2007-07-29 17:06:46 · 16 answers · asked by tremonster 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Since the fall of man, the basis of salvation has always been the death of Christ. No one, either prior to the cross or since the cross, would ever be saved without that one pivotal event in the history of the world. Christ's death paid the penalty for past sins of Old Testament saints and future sins of New Testament saints.
The requirement for salvation has always been faith. The object of one's faith for salvation has always been God. The psalmist wrote, "Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him" (Psalm 2:12). Genesis 15:6 tells us that Abraham believed God and that was enough for God to account it to him for righteousness (see also Romans 4:3-8). The Old Testament sacrificial system did not take away sin, as Hebrews 9:1-10:4 clearly teaches. It did, however, point to the day when the Son of God would shed His blood for the sinful human race.
What has changed through the ages is the content of a believer's faith. God's requirement of what must be believed is based on the amount of revelation He has given mankind up to that time. This is called progressive revelation. Adam believed the promise God gave in Genesis 3:15 that the Seed of the woman would conquer Satan. Adam believed Him, demonstrated by the name he gave Eve (v.20) and the Lord indicated His acceptance immediately by covering them with coats of skin (v.21). At that point that is all Adam knew, but he believed it.
Abraham believed God according to the promises and new revelation God gave him in Genesis 12 and 15. Prior to Moses, no Scripture was written, but mankind was responsible for what God had revealed. Throughout the Old Testament, believers came to salvation because they believed that God would someday take care of their sin problem. Today, we look back, believing that He has already taken care of our sins on Calvary (John 3:16; Hebrews 9:28).
2007-07-29 17:11:08 · answer #1 · answered by Freedom 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
tremonster: "Quiet Buck" has it pretty right. All people both, before Christ's first coming to the earth and thereafter, who never had the chance nor the opportunity for a spiritual relationship with God, the Father, will be afforded this at the Judgement Day. You see, God is in the SAVING business and has made provision for those not "called" (the "elect") in this life. In the end there will be lots of WINNERS . God had this in mind from the time Adam & Eve were created.
2007-07-29 17:20:53 · answer #2 · answered by guraqt2me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The one way that I can answer this is- "When Abraham believed, it was credited to Him as righteousness". Even in the OT there were so many things to pointing to the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sins- those who sacrificed to the Lord did it every year, to atone for their sins- when Jesus came He was the ultimate sacrifice. Everything done in temple was a forerunner of the coming of Christ. Does that help?
2007-07-29 17:11:47 · answer #3 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
each and each guy or woman stories loss of existence in a distinctive way. And comparable stories have occurred all the way by guy's existence in this earth. So i don't decrease fee in any respect what you experienced. The question will become "what's the factor of existence and then of loss of existence?". This answer has been around for as long as guy has been around if one believes in the Bible. I for one do have self belief it. Take care.
2016-10-01 00:22:45 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No that was the point to sacrifices in the old testament. One had to sacrifice to God and ask for forgiveness. Then Jesus came as the ultimate sacrifice. Now if you believe in him and what he did and that he arose on the 3rd day, you may now just pray for forgiveness from your sins and turn away from them and you will be forgiven.
2007-07-29 17:11:43 · answer #5 · answered by Prof. Dave 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you will remember, Jesus went into the "belly of the earth" when he died. He took the power of death from Satan, and gave anyone who wanted it a chance to "get out of jail free." (To believe on Him, and go to heaven.) There were graves that were ripped open...
2007-07-29 17:12:55 · answer #6 · answered by savannah 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If they believed in God and believed that the Messiah was going to come some day, they went to a place called "Paradise"...and once Jesus died, they went to Heaven.
That's just one theory, though...I believe other people think they just went straight to Heaven after they died.
2007-07-29 17:10:49 · answer #7 · answered by coolshades 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If they had faith and were looking forward to Messiah like Abraham was, they were saved.
They had a first chance just like we do.
We look backwards to Messiah, they had to look forward.
Abraham was saved or born again in Gen 15:6.
Pastor Art
2007-07-29 17:14:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
OT believers looked forward to the messiah. NT believers look back. All bible believers are saved because the bible points to Jesus. Woe to the hypocrites.
2007-07-29 17:13:28 · answer #9 · answered by wassupmang 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
those who were counted as righteous were moved into *heaven* .... Jesus went into the center of the earth, and took those out, the unrighteous were left behind in what we now know as hell.......that is the simple version of explanation........ God bless
2007-07-29 17:14:02 · answer #10 · answered by Annie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