JUSTIFICATIONS AND SALVATIONS
When we study the word of truth and we come across the words “justify, just, justification”, or “save, saved, saving, salvation”, we can’t always assume that it means salvation from the debt and penalty of sins, or justification in the sight of God unto eternal life. In this study we are going to take a look at the different types of justifications and salvations in Israel’s program, as well as in this dispensation of gentile grace also. But before we do that, I would like to point to the fact that the main reason for this study is that in the church world, and especially in grace churches, there is a doctrine being taught that says that Israel was saved by faith plus works, and that we in this dispensation of gentile grace are saved, and justified by faith alone, but to take that approach would mean that the issue of justification by faith alone was first introduced to the Apostle Paul, and was part of the mystery revelation given unto him. We will see that in this dispensation, and in Israel’s program, the only thing that the justice of God can respond to is faith, and faith alone. We will see that when Paul confirms our justification, he quotes from the Old Testament, he uses Abraham before the law, and David after the law. I just ask that you fully read the entire study, and that you search the scriptures to see if these things be so. We will first take a look at the different types of justifications and salvations that there are in God’s word.
JUSTIFICATION:
Rom. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom. 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Gal. 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Hab. 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
When Paul says in Romans and Galatians that the “just shall live by faith”, he quotes from Habakkuk 2:4, Paul goes on to say in Galatians 3:11 that “no man” has ever been justified by the law, and that “it is evident that the just shall live by faith”. Hopefully when this study is over it will be “evident” unto you also that “the man” has always been justified unto eternal life by faith, and faith alone.
- 1. JUSTIFICATION UNTO ETERNAL LIFE:
Rom. 3:19 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.
Rom. 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Rom. 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom. 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Rom. 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom. 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom. 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom. 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Rom. 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Rom. 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
This justification in Romans 3 shows how that “the righteousness of God” unto eternal life is by faith alone, and when Paul says “but now” in verse 3:21; he is not saying that the righteousness of God was always by the law “but now” it is by faith alone in Christ. Paul is confirming that is has always been by faith!, he says the “righteousness of God” is by faith of Jesus Christ, this is what was manifested “now” and before Jesus Christ, the “law and the Prophets” wrote that the “righteousness of God” would come by faith in the Christ, Paul just said that righteousness will never come by the deeds of the law. Even though the message is different, the justice of God has always responded to faith and faith alone, with Abraham he placed his faith in what the LORD said at that time, “Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be” Gen. 15:5, in verse 6 he believed, and it was counted “unto him for righteousness”, that’s not the gospel that we hear that justifies us today, just like it wasn’t the case when John the Baptist preached in the wilderness for Israel to “repent”, and that the kingdom was at hand, the gospel that justified man has been different, but God’s requirement for His justice to be satisfied has always been by the same way; faith.
- 2. JUSTIFICATION OF GOD BEING JUST IN HIS WORD WITH ISRAEL AND WITH US IN THIS DISPENSATION OF GENTILE GRACE:
Luk 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Luk 7:29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
Luk 7:34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
Luk 7:35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.
Rom 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
This type of justification shows God as being “just” or “righteous” in His word, it’s the issue of God confirming things that He promised in His word, and man getting the results from trusting God and His word. God will also be justified in His word in the day when God casts death and hell in the lake of fire and God is shown to “be true and every man a liar”.
- 3. JUSTIFICATION BY HUMAN JUDGES:
Deu 25:1 If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
Pro 17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
Isa 5:22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
Isa 5:23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
This type of justification is the issue of an Israelite being judged by their judges based upon his conduct within that nation. Israel was appointed judges to judge the nation with all fairness and justly in circumstances that came up in the life of an Israelite. The judges were required of God to judge the nation with all fairness and righteousness, and not to judge unfairly. There were some that justified the unrighteous, and condemned the righteous, just as Proverb 17:15 points out, which is what Israel did with Jesus Christ. Today we also have judges in the court systems, and we also judge one another within our lives, it’s the issue of someone justifying us in any matter.
- 4. SELF JUSTIFICATION:
Job 9:20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
Jer 3:11 And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.
Luk 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
1Co 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
1Co 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
We can justify ourselves in certain matters, which is the issue of showing ourselves to be just or righteous in any aspect of our lives, if we are not judged fairly, we will try to prove, or justify ourselves in the matter.
