04/10/07

ABRAHAM'S CHILDREN

John 8:37 "I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you."


The Israelites (Jewish) people were direct descendants of Abraham. However, as with so many biblical truths, there was much more to the Abrahamic covenant than what a casual glimpse would reveal. In truth, these Israelites were not actually a part of the spiritual children of Abraham.

The Holy Spirit revealed through the Apostle Paul in Galatians 3:16 and 29 that God's covenant was to Abraham and his singular "seed" or descendant, which was Christ. No one ever became an heir of God's promises through his natural birth. Before Jesus gave Himself as an offering for our sin, the Old Testament Men of God were justified by faith in God's promises concerning the Messiah who was yet to come. After Jesus' death and resurrection, New Testament Men were justified by faith in what Jesus has already accomplished. No one has ever been saved because of who his parents are.

Those who have been born again through faith in Jesus have been circumcised in their heart (Col. 2:11-12) and are the true Israelites. They aren't Israelites in nationality or religion, but they are the true children of Abraham and Jacob (Israel); people of God. Gentiles who are united with Christ in the new birth are now God's people. Anyone who is saved through faith in Jesus is now Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise (Gal. 3:16, 22, 26-29). This leaves no doubt that the Church is now God's chosen people on earth. However, the New Testament Church, composed of Jew and Gentiles, is now God's kingdom on earth. We are all 'His Princes' (Israelites).


[ Reference Scriptures ]

Galatians 3:16,22,26-29
¹⁶ The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.
²² But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
²⁶ You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor 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.

Colossians 2:11-12
¹¹ In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)