Subject: Salvation for the Gentiles |
Bible Note: Hello Yensla, Doc has provided a very comprehensive and Biblically sound answer to this question. However, in answer to your 2 specific questions, here are my replies: 1. If you would, could you explain how was a Jew saved, prior to Christ's atonement, proselyte or not? I believe that there has been and is only one way of salvation, and that is by faith in God’s only provision for our salvation, Jesus Christ. In Romans 1:18—3:20 Paul demonstrates that all men (Jews and Gentiles alike) are lost in their sin, and incapable of saving themselves. The only provision is the shed blood of Jesus Christ (3:21-30). Peter is very clear when he speaks to the Jews that they can only be saved by faith in Christ (Acts 2:22-42 – Note especially Acts 4:8-12), as was Paul (Acts 13:16-41; Philippians 3:1-16). Jesus said that Abraham “saw His day” (John 8:56). Paul has some very strong words to say about those who come with a different gospel (Galatians 1:6-10). Paul makes it clear that Old Testament saints (specifically Abraham) were saved by faith, and not by works (see Romans 4). Old Testament Jews were condemned as sinners by the law, and were saved by the One who was promised to come to save them (Genesis 3:15; 12:1-3 – note especially Galatians 3:16 here; Deuteronomy 18:15ff.; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; 52-53 – compare Luke 2:21-38). 2. Was it by the works of the Law? No, salvation always has been by grace through faith! ( Rom. 4:2-3; Gal. 2:16) Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |