MAX KLEIN BIBLE MINISTRIES
The Seven Baptisms
Written by: Max Klein
Baptism means identification or association:
Introduction:
1. This meaning began in Homer's time. Homer wrote of the one-eyed giant, Cyclops who had trapped Ulysses and his men in a cave and was eating them one at a time. The ingenious Ulysses devised a plan. He had his men sharpen a large log and together they rammed this log into the eye of the one-eyed Cyclops rendering him blind. They identified (baptized) the sharpened log with Cyclops’ eye which changed Cyclops from a seeing giant to a blind giant. Having blinded the Cyclops, they were able to maneuver their way out of the cave. Another example by Homer: Homer's Odyssey, book 9, used baptism for hot metal identified (baptized) with water when a smith dipped a piece of hot iron into water. This is how a blacksmith would temper swords in the ancient world. After this identification, the sword was made stronger and so less likely to bend.
2. Xenophon said that the Spartan military recruits after finishing infantry training would identify (baptize) their spears with pig’s blood. They would run by a barrel of pig’s blood and thrust their spears into this blood. This ritual, identified their spears with killing and the soldier’s readiness for combat with the enemy.
3. Euripides used the word for a ship identified with the bottom of the sea when it sank. Before sinking, the ship was valuable; after sinking it had no value at all.
4. So "baptize" in the classical Greek meant to identify one thing with another so that the characteristics of the original thing were altered. Therefore, the interpretation of the word "baptism" is identification with something that brings about a change.
5. There are a number of cognates related to this Greek word such as bapto, baptizo, baptisma, baptismos, baptistes, and embapto. A few examples follow:
6. John 13:26, “Jesus then answered, ‘That is the one for whom, I shall dip [the future of the Greek word bapto] the morsel and give it to him. So, when he had dipped [the aorist participle of bapto; the sop now takes on a new meaning that of honor] the sop [the morsel], He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.”
To give someone a sop [a special bit of food usually a piece of bread or meat with a tasty sauce] was the highest honor of a banquet. At a banquet a special piece of bread or meat was prepared along with a special sauce for the guest of honor who would then honor someone by giving it to that person. Jesus as the guest of honor took this sop and dipped it into a special sauce and gave it to Judas. In this way, the Lord Jesus Christ honored Judas as a member of the family of God, and for his ministry as an apostle to the Lost Sheep of Israel. This honor should have given Judas second thoughts regarding his plan to betray Jesus to the Sanhedrin.
7. Matthew 3:7, “but when he [John the Baptizer] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism [identification: the Greek word baptisma], he said to them, “You brood of vipers [poisonous snakes], who warned you to flee from the wrath to come [Baptism of Fire: identification with the fire of Torments and then the Lake of Fire]?”
8. Hebrews 6:1-2, “Therefore, leaving behind the elementary teaching about Christ, let us advance to maturity, not laying again the foundation [of the basics such as]: a change of thinking about dead works [just as an unbeliever must have a change of mind about Christ to obtain salvation, so the believer must have a change of mind about legalism (dead works) in order to obtain the spiritual life], and of faith toward God [Faith-Rest Drill], (2) doctrine of baptisms [the Greek word baptismos; a reference to the seven types of baptism as found in Scripture] as well as the laying on of hands [ritual rebound in the age of Israel], and of resurrection from the dead, and of eternal judgment [the Great White Throne Judgment].
9. Matthew 3:1, “In those days John the Baptizer [the Greek word baptistes; when John baptized someone into the Jordan River, the converts were identified with the plan of God and his kingdom.] came proclaiming [as a herald] in the desert of Judea.”
There are two categories of identification in Scripture namely an actual identification or a real baptism and a representative identification or a ritual baptism which uses water.
The four real or actual identifications with something that has significance.
1. The Baptism of Moses: 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 presents the baptism of Moses, "For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; (2) and all were baptized [the Greek word baptizo] into Moses in the cloud [the Lord] and in the sea." This was a real identification in which Moses was identified with the Lord and the open path through the Red Sea and the Jews were identified with Moses. By the way, none of the Jews got wet, only Egyptian unbelievers who were immersed in the water as a means of death.
2. The Baptism of the Cross is found in Matthew 20:22, “But Jesus answered [Salome by addressing her sons] and said, “You [plural: a reference to James and John] do not know what you [James and John] ask. Are you [James and John] able to drink of the cup [bear the punishment of all the sins of the world] that I am about to drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism [the sins of the world identified with Christ followed by the Father judging them] that I am baptized with [identified with]?” They [James and John] said to Him, “We are able. [the dumbest statement that James and John ever made]” [I selected the longer text as did Jerome.]
3. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Retroactive Positional Truth and Current Positional Truth) occurs at salvation for Church Age believers only.
Colossians 2:12. Having been buried [aorist participle] with Him [Jesus Christ] by means of the baptism [God the Holy Spirit identified us with the burial of Jesus Christ as part of our salvation] by means of which [Baptism] you have been raised up [main verb] with Him [in union with Jesus Christ seated at the right hand of the Father] through faith [at the point of salvation] in the operational power from the source of God who has raised Him [the humanity of Christ was given a resurrection body] out from the dead [physical death].
Romans 6:3-9:
Romans 6:3: Or do you not know that all of us who [a correlative] have been baptized into [identified with] Christ Jesus [Current Positional Sanctification: we are in union with Christ in his life in heaven], have been baptized into His death [Retroactive Positional Truth and so identified with his substitutionary spiritual death on the cross]?
Positionally, (in union with Christ) we share His righteousness, heirship, priesthood, destiny, election, eternal life, royalty, sonship etc. All these making us a new spiritual species in Christ Jesus. The plural correlative hosoi (ὅσοι) means that if we were identified with Christ in heaven and we were, then also we have been identified with Christ in his substitutionary spiritual death in which he removed the power of sin nature. Thus, the sin nature should not have power over our lives.
A few more points will be noted:
1. Note that the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation enters the believer into union with Christ at the right hand of God the Father which union is called current positional truth.
2. This verse also mentions identification with Christ in His spiritual death on the cross which identification theologians call retroactive positional truth. Retroactive positional truth also includes identification with Christ in His physical death and burial as well.
3. Identification with Christ in His death, then, has a two-fold connotation namely all personal sins were judged at the cross and since that is the case, God the Father is free to provide in grace, the Recovery Procedure. The second connotation is that good and evil were rejected by Jesus on the cross since good and evil are a part of Satan’s policy and plan. On the cross, Jesus relied on the proto-type spiritual life which operated under the two power options namely God’s power system.
4. So, the old sin nature’s ruling power over the Christian has been broken since all sins were judged on the cross and the Recovery Procedure has been provided. So, Retroactive Positional Truth has destroyed the sovereignty of the old sin nature over the life of the Christian.
