The Bible comprises 66 books in total; there are 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. The Old Testament covers the history of the world from creation to the coming of Jesus Christ. The Gospels in the New Testament begin with the birth of Jesus Christ and recount the history of his life, culminating in his crucifixion and resurrection. The books following the Gospels then discuss the details of what Jesus Christ accomplished and take us to the point of his return. So what does this have to do with our title, “Are Jewish People Saved?”.
Well, it’s pretty simple. The Old Testament recounts the history of God’s people, beginning with the Creation. God promised the coming of the Messiah in the Book of Genesis, long before the nation of Israel even came into existence.
Genesis 3:15
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. [ESV]
The period from Abraham to Israel is sometimes referred to as the time of the Patriarchs. During the times of Abraham and the patriarchs, the coming of the Messiah was still the hope of all mankind.
After Abraham and Isaac, God called Jacob and changed his name to Israel. Jacob had 12 sons who would become the 12 tribes of Israel. The hope of the Children of Israel was also the coming of the savior: everything that they were taught pointed to it.
The Messiah eventually came and fulfilled all the prophecies given to the believers of the Old Testament, from Adam to the coming of Christ. The Apostle Paul was given the following information regarding salvation:
Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [KJV]
This promise, that if you confess Jesus as lord and believe that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved, is written to the whole world. That is, it does not matter what your background, nationality, ethnicity, or any other characteristic is, the promise is for you. This, of course, also includes the Jewish nation.
So, “Are Jewish People Saved?” Well, if a person is of Jewish background and has confessed Jesus as lord and believed in his or her heart that God has raised him from the dead, then “yes”, that person is saved. This would apply to any person of any background. On the other hand, if a person is of Jewish background and has not believed this promise, then according to the Scriptures, that person is not saved. This also would apply to any person of any background.
There is no special salvation for any group of people. The work of Jesus Christ has made redemption and salvation available to all. God is not a respecter of persons. When Peter was preaching on the Day of Pentecost, the people were convicted in their hearts and asked him what they should do. He told them that they must believe on Jesus Christ.
Acts 2:38
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. [KJV]
The promise of salvation is for all, God makes no distinction. What you have been in the past, what you may profess to be now – none of it has any impact on the promise of salvation by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. The only thing that can prevent you from being saved is you.