Those Who Never Heard the Gospel

[Steadfast Fred]

I am willing to let God be God. Are you?

Jesus reveals the character of God. I trust that.

You obviously are not willing to "let God be God."

God tells us salvation is by grace through faith.

You want to question God's Word just as the serpent did in the garden by saying one can be saved without even knowing who Christ is or even hearing the Gospel.

 

[Tom Butler]

Here's the correct answer to the OP question. It is found in Romans 2.

Paul writes that those who don't have the law are a law unto themselves. I think that means that those who have never heard the gospel will be not be condemned for unbelief. So what is the basis of their condemnation?

It is that each person has a sense of right and wrong--a moral code. Paul called it the "law written on their hearts" (some might call it conscience). Now, we ourselves know that we can't keep the law perfectly. That's why we must by faith put on the righteousness of Christ.

Those who never heard the gospel can't keep their own moral code perfectly either. They will recognize that truth and admit that God's judgment on them is just.

 

[Moriah]

Here's the correct answer to the OP question. It is found in Romans 2.

Paul writes that those who don't have the law are a law unto themselves. I think that means that those who have never heard the gospel will be not be condemned for unbelief. So what is the basis of their condemnation?

It is that each person has a sense of right and wrong--a moral code. Paul called it the "law written on their hearts" (some might call it conscience). Now, we ourselves know that we can't keep the law perfectly. That's why we must by faith put on the righteousness of Christ.

Those who never heard the gospel can't keep their own moral code perfectly either. They will recognize that truth and admit that God's judgment on them is just.

I believe that the scripture you are talking about in Romans 2 is about saved Gentiles.

 

[Moriah]

You obviously are not willing to "let God be God."

God tells us salvation is by grace through faith.

You want to question God's Word just as the serpent did in the garden by saying one can be saved without even knowing who Christ is or even hearing the Gospel.

We can continue the discussion about the mentally disabled here.
With your beliefs and reasoning, the severely mentally disabled cannot go to heaven when they die.

 

[Steadfast Fred]

God has given to every man the measure of faith. I would think that would include the mentally challenged.

 

[Moriah]

God has given to every man the measure of faith. I would think that would include the mentally challenged.

Some mentally disabled people cannot understand what they cannot see. So, with your beliefs and reasoning, God has given all a faith and they are saved anyway, is that what you are saying?
By the way, I know what I believe, just trying to get you to see you are wrong.

 

[Steadfast Fred]

Some mentally disabled people cannot understand what they cannot see. So, with your beliefs and reasoning, God has given all a faith and they are saved anyway, is that what you are saying?
By the way, I know what I believe, just trying to get you to see you are wrong.

I am not wrong.

Jesus said if ye do not believe that I am He ye shall die in your sins.

Jesus gives even the mentally challenged enough faith to believe. What they do with that faith is their choice.

They don't just get a free ticket to heaven.

 

[Michael Wrenn]

You obviously are not willing to "let God be God."

God tells us salvation is by grace through faith.

You want to question God's Word just as the serpent did in the garden by saying one can be saved without even knowing who Christ is or even hearing the Gospel.

I am not questioning God's Word; I am affirming it.

There you go again, attacking me personally, comparing me to Satan.

Let this be the evidence that I said I would not initiate personal attacks here, and I am not. But look at who is. I asked that this not be done in this thread.

Whatever you say about me personally here, I will not retaliate.

 

[Moriah]

I am not wrong.

Jesus said if ye do not believe that I am He ye shall die in your sins.

However, the mentally disabled who cannot hear the message are not rejecting what they do not know.

Jesus gives even the mentally challenged enough faith to believe. What they do with that faith is their choice.

What do you mean Jesus gives even the mentally challenged enough faith to believe? Faith comes from hearing. How do you think the mentally disabled have faith to believe?

They don't just get a free ticket to heaven.

