The Myth of "faith being credited for Righteousness"

[The Biblicist]

We're told that Abraham believed God. That is faith.


It is the Gospel of Christ, but shrouded in type and shadow. The curtains weren't parted for him, but he believed God.

I think you underestimate the revelation provided by God to Abraham. I think much of the underestimation is due to the apostate condition of Israel at the time of Christ. Apostate Israel at the time of Christ knew less about the gospel than what was known prior to the interBiblical period. Abel knew more about the gospel than apostate Israel at the time of Christ and Isaiah knew even more (Isa. 53). Sure they did not understand the timing or the details concerning his future ministry (1 Pet.1) but they understood the essence of the gospel that God had promised to provide a Savior from their sins - Acts 10:43.

 

[Aaron]

I think you underestimate the revelation provided by God to Abraham. I think much of the underestimation is due to the apostate condition of Israel at the time of Christ. Apostate Israel at the time of Christ knew less about the gospel than what was known prior to the interBiblical period. Abel knew more about the gospel than apostate Israel at the time of Christ and Isaiah knew even more (Isa. 53). Sure they did not understand the timing or the details concerning his future ministry (1 Pet.1) but they understood the essence of the gospel that God had promised to provide a Savior from their sins - Acts 10:43.

Was Abraham baptized or circumcised?

 

[Van]

The myth is that God does not credit our faith as righteousness. Romans 4:4-5/24.
The truth is God does credit our faith as righteousness. He chooses us for salvation through faith in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

 

[The Biblicist]

Was Abraham baptized or circumcised?

Of course he was circumcised which even in the Old Testament was regarded as the outward seal and sign of circumcision of the heart (Ezek. 44:7,9). Jesus rebuked Nicodemus for being ignorant of the new birth PRIOR to Pentecost (Jn. 3:10), but such was the apostate condition of Israel at the time of Christ they could not see the new birth clearly taught in Old Testament Scriptures and there is no clearer evidence then physical circumcision as even when God gave the ten commandments God made it clear that a circumcised heart was what they needed (Deut. 4:29) and it was their uncircumcised heart that refused to believe the gospel (Heb. 4:2).

 

[Van]

The myth is that God does not credit our faith as righteousness. Romans 4:4-5/24.
The truth is God does credit our faith as righteousness. He chooses us for salvation through faith in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13. How did OT Saints gain approval? Through faith in God. It was God alone who credited their faith as righteousness and consigned them to Abraham's bosom.

 

[percho]

The truth of God is and the faith of Abraham was, that the seed of Abraham, would give his life for our sins and God his Father would raise him from the dead and give him the promise of the Holy Spirit, which then could be poured out on all flesh, imputing the righteousness of God upon men.

The same righteousness imputed to Abraham. The seed of Abraham, was the faith of Abraham and our faith, also. The same Spirit will also quicken the mortal body of Abraham, at the next appearing, on earth,of the seed of Abraham, the beloved Son of God.

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through the faith. Gal 3:8,14

 

[Van]

The seed, singular, of Abraham was Jesus, not faith.
Righteousness was not imputed to Abraham, Abraham's faith was credited as righteousness.
Abraham had to wait in Abraham's bosom until Christ died and then was made through the blood of Christ, the righteousness of God.

 

[Aaron]

Of course he was circumcised which even in the Old Testament was regarded as the outward seal and sign of circumcision of the heart (Ezek. 44:7,9). Jesus rebuked Nicodemus for being ignorant of the new birth PRIOR to Pentecost (Jn. 3:10), but such was the apostate condition of Israel at the time of Christ they could not see the new birth clearly taught in Old Testament Scriptures and there is no clearer evidence then physical circumcision as even when God gave the ten commandments God made it clear that a circumcised heart was what they needed (Deut. 4:29) and it was their uncircumcised heart that refused to believe the gospel (Heb. 4:2).

Was he circumcised in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost? Did he even know that name?

 

[The Biblicist]

Was he circumcised in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost? Did he even know that name?

Acts 4:7 defines what it means to do something "in the name" of someone - it means to do it as authorized by that Person. The same Triune God of the New Testament is the same Triune God of the Old Testament. So yes, he was circumcised as authorized by the Triune God of the Bible.

