Yes, God's grace has been present throughout history, not just in the church age.
From the Garden of Eden to the nation of Israel and the conversion of Saul, God's grace is consistently evident. While the word 'grace' becomes more prominent in Paul's letters, the attribute of grace was active from the beginning. Les Feldick emphasizes that even in the Old Testament, God's mercy and pursuit of sinners demonstrate His grace.
Genesis 6:8 — Shows that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord before the church age, proving grace existed early on.
Genesis 3:8-9 — Demonstrates God's grace in seeking out Adam and Eve after their sin, rather than abandoning them.
The Bible reveals that God's grace has been evident since the beginning. In Genesis 6:8, 'But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.' This shows that even in the ante-diluvian world, God's favor rested on individuals. Earlier, after Adam and Eve sinned and hid among the trees, God called to Adam and asked, 'Where art thou?' (Genesis 3:9). This act of seeking them demonstrates God's mercy and grace, as He did not immediately destroy them. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly showed mercy to Israel despite their rebellion, such as when He spared them after the golden calf incident (Exodus 32:14). These instances show that grace was a characteristic of God long before the dispensation of grace began with Paul.
Les Feldick emphasizes that grace is an eternal attribute of God, not a new concept introduced in the New Testament. He points to the Garden of Eden as a prime example: after Adam and Eve sinned, God went looking for them, not to destroy them, but to restore them—an act of grace (Clip 1, Clip 4). He also notes that throughout the Old Testament, the word 'grace' appears only about 30-40 times, showing it was mentioned as one of God's attributes (Clip 4). However, with Paul, grace takes preeminence in his epistles, appearing hundreds of times (Clip 3). Les underscores that even Israel's history, such as the golden calf rebellion, shows God's grace in sparing them (from the summary). The epitome of grace is seen in Saul of Tarsus, who was actively opposing God, yet God saved him (Clip 0, Clip 2, Clip 5, Clip 6).
After Adam and Eve sinned, they sewed fig leaves and hid from God. Yet God sought them out, calling to Adam. Les Feldick teaches that what prompted God to go find them was His grace—He could have forgotten them or started over, but His grace pursued them (Clips 1 and 4).
Saul of Tarsus was a religious zealot who hated Jesus and persecuted believers. He was on his way to Damascus to continue his harmful work when God intervened. Les emphasizes that Saul did not repent or ask for acceptance; rather, God's grace rose to the occasion and saved him. This makes Saul the epitome of grace—a sinner saved by grace (Clips 0, 2, 5, 6).
Les clarifies that while we speak of the church age as the 'age of grace,' God's attribute of grace did not begin with the church. He notes that the word 'grace' appears about 30-40 times from Genesis until Paul, but from Paul on it appears a couple hundred times. This shows that grace was always an attribute of God, but it takes preeminence in Paul's writings (Clips 3 and 4).
Saul as Epitome of Grace
Les uses Saul of Tarsus as the prime example of God's grace: Saul was on his way to harm believers, but God saved him instead of punishing him.
Grace from Day One
Les points to Genesis 6:8 and the Garden of Eden to show that God's grace has been active from the beginning, not starting with the church.
Definition of Grace
Les defines grace as God's love and mercy poured out on sinners, offering eternal life to all who believe, and uses Saul as the perfect picture of this grace.
Grace Preeminence in Paul
Les notes that the word 'grace' appears only occasionally before Paul, but becomes prominent in his letters, showing that grace is an attribute that gains emphasis in the church age.
Grace Always Evident
Les reiterates that God's grace has always been evident, citing Eden as an example, and suggests a concordance search shows the word 'grace' used sparingly until Paul.
Grace vs. What We Deserve
Les contrasts what we deserve (punishment) with what God gives (grace), using Saul's salvation to illustrate that we are all rebels saved by grace.
Grace in Saul's Rebellion
Les highlights that even in Saul's Satan-energized rebellion, God's grace rose to save him, making it the high point of grace poured out on a sinful man.
Why God Led Israel the Long Way: The Red Sea & The Pillar of Fire
The grace of God, through the working of the Holy Spirit, has appeared unto, I think, every human being in one way or another. Now Romans, of course, chapter 1 tells us that one way God does speak, even to pagans and those who have never heard the literal Word of God, is through the effect of nature.
Genesis 6:8: But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
This verse shows that grace was present before the church age, as Noah was a recipient of God's favor.
Genesis 3:9: And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
God's seeking out Adam after sin demonstrates His grace, as He did not abandon them.
Exodus 32:14: And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
This shows God's mercy and grace in sparing Israel after the golden calf incident, as Les mentions.
Romans 5:20: Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Paul highlights the sufficiency of grace over sin, tying to Les's teaching on grace being an attribute of God.
Titus 2:11: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
This verse, referenced in Clip 7, shows that God's grace is available to all, past and present.
Yes, grace was present throughout the Old Testament. Les Feldick points to Noah, who 'found grace in the eyes of the Lord' (Genesis 6:8), and to God seeking Adam and Eve after their sin, showing grace from the very beginning.
Saul was saved by grace. He was actively opposing God, but God's grace intervened. Les Feldick teaches that Saul's salvation is the epitome of grace, as he deserved punishment but received mercy.
The church age is called the age of grace because it emphasizes grace, but grace itself has always been an attribute of God. Les Feldick explains that grace was present from Eden onward, even though it becomes more prominent in Paul's letters.
Watch the Teaching: Does God Harden Hearts? Romans 9:18-24 and the Potter's Clay