What Happens to Those Who Never Hear the Gospel?
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Bendito
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And God is faithful to give EVERYBODY a chance....You do believe that, don't you? Who will you believe?
"How are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how can they hear without someone to proclaim Him? And how are they to proclaim Him unless they are sent? (Romans 10:14-15)"
Bandito, you do know that the Bible teaches the possibility of salvation apart from formal profession of faith in Christ, don't you? Or do we need to get into the Word to document that for you? The pastor of the Pentecostal church in which I was raised preached a fiery Gospel at weekly Sunday night evangelistic services with altar calls. His weekly Gospel TV show is the longest continuous Christian TV Program in North America. So I was surprised to learn that in his retirement he now believes that many who have never heard the Gospel can nevertheless still be saved. I attended every Spirit-anointed meeting of the week-long Billy Graham crusade in my city in which hundreds made public professions of faith every night. So I was surprised to learn the Billy Graham now believes that people from non-Christian religions can also be saved without the Gospel by living godly lives.
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I've already posted the answer to this question above. Post # 12 I think....Why do you think it's so hard for a person to get into heaven? And please...Don't start quoting Churchianity to me...
I am in complete agreement all have heard the Gospel and be without excuse. God cannot lie!
God's Word says that all will be hearing the Gospel unto salvation at some point during their lives -- We need to be willing to share when we feel led to.
God knows who will accept and who won't. He's all of those omni's -- all- powerful -- all-knowledge. He will make sure that everyone has the opportunity To hear and To accept.
"We" might be surprised at how far modern technowledgy extends.
As a person feels a need To know more about God / salvation -- it's the Holy Spirit working. Feel free To accept Jesus Christ as personal Lord / Savior. Talk to God about your concerns. He hears / listens / answers. He won't turn anyone away.
A person believes in their / your / heart and confesses that to God -- accepts His gift Of salvation and thanks Him for that. That person Will Be Saved. Romans 10: 9-10 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
People Will hear.
As a person feels led To share --Do share the Gospel unto salvation.
God knows who will accept and who won't. He's all of those omni's -- all- powerful -- all-knowledge. He will make sure that everyone has the opportunity To hear and To accept.
"We" might be surprised at how far modern technowledgy extends.
As a person feels a need To know more about God / salvation -- it's the Holy Spirit working. Feel free To accept Jesus Christ as personal Lord / Savior. Talk to God about your concerns. He hears / listens / answers. He won't turn anyone away.
A person believes in their / your / heart and confesses that to God -- accepts His gift Of salvation and thanks Him for that. That person Will Be Saved. Romans 10: 9-10 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
People Will hear.
As a person feels led To share --Do share the Gospel unto salvation.
Where does our bible say that?
For one thing -- For God so loved the world that He gave..... and He would that all would come to a saving knowledge of Christ. To suggest that a loving God would allow some to end up in hell 'just because' would not be a loving God.
We have local churches that teach salvation and missions that allow people to go to any country that is open to the Gospel. And God uses many 'means' to bring the Gospel to the lost people in this world.
Why would a person be Doubting that all who will accept will have done so when Christ returns.
And there is 2nd Peter 3:9
We also know that even after the Church is taken up -- there will be multitudes coming to Christ during the next 7 yrs. And then throughout the next 1,000 reign of Christ.
Romans 1:20 "For since the creation of the world,His invisible attribues are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
My sister and brother-in-law felt led to go into missions over 40 yrs. ago. They went to Brazil to share the Gospel with others there -- started 3 churches as a result Of sharing the Gospel unto Salvation. People were coming to saving knowledge of Christ.
And there's a lady I've known for a while now. She's in medical missions in Togo Africa. She and another medical missionary go into the 'interior' every so often and locate new groups to share with who've never heard. There are always those who readily accept. They say that they've been waiting for 'someone' to share salvation with them. They were observing in nature that there Must be a God 'up there'. They hear about salvation and instinctively know that That's what they were waiting for. And some don't listen.