5. Also, since Jesus rejected the good and evil policy of Satan so should the believer reject Satan’s policy of good and evil as the believer applies Retroactive Positional Truth.
Romans 6:4: Therefore, we have been buried together with Him through the identification [Baptism of the Spirit] into His death [physical], in order that just as Christ has been raised up from the dead [on Resurrection Sunday], through the glory of the Father [through the Father’s power], [So also we, the dead in Christ, will be raised from the dead by the power of the Father, and those alive at the Rapture, by the power of the Holy Spirit.] in this manner we also might walk in newness of life [Experiential sanctification should reflect our future ultimate sanctification.].
Christ had to die physically “and Jesus having shouted clearly with a loud voice said, Father, into your hands I deposit my [human] spirit, and having said this, he exhaled” (Luke 23:46). This last exhale caused His soul and spirit to depart from his mortal body resulting in physical death. Just as Christ had to die physically in order to obtain his resurrection body, so we must depart from our body of corruption, or mortality in order to receive our eternal body called our resurrection body.
The Newness of Life:
1. The newness of life provided through the baptism of the Spirit includes positional freedom from producing good and evil. Not only are we free from the tyranny of good and evil but we are also free from having to produce good and evil.
2. The believer has no obligation to improve the devil’s world through social action, socialism, welfare state, communism, environmentalism, or any social gospel, social action, getting involved, etc.
3. The human race is protected from Satan’s policy of good and evil through the laws of divine establishment which promote freedom instead of improvement at the cost of freedom.
4. In addition to the Laws of Divine Establishment the believer is insulated from good and evil positionally through the baptism of the Spirit.
5. Divorced from the Old Sin Nature positionally and its useless activity of human good and the function of evil, the life of the believer can be devoted to glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ through maximum knowledge and application of Bible doctrine.
Romans 6:5: For if we have become united with Him [Christ, the new husband] in the likeness of His death [the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ on the cross], and we have, and not only this, but also, we shall be [united in the likeness] of His resurrection [Current Positional Truth: in union with the resurrected Christ].
Romans 6:6: Be knowing this [through Retroactive Positional Truth], that our old man [our former husband, the sin nature dates back to the Garden] has been crucified together [with Him], in order that the [human] body, with reference to its sin nature, [the sin nature located in the body] might be rendered powerless [when we use Recovery Procedure and the two power options], that we should no longer be slaves to the sin nature.
“Our old man has been crucified with Him” meaning that the power of the sin nature has been broken on the cross. Since the power of the sin nature was broken by the work of the cross, we as believers have no excuse for not executing the spiritual life. We will not be able to say to Christ at our evaluation that our sin nature was too powerful for us to execute the spiritual life.
A few points for further clarification:
1. Retroactive positional truth is that phase of the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation which identifies the believer with Christ in His spiritual death, physical death and his burial.
2. In the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ on the cross all the personal sins in human history were imputed to Christ, but at the same time the other two trends of the old sin nature were not imputed for judgment.
3. Good and evil is the policy of Satan as the ruler of this world and the function of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life. In fact, the sin nature functions as the agent of Satan.
4. Good and evil were not imputed for judgment on the cross. Hence, in the spiritual death of Christ on the cross they were rejected to remain an issue in the angelic conflict, rejected to be perpetuated in human history as an issue every believer must face, and either overcome through the intake of doctrine or be entrapped by ignorance of doctrine and therefore lose out in glorifying God in time.
5. We are identified with Christ in His spiritual death, which means that we must understand that our sins have been judged and that good and evil has been rejected.
6. It all adds up to the fact that the sovereignty of the old sin nature over human life has been made powerless through retroactive positional truth.
7. The imputation of all personal sins of the human race to Christ on the cross means that the believer through the rebound technique is instantly forgiven sins, cleansed from all wrong doing which includes Satanic good and evil, restored to fellowship and filled with the Spirit.
Romans 6:7: For we who have died [the Christian is identified with the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ: theologically called Retroactive Positional Truth] have been acquitted [positional deliverance] from [the power of] the sin nature.
A few points for further clarification:
1. A dead person is discharged from the obligations of his former sphere of life. This is why the word “death” is used in this context. It is not a literal, physical death we are discussing but identification with Christ in His death.
2. As unbelievers we were under the authority of Satan as the ruler of this world, and under the authority of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life.
3. Both the power of Satan and the old sin nature have been abrogated through the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation.
4. This passage, then, emphasizes the annulling of the power and the authority of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life.
5. Positionally, the power of the sin nature has been broken. Experientially, the old sin nature controls to the extent that we fail to understand and utilize the provision and support of logistical grace.
Romans 6:8: Now if we have died with Christ, and we have [retroactive positional truth], we also believe that we shall live in association with Him [the instrumental of association; a reference to Current Positional Truth].
In this verse, the 1st Class conditional sentence shows the relationship between Retroactive Positional Truth with Current Positional Truth. The protasis, the ‘if’ clause states the reality of Retroactive Positional Truth and the apodosis, the concluding clause states the doctrinal inference and the reality of Current Positional Truth. While Retroactive Positional Truth presents positional rejection and separation from good and evil as the policy of Satan and the function of the old sin nature, Current Positional Truth relates the believer to the function of the royal family of God. In other words, they have separate functions.
Romans 6:9: Knowing that because Christ has been raised from the dead [He received a resurrection body], no longer can He die; [physical] death is no longer a master over Him.
Analysis:
1. Retroactive positional truth destroys the sovereign authority of the old sin nature over human life. Current positional truth, on the other hand, destroys the limited authority of physical death in human life.
2. Instead of being ruled by the old sin nature located in the cells of the human body and influencing our souls toward sin, good and evil, we now have a new sovereign, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are identified with Him in His deaths, in His burial, resurrection, ascension and session.
3. Before salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit our lives were under the absolute rule of Satan who is the ruler of this world and under the rule of the old sin nature which is the ruler of life, and under the limited rule of physical death. All of that, of course, has been changed since salvation.
4. Now both retroactive and current positional truth have abrogated the authority and power of these former rulers. The power of Satan over our lives has been broken through identification with the rejection of good and evil namely Satan’s policy and plan and through our position in union with Christ. The power of the old sin nature is broken through retroactive positional truth and the power of physical death is broken through current positional truth.
5. Therefore, having studied these things by principle and by implication we are now ready for application, verses 12 & 13 specifically.
6. Having been positionally liberated from the sovereignty of the old sin nature as an absolute ruler, and the authority of physical death, we must recognise and apply doctrine for the experiential victory commanded in verses 11-13.
