Featured Those Who Never Heard the Gospel

Good question.

We do know that some that lived in Old Testament times are in heaven - even though it was/is impossible to keep the law.

So God may have some sort of judgement plan for those that have not heard the Gospel - I am guessing.

 

First, the gospel message has been preached before Jesus came and died as Acts 10:43 and Hebrews 4:2 clearly state.

Second, it is not failure to hear or believe the gospel that sends people to hell but failure to heed their conscience and sin that condemns people to hell regardless if they lived before or after the cross. However, the only way into heaven is through Christ (Jn. 14:6).

Romans 1:18-21 not only spells out that the wrath of God IS being poured out upon men, but justly so, as they are not merely "without excuse" because of the inward testimony of conscience and outward testimony of nature but that they possess a nature that actively "hold" repress the truth that can be known and is revealed to them.

There is no second chance gospel taught in the scriptures. There is no second chance after physical death. It is appointed unto man ONCE to die and then the judgement - Heb. 9:27.


If ignorance of the gospel kept man out of hell then the very best thing we can do as Christians is to keep our mouths shut and keep men ignorant of the gospel and truth.

 

So are Moses, Abraham and David in Heaven or hell?

 

I actually disagree with this article, but it at least makes you think:

What say you?

 

Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Heb. 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

 

This covers so much territory that it would be impossible to deal with it in any kind of comprehensive manner. It needs a thread all to itself.

 

First off NONE can say with absolute certainity just HOW God works this area all out in the end...

With that out of the way...

Would say there have been several options/opinions throughout the time of Christ until today..

Some hol that God will save all peoples regardless, due to death of Christ for all, Universalism...

Some hold that God would foreknow who would have freely responded IF they were given chance to hear the message, so saves them based upon that basis...

others hold that they are all lost, as due to being sinners and apart for Christ...

Some hold that those who respond to the light they had, God will judge them based upon that fact, in order to dave them IF they responded to what they had lnowledge of...

MY take on this is that ALL have sinned and are deserving judgement/condemnation by god, but the Lord has chosen to save and reddem those elected out by him in christ, and those to get saved will somehow receive the Gospel, wether by radio/TV/tract/Missionary etc!

 

Absolutely and completely false! The Bible is very very clear and explicilty clear that there is no salvation for anyone OUTSIDE OF CHRIST and that only damnation and wrath outside of Christ.

The scripture is very clear that men are appointed ONCE to die and then the judgement (rather than a second chance).

The scripture is very clear that failure to hear the gospel is not the cause for condemnation in hell. The cause is sin - violation of their own conscience. Violation of what they do know and can see so that they are without excuse.

If ignorance is sufficient to keep people out of hell then pleeeeeease let us keep our mouths shut and keep people ignorant!

 

John 3:8 / Isa 54:1 / Gal 4:26,27

 

I agree with ALL that you posted here, its also the truth that we simple don't know just HOW those who have never how actually handled by god except that it would be consistent with Jesus being ONLY provision for salvation, and that God Will do with them in a manner totally consist with His nature and truth of jesus being ONLY means/way provided to save them!

That is why I listed commonly held viewpoints concerning the OP, and what i see the answer as being!

 

isn't that thoguh what one extreme, Hyper cals teach, as God saves his elect regardless if they even hear, while other extreme, free will of man, hold that until we actually hear and reject Christ not seen as being sinning,as we are NOT sinners by birth, but by choice?

 

So you believe your contribution/support/cooperation with missions is adding to the number in heaven? You think you're helping to populate heaven?

That's definitely what I think many missionaries and mission boards would have you believe. Actually, it's WORSE than that; many would have you believe people will go to hell if you are slacking in your contribution/support/cooperation with missions.

 

God in his infinite wisdom will deal with those who have never heard the gospel in a loving and fair way. His ways are far beyond our comprehension. How will he work this out in a loving and fair way? I do not know, but I do trust God to do that which is right and just.

 

The people prior to the cross had the Law and the Prophets. The Law told them how to live. (they failed miserably) The soul that sinneth, it shall die comes to mind.

The Prophets preached of a coming Messiah.

There are none without excuse. Those that rejected the Law to live in disobedience died and went to hell.

I know you desperately want to get those millions of people who died and went to hell into heaven, but you're fighting a losing battle there.

 

Ok! But don't you think Paul deals directly with this issue in Romans 1:18-2:16?

Does Paul mention or list ANY KIND OF POSTIVE RESPONSE by those who never heard the gospel but were "without excuse" because of internal and external revelation? Isn't every response mentioned negative?