Question 73
Section 3: Of the Sacraments
Seeing the Infants of Believers are in the Covenant of Grace with their Parents, as some say, why may not they be baptized under the Gospel, as well as Abrahams Infant Seed was circumcised under the Law?
By the Infants of Believers being in the Covenant of Grace, it must either be meant of the Covenant of Grace absolutely considered, and if so, then there is no total and final Apostacy of any Infant seed of Believers from the Covenant, but all must be saved then.a Or, 2. They must mean conditionally, on consideration that when they come to years of maturity, they by true Faith, Love, and Holiness of life, taking hold of God’s Covenant of Grace, shall have the Priviledges of it. This being their sence, I then demand what real spiritual priviledg the Infant-Seed of Believers, as such, have more than the Infant Seed of Unbelievers, if they live also to years of maturity, and by true Faith and Love take hold of God’s Covenant?b I further demand, whether the Seal of the Covenant do not under those considerations belong as much to the Children of Unbelievers as to the Children of Believers? yea, and more too, under consideration the Infant Seed of the Unbeliever should take hold of God’s Covenant, and the Believers Infant-Seed do not; as often this is seen to the sorrow of many Godly Parents.c 3. Suppose all the Infant Seed of Believers absolutely in the Covenant of Grace; yet Believers under the Gospel ought no more to Baptise their Infant-Seed, than Lot to circumcise himself or his Infant-Seed, if he had had Males as well as Females, albeit nearly related to Abraham, yea, a Believer, and in the Covenant of Grace too: forasmuch as Circumcision was limited to Abraham and to his Family. Also by the same rule we may bring Infants to the Lord’s Table, forasmuch as the same qualifications are required to the due performance of Baptism, as there is to the Lord’s Supper.d 4. We must know the Covenant made with Abraham had two parts: first, a spiritual, which consisted in God’s promising to be a God toe Abraham, andf all his Spiritual-Seed in a peculiar manner, whether they were circumcised or uncircumcised, which believed as Abraham the Father of the Faithful did. And this was signified in God’s accepting such as his People which were not ofg Abrahams Seed, but bought with his Mony, and this Promise was sealed to Abraham by Circumcision, that through Jesus Christ (whom Isaac typified out) the Gentiles, the Uncircumcision which believed, should have their Faith counted for Righteousness, as Abrahams was before he was circumcised.h 2. This Promise consisted of temporal good: so God promised Abrahams Seed should injoy thei Land of Canaan, and have plenty of outward blessings, so sealed this Promise by Circumcision. It was also a distinguishing character of the Jews being God’s People from all the Nations of the Gentiles, which as yet were not the Seed of Abraham: but when the Gentiles came to believe, and by Faith became the People of God as well as the Jews, thenj Circumcision, that distinguishing Mark, ceased; and the character of being the Children of God now, is Faith in Christ, and Circumcision of the Heart. So that whatever pretence there may be for the Infants of Believers to be Baptised first, as their being the Seed of Believers; or 2dly, their being in the Covenant; or 3dly, that the Infant-Seed of Abraham a Believer, was circumcised; all this you see avails nothing: for Circumcision was limited to such a Family, the Family of Abraham, all others, though Believers, were excluded; also limited to such a day, the eighth day, and what ever pretence might be made, it was not to be done before nor after; limited also to such a Sex, the Male, not the Female; which if Baptism came in the room of Circumcision, and is the Seal of the Covenant under the Gospel, as Circumcision was under the Law, none but the Males must be Baptised, because none but the Males were Circumcised; but as under the Law respecting Circumcision, so now under the Gospel respecting Baptism, it depends purely upon the will of the Law-giver, at what season, upon what Persons and terms Baptism is to be administred; unto which Prophet we shall all do well to hearken, Acts 3:22.
Seeing the Infants of Believers are in the Covenant of Grace with their Parents, as some say, why may not they be baptized under the Gospel, as well as Abrahams Infant Seed was circumcised under the Law?
