DISCOVER BIBLE | A THORNY QUESTION!

1. Introduction

a) The Bible is full of wonderful stories and special truth. What we want to do is to discover the Bible.  

b) Psalm 119:11 says, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." 

c) Nurture and grow your understanding of the Bible as you read and discover the Bible.  

2. An answer to a thorny question! 

a) How were the people of the Old Testament "saved," since they lived before the coming of Christ and before His atoning death on the cross? Was there a different way of faith for them? No!

b) Luke 18:7 New International Version (NIV)

⁷ And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?

c) Ephesians 1:4-7 New International Version (NIV)

⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

d) The giving of salvation came to every Old Testament person in exactly the same way it comes to us: through faith in the Redeemer, promised to mankind in Genesis 3:16! 

Genesis 3:16 New International Version (NIV)  

¹⁶ To the woman he said,

“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;
    with painful labor you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
    and he will rule over you.”

e) Those God knew would seek His face (called the "God Followers") were "elected" unto salvation. Those God knew would use their freedom of choice to reject His fellowship were "elected" unto condemnation. The important thing to remember is that each person is free to make the choice. God, knowing the future, acts upon His knowledge of what that choice will be, long before it has been made.