5. This covenant [Covenant of Grace] was differently administered in the (time of the law), and in the (time of the gospel): (2 Cor. 3:6–9) under the law it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all fore-signifying Christ to come; (Heb. 8–10, Rom. 4:11. Col. 2:11–12, 1 Cor. 5:7) which were, for that time, sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah, (1 Cor. 10:1–4, Heb. 11:13, John 8:56) by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation; and is called the old Testament. (Ga. 3:7–9, 14)
- From the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 7 – https://opc.org/confessions.html
Most churches now accurately attest that salvation in the Old Testament age was the same as under the New Testament. This was not always the case. Many of Paul’s epistles in the NT address the “law” as not being of grace, or as a system of works righteousness (see blog post the “LAW”). This was the Scribe and Pharisee misinterpretation of the law and its purpose (to depict Christ). Believers in the OT are saved just the same as believers in the NT. Although it is true that the types and shadows of Christ were “delivered to the people of the Jews” the Holy Spirit used these ordinances throughout the OT to save peoples of various backgrounds.
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