Abraham and All Believers Become God’s Children by Faith, Not by Water Baptism

Abraham was not declared righteous because of water baptism, circumcision, law-keeping, or any religious ceremony. Genesis 15:6 states the basis plainly: “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Abraham believed God, and God counted him righteous. There is no water baptism in the passage and no ceremony that completed his justification. God’s declaration came through faith alone.

The order is especially important. Abraham was declared righteous in Genesis 15, but he was not circumcised until Genesis 17, many years later. Circumcision did not make Abraham righteous. It outwardly marked the covenant relationship he already possessed through faith. Paul explains this directly in Romans 4:10–11: Abraham’s faith was credited as righteousness while he was still uncircumcised, and afterward he received circumcision as “the sign” and “a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised.”

Therefore, the covenant sign did not create Abraham’s righteousness, complete his salvation, or apply God’s promise to him. Abraham possessed righteousness before receiving the sign. This biblical order destroys the claim that an outward covenant ceremony must complete justification. If circumcision did not justify Abraham, water baptism cannot be made the instrument that justifies believers in Christ.

The Old Testament consistently presents Abraham as a man who lived by faith. He left his homeland because he trusted God’s promise in Genesis 12:1–4. He believed God’s promise concerning his descendant in Genesis 15:1–6. Hebrews 11:8 says, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed.” His obedience was the fruit of faith, not the cause of his justification.

The New Testament then identifies Abraham as the spiritual father of all who believe. Romans 4:11 says that he became “the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.” Romans 4:16 says the promise rests on faith and that Abraham is “the father of us all.” The connection between Abraham and believers is therefore faith, not a shared religious ritual.

Galatians 3:6 repeats Genesis 15:6: “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Paul then concludes, “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7). He does not say those who are baptized in water become Abraham’s children. He says those who possess faith are his spiritual children.

Galatians 3:8–9 goes even further. Scripture preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham when God promised that all nations would be blessed through him. Paul concludes, “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” Abraham is specifically identified as “faithful,” and those who share his faith share his blessing.

The same chapter directly explains how sinners become children of God: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26). The biblical text could not be clearer. We become God’s children through faith in Jesus Christ. Water baptism is not named as the means of sonship.

Galatians 3:27 then speaks of being baptized into Christ and clothed with Christ. This cannot overturn the direct statement in the preceding verse that believers are God’s children “by faith in Christ Jesus.” Paul is describing union and identification with Christ, not teaching that physical water creates sonship. The saving reality is belonging to Christ through faith. That is why verse 29 concludes, “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

John teaches the same truth. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Receiving Christ and believing in His name are the stated conditions. John then says these believers were born “of God” in John 1:13. He does not say they became God’s children through water baptism.

Jesus likewise promised eternal life to those who believe in Him. John 3:16 says that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 5:24 says the believer “hath everlasting life” and “is passed from death unto life.” John 6:47 says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” In each passage, eternal life is possessed through faith in Christ.

Paul states the same gospel in Romans 5:1: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Justification is through faith. Peace with God is through Christ. Water baptism is never presented as the act that completes Christ’s saving work or makes a believer God’s child.

Ephesians 2:8–9 declares, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Salvation comes by grace through faith. Baptism is an act of obedience commanded by Christ, but obedience follows salvation; it does not complete the saving work of Christ.

The biblical pattern is therefore unmistakable. Abraham believed God and was declared righteous before receiving the covenant sign. Those who believe in Jesus Christ are justified by faith, become children of God through faith, receive eternal life through faith, and become Abraham’s spiritual descendants through faith. Water baptism publicly identifies believers with Christ, but it does not make them righteous, make them God’s children, or complete the redemption Jesus accomplished on the cross.

I therefore reject any teaching that makes baptismal water the instrument of sonship or justification. Abraham was justified by faith. I am justified by faith in Jesus Christ. Every true believer becomes a child of God in the same fundamental way: by grace through faith in the promise of God fulfilled in His Son.

Salvation is only through a personal relationship with God the Father by grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. At the moment of saving faith, the believer is instantly and permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit — who regenerates, seals, leads, guides, empowers, and sanctifies in their walk with God.

Continue the Water Baptism series