Galatians 3:25-28, “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under the authority of [have need of] a school bus. (26) For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For all of you who were baptized into Christ [identified with Christ through union with Him] have clothed yourselves with Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek [no racial distinction], there is neither slave nor free man [no social or economic distinction], there is neither male nor female [no gender distinction]; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [All Christians have the same privileges and opportunities to execute the spiritual life.]”
Current Positional Truth, Elaborated:
In the Church Age, Current Positional Truth establishes our relationship with Christ as opposed to religion. It refers to the Church Age believer in union with Christ and is the key to understanding the Church Age and how the royal family came into being. Therefore, it is the basis for distinguishing between Christianity and religion. Christianity is a relationship with God without merit whereas religion is a system of works to gain the approbation of God. Never shall the twain meet!
The mechanics of Current Positional Truth is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, whereby the Spirit enters us into union with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13, “For also by agency of the one Spirit we are all baptized [identification resulting in becoming a new spiritual species] into one body [in union with Christ], whether Jews or Greeks [racial distinctions are removed], whether slave or free [class and economic distinctions are removed], even all were made to drink [the aorist passive, the voice of grace] the one Spirit [The Holy Spirit did not ask us whether we wanted to be put into union with Christ or not.].” Ephesians 4:5, “One Lord [becomes our Lord positionally at Salvation]), one faith [faith alone in Christ alone; Acts 16:31], one baptism [Baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place at salvation].”
Current Positional truth guarantees that there will be no judgment for believers in eternity, Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Thus, the condemnation which occurred at the first birth was removed at the 2nd birth. As a result of being born with the sin nature and the imputation of Adam’s Original Sin, we were condemned to the Lake of Fire for all eternity, but now that has been removed. Romans 5:12, “For this reason just as through one man [Adam] the sin [nature] entered into the world [procreation], and so spiritual death through the sin [the imputation of Adam’s Original Sin to the sin nature], and so spiritual death spread to all mankind, because all sinned when Adam sinned [since we were all genetically in Adam when he sinned, we will receive Adam’s Original Sin].” However, at our spiritual birth, the 2nd birth, our pre-salvation sins were all forgiven including Adam’s Original Sin. After which, the Spirit entered us into union with Christ where there is now no condemnation (Romans 8:1).
Current Positional truth qualifies the believer to live with God forever. To live with God forever, the believer must have eternal life and God’s perfect righteousness, 1 John 5:11-12, “And this is the deposition [testimony] that the God [the Father] has given to us, eternal life, and this life is in his son [Since we are in union with Christ, we share this life.]. (12) and he who has the son [a relationship with the Son] has the life [eternal life] and the one who does not have the son of God [relationship with the Son] does not have the life [eternal life].” 2 Corinthians 5:21, “And He [the Father] made Him who knew no sin [perfection] to be a sin offering [imputation of sins on the cross] as a substitute for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him [current positional truth].” To live with God forever means you must have His life, and you must be as righteous as He is.
Positional truth guarantees the believer’s eternal security, Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death [nothing in death] nor life [nothing in life] nor angels nor principalities [ruling angels] nor powers [human organizations] nor things present nor things to come (39) nor height [nothing in heaven] nor depth [nothing in Hades] nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Eternal life in Christ is for all eternity!
Positional truth belongs to all categories of believers whether they be apostate, mature, immature, spiritually adult, or carnal. Since Current Positional Truth occurs at the point of salvation before experience in the Christian life begins, it doesn’t depend on that experience. 1 Corinthians 1:2, “to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus [at salvation], called saints together with all who call upon the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ, their [Lord] and ours.” So, even though you may be carnal or in reversionism, you still have positional truth. Being in union with Christ has nothing to do with what you do [experiential righteousness], or don’t do [failure to execute God’s plan]. Current Positional sanctification is completely the work of God the Holy Spirit and so is not based upon our volition, but on the sovereign decision of God. We make the decision to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but we don’t make the decision to enter into union with Christ “all were made to drink the one Spirit” as per 1 Corinthians 12:13. God the Holy Spirit graciously did that for us and so it cannot be undone.
Current Positional truth creates a new spiritual species in Christ as per 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ and he is, he is a new spiritual species. The old things have lost their power; behold, new things have come to pass.” You become a new spiritual species at salvation by being put into union with Christ. It is what God does for you, and therefore it is grace. It is not what you do after salvation, such as the self-righteous works of legalism. The “old things” have to do with spiritual death and those things related to that death; the “new things” refer to things you receive at salvation such as the 40 assets and the unique spiritual life.
Positional truth should motivate the production of divine good and a pattern of life compatible with royalty as per Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his creation, having been created in Christ Jesus [a new spiritual species with many assets] for the purpose of divine good production [via experiential sanctification] which the God [the Father] has prepared in advance [in eternity past, God the Father provided election and predestination as part of our Portfolio of Invisible Assets], that we in the sphere of them [election and predestination] may pattern our lives.”
Even though a Christian may die the Sin on to Death, he will not lose his position in union with Christ (1 John 5:18-20), and so cannot lose his salvation. In order for a believer to lose his position in Christ, he would have to sin in that status, but since the believer cannot sin in union with Christ, he cannot lose his position in Christ and so cannot lose his salvation. Thus, it is comforting and reassuring to a believer to know that even though a loved one may have died the ‘sin on to death’, he has not lost his salvation.
Because we are in union with Christ, we share His:
1. Eternal life, 1 John 5:11, “And this is the deposition [testimony] that the God [the Father] has given to us, eternal life [At salvation, God the Father imputes this life to the human spirit], and this life is in his son [The Christian also shares the life of Christ through union with Him]. (12) and he who has the son [a relationship with the Son] has the life [eternal life] and the one who does not have the son of God [relationship with the Son] does not have the life [eternal life].”
John 14:6, “Jesus said to him [Thomas], ‘I am the way, the truth and the life [eternal life]; no person [in human history] comes face to face with the Father [having an eternal relationship with the Father] except through Me.’”
2. Perfect righteousness, 2 Corinthians 5:21, “And he (God the Father) made him [Jesus] who knew no sin (perfection) to be a sin offering as a substitute for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in him [positional truth]. Sharing the righteousness of Christ, we become the objects of God the Father’s love as per Romans 8:39.
3. Election, Ephesians 1:4, “just as He [the Father] has elected us for Himself in Him [Jesus Christ] before the creation of the world [in eternity past], that we may be set apart [experiential sanctification] and blameless [ultimate sanctification] in the presence of Him [Father].”
4. Destiny, Ephesians 1:5, “By means of love, He has predestined us for the purpose of adoption as adult sons to Himself through Christ Jesus our Lord according to the grace purpose of His will.”
5. Sonship, Galatians 3:26, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
6. Heirship, Romans 8:16-17, “The Spirit Himself testifies together [bears witness] with our [human] spirit, that we are the children of God. (17) Now, if we are children and we are, also heirs, on the one hand heirs of God [the Father], and joint heirs with Christ. If indeed [if it is true that], we suffer with Him [pass all three stages of undeserved suffering], that also we might be glorified with Christ.”
