Abraham, Father of Faith part 9 “The Seal of your Faith”
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9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
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.
11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
Introduction
Introduction
Abraham has been called out of Ur of the Chaldees, separated from his brethren, seen the promise confirmed with signs and wonders, had Jehovah reveal Himself as El Shaddai, but now his faith must be recognized by an irreversible seal in his flesh, a token of the covenant.
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
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.
10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
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:
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.
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.
Paul is saying that circumcision is not what saved Abraham, but it was a seal of his faith.
It was proof of the covenant.
Why do I need the Baptism of the Holy Ghost?
Why do I need the Baptism of the Holy Ghost?
Bro. Branham told of the dean of a Lutheran school who challenged him on why he needed the Holy Ghost. Isn’t faith enough?
He said, “But Abraham believed God, Brother Branham, and it was imputed to him for righteous, because he believed. What more can a man do but believe?”
I said, “It’s all a man can do.” I said, “You believe and accept Christ as personal Saviour; that’s your faith. But remember, God gave Abraham a seal of circumcision as a confirmation of his faith.”
And I said, “Then, and that was the Old Testament. In the New Testament, when we say we believe, God gives us the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is a seal of confirmation.
Ephesians 4:30 says, ‘Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you’re sealed until the day of your redemption.’ See? It’s a seal that God has recognized your faith.
But if He hasn’t give you the Holy Ghost yet, He’s never recognized your faith. 57-0115 - "God Keeps His Word"
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
I said, “Remember, God recognized Abraham’s faith. He believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness, that’s true, but then God gave him the seal of circumcision, as a sign, a sign to him.”
Not that his flesh, circumcised, had anything to do with his soul, but it was a sign that He had (God had) recognized his faith.
And He gives us the sign, of the Holy Ghost, that He has recognized us as believers. 63-0901M - "Token"
Now, when we receive Christ as our Saviour, then, if we’re sincere in that, then God gives us a sign, that He has received our faith in Christ, by giving us the seal of circumcision, which is the Holy Ghost.
That’s the seal of circumcision. “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby you’re sealed to the Day of your Redemption.” Not to the next meeting; but to the Day of your Redemption.
Now, if you say, “Oh, I’m a believer,” and God has never give you the Holy Ghost yet, He’s never recognized it. You’re just confessing that you believe.
But when all the doubt…I’m not saying you’re not a believer now. In a certain portion, you are a believer.
But when God has found favor, you found favor with Him, rather, and He recognizes you to be His child, and He knows your heart, and He sees your sincerity, He knows all things are cut away from you.
Then He seals you into the Kingdom of God, by the Holy Ghost, proving to the world that He has accepted what faith you profess to have in Him. 62-0121M - "And Thy Seed Shall Possess The Gate Of His Enemy"
God had told Abraham that his seed would sojourn in a strange land for 400 years.
6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.
7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.
8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.
Joseph is sold into slavery, and they were removed from the land of promise all those years.
They had a promise that Egypt would be judged, and they would come forth with great substance.
There were circumcised Jews, Abraham’s seed, who did not believe Moses message.
Though they were Jews, and could prove it, their firstborn still died, because the token changed from circumcision to blood on the doorpost.
13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
Get the point now. The Jews, no matter how much they could prove that they were circumcised, but the token had to be showed. If not there, the covenant was not effective. It wasn’t.
Same now, same thing. No matter what you do, no matter how much you can explain the Bible. You might be a Bible student. Oh, my! You might say, “I’m a believer, and everything.” But still the Token is required. 63-0901M - "Token"
Now you’re under the Spirit, under the Holy Spirit. You believe the Message of the day, see, you believe the power, the Pillar of Fire. You believe that, see, and you do.
Now, now look, just to believe It is not enough. To walk around where It’s at, isn’t enough. See, that’s to make yourself worse, “For he that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it’s sin.” 63-0901M - "Token"
Apply It, church! Now don’t fail. Will you now? Don’t, don’t, don’t let the sun set. Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t rest, day or night. Don’t take no chance. It won’t work, children. It won’t work. You must have the Token!
