Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Acts 20:26-32.

Division Hinders Evil As far as God's blessing and divine direction is concerned, it is not falling on anyone except Abraham's seed. Now, do not jump to the conclusion that I am referring to the literal Jews over in Israel. No, God made two moves through the Old Testament to set back evil in the world. The first move we read about is found in the 7th Chapter of Genesis. It was made by destroying all men, except Noah and his family, from the face of the earth with a flood. God moved to set back evil. Terrible sinfulness had gotten hold of the heart of man to the place that he had corrupted the earth and made God sick. So God made a move and destroyed the whole then-known world, except Noah and his family. The second move is found in the 11th Chapter of Genesis--the Tower of Babel. Once again, after man inhabited (repopulated) the earth, he corrupted himself and corrupted the way of the earth. He got so far out that he decided to build an independent way to Heaven. Up to that time, man was all of one language, so God came down and confused their language, so that the brick tender couldn't call for more mortar. The drovers couldn't understand the loaders; the workers couldn't understand their bosses--no one could understand the other and they dispersed out over the earth. Now to make an up-to-date statement. It may shock you--it may amaze you--but think about it, think about it, think about it: the possibilities of evil are less when men are segmented than when they are united. This lesson shines forth in the incident of the Tower of Babel. God saw that evil would be lessened if He segmented (separated) one person from another. In the darkness that our great nation is in, today, there are great moves being made, work being done day and night, to bring a bunch of "religious" folks together, under the name of "Tolerance" for "all beliefs". I am NOT talking about lack of tolerance for people--truly we MUST all live together in this world. However, this is talking about bringing all manner of religions together. We all know that we have trouble now with the races and various cultures among nations--that is meanness toward people. However, conditions would be MUCH worse if we had a one-world idea, or a one-world church. God saw it best to disperse men when they were sinful and corrupt, when they would not work for God and live for Him. We need to realize that bringing people together WITHOUT a change of nature, without a change of heart, will not change them. This is the very falseness at the core of the National and World Council of Churches. They are bringing church members together, saved and UNsaved, and they think they are going to have a wonderful time. My friend, they are only going to have more trouble. The more you try to bring people together who have not had their nature changed, who are not God's people, the more trouble you will have. They are moving today, trying to bring all denominations (doctrines) together. Catholicism is calling Protestantism their brother and wants to unite with one another. Mark it down: bring a whole bunch of sheep and goats together will not make them all sheep! They say that they are supposedly answering the prayer of Christ, found in the 17th Chapter of John, but they are missing it by a million miles. In Genesis 11:6-8, when God confounded the languages, He dispersed the people. When He did that, they left off building the city. They could not build the tower any longer. God made two great moves to destroy sin from the world: by destroying the then-known world and by dispersing mankind, dividing them from one another. From the 12th Chapter of Genesis through the Revelation, however, never once did God ever endeavor to change the world. Think about that, won't you? Oh, that might be a disturbing new thought, but consider it seriously. There is not a scripture in the Bible to support the idea that God is "changing the world". What then does God do? He is NOW calling people OUT of the world--to be in it, but NOT OF IT! Why? The world is done--it is doomed. The "world" are those who are not members of "the Church"--those who are blood-bought, born-again, sold-out-to-God, Bible-believing, Jesus-following people! God is not out to change the "world"--mens hearts are evil. They have turned to their own way and to doing their "own thing". So from the 12th Chapter of Genesis to the end of the Bible, God's call has been to COME OUT! The Gospel is a call to come out, be separate, or separate yourselves from the way of sin. Brother, you might as well set up a machine and try to take all the salt out of the ocean as to start a campaign to "clean up the world". The Bible says that the world is rotten and that it will be even more so when Jesus comes again. The message is to COME OUT. Revelation 18:4 tells us, And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Abraham's Seed As we study, being led by the Holy Ghost, we realize that "the Church" is NOT a church AMONG churches. It is NOT an organization of men--it is not started by men and it is not controlled by men! Many fail to realize the place that Abraham holds in God's redemption purpose. The Bible tells us that he is the ancestor of a CALLED-OUT people by faith. He is the father (the word father is used here--Greek for it means "the beginner"), the leader, the example of all who are called and obey God. He was not JUST the father of the literal Jews. We hope to clear up the terrible deception that people are in, thinking the Jews are God's ONLY chosen people and expecting God to do something for THEM at the second coming of Christ. Understand this: God is NO respector of persons. Friend, if you will take the Bible and come up through as we are in this study, you will see just exactly who God's people really are, beyond the shadow of a doubt. We want you to realize the place that Abraham holds in God's plan of redemption. In Abraham's day, a new and important era of human history commenced. Up to the day of Abraham, God maintained a general relationship to the whole human race, but at the Tower of Babel, when they refused God, God renounced them. Since that day, the ONLY people whom God directs and blesses is Abraham's seed. And who exactly are Abraham's seed? NOT everybody--ONLY those who have believed on God and acknowledged Him--those who have COME OUT of the world of sin and into righteousness through faith in God! If you can understand this, you will understand why Babylon (false religion) does not receive the truth. Some people feel that the Bible is written to everybody. No Sir! There is enough Gospel there for EVERY sinner to be saved, but not all will be. Since Abraham's day, God is speaking to, directing, and blessing Abraham's seed. Lot did not hear anything from God. All he heard from God was through Abraham. Through Abraham's prayer, the angels went down and pulled him out of Sodom. Follow Abraham right on to Isaac and Jacob--the twelve sons made up the twelve tribes of ancient Israel. The whole Old Testament was written to Abraham's seed. Come