WORDWISE INSIGHT is the free monthly newsletter of Wordwise-Bible-Studies.com

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? See below for how to send it to us.

Are you finding Wordwise helpful? And do you have your own website? We would be delighted if you would provide a link on your site to ours. This will enable your friends to find us too! Check the page on the Wordwise website called "Link to Us," and follow the simple instructions. Click on Link to Us.

LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION? On a Bible topic or passage of Scripture? Or one about a hymn or gospel song? Click on Questions from You.

BIBLE INSIGHTS

OLD TESTAMENT SALVATION

Salvation Before the Cross

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). No good works of ours can earn that, or it would not be a gift (Rom. 4:4-5). Salvation is not a "do" but a "done." In simple trust, we commit ourselves to what God has already done for us, in Christ. "The Father has sent the Son as Saviour of the world" (I Jn. 4:14).

But what happened before Christ came? Could people be saved back then, as well? And if so, how? In answer to these questions, there are a number of key factors to be considered.

1. They Believed in Eternal Salvation The Old Testament saints looked forward to eternal blessing in the presence of God, just as we do. As David says, "In Your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Ps. 16:11). And, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Ps. 23:6). Yes, the saints before the cross were saved eternally. We will meet them in the presence of God one day.

2. God's Revelation Is Progressive That being said, there is relatively little teaching in the Old Testament about life beyond the grave. God's revelation is progressive. That is, He revealed more and more about various subjects, as time went by. It is in the New Testament that we find most of the information about our eternal future. The focus in the Old Testament was mainly on...

To see the full article, click on Old Testament Salvation.

MY BLOG ON HYMNS!

Come and Pay Us a Visit!

But as many of you will know, a blog is especially designed to facilitate a conversation on its particular subject. Readers can easily post comments about what they see, and I'm able to reply. I hope you will do that!

A Special Feature
There is something unique about this blog that I don't believe has ever been done before. It contains what we could call a Hymn Almanac. If you want to know what happened in the history of hymn writing on any particular day, just click on the blog and you'll see!

My hope is that the blog will add to the value of the website and this newsletter, and promote some profitable exchanges on the subject of sacred music.

What happened on this day in hymnology? To find out, click Wordwise Hymns.

OTHER ARTICLES TO CHECK OUT

1) About Bible School. It is my conviction that each young person should at least consider attending Bible school after high school. (There is still time to check them out for the fall.) But beyond that, churches need to support these institutions with prayer, and funds, and by encouraging their young people to attend. Here is why.

2) Will those who commit suicide go to heaven? This is more than a subject for intellectual debate for many families. Suicide has become a heart-rending reality for one they love. I have tried to treat this subject biblically, and honestly. I trust my reflections will be of help.

About Bible School