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NASB | Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him. |
Bible Question:
Jesus came to this world about two thousand years ago, where was the world going before him--to hell? |
Bible Answer: Nope. Those who came before Jesus' earthly ministry were saved via his substitutionary death on the Cross as well. Now, of course, the means of their justification wasn't as clear to them as is it to us who look back at the event rather than forward to it. However, God did reveal a coming redemption from Genesis 3:15 on. Throughout the Old Testament the coming Redeemer was foreshadowed and prefigured in the prophecies and in the sacrificial system under the Mosaic Covenant. However, faith in God's provision for our sins was the instrument through which the Old Testament saints were saved as well. Paul addresses this in Romans: "What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.' --Romans 4:1-5 Abraham was saved by God's grace alone through faith alone in God's promised redemption alone, just like we are. The Redeemer has been clearly revealed by God to us, but God's redemption has always been placed before His people. --Joe! |