right on into the New Testament: who is it written to? Just Abraham's seed. Someone might say, "Oh, the New Testament is written to 'the Church'." Well, "the Church" IS Abraham's seed. God is NOT giving out HIS revelations, divine directions, or blessings to anyone BUT Abraham's seed. He dealt with the world as a whole up to that time, but the world refused him. We would get rid of a lot of confusion if we would realize this truth. A new era of time began in human history when god spoke to Abraham. At the tower of Babel, that relationship was broken by man, and it was here that mankind consummated their revolt against their Maker. In turn, God abandoned "the world" right there. Study the word heathendom. Every commentator will take you back to the 11th Chapter of Genesis--that is when heathenism began. It came from the hearts and minds of men who revolted against God to the place that He scattered them. When He scattered them, they went to their own gods, their own ways. Heathenism had its beginning right there. Romans 1:18-32 will tell you the same thing and give you a description of heathenism. From that point, God's dealings were virtually confined to Abraham and his posterity, and it has still NOT changed. His blessings and His directions, even Heaven, is for Abraham and his posterity. May God help us realize that Abraham is the ancestor of a CALLED OUT people. By faith, he is the father, the beginner, the leader, or the example of all who are called and obey. Circumcision Of The Heart Let's take a look at Romans 4:9-13. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then 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 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: 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. 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 was speaking to the Romans who thought that even New Testament salvation was only for the literal Jew. Paul began with the first and second chapters by telling them that a person is not a spiritual Jew by biology--genetics or by ritual (circumcision), but he is a Jew who is one inwardly--whose circumcision is of the heart, who walks NOT after the FLESH but after the SPIRIT. Here we begin to realize who a spiritual Jew really is. When Paul got to the 4th Chapter of Romans, he began to teach them that God made this covenant with Abraham while he was yet a heathen. Israel had it in their minds that Abraham was a Jew, or an Israelite, before God ever spoke to him. Paul taught them, however, that Abraham was a heathen. You may not believe (or accept) that, but Joshua 24:2 tells us, And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. Abraham was a heathen, or Gentile (those who are not Jewish by heritage/natural birth are called "Gentiles"--those who are not counted among the redeemed of God--spiritual Jews--are also known as Gentiles). God said to Abraham, Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:1-3. Abraham was a Gentile--there were no Jews. The literal Jews came into the picture through Abraham's children. Now let's look at Romans 4:12-17. 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. 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. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Oh, how I desire that people understand Verse 15 of that passage: "Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression." How can there be "ignorant sin" when Paul taught that where there is NO law, there is NO trangression? Paul was letting us know that God's great plan of salvation was not just for those under "The Law", because it was given to Abraham BEFORE "The Law" was ever given. It was NOT just for the literal Jews because it was given to Abraham when he was not a literal Jew. If the Jews will believe the Gospel and be saved, they will be a part of Abraham's children. Also, if we, as Gentiles, believe and walk in the steps of Abraham by believing and obeying God, then Abraham does indeed become the father, or leader, of us all. Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:1-3. That takes in MY family. There was something that was going to make every family of the earth be blessed, IF they were willing to receive that great blessing. So right in His initial call to Abraham, God let him know that it was not just for a number of chosen people, for the literal Jew or the Israelite nation that would spring from his lineage, but ALL families of the earth would be blessed through him (Abraham). Hear And Obey Let us read Galatians 3:6-9 together: Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. See what lies and misunderstandings preachers are presenting to people? They preach/teach that simply by biological birth, those literal Jews who are fastened in unbelief and reject the Messiah through unbelief are the children of Abraham. No! ONLY those who are of faith are the true children of Abraham! Abraham has NO unbelieving children! And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 6:8,9,14. Here, Paul definitely proves (by Genesis 12) that God will save the heathen. He proves that Abraham was, indeed, a heathen when the Gospel was first preached to him. The same Gospel preached to Abraham needs to be preached to our nation today: COME OUT from the life that you are living! Come out from the world, be a separate people, and walk with God. Verse 7 tells us Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. (Please note: it did NOT say "the same as" the children of Abraham--it plainly states, "the same ARE the children of Abraham".) Verse 9 tells us, So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. What DID Abraham believe? And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. What was that Gospel? "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee." (Genesis 12:1). Hebrews 11:8 tells us, By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Abraham heard, obeyed, and walked with God. So Paul preached that we are blessed with "faithful Abraham" IF we are of the faith. Thank God, he did not say "a faith" or "any faith"--he said, "THE faith". Who is really of "THE faith"? Those who hear and obey the Gospel. Galatians 3:8 tells us that the Gospel was before peached to Abraham. The word gospel comes from the Hebrew beriyth, which actually means a unilateral, or ONE-SIDED agreement. That is what the Gospel is, a unilateral covenant or agreement. (An agreement "normally" states what ALL parties will do--what makes The Gospel unilateral or ONE-SIDED is that God has ALREADY done HIS part! All that's left is for US to do our part--accept or reject Him!) When the Gospel is preached to you, you can accept or reject it. Our commission is to go preach the Gospel to every creature; he that believeth and is baptized will be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. This is the reason the Gospel is called a "unilateral agreement"--God's part IS SURE. When you receive it, believe it, and meet the conditions of it, it becomes a SURE agreement which Heaven stands back of and hell backs up from. The SAME Gospel was preached to Abraham back there, and he believed it.