The People of God

"I will make you exceedingly fruitful."
GENESIS 17:6
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The People of God
Those who are circumcised are given the promise that they are the people of God and that God wants to be their God. This means that they are in the fellowship of the kingdom of God, since they have been justified by the justifying faith which the Lord grants them through His Spirit. If this was brought about with the Jews in the Old Testament through the medium of circumcision, why would God not do the same thing with the Gentiles through the medium of the new covenant of Baptism? The command (Matthew 28:19) pertains to all: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them . . ." Hence whereas circumcision was commanded only to the descendants of Abraham, Baptism is commanded to all the nations, with the promise of salvation if they believe. But if, by virtue of the promise, Abraham's descendants had the blessing that those circumcised on the eighth day would receive the gift of faith and become the people of God, why would this be denied the nations now united with God through the covenant of Baptism? For the situation of Baptism will not be worse than that of circumcision.
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