- 5. JUSTIFICATION AT THE JUDGEMENT SEAT:
Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
1Co 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
When we stand before the Lord we are not being judged based upon our sins, but our service. Our sins are a dead issue with God, but He will judge a saint accordingly based upon how the saint responded to the doctrine for his sonship edification and his reward will be according to how or if God’s word worked effectually within the saint.
- 6. JUSTIFICATION IN THE MECHANICS OF GODLINESS:
1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
This doctrine is a very interesting and important one to understand, Paul not only wanted to make sure that Timothy charged some “that they teach no other doctrine”, but he did not want the saints to be ignorant concerning this truth for the church. Paul says that “God was manifest in the flesh”, meaning He was manifest in Christ, “justified in the Spirit”, notice Spirit has a capital S, so it is talking about the Holy Spirit and His doctrine. Jesus Christ was a living testimony to the issue of Godliness, in the 4 gospel accounts we see the Holy Spirit bear witness to the ministry of Jesus Christ, and Godliness being put into practice by flesh and blood. Also this was “seen of angels”, Godliness was put on display by Christ to the angels, and now it is “preached unto the gentiles”, and we also have the opportunity to put it on display in the heavenly places also. This doctrine is “believed on in the world” by the “church”, and it is “received up into glory”, that’s why Ephesians 3:10 talks about the church making God’s manifold wisdom “known” to the angels. Godliness was never a mystery, Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles displayed Godliness, the mystery aspect of it was God using twice dead gentiles to display Godliness, and to teach it to the angelic realm as well. The issue of Godliness being justified is the doctrine of the Holy Spirit working within the believer the way it was intended to work.
- 7. JUSTIFICATION IN WORKS IN THE EYES OF MEN/ISRAEL BEING A FRIEND OF GOD:
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Having justification unto eternal life was not all that God wanted Israel to have, He also wanted them to be faithful enough to be a “first fruit of His righteousness”, just as Abraham was in his day. In that day of tribulation (which is what this doctrine is designed for), Israel in the face of all tribulation and persecution, are to act as if that kingdom is already established, and they are to show themselves to be who God has made them to be; a friend of God. The gentile world and Satan would see that nation as being holy and “just” being a holy nation, and a kingdom of Priests. This justification compliments the first justification, these saints that James is writing to are saved and justified, James calls them “ my beloved brethren”, and “begotten” of God.
SALVATION:
- 1. SALVATION FROM THE DEBT AND PENALTY OF SINS:
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Once we trust the “gospel of Christ”, our faith is counted for righteousness, Paul explains how someone can have “the righteousness of God”, he says that when we hear the gospel of Christ, and place our “faith” in the gospel, that is how we are saved from the wrath of God, and completely righteous in God’s sight.
- 2. SALVATION FROM PHYSICAL PERIL/DEATH:
Exo 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.
Exo 14:11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
Exo 14:12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
Exo 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
2Sa 22:1 And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
2Sa 22:2 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
2Sa 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
Act 27:20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
Jas 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
Jas 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Salvation from physical affliction and death is another type of salvation; this is the issue of ones being delivered from affliction, peril, or death, where God would deliver some from a fate that would otherwise overtake them.
- 3. SALVATION FROM SATAN’S POLICY OF EVIL:
1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Php 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Jas 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Jas 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Jud 1:18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
Jud 1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Jud 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
This type of salvation is deliverance from being victimized from Satan’s attack on the saint because of who God has made them to be in Christ. Because Satan is unsuccessful in the ability to have the saint unsaved, he will try to attack the message in the believer, with false doctrines from false teachers, and if he cannot produce corruption within the message, he will try to go after the saint and try to discourage, and discredit him. This has always been the case with Israel, and it is also the case in this dispensation too.
- 4. THE WOMAN’S SALVATION:
Ti 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
1Ti 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1Ti 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1Ti 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
1Ti 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
In 1 Timothy Paul told Timothy to “charge some that they teach no other doctrine”, and some of the guys that were teaching this “other doctrine” were Hymenaeus and Alexander. These two were preaching false doctrine in Ephesus, and it was taking effect on the churches there. In the book of Acts we can read about what these guys were involved in; some of which was Greek goddess worship. Diana and a few other goddess were worshiped in Ephesus, and in their temple there were women who spoke and taught the men, this started to also have an effect on the churches in Ephesus where some of the women would teach the men also. In verse 15 Paul says “she shall be saved in childbearing”, this type of salvation is unique because it only pertains to the woman. This salvation is not only talking about Eve, it’s has all women in view, notice Paul says “they” when referring to this type of salvation. God designed a way for “the woman” not to be victimized again by Satan, Paul says “if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety”, when a woman is not thinking soberly (Godly), and if she is not operating upon “sound doctrine”, she can be easily taken in by Satan.