 

[SovereignGrace]

Righteousness was not imputed to Abraham, Abraham's faith was credited as righteousness.

Bzzzz!!! Wrong again!!!
The Greek word used for credited(NIV) and counted(KJV) is logizomai which means...

to reckon, count, compute, calculate, count over
to take into account, to make an account of
metaph. to pass to one's account, to impute
a thing is reckoned as or to be something, i.e. as availing for or equivalent to something, as having the like force and weight
to number among, reckon with
to reckon or account
to reckon inward, count up or weigh the reasons, to deliberate
by reckoning up all the reasons, to gather or infer
to consider, take into account, weigh, meditate on
to suppose, deem, judge
to determine, purpose, decide

Abraham was imputed the righteousness of Jesus Christ...

 

[Van]

Post #90 tells us that within the lexiconal range of meanings for "logizomai" is the English word imputed. But that is not what most modern translations use to translate it. Romans 4:5 (NASB) But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, Note that Abraham was not credited as righteous, his faith was credited to him as righteousness.

Once again scripture says one thing, but something not in scripture is asserted (the righteousness of Jesus Christ was imputed to Abraham during Abraham's physical life.) This bogus assertion is the myth.

Righteousness was not imputed to Abraham, Abraham's faith was credited as righteousness.
Abraham had to wait in Abraham's bosom until Christ died and then was made through the blood of Christ, the righteousness of God.

 

[SovereignGrace]

"His faith is credited as righteousness." You are the one adding 'to him', Van. You quoted the scripture as translated per the NASB, a version I really like and then added 'to him', thereby pouring your theology into the text.

 

[Van]

LOL, SG, there are several verses that address this issue. Rather than me adding to scripture, you are taking away from scripture. Read Romans 4:3!!

 

[SovereignGrace]

However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.[NIV]

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.[KJV]

But to him that worketh not, but believeth in him that [a]justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.[Geneva]
[a]That maketh him which is wicked in himself, just in Christ. <---this is the note for [a]

And to the one who does not work but him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,[ESV]

But to the one who does not work, but believes on Him who declares the ungodly to be righteous,[a]his faith is credited for righteousness/[HCSB]
[a]Or who acquits, or who justifies <-----this is the note for [a]

But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.[NLT]

Soothly to him that worketh not, but believeth into him that justifieth a wicked man, his faith is areckoned to rightwisenessa[a], after the purpose of God's grace.[Wycliffe]
[a]But to him that worketh not, but believing into him that justifieth the wicked man, or unpious, his faith is reckoned to rightwiseness. <---note for [a]

 

[Internet Theologian]

Post #90 tells us that within the lexiconal range of meanings for "logizomai" is the English word imputed. But that is not what most modern translations use to translate it. Romans 4:5 (NASB) But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, Note that Abraham was not credited as righteous, his faith was credited to him as righteousness.

Once again scripture says one thing, but something not in scripture is asserted (the righteousness of Jesus Christ was imputed to Abraham during Abraham's physical life.) This bogus assertion is the myth.

Righteousness was not imputed to Abraham, Abraham's faith was credited as righteousness.
Abraham had to wait in Abraham's bosom until Christ died and then was made through the blood of Christ, the righteousness of God.

So Abraham was not credited as righteous, only his faith was righteous, but not his person?

 

[Van]

To repeat, the righteousness of Jesus Christ was not imputed to Abraham during Abraham's physical life.

 

[SovereignGrace]

Then how did Abraham stand before God justified?

 

[SovereignGrace]

To repeat, the righteousness of Jesus Christ was not imputed to Abraham during Abraham's physical life.

Repeating error after error, after error, after error, after error does not make you right...

 

[Internet Theologian]

To repeat, the righteousness of Jesus Christ was not imputed to Abraham during Abraham's physical life.

That's some major false teaching right there, and frankly shows a severe misunderstanding of Biblical redemption.

 

[Van]

God credits our faith as righteousness - true Romans 4:5

God credited Jesus Christ's righteousness to Abraham while Abraham was physically living - false he had to wait in Abraham bosom - Hebrews 11:39-40 - until Christ died.

God chooses people for salvation through faith in the truth - 2 Thessalonians 2:13