You say, “I believe. Yes, I go. I, yeah, I believe the Message. I…” That’s all right, but, that’s good.
But you must have the Token! Do you hear, Branham Tabernacle? You must have the Token displayed! Without It, all your believing is in vain.
You’ll live a good life; you listen to what the Word says; you go to church; you try to live right; that’s fine, but that’s not It. “When I see the Blood,” that’s the Token. 63-0901M - "Token"
Don’t just come this far, say, “I believe the Message.” You obey the messenger. Come into Christ! You say, “Well, I believe every Word said, Brother Branham.” That’s good, but that’s just being able to read.
Take the Message, take It into your heart, that you must have the Token, the very Life that was in Christ be in you. “When I see That, I will pass over you.”
Bro. Branham tells them about the end time signs:
We’re at the end time. I don’t see nothing left.
You say, “What about the mark of the beast?” Those who reject the Holy Spirit is already marked by the beast. The punishment will come later.
(Jesus only read that part of the Scripture that was for that day. “This day this scripture is fulfilled”.)
Now this is what He is going to do today. This is what He is speaking, through His anointed Spirit, to the church today: Now is the hour. Now is the time. Receive It, people. Receive It! 63-0901M - "Token"
When we see these things upon the earth today, oh, people, this is the last hour. Get that Token over you, quickly as you can; or, you get in the Token, get in the Token. As we see the great end sign, and the time at hand, warning us, “Time is at hand.”
Oh, take this solemnly! We should love one another. Oh, my! We should be so in love! Don’t never speak evil against one another.
If somebody makes a mistake, pray for him right quick. We are together in this, with God. We are brothers and sisters. Oh, live godly. Live, live like daughters of God, live like sons of God. Live sweet, kind, humble.
Let no evil come in your mind, in your thinking. Just, just dismiss it. If it knocks on the door, take it away. Just say, just show your Token, just keep walking, “I am under the Blood!”
We been keeping the Lamb up now for quite a while, watching, seeing what He is doing, watching His nature and everything, but now the Token has got to be applied.
It’s got to be applied. It’s the only thing. “Except a man be born of the Spirit, and of water, he will in no wise enter in.” And should love one another. Believers should separate themselves from the world. Don’t just take it now lightly.
Now, you people that’s listening to This, on tape, you women, you men, you listen a minute. If you ever believed me, you believe It now.
It’s time for to quit fussing with one another. Believe the Message of the Bible! Believe Jesus Christ! And love, and honor, and respect one another. Men respect your wives. You respect your homes.
Bring your home together, because, remember, this Lamb was for the home, not just one; for the whole home, too, had to be brought. Everything had to be brought in. We should love each other. And believers should separate themselves from the world.
Notice, they were not just yet come together to talk about the message. They come together to apply the blood, to apply the token.
That’s what you must do. Pastor Neville, and to this congregation, trustees, deacons, to you brethren, it’s time that we laid aside all the foolishness of the world, time we laid aside everything else.
We’ve seen enough now, till we are positive, sure. And the Token must be applied. Without It, you’re going to perish; you must perish, that’s the only thing.
Oh, don’t come together, say, “I believe It.” Get beneath It, get into It! 63-0901M - "Token"
What is the token today? The literal life of Jesus Christ coming back on the believer.
There were Jews at the temple offering bloody lambs as sacrifices. Keeping even the letter of Moses law, but their faith was not recognized. The lamb of God was on Calvary.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
On the day of Pentecost His Spirit came back on the disciples, as a Token that He had recognized their faith.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
They needed to be sealed before they could begin their ministry.
We must have the the Holy Ghost, or we cannot manifest the Word of our day.
Paul found some Baptist believers in Ephesus:
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
How did Abraham prove his faith? By circumcision. How did Moses prove his faith? By the literal blood. How do we prove our faith?
The Holy Ghost is our Witness. He is the proof. He is the seal. He is the bona fide rights. He is the abstract deed to every Word God spoke. Amen!