1Co 11:8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
1Co 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1Co 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
God designed for the woman to have “power on her head”, and for the woman to acknowledge and submit to the non-authority position in the marriage. The next few verses will explain what it means for the woman to have “power on her head”, and what all this has to do with “the angels”.
1Ti 5:11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
1Ti 5:12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
1Ti 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
1Ti 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
1Ti 5:15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
Most do not understand the “power” of marriage, and the effect it can have on Satan, and “the angels”. When both the man and the woman are operating upon sound doctrine, and they both are following God the Father’s design for marriage, Satan is no match for their marriage, and there is salvation from being victimized by Satan. In Ephesians 3:10 we are told that we the church make God’s manifold wisdom “known” unto the angels, and the angels can rejoice when the word of God is working effectually within the saint like God intended. In verses 11-13 Paul speaks of women who are not married, and need that type of salvation. Paul says that the younger widows are not to be taken in, because if they become “idle” (without a husband) for too long, Satan will have a chance to “speak reproachfully” about her, and she will be an easy target for him. Paul says if a woman remains unmarried she has “cast off her first faith”, and that she has “damnation”, this is not talking about losing her salvation from the debt and penalty of her sins, this “damnation” has to do with the woman not following God’s design, but following Satan, and she, like some in Paul’s day were “already turned aside after Satan”, they were not spiritually lost, but they belonged to him, and were “turned aside” after the things of this world.
Tit 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
Tit 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
Tit 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Tit 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Tit 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
The woman’s “first faith” is what explained in Titus 2:4-5, and if the woman is not operating upon “sound doctrine”, then she is an easy target for Satan, and the word of God will be “blasphemed” because she is not following God’s design for the woman. This salvation saves the woman from the damnation of being “led away”, “turned aside”, and “deceived” by Satan and his ministers, and the things of this world, and having a functional damnation because she is “led” by Satan, and not by the doctrine according to Godliness.
2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- 5. DAY OF THE LORD’S SALVATION:
Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Mat 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
After the church of the body of Christ is “caught up”, the Lord will have his day of wrath, there will be tribulation on this earth and Satan will go after Israel, and try to wipe the nation out. This salvation is a national one, where it saves the nation as a whole, not as individuals, and when He comes, He will avenge His nation and defeat all that oppose Israel. Too often this verse is misused and misunderstood, but the salvation here is salvation from “the time of Jacob’s trouble”.
Jer 30:3 For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.
Jer 30:4 And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.
Jer 30:5 For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.
Jer 30:6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
Jer 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
Jer 30:9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
Jer 30:10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
Jer 30:11 For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.
This salvation is the Lord’s Day salvation, notice the LORD already called Israel “my people”, they already have salvation from their sins.
1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
1Pe 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
This salvation that the “prophets have enquired and searched diligently” about is not salvation from the debt and penalty of their sins, we all know the prophets already had salvation, this is a different type of salvation for the “soul”, this is Israel being saved from the 5 courses of punishments delivered unto them. This is the grace of the Lord coming unto Israel in that day, and the angels “desire to look into” it because it’s going to affect them out there in that day also. In the book of the Revelations the angels play a big part in the Lord’s day of wrath.
- 6. SALVATION FROM ADVERSE ISRAEL:
Jas 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Jas 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Jas 2:7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
Jas 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Jas 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Jas 2:11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
Jas 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
Jas 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
We are told by Paul that in this dispensation that we should not abuse our “liberty” in Christ, James says that Israel will be judged by the “law of liberty”. Israel will be judged based upon how they served in the “law of liberty”. When an Israelite operates upon the law of liberty he has reward based upon his works, this has nothing to do with his salvation from sins, notice in verse 5 James calls these saints “beloved brethren”. The ones that had greater works will be “the greatest” in that kingdom, and their “works” will save them from being judged as being the “least” in that kingdom along with the ones who will just have their faith, with no works of service.
