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A Brief History of Salvation in the World

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Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.
(Galatians 3:23)

Here we have a very condensed history of the world before the gospel was fully revealed by the coming of our Lord Jesus. The history of each Christian—each saved soul—is a miniature likeness of the story of the ages. God acts upon the same principles both with the race and with individuals.

The Unhappy Period: “…before faith came…”

The world has no concept of saving faith by nature. It would never occur to the fallen human mind that we could be saved by believing in Jesus. Even more so, we are totally unable to reach saving faith on our own, even when we begin to learn of its necessity  and desire to exercise it.

The reason of this inability was moral, not mental. We were proud men and did not care to renounce self-righteousness. We could not grasp the notion of salvation by faith because it was contrary to our usual run of opinions; the depraved mind likes to think either that salvation is not needed or that it can be attained by our own proud work.

Christians, Ephesians 2 tells us that when we were apart from saving faith, we were essentially walking around as though we were dead—dead in our trespasses and sins. We followed the course of the fallen world and God’s enemy Satan. We were, as Paul put it, “children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:1-3).

The Custody We Were In: “…held captive under the law, imprisoned…”

Before saving faith, we were always within the realm and sphere of the law. In fact, there was no way to escape it; we were imprisoned captives. There was no hope to be discovered when we dwelt under the law and apart from grace, for every man stood guilty under this divine law (Romans 3:23).

The Revelation Which Set Us Free: “…the coming faith [that] would be revealed.”

The only thing that could break us free from this prison is faith—saving faith. All Christians throughout history have been saved because this great faith has come and indeed was revealed.

Faith came. It is saving faith. It is saving faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

This faith opened our eyes and taught us the good news to believe, that salvation comes from another and not from ourselves. It comes from the God of salvation. Because of this God, our salvation is complete – for left to ourselves, we would end in failure. This faith is the only hope. It is our only freedom from the captivity of the law.

If you are a Christian today, you have been saved by this faith. May all praise be to God who works in and through history for the redemption of His people!

Several of Charles H. Spurgeon’s sermons and commentaries are available free at the Blue Letter Bible. If you would like to partner with us in providing more commentaries, please visit here.

Comments

  1. Is it correct to say that faith without Christ is not saving faith? Since the saints before Christ had faith in God but did not know Christ and had to be redeemed from Hades during Jesus’ resurrection, I think that is correct.

    • Wherefore GIRD UP the loins of your mind..
      1Pet.1:13; Heb.11:39-40.By faith Abraham, The Father of faith.

      Substitute ‘faith’ in v.23 & 25 with ‘Jesus’.
      Jesus Christ is the personification,quintessence of faith. Solid faith, what we get is liquid faith, all other faiths, “inter-faith” is gaseous, vapour!!!!
      The Jessica Lynch episode is spine- chilling. Christ is our HERO, Mighty God, El Gibbor. Halle..lujah.
      The Hindus have a derisive, diabolic custom Sati, burning the widow. Lord William Bentick abolished it, yet it is perpetrated now and then. Unlike this our Husband gets right into the fire of CORRUPTION and rescues us every day. He will not allow the holy ones to see corruption.
      But we should NOT succumb to the HERALDS OF THE NEW AGE. Then you will see the FOURTH MAN, the Succourer (Heb.2:18), The Man Christ Jesus, the very present Aid. Halle..lujah. Pl.don’t be ashamed to shout a full-throated Halle…lujah this first day of the week. FOR he is fearful in praises. Why? (Exo.15:16).
      When I start my Shop Vac, I can see the spiders, bugs scamper for their crannies in vain! Halle…lujah. Shout of a king is among them..WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT!Num.23:21-.Grace be with you all.
      Poor and needy one,
      mathew

      • Shalom to all , Jesus Said of Things HIDDEN In Christ since the Begginning of the Foundations of the World = Ear – th … please listen :-)!!! Gen. 21 All 1 – * 6 * The Lord appeared to SARAH … Concieved a Son ISSAC ( Means Child of Laughter * SEE WHY on Vs. 6 * Awesome is the Lord !!! ) as ” Promised from the Lord !!! WHERE WAS THE LORD ??? ** Jeremiah 1 : 5 ** INSIDE THE WOMB OF SARAH ** ?? !!! Yeppers Folks Yee Hahhh !!! Now please go to Gen. 4 : 1 : EVE the Mother of ALL the Living said this : KJV ” I Have Gotten a MAN from the LORD ” !!! ISN*T that where WE ALL COME FROM ??? !!! Yeshua Jesus Said ” The Truth Will Set You Free !!! Faith Hope Peace Mercy Love from Mount Zion Ephesians * 1 : 5 * PREDESTINED BY JESUS BABY * Love you all in Christ , as Christ has forgiven US for our Sins , Let Us forgive others and Love as Jesus Loved … !!! Glory to God Through Christ … bless everyone amen shalom 🙂 caio !!!

