This episode spells out the superior age of the Spirit inaugurated by Christ, and it is all predicated on the personality of the Holy Spirit which Jews deny. Christ contrasted the best of the prior age in the person of John the Baptist with "the least in the kingdom of God." The least among partakers of the New Covenant in Christ are greater than the best of the Old covenant. (Matthew 11:11) Christ inaugurated the New Covenant in His blood, and the Holy Spirit applies the Covenant to the world, convicting people of sin, righteousness and judgment leading to repentance and faith in Christ. (John 16:8-11)(1 Corinthians 12:3) When one is subsequently born again, he partakes of the divine nature, becoming a temple of the very personal Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:4) Conviction, repentance, faith and regeneration all involve the PERSONAL role of the Holy Spirit. It naturally follows that rejection of the PERSON and role of the Holy Spirit, who applies the New Covenant of Christ to the unregenerate, results in condemnation. No one comes to the Father except through Christ (John 14:6), and no one calls Jesus Lord except through the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3 Salvation then presumes the personal involvement of each member of the Trinity aimed at reconciling the world back to that Triune God. Isaiah 48:16 says "the Lord God has sent Me [the Messiah}, and His Spirit." The singular essence and salvific purpose of the godhead consequently requires that rejection of either the Son or the Spirit MEANS rejection of the Father who sent them. For this reason, Christians and Jews (who reject Christ and the Holy Spirit) do not believe in the same God.
Sons of Abraham Follow His Example
This episode spells out the significance of the covenant God made with Abraham in Genesis 15, in light of the rest of the Scriptures. The previous episode noted that Abraham was justified by faith (Genesis 15:6), and Abraham rejoiced when he saw his perfect representative in Christ. (John 8:56) God did not make a covenant with Abraham directly but made it through his representative. These foundational planks of Judaism help answer the question "do Jews and Christians believe in the same God?' To the extent that Jews continue to relate to God in the manner of Abraham, they believe in the same God as Christians. Christ came 2,000 years ago, perfectly fulfilling the hope of Abraham, who saw Christ's day and was glad. (John 8:56) Just as Abraham believed and saw his perfect representative in Christ, albeit in types of a "smoking oven" or a "flaming torch," believers in Christ become sons of Abraham when they put their faith in the second Adam.(Galatians 3:7) The emergence of the distinctive traits of Judaism in the father of Judaism, Abraham, point to their full development and expression in Christianity, highlighting the continuity between the Old and New Testaments.
Did Abraham See Christ?
This episode focuses narrowly on the explanation of John 8:56, in which Christ notes that Abraham "rejoiced to see My day and was glad." The explanation is very pertinent to the question, "Do Jews and Christians believe in the same God?" For if the father of Judaism, Abraham, actually saw the pre-incarnate Christ, in the context of making a covenant with Yahweh, then faith in God the Father is intimately linked with God the Son. Genesis 15:6-18 describes the covenant that God made with Abraham. When two parties made a covenant both would walk in between animals split in half, pronouncing blessings and curses for keeping the covenant. Abraham did not walk in between the animals but instead saw a "smoking oven and a flaming torch." When interpreted through the words of Christ, that Abraham SAW Christ's day and was glad, Abraham evidently saw his perfect representative, Christ, making a covenant with God the Father--good reason to rejoice. Abraham is described as "ungodly" in Romans 4:3, but is commended because he believes in God who justifies the ungodly. The Abrahamic covenant then anticipates the New Covenant that Christ instituted, in which ungodly men are justified by faith in Him. So even at the very beginning of Judaism, justification by faith in Christ, albeit not explicit, affirms the basis by which sinners approach a holy God, through a perfect representative. With respect to the question then, one can certainly say that Christians and the first Jew (Abraham) believed in the same God.
From Abraham to Us
In this episode host Victor Vigorito discusses the life of Abraham and the applicable lessons for believers today, particularly focusing on the themes of perseverance and the working out of God's promises in our lives.
Victor begins by introducing the topic, noting that they will continue discussing Abraham, emphasizing the importance of perseverance after receiving a promise. He reads from James 5, highlighting the need for patience, drawing parallels to farmers waiting for their crops. Victor explains that believers often find themselves in a "middle zone" between receiving a promise and its fulfillment, similar to a dry period between early and late rains. He warns that if not handled properly, believers might forfeit the blessings promised by God.
He references C.S. Lewis's "Screwtape Letters," reflecting on how new believers often experience early victories and encouragement but may later encounter periods of dryness. Victor expresses that such seasons are meant for spiritual growth, urging listeners to dig deep roots in their faith during these times.
He connects this to Abraham, who received the promise of becoming a father of many nations when he was 75 but waited many years for its fulfillment. Despite doubts and missteps, Abraham's faith and hope in God's promises are pivotal. Victor discusses the significance of the covenant God made with Abraham and how that covenant assures believers today.
He emphasizes that all the promises of God come through the new covenant in Christ, suggesting that believers should return to Jesus's sacrifice for hope and certainty. Abraham's hope came from understanding that God would fulfill His promises, just as believers find assurance in Christ’s work.
Victor mentions that believers also receive a down payment of their inheritance through the Holy Spirit, providing a taste of eternal life here and now. He stresses the transformative power of God, exemplified in Abraham's life where he ultimately trusted God's preserving power, even in challenging commands.
Throughout the episode, Victor reinforces three key elements in the working out of God's promises: hope derived from God's covenant, the inheritance symbolized by Isaac as a down payment, and God’s power at work in believers. He wraps up by reading from 1 Peter about being born again to a living hope, receiving an inheritance, and the power of God that protects and transforms the faithful.