4:1-5 Was Abraham who lived hundreds of years before the law also saved by Jesus' death?
4:1-5 Was Abraham who lived hundreds of years before the law also saved by Jesus' death?
Yes! The basis of salvation, whether of an Old Testament saint or a New Testament believer, under the law or outside of the law, is and always has been, the death of Christ as the atoning sacrifice for sin.
God credited Abraham's faith in Him to perform His word as righteousness on the basis of Christ's future sacrifice of Himself for Abraham's sin.
It was the death of Christ as full payment for all men's sins that made it possible for God to justify sinners and vindicate his righteousness, regardless of the biblical era (CP Mt 1:21; 26:27-28 (also Mk 14:23-24); Lu 1:68-79; Jn 1:29; Ro 3:23-25; 5:12-19; 2Cor 5:17-19, 21; Ga 3:22; He 9:15; 1Jn 2:2).
Even Abel made a sacrificial offering to God which pointed to the future redeemer (CP Gen 4:1-4). See also comments on Ro 3:24-26(B); He 9:15, 10:5-7 and 10:14 and author's studies
The Old Testament Day of Atonement and God's plan of Salvation and Israel in God's eternal Purpose in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 1), and The Doctrine of Grace in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2).