7. Sanctification, 1 Corinthians 1:2, “to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints together with all who call upon the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ, their [Lord] and ours.”
8. Priesthood, Hebrews 7:12-19, “For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change in the Law also. (13) For the One [the Lord Jesus Christ] concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe [the tribe of Judah] from which no one has officiated at the altar. (14) For it is evident that our Lord has descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests, (15) and this is clearer still, if another priest arises similar to Melchizedek, and there has, (16) who has become a priest not on the basis of physical requirement [a reference to the Levitical Priesthood] but on the basis of indestructible life [the Lord’s priesthood is forever]. (17) For this reason, it is witnessed, ‘You are a priest forever similar to the order of Melchizedek.’” [We are in union with Christ. Therefore, we are royalty and priests forever. We represent ourselves before God as royal priests.] (18) For, on the one hand, there is a rescinding of the former commandment [the Mosaic Law that authorized the Levitical priesthood] because of its weakness and uselessness (19) (for the Law brought nothing to completion), but on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope [the second door of hope for the Church Age believer—a personal sense of destiny—by which we enter the adult spiritual life] through which we draw near to God.”
Hebrews 7:26-28, “For it is fitting that we should have such a high priest, impeccable integrity, the One who cannot do evil, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; (27) Who does not need daily, like those Levitical priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for their own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He [Jesus] offered up Himself. (28) For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of His [God the Father’s] oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, who has become perfect forever [Jesus Christ is a perfect high priest].”
9. Royalty, 1 Peter 2:9, “ But you and only you are an elect [elect by God the Father] race [as a new spiritual species], a royal priesthood [since Jesus is a king-priest], a holy nation [God’s entity: a nation of priests: every Christian is a priest], a people for God’s own possession [a protected people], so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him [Christ] who has called [in eternity past] you out of darkness [spiritual death and the Cosmic Systems] into His amazing light [his plan];”
10. New Spiritual Species, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ and he is, he is a new spiritual species. The old things have lost their power [Old Covenant]; behold, new things have come to pass [This would include the New Covenant to the Church.].”
Current Positional Truth changes our relationship with Angels.
1. Through current positional truth the believer is higher than angels positionally.
2. Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, and so superior to all angels. By virtue of being in union with Christ, every believer is now positionally superior to angels.
3. Positional truth has fulfilled the believer’s triumph with Christ in the angelic conflict. We are victorious with Him already.
4. Furthermore, positional truth demands compatibility with experiential righteousness. Therefore, the believer’s walk on this earth must be compatible with positional truth since we have perfect security in Christ, we have the freedom to choose for Jesus Christ, to love Jesus Christ, to respond to His love, and to fulfill our purpose on this earth.
What positional truth is not?
1. It is not an experience, emotions or ecstasies.
2. It is not progressive; it cannot be improved in time or eternity.
3. It is not related to human merit or ability.
4. It cannot be changed by God, man or angels. It is eternal in nature.
5. It is not obtained gradually as you grow in grace, but in toto at salvation.
6. It is not known apart from the metabolization of doctrine.
7. From understanding the doctrine of positional truth, we progress in our spiritual life, but we cannot improve it since it is perfect at salvation.
8. We are not in Christ because of what we do (execution of the spiritual life) or fail to do (fail to execute the spiritual life), but because of what God has done.
A few points of explanation:
1. The conclusion from positional truth, whether retroactive or current, is that the Christian must apply these doctrines to his spiritual life.
2. In Romans 7:1-4 where we have an illustration of a woman whose first husband has died freeing her to marry another. This is what actually happens to us as believers at salvation. The old sin nature is the husband up to the point of salvation, but at the moment we believe in Jesus Christ positionally the sin nature is dead, as it were, the first husband has died and we have a new husband through union with Christ. Retroactive Positional Truth removes our first husband, the sin nature whereas Current Positional Truth enters us into union with Christ, our new husband.
3. The old sin nature-husband is still around, still seeking to regain his control over his former wife, the believer. But union with the second husband, the Lord Jesus Christ, has broken the first husband’s authority over the former wife.
4. The Baptism of Fire:
Matthew 3:11, “On the one hand I [John the Baptizer] baptize you [believers] by means of water because of a change of thinking [about Christ], but the one coming after me is mightier than I whose sandals I am not worthy to lace [loosen, remove]. He himself will baptize by means of the Holy Spirit [a reference to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Church Age] and by means of fire [a reference to the Baptism of Fire at the 2nd Advent].”
Baptism of Fire: The baptism of fire (identification with fire) is defined as the judgment of unbelievers both Jew and gentile at the Second Advent. They will be removed from the earth and placed in fire for 1000 years until the Last Judgment, Luke 3:16-17; Mathew 25:31, 33. The analogy to the Baptism of Fire is found in Matthew 24:36-41. The one left in the field is the mature believer; the one taken is the unbeliever.
Parables of the Baptism of Fire:
1. The wheat and the tares (the unbelievers), Matthew 13:24-30, 36-40.
2. The good and bad fish (unbelievers), Matthew 13:47-50.
3. The ten virgins: five wise, five foolish (the unbelievers), Matthew 25:1-13.
4. The sheep and the goats (the unbelievers), Mathew 25:31-46.
5. The talent test, Matthew 25:14-30. The one talent man represents the unbeliever.
If Jesus Christ had not been rejected by the Jewish people, then the age of Israel would have continued until its completion (the Tribulation completes the age of Israel). (However, they did reject Jesus Christ as Savior and Messiah and so the client nation was destroyed, and the Church age was intercalated that is inserted before the age of Israel was complete.) After the completion of the age of Israel at the end of the Tribulation, comes the wrath of God namely the Baptism of Fire when the Lord removes both Jewish and gentile unbelievers from the earth and identifies them with fire forever. After which, the Millennial reign begins.
The Three Ritual Baptisms. None are extant at the present time. They are representative identifications in which water is used as a training aid to represent some principle of doctrine.
1. The Baptism of John is found in Matthew 3:2-6, “Saying, ‘Change your thinking [regarding Christ] for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ [The future king was already on the earth] (3) For this is what was communicated through Isaiah, the prophet saying, ‘The voice of one [John the Baptizer] proclaiming loudly in the desert [of Judea]. Prepare [the aorist tense is a one time-decision] the way of the Lord [an idiomatic expression for salvation]. Keep on making upright [the use of the Recovery Procedure followed by the development of experiential righteousness] His paths!’ (Isaiah 40:3) (4) Now, John himself kept on having a garment of camel’s hair [very uncomfortable] and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. (5) Then [after John went where God wanted him to be] Jerusalem kept on going out to him [face to face] and all Judea and all the districts around the Jordan. (6) and they were being baptized [identified with the kingdom] by him [under John’s authority] in the Jordan River [where Israel crossed when they entered the land], and they kept on confessing their sins [post-salvation confession of sins].”
