Bible Question: What happens to people who have never heard about Jesus when they die? What about the people who don't understand the concept of salvation, or are still seeking Him when they die but have not yet asked Him into their hearts? Will all non-Christians who have knowledge about Jesus' salvation go to hell regardless of how good they are? |
Bible Answer: "And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?" (Rom 10:14 NKJV). "...believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved..." (Acts 16:31) It follows then that not to believe is not to be saved. "...And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?..." (Rom 10:14 NKJV). Is God's judgment upon the unevanglized a just judgment? Yes, it is. Romans 2:2 "But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things." What have the unevangelized done to deserve such condemnation? "God punishes them, because what can be known about God is plain to them" (Rom 1:19 TEV) Today's English Version Romans 1:18-32 God's anger is revealed from heaven against all the sin and evil of the people whose evil ways prevent the truth from being known. God punishes them, because what can be known about God is plain to them, for God himself made it plain. Ever since God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen; they are perceived in the things that God has made. So those people have no excuse at all! They know God, but they do not give him the honor that belongs to him, nor do they thank him. Instead, their thoughts have become complete nonsense, and their empty minds are filled with darkness. They say they are wise, but they are fools; instead of worshiping the immortal God, they worship images made to look like mortals or birds or animals or reptiles. And so God has given those people over to do the filthy things their hearts desire, and they do shameful things with each other. They exchange the truth about God for a lie; they worship and serve what God has created instead of the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever! Amen. Because they do this, God has given them over to shameful passions. Even the women pervert the natural use of their sex by unnatural acts. In the same way the men give up natural sexual relations with women and burn with passion for each other. Men do shameful things with each other, and as a result they bring upon themselves the punishment they deserve for their wrongdoing. (. . .) Because those people refuse to keep in mind the true knowledge about God, he has given them over to corrupted minds, so that they do the things that they should not do. They are filled with all kinds of wickedness, evil, greed, and vice; they are full of jealousy, murder, fighting, deceit, and malice. They gossip and speak evil of one another; they are hateful to God, insolent, proud, and boastful; they think of more ways to do evil; they disobey their parents; they have no conscience; they do not keep their promises, and they show no kindness or pity for others. They know that God's law says that people who live in this way deserve death. Yet, not only do they continue to do these very things, but they even approve of others who do them. |