        • Shalom to all , Networking for God*s Kingdom is Why we as Christians post ,to bring Hope for the Lost for God*s Glory !!! Faith without works is Dead !!! I can Be Followed as I Follow Christ as Paul stated in Scripture !!! Bible Dot Org. – Bible Network – Impacting the world for Christ one post at a time !!! Http // forum,bible,org./index,php my Handle : messengeroflight !!! Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem Psalms 122 bless you all amen shalom

    • Youre half right. The people of the Old Testament were saved by their faith in the comming messiah. Repentance was still required (2 Chronicles 7:14) just as it is today.

      • It is not even saving knowledge, leave alone faith!
        Even Job knew that his redeemer liveth. But Christ was not so evidently set before them as in our case. So we are without excuse. OT saints and NT saints have different rewards, positions in heaven Eph.3:5,Rev.18:20 “holy apostles and prophets” gives these 2 references in BLB. So we are without excuse, ‘work out your own salvation with fear and trembling’:
        “WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE MORE TO MY VINEYARD, THAT I HAVE NOT DONE IN IT?”,Grace be with you all.
        Poor and needy one,
        mathew

        • Shabbat Shalom ( Sabbath of Peace ) to all , Excellant Post brother Mathew !!! Please understand that the Lord gave all peoples ” free will ” to decide our own Fate ( Life or Death ; God says Choose Life ! ) !!! Also there is War still happening between God and his angels ; and the devil and his angels … for the SOULS … Of Men and Women … for Eternity … Rev. 12 : 7 – 13!!! ??? The devil knows his time is running OUT on the End of his Reign on Earth !!! That*s Why the World is in turmoil with the Arab spring in the Middle East , Financial markets on shaky ground , wars in various areas around the World ; Etc. , this ties into Matthew 24 all … !!! Isaiah 60 all Explains a prophecy of the End Times … ??? !!! The Lord is Gathering the LOST Tribes of Israel ; the Gentiles ; the children of Keturah … to Mount Zion … !!! Hosea 6 : 1 KJV : Come , and let us return unto the Lord : for he hath torn , and he will heal us ; he hath smitten and he will bind us UP !!! Micah 4 all is a Prophecy of the Lord of God*s Kingdom … from Mount Zion with the ” Law Of Christ coming from Jerusalem ” Vs. 1 – 2 ( ” And PEOPLE Shall Flow unto IT ” !!! ) … !!! Thanks Glory Praise Blessings Honour to God through Christ , bless everyone … Remember what Jesus said : ” To strengthen the Brethren ” !!! amen shalom :-)bye !

  2. Romans.1:18-20 TLB
    So called Nominal, not PHENOMENAL, Christians spurn, “push away the truth”. God has implanted the e-chip (E- for Eternity) in man Ecc.3:11. Just ACTIVATE it, knowing the terror of God I persuade,ACTIVATE THE CHRIST CARD! How do you learn language? Ask Noam Chomsky! They say naively, programmed, wired, then by the same token YOU ARE WIRED TO KNOW the Faithful Creator GOD too. COME learn of Me. Hear, Answer the plaintive call, knock, before the final KNOCK OUT BLOW! Pride is the Culprit, American pride….Mal.4:1
    I am in a quqndary, pl. help: all these atheists pantheists when they merge on to the Freeways respect the traffic rules, signs, why can’t they get into the groove, pattern(1Tim.1:16) on the King’s Highway of Holiness too?

    Pl.see Rom.1:18-20 TLB. Thanks

    Grace be with you all.
    Poor and needy one,
    mathew

  3. Luke 8:11
    Now the parable is this
    The seed is the word of GOD

    Luke 8:12
    Those by the wayside are they that hear
    then cometh the devil and taketh the word out of their hearts
    LEST THEY SHOULD BELIEVE AND BE SAVED

    Luke 8:13
    They on the rock are they which when they hear
    receive the word with joy and these have no root
    which for awhile believe and in time of temptation fall away

    Luke 8:14
    And that which fell among thorns are they
    which when they have heard go forth and are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life
    and bring no fruit to perfection

    Luke 8:15
    But that on the good ground are they
    which in an honest heart having heard the word keep it
    and bring forth fruit with patience

