Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 8, section 6
Although the work of redemption was not actually accomplished by Christ until after his incarnation, yet the power, efficacy, and benefits of it were applied to the elect in all ages successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices by which Christ was revealed and signified to be the seed of the woman who would bruise the serpent’s head, and to be the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
– Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 8, section 6
Chapter 8, section 6 of the confession describes that even though Christ’s work was accomplished after his incarnation it was still effective prior to his coming but in different ways.
In God’s infinite wisdom and through his master plan, he set forth in motion a rescue plan for humanity. This plan was actually foretold in Genesis right after the fall of Adam and Eve.
God said to the serpent in Genesis 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heal.
And throughout redemptive history we saw various promises, types, and sacrifices which pointed to this truth… pointing to a coming savior who would defeat the serpent. People were saved because they believed in God’s promised salvation. When Christ finally came into this world, God fulfilled this promise with Christ as our mediator. So all believers or the elect are able to benefit in this salvation, both believers in ages past before Christ’s incarnation, as well as believers after Christ’s incarnation.
This can be summarized in Galatians 4:4 says that “when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
In conclusion, John 3:16 summarizes it for us: “For God so loved the world, that he sent his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
It is through faith in God’s Son Jesus Christ that we are saved.
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