How were people saved in the Old Testament? And I don't mean by cirvcumcision!?

Question

Several times in Psalms, David talks about salvation but the book of Romans tells us that if we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, and that He was raised from the dead, we are saved. That did not happen in the Old Testament. So what was David talking about? Was salvation available to them through sacrifice? Could it not be taken away if the sacrifice was rejected? How costly must atonement have been?I really want to know.

Answer 1

David and believers in the OT were saved because they believed on the promise of the coming Redeemer. They had to continue offering sacrifices to be atoned for their sins. Their sacrifice was an example of how We would be saved by a perfect, blameless sacrifice, without spot or blemish. He believed on what we now have.

Answer 2

It's important for you to know that the Hebrew word translated "salvation" is "Yeshua," which is Jesus' true name.

Salvation in OT times was close to what it is today: God told His people that a Savior would come; faithful Jews were saved on the basis of their belief. Immediately after death, however, they were not able to gain access to Heaven as believers do today; they went to "Abraham's Bosom" (Luke 16:22) to await the Savior.

Salvation does not now, nor has it ever, come to the Jews by following the Mosaic law; all it did was further emphasize their need for someone to deliver them from their sins. Nor were they saved by sacrifices or offerings, which could only "atone" (or "cover") their sins. Only Messiah can take away sins.

David most definately understood the concept of the Messiah, because he wrote about Him so often as you mention. David was looking forward to the day when his sins would be permanently forgiven him, instead of merely covered.

I hope this helps. Peace.

Answer 3

True salvation only comes after death...it is by faith we are saved. The Bible teachs that Abraham had great faith and his faith was accounted to him as righteousness. Those before the atonement of Christ were making sacrifice that sacrifice was an example of the true sacrifice god would provide himself. Abraham told Issac that the lord would provide himself a lamb. That lamb was Jesus Christ.

Answer 4

check out Genesis 15.6 where Abraham believed the Lord and righteousness was imputed.

CONFUSING!! but, there is a clear answer:

The Bible (and all of History) is broken up into dispensations, where God uses progressive revelation (showing more of Himself to mankind) to require more of mankind. Abraham's dispensation only required that it be known that He believed God's promises (showing his faith in God). If you don't believe me on that one, check out James 2 for a little more insight on faith and works.

Now, in this dispensation (called the Church Age, or the Age of Grace by many) God has revealed to us Jesus Christ, and has given us the logical discourse of the Bible in order that He can require more from us (i.e. confession of belief in God's resurrection of Christ).

summary: God split history into dispensations. Each dispensation sees the revelation of God progress a little further. As revelation progresses so does requirement. Therefore, the OT saints had less required of them than the NT saints did because they had less revelation of God to depend on.

Answer 5

Heaven was not open until Jesus died on the cross. That's what his purpose was to regain the relationship of man to God.
Jesus descended to the dead to preach the good news and whoever believed were saved that's where he was for the three days

Answer 6

Salvation in the Old Testament isn't discussed primarily in terms of “going to heaven”— but in terms of belonging to God” as his people. This is true of the New Testament, too—heaven is mentioned, but union with Christ is mentioned almost 200 times just in Paul's letters.



We see this belonging to God—this covenant—beginning with Abraham. God called Abraham from the nations, making a covenant with him—a solemn oath or commitment—even passing between the dismembered halves of animals in a self-maledictory oath, God saying in essence, "If I ever leave you, may I myself be torn apart" (Gen 15:6-21).

God promised Abraham that he would make him into a great nation, bless him, and bless all the peoples of the earth through him (Gen 12:1-3). Also included in this promise was the land itself (Gen 15:18-21). It’s in this context that Scripture says, "Abram believed God, and he credited it to him as righteousness" (Gen 15:6). Abraham was justified by faith. God then gave him an outward sign of this covenant relationship in circumcision (Gen 17).

What's so striking about all of this is that God did it all—it's salvation by grace alone. Certainly Abram responded to this call—which was a major endeavor, leaving his people and traveling through the desert to a far-off land. But God made the choice. God gave the call. God made all the promises. Salvation was from the Lord.

When Abram believed, God saw his faith and credited righteousness to his account, even though Abraham continued to be a sinner (...doubting God's promise of a son, committing adultery with his servant, lying about his wife—almost causing her to end up in an adulterous relationship with a foreign king, etc). Though faith was required and outward signs were taken very seriously—remember how God came after Moses to kill him when Moses failed to circumcise his sons— still, salvation was by grace through faith, according to God's calling.

Answer 7

If salvation can equal being righteous in God's eyes. Then it's by faith...

Gen.15:6

And he (Abram) believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.


Jim

Answer 8

Salvation (before Christ) was based on observance of the Mosaic Law.

Answer 9

Ritual sacrifice.

Answer 10

By killing animals and burning them in rituals. Not that I believe it did any good, besides inventing barbequeing.