regeneration

The Premise Stated

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PREMISE

Two items of consideration: First of all I want to consider the unimportance of the premise. There is nothing past present or future that is going to change in reality or theologically if this premise is true or false, other than some minor doctrines that for the most part are not being taught much anyway. The premise, true or false, does not change the Old Testament saint’s life one iota. The premise does not change the Old Testament saint’s eternity one iota.

There is the distinct possibility, however that if the premise is true it will change how you view the spiritual lives of the Old Testament saint. There is the distinct possibility that if the premise is true it will change your view of your own spiritual life as well.

Secondly, IF the Old Testament saints were regenerated or born again, then logically speaking Christ did not have to die. They were fully regenerated - they were fully equipped and ready for heaven, BEFORE CHRIST HAD DIED, BEFORE HE HAD OFFERED HIS BLOOD IN THE HEAVENLY TABERNACLE THUS WHY WOULD HE HAVE TO DIE - this is not acceptable logically.

I indicated to some that God was not a deficit spender. He could not, indeed would not, give out regeneration and complete restoration from the fall, before the price was paid - that price being the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross and once for all offered in the Heavenly tabernacle.

Now, having said this we MUST consider some things that I am saying and some things I am not saying - please bear with me for a few moments.

I AM NOT SAYING:

That Old Testament saints weren't justified.

That Old Testament saints weren't saved.

That Old Testament saints weren't happy.

That Old Testament saints weren't seen as righteous.

That Old Testament saints weren't right before God.

That Old Testament saints weren't headed for heaven.

That Old Testament saints weren't right living (though many had lots of room for improvement.)

Before we look at what I am saying please consider a couple of observations:

1. Many will offer verses that will show that the Old Testament saints were saved by the blood of Jesus. These verses, however are looking from our point of view - looking back and placing our understanding upon them. The important thing to consider is what did the Old Testament saint understand about these verses. The saint of old was looking for a Messiah (we know that Messiah to have been Jesus Christ), but they did not know His name, nor did they understand the suffering servant on the cross aspect of their Messiah. They were looking for a king to save them physically from their predicaments.

They looked for a king messiah not a baby Jesus that would grow and die on the cross. They were looking for God to supply all that was needed for them, which He did.

2. A good Calvinist would suggest and rightly so for his system of belief that regeneration is done before belief or anything else. It is something that God does so that you can believe. (I think that is what they hold) NATURALLY he is going to reject my thinking. I believe that regeneration is the act of God that makes us a new creation, complete and ready for eternity except for death or the rapture.

NOW, WHAT I AM SAYING:

God saw in His own mind a fully completely regenerated Old Testament saint, but He knew in His own mind that the price was not paid, and He knew that they were not ready for His presence - THUS He prepared Abraham's bosom for a temporary place for them to enjoy the time till the cross. Christ ushered those residing in the paradise side of Sheol into God's presence after His work was completed.

The blood of animals can't properly, totally prepare a believer for eternity or we would all be offering goats on Sunday. Christ the Perfect Sacrifice is the only price that could be sufficient. His blood was not offered until after the death, thus there was no Old Testament saint that was totally ready for eternity. YES, in the eternal scheme of things they were, because Christ was going to die, but He had not!

I don't see indication in the Old Testament that the saint had any concept of Jesus hanging on the cross for their sin. I don't see indication that they believed in a death or shedding of Messiah's blood for their sin. I don't see indication in the Old Testament that the Old Testament saint had any knowledge of Jesus. They looked for a Messiah but had no idea who it was - why did the leaders ask John the Baptist if he was He if they knew who their Messiah was?

I would have to do a lot of study to know if the Old Testament saint even knew that the offering of animals wasn't going to take care of everything. I am still considering that one. I believe that their belief in God and his sacrificial system was honored in the death of God's Son Jesus Christ. I also believe that the Old Testament saint had an assurance that his God was going to take care of all details related to his future state.

I don't see anyone that knew Jesus was going to die on the cross - the disciples wouldn't believe Jesus when He told them - they, as the Old Testament saints, were looking for the kingdom that is prophesied all through the Old Testament. If this is true, then how could the Old Testament saint be looking toward the cross? They were looking toward God's completed work whatever that might be and from our viewpoint it was the cross.

I see the offerings of the Old Testament as a covering that I believe the Bible teaches. These offerings covered the sins until they could be washed away or taken completely care of by Jesus when He offered His shed blood in the heavenly holy of holy.

The thought that some suggest - they were looking forward to the cross - well I don't know if they were or not as the Old Testament doesn't say that, but if they were looking forward to the cross then something must have been lacking in the animal sacrifice system, thus proving part of my premise.

I for years was plagued with the why of Abraham's bosom and the Old Testament saints not going into the presence of God as the New Testament saints do. I wondered about why the Old Testament saints weren't indwelt by the Spirit as we are. I wondered why the Spirit couldn't come until Christ ascended. I often wondered about Old Testament baptism. Many say that it is in the Old Testament, but I have not seen much evidence of it. Indeed, there is no reason to picture a new creation in Christ, which baptism is, when there hadn't been a new creation yet.

The fact that they weren't regenerated until Christ's work on the cross offers an explanation for all these questions. If you reject my premise and have answers to all these questions then great. If on the other hand you reject my premise, then you need to find adequate answers to these questions.

Some might say, but you didn't give any Scripture - you are quite observant. As we continue on in the study we will look at the Word and see what it says on some of these subjects.

I might, for clarity of thought remind you that I am not questioning the fact of regeneration for all, just the when. Indeed, there might be another study involved here - did the Old Testament saint go through regeneration before leaving Sheol for heaven and God's presence. I would, off the top assume that they probably were just changed into the glorified body state.