Doctrines (posted Thursday, March 15 2007)

Human history is made up of a number of periods of time during which God's people worship and honor Him in different ways. For example, the Jews had the Mosaic Law after the exodus from Egypt and believers today live through Grace and the law of love.

However, eternal salvation has always come to God's people through faith alone in His Grace and work.

How were people saved before Christ?

Before Christ's work was complete, people were not able to believe that the Messiah had paid the price for their sins. However, they were able to express faith in God's promise that they would be saved by His work alone on their behalf. This applied both to Jews and Gentiles, just as it does today.

- Genesis 15:5-6 He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

- Exodus 4:29-31 Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites, and Aaron told them everything the Lord had said to Moses. He also performed the signs before the people, and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

- 1 Kings 18:3 and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of his palace. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the Lord)

- 2 Chronicles 20:20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful."

- Isaiah 26:1-4 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts. Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.

- Isaiah 43:10-11 "You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.

- Jonah 3:5 The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

- John 1:6-7 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.

As well, note the number of times that the Lord only wanted His chosen people to believe in Him, above all else. Yes, there were laws and sacrifices to be followed by the nation as a way of life, but His dearest desire was for their faith alone.

- Numbers 14:11 The Lord said to Moses, "How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?

- Psalm 78:21-22 When the Lord heard them, he was very angry; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel, for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.

- Hebrews 4:2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.

- Jude 1:5 Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.

What did Christ teach concerning salvation?

During Christ's ministry on earth, faith was also preached. At this time, the act of sacrifice was yet future, but still Jesus taught that faith would be the saving act.

- Matthew 9:28-29 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" "Yes, Lord," they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you";

- Matthew 21:32 "For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."

- Luke 23:42-43 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

The Gospel of John actually contains the word "believe" and variations of it at least 75 times.

Just as in prior eras, the failure to believe in God's saving work was acknowledged as the reason for condemnation. The religious leaders of Jesus's time even acknowledged that faith was necessary, they simply refused to do it.

- Matthew 27:41-42 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him."

- Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Conclusion

Therefore, the clear teaching of scripture is that faith is the only part of salvation which God has ever required of mankind. He has done all of the work. Since the beginning of time, He has only desired that we should believe in the salvation that He has provided.

BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.