Those who have never heard

Romans 2:13-16 covers those with no access to the Word of God.

In Christ,

Bob

 

I have been to the deepest darkest places in Africa, and I have brothers who have been to the deepest darkest jungles of the Amazon as well.

There is no such thing as 'those who have never heard'.

God reaches out, and makes Himself plainly known to all people within His creation.
Romans chapter 1
Romans chapter 2
Psalms 139
Acts 10

As far as your ancestors, all of them had the opportunity to know God. The question is, based on the level of light they were given, how did they respond?

Abraham didn't have TV Preachers.
Abraham didn't have Churches on every corner.
Abraham didn't have a local Bible seminary.
Abraham didn't even have a written Bible(hadn't been written yet)

Did God reveal Himself to Abraham?
Sure He did.

Did Abraham respond correctly, and show us an example of how to respond to what we are given from the Lord?

Absolutely.

Acts 17:26
"(God) hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if happily they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:"

 

Jude,
They may not have been revealed the same level of details as you have available to you....but again, God makes Himself known to His creation.

The comments about Abraham were intented to show an individual who, had no external opportunities like we have today; similar to a 'outer african person' but still sought the Lord, found the Lord; and became a great follower and servant of the Lord.

We evangelize people, to share the more fully revealed light of Christ that we have been given.

Cornelius is a great example of someone who was seeking and following God, but had not yet come to know the details about Jesus; and how God led Cornelius to someone who was also led to take the gospel message to Cornelius.

Romans 1 tells us clearly that God makes Himself known through the very creation.

Romans 2 tells us clearly that God makes Himself known through our inner conscious. Pslams 139 also shows us that God is everywhere, showing Himself as a testimony for us to accept and follow.

Romans 3+ then goes on to show how when we respond to the light we have been given, and continue to seek more light and truth; that the light of Christ will then be given to those who faithfully seek for it.

To Abraham it was Jesus as the I AM.
TO Moses it Jesus it was the riches of Christ.
To Simeon it was the promised child.
To Cornelius it was the missionary Peter.
To Shadrach and co. it was the 4th firey guest.
To Paul it was a blinding light on the roadside.
To some it is visions, dreams, etc...

But to those who seek the Lord, as Acts 17:36 tells us; they will find Him....and come to realize that He was never very far away from them to begin with.


Acts 17:26
"(God) hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if happily they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:"

 

I think God alone is to judge, so we should refrain. For all we know, God may reveal himself to them prior to or at their death, since they were never given the gospel the opportunity by anyone in life. Just surmising here.

For that matter, what about the "poor ignorant savage" that lives next door to us? or in our community? We presume they're heard the Gospel and rejected, it, but that's probably far fror the truth.