Originally posted by casino_king:
OK I took your advice and did some googling.
[b]Paul continues in verses 22-24: "This righteousness from God
comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who
believe.
Is that what you are getting at? That it is "through faith in Jesus
Christ to all who believe."
You must understand the context. What about old testament saints
who nevery knew Jesus? Was "through faith in Jesus Christ " literal
or a principle?[/b]
Salvation has always been through faith in Christ either in the
Old Testament or in the New.
2Ti 3:14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned
and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures,
which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which
is in Christ Jesus.
Notice verse 15. Paul said that from childhood Timothy has known
the Holy Scriptures. Now, remember at the time of writing this
epistle the New Testament was not yet completed [obviously, Paul
was still writing this epistle 2 Timothy, which is a part of the
New testament]. When Paul said "Holy Scriptures"
here he was referring to the Old Testament Scriptures.
What does Paul says to Timothy about the Old Test. Scriptures
regarding salvation?
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures,
which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus.
The OT Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus. Through the illumination of the
Holy Spirit, the repentant sinner in the OT is able to see Christ,
the coming Redeemer for salvation.
This is why Jesus said:
Joh 8:56 "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it
and was glad."
His "Scripture" at that time was God's revelation to him.
Plus remember that the protoevangelion was already preached by God
to Adam and Eve after the fall.
Ge 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And
between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise
your head, And you shall bruise His heel."
Through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, a repentant sinner
could see 'SEeds' there as the Lord Jesus Christ just like Abraham
understood the word 'Seed.'
Ga 3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does
not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to
your Seed," who is Christ.
During the dispensation of the Law, Christ salvation was pictured
and foreshadowed in the animal sacrifices.
An Old Testament worshipper might have said these words in his
heart while offering a sacrifice: Lord God, I know that I am a
sinner in need of forgiveness, I make this sacrifice of a lamb to
you, but you know Lord that my trust and confidence that my sins
will be forgiven is not on this lamb but on a coming Savior that
this sacrifice of mine only symbolize. I know He will come, I dont
know when, but I know He will come, I dont know what He will look
like but I know what He will do; He will make the ultimate
sacrifice for my sins past, present and future. And in Him alone
Lord I trust.
All saved sinners converge at Calvary. They looked forward. We look
back.