What was required for salvation during Jesus' earthly ministry?
During Jesus' earthly ministry, salvation was not by faith alone. It was faith plus: they had to believe He was the Messiah, repent, be baptized, keep the law, and continue temple worship. Only later, through Paul's gospel, did it become faith plus nothing.
Les explains that Judaizers from Jerusalem were adding requirements to the gospel. He notes that throughout the Old Testament, salvation was always faith plus something, except for Abraham. Even during Christ's earthly ministry, people were not saved merely by believing Jesus was the Messiah; they had to repent and be baptized, keep the law, and remain under temple worship. That was faith plus. But beginning with Paul's gospel, it is faith plus nothing. Les illustrates this with a plaque from a lady in his Macalester class that asked, 'faith plus nothing?' He says 90% of Christendom rejects that and insists on faith plus.