Faith Alone in the Old Testament

Faith Alone in the Old Testament

Throughout biblical history, salvation has always been granted by grace through faith alone, and this truth extends to the Old Testament. Despite the misconceptions perpetuated by dispensationalists and others, the scriptures are clear that Old Testament believers were saved in the same manner as those in the New Testament—by faith in God’s promise of salvation through the coming Messiah.

The Consistent Message of Faith Alone

In the Old Testament, salvation was not based on a combination of faith and works. The teaching that works were necessary for salvation in earlier dispensations is a false and dangerous doctrine. Instead, salvation always came by faith in God’s provision. Galatians 3:8 affirms that "the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed." This reference to Abraham, a key Old Testament figure, underscores that justification by faith was not limited to the New Testament.

Abraham’s faith was counted for righteousness (Genesis 15:6), demonstrating that salvation has never been through works. If works had been required, there would be ambiguity regarding the nature and number of works necessary, which contradicts the assurance of salvation emphasized throughout scripture.

Examples of Faith-Based Salvation

The Old Testament provides multiple examples of salvation by faith:

• Noah: Genesis 6:8 states that Noah "found grace in the eyes of the Lord." His salvation was based on God’s grace, accessed through faith, not through any human merit or works.
• Abraham: As Galatians 3:6 references, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." His faith was sufficient for salvation, illustrating the timeless nature of justification by faith.
• David: In Psalm 32:1-2, David celebrates the blessing of having his transgressions forgiven, a blessing received not through works but through faith in God’s mercy.

The Concept of Being Born Again in the Old Testament

The concept of being born again is often associated with the New Testament, but it has its roots in the Old Testament as well. 1 Samuel 10:6 describes an instance where the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Saul, and he is "turned into another man." This transformation is an Old Testament picture of being born again, where God gives a person a new heart and spirit.

Deuteronomy 32:18 mentions "the Rock that begat thee," indicating the rebirth through faith in God’s saving power. Just as in the New Testament, being born again in the Old Testament is not a work of human effort but a result of God’s mercy and grace.

The Role of the Coming Messiah

Old Testament saints looked forward to the coming Messiah as the basis of their faith. Daniel 9:26 prophesies the Messiah’s death for the people, showing that their hope was placed in the future sacrifice of Christ. This forward-looking faith is equivalent to the backward-looking faith of New Testament believers who trust in Christ’s completed work on the cross.

Refuting the Faith Plus Works Doctrine

The idea that Old Testament salvation required a mixture of faith and works is refuted throughout scripture. Works-based salvation leads to uncertainty and a lack of assurance, which is contrary to God’s promise of eternal security. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Romans 4:2-5 further dismantles the works-based model by explaining that Abraham’s righteousness came through faith, not works. If salvation depended on works, it would allow for boasting, which is antithetical to the biblical doctrine of grace.

Conclusion: One Gospel, One Savior

Hebrews 13:8 declares, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." This consistency applies to the gospel message, which has always been about grace through faith in God’s promise. Salvation in the Old Testament pointed forward to Christ, while salvation in the New Testament looks back to His completed work. In both cases, the means of salvation remains faith alone.

Believers in every age are justified by trusting in God’s provision for sin—whether they anticipated the Messiah or trusted in His finished work on the cross. Therefore, it is clear that eternal salvation in the Old Testament was by faith alone.