Interpretation Method
Dispensationalism makes strong use of a literal interpretation of scripture, as has been previously discussed. As this aligns with the general use of scripture quoted within the scriptures, it follows that any valid interpretation method should follow the literal interpretation of scriptures. In this sense dispensational teaching follows the general approach of scriptural interpretation.
Salvation
How are humans saved? Dispensational teaching, along with many other methods of understanding scripture, clearly identifies that mankind needs to be saved due to personal sin, a sin which separates the sinner from God and makes one unfit to be in God’s presence.
While in classical dispensational teaching the current dispensation is called the Day of Grace does not in any way imply that grace was absent in other dispensations. Far from it, grace was abundantly present in all times. Take for example Jonah 4:2, during the Dispensation of Law:
“So he prayed to the LORD, and said, “Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.” [1, bold and italics added]
Jonah complained to God that He was too gracious and merciful, and didn’t kill those in Nineveh when they repented. He would rather have had a hard-hearted God than the gracious God he knew the Lord to be.
It is likely true that some have not grasped the scriptural truth of salvation by faith alone in all times. Romans 3:20 is clear that following the law saved no one:
“Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” [1]
Galatians 2:16 equally makes this point clear:
“knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” [1]
It is impossible, both now and at all points of history, for works to justify anyone before God. Salvation is, and always has been, by faith in God. That salvation currently is faith placed in God on the basis of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ is based on the historical fact of the cross, whereas in the past salvation was by faith placed in God looking ahead to something not fully revealed. The specifics of revelation have changed, but the means of salvation has not. Faith is always in response to God, His character and what He has revealed, and is always placed in Him.
The logical conclusion of this is that saints (believers) in previous dispensations were saved just as surely as believers since the beginning of the church at Pentecost, as salvation then as now depends on the character of God.
[1] New King James Version, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Thinking About The Truth 