In a recently-closed thread,
@SheepWhisperer asked, "If someone cannot possibly access something that is "available", how then is it "available" to save them?"
I would like to ask a similar question in two parts: 1) Can someone believe in Jesus if he has never heard of Jesus? 2) How many people have lived and died without ever hearing the gospel of Jesus?
Any and all Free-Willies, please respond. Looking forward to it.
That question was in response to this post from TCassidy........
............"L" stands for "Limited Atonement." Limited, not in its ability to save. Not limited in its availability to save, but limited in its application. The Atonement is only applied to believers. "Sufficient for all. Efficient only for those who believe."....
You "partucular redemptionists" say that God has to "enable" someone before they can believe the Gospel and you say that He DOES NOT enable those He chooses not to enable. And you say that they CANNOT believe unless this "enabling" takes place. right? Is that the concept in a nutshell or did I miss something? OK, so how is "atonement" "available" to those who cannot possibly believe without the "enabling" taking place?
Now, to answer your "two part question".....
1)No, I don't see how someone can "believe in Jesus" if they have "never heard of Jesus.
2) The question "how many" is one no one can answer. However, these are some scriptures God has given us which shed some light on what you're asking......
Romans 1
18For
the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19Because
that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified
him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
And it correlates with Psalm 19
1{To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.}
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2Day unto day
uttereth speech, and night unto night
sheweth knowledge.
3There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. That even means "Maya", "Nahua", "Inuit" and Native Australian"
4Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5Which
is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. And what did their "uttered speech" reveal?
7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever:
the judgments of the LORD are true
and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired
are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11Moreover by them is thy servant warned:
and in keeping of them
there is great reward.
12Who can understand
his errors? cleanse thou me from secret
faults.
13Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous
sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
I didn't say it: God's WORD says it.
I just believe that God is so righteous, loving and JUST that He WILL get the message to them somehow, maybe he sent preachers to them sometime in the past too! But "even His eternal power AND "Godhead" is revealed to everyone! How? Who knows. But God says it in His word and I believe it. BUT...when you say that "God chose to save only the "the elect"(which term is not about salvation anyway) and let everyone else go burn forever in Hell with NO CHANCE of being saved, that is "another Jesus".
