Bible Question:
Hello Sons and daughters of Christ, Question: What do you believe happenes to people who were never told of the Life, death and resurrection of Jesus? Do people who were never witnessed to (by humans) end up spending eternity in Hell? (I am a CHristian and I know the word very well and I have spent countless hours researching this very question. Please repond with thought out answers ONLY.) Grace to you! |
Bible Answer: Hello bobwilkins99: The three key concepts that I use to answer that question is: (verses given are not exhaustive, but only samples) 1) Salvation NORMALLY comes by believing the Gospel. Rom 10:12-17 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; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." 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? 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!" However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 2) God is absolutely just. As Judge his sentence for sin is death. Those who have never heard suffer eternal punishment NOT because they've rejected Christ (How could they? They've never heard of Him), but because they sinned against God. Rom 2:6 who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: Rom 2:12-15 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them... 3)Mercy is God's prerogative; it is not owed to the non-believer. Everyone does not have to have an opportunity to hear the Gospel in order for God to be just. Rom 9:14-16 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. Therefore, the answer the Bible gives, in my opinion, is that sinnners who have never heard the Gospel and have therefore never repented and believed the Gospel will receive what sinners deserve from a absolutely holy and just God--eternal damnation. Finally, God will hold believers accountable where he has given us opportunity to warn our fellow man of the wrath to come and did not. (Ezek 33) Peace, Lionstrong |