Old Testament believers were saved by personal faith, not by works.
Les Feldick teaches that while Old Testament salvation involved works like sacrifices, these were expressions of faith, not the basis. The core requirement was personal faith in God, as seen with Abraham and David. Even under the covenant, individual faith was necessary for genuine salvation.
Romans 4:3 — Paul confirms that Abraham was justified by faith, not works, which is foundational to understanding Old Testament salvation.
The Bible teaches that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). David also spoke of the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness without works (Psalm 32:1-2). The Old Testament believers were saved through faith, looking forward to the coming Redeemer, as seen in the sacrifices that pointed to Christ (Hebrews 11:13).
Les Feldick explains that Old Testament believers were saved by personal faith, just as in the New Testament. While they were under the covenant and performed works like sacrifices, these were not the basis of salvation. Faith was the foundation, as seen in Abraham and David. Les emphasizes that even under the law, personal faith was essential, and without faith it is impossible to please God.
Les Feldick clarifies that while Old Testament believers brought sacrifices and followed the law, these works were not the basis of their salvation. Faith was first and foremost, and the works were expressions of that faith. Without faith, even the most meticulous observance of the law was futile.
Even though the Jews were under the covenant promises of Abraham, Les teaches that each individual needed a personal faith for genuine salvation. Membership in the covenant was not enough; they had to believe personally, just as Abraham did.
Abraham is the prime example of Old Testament salvation by faith. He believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness. Les Feldick emphasizes that this was not by works but by faith, and it sets the pattern for all Old Testament believers.
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it right here for us, but instead sends us back to other portions to dig out where then do the various groups of believers come into play when it comes to resurrection. Well, like I said in our last program, we looked how Paul lays it out in the later part of 1 Corinthians 15, and then going on in the 1 and 2 Thessalonians, how that the church age believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in th…
Faith Plus Works in the Old Testament
Les explains that Old Testament believers were saved by faith, but it was faith plus works—they brought sacrifices as an expression of that faith.
Personal Faith Under the Covenant
Even under the covenant promises, each Jew needed a personal faith for salvation; being a descendant of Abraham was not enough.
Abraham's Faith as the Model
Abraham was saved by faith, not works, and this is the same principle for all Old Testament believers.
David's Salvation by Faith
Paul uses David as an example of Old Testament forgiveness and salvation that was based on faith, not works.
Do Everything for the Glory of God — 1 Corinthians 10:31 Explained
You go all the way back into the Old Testament, and what were the Jews constantly told to be looking for? Salvation. The salvation of Israel. The salvation of the individual. What does salvation mean? To be saved from something. And again I�ve always used the simple analogy.
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So what is the obedience of faith for us today? Now we're told, Believe that Christ died and rose from the dead, and now shalt be saved. And what are we to do? We're to believe it. And when we believe it, what does God do? He calls us righteous. Now that's the whole concept, then, of faith.
Faith Necessary in the Old Testament
Without faith, even keeping the law perfectly was useless; faith was just as essential in the Old Testament as today.
Romans 4:3: For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Paul cites this to prove that Abraham was justified 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.
This verse emphasizes that faith is essential to pleasing God, applicable to all believers.
Genesis 15:6: And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
This is the original account of Abraham's faith being credited as righteousness.
No, Les Feldick teaches that faith was the basis, and the law was an expression. Keeping the law without faith was insufficient.
Abraham was saved by faith, as Romans 4 says. His works were a result of his faith, not the cause of salvation.
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