Abraham A Precedent
Abraham a Precedent
I am writing this because I haven’t heard any lessons on the time line of Abraham’s salvation lately, the timing of when faith was accounted is very important to the doctrinal discussion.
Romans 3 points out we aren't justified by the law but are justified in Christ without circumcision.
Romans 4 only states that Abraham had faith accounted as righteousness, without discussing the timeline to a great degree, the purpose in Romans was to show faith was accounted without keeping the Law of Moses, thus it had a limited scope so the time line wasn’t included.
Paul actually concedes Abraham was justified by works, but not in a way he could boast, works were in conjunction with faith, not personal righteousness.
Rom 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
The word if (ei in Greek), has a positive conotation, and can be translated "though" or "even if". For though Abraham were justified by works. The word is used to assume a fact followed by a correction. It adds a negative comment to an assumed fact.
This statement in Romans concedes he was justified by works, but not in a method it gave him any right to glory in himself, because righteousness still had to be imputed following his offering of Isaac. Works were in the process but works did not fulfill righteousness without God's work completing the process.
We also see that Abraham's work was in view of faith, not an attempt to make himself righteous on his own. He was believing on the power of God in the process.
James 2:19-24 on the other hand gives details of the time line, it broadens the scope to show how a “figure of the Doctrine” was used to justify Abraham.
James 2 says Abraham’s faith was accounted after offering Isaac. This is clear and doctrinally important.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
The important part of this isn’t just the works statement which most have focused on, but the time line is just as important. It shows it was imputed after Offering Isaac. “When he had offered” is aorist active participle, it is translated past tense. Faith was imputed after the works of faith.
We need to be careful not to judge others with works or law we establish, these were divinely appointed to perfect faith, not just arbitrary works some individual could place upon another as a criteria for salvation. Nor were they tied to a moral law. They did not of themselves justify Abraham concerning moral righteousness, God justified Abraham through the process..
It states the exact time faith was imputed. Notice the underlined words above give an exact order.
So, why is the time line important doctrinally? It forms a precedent for accounting faith after a “figure” is completed. This is a precedent of salvation through a “figure”. This is also shown in Hebrews where the term figure is actively used.
Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
Heb 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Heb 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
The New Testament provides us precedence for
1. Faith being imputed for righteousness apart from law.
2. Faith being imputed after a figure of doctrine is obeyed and completed.
They are both absolutely viable together.
We also have a figure by which we are saved and faith is imputed.
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
You see, many dismiss baptism because it is a figure, a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection; by baptism’s design as a figure it allows it to fit into the precedent of Noah and Abraham perfectly. It also proves baptism wasn't a part of law since it was a figure.
We aren’t saved through keeping a law like the Law of Moses, but through the fulfillment of a figure through faith. We can say that we aren't completely saved at baptism because it requires God to account our faith after, even if just a half second after. Thus faith is accounted at the end. Baptism is in the process toward, but not the final act supplied by God. Even if done together, they are different acts, it is God's part that accounts us righteous.
Baptism fits the figure precedent perfectly.
as with Noah
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
He wasn’t heir of the righteousness by faith until he built the ark. That was granted after.
It was through building the ark he became heir of the righteousness by faith.
People who say Noah and Abraham were saved before the figure was completed are confused and are in opposition to the divine scriptures. Noah was saved by water.
Noah was accounted righteous based upon building the ark, he was then saved by water. Thus seen as righteous doesn't equal saved. Salvation comes after being seen as righteous.
Gen 7:1 And Jehovah saith to Noah, `Come in, thou and all thy house, unto the ark, for thee I have seen righteous before Me in this generation;
Faith is real righteousness, it doesn't have to be substituted. Yet, the righteousness of faith doesn't mean saved or even forgiven.
By the mouth of two or three witnesses let every fact be established. We have 3 distinct time lines specifically given by 3 different witnesses.
James 2 – confirmed Abraham was justified after offering a figure
Heb 11 – confirms Noah became heir of righteousness after building the ark.
Romans 6:17-18 Confirms we are made free from sin after obeying a form or figure.
Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
G5179
τύπος
tupos
Total KJV Occurrences: 18
ensamples, 3
1Co_10:11, 1Th_1:7, 1Pe_5:3
ensample, 2
Phi_3:17, 2Th_3:9
pattern, 2
Tit_2:7, Heb_8:5
print, 2
Joh_20:25 (2)
remembrance, 2
2Pe_1:12, Jud_1:5
example, 1
1Ti_4:12
examples, 1
1Co_10:6
fashion, 1
Act_7:44
figure, 1
Rom_5:14
figures, 1
Act_7:43
form, 1
Rom_6:17
manner, 1
Act_23:25
The word “form” can also be translated “figure”.
So whether Abraham, Noah, or us; we are saved after obedience to a form, having our faith accounted after obedience to the form.
The precedent is very clear and concise, the exact time line of each event being very precise. The Holy Spirit saying exactly what he wanted said. Christ also using Abraham's works as an example.
Joh 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.