Some years ago -- there was a young muslim man who heard the Gospel from Christians on a college campus in his home country. He accepted Christ and when his family heard -- his father had him arrested and put in a prison. Several of the men were near death -- so this new convert started sharing Christ with the dying men. At least one accepted Christ shortly before he died. And shortly after That the new convert was taken Out of that prison and managed to get to freedom -- and shared the Gospel where ever he went. He later got to the United States and made contact with my sister and brother -in-law again -- they had helped him for a few days at their home. By then he was married and had three children. Which is saying that God uses people in various places at specific times to share the Gospel.
In the 'last days' God will be reaching people through visions and other means to make Himself known to those who need to know -- and Everyone Does need to hear and have the opportunity To accept.
So -- are 'we' willing to share with people We're around? Going in and out of airports, ya never know Who can be reached. Or public transportation ? Or a new neighbor. So -- are 'we' willing To share.
We have local churches that teach salvation and missions that allow people to go to any country that is open to the Gospel. And God uses many 'means' to bring the Gospel to the lost people in this world.
Why would a person be Doubting that all who will accept will have done so when Christ returns.
And there is 2nd Peter 3:9
We also know that even after the Church is taken up -- there will be multitudes coming to Christ during the next 7 yrs. And then throughout the next 1,000 reign of Christ.
Romans 1:20 "For since the creation of the world,His invisible attribues are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
My sister and brother-in-law felt led to go into missions over 40 yrs. ago. They went to Brazil to share the Gospel with others there -- started 3 churches as a result Of sharing the Gospel unto Salvation. People were coming to saving knowledge of Christ.
And there's a lady I've known for a while now. She's in medical missions in Togo Africa. She and another medical missionary go into the 'interior' every so often and locate new groups to share with who've never heard. There are always those who readily accept. They say that they've been waiting for 'someone' to share salvation with them. They were observing in nature that there Must be a God 'up there'. They hear about salvation and instinctively know that That's what they were waiting for. And some don't listen.
Some years ago -- there was a young muslim man who heard the Gospel from Christians on a college campus in his home country. He accepted Christ and when his family heard -- his father had him arrested and put in a prison. Several of the men were near death -- so this new convert started sharing Christ with the dying men. At least one accepted Christ shortly before he died. And shortly after That the new convert was taken Out of that prison and managed to get to freedom -- and shared the Gospel where ever he went. He later got to the United States and made contact with my sister and brother -in-law again -- they had helped him for a few days at their home. By then he was married and had three children. Which is saying that God uses people in various places at specific times to share the Gospel.
In the 'last days' God will be reaching people through visions and other means to make Himself known to those who need to know -- and Everyone Does need to hear and have the opportunity To accept.
So -- are 'we' willing to share with people We're around? Going in and out of airports, ya never know Who can be reached. Or public transportation ? Or a new neighbor. So -- are 'we' willing To share.
Mad Hermit, I agree with you , there will many that didn’t get to hear the true word of God before Christ returns. There will be many right here in the good ole USA that have heard of Christianity but are still very biblically illiterate. They don’t even know there are two super natural entities coming to this world and both will claim to be, Jesus Christ. They don’t know if it’s the first one that comes or the second one that comes, if that is the real Christ. Just because the word has been published around the world doesn’t mean everyone has taken it in. There are religions that chop your head off if you profess Christianity. You think these head choppers have taken in Gods word? Very very doubtful.
God built in a check mechanism in His plan of salvation for EVERYONE, FOR ANY REASON, that did not get to hear Gods true word. It’s call the Millennium, also called the LORD DAY, that 1000 year period of time where only the true word of God is taught by qualified teachers. There will not be this denomination or that denomination, only the true word taught for 1000 years. During the millennium Satan is bound and can’t works his evil but will be set free at the end of the millennium to see how many will follow him then. All that do, go into the lake of fire with Satan and all his bunch.
God will not sentence any of His children to Hell until they have heard the true word of a God and had chance to accept it or reject it. God is always fair and just. Some would say, what do you mean fair and just, He has kill some of His children. God killed their flesh body, not their real live, the soul/spirit. No body has died yet, every child God created, their sole/spirit still lives. There will come a time at the, GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT, that many will go into the lake of fire, to be blotted out. Not even their remembrance will survive.
