Romans 4:9-12, Walking in the Steps of Faith
For the Jews, God meant circumcision to be an outward sign of an inward faith. It was an external manifestation of the faith that is in the heart. An evidence of the change that this is a people belonging to the living God of heaven. In the New Testament, water baptism has replaced circumcision as the outward affirmation of an inward faith.
Whether Jew or Gentile, circumcision or uncircumcision, we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. This is the blessedness that the Apostle Paul was speaking about. He cited Abraham and David’s example to bring home the truth that the Old Testament saints were saved also by faith in Jesus Christ.