Grace in Focus Podcast Summary

Episode: If Genesis 15:6 Is Where Abraham Was Born Again, How Did He Call on the Lord Before That?
Date: February 11, 2026
Hosts: Bob Wilkin, Ken Yates
Produced by: Grace Evangelical Society

Overview

This episode addresses a nuanced theological question: If Abraham was justified (i.e., "born again") in Genesis 15:6, how could he have been calling upon the Lord or building altars prior to that (e.g., in Genesis 12)? Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates discuss various interpretations of these passages, examine related New Testament evidence, and distinguish between justification, sanctification, faith, and worship. They also reference implications for assurance, rewards, and salvation, addressing classic Free Grace perspectives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Genesis Timeline: When Was Abraham Justified?

• Listener’s Question: If Genesis 15 is when Abraham was justified, why was he calling on the Lord and building altars in Genesis 12?

• Genesis 15:6 – "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness."

• Genesis 12:8 – Abraham builds an altar and "calls on the name of the Lord" (prays and worships).

• Some Bible teachers argue Abraham was saved in Genesis 12, not 15.

• The possibility of a Hebrew grammatical aspect (the VAV consecutive) – could Genesis 15:6 mean "now, he had believed in God"?

  “There are some good teachers that suggest that Abraham was saved in Genesis 12.” (Ken Yates, 02:21)

2. New Testament Reflections and Interpretations

• Paul’s Citations:

  • Paul cites Genesis 15:6 (Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6) to support justification by faith apart from works.
  • Galatians 3:8 refers to the earlier promise (Genesis 12) but applies it to the scope of blessing (to Gentiles).

  “If Genesis 12:1-3 is where Abraham came to faith, why doesn’t Paul cite that?” (Ken Yates, 04:32)

• Hebrews 11 Arguments:

  • Hebrews 11 describes Abraham’s faith (even before Genesis 15), suggesting his actions prior to Genesis 15 were by faith.
  • Some suggest this means Abraham was already a believer, since "leaving Ur" happens prior to the events of Genesis 15.

• Interpretational Summary:

  • Justification by faith is implicit in Genesis 12, but Abraham may not have comprehended or believed it until Genesis 15.

  “Justification by faith apart from works, is implicit in Genesis 12:1,3. But Abraham didn’t get it and believe it until Genesis 15:6.” (Bob Wilkin, 06:57)

3. Calling on the Lord and Unbelievers’ Worship

• Can Unbelievers Call on the Lord?

  • Yes; examples from Scripture show that unbelievers can pray, seek, and worship God before salvation.
  • Acts 10: Cornelius is described as devout, generous, a prayerful "God-fearer"—but he is not born again until Peter preaches Christ to him (Acts 10:43; Acts 11:14).

  “He wasn’t born again or saved until Peter evangelized him in Acts 10...that’s when they were born again.” (Bob Wilkin, 08:52)

  • Acts 16: Lydia participated in prayer with a worshiping group before coming to faith through Paul.

• Calling on the Lord Means:

  • Both praying and worshiping (bowing down, not just singing or reciting prayers).
  • Unbelievers can seek God, engage in worship, or participate in religious activities prior to conversion.

  “Any unbeliever can do that… Most unbelievers, or at least many, call upon the Lord before they’re saved. Absolutely, they’re seeking him.” (Ken Yates & Bob Wilkin, 11:30–11:49)

4. Rewards and Pre-Conversion Works

• Laying Up Rewards:

  • Are pre-conversion acts of worship or goodness credited as eternal rewards?
  • Hosts tentatively suggest pre-conversion acts can’t lay up rewards, but such acts can still please God or influence one’s future effectiveness as a believer.

  “I don’t think we can lay up rewards before we’re born again, but I do think we can do things before we’re born again that please God… those things can later influence the rewards we lay up.” (Ken Yates, 09:57)

  • Negative influences (e.g., substance abuse) can diminish future service potential after coming to faith.

5. Worship, Salvation, and Biblical Language

• “Calling on the Lord” in Scripture sometimes means ongoing participation in a worshiping community, not a one-time prayer.

  • Romans 10 and Joel 2 refer to believers calling on the Lord for deliverance and participation in worship, but the act itself does not guarantee the person is already justified.
  • Unbelievers may be drawn to God, seek God, and even join in worship before being born again.

  “How many people went to church before they were born again?” (Bob Wilkin, 12:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Abraham’s Justification:

  “If he was justified and born again in chapter 12, it’s odd that we don’t find that stated in the New Testament.” (Bob Wilkin, 06:46)

• On Cornelius:

  “This blows the Calvinist view of total depravity out of the way.” (Ken Yates, 08:18)

• On Pre-Conversion Deeds:

  “I don’t think we can lay up rewards before we’re born again, but I do think we can do things before we’re born again that please God…” (Ken Yates, 09:57)

• On Worship and Salvation:

  “Any unbeliever can do that.” (Bob Wilkin, 11:30)
  “Most unbelievers, or at least many, call upon the Lord before they’re saved… they’re seeking Him.” (Ken Yates & Bob Wilkin, 11:49)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:10] Introduction of question: When was Abraham justified?
• [02:04] Discussion of Genesis 15:6 and Genesis 12:8.
• [03:27] Hebrews 11 and relevance to Abraham’s faith before Genesis 15.
• [04:06] Paul’s use of Genesis 15:6 and Galatians 3.
• [06:57] Synthesis: Implicit faith in Genesis 12, explicit belief in Genesis 15.
• [07:53] Laying up rewards and Hebrews 11.
• [08:02] Cornelius as an example of pre-conversion worship.
• [09:57] Can pre-conversion works influence future rewards?
• [10:41] Focus on Hayden’s original question: How did Abraham call upon the Lord before justification?
• [11:00] Meaning of “calling on the Lord” as prayer and worship, open to unbelievers.
• [12:02] Reference to Zane Hodges’ commentary and Romans 10.
• [12:43] Many unbelievers participate in worship before conversion.

Takeaway

The episode offers a thoughtful, nuanced answer: While Genesis 15:6 explicitly marks Abraham’s justification, Scripture shows that people can seek, worship, and even act in faith before experiencing saving faith. Calling on the Lord and building altars may denote spiritual seeking or participation in worship—actions possible for an unbeliever. Justification by faith alone remains vital, but the journey toward it can include significant spiritual activity prior to saving belief.

For further study:

• Zane Hodges, Commentary on Romans (esp. Romans 10:9–13)
• Hebrews 11, Acts 10 (Cornelius), Acts 16 (Lydia)

Visit: faithalone.org for more resources from the Grace Evangelical Society.