If you were to ask most believers how a man was saved in the Old Testament, they would probably tell you that he was saved by "looking forward to the cross" and that now we are saved by "looking back to the cross." Due to it's simplicity, this idea almost seems to make sense. Well, it makes sense until you actually read and study the Bible (KJB 1611). When reading the Bible, it does not take long to notice that there are characteristics of New Testament salvation (i.e. believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved) that are "missing" from the entire Old Testament. If you can't believe this, just get a concordance out and look up the word "faith" and see how many times it occurs in the Old Testament. If that were not enough proof, Galations 3:22-23 tell us that the faith we have today was NOT revealed until after the cross, and it was revealed to Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles.
I was surprised to learn that much of the "looking forward to the cross" doctrine is based on Gen 3:15 and 22:8. TWO VERSES? The question is, did Abraham even know that Gen 3:15 was going to be written? After all, Moses wrote this after Abraham died? Was Abraham speaking of Jesus when he said "God will provide Himself a lamb?" That's easy for us to say because WE HAVE ALL OF THE DETAILS NOW (Hind sight is 20/20). But why did Abraham really say this? Abraham was just answering his sons question without saying "YOUR THE LAMB TO BE SLAIN, SON"!!! If Abraham was expecting "another lamb" at that time, then why did he RAISE THE KNIFE to slay his son? We are NOT to fill in the blanks in order to make scripture fit in with what we were taught or what we believe. We need to take scripture at face value and simply believe it.
Can you Imagine what the rest of the journey to the place of sacrifice would have been like for Isaac if Abraham told him what he intended to do? God knew about the coming lamb at that point and led Abraham to say this for our benefit! Abraham, on the other hand, intended to sacrifice his son like God told him to. At this point (22:8) God "accessed" the future Blood atonement of Jesus Christ and justified Abraham for his "act of faith". Now that Jesus came and made the atonement on the cross we have "access" to His blood through faith in Jesus Christ (ROM 5:2). Paul says "according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ". In Abraham's time, Paul's Gospel, the preaching of Jesus Christ crucified, buried and risen again, did not exist. As a matter of fact, NOTHING WAS WRITTEN down in Abraham's time.
If Genesis 3:15 wasn't written at the time of Abraham, how can that be used as proof that Abraham knew about the cross when he said "God will provide Himself a lamb?" Even if Gen 3:15 was written it's an incredible STRETCH to define a whole doctrine, which took many NT books to define, from ONE obscure verse. Gen 3:15 barely makes sense now (to the average person), never mind in Abraham's time. It certainly doesn't speak of God coming in the form of man and dying on a Cross, then raising up on the third day. Also. Why didn't Jesus, Paul or James ever mention this doctrine of "looking forward"? They all refer to Abraham and never mention this "mystery" doctrine. The reason why Paul says it was Abraham's faith, and James says it was his works is because it was BOTH. An "act of faith" has two parts. The faith to commit the act (Hebrews 11). Abraham was righteous when he believed God and he was Justified when he offered up Isaac. Think about this. After Abraham was declared righteous by believing God, GOD STILL TESTED HIM. So He wasn't yet justified. If he was then God wouldn't have needed to test him again. Once Abraham offered up his son, however, GOD NEVER TESTED HIM AGAIN!!! He was finally justified (Declared forever righteous). Being justified is a FINAL judgment and it declares a man righteous once and for all. We should appreciate the "FREE GIFT" that we have been given in this age of grace!!! The GIFT we have today wasn't revealed until Paul was caught up into heaven.
Ga 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
As you can see, "the faith" we have today was a mystery until it was revealed to Paul by revelation. Paul ISN'T saying that these people hadn't yet accepted the faith but that it WASN'T REVEALED UNTIL NOW. How can someone practice something that's NOT YET REVEALED???
Ro 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secretsince the world began
Let's take a look at the Old Testament Jews, who were "looking forward to the cross", and see how much they knew about this doctrine that has been fabricated by New Testament saints who refuse to study the Bible:
Peter had no idea that Jesus needed to die on the cross, yet, somehow, that's what he was trusting for his salvation? Peter knows that Jesus is the son of God (only because the Father revealed it to him at that time!) but he doesn't know that Jesus is the lamb.
