Hi again Anjel and Ralph,
There are many opinions floating out there and most are only partly based upon scripture because where scripture is not clear they add their best guess as to what it might be rather than admitting that they do not have an answer. The answer may even be in scripture but hard to find.
Also the answer may be only in the New Testament and the true statements in the O.T. are simply incomplete BECAUSE God had not revealed it to the old prophets during their life times and before Jesus' ministry.
2. The next problem is to define "salvation". To the Israelite believers of Jesus time on the earth salvation could mean God protecting His chosen people Israel and it could mean a promise of resurrection after death. All Israel had to believe was that Jesus actually was the Messiah.
Matt 16:15-17 and Jn 11:27
= = =
Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
=
Joh 11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
Joh 11:22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
Joh 11:23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
Joh 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Joh 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.