MAX KLEIN BIBLE MINISTRIES
Romans Chapter Four
A verse-by-verse commentary by Max Klein
Proverbs 11:21, “Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous ones [mature believers] will be delivered.”
Psalm 33:10, “The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.” (International and group conspiracies)
Romans Chapter 4: deals with Abraham’s salvation and spiritual growth with some applications to us.
Romans Chapter 4
Romans 4:1
Therefore, what shall we conclude that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh [living in the 3rd Dynasty of Ur] has found [obtained: in other words, how was he saved]?
Τί οὖν ἐροῦµεν εὑρηκέναι Ἀβραὰµ τὸν προπάτορα ἡµῶν κατὰ σάρκα;
Abraham is a test case for salvation adjustment to the integrity of God. Was Abraham saved through circumcision or by keeping the Mosaic Law or through water baptism? Since Abraham was circumcised at the point when he was being blessed by the Lord, and that blessing was his being made the father of the Jewish people, it certainly has nothing to do with his salvation. Since the Mosaic Law, didn’t exist at the time of Abraham, it certainly could have no impact on his salvation or spiritual life. Well, regarding water baptism, it is a no-brainer! If Abraham was justified by faith apart from works then it follows that all salvation adjustment to the justice of God is in the same pattern.
Romans 4:2
For the sake of argument [for this debate], let's assume that Abraham was justified [declared righteous and qualified to live with God] by works [1st class condition of assumption which assumption is not true], he has a basis for boasting, but not before God [because the assumption is false; he was not saved by works].
εἰ γὰρ Ἀβραὰµ ἐξ ἔργων ἐδικαιώθη, ἔχει καύχηµα· ἀλλí οὐ πρὸς θεόν.
Paul was using a debater’s technique, setting up a straw man or an erroneous assumption and then hacking it to pieces logically. The hypothetical supposition takes the side of the legalistic Jew who contends that one is justified by keeping the Mosaic Law or other works.
God is not impressed with human beings: with human ability, human personality, human good, human works. God is only impressed with God’s work on the cross which is the basis for the imputation of divine righteousness. Since Abraham appropriated the gift of salvation through his faith in Jehovah Elohim (the Lord Jesus Christ), he had no basis for boasting.
Romans 4:3
For what does the Scripture say, "Now Abraham had believed in the God [the Son] and it [faith in Jesus Christ] was credited to him [Abraham] for righteousness" (a quote from Genesis 15:6).
τί γὰρ ἡ γραφὴ λέγει; Ἐπίστευσεν δὲ Ἀβραὰµ τῷ θεῷ, καὶ ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ εἰς δικαιοσύνην.
Summary:
1. Abraham was a Semitic Gentile, an Acadian living in Ur.
2. Instead of worshiping the moon god, Abraham at the point of God-consciousness wanted the truth. So, God provided him with the gospel message.
3. The means of gospel hearing is unknown, but the result of gospel hearing is clearly stated in Genesis 15:6, as quoted in Romans 4:3.
4. Abraham believed in the Lord Jesus Christ known as Jehovah Elohim in his language and righteousness was imputed to him.
Romans 4:4
Now, to him who works for salvation, his compensation [reimbursement] is not credited on the basis of grace but on the basis of debt.
τῷ δὲ ἐργαζοµένῳ ὁ µισθὸς οὐ λογίζεται κατὰ χάριν ἀλλὰ κατὰ ὀφείληµα·
1. The harder you work for salvation the deeper you go in debt. The deeper you go in debt the farther you are from salvation.
2. Salvation adjustment to the justice of God functions on the principle of grace. The principle of grace excludes human merit, human works, human ability.
3. To approach the integrity of God and demand that God accept your works is total blasphemy. (This was Cain’s approach.)
4. To try to be saved by working is like trying to get out of debt by borrowing. It is analogous to the U. S. government solving in debt problem with more and more debt.
Romans 4:5
But to him who does not work [does not stack-up human righteousness for salvation] but relies on [trust in] Him [God the Father for the work of justification; Romans 3:22a, “Even the righteousness of God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ.”] who justifies the ungodly [the spiritual dead unbeliever], his faith receives credit for the imputation of divine righteousness.
τῷ δὲ µὴ ἐργαζοµένῳ, πιστεύοντι δὲ ἐπὶ τὸν δικαιοῦντα τὸν ἀσεβῆ, λογίζεται ἡ πίστις αὐτοῦ εἰς δικαιοσύνην,
The two words in English “Him who” is one word in the Hebrew.
Romans 4:6
Even as David also communicates the blessing [at salvation] to the man [who believes in Christ] to whom the God [the Father] imputes divine righteousness apart from works.
καθάπερ καὶ ∆αυὶδ λέγει τὸν µακαρισµὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ᾧ ὁ θεὸς λογίζεται δικαιοσύνην χωρὶς ἔργων,
Romans 4:7
Blessed [the adjective is in the plural: receives 40 assets at the point of salvation] are those whose lawlessnesses [functioning outside of God’s laws] have been forgiven [canceled or pardoned at salvation namely all pre-salvation sins are forgiven], and whose sins are covered [on the Day of Atonement [the Day of Covering] blood was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat which blood covered the sins depicted in the Ark. This is a reference to post-salvation sins].
Μακάριοι ὧν ἀφέθησαν αἱ ἀνοµίαι καὶ ὧν ἐπεκαλύφθησαν αἱ ἁµαρτίαι·
Romans 4:8
Blessed [the singular is referring to the blessing of imputed righteousness] is the believer [noble man] against whom the Lord will never ever [the subjunctive of emphatic negation] impute his sin [Our sins are never imputed to us for judgment but were imputed directly to Christ on the cross].”
µακάριος ἀνὴρ οὗ οὐ µὴ λογίσηται κύριος ἁµαρτίαν.
Romans 4:9
Is this blessing [of imputed righteousness], therefore, for the circumcision [for Jews only] or is it also for the uncircumcision [or for the gentiles as well]? For we contend that his faith was credited to Abraham [an uncircumcised Akkadian] for righteousness.
ὁ µακαρισµὸς οὖν οὗτος ἐπὶ τὴν περιτοµὴν ἢ καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν ἀκροβυστίαν; λέγοµεν γάρ, Ἐλογίσθη τῷ Ἀβραὰµ ἡ πίστις εἰς δικαιοσύνην.
Conclusion:
1. The imputation of divine righteousness is necessary for divine blessing. Circumcision or uncircumcision are not issues in this matter. Since Abraham was in the status of uncircumcision when he received imputed righteousness, then circumcision was not an issue.
