In Hebrews 11:4 , Able, the second son of Adam and Eve, is called righteous. HOW WAS ABLE RIGHTEOUS ? It was imputed to him because of his faith. It is the same with all of those mentioned in this faith chapter. These people knew the gospel, knew of a future messiah and of a future kingdom of God. Theses people were Christians long before Christ was born. Theses people are the church in the wilderness, the root of the olive tree mentioned in Romans 11:17 . You see here that this was the new covenant of faith and grace in imputed righteousness long before the law was ever given by Moses. The church is much older than Pentecost in the book of Acts. The church predates law, it always has. People talk about replacement theology, there was no replacement because the church always first. The main purpose for the Pentecost church would be the calling of the gentiles. The branches of the unbelieving Israelites were already broken off when the rejected and murdered their own messiah and from then forward the gentiles would be grafted in. The branches that were broken off can be grafted back in after Jesus returns if they do not continue in unbelief. Romans 11:1-32 , Jeremiah 11:16 , Psalm 52:8 , Isaiah 27:11 The righteousness of the law was self righteousness and filthy rags to God because Jesus taught Matthew 6:33 , seek Gods imputed righteousness by faith and not your own under the law , Philippians 3:9
This olive tree is the completed church, the saints of the root and branches that compose spiritual Israel, the Israel of God, the elect of God , Revelation 7:4
This olive tree is the completed church, the saints of the root and branches that compose spiritual Israel, the Israel of God, the elect of God , Revelation 7:4