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Thanks for taking the time to reply, Mack, even if I continue to be the proverbial thorn in your side! ;o)

angelo, until you understand and accept this you will always have problems with Christ being God.

I think really what I have the most problem with is the idea of God literally becoming man. As we have discussed earlier, if we look at the Word on the level of being mediator between God and man, I have no problem with it. Likewise, the idea of Jesus being the messiah is not an insurmountable problem. It is the "Word made flesh" -- literally made flesh in the person of Jesus -- of a man literally being God -- that is the obstacle for me.

In other words, God saved “on credit” in the Old Testament.

Okay.

Then, if I understand correctly, people who lived and died before Jesus could be saved "on credit" without knowing or believing in Jesus, but that those who lived after Jesus can only be saved if they believe in him? If God is not a respecter of persons, then why would He hold some to a different standard for salvation?

He is speaking of the nation of Israel being saved, not individual people.

What about the other passages I quoted, which do seem to be more clearly about individual salvation?

Then, if I understand correctly, people who lived and died before Jesus could be saved "on credit" without knowing or believing in Jesus, but that those who lived after Jesus can only be saved if they believe in him? If God is not a respecter of persons, then why would He hold some to a different standard for salvation?

God is not holding anyone to a different standard. The standard is always the same: believe what God says. During the OT times, well from Ex 20 onward, it was the Levitical sacrifices. God said do them to be forgiven. They pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth upon a Roman cross.

Now that the true sacrifice has occured God says to believe in His Son and His sacrifice. It all comes down to believing and trusting in God.

It is the "Word made flesh" -- literally made flesh in the person of Jesus -- of a man literally being God -- that is the obstacle for me.

And why would that be? Think outside of the box you have placed yourself in on this.

Then, if I understand correctly, people who lived and died before Jesus could be saved "on credit" without knowing or believing in Jesus, but that those who lived after Jesus can only be saved if they believe in him? If God is not a respecter of persons, then why would He hold some to a different standard for salvation?

Same standard, folks were looking forward to a savior, believed got saved, the savior came, people believe in Him, get saved.

What about the other passages I quoted, which do seem to be more clearly about individual salvation?

Same as the above, they believed God on the coming savior.

BigMack