Category Archives: The Salvation of the Jews

A few days ago, long-time reader Price asked me about the nature of Jewish salvation before the cross. You pointed out that forgiveness of sin was already available under the Law … and included scriptural support which one can’t really argue … Continue reading →

One of the most remarkable (true) stories in all of Scripture is the story of David and Bathsheba. I assume the readers are familiar with it. If not, it’s a good read and found in 2 Sam 11-12. Go read … Continue reading →

During Jesus’ three-year ministry prior to his crucifixion, he often forgave sins without baptism. Then again, we know from John 4 that Jesus did, for a while, spend time in the Jordan River region baptizing. (Joh 3:22-24 ESV) After this … Continue reading →

Finally, Matthew records John’s prophecy regarding the Messiah — (Mat 3:11-12 ESV) “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will … Continue reading →

Matthew next records a bit of one of John’s sermons — (Mat 3:7-10 ESV) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to … Continue reading →

(Mat 3:3-6 ESV)  3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”  4 Now John … Continue reading →

To a First Century Jew raised on the Torah, a central text was — (Deu 30:6 ESV)  6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD … Continue reading →

On the other hand, the non-biblical literature is very limited and we really don’t know how typical, say, the Book  of Jubilees, was of the Jews of its era. We have the Talmuds — the Oral Law now in written … Continue reading →

Try to picture First Century Judaism just before the arrival of the John the Baptist. In fact, the Jews were saved — if they were saved at all — by faith. The Law was, to the Jews, much as the … Continue reading →

We start with just a little bit of context — (Rom 3:29-31 ESV)  29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,  30 since God is one– who … Continue reading →