Romans 4, part 1: Abraham's Faith

• Book of Romans was written: by the Apostle Paul in AD 57, likely from Corinth
• Recipients were believers in Rome, from both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds

Questions

1. Who are the most important (Old Testament) three people in the Jewish tradition?
   Roughly date them (use your study bible) if you can, or else place them in a rough timeline.
2. In ancient societies, tradition was valued more than novelty.  So Paul defends the gospel against the charge of novelty by appealing to the example of the revered patriarch Abraham's spiritual journey.  So lets put together a simple chronology of Abraham's life so we can understand Paul's argument..

• Divide into groups to read and summarize each passage: significant event(s), how old Abraham was at the time, what God said or did or intended, what Abraham said or did or believed.
• Arrange the events in a timeline

2. What reason does Paul give for God's acceptance of Abraham?
3. Look through Romans 4 for clear signs that Abraham experienced the three key aspects of "now" salvation from Romans 3: legal, relational, ownership.
4. Atonement is the basis for justification and redemption.  And since Hebrews 9:22 says atonement by blood (=death) is always required, when and how was Abraham's sin atoned for?  Therefore, how did Abraham obtain the benefits of salvation?

Discussion

1. Jews, Moslems and Christians all claim Abraham as a pivotal figure:
   • Judaism - ancestor of the Hebrews who covenanted with God; a believer in one God who confronted his countrymen, and who passed God's tests of faith.
   • Islam - Father of Ishmael, father of the Arabs; a believer in one God who confronted his countrymen; a devoted lover of God who was even willing to sacrifice his only son
   • Christianity: Father of the justified by faith; prior to and superior to Moses; someone who knew and trusted God despite everything
   1. What do you think about Abraham's spiritual journey?
   2. Is there some personal lesson for you from Abraham's life?

Next week, we'll look into Romans 4 in more detail to answer "What is biblical faith?"