Are Old Testament Believers Under Law And New Testament Believers Under Grace? Read more...

• By the Deeds of the Law there shall NO Flesh be Justified in His Sight - 1 John 3:4 declares that sin is “…the transgression of the law…”, and the “Law” that is being disobeyed is God’s Word, the Bible. God’s Word says that our breaking of just one of God’s commandments means that we’ve broken the whole Law. In the eyes of God, one’s thoughts are identical to one’s actions, and are thus sufficient to incur His eternal wrath. Even our “good works” are considered wicked by God because they are tainted with our sin (Isa 64:6). The fact remains that man cannot be righteous by anything he does on his own. The purpose of the Law of God is, “by the law is the knowledge of sin” - to expose our sin, so that we might be driven to God’s Mercy and God’s Grace and see the need for the Savior, Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom 3:19-20 “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Jam 2:10 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

Matt 5:27-28 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

1 John 3:15 “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”

Isa 64:6 “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

Gal 3:24 “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

John 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

• It is NOT possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins - Whether Old Testament believer or New Testament believer, one is always saved by the blood atonement of Christ. The Bible teaches much about forgiveness and how it is intimately associated with blood atonement. But why blood atonement? In Lev 17:11 we find this principle, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood”. In order for there to be spiritual life, a blood “atonement” for sin is mandatory. This explains why the Old Testament is replete with accounts of lambs, oxen, and turtledoves which were sacrificed on the altar in the temple – like in an animal “slaughter house” – on a daily basis. Heb 9:22 also declares, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission [of sin]”. However, those sacrifices – which were only a “shadow”, or representation of Christ’s atonement – could never atone for sin in reality, as Heb 9:1-4 teaches. God used earthly visible things to teach heavenly, invisible spiritual truths. Sacrifices offered by the law are only a pattern of heavenly things and pointed to the perfect sacrifice “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world”. Old Testament believers looked forward to the blood of Christ, and the New Testament believers look back to the cross.

Lev 17:11 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul”

Heb 9:1-4 “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.”

Rev 13:8 “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

1 Pet 1:18-20 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,”

• He is NOT a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh - Whether Old Testament believer or New Testament believer, one is always saved by “circumcision of the heart” made possible by “the circumcision of Christ”. The Physical Circumcision, God established with Abraham, could accomplish nothing in and of itself but was symbolically pointing to the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ was “cut off”, or separated from God, when He suffered the equivalent of an eternity in Hell for the sins of His people. Physical Circumcision was merely a symbol pointing to spiritual reality of salvation by the cutting away of sin and the shedding of Christ’s blood in the Atonement.

Rom 2:29 “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”

Deu 30:6 “And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.”

Col 2:11 "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."

Gal 6:15-16 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God [new creation in Christ].”

Rom 9:6-8 “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel [Nation of Israel]: 7Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac [figure of Christ Gal 3:16] shall thy seed be called. 8That is, They which are the children of the flesh [born of flesh or natural], these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise [born of the Spirit or born-again] are counted for the seed.”

Gal 3:26-29 “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

• EXCEPT a man be born again, he CANNOT see the kingdom of God - Whether Old Testament believer or New Testament believer, one is always saved by “New-Birth” and always has the Holy Spirit been he who regenerates believers, convicting them of sin, working faith in their hearts. Salvation is the Work of Holy Spirit who blesses the Word of God to the believers hearts to make them born again. From the point of this New Birth, God’s Spirit in dwells those individuals. Jesus explains this New Birth to Nicodemus. Later on in His dialogue with Nicodemus, Jesus has this to say to him: “Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” (John 3:10). The point Jesus was making is that Nicodemus should have known the truth that the Holy Spirit is the source of new life because it is revealed in the Old Testament (Eze 36:25-27).

Eze 36:25-27 “Then will I sprinkle clean water [Word of God typified by water] upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”

John 3:3-6 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water [Word of God typified by water] and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh [natural or unsaved state] ; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Eph 5:26 “That he [Lord Jesus Christ] might sanctify and cleanse it [his bride, the Church] with the washing of water by the word ...”

• NOT according to our works, but according to HIS own purpose and GRACE - Whether Old Testament believer or New Testament believer, one is always saved by God’s Grace and God’s Mercy. A true believer, understands that he is indeed “estranged” from the kingdom of God and an unworthy recipient of God’s undeserved grace, or favor. Noah was “perfect” and “walked” with God because he was saved by grace. God looks upon a person whom He has saved as “walking uprightly” because his sins have been paid for by the Lord Jesus Christ at the cross; and God’s Spirit works in the person and causes the person to walk uprightly as a result of his salvation.

2 Tim 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

Gen 6:8-9 “But Noah found grace [undeserved favor] in the eyes of the LORD. 9These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God [as a result of his salvation]”

Exo 33:12 “And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.”

Eph 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Rom 9:15-16 “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”

Tit 3:5-6 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;”

• NOT justified by the works of the law, but by the FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST - Whether Old Testament believer or New Testament believer, one is always saved by the “Faith of Christ” and are given “faith”, as a fruit of the Spirit. They trusted in the faithfulness of God in providing his Son as Messiah. The only faith that can save one from sin and Hell is Christ’s own faith, which is His own personal faith and trust in God the Father. “Faith of Christ” [refer to original KJV] points solely to the work and faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who came to fulfill the righteousness of the Law of God and the punishment of the Law of God, for all of the elect.

Gal 2:16 [refer to original KJV] “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Heb 11:4 “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice [trusting in sacrifice of Christ] than Cain [who trusted in his own sacrifice being self-righteous], by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh”

Heb 11:5 “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God [only those that are in Spirit, in other words, saved, can please God, Rom 8:1-9].”

Heb 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith [faith of Christ]”

Heb 11:9 “Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him [God] faithful who had promised.”

Heb 11:17-19 “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac [figure of Christ] shall thy seed be called: 19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.[Isaac figure of Christ, Gal 3:16]”

Heb 11:20 “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things [promise of eternal life in Christ] to come.”

Heb 11:21 “By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.”

Heb 11:22 “By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.”

Heb 11:24-26 “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”

Heb 11:31 “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”

Rom 4:1-5 “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him [God] that justifieth the ungodly, his faith [faith of Christ] is counted for righteousness.”

Gal 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

• God imputeth righteousness WITHOUT works - Whether Old Testament believer or New Testament believer, one is always saved by the imputed Righteousness of Christ without works. Before salvation, there is none righteous, no not one. Neither Noah, nor Job, nor David, nor Moses, nor Zechariah the father of John the Baptist, nor anyone else in himself was righteous. We are all sinners. When we become saved, regardless of when we live, the guilt of our sins has been taken by the Lord Jesus Christ and are covered with Christ’s robe of Righteousness, so that in God’s view, we stand absolutely blameless, absolutely righteous. That is why we read that Job was blameless and why Noah was righteous, it indicates that they were “born-again” believers. Here we see righteous God, Who is holy, pure, and sinless become unholy, impure, and sinful. Simultaneously, we see unrighteous unsaved man, who by nature is unholy, impure, and sinful become holy, pure, and sinless by the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ that is given, or imputed, to him.

Heb 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”

Rom 4:6-8 “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered [by the robe of righteousness of Christ]. 8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”

Isa 61:10 “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the [Christ’s] robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”

Php 3:9 “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: ”

Rom 3:21-22 “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”