the faith of Abraham

the faith of AbrahamPART ONE: ROMANS 4

the faith of AbrahamThe faith of Abraham is discussed in three significant New Testament passages.• ROMANS 4 shows how Abraham’s faith

saved him.• HEBREWS 11 shows why Abraham’s faith

saved him.• JAMES 2 shows when Abraham’s faith saved

him.

how faith saved Abraham• Paul has been discussing the Law of Moses.• Romans 3:20-22 (ESV) For by works of the

law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it -- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. …

how faith saved Abraham

Abraham was not saved by the Law of Moses.• Romans 4:1-3 (ESV) What then shall we say

was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”


When God made a covenant with Abraham, He extended His love to the uncircumcised.• Romans 4:10-11 (BEN) How then was it

counted? Was it by circumcision or by uncircumcision? Not by circumcision, but by circumcision! And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith in the state of uncircumcision …

• Abraham was saved by his faith, not the Law of Moses.


God purposely made this choice to prepare the way for the grace in Christ.• Romans 4:16 (ESV) That is why it depends on

faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,


Abraham’s salvation was forward looking.• Romans 4:16-17 (ESV) … Abraham, who is

the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

• God accounted faith and righteousness to Abraham long before a complete faith or the righteousness of Christ made it so.


Faith saved Abraham because it grew.• Romans 4:18-21 (ESV) In hope he believed

against hope … He did not weaken in faith … No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.


Our faith can save if it grows.• Romans 4:22-25 (ESV) That is why his faith

was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

the faith of Abraham

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