The topic of eternal security for Old Testament believers is an interesting one that is debated among theologians. At the core of this discussion is whether or not people who had faith in God before Christ’s atoning work on the cross were eternally secure in their salvation. There are good arguments on both sides of this issue, and coming to a firm conclusion is challenging due to limited biblical information.
On one hand, some argue that Old Testament saints did have eternal security based on verses that speak of God’s unchanging nature. For example, Malachi 3:6 declares “For I the Lord do not change.” Hebrews 13:8 also says “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” From this, we could conclude that if salvation through Christ provides eternal security for New Testament believers, then surely God would not withhold that same security from Old Testament saints who had faith in Him.
However, we also know that Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross was a unique event that enabled salvation in a new covenantal framework. His perfect life, substitutionary death for sins, and resurrection achieved victory over sin and death once for all (Hebrews 7:27). Ephesians 1:13-14 and 4:30 speak of believers being sealed with the Holy Spirit as a down payment guaranteeing their inheritance. This could imply that old covenant believers may not have had the full benefits of Christ’s redemptive work applied to them in the same way New Testament Christians do.
Looking deeper at the topic, there are clues in both the Old and New Testaments that lean toward Old Testament believers having a secure salvation. First, there are examples of individuals like Abraham, Moses, David, and others who clearly trusted in God by faith yet struggled with sin. Despite their failings, God still counted them righteous because of their faith and granted them eternal life (Hebrews 11). This indicates that salvation was by faith alone.
Secondly, Psalm 37:28 declares that “the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever.” This seems to be a broad statement about God preserving and protecting all His people who place their faith in Him. While they may stumble in sin, He will not ultimately forsake them or revoke their eternal status. Similarly, Isaiah 49:15-16 compares God’s love for His people to a mother’s love for her child – even if she could forget, God says “I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” This again emphasizes God’s permanent, unbreakable love and commitment to His people.
Moving to the New Testament, verses like Romans 4:1-3 make it clear that Abraham was counted righteous because of his faith, not because of circumcision or law-keeping. This is in harmony with the overall message of Scripture that salvation has always been by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). The basis of salvation for Old Testament and New Testament believers is the same.
Hebrews 7:25 also says that since Jesus “always lives to make intercession” for believers, “he is able to save completely those who come to God through him.” This “complete” saving work of Christ appears applicable to all who have faith in God, regardless of when they lived.
In summary, while we cannot be absolutely certain due to limited information, it seems most consistent with Scripture to say that genuine believers in God prior to Christ’s atoning work had eternal security. The basis of their salvation was faith rather than works. The verses mentioned paint a picture of God’s unchanging love and commitment to preserve His own. While less was revealed to them, Old Testament saints were still partakers of the same gracious redemption that followers of Christ would later enjoy. The blood of Christ “spans the ages” in its efficacy to cover sins.
The Importance of the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants
To dig deeper on this question, we should look at how God related to His people through major Old Testament covenants. The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 15, 17) laid the foundation for God’s redemption plan for humanity. When Abraham believed God’s promise, God credited it to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). He then made a unilateral covenant with Abraham promising blessings, land, descendants, and a coming Redeemer.
This covenant demonstrates that God accepted Abraham based on his faith. God extended His grace and entered into relationship. The sign of circumcision did not bring salvation – it was a mark identifying the saved (Romans 4:11). This aligns with a view that Old Testament believers were secure based on their faith rather than performance. The covenant was unconditional, not requiring perfect obedience to gain its benefits.
However, things grew more complex under the Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19-24). This covenant between God and Israel introduced the Law which acted in some ways like a conditional treaty recognizing Israel as God’s treasured possession and requiring their loyalty. Obedience brought blessings while disobedience incurred punishments and curses (Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28-29).
This raises questions – did maintaining salvation now depend on law-keeping? What if someone violated the Law? Salvation still seems to be connected to faith and God’s grace. For example, Moses calls for renewal of hearts circumcised to love God (Deuteronomy 30:6) and the Lord instructs that keeping His commands should flow from loving Him (Deuteronomy 11:1). The law provided a moral framework and sacrificial system, but did not fundamentally replace the promise covenant with Abraham.
