A discussion about who can be saved, according to the Bible

Faith, in the Bible, refers to belief, trust, hope and obedience in the Lord – the One True God, who showed Himself to the world, through the Jews.

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But the salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [he is] their strength in the time of trouble. (KJV – Psalm 37:39)

“Abraham believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Gen 15:6)

“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.” (NAS – Hebrews 11:6)

“…without holiness no one will see the Lord….” (NIV – Hebrews 12:14-16)

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A Discussion of Scripture:

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7 Ways to Salvation

According to the Bible, there are at least seven ways that people have obtained the righteousness necessary for salvation:

1) Salvation for Believers before the Law of Moses -

There was Godly “Righteousness” and “Faith” before the “Law of Moses” and before the “Righteousness through Faith in Jesus Christ”.

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Faith and trust in the One True God was required for righteousness.

It says in Genesis 15:6:

“Abraham believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.”

And

“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.” (NAS – Hebrews 11:6)

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Here are some examples of individuals who were saved before the Law of Moses:

1) Hebrews Chapter 11 mentions Abel, Enoc, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, ……… and say, concerning them;

“all were approved through faith…” (Holman – Hebrews 11:39)

2) Noah and Job were listed as people who, according to God, were righteous enough to “save themselves by their righteousness”. (see Ezekiel 14:12)

2) Salvation for the Jews through the “Law of Moses”

Moses said:

“It will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all the commandment before the Lord our God, just as He commanded us.” (Deut 6:25)

Under God’s covenant, Jews are saved by faith in God and obedience to the Law of Moses.

Jesus said, to the religious Pharisees:

“It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Hosea 6:6 and NAS – Matthew 12-13)

This scripture proves that Jesus recognized that people were being saved by righteousness through faith and obedience to the Law of Moses.

The Jews who were not saved by adherence to the Laws of Moses failed because their pursuit of righteousness was by their own works rather than by faith in God.

The Bible says:

“But Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not achieved the law. Why is that? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.” (Holman – Romans 9:31-32)

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Here are some examples of individual Jews who were saved under the Law of Moses:

1) We know that Elijah and Moses were already saved, by faith and righteousness, because they appeared with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. (see Matthew 17)

2) We know that the beggar named Lazarus was already saved because Jesus told his story. (see Luke 16)

3) Daniel is mentioned in a list of people who, according to God, were righteous enough to “save themselves by their righteousness”. (see Ezekiel 14:12)

4) Hebrews, Chapter 11, mentions ….. Moses, ….., Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel and says, concerning them;

“all were approved through faith…” (Holman – Hebrews 11:39)

3) Salvation for Gentiles before the earthly birth of Jesus:

(Note that the word Gentile is used in the Bible to describe anyone that is not a Jew)

God speaks about salvation for people other than Jews.

Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people….” (NIV - Isaiah 56:3)

And again God says:

And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant – these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (NIV – Isaiah 56:6-7)

Old Testament salvation was not only for the Jews, but for anyone who is righteous. It says in Romans 2:14-16 (NAS):

“For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when according to the gospel God will judge the secrets of man through Jesus Christ.”

When God sees this righteousness “written in their hearts” He moves to reveal himself to that person just as He did for the foreign military leader Naaman. (2 Kings 5)

Paul said:

“There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.” (NIV - Romans 2:9-11)

and

“For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and [true] circumcision is of the heart – by the Spirit, not the letter. His praise in not from men but from God.” (Holman – Romans 2:28-29)

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Here are some examples of individuals who were Gentiles and were saved before the earthly birth of Jesus:

1) Naaman, the commander of the army of Aram, believed in the God of the Jews and was even given the grace to bow his knee at the alter of another god, since it was his duty to the king of Aram. (see 2 Kings 5)

2) Ruth, the Moabitess, is mentioned in the lineage of Jesus (see Luke 16)

3) Rehab, the harlot from Jericho, is mentioned in Hebrews Chapter 11 as a person who was:

“approved through faith…” (Holman – Hebrews 11:39)

4) Salvation for Christians through “Faith in Jesus”

Faith is counted as righteousness, as demonstrated by Abraham:

“Abraham believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Gen 15:6)

and:

“What shall we say then? Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness – namely the righteousness that comes from faith. (Holman – Romans 9:30)

and

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.