2. Divine blessing always comes from the justice of God.
3. The justice of God cannot eternally bless man with his relative righteousness. The justice of God can only bless perfect righteousness.
4. This divine righteousness is credited to the account of any person who believes in Christ whether he is in a state of circumcision or uncircumcision.
5. The order of blessing at salvation is first the forgiveness of all pre-salvation sins, then the imputation of divine righteousness followed by justification. After which the other 37 blessings are given.
6. The principle on which blessing comes from the justice of God is grace.
Romans 4:10
How then was it credited? While he [Abraham] was in circumcision or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision but in uncircumcision [as an Akkadian in the 3rd Dynasty of Ur].
πῶς οὖν ἐλογίσθη; ἐν περιτοµῇ ὄντι ἢ ἐν ἀκροβυστίᾳ; οὐκ ἐν περιτοµῇ ἀλλí ἐν ἀκροβυστίᾳ·
Since Abraham believed in Jehovah Elohim as his savior while he was living in the 3rd Dynasty of Ur, he did so in uncircumcision for Abraham was an uncircumcised Akkadian at that time.
Summary:
1. Abraham was not circumcised until he was 99 years of age. However, Abraham believed in Jesus Christ at least a quarter of a century before his circumcision. He was 75 when he left Haran and a bit younger when he left Ur. He was saved sometime before then.
2. Therefore, there was a minimum of 25 years or more elapsed between his salvation and his maturity adjustment to the integrity of God at which time he was circumcised.
3. Abraham was saved as a Semitic Akkadian and did not become a Jew until circumcision, at least 25 years or so later.
4. Therefore, Abraham’s circumcision was not related to his salvation, but to his maturity adjustment to the integrity of God at which time, he became the father of the Jewish race.
5. Therefore it is obvious historically, it is obvious doctrinally, that circumcision had nothing whatsoever to do with salvation.
6. Circumcision was a ritual to commemorate Abraham’s spiritual maturity resulting in Abraham being blessed with sexual prosperity, and the point at which the new race began. Also, at that time, his name was changed from Abram to Abraham (Genesis 17:5).
7. As soon as Abraham obeyed the command to circumcise himself, the Lord changed-up his DNA to become the first Jew.
Romans 4:11
In fact, he received the ritual mark [the sign] of circumcision [at his spiritual maturity], a seal [a guarantee] of his experiential righteousness from faith which [faith began] in the status of uncircumcision, that he [Abraham] might be a pattern [a father] to all who believe during uncircumcision [as Abraham believed in Christ in uncircumcision], that divine righteousness might be credited to them [at salvation].
καὶ σηµεῖον ἔλαβεν περιτοµῆς, σφραγῖδα τῆς δικαιοσύνης τῆς πίστεως τῆς ἐν τῇ ἀκροβυστίᾳ, εἰς τὸ εἶναι αὐτὸν πατέρα πάντων τῶν πιστευόντων δι ἀκροβυστίας, εἰς τὸ λογισθῆναι αὐτοῖς [τὴν] δικαιοσύνην,
The Timing of Circumcision:
1. Circumcision was a ritual mark of Abraham’s spiritual maturity, a memorial guarantee that the integrity of God never welches on a promise.
2. God promised Abraham an heir from his own sexual prosperity and the justice of God provided that blessing.
3. Therefore, it is obvious from the case of Abraham that there is a right time and a wrong time for the justice of God to provide blessing.
4. Only the integrity of God knows the right time. God’s blessing is perfect; God’s timing is perfect.
5. The provision of this special blessing was memorialized by the ritual of circumcision.
Abraham as the Pattern:
1. Abraham was saved as an uncircumcised Gentile. He is the pattern for salvation adjustment to the integrity of God.
2. When he believed in Christ, Abraham received God’s righteousness. This qualified him for logistical grace blessings.
3. As Abraham increased his capacity through his learning about his spiritual life, the Lord was able to increase his blessing. Finally, upon reaching spiritual maturity, the Lord had to restore his sexual ability and at the same time, to change his DNA from Akkadian to Jew in order for Abraham to become the first Jew. Likewise, the Lord had to revive Sarai sexually and to change-up her DNA as well. Subsequently, changing her name from Sarai (bitch) to Sarah (princess).
4. This monumental blessing from the justice of God was commemorated by a ritual—a seal which though important had no merit in itself.
5. Circumcised Abraham is a pattern for spiritual maturity, even as saved Abraham is a pattern for salvation.
Romans 4:12
And the pattern of circumcision not only to those out from circumcision [the Jew], but also to them who advance [from salvation to spiritual maturity] in the ranks of faith like our ancestor, Abraham, in uncircumcision.
καὶ πατέρα περιτοµῆς τοῖς οὐκ ἐκ περιτοµῆς µόνον ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῖς στοιχοῦσιν τοῖς ἴχνεσιν τῆς ἐν ἀκροβυστίᾳ πίστεως τοῦ πατρὸς ἡµῶν Ἀβραάµ.
Abraham followed the three Rs namely Reception of God’s Word, followed by Retention and finally Recall of doctrine for application.
Romans 4:13
For not through the Law [there was no Law at the time of Abraham] is that promise [of the Abrahamic Covenant] to Abraham for his benefit [dative of advantage] or to his seed [in the singular refers to Christ] that He [Christ] will be the heir of the world [Christ will rule the world in the Millennium], but [that promise was made to Abraham] through experiential righteousness by means of faith [that promise of the Abrahamic Covenant was made to Abraham in anticipation of his spiritual advance].
Οὐ γὰρ διὰ νόµου ἡ ἐπαγγελία τῷ Ἀβραὰµ ἢ τῷ σπέρµατι αὐτοῦ, τὸ κληρονόµον αὐτὸν εἶναι κόσµου, ἀλλὰ διὰ δικαιοσύνης πίστεως·
Galatians 3:16-18, “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his seed; it does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many; but it says, “And to your seed,” that is, to one person, who is Christ. (17) My point is this: the Law, which came four hundred thirty years later, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God so as to nullify the promise. (18) For if the inheritance comes from the Law, it no longer comes from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.”
Genesis 12:1-3, “Now Jehovah [Jesus Christ] had spoken to Abram, ‘Go with reference to yourself from your land, and from your relatives, and from the place of your birth, to a land which I will cause you to see; And I will manufacture from you a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will cause your person to become great; therefore, you will become a blessing. And I will bless those who bless you, but the one who despises you, I will curse, and all the races shall be blessed through you [a reference to Christ who provides salvation and blessing].’”
Romans 4:14
For if they [unbelieving Jews] by means of the Law are heirs [heirship implies sonship], then the faith has been voided [with the result that it is permanently invalidated], and that promise [of blessing to Abraham and others] has been canceled.
