BELIEVE GOD, AND BE SAVED!

One of the most common complaints against Dispensationalism, is that it teaches there is more than one way to be saved.  That is not the case.  In every dispensation, faith in Almighty God is the basis for salvation.  After all, it was the opposite of faith, doubt, that brought about the spiritual downfall of humanity.  In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve sinned even before they partook of the forbidden fruit!  They sinned the moment they no longer trusted God.  When Satan persuaded them God was not to be trusted, they believed Satan!  And so, sin entered into their hearts! 

Some may question this view, saying that the Scripture clearly teaches that it was the eating of the forbidden fruit opened the door to death, and as a result, death inevitably passed upon all of mankind.  I do not agree; the Word indicates Adam sinned, but there is no mention of a forbidden fruit:  "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Rom. 5:12).  I "believe sin entered into the world" when Adam ceased to believe God. 

Jesus taught that sin is what goes on in a man's heart, even before he acts.  Notice that, while committing adultery is sin, in actuality, sin has already been committed when man lusts for the woman.  He said, "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:  but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Mt. 5:27-28).

Adam made a decision.  Because Satan cast doubt on God's credibility, and perhaps because Eve did not instantly drop dead, Adam defied his Creator (Gen. 3:1-6).  Adam was the first man to doubt God.  So, the question naturally follows, "How was Adam saved?"  The answer is so subtly presented in the Word, that most everyone misses it:  Adam was sorry, and he accepted God's gift of salvation.  How do I know?  He hid because he was sorry.  He accepted God's "clothing," which He provided Adam by grace; Adam did not earn it, and Adam certainly did not deserve it (Gen. 3:21; Eph. 2:8)!

Yes, throughout man's history, as it is presented in the Word of God, men and women trusted in God, and righteousness was provided unto them; a few examples are Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and even Rahab (Heb. 11:1-31)!  Throughout time, believing in God, believing in His provision for our salvation, has resulted in God declaring men and women of faith, to be righteous (Lk. 23:43; Rom. 4:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; etc.)!

 

Damnation results from doubting God; Salvation results from believing God!