The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

CHAPTER SIX: Redemption in the Period of the Sacrificial Altar

The basic difference between the plan of redemption in Old Testament and in New Testament times is largely one of perspective and direction. The Old Testament believers looked forward to a suffering Messiah to come, One who would take away sin by the substitutionary sacrifice of Himself. The later New Testament believers looked back to the tremendous transaction of the cross as the accomplished fact, and upward to an ascended ministering Priest and just judge, who is to come again at the end of the age as conquering King. CFF1 83.1

The Person is the same in both cases, but the method of manifesting faith in His sovereign efficacy differs. In the Old Testament, saving faith was exhibited by symbolic sacrifices and services pointing forward to the Lamb of God to come, who would take away the sin of the world. But from the cross onward, with the great transaction of Calvary an accomplished fact, salvation was now by simple faith in a crucified, risen, ascended, ministering, and returning Lord. Note its earlier operation, first with the children of the primal pair, then among the patriarchs, and finally among the prophets of Israel, in Old Testament times. CFF1 83.2