Are You A Child Of Abraham?

It is noted by many theologians and preachers that the first preaching of the gospel occurred, not on Pentecost after the Lord's ascension, but after the Fall in the Garden. The promise that the head of the serpent would be crushed by the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15) indicates that the Lord was not going to allow the sin of Adam, or the designs of the devil to prevail in His creation. But how will this promise be fulfilled? It is left to later revelation for this answer to be given. In an amazing proclamation of the gospel in the Old Testament, God revealed to Abraham that even the Gentiles were to be blessed in him. (Gen. 12:3) The Apostle Paul quotes this verse (3:8) in his vindication of the gospel of free grace. As the apostle will note in a few verses, Abraham was not justified by works and those who would wish to enjoy the same blessing must also be justified, not by works, but grace through faith. So the promise of the ages, that the sin of Adam and the designs of the devil will be overturned, and that the Gentiles will be blessed, are fulfilled in this: "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And if we would enjoy this gospel blessing, we must be "blessed with believing Abraham" through faith as well. – Pastor Schlegel