Heb 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
- 7. SALVATION FROM THE EFFECTS OF ISRAEL’S BLINDNESS:
Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Rom 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
Rom 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation.
This type of salvation is another misunderstood doctrine in scripture. Paul is not dealing with the recipe for salvation here, he already completely covered that earlier in chapters 3, 4, and 5. Paul says “with the heart man believeth unto righteousness”, stop right there! that’s the righteousness of God, and that’s all He requires, the verse says if man believes with the heart, he has the righteousness of God. The next part of the verses says “with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”, Paul is not talking about salvation from the debt and penalty of sins, he already confirmed how salvation is attained by man. In the 4 gospel accounts and in the beginning of this dispensation of Gentile grace, rebellious Israel tried to cause corruption within the believers in Israel’s program as well as in ours. All you have to do is read from Matthew to Acts 28 to see that rebellious Israel was opposing the saved remnant of Israel, as well as some of the Gentiles, and you can see the effects that it had on them, that’s why Peter would not eat with the Gentiles, and Titus was circumcised, and that’s why Paul baptized at the beginning of this dispensation. Rebellious Israel was affecting Israel as well as members of the body of Christ, and even though both believed with the heart and had the “righteousness of God”, they were suffering because the Jews were trying to pull them in under the customs of the law, also they produced corruption in the beginning of this dispensation of grace, saying that the Gentiles have to keep certain customs also. When a saint confessed with the mouth the “Lord Jesus”, he acknowledged Jesus, and Him crucified, he made clear that he is complete in the Christ, or the cross of Christ. Romans 9, 10, and 11, explains what happened to Israel, and here in chapter 10 Paul is talking about Israel’s ignorance to the “the righteousness of God”, and how they should have responded to the ones that were “sent” unto them, and that they are without excuse for their blindness.
Rom 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
Rom 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
Rom 11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
Rom 11:10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Rom 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Judicial blindness was pronounced upon Israel, and they “stumbled” concerning what they “seeketh for”, and if a member of the saved remnant, or a member of the body of Christ got deceived by the Jews, he would also have his eyes “darkened”, his table will be made a “snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence” because he wanted to be accepted by that Jew, but when a saint would confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus, the unsaved Jew would count that saint as a “heathen”, and have nothing to do with him, here are a few examples.
John 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
Act 19:18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
Act 19:19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
Act 19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
- 8. OUR RAPTURE SALVATION FROM THE LORD’S DAY:
Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ
1Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Before the Lord has His day of wrath we will be caught up and saved from the tribulation, and the wrath of God against the man of sin, and all that belong to him, God has promised in His word to save us from “the wrath to come”.
- 9. SALVATION FROM FUNCTIONAL DEATH:
2Co 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
This salvation saves ones from being functionally dead unto God, Paul goes over that doctrine in Romans 6, and 7, these saints here were beginning to think godly, and it was the doctrine working in the saints, and they were not thinking like they did earlier in the first epistle when they thought as the world does, but they were beginning to understand how to live unto God.
1Co 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Again because of the “destruction of the flesh” this saint was functionally dead, and was “delivered” unto Satan, not spiritually, but he was given to his flesh, and to this world, and over to Satan. This is the issue of a saint being of no use to God in being what God intended for him to be “in Christ”, instead of being “alive unto God”, and “dead to sin”, this saint is following the course of this world, and Satan. This salvation is found within Romans through Philemon, we are taught how to let the word of God “work effectually” within us, and how to “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.
- 10. OUR SALVATION FROM SUFFERINGS:
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
The salvation explained here is our deliverance from the “sufferings of this present time”. Verse 22 says that “the whole creation” is going to experience sufferings in “this present time”, and if we are thinking Godly concerning this issue, we should understand that God never promise us a physical deliverance from our problems, but He did give us doctrine designed to work “for us” in any situation that we have, that’s why later on in the chapter Paul says “the Spirit helpeth our infirmities”, it’s the doctrine of the Holy Spirit effectually working “patience” within the saint in times of suffering, and when we let the word of God work effectually within us, we will see that the “sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us”.
