Does Paul's atonement teaching in Romans 3 apply only to New Testament believers or also to Old Testament saints?
The atonement Paul sets forth in Romans 3 extends beyond New Testament believers to the Old Testament saints as well. Their sins were totally atoned for by the shed blood of Christ, so the same finished work covers both, not merely the New Testament believer.
Les explains that Paul is reminding us he is not only talking about the New Testament believer but is also bringing in the Old Testament saint. Their sins were now totally atoned for by virtue of the shed blood of Christ. Once the true atonement had been accomplished, there was no reason to send people down into paradise, and paradise was taken directly to heaven. This shows the finished work of Christ reaches back to cover the Old Testament saints as well as New Testament believers, bringing the whole picture up to date.