In what way were Old Testament believers saved?

Old Testament believers were saved by looking forward to Christ, which highlights the understanding that their faith anticipated the coming Messiah who would fulfill the promise of salvation. This perspective is rooted in the narrative of Scripture, where the sacrificial system, prophetic writings, and covenant promises align to point toward the necessity of a Redeemer. Believers in the Old Testament placed their trust in God's promises and the ultimate unveiling of His salvation through Jesus Christ.

In this context, it is important to recognize that the other options are not the means by which salvation was achieved. While sacrifices were an integral part of worship, they were not sufficient for salvation on their own but instead functioned as symbolic acts of faith pointing to the future sacrifice of Christ. Strict adherence to the Law, while significant for guiding moral and ethical behavior, could not save; the Scriptures themselves affirm that no one is justified by the Law. Similarly, following the rituals of the temple served as acts of worship and obedience in the covenant relationship with God, but they were not the foundation of salvation, which required faith in God's overarching redemptive plan, ultimately realized in Jesus.