    James 1:22
    But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves

    LOVING THE LORD

    • Brother, isn’t this a sequence or four phases in the life of a man? Even the Hindus have four stages of life.
      When I see the pop can on the road, with erased superscription and image of the Maker,IT IS REDEEMABLE, IT HAS VALUE, WORTH, I am reminded of my own pitiable state. None eye pitied thee, untouchable, unclean.. In the course of time thorns, rock; we have a natural pond on the top of a flat rock in our property, lush green bushes around them, but let sore summer come. Finally I am on the good, fertile ground. Once I saw Gen.24:31a writ large on a church wall. But Jacob was wise; so our God is called the God of Jacob! So, Brother Steve, make a MOVE.
      I beseech you by the mercies and terror of God(Mal.4:1, Hillary Clinton used the word INFERNO to describe 9/11 !), JOIN THE MOVEMENT !!! Why should a Catholic be always a Catholic, a Lutheran a Lutheran. This time of grace is the most favourable, conducive time and soil. If you make it straight into the most fertile good ground, you are blessed indeed like Mary. Life is short-969-120-70,80! A time for every thing Ecc.3:1; but now is, today is the day of ..Let us go on unto perfection (Col.4:12). J O I N T H E M O V E M E N T .Thanks
      Grace and mercy be with you all.
      Poor and needy one,
      mathew

  5. (John 3:1 KJV) “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:”

    (John 3:2 KJV) “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

    (John 3:3 KJV) “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

    (John 3:4 KJV) “Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”

    (John 3:5 KJV) “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

    (John 3:6 KJV) “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

    (John 3:7 KJV) “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

    (John 3:8 KJV) “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

    (John 3:9 KJV) “Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?”

    HOW TO BE BIBLICALLY BORN AGAIN.

    (Acts 2:37 KJV) “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

    (Acts 2:38 KJV) “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

    (Acts 2:39 KJV) “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

    (Acts 2:40 KJV) “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”

    Jesus said u must and Peter preached it, all who enter heaven go thru the same sheep fold door!

  6. when the ancient romans (catholic)tried to replace the apostles and Jesus doctrine by destroying it there doctrine of salvation was in error from the start. With the reformation they (m. luther)tried to break away from the apostate religion ,but they never got back to the original doctrine of salvation for whatever reason. Salvation is still according to the apostles doctrine from the bible. acts 2:38 is not a debating scripture , it is a saving scripture for all who obey it.

    • Are you contradicting Mat.28:19?
      Are you making Jesus a liar?
      Of course, Jesus Christ is all in all.
      But unlike us, mortals, He never rescinded or retracted his words.Tunnel vision is pernicious,let’s have a bird’s, eagles’ (Isa.40:31) eye view at least, not to mention God’s Seven eyed view! Of course in him dwelleth all the fulness. Amen.
      Grace be with you all,
      Poor and needy one,
      mathew

    • Beloved Brother Ron Hanish : Shalom Excellant on both Posts !!! Here is Why ; 321 ad At the Council of Nicea , Constantine became Emperor of Rome and a Christian ( ? ) You Jews are a funny bunch of fellows Worshipping One God ; While we Romans Worship many Gods …Isis , Apollo , Thor , Zues , Etc. !!! Let*s ABOLISH the Jew*s Sabbath – Saturday 7 th day of the Week … and we at the Council will rule for a ” National Law ” of Sunday – Baal Worship through out the Roman Empire = Daniel 7 : 25 K ( now ) ??? Brother Mathew : shalom , the Hindu*s Worship snakes and rats , and think Cows are Sacred ??? Please Don*t Be Like King Soloman and be LED ASTRAY by Foreign or Strange gods … Stick to the Lord ONLY !!! Bless everyone Praise the Lord ; in Word and Deed amen shalom

      • Shalom to all , in 325 ad The New Covenant ” Passover ” was Abolished … Easter – Ishtar the god of fertility – rabbits – with Chicken Eggs … colored by a silly raabbbit … for the Kids … Propaganda …( Mixing Egyptian and Babylon Beliefs WITH Christianity … Sorcery – Deception ??? ) !!! Jesus Spoke Of Passover with His Disiples John 6 : 25 – 25 ( Seal or mark of God ) , 53 – 56 ( to Become ONE with Jesus and the Father ; By the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ ) !!! TRUTH and LOVE from Up Above !!! The Sabbath and the Passover was a ** Sign ** between God and His People … ??? !!! So if you are Not a Hebrew ; then you are a Gentile ; ” a wild olive branch ” Grafted into the Fold of Israel – Romans 11 : 13 – ** 24 ** !!! Thanks Praise Glory Blessings Honour to God through Christ amen shalom

        • Continued from Romans 11 … PROOF ; John 10 : 14 – ** 16 ** … Jesus is the Good Shepard … Vs. 16 KJV : And Other Sheep I Have , Them ( Gentiles and the Children of Keturah , new Wife of Abraham – Gen. 25 ) also I must bring , and they shall hear my Voice ; and there shall be ONE FOLD , and One Shepard !!! Jesus Spoke Of Mysterys of God*s Kindom … Matthew 13 : 16 – * 17 * The Mind Of Christ … !!! Praise the Lord amen shalom !!! 🙂 bye !!!

