Question: was Cornelius saved under ---

[kerwin]

I do not believe that a non-believer has the capacity to follow what the law requires unless God has already been working in that particular heart or that person has some kind of experience in Jewish tradition/culture/world view. JMHO

You might be correct since Paul started with the basics with the philosophers of Athens.

 

[skypair]

Question: was Cornelius saved under the "kingdom gospel (Abrahamic Covenant)" or the "gospel of the grace of God" as taught by Paul?

Actually, Cornelius was "safe" under the "everlasting gospel" before Peter came to him. That is, the everlasting gospel holds a person "just" before God if 1) he acknowledges the God revealed to him in creation (Ro 1:18-20), 2) glorifies and thanks Him, and 3) has not knowingly sinned against Him.

This everlasting gospel especially applies to each of us as children. Most of our parents had us christened promising to bring us up in the future and admonition of the Lord. In so doing, they cause us to come under the everlasting gospel because we acknowledged God, worshiped Him, prayed to Him, and were not aware of sin guilt against God in our souls (which estate is known as "innocence"). God does NOT condemn the innocent. In fact, like Job, He builds a "hedge" around our lives that only we can bring down when we choose to sin -- break one of the 10 commandments, say.

So what happens is such a person dies? They go to heaven .. they are resurrected into Christ's Millennial Kingdom .. and they become saved there in the same manner as we do today.

Actually, all of this is well detailed in Job. Job 1 -- "safe" under the everlasting gospel .. 7:11, 20-21 - loses his innocence through bitterness, blaming God for his plight .. Job 33:23-33 -- God sends "messenger" Elihu with the gospel message .. Job 42:5-6, 10 -- Job repents, is saved, and is given a new life. He, too, will be resurrected into Christ's earthly kingdom and accept Him as Savior and Lord just as we do today.

skypair