Mt 16:21 ¶ From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Paul was one of the most knowledgeable men in the Hebrew religion. He was extremely educated and he "touched the righteousness which is in the law". THAT is how an OT saint hoped to be right with God, which is why Paul lived that way. Rather than Paul "looking forward to the cross", he KILLED CHRISTIANS AFTER THE CROSS, just for believing in the cross. Once Jesus came to Paul and TOOK PAUL TO HEAVEN to explain the cross, Paul said of the "religion" he had been practicing (his own righteousness) "I count it all but dung". NOW Paul was going to CHANGE from his OT religion, and "LOOK BACK AT THE CROSS" for his salvation. Paul was NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CROSS FOR SALVATION! Paul was NOT saved until he "trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ" and forsook his OT religion, and this didn't happen until Jesus REVEALED it to him.
Phl 3:5 KJV - Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, [of] the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;Phl 3:6 KJV - Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.Phl 3:7 KJV - But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.Phl 3:8 KJV - Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,Phl 3:9 KJV - And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:Phl 3:10 KJV - That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Zacharias had to be filled with the Holy Ghost, to prophesy that his son would "give knowledge of salvation" unto his people. Not only did Zacharias have to be filled to know this, but John the baptist was going to give this "knowledge of salvation" to Israel. I thought Israel was already looking forward to the cross and trusting in it for salvation? Further more, John didn't speak of the cross, he only spoke of the King who was coming to begin his kingdom. Remember, Peter and the other 11 still had no idea about the cross!
Luk 1:67 KJV - And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
...
Luk 1:76 KJV - And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Luk 1:77 KJV - To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins
We can't just FORCE the current "dispensation of grace" into all dispensations. The whole purpose of "rightly dividing" is to apply the many different covenants in their proper dispensations. If, in every covenant, salvation was the same, WHAT ARE YOU "RIGHTLY DIVIDING"? Your NOT dividing at all. Here are 10 clear-cut differences between Old Testament salvation and New Testament salvation:
(1) New Testament believers are in the body of Christ (Rom.12:4-5; 1 Cor.10:16-17; 1 Cor.12:12-27; Eph.3:6; Eph.4:4; Eph.5:30; Col.1:18). Old Testament saints are not in the body of Christ.
(2) New Testament believers go to the 3rd Heaven when they die (2 Cor.5:1-2; 2 Cor.5:8; 2 Cor.12:2; Eph.1:10). Old Testament saints went to Abraham's bosom (paradise), within the Earth (Luke 16:19-31; 1 Sam.28:11-15; Eph.4:8-10; 1 Pet.4:6)
(3) New Testament believers have their sins covered, cleansed, and cleared by the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:7; 1 Cor.6:11; Titus 3:5; Rev.1:5). Old Testament saints' sins were covered and forgiven by the blood of continual animal sacrifices, but they were not cleared by those sacrifices (Ex.34:7; Heb.9:13-14; Heb.9:19-22; Heb.10:1-4).
(4) New Testament salvation is by grace through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 8; Acts 16:31; Rom.10:9-10; Eph.2:8-10; Titus 3:5; Rom.4:4-5). Old Testament salvation involved faith and works (Eze.3:20; Eze.18:24-26; Exodus-Deuteronomy... notice how many things they have to DO).
(5) New Testament believers can never lose the Holy Spirit, which is placed inside of them at the moment of salvation (1 Cor.6:19; 2 Tim.1:14; Rom.8:9-11; Eph.1:13). Old Testament saints had the Holy Spirit come upon them at times, but it never dwelt within them and they could lose it and regain it multiple times (Num.24:2; Judg.3:10; Judg.6:34; Judg.11:29; Judg.14:6; 1 Sam.1:10; Ps.51:11).
(6) New Testament believers are called "sons of God" throughout the New Testament (John 1:12; Rom.8:14; Philippians 2:15; Gal.4:6; 1 John 3:1). Old Testament saints are NEVER called "sons of God"-- the term is only used to speak about angels in the O.T. (Gen.6; Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Job 38:7).
(7) New Testament believers are baptized after salvation in order to outwardly show that they are identified with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Col.2:12; 1 Pet.3:21). Old Testament saints were not baptized at all.
(8) New Testament believers must believe that Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose again from the dead (1 Cor.15:1-4; Rom.10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Eph.2:8-9). Old Testament saints did not understand the death, burial, and resurrection at all (the disciples did not understand it AFTER Christ has risen, much less before-- also, see 1 Pet.1:10-12)
(9) New Testament believers are the Bride of Christ (2 Cor.11:2; Eph.5:31-32; Rev.21:9; Rev.22:17). Old Testament saints are not part of the Bride of Christ, but are most likely considered "friends of the bridegroom" (Luke 16:16; John 3:29).
(10) New Testament believers have everlasting life that can NEVER be lost (John 3:16; John 3:36; John 10:27-29; Eph.1:13; 2 Tim.1:12; 2 Tim.2:13). Old Testament saints could lose their salvation (Ez.3:20; Ez.18:24-26; Ps.51:11).