People who are mentally disabled are as if people who never heard the gospel. They never heard the truth. What does a free ticket mean? You must also believe babies and young people who died without learning of Jesus are in hell too.

 

[Steadfast Fred]

However, the mentally disabled who cannot hear the message are not rejecting what they do not know.


What do you mean Jesus gives even the mentally challenged enough faith to believe? Faith comes from hearing. How do you think the mentally disabled have faith to believe?

People who are mentally disabled are as if people who never heard the gospel. They never heard the truth. What does a free ticket mean? You must also believe babies and young people who died without learning of Jesus are in hell too.

You assume that the mentally challenged cannot hear the message. You have no proof that they do not hear. God said He gives every man the measure of faith. Every is all inclusive.

 

[Moriah]

You assume that the mentally challenged cannot hear the message. You have no proof that they do not hear. God said He gives every man the measure of faith. Every is all inclusive.

I know some mentally disabled people who do not understand.
Faith comes from hearing. Do you not know the scriptures say that?

 

[Moriah]

You assume that the mentally challenged cannot hear the message. You have no proof that they do not hear. God said He gives every man the measure of faith. Every is all inclusive.

So are babies who die sent to hell?

 

[Fred's Wife]

So are babies who die sent to hell?

5. Do babies go to heaven when they die? The ultimate answer to this question is found in the answer to another question: "Will not the God of all the earth do right?" (compare Genesis 18:25). Concerning the infant who dies---God will do the right thing. The all-wise, loving God will do what is right, in light of God's holy and righteous character. May we learn to rest on this wonderful fact!

6. Although the Bible does not specifically declare that infants who die will go to heaven, there is a weight of Biblical evidence which points in this direction. We can safely say that infants who die will be safe in the arms of Jesus and will spend eternity with Him in heaven.

http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/salvatio/infantsa.htm

 

[Moriah]

5. Do babies go to heaven when they die? The ultimate answer to this question is found in the answer to another question: "Will not the God of all the earth do right?" (compare Genesis 18:25). Concerning the infant who dies---God will do the right thing. The all-wise, loving God will do what is right, in light of God's holy and righteous character. May we learn to rest on this wonderful fact!

6. Although the Bible does not specifically declare that infants who die will go to heaven, there is a weight of Biblical evidence which points in this direction. We can safely say that infants who die will be safe in the arms of Jesus and will spend eternity with Him in heaven.

http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/salvatio/infantsa.htm

What say you about the mentally disabled?

 

[Fred's Wife]

You assume that the mentally challenged cannot hear the message. You have no proof that they do not hear. God said He gives every man the measure of faith. Every is all inclusive.

What say you about the mentally disabled?

That question has already been answered.

 

[Moriah]

That question has already been answered.

Are you steadfastfred’s wife?

I am talking about the severely mentally disabled, the people I know who cannot understand.

Please show scripture that Jesus gives faith to those who have not heard the message.

Since you claim all people have faith from Jesus, then why do you believe people who have never heard the message will go to hell?

 

[annsni]

We can continue the discussion about the mentally disabled here.
With your beliefs and reasoning, the severely mentally disabled cannot go to heaven when they die.

Our church has a great ministry to the mentally disabled and I'd say those I've met have a stronger faith than me!

 

[Michael Wrenn]

I taught special ed kids for 12 years. "Normal" people could learn a lot from them.

 

[Steadfast Fred]

Moriah doesn't seem to think so.

 

[mandym]

I started a similar thread way back in 2001; I don't want to resurrect that, but I am interested in the views of the current forum members on this subject.

So, what do you all believe about the final destination of all those countless millions of people who lived before Jesus and thus never heard the Gospel message, and those who have lived since Jesus who never heard about Him or the Gospel message and thus never had a chance to accept or reject Jesus?

Are they all either already burning in hell, or, for those now living, will they all go to hell when they die?

I would hope this could be discussed without personal attacks and name calling, but I doubt it will be. I pledge not to start it, though.

I do not believe there is any such person.