How were the Gentiles saved in the Old Testament?
We know that Jesus is the only way to salvation, both for Old Testament and New Testament. Although, the Old Testament is the history of Jews. They were saved by putting their faith in a coming Messiah (Jesus); not by observing the Law. We know that God revealed Himself by general revelation. Although, general revelation allows people to know that God exist, not that they need to be saved and that a Messiah is coming. Then, how could Gentiles be saved, if they did not have access to this message of a coming Messiah and did not have Jewish prophet telling about it? Ex: Was a "normal Philistine family" already doomed from birth, because it was normal for them to worship Baal and Dagon, and were not told about a coming Messiah or their need to be saved?
Clarify
•
Share
•
Report
•
Asked November 14 2013
•
Samuel Bourassa
Supporter
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Danny Hickman
Before God appeared to Abraham, there was no "God's chosen people" distinction of people. There had been persons, individuals, even families chosen by Jehovah to know Him, trust Him, chosen to minister to others in His power and in His name. They were servants of the living God.
Did they really KNOW Him?
There are many people who knew my dad who never got the chance to meet and get to know my dad's three sons. We are four different persons with four different personalities. That's not the case with The Father Jehovah, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit of God. They are three Persons of one Spirit, the Spirit of the one true living God.
"That they may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." (the John 17 prayer) There's a lot in that
No more Jew and Gentile distinction. All who are His will know the Father and the Son, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
"If you had known Me, you would have known my Father also.. Phillip said to Him, "Show us the Father." Jesus replied, 'Have I been here this long and you still don't know Me, Phillip?"
God supplies faith in Him to those He saves. Everyone else dies the eternal death! HE CHOOSES!
Rahab was a Gentile; rescued. Ruth was a Gentile; given a new life! Naaman was a Syrian; cleansed by the man of God. (read his ask of forgiveness for future sins (2 Kings 5:17, 18).
These are OT pictures of salvation. They BELIEVED God!