Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

“19 You believe that there is one God (presents the type of Faith held by hundreds of millions, but in which there is no saving grace); you do well (you think you do well!): the devils also believe, and tremble. (Simply believing there is a God says no more than what demons believe. Proper Faith will accept the Lord as one’s Saviour.)”

JSM

The cross was a mystery until after the resurrection. There is no such thing as “looking forward” to the cross. Those OT saints lived by their own faith in what God’s word that He gave them at that time. Obedience was necessary but even then salvation was not obtained.

So these saints that were sleeping? Who were they and why did they obtain salvation? If they were already dead prior to Jesus dying on the cross?

Jesus yielded up the Ghost to the Father. He told the sinner on the cross today you will be in paradise. People argue Jesus didn't raise till 3 days later. But it appears Jesus went to the Father Immediately! And it was the body that was raised from the dead 3 days later.

Jesus went directly to the Father according to this account. And all the saints were raised from their graves. Seems like salvation for the saints. But correct me if im wrong, just show me scripture to back up your points.

Wait a second now.. So you mean to tell me that the obeyed God and did not obtain salvation? I beg to differ.

And I will share the following scripture and you can explain if you still believe they were not given salvation.

Matthew 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

So these saints that were sleeping? Who were they and why did they obtain salvation? If they were already dead prior to Jesus dying on the cross?

Jesus yielded up the Ghost to the Father. He told the sinner on the cross today you will be in paradise. People argue Jesus didn't raise till 3 days later. But it appears Jesus went to the Father Immediately! And it was the body that was raised from the dead 3 days later.

Jesus went directly to the Father according to this account. And all the saints were raised from their graves. Seems like salvation for the saints. But correct me if im wrong, just show me scripture to back up your points.

I agree with Guojing. Salvation became easier than the OT covenant.

When did those OT saints receive salvation? Upon the resurrection of Christ. If they were saved in their lifetime they would have been immediately with the Lord upon death. They were not saved from their sin yet, but because of their obedience they were kept at rest in Abraham’s bosom until Christ paid for their sin.

Christ did not ascend to the Father until His resurrection on the third day. Paradise is Abraham’s bosom which was in the heart of the earth but now translated to heaven. Christ’s spirit was given back to the Father upon death, His soul went to the heart of the earth, and His body in the tomb.

John 20
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

You originally said they did not obtain salvation. Im glad you were able to see they obtained salavtion.

As for the fact of ascending and descending I would need more verses then the one you provided. Jesus walked with the apostles for like 40 days before He ascended? I would need to study more on this topic to be definitive. Maybe someone has scriptures for this specific timeline of events after the cross.

Can a person be saved if their faith is in Jesus only and not in the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won, i.e., "The Finished Work," i.e., "The Blood of Jesus?"

I will ask the question again. Can a person be saved if their faith is in Jesus only and not in the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won, i.e., "The Finished Work," i.e., "The Blood of Jesus?" Yes or no

Unlike you, I will not claim you have not read the scriptures. Let me quote it to you 2 Sam 12 and you tell me how you interpret the words in bold, I will be most interested if there is one that will interpret the words differently. KJV.

13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.

16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.

18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?

19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.

20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.

22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

And in Romans 4, Paul stated

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

To me, David could not be talking about himself in this passage, because his adultery sin was imputed to him, leading to the death of his son. But he saw us being so blessed under the new covenant, that the Lord will never ever impute our sin to us.

Wow! And not we have to determine who brings on the results of our sin. Does it naturally happen as simply the way our world works or does God cause it to happen by His decision.

A dislike? Is that all you've got? I guess Swaggart has nothing suitable for you to cut and paste.

I will ask the question again. Can a person be saved if their faith is in Jesus only and not in the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won, i.e., "The Finished Work," i.e., "The Blood of Jesus?" Yes or no

Can a person be saved if their faith is in Jesus only and not in the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won, i.e., "The Finished Work," i.e., "The Blood of Jesus?"