So under the Mosaic covenant, believers maintained security through repentance and relying on God’s mercy when they failed. Psalm 32 illustrates David finding forgiveness and security in repentance rather than perfection. God continued relating to His people based on the faith principles of Abraham.
Insights from the Book of Hebrews
The book of Hebrews provides some of the most direct New Testament teaching about Old Testament believers and eternal security. In Hebrews 6:9-12, the author says he is convinced of better things for the believers he is writing to – things that accompany salvation. He references God’s promises to Abraham and says imitating Abraham’s persevering faith will result in believers inheriting those promises (Hebrews 6:12-15). The emphasis is on faith in God’s reliability, not perfect performance under the law.
Hebrews also makes an important distinction between willful, high-handed sin versus struggling and stumbling in weakness. Hebrews 10:26 says “If we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” Willfully rejecting Christ’s sacrifice leaves no other options. But this is contrasted with struggling believers who should hold fast, encourage each other, and draw near to God in their weakness (Hebrews 10:19-25).
Another relevant passage is Hebrews 11, the “Faith Hall of Fame.” This chapter praises heroes like Abraham, Sarah, Jacob and others for their faith and commends them for looking forward to the heavenly country (Hebrews 11:13-16). Despite wandering and weaknesses, these Old Testament saints had their hearts set on eternity with God by faith, suggesting they were eternally secure.
Old Testament Evidence of Security in God’s Promises
Beyond the passages mentioned earlier about God’s unchanging nature and His commitment to preserve His people, there are other Old Testament verses suggesting His faithful ones have eternal security in Him:
- Psalm 37:27-28 – God does not forsake His saints.
- Psalm 48:14 – This God is our God forever and ever.
- Psalm 125:1 – Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion.
- Isaiah 54:10 – God’s covenant of peace will not be removed.
- Lamentations 3:22-23 – God’s mercies are new every morning and His faithfulness is great.
- Malachi 3:6 – God does not change; His people are not destroyed.
While immediate consequences could come on Old Testament believers who sinned and rebelled, there seems to be an overall confidence that those who have faith in God enjoy eternal security. Even when they struggle, stumble or doubt, God remains faithful to His promises.
New Testament Confirmations of Eternal Security
Beyond the Hebrews passages mentioned earlier, the New Testament contains verses confirming God’s preservation of His faithful people throughout the ages:
- John 6:37-39 – Jesus will not cast out any who come to Him and He will raise them up.
- John 10:27-30 – No one can snatch Jesus’ sheep from His hand.
- Romans 8:31-39 – Nothing can separate God’s people from His love.
- Philippians 1:6 – God will complete the work He began in believers.
- 1 Peter 1:3-5 – Believers have a living hope and are shielded by God’s power.
- 1 John 5:13 – Believers can know they have eternal life.
These verses convey wonderful assurance of God’s faithfulness, power, and love to maintain salvation for all who trust in Him throughout time. While immediate discipline could come for disobedience, eternal separation from God seems incompatible with His persistent, covenant-keeping character.
Conclusion – Faith is the Basis for Security
In conclusion, while Scripture does not provide absolute clarity, there are persuasive theological reasons to believe Old Testament saints who embraced God’s promises by faith experienced eternal security:
- God’s nature is unchanging – He remains committed to preserve His faithful people.
- Salvation has always been by grace through faith, not perfect law-keeping.
- Old Testament examples like Abraham were counted righteous by faith alone.
- Passages depict God’s permanent, unbreakable love and commitment to His own.
- Hebrews commends Old Testament saints for persevering faith.
- Sinful disobedience brought discipline, but not permanent rejection.
Considering these points, it seems most consistent with Scripture as a whole to conclude that while details differ across covenants, all who trusted God’s promises experienced eternal security. As Hebrews 13:8 declares, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” His salvation rests securely on His matchless grace and faithfulness.