      • Brother, Hindus also are groping for the truth at this high noon, hence I mentioned it. The national motto of India is “Satyameva Jayate”, which means ‘truth ALONE shall triumph’! We should appreciate that and encourage & lead them to receive the light. India is India just because of St.Thomas and the light of Christianity. Otherwise would have been like the Dark Continent!
        Brother we have no time to look back and blame Romans, or Catholics . Follow on to know the Lord through the RUT cut out for us by Jesus and his holy apostles and prophets, pastors, evangelists and teachers (Heb.13:7). God’s truth marches on triumphantly. God has shown the truth (Micah.6:8). We are without excuse.Thank you for the word of caution. Write often, but use caution is a sound dictum.
        Brother, why didn’t you answer my questions? So that is one more question to answer!!!
        Who is this Melchisedec?
        What is meant by The Ministry after the order of Melchisedec?
        Grace be with you all.
        Poor and needy one,
        mathew

    • Bro. Ron, It is high time for another reformation!
      Let it start in me / you. Rom.13:11; Heb.9:10.. No, daily reformation. Pruning, for much more fruit. I’ve seen Routers in plants doing the job! Just like that. The Camel can enter the Eye of the Needle easily when the hunches & humps are slashed off relentlessly. That’s what the Holy Ghost & Fire does, melts off , burns off all the protruding parts to cut out a clone of Jesus or like a
      Bonsai Jesus.
      Grace be with you all.
      Poor and needy one,
      mathew

  7. religious people want whats beneficial to them,whatever is easier, doin it there way. But people that want to be saved just search for truth

    • Brother, the NT mentions only one authentic(Standard) ministry. God abolished the DYNASTIC ministry and instituted the DYNAMIC One. Family Dentistry is OK!
      What is meant by The Ministry after the Order of Melchisedec? Search the scriptures for the truth, because
      only the truth will sanctify us, set us free, besides this, the judgment of God is after the truth. Thanks.
      Grace be upon you all.
      Poor and needy one,
      mathew

      • Ooops! i think that I should have mentioned a “Global Standard”! Banner Ps.60:4. I am sorry brother, I cannot but lift it. See paul’s confession 2Cor.13:8. Also see God’s charge Jer.9:3. Moreover His banner over me is LOVE, love of truth, hence I speak the truth in love. What the law, legislation, Health Care, could not do, God did by love, in love on the cross. Thanks.
        Grace be with you all.
        Poor and needy one,
        mathew

      • Brother Mathew ; Blessings from Mount Zion Psalms 2 : 1 – 7 Jesus Came to Fulfil the Law of Moses … not to Abolish the Law …NT !!! One question for you ; WHO WAS Malachi ??? Who Wrote the Book of Malachi ??? The Bible never States Who he Is ??? Those that want to Worship God … God is a Spirit … must Worship him in Spirit and Truth … John 4 : 24 … !!! This is what is going on today around the world …Matthew 15 : 9 … You must understand the OT to understand the New Covenant NT !!! Glory to God through Christ amen shalom !!!

    • Bro. Ron, you are right. There is CUSTOMIZED GOSPEL & STANDARDIZED GOSPEL. But what is the Standard and what is the Non-standard, Sub-standard, reprobate, castaway? Search the truth. If you can find it, long ago there was an article in WIRED magazine about how William Sellers got the screw thread standardized,. That’s exactly what Jesus and his apostles did for godliness, spirituality. That excellent article was by one James Surowiecki. He uses the phrase”standards war” ‘power of standards’ ‘poetry of standards’ etc. We are in fact in the heat of the battle during this primary season. It is a lo…ng topic. Ask, Seek, Knock and find for yourself. Grace be with you all.
      Poor and needy one,
      mathew

      • Eureka! Eureka!
        Just google “James Surowiecki- Turn of the Century” and the legendary STANDARDS WAR is right before you. So it is even today! But count the biblical parallels please.
        Grace be with you all.
        Poor and needy one,
        mathew

  8. Psalm 94:16
    Who will rise up for ME against the evildoers
    or who will stand up for ME against the workers of iniquity

    Psalm 94:17
    Unless the LORD had been my help
    my soul had almost dwelt in silence

