The Old Testament Plan of Salvation

I. We Have Sinned Against God. 

Genesis 3:6 – Adam brought sin into the world. Psalm 51:3-5; 58:3 – We were born in sin. Psalm 14:1-3 – There is none righteous; not a single person. The Apostle Paul quotes this verse (Romans 3:10). Ecclesiastes 7:20 – There is not a just man on earth who does not sin. Genesis 8:21 – God sees the imagination of man’s heart and claims it is evil. Deuteronomy 6:4-6 – We have violated God’s law in our hearts. Jesus refers to this verse as being the greatest command (Matthew 22:37-38). All other laws are an extension of this command. Leviticus 19:17-18 – We are self-centered people in violation of God’s law. Jesus refers to this passage in Leviticus as being similar to the greatest command (Matthew 22:39). All other laws are relative to loving God and loving others. Exodus 20:17 – We all have entertained lusts in our heart. This is the text that hit home for the Apostle Paul, showing him to be utterly undone (Romans 7:7-9). The law reveals that we are guilty in our hearts, not merely our actions. Psalm 5:9 – Again, we have violated God’s law in our hearts. Psalm 39:5 – Despite his best performance, man has fallen incredibly short of God’s standard of holiness. Psalm 130:3; 143:2 – Nobody can be acquitted of their sin based upon his or her own standing. Nobody can be justified by his or her own merits. Isaiah 59:7, 12-13 – We are guilty in our thoughts and in our heart. Isaiah 64:6 – The best we can do still falls terribly short of God’s righteousness. 

II. There Is a Price on Sin. 

Genesis 2:17 – Adam and Eve died spiritually and brought a curse upon themselves and the world (Genesis 3:16-19). Genesis 3:7, 21 – It was clear from the start that Adam and Eve’s efforts fell short of what God thought was good. The fig leaves of our own righteousness leaves us improperly covered in the eyes of God. God himself must provide the covering for our shame. Deuteronomy 27:26 – All have sinned and are under a curse of judgment, no matter how hard one tries to be good. The Apostle Paul quotes this verse to prove that those who are under the works of the law are under a curse (Galatians 3:10). Deuteronomy 32:20-35 – Judgment awaits those who have “no faith,” who stand opposed to God. The Law makes it clear that this is every unsaved person, beginning with the Jewish people. Isaiah 59:1-2 – Sin has separated us from God. Psalm 1:5-6 – Sinners are guilty and therefore banished from the assembly of the saints. Psalm 9:17 – Sinners will be turned into hell. Psalm 11:6 – Sinners will be showered with fiery judgment. Psalm 5:4-5 – All have sinned and have therefore incurred God’s displeasure. Psalm 37:37-38 – Destruction is the end result of sinners. Note: Being a sinner and being wicked are inexorably linked in the Bible. This is important because many accept the fact that they are a sinner, but do not see themselves as being wicked. Proverbs 2:21-22 – Sinners will not find a place in God’s kingdom. Once more, the Bible parallels the sinner and the wicked, showing that anyone who violates God’s law is in the category of the wicked. Isaiah 1:28-31 – Sinners will be subjected to fiery judgment. Isaiah 5:11-14 – All that sinners enjoy and indulge in will be swallowed up by hell. Proverbs 1:24-27 – Calamity and destruction will come upon those who rejected God’s gracious offer of salvation. Isaiah 66:24 – Sinners will endure an everlasting destruction. Jesus referenced this passage and confirmed the doctrine of eternal punishment (Mark 9:44-48). 

