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NASB | John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 3:18 "Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him]. |
Bible Question:
This is a statment that was giving to me from a preacher that say's he belives that the only way to heaven is through jesus but that you can know about him without ever hearing the word..."I(his name) have stated and do belive that, based on scripture, we cannot, without a doubt, exclude every man who has, for whatever reason or in whatever time, never been exposed to the written Word of God or the Gospel of Jesus Christ from receiving entrance into heaven by the grace of God through the Blood of Jesus Christ. I do not believe that thouse who have not been exposed to the word of God will go to heaven simply because they have not heard." You See My question to him was "Can someone today get to heaven without have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? ie; that jungle native that has never been exposed to the gosple." I mean is there Two ways he says that thruogh creation everone knows thiers a God but know theres a God and have the blood of Christ are two dif. things to me... If we get the blood by beliving theres a God and trying to be good then Why did Jesus have to die for us? to me he gave only one way and thats why we have Missionary to give the word. |
Bible Answer: Hello MRkornmann, Paul argues that since the Fall all mankind is under judgement for sin (Rom 5:12 and following). It is therefore by God's grace alone that any are acquitted their guilt, justified, and receive eternal life. The instrument by which one enters this state of grace is faith, which is also a gift of God (Ehp 2:8,9). What precisely the individual man has faith in is not always clear, but it is has always been faith with respect to the special revelation of the one and only true and living God of the Bible. The writer of Hebrews makes this point eloquently in the eleventh chapter of his epistle. While Jesus affirms that Abraham saw His day and rejoiced (John 8:56), it was not seeing Christ’s day that saved Abraham. Abraham was reckoned righteous by God when he had faith in the promise of God concerning his posterity (Gen. 15: 5,6). But it is not clear what word from God Able and Enoch believed. But whatever promise they believed, it was by their belief alone that they were justified and not by their works. But the verse under consideration in this thread (John 3:18) seems to say that since the coming and work of the Only Begotten, we are commanded to specifically believe the promises in this Chosen One, for it says that if we believe not (in Him), we have been judged already. The last verse of this chapter in John's Gospel makes the point even stronger: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. So, it seems that our lazy reliance on God's general revelation of Himself in creation will not do. Creation does not tell anyone about the person and work of Christ. The Church of Christ must be obedient to the Great Commission and make disciples of all nations. Rom 10:11, 17 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." Rom 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; Rom 10:13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." Rom 10:14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? Rom 10:15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" Rom 10:16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. So, your quote cannot be accepted without further qualification. It seems to me that since the completion of the work of Christ on the cross, we are commanded to believe the Gospel, specifically, for eternal life. Peace, Lionstrong |