Introduction
A person does not need to be a Jew or a non-Jew to be saved in God. God told Abraham “that in
blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice” (Gen 22:17-18). The blessing of God to Abraham is not only for the Israelites but for all nations or individuals who express genuine faith in God.
The Promise of the Spirit
Scriptures say that Abraham was justified and declared righteous before God not because of his obedience to the law but of his faith. It is written that if a person observes the whole law but offends in any one of them, s/he would be guilty of all (Jas 2:10). James´s submission explains the reason why the law has never made any person righteous but faith in Christ does (Rom 3:20, Gal 2:16). The result of breaking any one of the laws is a curse. It ought to be stated that:
“.. the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ 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: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Gal 3:12-14).
Our forefathers were not able to meet all the requirements of the law. They were under curses so Christ Jesus was sent to redeem those who were under the law so that they could inherit the blessing of Abraham and receive the promise of the spirit. This promise of the spirit does not refer to the gift of speaking in tongues or some other specific gift but ´new life in Christ´ or life that comes from having faith in Christ Jesus. The promise is that in you shall all the nations of the earth be blessed (Gen 22:17-18), which means that through Abraham all nations shall be justified by faith. In the book of Hebrews, it is called ´the promise of eternal inheritance´ (Heb 9:15). Paul writes a similar argument in his letter to the Galatians, where he indicates that if the inheritance is of the law, then, it is not of promise but it was given to Abraham by promise (Gal 3:18).
In his address, Peter admonishes his audience to repent, and be baptized for the remission of their sins, to receive the ´gift of the Holy Ghost`. He adds that the promise is for them and their children, as well as those who would later be called (Acts 2:38-39). Peter´s use of the ´gift of the Spirit’ is better understood from the question that was put to them. The word which is sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb 4:4:12), cut their hearts and they questioned the disciples, what they should do (Acts 2:37). They did not ask what they can do to speak in tongues but what they could do to receive eternal salvation, that is, justification by faith. Again, the gift of the spirit here does not refer to the gift of speaking in tongues, but eternal life.
A question like ´what should we do?´ was also asked by people who listened to the preaching of John the Baptist on repentance and the judgment of God. They asked because they wanted to escape the eternal doom. The answers given explain that such questions seek answers about how to be connected back to God (Luk 3:1-15).
Make Disciples of All Nations
During the times of Jesus Christ, the main focus of his ministry was to the Jews. He came unto his own people but they did not receive Him. But as many as received Him and believed in His name, He gave them the power to be the children of God (Joh 1:11-12). It has been recorded that when Jesus was sending out His disciples to go and evangelize, He told them to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Mat 10:6). He again told a woman who went to Him for her daughter´s healing that He was sent unto the lost sheep of Israel (Mat 15.23-24). These statements of Jesus inform that He came down for the salvation of the Jews.
Notwithstanding the above assertion, after the resurrection of Jesus, he extended His mission to include the whole world. He instructed His disciples that all power has been given unto Him so they should go and teach all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Triune God (Mat 28:18-20). Also, before His ascension, He encouraged His disciples to go and wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Spirit. They were told that if the Spirit comes upon them, they would receive power to be His disciples in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).
The truth is that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the great commission, are the fulfillment of the blessing of Abraham, that, in Christ Jesus shall all the nations of the earth be blessed (Gen 22:17-18). It is rightly put, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law through His death on the cross, because cursed is every one that hangs on a tree. He did this so that “the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Gal 3:13-14).
Conclusion
Abraham was blessed because he was not justified by any of his own deeds. He was justified because he had faith in God. Therefore, all those who have faith in God without their own works are justified with Abraham. Theirs is, therefore, the blessing of Abraham, that is, the promise of the spirit, which is new life in Christ.
Prayer: May the ELOHIM open the eyes of our understanding to receive this justification by faith so that we shall cease from our own works of righteousness. In the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!