Were People in the Old Testament Saved by Works?

Was Abraham justified by faith or works?

Abraham was justified by faith in his standing before God.

Abraham was justified in his works in his standing before man.

Justification: to declare righteous; proof of righteousness

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:Romans 3:24

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.Romans 3:28

God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.Romans 3:4

Abraham was not saved by his works.

Abraham’s faith was backed up by his works.

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 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.Romans 4:1-3

Abraham was declared righteous by faith.

And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.Genesis 15:6

Abraham proved his righteousness by his works.

And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.Genesis 22:3-5

Rahab was saved by faith.

And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token:Joshua 2:9-12

Rahab’s faith was proven by her works.

Christian maturity will be evident through good works and spiritual fruit.

A self-focused view of God is a mark of spiritual immaturity.

While we are not saved by our works, our works will bear testimony of a true, saving faith.

Our works should reflect the life of our Savior.

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.1 John 2:6

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.Romans 8:28-29

How were people saved prior to Jesus?

By faith in Jesus, as the coming Messiah.

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.John 8:56

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.Hebrews 11:13

Anyone who has ever been saved through all of human history has been saved by faith in Jesus alone.