By the Infants of Believers being in the Covenant of Grace, it must either be meant of the Covenant of Grace absolutely considered, and if so, then there is no total and final Apostasy of any Infant seed of Believers from the Covenant, but all must be saved then.a Or, 2. They must mean conditionally, on consideration that when they come to years of maturity, they by true Faith, Love, and Holiness of life, taking hold of God’s Covenant of Grace, shall have the Privileges of it. This being their sense, I then demand what real spiritual privilege the Infant-Seed of Believers, as such, have more than the Infant Seed of Unbelievers, if they live also to years of maturity, and by true Faith and Love take hold of God’s Covenant?b I further demand, whether the Seal of the Covenant do not under those considerations belong as much to the Children of Unbelievers as to the Children of Believers? yea, and more too, under consideration the Infant Seed of the Unbeliever should take hold of God’s Covenant, and the Believers Infant-Seed do not; as often this is seen to the sorrow of many Godly Parents.c 3. Suppose all the Infant Seed of Believers absolutely in the Covenant of Grace; yet Believers under the Gospel ought no more to Baptize their Infant-Seed, than Lot to circumcise himself or his Infant-Seed, if he had had Males as well as Females, albeit nearly related to Abraham, yea, a Believer, and in the Covenant of Grace too: forasmuch as Circumcision was limited to Abraham and to his Family. Also by the same rule we may bring Infants to the Lord’s Table, forasmuch as the same qualifications are required to the due performance of Baptism, as there is to the Lord’s Supper.d 4. We must know the Covenant made with Abraham had two parts: first, a spiritual, which consisted in God’s promising to be a God toe Abraham, andf all his Spiritual-Seed in a peculiar manner, whether they were circumcised or uncircumcised, which believed as Abraham the Father of the Faithful did. And this was signified in God’s accepting such as his People which were not ofg Abrahams Seed, but bought with his Money, and this Promise was sealed to Abraham by Circumcision, that through Jesus Christ (whom Isaac typified out) the Gentiles, the Uncircumcision which believed, should have their Faith counted for Righteousness, as Abrahams was before he was circumcised.h 2. This Promise consisted of temporal good: so God promised Abrahams Seed should enjoy thei Land of Canaan, and have plenty of outward blessings, so sealed this Promise by Circumcision. It was also a distinguishing character of the Jews being God’s People from all the Nations of the Gentiles, which as yet were not the Seed of Abraham: but when the Gentiles came to believe, and by Faith became the People of God as well as the Jews, thenj Circumcision, that distinguishing Mark, ceased; and the character of being the Children of God now, is Faith in Christ, and Circumcision of the Heart. So that whatever pretense there may be for the Infants of Believers to be Baptized first, as their being the Seed of Believers; or 2dly, their being in the Covenant; or 3dly, that the Infant-Seed of Abraham a Believer, was circumcised; all this you see avails nothing: for Circumcision was limited to such a Family, the Family of Abraham, all others, though Believers, were excluded; also limited to such a day, the eighth day, and what ever pretense might be made, it was not to be done before nor after; limited also to such a Sex, the Male, not the Female; which if Baptism came in the room of Circumcision, and is the Seal of the Covenant under the Gospel, as Circumcision was under the Law, none but the Males must be Baptized, because none but the Males were Circumcised; but as under the Law respecting Circumcision, so now under the Gospel respecting Baptism, it depends purely upon the will of the Law-giver, at what season, upon what Persons and terms Baptism is to be administered; unto which Prophet we shall all do well to hearken, Acts 3:22.
a. Jeremiah 32:38–40; John 10:28
Jeremiah 32:38–40
32:38 And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: 32:39 And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: 32:40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
32:38 They will be My people, and I will be their God. 32:39 I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me for their own good and for the good of their children after them. 32:40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they will never turn away from Me.
John 10:28
10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
10:28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.
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b. Isaiah 56:3–8; Acts 10:34–35; John 3:16
Isaiah 56:3–8
56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 56:4 For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 56:5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. 56:8 The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
56:3 Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, "The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people." And let the eunuch not say, "I am but a dry tree." 56:4 For this is what the LORD says: "To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant- 56:5 I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. 56:6 And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants-all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant- 56:7 I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations." 56:8 Thus declares the Lord GOD, who gathers the dispersed of Israel: "I will gather to them still others besides those already gathered."
