How did people get saved in the Old Testament?

by Chad Ressler

People in the Old Testament were saved by faith just like people today.  Three passages to examine in the Old Testament regarding justification by faith are Ezekiel 18:26-28; Isaiah 1:18; and Isaiah 55:7.

The Old Testament system of sacrifices was never intended to be salvific (cf. Hebrews 10:4 and context).  What is was intended to show was the seriousness of sin. 

An important point that Paul makes with regard to Abraham is in Romans 4:10:

“How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.”

Paul is showing that Abraham was justified by his faith after which God sealed it with a covenant sign (circumcision) which is equivalent to a Christian's baptism (cf. Col. 2:12-13).  Therefore, people in the Old Testament were saved by faith just like people today.