God built in a check mechanism in His plan of salvation for EVERYONE, FOR ANY REASON, that did not get to hear Gods true word. It’s call the Millennium, also called the LORD DAY, that 1000 year period of time where only the true word of God is taught by qualified teachers. There will not be this denomination or that denomination, only the true word taught for 1000 years. During the millennium Satan is bound and can’t works his evil but will be set free at the end of the millennium to see how many will follow him then. All that do, go into the lake of fire with Satan and all his bunch.
God will not sentence any of His children to Hell until they have heard the true word of a God and had chance to accept it or reject it. God is always fair and just. Some would say, what do you mean fair and just, He has kill some of His children. God killed their flesh body, not their real live, the soul/spirit. No body has died yet, every child God created, their sole/spirit still lives. There will come a time at the, GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT, that many will go into the lake of fire, to be blotted out. Not even their remembrance will survive.
B-A-C
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[NLT]
Rom 2:12; When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it.
Rom 2:13; For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.
Rom 2:14; Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it.
Rom 2:15; They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.
Rom 2:12; When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it.
Rom 2:13; For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.
Rom 2:14; Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it.
Rom 2:15; They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.
B A C, I will go along with what you posted. Just being a good upright person goes a long way with God. Even though one may not have been exposed to God’s word, would not make that one an unfit person. But in God word is wisdom to be learned and just being a good person doesn’t mean one will gain wisdom.
Matt 24:35 Mark 13:31. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my word shall not pass away. So Gods word is going to be around for the eternity so might as well get around to learning it.
Matt 24:35 Mark 13:31. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my word shall not pass away. So Gods word is going to be around for the eternity so might as well get around to learning it.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
Romans 10:9 - 10 -- Belief in your heart and confession to God / others -- 1 Corthinthians 15:1-4
Those comments would be suggesting that a person can be saved by doing good works. Ephesians 2:8-9 says Not of works.
And it Does Not matter What our background has been. Anyone can come to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. But it's only through believing that Jesus Christ is God's son and that He was crucified -- death, burial and bodily resurrection from the dead. And that it was for 'me' personally.
God Also does show Himself to us through His creation -- the world around us. That 'we' and this world around us came from Someone -- and it was by God. But we still need to hear God's Word -- salvation and accept Jesus Christ as our Personal Lord and Savior.
You Almost sound like you believe that obeying the Ten Commandments will save a person.
It's Also true that once a person is a born-again believer that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will cause a person to Want to obey God's Word. It's a person's personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ that makes the difference.
It wasn't B-A-C who said that, he quoted Romans 2:12-15 which says a lot about people who don't know the laws of God yet their thoughts and conscience instinctively tells them right from wrong. I'm convinced that people who live good decent lives can get a second chance if they've never heard the gospel. Too many Christians today seem to enjoy condemning people. When I look at all the teachings about this in the NT, there seems to be provisions for faith, grace, and works - you cannot separate the three.
I don't believe in the "saved by grace and grace alone" stuff. That's taken out of context. THE WORLD is saved by grace.
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Show me a person who has not heard the Gospel, and I'll show you a person you need to be talking to!
Problem I have with that is we don't know who has or hasn't heard the gospel, or what depth of it they may or may not have heard. Even more critical is MOST Christians have little tact or 'expertise' in witnessing and often come across offensive. They come on too strong and pounce on sayings that just doesn't reach the innermost being of a lost soul, but in fact, causes that soul to put up their defenses. I can even give you some stark examples of that right here on this forum.
There's a right way and a wrong way to witness, and I say the wrong way is the way MOST Christians witness. I've experienced it many times myself when someone tried witnessing to me not knowing I'm a Christian.
Can Anyone really speak for "most" Christians without having talked with 'most' Christians on any given subject?!