But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: ‘Do not say in your heart, who will ascend into Heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” – that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from, the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.’ ” (NAS – Romans 10:4-11)

and

“But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed – attested by the Law of the Prophets – that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Holman – Romans 3:21-24)

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Here are some examples of individuals who were Christians and were saved through faith in Jesus:

1) The 11 original disciples were promised, by Jesus, that they would judge the 12 tribes of Israel. (see Matthew 19:28)

2) Cornelius, the centurion, and his household. (see Acts 10)

3) Jesus declared that salvation had come to the house of the tax collector Zacchaeus. (Luke 19)

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It should be noted that the Bible requires repentance, a holy lifestyle, and endurance for believers if they are to be saved.

God counts “faith” as “righteousness” but God requires “right living” for those who continue in faith.

· Abraham was declared to be “righteous” because of his faith in God and Abraham maintained his “right living” until he died.

· The thief on the cross next to Jesus was righteous by faith and maintained his “righteousness” until he died.

· Christians are made “righteous” by “faith in Jesus Christ” but the writer of Hebrews indicates that immoral or irreverent persons are in danger of losing their birthright and the opportunity to repent:

Paul was talking to Christians when he said:

“Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness – without it no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many. And see that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for one meal. For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance, though he sought it with tears. (Holman – Hebrews 12:14-17)

There comes a point where Christians, who are continuing to live an immoral life style, may no longer have an opportunity for repentance even though they may cry out to God for forgiveness. Their immoral behavior has become an act of irreverence because, unlike the unbelievers, these irreverent Christians know the Truth about God and hold it in relative disregard.

(Note: God is the only one who is able to judge the intentions of the heart and is, therefore, the only one able to choose the individuals that will be saved.)

5) Salvation for people who are confronted by Jesus before their earthly death -

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Here are some examples of people who were saved by a confrontation with Jesus before their death:

1) The salvation of the thief, on the cross next to Jesus, is an example of direct intervention, or confrontation, by God, through Jesus. In this instance the confrontation occurred before Jesus had died in His earthly body. (see Luke 23)

2) The “Damascus Road Experience”

Paul’s experience, on the road to Damascus, is a “type” of one of the methods that God uses to change people. God has the power and the will to directly confront some people in order to correct and direct them. In this instance, Jesus confronted Paul from His position in Heaven. (Acts 9)

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Jesus still directly intervenes in the lives of ordinary people. Although the “Church” is part of God’s plan for salvation, it is not the “necessary” part – Jesus is the “necessary” part.

6) People who were saved by Jesus after their earthly death

Jesus said:

“I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.” (NIV - John 5:25)

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Here are some examples of people who were saved by a confrontation with Jesus after their earthly death:

1) People who died in the time of Noah -

“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.” (NIV – 1 Peter 3:18-20)

We can be sure that some of these spirits were saved because God’s word cannot return void. –

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void…” (KJV - Isaiah 55:11)

2) “Baptism for the Dead” -

The Bible indicates that it was an accepted practice, in churches that were under Paul’s authority, for believers to be baptized in the place of people that had already died. Paul says:

“Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they baptized for the dead?” (KJV – 1 Corinthians 15:29)

Paul had every opportunity to condemn this practice but he did not.

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In addition, we know that God has, according to the Bible, routinely raised people from the dead and has restored their natural bodies. There are still reports today about people being raised from their earthly death.

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The fact that a person is dead does not, in any way, restrict God’s power to restore or to save.

7) Salvation for anyone that God chooses to save

We must always be careful not to think thoughts that limit or restrict God. People are limited by the Law of Gravity but God is not. People are limited by time but God is not. People are limited but God is not.

God has never given up His sovereign right to save anyone that He wants to save. His actions, are by definition, righteous and do not need to be justified to anyone.

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God says:

I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” (NIV – Romans 9:14 about Exodus 33:19)

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In John 17:12, Jesus said, to the Father, that He had lost none of the ones that the Father had given Him.

We can expect that, at the final judgment, Jesus will again say to the Father, that He has lost none of the ones that the Father has given Him - over the entire span of humanity. That will be accomplished, by Jesus, through one method or another.

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What about New Testament Teaching?

Forward:

Christianity has always been replete with false doctrines. Even while some of the original Apostles were still alive, there were people preaching other doctrines.

