The Gospel in the Old Testament

At no time in the history of the world has anyone ever earned salvation by his own works. In both the Old and New Testaments, people were saved by the grace of God and the merits of Jesus. The Bible makes it clear that people who lived before the cross were saved on the same terms as are people in New Testament times:

• “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16.
• “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them.” Hebrews 4:2.
• “For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 2:16.
• “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.
• “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8.

The Old Testament scriptures teach the same gospel of salvation through Christ that we find in the New Testament:

• “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3.
• “From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15.
• “Then he said unto them, ‘O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?’ And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:25-27.
• “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16.

The Bible presents one gospel from Genesis to Revelation, one plan of salvation for humanity. The Bible calls it “the everlasting gospel” (Revelation 14:6), the “everlasting covenant” (Psalm 105:10; Hebrews 13:20).