- 11. SALVATION FROM THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST:
2Co 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
2Co 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2Co 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
2Co 1:6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
This suffering can only be experienced by ones that are saved members of the Body of Christ in this dispensation of Gentile grace. The sufferings of Christ can be avoided, if you are not acting like who God has made you to be “in Christ”. God has designed doctrine that will “comfort us” when we are “afflicted”, and persecuted, for the gospel’s sake. When we suffer because of opposition to the gospel that we are making known, we are taught we are not going to have a physical deliverance from this type of suffering either, the deliverance here is within our inner man, notice Paul says we have to endure the suffering, meaning you are going to have to go through it, but to understand how to let the doctrine work within us is how we get salvation from the sufferings of Christ, and our learning to “glory” in our sufferings, then we can learn to later rejoice in them.
- 12. THE NATIONAL SALVATION OF ISRAEL:
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
This salvation Paul looked forward to, and said it was his “hearts desire” that Israel be saved. This is a national salvation of the nation as a whole, there were Israelites saved before in “times past”, but that was only just a remnant, but this salvation concerns the whole commonwealth of Israel.
- 13. THE LORD’S SALVATION BY THE FATHER:
John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
We know that the Lord and Savior was justified, so this could not be talking about salvation from the debt and penalty of His sins, God the Father saved Him from His soul being “troubled” in the garden before He was taken.
Now we are going to take a look at Israel’s justification, and see if they were justified unto eternal life by faith alone, or by faith plus their works.
Luk 23:35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
Luk 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Luk 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
Luk 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luk 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
The first thing that I want to point out is that in verse 23 there are two different type of salvations spoken of in the verse, and when you come down to verse 39 the one criminal wanted a physical salvation, but the other wanted salvation from the debt and penalty of his sins, the thief was justified by his faith alone without any works at all.
Luk 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
The Pharisee was not justified in God’s sight, that’s why he prayed “with himself”, his prayers were not heard by God, he said all the works that he done, and he worked faithfully in the works, but God’s requirement for justifying a soul is based upon what the publican displayed; faith, and faith alone. Just like the thief on the cross, the publican understood the need for a salvation from the debt and penalty of his sins, and they knew it would only come by faith and faith alone.
Mat 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Mat 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Mat 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mat 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Mat 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Mat 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Mat 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Mat 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
John 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
John 6:48 I am that bread of life.
The rich man was unjustified, and the reason for that was he wanted to know what “good thing” he can “do” to have eternal life, Jesus told him to “keep the commandments”, notice in verses 18 and 19 Jesus does not mention “thou shalt not covet”, He knew the rich man placed his faith in his works, and his riches. As we went over earlier, the law never justified anyone, it pointed out the need for a Savior, and what Jesus Christ should have heard from the rich man was his inability to keep the law, and his need for help. If the rich man had done what the Apostle’s had done; which was gave up all they had, he would have been faithful by trusting in Jesus as being that Christ. By “forsaking all” this saint is taking God by His word, and trusting that in the kingdom “all things will be added unto” him. Jesus had said earlier in John 6:47 how the Jew would have “everlasting life”, and that was by faith alone. Jesus was letting this rich man know that if he wanted to “do” something to have eternal life other than just trust in Him, he would have to “keep the commandments”, and we all know how many have been able to do that.
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Rom 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Rom 3:29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
Rom 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Paul says in verse 27, “where is boasting then”, then he says it is “excluded”, well we all know that is true with our justification, we know that the only way there is boasting is if you do any type of work for salvation, but this is the important part; Paul says “by what law”, the law he is talking about is the legal way that God justifies. God’s law for justification is by faith alone, so to say that God has ever justified any man (Jew or Gentile) by faith plus works, or by works at any time would slander the justice and the character of God, that’s why Paul says in verse 29 “is he the God of the Jews only?”, what he is saying is that it should be plainly clear that if God justified Israel by faith alone, the only way that we don’t have that same type of righteousness, is that it would have to be TWO GODS. The “law of faith” is the same as it always have been, by faith, the messages given in each program was different, but the way “the man” was to respond to what God said was by faith alone.
Rom 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
Rom 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Rom 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Rom 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Rom 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Rom 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
Rom 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Paul says that Abraham was justified by faith alone, and this was while he was uncircumcised. David explained how that “the man” (all mankind) is blessed by having the righteousness of God without works. He says “cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only”, in other words it should be plainly clear that in times past “the man” was justified by faith alone. In time past this “blessedness” belonged to Israel only, Paul is confirming our justification by the “blessedness” of Israel, by saying that we too have the righteousness of God by faith alone. Abraham is our example how God justified “the man” in both programs.
