The Sign and Seal of Justification (Romans 4:9-12, Genesis 17:1-4)
Rev. David Huffman, October 27, 2024Part of the Series On Romans series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
We observe this day as Reformation Sunday, because the Reformation has had such an impact for 500 years. The Reformation focused on how we can know God and be right with Him. These issues matter even now; we need to be reminded of eternal realities. John Calvin wrote that the doctrine of justification is the hinge on which religion is supported. This doctrine as understood by the reformers is Biblical. Justification is a gift of grace and is the only way to be right with God. As we saw last week, the Bible testifies that Abraham believed, and this belief was credited to him by God as righteousness. Belief brings with it blessings, as with Abraham who received the promise of an heir. Without righteousness comes lawless deeds, which are rebellion against God. With righteousness in Christ, sins are no longer counted against us, and we are people of joy.
We see confidence of God's favor in the lives of Abraham and David. God instituted the ordinance of circumcision 2000 years ago as a sign of the covenant He made with Abraham. Now, under the new covenant in Christ's blood, both circumcised and uncircumcised of all nations receive the blessings of the covenant by faith. Abraham, Paul reminds us, was declared righteous before he was circumcised, so salvation occurs apart from circumcision. So, what purpose is attached to circumcision? Paul says it is a seal of righteousness recieved by faith while uncircumcised. A seal bears the authority of the one who makes it. The life of Abraham shows us what a man of faith should look like. Baptism and circumcision are connected as marks of the covenant; in the case of baptism, of the new covenant. Its practice is formalized in Jesus'
giving the church the great commission, and it is for both adults and children. We must avoid dangers connected with the practice of baptism.
Baptism does not confer forgiveness. Baptismal regeneration is a false teaching. Baptism is only a declaration of personal faith and not a guarantee of salvation. Jacob and Esau both received the sign of circumcision. Yet, only one was saved. For the New Testament church, baptism is a declaration of God's gift of grace.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « Proving Justification Always by Faith | None | A Promise Resting on Grace » |
Romans 4:9–12 (Listen)
9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
(ESV)
Genesis 17:1–4 (Listen)
17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.
(ESV)