Faith and Belief

(Genesis 15:1-7; Romans 4:1-12; Hebrews 11:8-19; James 2:14-26)

1O senseless Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth: before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been set forth, crucified among you? 2This only would I learn of you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith? 3Are you so foolish that, whereas you began in the Spirit, you would now be made perfect by the flesh? 4Have you suffered so great things in vain? If it be yet in vain. 5He therefore who giveth to you the Spirit and worketh miracles among you: doth he do it by the works of the law or by the hearing of the faith?

6As it is written: Abraham believed God: and it was reputed to him unto justice. 7Know ye, therefore, that they who are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8And the scripture, foreseeing that God justifieth the Gentiles by faith, told unto Abraham before: In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9Therefore, they that are of faith shall be blessed with faithful Abraham.

Christ Redeemed Us

(Deuteronomy 21:22-23)

10For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: Cursed is every one that abideth, not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11But that in the law no man is justified with God, it is manifest: because the just man liveth by faith. 12But the law is not of faith: but he that doth those things shall live in them. 13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us (for it is written: Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree). 14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus: that we may receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.

The Purpose of the Law

(Romans 7:1-6)

15Brethren (I speak after the manner of man), yet a man's testament, if it be confirmed, no man despiseth nor addeth to it. 16To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not: And to his seeds as of many. But as of one: And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17Now this I say: that the testament which was confirmed by God, the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years doth not disannul, to make the promise of no effect. 18For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.

19Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom he made the promise, being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20Now a mediator is not of one: but God is one. 21Was the law then against the promises of God: God forbid! For if there had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have been by the law. 22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise, by the faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe.

23But before the faith came, we were kept under the law shut up, unto that faith which was to be revealed. 24Wherefore the law was our pedagogue in Christ: that we might be justified by faith. 25But after the faith is come, we are no longer under a pedagogue.

Sons Through Faith in Christ

26For you are all the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you be Christ's, then are you the seed of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.