If you believed in "looking forward to the cross", I truly hope this short paper will cause you to " search the scriptures" and rethink everything another man has ever taught you in the past.
2Ti 2:15 KJV - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I was surprised to learn that much of the "looking forward to the cross" doctrine is based on Gen 3:15 and 22:8. TWO VERSES? The question is, did Abraham even know that Gen 3:15 was going to be written? After all, Moses wrote this after Abraham died? Was Abraham speaking of Jesus when he said "God will provide Himself a lamb?" That's easy for us to say because WE HAVE ALL OF THE DETAILS NOW (Hind sight is 20/20). But why did Abraham really say this? Abraham was just answering his sons question without saying "YOUR THE LAMB TO BE SLAIN, SON"!!! If Abraham was expecting "another lamb" at that time, then why did he RAISE THE KNIFE to slay his son? We are NOT to fill in the blanks in order to make scripture fit in with what we were taught or what we believe. We need to take scripture at face value and simply believe it.
Can you Imagine what the rest of the journey to the place of sacrifice would have been like for Isaac if Abraham told him what he intended to do? God knew about the coming lamb at that point and led Abraham to say this for our benefit! Abraham, on the other hand, intended to sacrifice his son like God told him to. At this point (22:8) God "accessed" the future Blood atonement of Jesus Christ and justified Abraham for his "act of faith". Now that Jesus came and made the atonement on the cross we have "access" to His blood through faith in Jesus Christ (ROM 5:2). Paul says "according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ". In Abraham's time, Paul's Gospel, the preaching of Jesus Christ crucified, buried and risen again, did not exist. As a matter of fact, NOTHING WAS WRITTEN down in Abraham's time.
If Genesis 3:15 wasn't written at the time of Abraham, how can that be used as proof that Abraham knew about the cross when he said "God will provide Himself a lamb?" Even if Gen 3:15 was written it's an incredible STRETCH to define a whole doctrine, which took many NT books to define, from ONE obscure verse. Gen 3:15 barely makes sense now (to the average person), never mind in Abraham's time. It certainly doesn't speak of God coming in the form of man and dying on a Cross, then raising up on the third day. Also. Why didn't Jesus, Paul or James ever mention this doctrine of "looking forward"? They all refer to Abraham and never mention this "mystery" doctrine. The reason why Paul says it was Abraham's faith, and James says it was his works is because it was BOTH. An "act of faith" has two parts. The faith to commit the act (Hebrews 11). Abraham was righteous when he believed God and he was Justified when he offered up Isaac. Think about this. After Abraham was declared righteous by believing God, GOD STILL TESTED HIM. So He wasn't yet justified. If he was then God wouldn't have needed to test him again. Once Abraham offered up his son, however, GOD NEVER TESTED HIM AGAIN!!! He was finally justified (Declared forever righteous). Being justified is a FINAL judgment and it declares a man righteous once and for all. We should appreciate the "FREE GIFT" that we have been given in this age of grace!!! The GIFT we have today wasn't revealed until Paul was caught up into heaven.
Ga 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
As you can see, "the faith" we have today was a mystery until it was revealed to Paul by revelation. Paul ISN'T saying that these people hadn't yet accepted the faith but that it WASN'T REVEALED UNTIL NOW. How can someone practice something that's NOT YET REVEALED???
Ro 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secretsince the world began
Let's take a look at the Old Testament Jews, who were "looking forward to the cross", and see how much they knew about this doctrine that has been fabricated by New Testament saints who refuse to study the Bible:
Peter had no idea that Jesus needed to die on the cross, yet, somehow, that's what he was trusting for his salvation? Peter knows that Jesus is the son of God (only because the Father revealed it to him at that time!) but he doesn't know that Jesus is the lamb.
Mt 16:21 ¶ From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Paul was one of the most knowledgeable men in the Hebrew religion. He was extremely educated and he "touched the righteousness which is in the law". THAT is how an OT saint hoped to be right with God, which is why Paul lived that way. Rather than Paul "looking forward to the cross", he KILLED CHRISTIANS AFTER THE CROSS, just for believing in the cross. Once Jesus came to Paul and TOOK PAUL TO HEAVEN to explain the cross, Paul said of the "religion" he had been practicing (his own righteousness) "I count it all but dung". NOW Paul was going to CHANGE from his OT religion, and "LOOK BACK AT THE CROSS" for his salvation. Paul was NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CROSS FOR SALVATION! Paul was NOT saved until he "trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ" and forsook his OT religion, and this didn't happen until Jesus REVEALED it to him.
