prophets and salvation

[dailogue is the best]

Since the prophets before Jesus believed in God only, and they didnt believe in Jesus as a Savior. Does this mean that they won't be saved?!!

 

[ChristineES]

Yes, I always thought so. Since in my view of faith, Jesus is God, so worshiping God would be the same as having Jesus. Which would mean that those before Jesus would be saved, too.

 

[Dor]

They were saved they just could not go to Heaven when they died until after Jesus.

 

[Faithfulservant]

They were saved because they had faith. They were saved because they believed. Their faith made them righteous.

 

[sonoman]

They were saved because they had faith. They were saved because they believed. Their faith made them righteous.

James would disagree. For him it was their works that would secure them their berth in heaven.

 

[Quahom1]

Since the prophets before Jesus believed in God only, and they didnt believe in Jesus as a Savior. Does this mean that they won't be saved?!!

They believed in the "promised one". Jesus is that promised one.

They are in heaven...

 

[sonoman]

They believed in the "promised one". Jesus is that promised one.

They are in heaven...

I would agree. A prophet's reward and all..

 

[Dor]

James would disagree. For him it was their works that would secure them their berth in heaven.

Galatians 2:21 (NKJ)

I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

 

[sonoman]

Galatians 2:21 (NKJ)

I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

In that James advocated faith coupled with work showing faith in action, I am in complete agreement with him. But tying action to legal formalism is not in harmony with the Spirit that should motivate one's actions, the Spirit of Christ having more validity than the Law.

 

[mee]

Since the prophets before Jesus believed in God only, and they didnt believe in Jesus as a Savior. Does this mean that they won't be saved?!!

they are sleeping in death awaiting the resurrection into a paradise earth . those with faith have a great reward


Abraham, who was described as "Jehovah’s friend," was a man of outstanding faith. (James 2:23) Paul referred to Abraham’s faith three times in his listing of faithful men and women recorded in the 11th chapter of Hebrews. (Hebrews 11:8, 9, 17)


it will be good to meet those faithful ones at a future time in the paradise earth.


The prophet Daniel, described by God’s angel as a "very desirable man," lived a long life of faithful service. (Daniel 10:11, 19)

Daniel received a vision of the march of world powers that culminates in the coming great tribulation. (Daniel 11:1–12:13)

As he could not fully understand the vision, Daniel asked the angelic messenger who delivered it: "O my lord, what will be the final part of these things?"

In answer the angel called attention to "the time of the end," during which "the ones having insight will understand."

As for Daniel himself, what were his prospects?

The angel acknowledged: "You will rest, but you will stand up for your lot at the end of the days." (Daniel 12:8-10, 13) Daniel will return "in the resurrection of the righteous ones," during Christ’s Millennial Reign.—Luke 14:14.



"Resurrection" is the translation of a Greek word that literally means "a standing up again."

What does that expression involve?

According to the Bible, the resurrection hope is the conviction that a dead person can live again.

The Bible further shows that the person is restored in either a human or a spirit body, depending on whether he has an earthly or a heavenly hope.

We marvel at Jehovah’s love, wisdom, and power manifest in this wonderful resurrection prospect.

 

[sonoman]

Like a good commander, Father comes back to pull all those who have died in the line of service to God doing good for their fellow man out of their graves or wherever they've fallen to bring them back with everyone else entering the World to Come.

 

[Quahom1]

Like a good commander, Father comes back to pull all those who have died in the line of service to God doing good for their fellow man out of their graves or wherever they've fallen to bring them back with everyone else entering the World to Come.

The Father, never lifted a finger. It was the Son's job. Nor were the people redeemed for their 'efforts' but rather their faith (which resulted in their efforts, not the other way around). Even the thief next to Christ received a heavenly reward for his faith (certainly not for his good deeds).

Faith without works is dead, but works without faith is useless rags.

 

[seattlegal]

Since the prophets before Jesus believed in God only, and they didnt believe in Jesus as a Savior. Does this mean that they won't be saved?!!

Salvation is through God's mercy.
Titus 3:1-11

1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.​

Titus 3 also has useful commentary regarding faith, grace, and works, as well.

 

[Faithfulservant]

James would disagree. For him it was their works that would secure them their berth in heaven.

Its not a surprise to me that you do not understand .. Jesus said that not all would understand. Works is the product of Faith. If you have Faith something that comes about from that is Works ... Its not a "Have To" scenerio because we are saved by Grace....it happens naturally... that is also what is meant when you see by their fruits you shall know them.. A Christian that is on the right path will produce works/fruits and by those you shall know that they are on the true path to growth in Jesus Christ.

Now it is possible to be saved and not show fruits and Jesus speaks of all of these in His Parable of the Seed. In that scenerio you have a stunted ever-immature Christian that does not grow in his Faith.

The ultimate finale to a Christian is to be Christ-like in that we strive to be. Some get closer some struggle with the enemies. But ALL are the body of Christ.

 

[BlaznFattyz]

Since the prophets before Jesus believed in God only, and they didnt believe in Jesus as a Savior. Does this mean that they won't be saved?!!

The prophets also believed in the messiah, the Son, as it was revealed thru the Spirit. So they wrote about him, sang about him, some even saw him.

 

[dailogue is the best]

Dor

They were saved

Faithfulservant

They were saved because they had faith. They were saved because they believed. Their faith made them righteous.

Seattlegal

Salvation is through God's mercy

So, it isnt necessary to believe in Jesus as a Savior to be saved. It is sufficient to believe in God, and do good. (faith and work)

For those who believe that salvation comes only through believing in Jesus as a Savior. Then, why didnt God send Jesus as the first prophet so that all the coming prophets and believers got salvation?! Do you think that God changed "His mind": He sent the prophets with the message of worshiping God only. While, He sent Jesus with the massage of worshiping God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit?!! Why is this change?!!

 

[Dor]

Dor


Faithfulservant


Seattlegal


So, it isnt necessary to believe in Jesus as a Savior to be saved. It is sufficient to believe in God, and do good. (faith and work)

For those who believe that salvation comes only through believing in Jesus as a Savior. Then, why didnt God send Jesus as the first prophet so that all the coming prophets and believers got salvation?! Do you think that God changed "His mind": He sent the prophets with the message of worshiping God only. While, He sent Jesus with the massage of worshiping God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit?!! Why is this change?!!

Maybe Jesus is the one they dealt with to start with anyway?
http://www.interfaith.org/forum/who-was-called-god-heb-2843.html

 

[Quahom1]

Salvation is through God's mercy.
Titus 3:1-11

1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
​

Titus 3 also has useful commentary regarding faith, grace, and works, as well.

indeed...and thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Quahom1]

Dor


Faithfulservant


Seattlegal


So, it isnt necessary to believe in Jesus as a Savior to be saved. It is sufficient to believe in God, and do good. (faith and work)

For those who believe that salvation comes only through believing in Jesus as a Savior. Then, why didnt God send Jesus as the first prophet so that all the coming prophets and believers got salvation?! Do you think that God changed "His mind": He sent the prophets with the message of worshiping God only. While, He sent Jesus with the massage of worshiping God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit?!! Why is this change?!!

Because Jesus is not a prophet Dialogue. He is the Son of God (He is God). Prophets are men/women who receive their cues from God. God can not receive his cue from himself, because he is the past/present/future.

v/r

Q

 

[ChristineES]

The Prophets did God's work, did what God told them to do (and we know from Jonah what would have happened if they didn't ) They even gave their lives for God (I think almost every prophet was killed in some way).