Before Jesus Came.
How were people saved??
...some people say faith in God.
But I have always heard it said...you have to believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins.....
"Salvation In the Old Testament"
Re: "Salvation In the Old Testament"
In the Old Testament, according to Hebrews 11, the saints received a good report because of their faith. We are told that Abraham was justified by his faith, and the same is implied about David (Rom.4:1-8). This seems to support the thesis that salvation was by faith in Old Testament times as well as now. However, in my opinion, "salvation" was a concept that involved considerably fewer privileges then than is the case since Jesus came.
We can say, without fear of contradiction, that the Old Testament saints experienced justification, as we do, by faith. However, in the New Testament, "salvation" includes full redemption of all that was lost in the fall (some aspects of which are yet to be realized at Christ's second coming). It includes the incorporation of the believer "in Christ," with all of the attendant privileges involved (e.g., "adoption," possession of the Holy Spirit and "the divine nature," co-inheritance of "all things," present power over the wiles of the devil, authority in prayer, etc.).
I believe that all the future aspects of salvation will be enjoyed also by the Old Testament saints, when Christ returns (Heb.11:16, 40/ Rom.4:13/ Ps.37:11/ Matt.5:5), but that they did not experience any of these New Covenant benefits during their earthly pilgrimages (Heb.11:13; 8:6-13).
We can say, without fear of contradiction, that the Old Testament saints experienced justification, as we do, by faith. However, in the New Testament, "salvation" includes full redemption of all that was lost in the fall (some aspects of which are yet to be realized at Christ's second coming). It includes the incorporation of the believer "in Christ," with all of the attendant privileges involved (e.g., "adoption," possession of the Holy Spirit and "the divine nature," co-inheritance of "all things," present power over the wiles of the devil, authority in prayer, etc.).
I believe that all the future aspects of salvation will be enjoyed also by the Old Testament saints, when Christ returns (Heb.11:16, 40/ Rom.4:13/ Ps.37:11/ Matt.5:5), but that they did not experience any of these New Covenant benefits during their earthly pilgrimages (Heb.11:13; 8:6-13).
Re: "Salvation In the Old Testament"
And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Hebrews 11:39,40
Paidion
Man judges a person by his past deeds, and administers penalties for his wrongdoing. God judges a person by his present character, and disciplines him that he may become righteous.
Avatar shows me at 75 years old. I am now 83.
Man judges a person by his past deeds, and administers penalties for his wrongdoing. God judges a person by his present character, and disciplines him that he may become righteous.
Avatar shows me at 75 years old. I am now 83.
Re: "Salvation In the Old Testament"
Thank you for the replies.
What I am getting at is What were the OT individuals "promised" as mentioned in Hebrews.
It looks to me like their obedience to God was attributed as Faith and therefore they were "Justified".
Why doesn't this application work today?
What did they have Faith in..."GOD"...thats it..they obeyed Him and therefore.....
Do you see where i am going with this???
What I am getting at is What were the OT individuals "promised" as mentioned in Hebrews.
It looks to me like their obedience to God was attributed as Faith and therefore they were "Justified".
Why doesn't this application work today?
What did they have Faith in..."GOD"...thats it..they obeyed Him and therefore.....
Do you see where i am going with this???
Re: "Salvation In the Old Testament"
You probably refer to the promise mentioned in the passage I quoted: Hebrews 11:39,40Philman wrote:What I am getting at is What were the OT individuals "promised" as mentioned in Hebrews.
It appears to refer to the promise mentioned in verses 8 and 9 of the same chapter:
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Paidion
Man judges a person by his past deeds, and administers penalties for his wrongdoing. God judges a person by his present character, and disciplines him that he may become righteous.
Avatar shows me at 75 years old. I am now 83.
Man judges a person by his past deeds, and administers penalties for his wrongdoing. God judges a person by his present character, and disciplines him that he may become righteous.
Avatar shows me at 75 years old. I am now 83.
Re: "Salvation In the Old Testament"
Thank you for the reply.
Paidion I am very aware of your views and positions. Your understanding of salvation doesn't really have any explanations needed on a subject like this.
To put it plainly IMO your views are more consistent with OT Faith then some other views in the "Christian" world.
My misunderstanding is with those who advocate the following.
Some would say this:
You can have faith in God but you MUST have Faith in Jesus Christ and his finished work of salvation in order to be saved.
I understand that FAITH is the common denominator but the issue stands...FAITH IN WHAT?
Paidion I am very aware of your views and positions. Your understanding of salvation doesn't really have any explanations needed on a subject like this.
To put it plainly IMO your views are more consistent with OT Faith then some other views in the "Christian" world.
My misunderstanding is with those who advocate the following.
Some would say this:
You can have faith in God but you MUST have Faith in Jesus Christ and his finished work of salvation in order to be saved.
I understand that FAITH is the common denominator but the issue stands...FAITH IN WHAT?