III. The Messiah Will Pay for Our Sins. 

Genesis 3:15 – From the beginning, God promised the Seed of the woman who would one day conquer the Serpent. Isaiah 7:14 – A virgin would give birth to the promised Messiah whose name is Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” Isaiah 9:6 – The promised Son would be “born” into this world, yet “given” by God. Psalm 40:6-8 – God would prepare a body for the Savior—one with “ears.” The Apostle Paul adapts this passage, applying it to Christ (Hebrews 10:5-7). It should be noted here that the OT sacrifices could never atone for sin in an eternal sense. The sacrifices of the law merely provided a ceremonial cleansing (Leviticus 4:20, 26, 31; 5:10, 13, 16, 18). While the animal sacrifices illustrated Christ’s future sacrifice, they could never provide eternal forgiveness (Hebrews 10:1-4; 9:6-12). That’s why they were repeated day by day, year by year. Jesus himself made it abundantly clear that salvation was through faith alone—not by any animal sacrifices (John 3:16, 4:10, 5:24, 6:29, 14:6). Though Jesus’ ministry is recorded in the portion of our Bible we call ‘the New Testament,’ his ministry actually took place under the Old Testament. Psalm 45:6-7 – Messiah (Christ) means “anointed one.” He would be anointed by the Father above every man who had ever lived. Psalm 2:2, 7 – God would send Christ—his “Son;” “his anointed.” Daniel 9:24, 26a – In order to “make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness,” the “Messiah” would be “cut off,” or put to death. Isaiah 52:14-15 – God’s promised servant would be brutalized and slain, thus providing the blood of sprinkling for the world. Isaiah 53:5-12 – God’s servant would suffer and die for our sins. He would also return to life—“prolong his days.” “The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand,” despite his being put to death. Which means he would live again. Zechariah 12:10-13:1 – Messiah will be “pierced,” thereby providing a cleaning “fountain” for sin. Psalm 16:8-11 – The “Holy One” was promised victory, despite succumbing to death. The Father would show him the paths of life, meaning he would be raised back to life. The Apostle Peter quoted this passage (Acts 2:25-31). Psalm 68:18-20 – The Lord would be raised to life and ascend back to heaven, thus conquering death and securing salvation. The Apostle Paul quotes this passage (Ephesians 4:8-10). Psalm 110:1, 4 – The Father promised the Lord a place at his right hand, where he would serve as Priest to make reconciliation for the sins of the people (Hebrews 2:17). Isaiah 25:7-9 – God’s servant would conquer death and provide salvation. The Apostle Paul quotes this passage (1 Corinthians 15:54). Hosea 13:14 – The Lord would overcome death for himself and us. The Apostle Paul quotes this verse (1 Corinthians 15:55).

IV. You Must Accept the Lord’s Salvation by Faith. 

Isaiah 33:22-24 – The Lord himself will be king and will bring salvation, forgiving our sins. Psalm 5:10-12 – Though sinners are in rebellion against God, they can be considered “righteous” through faith in God’s name. Psalm 37:38-40 – Though sinners will be destroyed, he will save the righteous—not because of their works—but because of their faith. Genesis 15:6 – God made an example out of Abraham (the first Hebrew), saving him because of his faith. The Apostle Paul quotes this as proof that salvation was by grace through faith before the Law was even given (Romans 4:1-3). Therefore, the Law cannot override the promise of an inheritance by way of faith (Galatians 3:17-18). Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 10 – Even during the Law, God provided salvation to those who ask for forgiveness. He provided mercy to those who trusted him. The Apostle Paul quotes this, demonstrating that salvation has always been by grace through faith (Romans 4:4-8). Again, the Law did not override the promise of an inheritance by way of faith. Psalm 49:5, 15 – Those whom God redeems from sin have no need to fear in their dying days. Psalm 85:2-3 – Those whose sins have been forgiven have no need to fear God’s wrath. Psalm 86:5 – God is ready to forgive those who will call upon him for salvation. Psalm 130:3-8 – Mercy and forgiveness awaits those who hope in the Lord for salvation. Habakkuk 2:4 – Faith is the means to be saved spiritually. The Apostle Paul quotes this verse three different times to show that nothing has changed (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). Psalms 2:7, 12 – The Son of God provides eternal blessings upon those who trust in him for salvation. Hosea 14:1-2 – Salvation is extended to those who turn to the Lord and pray from the heart. Joel 2:32 – Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered. The Apostle Paul quotes this verse (Romans 10:13). Isaiah 28:16 – Those who put their trust in the Lord will not be ashamed that they did so. The Apostle Paul quotes this verse (Romans 10:11). Jeremiah 23:6 – Salvation is provided to those who trust in the Lord’s righteousness, not their own. Jeremiah 33:15-16 – Messiah shall come and reign, providing salvation to those who receive his gift of righteousness. Isaiah 45:21c-25 – God is the Savior of the world, offering salvation to all who receive his righteousness and justification. Isaiah the prophet proclaimed the same gospel message that we proclaim today. The Apostle Paul references this passage, applying it to Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:9-11).