Yes, Old Testament people were saved by personal faith, not works, just as people are today.
Les Feldick teaches that salvation in the Old Testament was always by personal faith, not by works or sacrifices. Even under the law, the basic premise of salvation was faith, as evidenced by Abraham, who believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. Sacrifices and works were outward expressions, but they did not save; faith alone was the means of a right relationship with God.
Genesis 15:6 — This verse explicitly states that Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness, establishing faith as the basis of salvation.
In the Old Testament, the Bible reveals that salvation was by faith. The patriarch Abraham is the prime example: 'And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness' (Genesis 15:6). This faith was not accompanied by works; as Paul later explains, 'If Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness' (Romans 4:2-3). Even in the Old Testament economy, salvation was always by personal faith, and the law and sacrifices were never the basis for salvation but rather a reflection of one's faith.
Les Feldick emphasizes that throughout the Old Testament, salvation was by faith alone, just as in the present age. He points to Abraham as the supreme example: Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness, with no works involved. Les clarifies that Old Testament saints were saved by personal faith, even under the covenant promises, and that sacrifices and law-keeping were never the basis of salvation. Even the Jews who kept the feasts and sacrifices without faith were not saved, because 'without faith it is impossible to please God.' Faith was always the essential ingredient for a salvation relationship with God.
Abraham was saved by faith alone. According to Scripture, 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness' (Romans 4:3). Les Feldick stresses that there were no works whatsoever in believing; Abraham did not merit salvation by any physical work, but simply by trusting God's promise. This is the pattern for all believers.
Yes, even though Israel was under the covenant promises of Abraham, each individual still needed personal faith for salvation. Les explains that many Jews mistakenly thought being descendants of Abraham was enough, but they could not comprehend that it had to be a personal faith. Even under the law, the basic premise of their salvation was faith, not just keeping the law or offering sacrifices.
Sacrifices and works were not the means of salvation. Les teaches that Abraham was not saved by offering sacrifices; he was saved by being obedient to what God said, and sacrifices came later. Faith was the foundation, and works were an expression of that faith, but they could not save. Without faith, even the most meticulous keeping of the law and feasts was worthless.
Abraham's Faith Counted for Righteousness
Les explains that Abraham was justified by faith alone, with no works involved, and that he could not boast of his own merit before God.
Old Testament Salvation Not as Delineated
Les notes that Old Testament salvation was real but not as clearly delineated as in Paul's teaching, yet it was still a salvation that Paul can relate to.
Salvation Totally the Work of God
Les reinforces that salvation is entirely God's work, and all He looks for is faith; there is no room for human effort.
God Uses Humans to Promote Salvation
Les observes that God has always used human beings to promote His salvation, both in the Old and New Testaments.
Abraham's Salvation by Faith Plus Nothing
Les clarifies that Abraham was saved by faith, not by sacrifices; sacrifices came later as a response, but faith was the sole basis of his salvation.
Salvation Means Saved From Doom
Les explains the meaning of salvation as being saved from an eternal doom, and that the gospel is our salvation.
Personal Faith Under the Covenant
Les teaches that even under the covenant promises and law, each Jew needed personal faith for genuine salvation, not just physical descent from Abraham.
Faith Essential Even Under Law
Les emphasizes that keeping the law and feasts without faith was worthless, for without faith it is impossible to please God.
Genesis 15:6: And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
This is the foundational verse showing that Abraham's faith was the basis for his righteousness.
Romans 4:2-3: For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Paul uses Abraham to prove that justification is by faith, not works.
Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith is essential to please God, applicable in both Old and New Testaments.
No, Les Feldick teaches that salvation in the Old Testament was by faith alone, not by works. Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). Works and sacrifices were a response of faith, but they were never the basis for salvation.
Abraham was saved by faith alone. He believed God's promise, and God counted that faith as righteousness. There was no physical work involved; it was simply a wholehearted trust in what God said.
The principle is the same: salvation has always been by faith. Les explains that the Old Testament economy was not as clearly delineated as Paul's teaching, but the basic premise was still faith. Today, we look back to the finished work of Christ, but the requirement is the same—faith.
Watch the Teaching: God’s Promise to Abraham: Understanding Genesis 12 & 15