Acts 10:34–35
10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
10:34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, 10:35 but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.
John 3:16
3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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c. Isaiah 56:3–8; Acts 10:34–35; John 3:16
Isaiah 56:3–8
56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 56:4 For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 56:5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. 56:8 The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
56:3 Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, "The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people." And let the eunuch not say, "I am but a dry tree." 56:4 For this is what the LORD says: "To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant- 56:5 I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. 56:6 And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants-all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant- 56:7 I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations." 56:8 Thus declares the Lord GOD, who gathers the dispersed of Israel: "I will gather to them still others besides those already gathered."
Acts 10:34–35
10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
10:34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, 10:35 but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.
John 3:16
3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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d. Acts 2:41–42
Acts 2:41–42
2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
2:41 Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day. 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
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e. Genesis 17:19,21; Genesis 21:10; Galatians 4:30
Genesis 17:19; Genesis 17:21
17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. 17:21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
17:19 But God replied, "Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 17:21 But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year."
Genesis 21:10
21:10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
21:10 and she said to Abraham, "Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!"
Galatians 4:30
4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
4:30 But what does the Scripture say? "Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son."
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f. Acts 2:39; Romans 9:7–8,&c
Acts 2:39
2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
2:39 This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off-to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself."
Romans 9:7–33
9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. 9:9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 9:10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 9:12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 9:25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. 9:29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
9:7 Nor because they are Abraham's descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, "Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned." 9:8 So it is not the children of the flesh who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. 9:9 For this is what the promise stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son." 9:10 Not only that, but Rebecca's children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. 9:11 Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God's plan of election might stand, 9:12 not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, "The older will serve the younger." 9:13 So it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." 9:14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not! 9:15 For He says to Moses: "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 9:16 So then, it does not depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth." 9:18 Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden. 9:19 One of you will say to me, "Then why does God still find fault? For who can resist His will?" 9:20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, "Why did You make me like this?" 9:21 Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use? 9:22 What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction? 9:23 What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the vessels of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory- 9:24 including us, whom He has called not only from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles? 9:25 As He says in Hosea: "I will call them 'My People' who are not My people, and I will call her 'My Beloved' who is not My beloved," 9:26 and, "It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' they will be called 'sons of the living God.'" 9:27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved. 9:28 For the Lord will carry out His sentence on the earth thoroughly and decisively." 9:29 It is just as Isaiah foretold: "Unless the Lord of Hosts had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah." 9:30 What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 9:31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 9:32 Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 9:33 as it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame."
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g. Galatians 3:16,28–29
Galatians 3:16; Galatians 3:28–29
3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
3:16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, "and to seeds," meaning many, but "and to your seed," meaning One, who is Christ. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise.
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h. Romans 4:9–14
Romans 4:9–14
4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
4:9 Is this blessing only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. 4:10 In what context was it credited? Was it after his circumcision, or before? It was not after, but before. 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 4:12 And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. 4:13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 4:14 For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless,
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i. Genesis 15:18; Genesis 17:8–11; Genesis 12:6–7; Genesis 13:15–17; Genesis 15:16
Genesis 15:18
15:18 In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land-from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates-
Genesis 17:8–11
17:8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. 17:9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
17:8 And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing-all the land of Canaan-as an eternal possession; and I will be their God." 17:9 God also said to Abraham, "You must keep My covenant-you and your descendants in the generations after you. 17:10 This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. 17:11 You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.
Genesis 12:6–7
12:6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. 12:7 And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.
12:6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the Oak of Moreh at Shechem. And at that time the Canaanites were in the land. 12:7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "I will give this land to your offspring." So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
Genesis 13:15–17
13:15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 13:17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
13:15 for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever. 13:16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted. 13:17 Get up and walk around the land, through its length and breadth, for I will give it to you."
Genesis 15:16
15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
15:16 In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete."
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j. John 1:12; Romans 2:28–29; Philippians 3:3; Galatians 3:26–28
John 1:12
1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
1:12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God-
Romans 2:28–29
2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
2:28 A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. 2:29 No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise does not come from men, but from God.
Philippians 3:3
3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
3:3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh-
Galatians 3:26–28
3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible