Faith and Belief

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

1O senseless Galatians, who has bewitched you; to whom, as before your very eyes, Jesus Christ has been portrayed, crucified [among you]? 2This only I wish to learn of you, Have ye received the Spirit on the principle of works of law, or of [the] report of faith? 3Are ye so senseless? having begun in Spirit, are ye going to be made perfect in flesh? 4Have ye suffered so many things in vain, if indeed also in vain? 5He therefore who ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, [is it] on the principle of works of law, or of [the] report of faith?

6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. 7Know then that they that are on the principle of faith, these are Abraham's sons; 8and the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the nations on the principle of faith, announced beforehand the glad tidings to Abraham: In thee all the nations shall be blessed. 9So that they who are on the principle of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Christ Redeemed Us

(Deuteronomy 21:22-23)

10For as many as are on the principle of works of law are under curse. For it is written, Cursed is every one who does not continue in all things which [are] written in the book of the law to do them; 11but that by law no one is justified with God [is] evident, because The just shall live on the principle of faith; 12but the law is not on the principle of faith; but, He that shall have done these things shall live by them. 13Christ has redeemed us out of the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, (for it is written, Cursed [is] every one hanged upon a tree,) 14that the blessing of Abraham might come to the nations in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Purpose of the Law

(Romans 7:1-6)

15Brethren, (I speak according to man,) even man's confirmed covenant no one sets aside, or adds other dispositions to. 16But to Abraham were the promises addressed, and to his seed: he does not say, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed; which is Christ. 17Now I say this, A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which took place four hundred and thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect. 18For if the inheritance [be] on the principle of law, [it is] no longer on the principle of promise; but God gave it in grace to Abraham by promise.

19Why then the law? It was added for the sake of transgressions, until the seed came to whom the promise was made, ordained through angels in [the] hand of a mediator. 20But a mediator is not of one, but God is one. 21[Is] then the law against the promises of God? Far be the thought. For if a law had been given able to quicken, then indeed righteousness were on the principle of law; 22but the scripture has shut up all things under sin, that the promise, on the principle of faith of Jesus Christ, should be given to those that believe.

23But before faith came, we were guarded under law, shut up to faith [which was] about to be revealed. 24So that the law has been our tutor up to Christ, that we might be justified on the principle of faith. 25But, faith having come, we are no longer under a tutor;

Sons Through Faith in Christ

26for ye are all God's sons by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For ye, as many as have been baptised unto Christ, have put on Christ. 28There is no Jew nor Greek; there is no bondman nor freeman; there is no male and female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus: 29but if ye [are] of Christ, then ye are Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.