The Bible teaches that before Jesus died on the cross and rose again, people were saved by looking forward to the promised Messiah. Though Jesus’ atoning sacrifice was still future, God credited righteousness to those who trusted in Him. Here is an overview of how people were saved before Jesus’ death and resurrection:
1. Salvation has always been by grace through faith
Ephesians 2:8-9 makes clear that salvation has always been by grace through faith, not by works. God has never saved people because they were “good enough.” Salvation has always been a free gift received by faith (Romans 4:1-5). Even before Christ, people were saved as they looked forward in faith to the Messiah.
2. Old Testament believers trusted in God’s promises
There are many examples of Old Testament believers who were saved by faith. Noah believed God’s warning about the coming flood and built the ark (Hebrews 11:7). Abraham trusted God’s promise to make him a great nation, even though he was old and childless (Romans 4:3). Moses chose to identify with the Hebrew slaves because he had faith that God would rescue them (Hebrews 11:24-28). These and many more (Hebrews 11) looked forward to God’s promises with hope and faith.
3. Salvation was based on the Messiah’s future sacrifice
Though Jesus had not yet come, Old Testament believers were saved based on His future sacrifice. Jesus is the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world (Revelation 13:8). Even before Calvary, believers were clothed with robes of righteousness dipped in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). Their sins were atoned for based on the Messiah’s death that hadn’t happened yet but was already effective across Old Testament times.
4. Believers sacrificed animals as symbols pointing to Christ
Throughout the Old Testament period, God’s people offered animal sacrifices. These sacrifices symbolized substitutionary atonement, pointing ahead to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 10:1-4). Believers who offered sacrifices in repentance and faith were accepting God’s grace based on what Christ would eventually accomplish.
5. Some people in the Old Testament had explicit knowledge of Christ
While many Old Testament believers trusted God’s promises without knowing details, some had explicit understanding that the Messiah was coming. God revealed to the prophets that a future descendant of David would suffer, die, and rise again (Isaiah 53:3-12; Psalm 22; Psalm 16:8-11). Isaiah prophesied Jesus’ virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14). God gave people glimpses of the Savior so they could hope in Him.
6. People were saved through the new covenant in Christ
There is only one way of salvation – through Jesus Christ. When He instituted communion, He spoke of the “new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20). Though new to humans, this covenant was established in eternity past between the members of the Trinity (Hebrews 13:20). Old Testament believers were saved based on the merits of this eternal covenant that was applied to them retroactively.
7. The Holy Spirit worked in similar ways
Just as the Spirit convicts people of sin and draws them to God now (John 16:8), He worked in the lives of Old Testament people. The Spirit empowered leaders like Moses, Samson, and David. He also enabled prophets to bring God’s word. At times the Spirit entered believers, as He filled Bezalel to craft the tabernacle (Exodus 35:30-33). The Spirit was active, pointing people to the Savior.
8. Old Testament believers had assurance of salvation
Though looking forward instead of back to the cross, Old Testament believers enjoyed assurance of salvation just like Christians today. David spoke of the “blessedness” of the man whose sins are “covered” and not counted against him (Psalm 32:1-2). God called Abraham His friend (Isaiah 41:8) and Noah a righteous man (Genesis 6:9). Old Testament believers boldly trusted that God had forgiven their sins and saved them.
9. Some Old Testament passages hint at resurrection
A handful of Old Testament passages suggest the idea of resurrection after death. Job said he would see God after his body decayed (Job 19:25-27). Isaiah prophecied that God’s people would live again (Isaiah 26:19). Daniel wrote some would awake to everlasting life (Daniel 12:2). Though not an extensive theme, hints of resurrection meant even death did not jeopardize the Old Testament believer’s salvation.
10. The Messianic promise was the foundation for salvation
The unifying truth connecting all Old Testament believers was the promise of a Savior. They embraced this promise and God credited it to them as righteousness. Their faith was in the God who promised to send a Redeemer. His future sacrifice was effective even beforehand. The promise of the cross reached back through time to all who hoped in it.
In summary, salvation has always been by God’s grace through faith in Christ. Even before the cross, Old Testament believers who trusted in God’s promises were forgiven, redeemed, and born again based on what Christ would accomplish. The Savior’s atoning work extends through all history to all who accept it by faith.