εἰ γὰρ οἱ ἐκ νόµου κληρονόµοι, κεκένωται ἡ πίστις καὶ κατήργηται ἡ ἐπαγγελία·
1. Legalism and grace are mutually exclusive. They cannot co-exist; one always cancels the other. So, legalism abrogates grace-blessing from the justice of God. If one uses the Mosaic Law for salvation, then there is no need to express faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: faith has been made unnecessary.
2. The Law as an instrument of adjustment to the integrity of God produces arrogance motivating self-righteousness. Arrogance and self-righteousness are bedfellows and always travel together.
3. God’s righteousness, which is one half of divine integrity, and man’s self-righteousness are mutually exclusive. Therefore, there is no place for man’s works in the plan of God.
4. God demands integrity for blessing. This integrity includes imputed divine righteousness at salvation and maximum doctrine resident in the soul at spiritual maturity.
5. God in His grace provides all that His integrity demands. Imputed righteousness at salvation, rebound and spirituality for grace perception.
6. Man’s self-righteousness or works-righteousness does not glorify God, does not impress God. Quite the opposite: God’s righteousness rejects the righteousness of man; God’s justice condemns the legalistic works of man.
7. Therefore, faith is not something we do, but the channel by which we appropriate what God has done for us at the cross.
8. God found a way to bless us from His integrity without compromising His perfect essence.
9. The works of the Law is a principle of evil, a Satanic design presented to man in the garden as the alternative to perfect environment. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was the presentation of the Satanic plan, the alternative to perfect environment.
10. Regarding the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Good being human good from self-righteousness and evil being the plan of Satan in opposition to God. Hence, under the law of works good and evil are synonymous terms.
11. The purpose of the Law is to condemn mankind, not commend him. The Law confirms man’s sinfulness and resultant spiritual death. Therefore, the Law communicates the need for salvation adjustment to the integrity of God.
12. While the law cannot save, it can provide awareness of the need of salvation as well as the means of salvation—faith in Christ.
13. In Galatians 3:24 the Law is described as a pedagogue or school bus bringing us to salvation.
14. Historically, millions of Jews used the Law properly in recognizing their condemnation and turned to Christ for salvation. Only in arrogance did the Jew and others distort the Mosaic Law.
Romans 4:15
For the Law brings about wrath from the justice of God [when distorted], but where the Law does not exist also there exists no distortion of the Law.
ὁ γὰρ νόµος ὀργὴν κατεργάζεται· οὗ δὲ οὐκ ἔστιν νόµος, οὐδὲ παράβασις.
It was a historical reality that there were many parts of the ancient world, and still are today, where people have never been exposed to the Mosaic Law since the Law was given specifically to Israel, and it did not exist in Gentile nations. Since the Gentiles did not have the Law, they could not distort the Law into a system of self-righteousness.
Romans 4:16
For this reason it is by means of faith, in order that it might be in accordance with grace, that the promise of salvation might be valid to all the seed [human race]; not only to him out from the Law [the Jews who believe from understanding the Christology and soteriology as presented in the Mosaic Law], but to him [the gentile] also who is of the faith of Abraham [Abraham believed as a gentile] who is the pattern with reference to all of us.
διὰ τοῦτο ἐκ πίστεως, ἵνα κατὰ χάριν, εἰς τὸ εἶναι βεβαίαν τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν παντὶ τῷ σπέρµατι, οὐ τῷ ἐκ τοῦ νόµου µόνον ἀλλὰ καὶ τῷ ἐκ πίστεως Ἀβραάµ [ὅς ἐστιν πατὴρ πάντων ἡµῶν,
Faith must always be related to the principle of grace, so we have a prepositional phrase, “according to grace.” This is the same pattern as expressed in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith and this [salvation] is not out from you, the gift from God [the Father]. (9) Not out from works, lest anyone [that no one] should boast.”
“Promise” implies integrity. When a person makes a promise, it is from their integrity or lack of it. If they have no integrity the promise is meaningless; if they have integrity the promise is meaningful. God’s integrity is perfect, and because it is, His promises are always kept.
1. Abraham is the pattern of salvation through faith in Christ. Abraham is also the pattern for reaching spiritual maturity through maximum doctrine resident in the soul and obedience to that divine information.
2. The link between salvation and maturity is spirituality. Spirituality in the dispensation of the Church is the Filling of the Spirit. However, spirituality in Abraham’s time was the function of the faith-rest technique primarily.
3. We now interrupt our sentence for a parenthesis namely verses 17-21 which emphasizes the missing link between salvation and maturity.
Romans 4:17
As it stands written [a quote Genesis 17:4], I have decreed you a father of many nations"), in the sight of Him [the Lord] whom he [Abraham at 99] believed [the promise that he would be the father of many nations], even God, who gave life to the sexually dead ones [Abraham and Sarah] and designated those things which did not exist [sexual ability] as now existing.
καθὼς γέγραπται ὅτι Πατέρα πολλῶν ἐθνῶν τέθεικά σε] κατέναντι οὗ ἐπίστευσεν θεοῦ τοῦ ζῳοποιοῦντος τοὺς νεκροὺς καὶ καλοῦντος τὰ µὴ ὄντα ὡς ὄντα·
Genesis 17:1-5, “When Abraham was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.(2) Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” (3) Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, (4) “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. (5) No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.”
1. The integrity of God provided for Abraham certain promises and guarantees which became the object of his faith-rest technique.
2. While the justice of God had provided numerous blessings for Abraham when he attained spiritual maturity. This blessing is categorized as sexual prosperity through which Abraham would become a new race, and through this he would become the father also of many nations.
3. The promise of sexual prosperity was first implied in the second paragraph of the Abrahamic covenant as per Genesis 12:2a, “And I will make you a great nation.” This promise given originally to Abraham in Ur was reiterated to him and even expanded when he was in the land as per Genesis 17:5. (Later when Abraham passed Evidence Testing, his blessing became even greater as per Genesis 22:16-18.)
4. The mature Abraham believed the promise of Genesis 17:5 when he was sexually dead and totally in a hopeless situation. Doctrine resident in the soul was much more real to Abraham than his 13 years of sexual death. Doctrine in the soul gave him a reality of the integrity of God which was far greater than the reality of his own total helplessness.
5.This passage mentioned that something is going to be made alive. The only thing that was dead was Abraham’s sexual ability. He will be circumcised, and at the completion of his circumcision, he was given great sexual vigour which would last for seventy-five years. It is interesting that Romans emphasizes Abraham’s sexual death whereas Hebrews emphasizes Sarah’s as per Hebrews 11:11. Notice that in both cases, they had total relationship with the integrity of God. “Abraham believed him [God]”; Sarah “concluded faithful the one who had promised.”