Also, the very fact that there are so many different doctrines, concerning the same Bible, proves that we still have false doctrines.

Please consider my understanding for the New Testament Teachings that follow.

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Comments on New Testament Teaching

· What about: “there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

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According to the Bible, the Father has made Jesus preeminent over all creation. Jesus is over everything and everyone, whether it be in the heavens on in the physical universe.

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The Creative Power of Jesus

As an allegory to the “saving power” of Jesus, let us consider the “creative power” of Jesus.

The Bible says:

“But now in these days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” (NIV - Hebrews 1:2)

Also, God the Father was referring to Jesus:

“He also says, ‘In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” (NIV - Hebrews 1:10 and Psalm 102:25)

also,

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together.” (NIV – Colossians 1:15-17)

God, the Father has given Jesus the power to create. God the Father doesn’t create anything except through Jesus. Everything that has been created has been created through Jesus, because Jesus is the source of all creativity.

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The Saving Power of Jesus

In the same way, that God the Father has given Jesus the “power to create”, God the Father has also given Jesus the “power to save”, as evidenced by the following scriptures:

(Note: Jesus has many names – one of those names is “Savior”. Fourteen times, in the New Testament, Jesus is called “Savior”.)

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (NIV – Acts 4:12)

“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.” (NIV – I John 4:14)

“..This day in the city of David a Savior is born.” (KJV - Luke 2:11)

“…the Christ, the Savior of the world.” (KJV - John 4:42)

“God exalted this man to His right hand as ruler and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” (Holman – Acts 5:31)

“From this man’s descendents, according to the promise, God brought the Savior, Jesus to Israel.” (Holman – Acts 12:23)

“He is the Savior of the body.” (Holman – Ephesians 5:23)

“…but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Holman – Philippians 3:20)

“This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (Holman – 2 Timothy 1:10)

Jesus is “Savior” in the same way that He is “Creator”. Nothing that has been created has been created without Him. No one who is saved can be saved without Him.

Jesus was “Savior” before the Law of Moses. Jesus was “Savior” during the dispensation of the Law of Moses. Jesus is the “Savior” for every Gentile, Jew or Christian that has ever been saved or ever will be saved.

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· What about the doctrine that says that you must be Christian to be saved?

The name given to this doctrine is “Exclusivism”. Scripture supporting this doctrine first appears in Mark 16:15-16 where Jesus said:

“… Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

In John 3:16-18, as Jesus speaks with Nicodemus, Jesus said:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (NIV)

After this declaration, by Jesus, the New Testament is replete with verses that declare Jesus to be the only way of salvation:

John the Baptist said:

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” (NIV – John 3:36)

In John 14:6 Jesus rules out all other roads to God:

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me."

Peter said:

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (NIV – Acts 4:12)

The apostle Paul said:

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (NIV Romans 10:13)

The apostle Paul also said:

"For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)

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Jesus came to fulfill the plan of the Father, who was speaking of Jesus when He said:

“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” (NIV - Isaiah 49:6)

Jesus came to make salvation available to the entire world and to make it possible for ordinary people to keep the law (written on their hearts) by the power of the “Spirit of Christ” living in their hearts.

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In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul said:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not of yourself, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

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Jesus is the only “way” to salvation. In fact, Jesus has always been the only “way” to salvation. No one has ever been able to come to the Father except through Jesus.

All of the people who were saved before the Law of Moses and Under the Law of Moses were saved through Jesus, because salvation has always been the domain of Jesus in the same way that creation has always been the domain of Jesus.

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How could they be saved, by the name of Jesus, without knowing His name? -

Jesus addressed God by the name “Father”. We can, therefore, also address God by the name “Father”. We can also address Him as “Father God” or as “God” or as “Jehovah” or as “God Almighty” or any of the other names used in the Bible. God knows, by the intentions of our heart, if we are calling out to Him.

When we call on God for forgiveness and salvation, does it have to be in the name “Jesus”? Does it have to be in English with a Southern accent?

No.

Here are some of the names for Jesus that the book of Isaiah gives us to use when we cry out for help and forgiveness and salvation:

Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14)

Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)

Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6)

Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6)

Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

Righteous King (Isaiah 32:1)

Divine Servant (Isaiah 42:1)

Arm of the Lord (Isaiah 53:1)

Anointed Preacher (Isaiah 61:1)

Mighty Savior (Isaiah 63:1)

There are many other names and titles for Jesus, such as "Good Shepard", "Savior", "The Way", "The Truth", "The Light". God knows, by the intentions of our heart, if we are calling out to Him.

