sola Fide!