Romans 4:18
Who beyond hope of sexual prosperity believed in hope [the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise], in order that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which He had spoken [a quote Genesis 15:5], "So your seed shall exist."
ὃς παρí ἐλπίδα ἐπí ἐλπίδι ἐπίστευσεν εἰς τὸ γενέσθαι αὐτὸν πατέρα πολλῶν ἐθνῶν κατὰ τὸ εἰρηµένον, Οὕτως ἔσται τὸ σπέρµα σου·
1. Sexual death for thirteen years had created a hopeless situation for Abraham at age ninety-nine. (His sexual death occurred right after his adultery with Hagar, the Egyptian maid.)
2. There was no way that sexually impotent Abraham could have a son by Sarah or anyone else in fulfilment of God’s promise.
3. Furthermore, ninety-year-old Sarah has passed the menopause and was totally incapable of pregnancy.
4. Abraham would have succumbed to despair and self-pity except for the fact that during those 13 years of sexual death he had gone all of the way from a weak believer to a great one.
5. At 99 the integrity of God was more real to Abraham than his completely hopeless situation.
6. Doctrine resident in the soul gave power to Abraham’s faith-rest function while at the same time providing an object for faith-rest.
7. Hence, the promise of an heir through sexual prosperity was more real to Abraham than his sexual incompetence.
Related Points:
1. Spiritual maturity is always challenged regarding the reality of life.
2. Reality is always challenged in life but especially to the believer who has attained maximum adjustment to the justice of God.
3. What is more real to Abraham? His hopeless situation of sexual death or the reality of the integrity of God with divine righteousness as the principle and divine justice as the function?
4. Maximum doctrine resident in the soul makes the decision in favor of the integrity of God over any hopeless situation in life.
Romans 4:19
And so not becoming weak in that faith, he completely understood his own body which had become sexually dead when he was approximately one hundred years old, likewise he completely understood the deadness of Sarah's womb.
καὶ µὴ ἀσθενήσας τῇ πίστει κατενόησεν τὸ ἑαυτοῦ σῶµα ἤδη νενεκρωµένον, ἑκατονταετής που ὑπάρχων, καὶ τὴν νέκρωσιν τῆς µήτρας Σάρρας,
1. Lack of doctrine is weakness; perception of doctrine or possession of truth is strength. This explains how Abraham became strong.
2. The more doctrine we have in our souls the more we understand God, and the more awe and respect we have for God and His plan of grace.
3. The more doctrine we have in our souls the greater becomes our capacity for life, for happiness, for blessing, and for love.
4. The more doctrine we have in our souls the greater the reality of divine integrity, the greater our occupation with the person of Jesus Christ.
Romans 4:20
[Abraham] Who staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith [application] giving glory to God
εἰς δὲ τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ θεοῦ οὐ διεκρίθη τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ ἀλλí ἐνεδυναµώθη τῇ πίστει, δοὺς δόξαν τῷ θεῷ
1. With maximum adjustment to the integrity of God, Abraham had a dynamic faith-rest technique through the application of doctrine to his experience.
2. Hopeless situations are a means of blessing to us and the means of glorifying God.
3. God is glorified when the believer is occupied with God’s integrity rather than in the hopeless circumstances of life.
4. Therefore, faith-rest takes doctrine resident in the soul and converts it into the mature production which glorifies God. It converts it into spiritual energy whereby the Lord is more real than the adversity.
Romans 4:21
And being fully persuaded that what He [God] had promised [an heir], He was able to do [So, he went ahead with the circumcision].
καὶ πληροφορηθεὶς ὅτι ὃ ἐπήγγελται δυνατός ἐστιν καὶ ποιῆσαι.
1. Maturity is the status of total confidence in the integrity of God, not confidence in any system of security or blessing of life.
2. Therefore maturity is the state of true security. The only real security in life comes from cracking the maturity barrier.
3. Maturity adjustment to the justice of God is the place of spiritual dynamics, first in thought, then in happiness, then in blessing, then in confidence, and finally production.
4. Maturity is the status of finding greater reality in divine integrity than in the adversities and sufferings of life.
5. The integrity of God is more real than any person, any circumstance, any situation of life.
Romans 4:22
And for this reason, it [the heir] was imputed to him [Abraham] because of experiential righteousness [Abraham had reached spiritual maturity].
διὸ καὶ ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ εἰς δικαιοσύνην.
1. At maturity the believer has the capacity to appreciate the source and the variety of blessings from that source.
2. Blessings from God are meaningless without having the capacity for those blessings. Since the justice of God is fair, He never gives us the blessing without the capacity for that blessing.
3. Only the mature believer possesses the capacity for life, for happiness, for love, and for blessing from the justice of God.
4. Money, promotion, power, love, sexual prosperity, leadership, professional prosperity, is meaningless without capacity for these blessings or advantages.
5. Therefore, the most miserable people in the world are not the have-nots but the haves—those who have without capacity.
Romans 4:23
Now, it was not written for his sake alone that it [an heir, his Escrow blessing] was imputed to him,
Οὐκ ἐγράφη δὲ δι’αὐτὸν µόνον ὅτι ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ,
Romans 4:24
But also for our sake [Paul and other great believers] to whom it [our Escrow blessing] was destined to be imputed, to those who are relying on Him [God the Father for their escrow blessing] who resurrected Jesus, our Lord, from the dead.
ἀλλὰ καὶ δι’ ἡµᾶς οἷς µέλλει λογίζεσθαι, τοῖς πιστεύουσιν ἐπὶ τὸν ἐγείραντα Ἰησοῦν τὸν κύριον ἡµῶν ἐκ νεκρῶν,
The Father’s power was used to provide a resurrection body for Christ. This same power deposited in eternity past our Escrow Blessing which power will guarantee that we will receive these blessings when the conditions are fulfilled.
Romans 4:25
Who [Jesus] has been delivered over to judgment because of our transgression and was resurrected because of our justification [The work of justification had to occur on the cross, before God’s plan could move forward.].
ὃς παρεδόθη διὰ τὰ παραπτώµατα ἡµῶν καὶ ἠγέρθη διὰ τὴν δικαίωσιν ἡµῶν.
1. Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God [with emphasis on failing to meet the standard of God’s perfect righteousness]”
2. Since we were helpless to solve this problem, a mediator had to mediate; a high priest had to offer a sacrifice to propitiate the Father as a substitute for us. The humanity of the God-Man had to be impeccable to produce the work of satisfying the righteousness of the Father. This work on the cross was the work of justification.
3. After this work of justification was completed, Jesus died physically, was buried and after his body was three days in the tomb, he was resurrected.
4. Again, the power for resurrection was provided in part by God the Father.
5. Without the work of justification, without resurrection, without the power of resurrection, there is no salvation, no spiritual life, and no Escrow Blessings.
