CAN MEN TODAY BE SAVED BY USING PRE-COVENANT TERMS FOR PARDON  by steve finnell

Jesus gave us the terms for pardon after His death and resurrection. The new covenant was not in force until the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Hebrews 9:11-22 But Christ came as High Priest........15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death........16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives..........(NKJV)

Jesus gave mankind the terms for pardon under the new covenant after His death and resurrection.  Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved...(NKJV)

Many in the denominational world teach that Jesus gave multiple terms for pardon before the new covenant terms were proclaimed. They believe these terms are applicable after the new covenant was in force.

Millions in denominational churches teach the water baptism is not essential for salvation because the thief on the cross was not baptized. The thief was saved before the new covenant was in force. (Luke 23:39-43)

1. The thief believed Jesus was the Christ.

2. The thief was not baptized in water.

3. The thief did not believe that God raised Jesus from the dead.

Was the thief saved? Yes. Can men be saved like the thief, today? No, they cannot.

Luke 10:25-28 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?" 27 So he answered and said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' 28 And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."(NKJV)

If the lawyer followed the instruction of Jesus, he would have inherited eternal life. Yes. Can men today be saved like the lawyer? Of course not. The lawyer was saved before the new covenant was in force.

1. There was not any indication that the lawyer even believed, that Jesus was the Christ.

2. The lawyer was not immersed in water.

3. The lawyer did not believe that God raised Jesus from the grave.

Luke 18:18-23 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" ........20 "You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery,' Do not murder,' Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' " 21 And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth." 22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. "Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; come, follow Me.".........

Would the ruler have inherited eternal life had he obeyed Jesus? Yes. Can men today be saved like the ruler? No, they cannot. The ruler would have been saved before the new covenant was in force.

1. The ruler was not baptized in water.

2. The ruler did not believe that God raised Jesus from the dead.

3. The ruler believed Jesus was a "Good Teacher." There is no indication that he believed that Jesus was the Son of God.

Mark 2:1-5.....3 Then they came to Him, bringing  a paralytic who was carried by four men.......... 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."(NKJV)

Were the paralytics sins forgiven? Yes. Can men today have their sin forgiven like the paralytic? No, they cannot. This was before the new covenant was in force.

1. The paralytics sin were forgiven because of the faith of friends.

2. The paralytic was not baptized in water.

3. The paralytic did not believe that God raised Jesus from the grave.

There is only one way to be saved today. Terms of pardon under the new covenant. FAITH John 3:16---REPENTANCE Acts 3:19---CONFESSION Romans 10:9 and  IMMERSION IN WATER---Mark 16:16.