Since nothing is impossible with God, is it too hard for Jesus to reveal his name to them, either before they die or after they die? God has done these things before, as evidenced by the preceding scriptures.

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It is a mistake to build too small of a box to keep God in.

No matter how big you think God is – He’s bigger than that.

Who Can Be Saved

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The Conclusion

According to the Bible,

there are 7 ways that people have been saved:

1) Believers before the Law of Moses

2) Jews who are righteous under the Law of Moses

3) Gentiles who are righteous because they “instinctively do the things of the Law”

4) Christians who are righteous through Faith in Jesus

5) People who are confronted by Jesus before death

6) People who are saved by Jesus after death

7) Anyone that God chooses to save

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Prelude

Faith and Righteousness are Required for Salvation

Righteousness, in the Bible, refers to “being right with God” and includes:

1) Righteousness requires a belief in one God and that there be no other god.

2) man’s conformity to the will of God and

3) man’s conformity to the requirements of relationship with God

Faith, in the Bible, refers to belief, trust, hope and obedience in the Lord – the One True God, who showed Himself to the world, through the Jews.

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But the salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [he is] their strength in the time of trouble. (KJV – Psalm 37:39)

“Abraham believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Gen 15:6)

“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.” (NAS – Hebrews 11:6)

“…without holiness no one will see the Lord….” (NIV – Hebrews 12:14-16)

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A Discussion of Scripture:

*******

7 Ways to Salvation

According to the Bible, there are at least seven ways that people have obtained the righteousness necessary for salvation:

1) Salvation for Believers before the Law of Moses -

There was Godly “Righteousness” and “Faith” before the “Law of Moses” and before the “Righteousness through Faith in Jesus Christ”.

*******

Faith and trust in the One True God was required for righteousness.

It says in Genesis 15:6:

“Abraham believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.”

And

“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.” (NAS – Hebrews 11:6)

*******

Here are some examples of individuals who were saved before the Law of Moses:

1) Hebrews Chapter 11 mentions Abel, Enoc, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, ……… and say, concerning them;

“all were approved through faith…” (Holman – Hebrews 11:39)

2) Noah and Job were listed as people who, according to God, were righteous enough to “save themselves by their righteousness”. (see Ezekiel 14:12)

2) Salvation for the Jews through the “Law of Moses”

Moses said:

“It will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all the commandment before the Lord our God, just as He commanded us.” (Deut 6:25)

Under God’s covenant, Jews are saved by faith in God and obedience to the Law of Moses.

Jesus said, to the religious Pharisees:

This scripture proves that Jesus recognized that people were being saved by righteousness through faith and obedience to the Law of Moses.

The Jews who were not saved by adherence to the Laws of Moses failed because their pursuit of righteousness was by their own works rather than by faith in God.

The Bible says:

*******

Here are some examples of individual Jews who were saved under the Law of Moses:

1) We know that Elijah and Moses were already saved, by faith and righteousness, because they appeared with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. (see Matthew 17)

2) We know that the beggar named Lazarus was already saved because Jesus told his story. (see Luke 16)

3) Daniel is mentioned in a list of people who, according to God, were righteous enough to “save themselves by their righteousness”. (see Ezekiel 14:12)

4) Hebrews, Chapter 11, mentions ….. Moses, ….., Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel and says, concerning them;

“all were approved through faith…” (Holman – Hebrews 11:39)

3) Salvation for Gentiles before the earthly birth of Jesus:

(Note that the word Gentile is used in the Bible to describe anyone that is not a Jew)

God speaks about salvation for people other than Jews.

Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people….” (NIV - Isaiah 56:3)

And again God says:

Old Testament salvation was not only for the Jews, but for anyone who is righteous. It says in Romans 2:14-16 (NAS):

When God sees this righteousness “written in their hearts” He moves to reveal himself to that person just as He did for the foreign military leader Naaman. (2 Kings 5)

Paul said:

and

“For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and [true] circumcision is of the heart – by the Spirit, not the letter. His praise in not from men but from God.” (Holman – Romans 2:28-29)

*********

Here are some examples of individuals who were Gentiles and were saved before the earthly birth of Jesus:

2) Ruth, the Moabitess, is mentioned in the lineage of Jesus (see Luke 16)

3) Rehab, the harlot from Jericho, is mentioned in Hebrews Chapter 11 as a person who was:

“approved through faith…” (Holman – Hebrews 11:39)

4) Salvation for Christians through “Faith in Jesus”

Faith is counted as righteousness, as demonstrated by Abraham:

“Abraham believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Gen 15:6)

and:

“What shall we say then? Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained righteousness – namely the righteousness that comes from faith. (Holman – Romans 9:30)

and

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.

and

***********

Here are some examples of individuals who were Christians and were saved through faith in Jesus:

1) The 11 original disciples were promised, by Jesus, that they would judge the 12 tribes of Israel. (see Matthew 19:28)

2) Cornelius, the centurion, and his household. (see Acts 10)

3) Jesus declared that salvation had come to the house of the tax collector Zacchaeus. (Luke 19)

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It should be noted that the Bible requires repentance, a holy lifestyle, and endurance for believers if they are to be saved.

God counts “faith” as “righteousness” but God requires “right living” for those who continue in faith.

· Abraham was declared to be “righteous” because of his faith in God and Abraham maintained his “right living” until he died.

· The thief on the cross next to Jesus was righteous by faith and maintained his “righteousness” until he died.

Paul was talking to Christians when he said:

(Note: God is the only one who is able to judge the intentions of the heart and is, therefore, the only one able to choose the individuals that will be saved.)

5) Salvation for people who are confronted by Jesus before their earthly death -

********

Here are some examples of people who were saved by a confrontation with Jesus before their death:

2) The “Damascus Road Experience”

********

6) People who were saved by Jesus after their earthly death

Jesus said:

“I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.” (NIV - John 5:25)

*********

Here are some examples of people who were saved by a confrontation with Jesus after their earthly death:

1) People who died in the time of Noah -

We can be sure that some of these spirits were saved because God’s word cannot return void. –

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void…” (KJV - Isaiah 55:11)

2) “Baptism for the Dead” -

The Bible indicates that it was an accepted practice, in churches that were under Paul’s authority, for believers to be baptized in the place of people that had already died. Paul says:

“Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they baptized for the dead?” (KJV – 1 Corinthians 15:29)

Paul had every opportunity to condemn this practice but he did not.

*********

The fact that a person is dead does not, in any way, restrict God’s power to restore or to save.

7) Salvation for anyone that God chooses to save

God has never given up His sovereign right to save anyone that He wants to save. His actions, are by definition, righteous and do not need to be justified to anyone.

********

God says:

I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” (NIV – Romans 9:14 about Exodus 33:19)

*******

In John 17:12, Jesus said, to the Father, that He had lost none of the ones that the Father had given Him.

**************************************

What about New Testament Teaching?

Forward:

Christianity has always been replete with false doctrines. Even while some of the original Apostles were still alive, there were people preaching other doctrines.

Also, the very fact that there are so many different doctrines, concerning the same Bible, proves that we still have false doctrines.

Please consider my understanding for the New Testament Teachings that follow.

***********************************

Comments on New Testament Teaching

· What about: “there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

***********

According to the Bible, the Father has made Jesus preeminent over all creation. Jesus is over everything and everyone, whether it be in the heavens on in the physical universe.

***********

The Creative Power of Jesus

As an allegory to the “saving power” of Jesus, let us consider the “creative power” of Jesus.

The Bible says:

“But now in these days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” (NIV - Hebrews 1:2)

Also, God the Father was referring to Jesus:

“He also says, ‘In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” (NIV - Hebrews 1:10 and Psalm 102:25)

also,

God, the Father has given Jesus the power to create. God the Father doesn’t create anything except through Jesus. Everything that has been created has been created by God through Jesus, because Jesus has been designated, by God, as the source of all creativity.

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The Saving Power of Jesus

In the same way, that God the Father has given Jesus the “power to create”, God the Father has also given Jesus the “power to save”, as evidenced by the following scriptures:

(Note: Jesus has many names – one of those names is “Savior”. Fourteen times, in the New Testament, Jesus is called “Savior”.)

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (NIV – Acts 4:12)