Iris Santiago asks: God bless! My dad loved your past 2 debates! I'm 13 and have a question that I need help with. Can you please explain to me how people were saved before Christ's atonement? My youth leader says that Old Testament people were saved by following the Law. But when I read the Bible, it seems like nobody has ever been saved by the law. Can you please help me out? Thanks in advance.

God bless Iris,

Wow, at 13, that is a pretty big question. But, we agree with your statement that nobody has ever been saved by keeping the Law. In fact, Romans 3:20, makes it clear "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin."

Secondly, Apostle Paul continuously quotes the Old Testament to drive the understanding that noone will, nor has ever been made righteous by observing the Law. Paul points to Abraham, the father of the Jews, to prove that salvation comes through faith (Galatians 3:6-11).

Furthermore, Jesus Christ is the substance that fills the types and shadows in the Old Testament. This can be seen in Hebrews 10:1- "The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves."

Or Luke 24:44- He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

Last but not least, the Bible teaches that throughout history, wether Old or New Testament, salvation is, and has been, through grace alone, through faith alone, on account of Christ alone.

So, to put this in perspective, in the same manner that we look back in time to the cross for forgiveness of our sins, the Old Testament contemporaries looked forward in time to the cross for the forgiveness of their sins. Hope this makes sense and clears things up. God bless.

Comments:

Iris Santiago: Thank you guys. It makes perfect sense. So we look back to Jesus while they looked forward to Jesus. I love that answer. I couldn't understand how they could be saved by the Law. It was confusing me.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Glad it helped. Again, big question at such an early age. It's good to see young people wanting to learn the truth. God bless.

Iris Santiago: Thanks guys, God bless.

Paul Clarence: What denomination are you guys? You seem to attack a lot of our Apostolic views.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: God bless Paul. Our answers are not denominationally driven. We answer questions and provide evidence and facts when available, as well as provide solid verses that prove our point. Please feel free to provide verses that show we are wrong. We are willing to change our stance if you prove otherwise.

Paul Clarence: So you don't believe that certain things are to be interpreted by the reader?

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: No, if that were the case, Timothy would not have said "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness", since you cannot correct someone if they are allowed to interpret what they read however they want.

Romans3:20

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.