But they lived by faith.
I think part of the problem is the definition of "Christian". All the patriarchs had a hope in the redeemer of God’s people. That redeemer we know as Jesus Christ.
Regarding Abraham, the father of the faithful, Jesus said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." (John 8:56)
In whatever sense Abraham saw the day of Jesus Christ he was a "Christian".
The problem I think is with the tripartite view of humankind; Jew/gentile/ Christian, vs. the more prevalent biblical view of two groups, the righteous and the unrighteous.
Messianics don’t like to be called "Christian" because it is too gentile. Do we now need a fourth category; Jew/gentile/ Christian/Messianic? When are we going to stop dividing the people of God among various unimportant labels?
Are believing Abraham and David my brothers in the faith, or is their faith so radically different from mine that we do not both share the same adoption as sons of God? I think the implications of the latter position on soteriology are enormous.
In whatever sense Abraham saw the day of Jesus Christ he was a "Christian".
The problem I think is with the tripartite view of humankind; Jew/gentile/ Christian, vs. the more prevalent biblical view of two groups, the righteous and the unrighteous...
When are we going to stop dividing the people of God among various unimportant labels?
Are believing Abraham and David my brothers in the faith, or is their faith so radically different from mine that we do not both share the same adoption as sons of God? I think the implications of the latter position on soteriology are enormous.
AMEN! "All one in Christ Jesus."
This understanding makes complete sense to me and ratifies the ultimate truth of Colossians 1...
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." -- Col. 1:16-17"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Now, if Colossians 1:16-17 is true, then every particle of history points the way to Jesus Christ and all righteousness resides by God's grace through faith in Him alone.
I think part of the problem is the definition of "Christian". All the patriarchs had a hope in the redeemer of God’s people. That redeemer we know as Jesus Christ. Regarding Abraham, the father of the faithful, Jesus said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." (John 8:56) In whatever sense Abraham saw the day of Jesus Christ he was a "Christian". The problem I think is with the tripartite view of humankind; Jew/gentile/ Christian, vs. the more prevalent biblical view of two groups, the righteous and the unrighteous. Messianics don’t like to be called "Christian" because it is too gentile. Do we now need a fourth category; Jew/gentile/ Christian/Messianic? When are we going to stop dividing the people of God among various unimportant labels? Are believing Abraham and David my brothers in the faith, or is their faith so radically different from mine that we do not both share the same adoption as sons of God? I think the implications of the latter position on soteriology are enormous.
Well, that definition is very important since there are some real distinctions.
Noah and Abel were not Jews.
Abraham and David were not Gentiles.
Each, while the part of the family of God has a different inheritance promised to them.
The Christians likewise is also distinct.
No one in the Old Testament ever was said to have the Holy Spirit indwelling them making their bodies the temple of God himself.
A Christian is part of the family of God, but he is also different from the other two members, Jew and Gentile.
Today when one is saved,he becomes a Christian, a part of the body of Christ and his bride.
His body is now the temple of the Holy Ghost and all three members of the Trinity indwell him.
David prayed that the Holy Spirit not be taken from him, no Christian ever has to make that prayer.