::Thursday, March 04, 2004::
:: Faith alone saves in the Old Testament? ::

Yes! Of course it is by faith alone. We are able to obtain the salvation through grace alone in Christ Jesus alone. But, Wasn't the sacrifices of the bulls and goats an act of obtaining salvation? Since Exodus 19:5 says that we should obey the Lord's commandment and keep it, than will God be our personal God, and we will be His people.

Many has used such folly interpretation, and deceived the young believers. But how do you refute the heresy?

It must be clearly known that no one was saved by his own works throughout the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The covenant of works applied only to Adam. God commanded Him not to eat the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, so that he shall have everlasting life. But he failed, and covenant of Grace came into scene. By then, no man was saved by his own works. No one can use the deed of obedience to pay the price of their salvation.

But how do you refute that heresy? It must be known that Exodus 19:5 refers to the group of believers. Firstly, the verse applied to the believers only. Secondly, they were people who surrended themselves to the Lord in FAITH. Since they submitted themselves to the Lord in Faith, it was needful for the Lord to remind them that works and obedience should follow after faith.

Obedience to the Lord is a neccessary and natural consequence of faith. No doubt, we do not find any account in the Bible that implies Obedience is the way to salvation. It is always referred to as the consequence of faith alone in the Lord. But to further exterminate the heretical teaching, we find four Bible verses/passages that records faith alone saves.

Hebrews 11
Genesis 15:6 - It was by faith alone that counted Abraham righteousness
Romans 4:14 - It has been faith, and not by law or works.
Hebrews 10:4 - The Blood of Bulls and Goats; the obedience and good works; is and was unable to take away sins.

The believers were saved by faith alone, both in the Old and New Testament. But let us be reminded that, the Just shall live by faith alone, not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8. God bless!

>>shared by+my life - God = broken pencil+ on 22:46. Comments |

---