How were people saved in the Old Testament?

Just as people are saved in the New Testament by faith in the Messiah that came to Earth as a man, paid for sins, died, and rose again, people are saved in the Old Testament by faith in the promised Messiah. God deals with humanity in grace, getting what we don’t deserve, and mercy, not getting what we deserve, for all history–not just in the New Testament. We do not want God’s justice. We always want God’s grace and mercy. Praise God for Jesus Christ!

– Genesis 3:15

– Genesis 15:6

– Romans 4:1-5

Can I lose my salvation?

No. “Eternal life” lasts forever–it’s “eternal”. The idea that enteral life salvation can be cancelled or not finalized is completely against what the Scriptures say and also negates any possibility of assurance. If keeping eternal life salvation relied on your works, Jesus’ work on the cross and His resurrection wasn’t enough to pay for your bad works, or sins. Salvation doesn’t deal with sin because sin has already been dealt with by Jesus Christ Himself. It’s a gift that relies simply on your faith in Christ.

The Scriptures also say that you “have” eternal life the moment you put your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. It doesn’t say you “will have eternal life”, “might have eternal life”, “will eventually have eternal life”, or anything else. The Scriptures are clear that you are “sealed” in Him when you believe. This word “sealed” denotes protection and security. Consider the following points:

• If eternal life can end or be forfeited, that’s a contradiction in terms.
• Eternal life is given as a gift, not earned by merit.
• If you didn’t merit eternal life, there’s no way you can demerit eternal life.
• If our salvation hangs on anything other than the completed works of Jesus Christ, we’re in trouble.
• If our salvation is not secure, how can Jesus say, “they shall never perish”?
• If salvation is not a final settled issue, how can you be “anxious for nothing”?
• Are you focusing on your own behavior rather than Christ’s completed work? If even one man or woman receives eternal life and then forfeits it somehow, will they not perish? By doing so, do they not make Jesus’ words a lie?
• How can you be a disciple and “make disciples” as commanded by Jesus in , which have to be believers, while spending your life worrying about your own salvation?

– Psalm 103:12

– John 10:28-29

– Romans 5:9-10

– Ephesians 1:13-14

– Philippians 4:6

– Matthew 28:18

What is prayer?

Prayer is talking to God. God speaks to us through His perfect Word, the Bible, and we speak to Him through prayer. Prayer was very important in the life of Christ, the early church, and is very important for individual believers.

Jesus spent a great deal of time in prayer to the Father. He prayed all night before He chose the disciples and He even prayed to the Father about things He already knew the outcome of. Jesus is God and most would assume He wouldn’t need to pray but this is how He maintained fellowship with the Father and we as believers should follow this example.

During the early church, people were continually in prayer. As Christians, especially when we have busy lives with work and other things, we should set aside time to pray as much as possible and make it a priority.

– Acts 2:42

– Psalm 65:2

– Luke 5:16

– Luke 6:12-13

– Philippians 4:6-7