Written on 5 May 2025.

A Scriptural Answer to Mike Adams’ Question About Pre-Christ Salvation

Mike Adams recently posed the question: if knowing Christ is the only way to Heaven, then what happened to all the people who lived before Christ was born? He asks whether Christians truly believe that Old Testament saints and people across the ancient world were condemned despite being "good". He claims to have never received a serious answer from any Christian.

This article offers that serious answer.

No One Has Ever Been Saved by Works

First, we must establish a foundational truth: the Bible plainly teaches that salvation has never been by works, in any dispensation.

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ... for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:16, KJV)

"But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith." (Galatians 3:11, KJV)

These two verses declare that no flesh and no man can be justified by works, whether before or after the coming of Christ. That includes Abraham, Moses, David, and all the saints of the Old Testament.

Old Testament Saints Were Saved by Grace Through Faith

Salvation has always been by grace through faith. Old Testament believers were saved by trusting in the promises of God and looking forward to the coming Messiah, just as we are saved by looking back at the finished work of Christ on the cross.

"For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." (Romans 4:3, KJV)

"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." (John 8:56, KJV)

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off..." (Hebrews 11:13, KJV)

Born Again in the Old Testament

Many Christians wrongly assume that the concept of being "born again" began in John chapter 3. In truth, the doctrine is rooted in the Old Testament and is consistently tied to God's saving work.

In 1 Samuel 10, when God was dealing with Saul:

"And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man." (1 Samuel 10:6, KJV)

"God gave him another heart." (1 Samuel 10:9, KJV)

That is regeneration: a new heart, a changed nature, the Spirit of the Lord dwelling within. This was not accomplished by Saul's works, but by God's action.

Deuteronomy 32 gives further insight:

"Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee." (Deuteronomy 32:18, KJV)

Here God is referred to as the one who begat them—a clear image of spiritual birth. Salvation was by God's mercy and power, not human merit.

Did the Old Testament Saints Know About Christ?

Some argue that because they didn’t know the name "Jesus," Old Testament believers could not have been saved through Him. But this misunderstands the nature of prophetic revelation. They absolutely knew the Messiah was coming and placed their trust in Him.

David writes:

"The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." (Psalm 110:1, KJV)

Jesus Himself used this verse to challenge the Pharisees, demonstrating that David recognized the coming Messiah as his Lord.

Psalm 2 commands:

"Kiss the Son, lest he be angry..." (Psalm 2:12, KJV)

Job testifies:

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." (Job 19:25, KJV)

These are clear references to Christ, the Redeemer.

God's Justice and Mercy

God is perfectly just. He does not damn souls arbitrarily. Romans 1:20 teaches that all people have received some revelation of God through creation, so they are without excuse. When people respond to that light, God gives more light. The gospel was preached to Abraham (Galatians 3:8), and salvation was always offered to Gentiles through faith (Isaiah 49:6).

The Same Salvation, The Same Savior

To summarize:

No one has ever been saved by works (Galatians 2:16; 3:11).
Old Testament saints were saved by grace through faith.
They looked forward to the coming Christ, just as we look back.
Regeneration and being born again existed in the Old Testament.
God is consistent in His justice and mercy throughout all time.

So when someone says, "What about those who lived before Jesus?" the biblical answer is clear: they were saved the same way we are.

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." (Hebrews 13:8, KJV)