How Did Abraham Get Saved?

For the most part, it is believed that Abraham was saved the same way you and I are in "the dispensation of the grace of God." This is simply not true as you will see. It is a long held tradition, but it is not what the Bible teaches. To see what the Bible teaches we must first take the Scripture in context and then compare Scripture with Scripture as we are commanded to do in John 6:63 and 1 Corinthians 2:13.

We see over in Romans 4:3 that that, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." This and other verses is where they get Abraham was saved the same way as us thing from. So, we see that Abraham did indeed have righteousness, but was this enough for him? It could of been had he been sealed in the Spirit like us, but he was not. Therefore he had to work to keep his salvation which is different than ours anyway. At first glance one would be want to agree with them, but we are compare other Scripture with Romans four before we abruptly come to that conclusion.

James says in 2:21 that Abraham was justified by works. See James 2:19-24. Ah, there is the completion of his salvation. Don't you see it! We are sealed in the Spirit and therefore cannot work for or lose our salvation. Abraham was not, so he had to keep working to keep his salvation. It is that simple! We are not justified by works in this dispensation. Please, read the Scripture for what it says and don't inject your own beliefs into it, twisting it to make them say what you believe and not what they say. That is called private interpretation my friend and is a no-no, not to be done! See Ephesians 2:8-9.

What were Abraham's works? James shows us in verse 2:21, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?"

Paul tells us how the old testament saints were saved in Romans 2:5-12.

Furthermore, what would of happen if Abraham did not do the work of leaving Ur and going to the Promise Land?

If you say, they believed in God the Father which is the same as Christ, how did that save them the same way we are? What happens to a person today if he believes in God (Jehovah), like the Jehovah's Witnesses, but does not call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? See John 14:6; Acts 4:12.

Let's look at some of the other differences in Abraham's covenant with God and our dispensational doctrine:

a) Abraham believed he would inherit the promise land and have many children? See Genesis 13:14-16.
b) We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?

a) Abraham had to do works to receive his promises?
b) We get saved to heaven for our belief alone plus nothing else?

a) Abraham was saved to Shoal for future redemption to the Promised Land during the Millennium?
b) We are saved to our heavenly home?

a) Their sins will be forgiven, taken out of remission at the return of the Lord! See Acts 3:19-21.
b) Our sins are nailed to the cross and are forgiven at the time of our salvation!

a) They were not sealed in the holy Spirit! The holy Spirit came and left the OT saints!
b) We are!

a) They were circumcised with the circumcision made with hands!
b) We are circumcised with the Spirit of God, a Spiritual circumcision! See Genesis 17:11; Colossians. 2:11.

a) They can lose their salvation!
b) We can not under any circumstance! See my work on eternal security.

a) They did not have a body of Christ to get saved into!
b) We do!

a) Their promises are forevermore!
b) So are ours!

As I hope you saw, the two dispensations are worlds apart. Abraham had to work to keep his salvation and we do not. We are even believing in different things and have a different inheritance.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:13 Back

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. James 2:19-24 Back

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8 Back

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12 Back

And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Genesis 13:14 Back

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. Acts 3:19 Back

And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. Genesis 17:11

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Colossians 2:11 Back

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; Romans 2:5-11 Back

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!