    Deuteronomy 32:28
    For they are a nation void of counsel
    neither is there any understanding in them

    Psalm 119:144
    The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting
    GIVE ME UNDERSTANDING AND I SHALL LIVE

    Proverbs 2:6
    For the LORD giveth wisdom
    OUT OF HIS MOUTH COMETH KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

    Psalm 119:104
    THROUGH THY PRECEPTS I GET UNDERSTANDING
    Therefore I hate every false way

    Psalm 119:169
    Let my cry come before thee O LORD
    GIVE ME UNDERSTANDING ACCORDING TO THY WORD

    2 Timothy 2:7
    Consider what I say
    and the LORD give thee understanding in all things

    Psalm 119:99
    I have more understanding than all my teachers
    for thy testimonies are my meditation

    Proverbs 8:14
    Counsel is mine and sound wisdom
    I am understanding I have strength

    Proverbs 1:25
    But you have set at naught all MY counsel
    and would none of MY reproof

    Proverbs 1:26
    I also will laugh at your calamity
    I will mock when your fear cometh

    James 4:7
    Submit yourselves therefore to GOD
    resist the devil and he will flee from you

    John 12:49
    For I have not spoken of myself
    but the FATHER which sent ME HE gave ME a commandment
    what I should say and what I should speak

    John 12:50
    And I know that HIS commandment is life everlasting
    whatsoever I speak therefore
    even as the FATHER said unto ME so I speak

    John 5:24
    Verily verily I say unto you
    he that heareth MY word and believeth on HIM that sent ME
    hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation
    but is passed from death unto life

    John 5:25
    Verily verily I say unto you
    the hour is coming and now is
    when the dead shall hear the voice of THE SON OF GOD
    and they that hear shall live

    1 John 2:6
    He that sayeth he abideth in HIM ought himself also to walk
    even as HE walked

    2 Timothy 4:2
    PREACH THE WORD
    BE INSTANT IN SEASON OUT OF SEASON
    REPROVE REBUKE EXHORT WITH ALL LONG SUFFERING

    John 15:18-21
    If the world hate you
    you know that it hated ME before it hated you
    (19) If you were of the world the world would love his own
    but because you are not of the world
    but I have chosen you out of the world
    therefore the world hateth you
    (20) Remember the word that I said unto you
    If they have persecuted ME they will also persecute you
    IF THEY HAVE KEPT MY SAYING THEY WILL KEEP YOURS ALSO
    (21) But all these things will they do unto you for MY names sake
    because they know not HIM that sent ME

    Psalm 119:86
    All thy commandments are faithful
    They persecute me wrongfully help thou me

    Psalm 119:138
    Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded
    are righteous and are very faithful

    Titus 1:9
    Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught
    that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort
    and to convince the gainsayers

    Acts 20:30
    Also of your own selves shall men arise
    speaking perverse things
    to draw away disciples after them

    1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things thou shalt be a good minister of JESUS CHRIST
    NOURISHED UP IN THE WORDS OF FAITH AND OF GOOD DOCTRINE
    where unto thou hast attained

    LOVING THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

  9. Bro, Steve, thank you for the precious culling!
    Only the DEAD shall hear his voice. only the crucified, weaned get the Sound doctrine and easily connect to Christ! It is a mystery.
    Recently I received a Mailer from SEARS on free hearing loss test.
    The spirit of grace converted it into a nice gospel tract for me; unlike others our hearing gets sharper and keener as we grow ripe.

    ‘Legion’s Mark.5 draw away, but the Lord IS faithful..Greater 2Thes.3:3.
    Grace be with you all.
    Poor and needy one,
    mathew

  10. LET US RISE UP & BUILD Neh.2:18.
    Gal.3:19
    Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions,TILL THE SEED SHOULD COME to whom the promise was made;..

    Gal.3:23

    Heb.9:10
    NLT & NIV are excellent. It’s like tearing down your good old computer system and installing the UPGRADE, the latest one! Hag.1:4! Stark disparity! “The old ORDER changeth, giving place to the new..”
    But what is the new ORDER?
    The seeed is faith. NOW the just shall live by faith Heb.10:38.
    .. for whatsoever is not of faith is sin Rom.14:23 This is what happened in the garden of Eden. So let us rise up and build.
    Grace be with you all.
    Poor and needy(i need the very latest .com!) one,
    mathew

  11. Rom.13:11

    “WHAT MEANEST THOU, O, SLEEPER?” Jonah.1:6
    Arise,
    Arise & shine
    Simply join the movement.

    LET US RISE UP AND BUILD!!!
    Grace be with you all,
    Poor and needy one,
    mathew