The thief on the cross and baptism...

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Do you think that folks under the old covenant talked any less intimately to God than we do?

I understand that under the old covenant, the teaching about God mostly likened him to a disciplinarian, but there were those folks who talked to God, and he talked to them audibly, thru a burning bush, thru a donkey, etc.

I'm not saying that the New Testament mode of salvation can bring folks fulfillment in this life, but as Timmy says, is the eternal reward any less?

And, I'm sure if you asked Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Samuel, and a host of others if they thought their relationship and communication with God could get any better, they may say "no".

I know that David often talked of feeling that God was ignoring him, he felt depressed, discouraged, etc.....but, that's not different than many Spirit filled Christians feel today.

This is a very interesting discussion.........

I believe they longed for Messiah, a day when God would hear and answer them while their words were yet still in their mouths. Also, the baptism of the Holy Ghost affords us a closeness with God none under the Old Covenant ever experienced. As far as eternal reward... probably just as blessed as ours. But there's so much more to living for God than the mansion in Heaven. The intimacy and closeness with one's creator is of priceless value.

[TheLegalist]

Originally Posted by DAII

I think a good discussion on covenant would be rooted in examining the 3 major models ...

1. Dispensationalism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dispensationalism

2. New Covenant Theology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Covenant_Theology

3. Covenant Theology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covenant_theology


I think my views lie in between 2 and 3 ... mainly in 3.

Imagine that... No surprise here!