Scripture Reading: Genesis 17:5, Acts 13:9
Several people in Scripture are given name changes by the Lord: Sarai/Sarah,Jacob/Israel,Simon/Peter. Each oft hese carries some significance, but no name change bears more significance than those of Abraham and Paul.
Abram became Abraham at the time of his circumcision. (See Genesis 17.) This signaled anew chapter in God's dealings with men. At this time, a ritual was added as a demonstration of faith for those who would join themselves to the covenant of God. From this point on, circumcision (and later, other rituals) distinguished the people of God from other peoples of the earth. This ritual was so much a part of the prophetic program of God that God identifies the kingdom gospel committed to the Apostle Peter as "the gospel of the circumcision" (Galatians 2:7b).
Saul became Paul at the time that God removed circumcision (and all other Jewish rituals) as a required demonstration of faith. (See Acts 13:39; 15:1,2.)
Is it not interesting that the discussion of whether or not circumcision was required for salvation did not come up until after Paul's first missionary journey? Peter and the rest of the twelve apostles had been preaching for over ten years at this point, yet they said nothing about a removal of circumcision or the law. That is because it was committed to Paul to reveal after Israel had been offered (and rejected) the kingdom through the preaching of the twelve.
What great significance we see in the name changes of Abraham and Paul!
How
God Saves Men
Believing
Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing
Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
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Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
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