Post by Admin on May 13, 2018 14:42:57 GMT
Most will answer this question with a yes, and it is based on statements found in Scripture like this...
Galatians 3:6-8
King James Version (KJV)
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
But what some will miss in this is...
Galatians 3:6-8
King James Version (KJV)
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
The points to consider:
1. What was written of Abraham (the Scripture) foresaw that the heathen (Gentiles) would be justified by faith, the implication being that they were not, at the time these Scriptures were relevant (after Israel had been created and the Covenant of Law had been established) Justification through the promise was not taking place;
2. Abraham's belief/faith in the promise was the means for his justification, rather than specific faith in the Risen savior;
3. What Abraham believed, what he placed his faith in...was the Promise "In thee shall all nations be blessed," also not a specific belief and faith in the Risen Savior;
When we consider this we see that the Mystery of the Gospel of Christ is not nullified because "the Gospel was preached to Abraham. Abraham believed God when God promised him a son, and that through that son all families of the earth would be blessed. Abraham did not know that in view was a singular seed...
Galatians 3:16
King James Version (KJV)
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
He could not, as we who have been made privy to the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven, place the Seed into a context as we can. The "Gospel" preached to Abraham was not understood as we understand it. Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him a righteousness, and he was justified. But it would not be until he was justified based on what Christ did that he would receive the Atonement, be reconciled to God, immersed into eternal union with God.
God bless.