'Exploring the Era Before Jesus: Unveiling the Foundations of Christian Faith'
Posted on 12 June 2026
Before Jesus
Throughout history, the basis of salvation has always been the death of Christ. This applies to both those who lived before Jesus and those who have lived since His time on earth. Christ's sacrificial death paid the penalty for sins, both past and future, for believers in both the Old and New Testaments.
The requirement for salvation has always been faith. People have always needed to place their faith in God in order to be saved. In the Old Testament, for example, Abraham believed God, and that belief was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3-8). The content of one's faith has changed over time as God has progressively revealed more about Himself and His plan of salvation.
Before Moses, no Scripture was written, but people were still responsible for what God had revealed to them. Adam, for instance, believed the promise in Genesis 3:15 that the Seed of the woman would conquer Satan. He believed this promise even though he didn't fully understand how it would be accomplished. Likewise, believers throughout the Old Testament trusted that God would eventually take care of their sin problem.
Even during Jesus' earthly ministry, His disciples did not fully comprehend the extent of His sacrifice. When Jesus explained that He would suffer and die, Peter objected, not understanding the full picture (Matthew 16:21-22). However, the disciples were still saved because they believed that God would provide a solution to their sin problem.
Today, we have the advantage of more revelation than those who lived before Jesus. We know the complete story of Christ's death and resurrection. Our faith is still based on the death of Christ, and our salvation is still obtained through faith in Him. The content of our faith is that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Why This Matters
Understanding the basis of salvation and the role of faith throughout history helps us appreciate the significance of Christ's sacrifice. It shows us that salvation has always been by grace through faith, regardless of the amount of revelation people had at a given time. This knowledge can deepen our appreciation for God's plan of redemption and strengthen our faith in Him.
Think About It
How does knowing that salvation has always been based on faith in God impact your understanding of the Old Testament?
Why is it important to recognize that believers in the Old Testament were saved even though they didn't fully understand the details of Christ's sacrifice?
What difference does it make to know the full story of Christ's death and resurrection when it comes to our own faith and salvation?