Only God knows the individual heart // only God knows who has or has not accepted Christ as their personal Savior. That's why the great commission has been given in Matthew 28 -- last couple of verses. We are to be going out amongst all the nations -- making disciples of...... starting at home and then where ever God is leading you to share.
A person can Always find 'someone' who's not doing a very good, loving job of share Christ. Our 'job' is to look to Christ for our example. What Would Jesus Do -- in any given situation.
In witnessing -- be willing to share 'your own experience of accepting Christ'. Another situation that has been brought up // imagine that you are at the Pearly Gates and you are asked 'on what basis should I let you in to heaven' what would Your answer be". And that might begin some interesting conversation and it could Also bring on some weird looks But , generally speaking, God, and /or the Holy Spirit, will present opportunities to share the Gospel unto salvation with someone. The Holy Spirit can bring Scripture to a person's memory to share.
Only God knows the individual heart // only God knows who has or has not accepted Christ as their personal Savior. That's why the great commission has been given in Matthew 28 -- last couple of verses. We are to be going out amongst all the nations -- making disciples of...... starting at home and then where ever God is leading you to share.
A person can Always find 'someone' who's not doing a very good, loving job of share Christ. Our 'job' is to look to Christ for our example. What Would Jesus Do -- in any given situation.
In witnessing -- be willing to share 'your own experience of accepting Christ'. Another situation that has been brought up // imagine that you are at the Pearly Gates and you are asked 'on what basis should I let you in to heaven' what would Your answer be". And that might begin some interesting conversation and it could Also bring on some weird looks But , generally speaking, God, and /or the Holy Spirit, will present opportunities to share the Gospel unto salvation with someone. The Holy Spirit can bring Scripture to a person's memory to share.
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Hello Saginon,
I agree in only that one should know the Gospel and be saved oneself. However, you can't go wrong when you use your own testimony and allow the Holy Spirit to do the heavy lifting with whoever you happen to be talking with. It's the experts that believe that it's only these words (fill in the blank) that will move the person to salvation and give the Holy Spirit only second consideration on drawing a person to the Lord.
There's a testimony from an Evangelist whose name I now forget, who said that a lady came to the Lord, not by his words, but because she saw him crying on the steps of her house over her having rejected his message. First are you sincere in the love you have for that other person who does not know the Lord. Next, it's getting over the fear (enemy) of failing, not being worthy, not having the right words, one must get over. I don't know of many outside or inside of scripture besides Jesus who started out perfectly in their witness. We won't know until we try and don't worry cause you're never alone when you step out in faith!!!!!
Still I do appreciate what you are saying. There are some pretty self-righteous people out there who think they know it all, who then create more walls that have to get taken down before a good loving witness gets heard.
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
<><
Our testimony well presented works well. I'm referring to a thread called "Question about churches/Denominations." In her OP her last words explained her current spiritual journey and position. She said, "Can you suggest for me some churches, or denominations that are a bit informal and at the same time welcoming to young people who are very new to the faith, or perhaps in the process of becoming Christians."
My issues are when a well meaning Christian approaches an unbeliever and goes off pounding things like, "you must be born again."
"you need to repent of your sins,"
"do you feel as if you are complete? Or are you looking for something that you can't find,"
"you're spiritually dead,"
"Many believe if they go to church they will go to Heaven, None of these things will save you, none of these will get you to heaven."
Even after BubbleFlower said, "You absolutely have NO idea. I am anything, but spiritually dead!" One of our most kind poster's says, -
Scripture tells us if Christ is not in us, we are spiritually dead, it is not I myself that says this. You can have a spirit in you, scripture confirms many of these, but if you are not born again, you do not have Christ's Spirit in you.
Then that same poster said to her...
"You need to come to Jesus, He is the only one who can save you. There is nothing I can do, nothing we can do except guide you to Jesus, to the cross he died on, to the place he shed is blood for you, for me, for us all, so that through Him we may receive eternal life."
I'm sorry, though what was said is true, that's NOT the way to present Christ to someone whose NOT a Christian. Presenting Christ like that turns people off and turns them away. I doubt we'll see Bubble-flower again. Hopefully, we will.
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