Were People In The Old Testament Born Again?

Several readers have asked me how the people in the Old Testament—like King David—were saved. A common misconception is that the Old Testament way of salvation was by keeping the Law. But we know from the Bible that that is not true. Paul wrote:

“But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith.’”

Galatians 3:11

‭‭ Paul is quoting Habakkuk 2:4, from the Old Testament, so we know he is not teaching a NEW way of salvation. Thus, salvation by faith, apart from the works of the Law, is definitely an Old Testament principle. The Bible teaches us that the purpose of the Law was to serve as…

“…a tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by FAITH.” 

Galatians 3:24

The New Testament reiterates over and over again that being made righteous is NOT by following the law. Paul stated quite plainly:

“Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Romans 3:20

The Law was never intended to save anyone; but rather, the purpose of the Law was to give us a “knowledge of sin.” Both testaments are about Jesus Christ, our Savior! The Old Testament points us towards the cross and the redemptive work of Christ and the New Testament points us back to Him. 

There is no doubt in Scripture as to the Old Testament way of salvation!

Romans Chapter 4 is a key to this understanding, where Paul makes it very clear that salvation has always been the same…by grace alone;

through faith alone; 

in Christ alone!!!

Paul points us to Abraham, who was saved by faith:

“What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’” 

Romans 4:1-3

Paul is again quoting the Old Testament, this time from Genesis 15:6. As an aside, we also know Abraham could not have been saved by keeping the Law because he lived 400 years BEFORE the Law was given by God to Moses!

In Romans 4, Paul also uses the example of David as being justified by faith and NOT of works, when he quotes Psalms 32:1-2:

“But to him who does NOT work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.””

Romans 4:5-8

In the remainder of Romans Chapter 4, Paul continues to establish that the Old Testament way of salvation was through faith alone. 

“Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.”

Romans 4:23-25

‭Those in the Old Testament —like Abraham and David—placed their faith in God for salvation, and share the same way of salvation we do. 

So why the confusion? Well, throughout history, the enemy has clouded the message of the Gospel because he hates God, he hates God’s creation, and he hates humanity who are created in God’s image. He has successfully integrated the false doctrine of works into salvation. This is not only an insult to the work of Christ; but it is a lie designed to send people to hell for eternity. 

The Bible’s clear message is that the way of salvation has always been by grace through faith. 

The Old Testament teaches us of God’s promise that a Saviour WOULD come. Folks looked FORWARD to the coming Messiah and were born again by believing in faith that He WOULD come to save them:

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” 

Isaiah 53:5-6

The New Testament teaches us of a Saviour who ALREADY came. Today, we look BACK on the life, death, and resurrection of the Savior and are saved by believing in faith that Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection ALREADY purchased our redemption.

“if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Romans 10:9-10

The Gospel is spoken of in the earliest recorded scriptures. As early as Genesis 3:15, we see God’s promise of a coming Savior. And whether we believe that Genesis or Job is the oldest book in the Bible (there are plausible arguments for both) it’s clear that redemption of mankind was believed by Job to be in a coming Redeemer:

“Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock With an iron pen and lead, forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth.”

Job 19:23-25

There is no other way, and there never has been any other way for mankind to be reconciled to God except by grace through faith in Jesus! 

“This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.’”

Acts 4:11-12 (citing Psalms 118:22)

We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.

To learn more about Kimberly Faith and the mission of Faith Strong, click HERE.

Out Now – Essential Faith, Volume II. Find it on Amazon by clicking HERE.

To learn more about Kimberly Faith’s ministry Fostering By Faith, click HERE.