Old Covenant Question

This question fails to understand the position of the brethren under the old covenant. Hebrews 12:23 tells us they were "just men." One rendering offers it as "justified." If they walked in the light available in their day and "believe on him which should come after" (Acts 19:4), they were placed in a "justified" state, but they were not regenerated. 

Genesis 9:21, speaking of Noah, tells us, "He drank of the wine, and was drunken." Is this the behavior of someone who is regenerated? Certainly not! Yet, Genesis 6:9 says, "Noah was a just man and perfect IN HIS GENERATIONS." He would not be "perfect" in our generation, but the light we have today was not available in his day. "Noah walked with God" (Genesis 6:9) and was a "justified" man.

Consider when Abraham went to Egypt and instructed Sarah, "Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister" (Genesis 12:12-13). The intent was to deceive; Pharaoh reproved him for his deception (verses 18-19). Yet, Abraham did it again to King Abimelech in Gerar. Concerning Sarah, Abraham said, "She is my sister" (Genesis 20:2). However, the Lord was faithful and revealed the truth to Abimelech in a dream. 

In Genesis 20:9-10, Abimelech reproved Abraham for this attempted deception. Again, is this the behavior of one who is regenerated? Certainly not, yet Romans 4:2 tells us Abraham was "justified," and Romans 4:5 lets us know "his faith is counted for righteousness." 

Hebrews 11:39 tells us they "received not the promise." The Hebrew writer went on to say in verse 40, "God having provided some better thing for us .…" We read in Hebrews 9:15, when Jesus died, "That by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that WERE UNDER THE FIRST TESTAMENT ...." 

When Jesus died, He first dealt with the condition and position of the Old Testament brethren. They were "justified" but had not enjoyed the benefits of "redemption" until the "means of death" occurred. When that occurred, "the spirits of just men [were] made perfect" (Hebrews 12:23). That Greek word is teleioo, which means "complete, to carry through completely" (Thayer's Greek Lexicon).

When Christ accomplished His redemptive work, both the Old Testament brethren and New Testament brethren were brought together into one "general assembly" (Hebrews 12:23). Certainly, the Old Testament brethren are enjoying the bliss of the eternal realm.  Those brethren were "justified" and ultimately received the benefit of "redemption." So, they (as "Lazarus"; Luke 16:20) are enjoying being in "Abraham's bosom" (Luke 16:22), or Paradise.

Earl R. Borders

From the June 2026 issue of  The Gospel Trumpeter