Serious Question About Jesus

[bowser]

Ok here is my question: If Jesus is the only way unto heaven (as it says in the bible), then how come millions of people, go through their whole lives and never hear the name Jesus Christ or never even hear of the bible? I mean if Jesus is the only way to heaven, and they accept another god and have never heard of Jesus, then they goto hell, right?

[Tibby]

Yeah, kind of a jip, uh? That is why Jesus told us in the Great Commission to go out and preach the word to all people.

[bowser]

Ah, thanks Tibby, for all your help.  (that was only 1/2 sarcastic for that troll remark)

[Knox]

Ok here is my question: If Jesus is the only way unto heaven (as it says in the bible), then how come millions of people, go through their whole lives and never hear the name Jesus Christ or never even hear of the bible? I mean if Jesus is the only way to heaven, and they accept another god and have never heard of Jesus, then they goto hell, right?

Not as far as I know. I don't know what denomination teaches this but I don't think such a doctrine can be supported by scripture.

[Symphony]

"When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.  They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or peerhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus."  (Romans 2:13-16)

[Tibby]

Knoxs, What do you mean? What doctrine?

[ebia]

Ok here is my question: If Jesus is the only way unto heaven (as it says in the bible), then how come millions of people, go through their whole lives and never hear the name Jesus Christ or never even hear of the bible? I mean if Jesus is the only way to heaven, and they accept another god and have never heard of Jesus, then they goto hell, right?

I would suggest that most Christians believe that the bible is silent on fate of those who never hear the gospel in this world.

With God, all things are possible.

[Saved_4ever]

Ok here is my question: If Jesus is the only way unto heaven (as it says in the bible), then how come millions of people, go through their whole lives and never hear the name Jesus Christ or never even hear of the bible? I mean if Jesus is the only way to heaven, and they accept another god and have never heard of Jesus, then they goto hell, right?

Did they not hear the word because in a time previous the people rejected Jesus Christ?

[Saved_4ever]

Ok here is my question: If Jesus is the only way unto heaven (as it says in the bible), then how come millions of people, go through their whole lives and never hear the name Jesus Christ or never even hear of the bible? I mean if Jesus is the only way to heaven, and they accept another god and have never heard of Jesus, then they goto hell, right?

Not as far as I know. I don't know what denomination teaches this but I don't think such a doctrine can be supported by scripture.

Now might be a good time for you to pick up the bible and read it.

[Allinall]

The bible is not silent on this matter.  Frankly, it says that all men, whether they have heard or have not, are without excuse:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Romans 1:18-23

There are many who are claiming wisdom on this board of late.  Their wisdom is steeped in the philosophy of man, not the theology of God.  Such "wisdom" is anything but.  What does God think of that kind of wisdom?  He calls it foolish.  Why?  Because at the heart of every philosophy they create is the denial of the God Who created them - a God they know to exist.  The atheist will deny such knowledge, ardently, repeatedly, and may even spend more time denying God than the believer does acknowledging Him.  Odd isn't it?  That God often means more to those who consider Him less, than to those who claim Him as their own?

When men steep to this level of denial what happens next?  God tells us as the passage goes on:

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Romans 1:24-32

This isn't to say that all who deny God are homosexual, or murders, or otherwise, but that all such people deny God.  This is the company they keep, and will keep for an eternity, if God, through His mercy and grace, and our obedient witness does not bring them to Him in repentance.  Repentance, not for these acts alone, but for the hearts behind them.  Hearts that deny God will not receive Him, will die without Him, and suffer eternally away from Him.  Brothers and sisters in Christ ought to pray for and witness to such people, rather than debate with them.

Folks, God isn't playing a game of what He'll let you do and what He won't.  It isn't a matter of your personal rights.  It's a matter of eternity in a God-less Hell.  Yet the God Who you so readily dismiss, even disdain at times, loves you, died for you amid everything you now say and do to oppose Him:

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Why? Because as God, He will not accept sin.  As the loving God, He paid the price of sin for us and offers it to all, freely - but on His terms:

1.  Belief - in Him, in our sin and His judgment of that sin, in His payment for that sin with the death of His Son, Jesus Christ on the cross, with the raising of His Son that we may also have life and that "more abundantly"

2.  Agreement - with Him concerning our sin, His judgment and payment, and our need for Him and that payment to have life

3.  Repentance - changing our minds and hearts about Him and our sin, and changing our will, no longer holding on to our beliefs, desires, or ideas, but willfully turning to Him for our salvation.

That is the salvation God has to offer.  Will you accept Him or deny Him?

[PhilMun]

Hello Bowser

Symphony gave you the right and short answer to your question.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither male nor female; there is neither circumcised nor uncircumcised; neither barbarian nor Scythian, neither slave nor free man, neither Catholic nor Protestant; neither Orthodox nor Episcopalian; neither Methodist nor Baptist; neither name-sake Christian nor Moslem; neither Hindu nor Buddhist; for you all are one in Christ Jesus, and-Christ in all. (See Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11)" Quoted from: http://www.his-amazing-love.org/sarah.html

Bible asks:

"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him. For, "everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. "But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ. (Romans 10:12-14,17)

But do you ask this question because you have burden on those who to go hell? If yes, what do you do for this from your part? Do you want to do anything to win some of these unlucky souls who are still not heard/reached with the gospel? May be the Lord Jesus wants you to do something. Please e-mail me.

Blessings!

[preacherintraining]

Hello Bowser

Symphony gave you the right and short answer to your question.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither male nor female; there is neither circumcised nor uncircumcised; neither barbarian nor Scythian, neither slave nor free man, neither Catholic nor Protestant; neither Orthodox nor Episcopalian; neither Methodist nor Baptist; neither name-sake Christian nor Moslem; neither Hindu nor Buddhist; for you all are one in Christ Jesus, and-Christ in all. (See Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11)" Quoted from: http://www.his-amazing-love.org/sarah.html

Bible asks:

"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him. For, "everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. "But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ. (Romans 10:12-14,17)

But do you ask this question because you have burden on those who to go hell? If yes, what do you do for this from your part? Do you want to do anything to win some of these unlucky souls who are still not heard/reached with the gospel? May be the Lord Jesus wants you to do something. Please e-mail me.

Blessings!

Adding a bit to the scriptures aren't we???

[bowser]

Ok-Philmun, I have no idea what your quote meant in response to my question...but I do understand Symphony's answer.  I did, however, ask this question because had the answer been : Yup, it sucks, but the people who never hear of Christ and accept Adam (just made up a name for another god, mine in this instance ) goto hell (as in tibby's response), then it proves to me that Jesus is not the savior. This isn't meant to provoke further arguments, that's just why I asked the question, however. Thanks everyone.

[Krazeekkc]

Actuallly everyone does get a chance to accept and hear about Jesus. It states that in the Bible, but I can't seem to remember the verse.

[Royo]

First off, we are not given to understand all the ways in which God works. But here is a scripture that may help.
"But indeed for this purpose have I raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." [Exodus 9.16.]. If you read verses 13 to 18, you will see that He is refering to Pharoah. He created and raised up Pharoah to show His power "in all the earth".
Later in history He tells King Saul to go and kill every man, woman, child, and beast of the Amalekites. If President Bush today ordered that in Iraq, he would be considered the most evil man in history.
So no, it would seem
not every man and woman in history has the opportunity to hear about salvation. But that is the providence of God, not of man. As He plainly tells us: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord." [Isaiah 55.8].
In many things, we "see through a glass darkly'. And I for one am not ashamed to say, "I don't know".
Yours In Christ. Roy.