First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

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First Christian Voices

Abraham, called “the friend,” was found faithful, inasmuch as he obeyed the words of God. Being obedient, he went out from his own country, his relatives, and his father’s house, in order that by leaving a small territory, a weak family, and an insignificant house he might inherit the promises of God. For God said to him, Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Gen 12:1–3) And again, when Abraham departed from Lot, God said to him, Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. (Gen 13:14–16) And again it says, [God] brought [Abram] outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them. . . . So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. (Gen 15:5–6) On account of his faith and hospitality, a son was given him in his old age. And in the exercise of obedience, he