Don Carson on How Old Testament Saints Were Saved

Don Carson, president of TGC, provides a simple explanation of how people were saved in the Old Testament. God has always required that his people exercise faith, even when that faith lacked the clear connections to Jesus that we can see today.

[Gospelogian]

Always by grace through faith. Sad that many don’t understand this and claim they were saved by works instead. I have dealt with this on my channel as well.

[michaelkclark]

Thank you. You are so clear. God did not make a mistake in His Word.

[Tanjaicholan]

For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
— Hebrews 9:15

[irapuri]

If they are saved the same way
What’s the reason for Jesus to come ?
Rev. Israel Rapuri- Los Angeles

[davidwang]

Thanks Dr.Carson. but Im still wondering how Holy Spirit worked before Jesus came bodily. according to reformed theology, faith is a gift from God by the work of holy spirir. however, it seemed that there is little evidence in old testament bible showing that they were converted by Spirit.

[Mike]

The people in the OT probably had no clue what the Messiah would do on the cross, but hoped for a deliverer from enemies. The people in the OT were saved by grace, but not through faith! Paul says, "But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law, being confined for the faith that was destined to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our guardian to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian" (Gal. 3:23-25). You see they weren't justified by faith prior to Christ. Abraham was a prophetic type of this age of faith and justification.

[gummylens]

Yes, "Abraham's Bosom"! :)

[simonsemaan]

But I thought that the gates of Heaven were closed after the fall of man. So, I'm wondering, where did the saints that were saved "wait" until the gates were re-opened by Christs sacrifice? I've heard about a place called "Limbo"

[SpotterVideo]

New Covenant Whole Gospel:

Let us now share the Old Testament Gospel found below with the whole world. On the road to Emmaus He said the Old Testament is about Him.
He is the very Word of God in John 1:1, 14. Awaken Church to this truth.

Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by
husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Is the most important genealogy in the Bible found in Matthew 1:1 (Gal. 3:16)? Is God's Son the ultimate fulfillment of Israel (John 1:49)? Why has the modern Church done a pitiful job of sharing the Gospel with modern Orthodox Jews? Why would someone tell them they are God's chosen people and then fail to share the Gospel with them? Who is the seed of the woman promised in Genesis 3:15? Who is the "son" in Psalm 2? Who is the "suffering servant" of Isaiah 53? Who would fulfill the New Covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34? Who would fulfill the timeline of Daniel chapter 9 before the second temple was destroyed? Why have we not heard this simple Old Testament Gospel preached on Christian television in the United States on a regular basis?

Once a person comes to understand the New Covenant promised to Israel and Judah in Jeremiah 31:31-34, which is found fulfilled by Christ during the first century in Hebrews 8:6-13, and Hebrews 10:16-18, and specifically applied to the Church in 2 Corinthians 3:6-8, and Hebrews 12:22-24, man-made Bible doctrines fall apart.

Let us now learn to preach the whole Gospel until He comes back. The King of Israel is risen from the dead! (John 1:49, Acts 2:36)

We are not come to Mount Sinai in Hebrews 12:18. We are come instead to the New Covenant church of Mount Zion and the blood in Hebrews 12:22-24.

Watch the YouTube videos “The New Covenant” by David Wilkerson, or Bob George, and David H.J. Gay.

[SolaceLovesSilas]

Did regeneration (new birth) preceded faith for them as well?

[jimoaks]

now do Abram, he was saved through faith in the promise. what was the promise?

[morganfrmn]

This is partially true. Christians believe the Apostles creed. Some modern Christian cults object to it. People of the Old Testament went to a place in hell called Abrahams Bosom. You can easily look this up. The Apostles creed says "Jesus descended into hell ". Their he preached the gospel to them in Abraham's Bosom and then after 3 days in the grave he arose and lead captive free to heaven. All this is easily researched

[RoseSharon]

Eternal life was not available immediately in the OT because the Holy Spirit didn't dwell inside a believer to give strength to overcome sin. The new covenant bekiever is given this gift so they can crucify thier carnal nature and be made perfect in Gods eyes. By this sacrifice of the elect sons in the NT are the OT saints redeemed who lived by obedience and faith too. It wasn't by just ones mans death. Its by all elect sons death to self. Fulfilling the feast days within each of us.

[elsainnamorato]

Then why did Jesus descent into hell to rescue the saints? If you say that they were saved by grace

[kathleenwharton]

OT people were Saved the Same way we Are..By Obeying Gods Commandments! You cannot be saved from sin until you Stop Sinning! The bible is a testament..mostly..to disobedient people.

[AlphaOmega]

Hey who needs Jesus anymore? We got the OT and the Spirit! Lets celebrate! Allah! Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar! Allah Pelagian.. err... i mean Akbar!