The first step along the way of life, then, is belief of the things that God has promised. This is enjoined by Jesus when he gave his last commission to the apostles: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15,16). “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt 28:18-20). When men are so “taught” by the word of God, they manifest faith in the things He has promised. Without this faith men are not well pleasing to God (Heb 11:6).
In support of their teaching the apostles turn to the Old Testament to find in Abraham an outstanding illustration of the way to secure God’s approval. “Abraham believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Gen 15:6). The whole of the fourth chapter of Romans is devoted to unfolding the implication of this statement; and at the end of the chapter Paul declares that it was “not written for Abraham’s sake alone, but for us also, to whom righteousness shall be imputed, if we believe on God” (Rom 4:23,24). “The gospel is the power of God unto salvation”, but it is ineffective unless it is believed; so Paul adds “to everyone that believeth” (Rom 1:16).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One