He is a witness that Christ lives. And because He lives, we live also. He is the bona fide statement. 61-1105 - "The Testimony Of A True Witness"
We are not our own witness, He is our witness.
Possessing a deed to property does not prove ownership of it.
It’s an evidence, but not proof. A deed is a claim to rights, but a deed can be forged. The deed must be sent to the Abstract Company and the title must be searched back to the beginning to really have proof.
The Abstract with your name on the front proves that you can enforce your rights to that property, and that the law will stand behind it.
God gave Abraham a promise. Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness. But He sealed the covenant by the seal of circumcision.
And God gives you a promise, potentially, that you will receive it, and you’re going to be raised up, this body is going to be glorified with Him at the end time. But, you see, you have to get a clearance on that deed.
And the clearance is when everything against it has been stricken off, and you got the abstract to it. You’ve got the seal. It’s yours. Everything is on it belongs to you. Amen.
And when we believe on Jesus Christ for our Saviour, and repent and are baptized, and come up to believe Him; God recognizes our repentance and our faith towards Him, and sends down the abstract.
And the abstract is the assurance. It’s the guarantee that, everything was ever held against you, you thoroughly repented. Hallelujah! And the property is boughten, and you hold the abstract for the assurance.
Let somebody try to put you off the land, say he belongs, and you with the abstract in your hand. Let him try to do it. There ain’t a law in the land can do it, because you hold the abstract.
And there’s no devil, no church, or any theology, that can overstep the boundaries of God’s proof and abstract, that the baptism of the Holy Ghost has recognized us in Jesus Christ. We’re just as sure to raise as He raised, because potentially we have already raised in Him. Amen.
What does it do to our mortal bodies? It turns our opinion, changes our notions. It sets our affections on things which are Above. And the smoking, drinking, gambling, the things that you used to do, is dead. It’s beneath you.
And you are quickened. And this quickening power brings your body into a raptured condition, already. Notice the pentecostal people up there, when they got quickened by the Holy Spirit.
Listen to me. When those pentecostal group up there, on the Day of Pentecost, received their abstract deed from God, sure, it glorified their souls.
They screamed. They saw tongues of Fire separated upon each of them. And it so quickened their body, till they couldn’t even speak in an earthly language anymore.
It quickened their body to a Heavenly language, the Place they’re going to. Quickening power of God shook their mortal bodies so, till their entire mortal language was transfigured, transformed into an immortal language. What a quickening power! What? Something that belongs.
“If the Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwells in your mortal bodies, It shall also quicken your mortal bodies.” We are quickened then by the power of the living God.
Tongues, quickened to a new Heavenly language, to speak to them; a rapturing up, raising up into a different atmosphere than what they had ever lived in.
Also, with the new quickening Life to them, that come in them, It quickened their language. They spoke in new tongues. Oh, yes!
Now watch them. It also was designed to give them, after this abstract, it was designed to give them every promise that was on the grounds.
Every promise on the grounds of God’s Word, that was promised in the Bible, that quickening power was give to them, to quicken that promise to them.
Therefore, they laid hands on the sick, they was healed. They spoke in new tongues. They done great signs and wonders, because that was in God’s promise. And when Jesus died, to redeem that back to them, the grounds that belonged to sons of God, He demonstrated what God was.
How dare we to socialize that and put it into an organization? We have no rights to do that.
It’s the Holy Spirit, today, hunting out honest hearts that will believe that Message. Everything in the Bible, that was promised, is to that believer. And when you accept it in its fulness, and God knows that you’ll do it, He gives you the abstract to that.
And then every promise that’s made is in your possession, and the Holy Spirit is there to quicken that to you. Oh, my! What kind of people should we be? 65-0410 - "The Easter Seal"
Conclusion
Conclusion
How will I know I have the Token?
Look, what were you, and what are you? There is how you know. See? What was you before this Token was applied? What are you after It’s applied?
What was your desires before, and what is your desires after? Then you know whether the Token is applied or not. And these other things just automatically go with That. 63-0901E - "Desperations"
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