“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.