237. * But because the Jewish Church, in itself, must be one and the same with the Church truly Christian, as was the earliest or infant Church, therefore, so that that Church might be portrayed as an inner one, Abraham depicts a belief that makes one righteous. The fact that belief was accounted to him because he had believed the promise concerning Isaac, who was to be the promised son [Gen. 15:4-6], could not have made Abraham righteous, unless at the same time he had believed that by the promised son was meant the Messiah, Who was to be born, and Who is the One Only promised Son.* Neither could his obedience in being willing to sacrifice Isaac [Gen. 22:12] have made Abraham righteous, unless he had believed that the Messiah, here clearly figuratively portrayed, was the sacrifice for the whole human race. We do not read whether such a belief had been inspired into Abraham at the time. Nevertheless, Abraham does thus portray a belief that makes one righteous. See more on this subject above, paragraphs [WE] 5573-74. [Abraham; Belief (Faith); Portrayal (Representation)] * In the original this paragraph is emphasized by the word "Obs." written twice in the margin.