Gen 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
Gen 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Paul again uses the verse from Habakkuk 2:4 when he says how a just man shall have eternal life. Israel had a salvation package from God that consisted of them being justified by faith in the eyes of God and they had a justification in the eyes of men showing they were “a friend of God”, and worthy to be called a Holy nation, and a kingdom of priests.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
When we stand before the Lord in that day, we are not going to be judged based upon our sins unto eternal life, that will not be the issue, we will be judged by our service in the doctrine, and if our justification is all that we have, then our reward will not be as great as it should be. The same is also true with Israel, in that kingdom faith alone won’t qualify an Israelite to be what God called for him to be. Having only faith will get him into that kingdom, but he would be the “least” in a kingdom of priests.
Mat 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Mat 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Israel has a salvation package deal given to them by God whereas justification unto eternal life will not be all that God requires that saint to have in that day, James chapter two goes over Israel’s justification in the eyes of men as a friend of God, not their justification unto eternal life. Israel has a salvation for each of the 5 mandates of the Lord. There is a salvation that is associated with Him being the Redeemer, the Deliverer, the Avenger, the King, and the Blesser. When we read in the Old Testament we see verses that will say if a Jew were to sin his soul would be “cut off” from his people, these are also verses that are misunderstood. Whenever we come across the words “that soul shall be cut off from among his people”, we will see that the LORD is giving Israel covenants, commands, or any other ‘do’s and don’ts’, this is to show them their inability to keep those commands, and their need to fall upon His Jehovah-ness grace and mercy. Also these commands condemned unbelieving Israel, and made them worthy of wrath in that day of wrath. Solomon went after strange gods, and built abominations unto them throughout Israel, but he was a justified saint just the same. Israel’s sacrifices’ were for an outer man cleansing, not for the inner man. Israel’s prescription for cleansing was not only just to have faith unto eternal life, but baptisms’ also were part of the prescription for cleansing; these are the three baptisms’ that John the Baptist preached to Israel.
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mar 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Here you have an example of Israel’s salvation package deal, in verse 16 the Lord says “he that believeth”, now there is the justification, and the baptism is for the cleansing as a holy nation, by preaching to “all nations”, the gentile world would know Israel as a “friend of God”, and the things that are in verses 17 and 18 are their salvations out there in the Lord’s day of wrath. Israel is going to need all the salvations out there in that day because of Satan’s attempt to wipe the nation out, and this is because Israel will be in the 5th installment of the 5 courses of punishment.
Act 3:17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
Act 3:18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Act 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Act 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
When Peter preached to the crowd of unsaved Israelites in Acts 2 through 3, he explained that if they “repent” for crucifying the Lord, then they could have their sins “blotted out” at that time, rather than in that day when the Lord comes to be the Avenger, and judge these men worthy of wrath, as well as their fathers. All these men had to do was believe that Jesus was the Christ, and trust in that, and their sins would have been “blotted out”, by their faith alone.
Act 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Act 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
Act 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Act 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Act 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Peter tells the saved remnant about the grace given to the Gentiles, and he says that God “put no difference” between Israel and us. Peter says that God purifies the Gentiles heart the same way as he purifies an Israelites heart; by faith and faith alone. In verse 11 Peter says that they believe the same way the Gentiles believe, that God is saving both Jew and Gentile the same, and He is putting no difference between them. The messages have been different throughout time, but the “law of faith” is the same as it has always been, by “the man” placing his faith in what God said to him at that time. What we need to understand is that the only way Matthew though Acts chapter 8 can be understood is by having a full understanding of what is going on in Genesis through Malachi, and the only way you can understand Hebrews through Revelation is if you fully understand Israel’s program as it is proclaimed from Genesis through Acts 8. There are many more verses that could be looked at, like verses in the Psalms that shows different salvations, and verses like “he that endure to the end shall be saved”, but I hope this study has been useful in understanding the different salvations, and justifications in God’s word, as well as understanding how it pertains to us in this dispensation of gentile grace, and how it pertains to Israel as well.
By Rod Jones