ANSWER: Those who lived faithfully under the Old Testament while it was in existence, i.e., before the cross of Christ and before Christ’s baptism, will be judged by that particular law. Those who were faithful to that law will be saved eternally. From the Day of Pentecost of Acts Two, when Christ’s baptism became effective, until the end of time all who would enter into heaven must be baptized and remain faithful to Him as commanded throughout the New Testament (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Revelation 2:10, and others).

Christ’s death is important to those who lived under the Old Testament, as well as to we who live under the New Testament. In Hebrews 10:1-4, the writer says that sacrifices were made yearly under the Old Testament for the sins of the people, but that those sacrifices could not make them perfect. In verse four, he says the reason they could not be made perfect was that the blood of the bulls and goats that were sacrificed could not take away their sins. It, therefore, was necessary that Christ shed His blood, not only for people today, but also for those who lived faithfully under the Old Testament (Hebrews 9:15; 10:1-18).

By His blood must all enter heaven; those under the Old Testament and those under the New Testament. Access to the blood of Christ by those under the Old Testament came only through their obedience to that Law. Access to the blood of Christ by those under the New Testament (all men today) can come only through obedience to its teachings! To be covered by the blood of Christ today then; to become a New Testament Christian, one must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 8:24); repent (turn away from) of sins (Luke 3:3); confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus (Romans 10:9-10); and be immersed in water (Acts 8:35-39) for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) into the one body (I Corinthians 12:13) of Christ, which is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). The blood of Christ is applied in this final act (baptism) which is “into His death” (Romans 6:4) where His blood was shed!