ASK THE PASTOR

Q: If a person is saved only through faith in Christ, then what about all the godly people of the Old Testament who died before Christ came to earth? And what about those in the world today who may die without ever hearing the gospel message, both in our own country and in 3rd world nations? Is there any hope of salvation for them?"

Rev. Ken Burisek,
The Ole Country Church, Medford, Wis.
A lot-ta folks have the idea that the Old Testament is all about Law and the New Testament is all about grace. Some even see God in the Old Testament as bein kind-a harsh and vengeful whilst God in the New Testament leans more towards the tender n forgivin side.
Theres even a notion that Old Testament believers were saved more or less by keepin the Law whilst New Testament believers were saved by Grace through Faith!
It is very true that grace is more of the foundation in the New Testament than in the Old Testament. It says in Malachi 3:6, For I am the LORD, I change not. In both the New and Old Testaments people are saved by grace through faith.
Genesis 15:6 says, And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. This is a key verse as its even quoted in the New Testament three times. II Corinthians 13:1 says, This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. In other words, when God repeats something three times He means BUSINESS!
The word grace can be ...