Phl 3:5 KJV - Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, [of] the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;Phl 3:6 KJV - Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.Phl 3:7 KJV - But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.Phl 3:8 KJV - Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,Phl 3:9 KJV - And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:Phl 3:10 KJV - That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Zacharias had to be filled with the Holy Ghost, to prophesy that his son would "give knowledge of salvation" unto his people. Not only did Zacharias have to be filled to know this, but John the baptist was going to give this "knowledge of salvation" to Israel. I thought Israel was already looking forward to the cross and trusting in it for salvation? Further more, John didn't speak of the cross, he only spoke of the King who was coming to begin his kingdom. Remember, Peter and the other 11 still had no idea about the cross!
Luk 1:67 KJV - And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
...
Luk 1:76 KJV - And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Luk 1:77 KJV - To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins
We can't just FORCE the current "dispensation of grace" into all dispensations. The whole purpose of "rightly dividing" is to apply the many different covenants in their proper dispensations. If, in every covenant, salvation was the same, WHAT ARE YOU "RIGHTLY DIVIDING"? Your NOT dividing at all. Here are 10 clear-cut differences between Old Testament salvation and New Testament salvation:
(1) New Testament believers are in the body of Christ (Rom.12:4-5; 1 Cor.10:16-17; 1 Cor.12:12-27; Eph.3:6; Eph.4:4; Eph.5:30; Col.1:18). Old Testament saints are not in the body of Christ.
(2) New Testament believers go to the 3rd Heaven when they die (2 Cor.5:1-2; 2 Cor.5:8; 2 Cor.12:2; Eph.1:10). Old Testament saints went to Abraham's bosom (paradise), within the Earth (Luke 16:19-31; 1 Sam.28:11-15; Eph.4:8-10; 1 Pet.4:6)
(3) New Testament believers have their sins covered, cleansed, and cleared by the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:7; 1 Cor.6:11; Titus 3:5; Rev.1:5). Old Testament saints' sins were covered and forgiven by the blood of continual animal sacrifices, but they were not cleared by those sacrifices (Ex.34:7; Heb.9:13-14; Heb.9:19-22; Heb.10:1-4).
(4) New Testament salvation is by grace through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 8; Acts 16:31; Rom.10:9-10; Eph.2:8-10; Titus 3:5; Rom.4:4-5). Old Testament salvation involved faith and works (Eze.3:20; Eze.18:24-26; Exodus-Deuteronomy... notice how many things they have to DO).
(5) New Testament believers can never lose the Holy Spirit, which is placed inside of them at the moment of salvation (1 Cor.6:19; 2 Tim.1:14; Rom.8:9-11; Eph.1:13). Old Testament saints had the Holy Spirit come upon them at times, but it never dwelt within them and they could lose it and regain it multiple times (Num.24:2; Judg.3:10; Judg.6:34; Judg.11:29; Judg.14:6; 1 Sam.1:10; Ps.51:11).
(6) New Testament believers are called "sons of God" throughout the New Testament (John 1:12; Rom.8:14; Philippians 2:15; Gal.4:6; 1 John 3:1). Old Testament saints are NEVER called "sons of God"-- the term is only used to speak about angels in the O.T. (Gen.6; Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Job 38:7).
(7) New Testament believers are baptized after salvation in order to outwardly show that they are identified with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Col.2:12; 1 Pet.3:21). Old Testament saints were not baptized at all.
(8) New Testament believers must believe that Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose again from the dead (1 Cor.15:1-4; Rom.10:9-10; Acts 16:31; Eph.2:8-9). Old Testament saints did not understand the death, burial, and resurrection at all (the disciples did not understand it AFTER Christ has risen, much less before-- also, see 1 Pet.1:10-12)
(9) New Testament believers are the Bride of Christ (2 Cor.11:2; Eph.5:31-32; Rev.21:9; Rev.22:17). Old Testament saints are not part of the Bride of Christ, but are most likely considered "friends of the bridegroom" (Luke 16:16; John 3:29).
(10) New Testament believers have everlasting life that can NEVER be lost (John 3:16; John 3:36; John 10:27-29; Eph.1:13; 2 Tim.1:12; 2 Tim.2:13). Old Testament saints could lose their salvation (Ez.3:20; Ez.18:24-26; Ps.51:11).
If you believed in "looking forward to the cross", I truly hope this short paper will cause you to " search the scriptures" and rethink everything another man has ever taught you in the past.
2Ti 2:15 KJV - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.