LESSON X.—SABBATH, MARCH 4, 1893.
By Editor
THE SPIRIT AS A SEAL OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
[For any modification in these lessons, and for the notes, the editor is responsible. For other notes and suggestions the student is referred to the lesson pamphlet, and to the S. S. Worker.] Lesson Scriptures and Suggestive Questions.
1. Rom. 4:8-11: "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin. Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness. How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision; and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision; that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them." - Who is pronounced blessed?
- What two classes are mentioned in the first inquiry?
- How did Abraham attain to righteousness?
- Was this before or after he was circumcised?
- What sign did he receive?
- For what purpose was it given?
II. Rom. 2:28, 29: "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." - Do outward ceremonies make one a Jew?
- Who is the true Jew?
- What, then, is the true circumcision?
- Who is to approve it?
III. Gal. 3:13, 14: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree; that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." - From what has Christ redeemed us?
- How did he accomplish this?
- What blessing was thus brought to the Gentiles?
- As a result of this blessing what are we to receive?
ABRAHAM exercised the faith which brought righteousness before he received circumcision. Gen. 15:5, 6; 17:10. This was a sign, or seal, of the inward work. Now God has given a different sign, or seal, of the same inward work. Now every true Jew is a Christian, and every Christian is a Jew. Gal. 3:29. Now circumcision is of the heart only; then it was in the flesh, as a type of that of the heart. Deut. 10:16; 30:6. The blessing of Abraham is righteousness by faith, and this comes through the work of Christ. Having attained to this blessing through believing (Rom. 3:22; 10:10), we then receive the seal of righteousness (Eph. 1:13), which is the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). God gave of his Spirit without measure to Christ (John 3:34), thus witnessing to the fullness of his righteousness. The 144,000 are without fault (Rev. 14:5), and as a sign that they are all righteous (Isa. 60:21) they have received the latter rain (Zech. 10:1), as the children of Israel were all circumcised just before taking possession of the promised land (Josh. 5:2).