Will People Be Condemned for Not Believing in Jesus though They’ve Never Heard His Name?

[Silverhair]

Disagree Alan... Lost sinner don't hear his word they hear his voice... Brother Glen

John 5: 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

I don't believe in Gospel Regeneration but Holy Spirit alone Regeneration!

Eph 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

 

[Alan Gross]

Lost sinners must hear God's Word.

"RESPONSIBILITY AND SPIRITUAL inability"

"The sinner is without ability in spiritual things, but that does not destroy his responsibility. That responsibility depends upon present ability is a tenet of chimney-corner (or street-corner) theology that cannot stand in the light of scriptural facts.

"The heathen is responsible for living up to the light of conscience that he has concerning the law of God. Cf. Rom. 2:12-16.

"But he can't do this; for if some should do it, there would he no basis for their condemnation, according to the above Scripture, and they would he saved by works, by which the Scripture declares that none can be saved.

"Then those that bear the law are to be judged by it.

"This means that they are held responsible to obey the law.

"But they cannot do this; for the voice of the law shuts every mouth (Rom. 3:19).

"Hence responsibility
does not depend upon present ability,

and spiritual inability
does not destroy responsibility."

ELECTION is INDISSOLUBLY JOINED TO THE GOSPEL
AS GOD'S MEANS OF CALLING HIS ELECT TO SALVATION.

"... we find God's Word to teach that God calls His elect by the Word, since the Word is the instrument of the Spirit in regeneration (John 3:5; "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Eph. 5:25,26; "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her

26 "to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,"

Titus 3:5; "He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birtha and renewal by the Holy Spirit."

Jas. 1:18; "He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation."

1 Pet. 1:23; "For you have been born again,
not of perishable seed, but of imperishable,
through the living and enduring word of God."

"There is no more incongruity in preaching the gospel to the spiritually dead than there was in Christ's standing before the tomb of Lazarus, dead four days, and saying, "Lazarus, come forth."

"As long as he remained dead Lazarus could not hear, much less obey, the command. But the life-giving power of God accompanied the Word of God, and Lazarus both heard and came forth.

"It is ours to preach the gospel to every creature, for so has Christ commanded. It is God's part to bring the dead to life.

"See also the parable of the dry bones in the valley, where we have a picture of conversion through preaching (Ezek. 37).

"The dry bones represent the state of sinners by nature.

"The bones were lifeless; yet preaching to them was not in vain.

"This is proved by the Scriptures given above that show that regeneration is through the Word.

"And it is also proved by 2 Thess. 2:13,14.

13 "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

14 "Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

"The elect have been chosen to "salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth."

To this, Paul says, they are "called by our gospel."

"Typical Hardshells deny the indispensable necessity of the knowledge of the gospel in regeneration.

"For that reason they show little concern in the carrying out of the great commission."

Even though God's Gospel church state has been given the ministry of reconciliation.

 

[Alan Gross]

There is absolutely no mention of the gospel, or a preacher to tell it, or a parent to tell it, or a missionary to tell it, or a Sunday School teacher, etc. to tell it, you're inserting it:

John 3:14; " Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."

 

[Silverhair]

"Hence responsibility
does not depend upon present ability,

and spiritual inability
does not destroy responsibility."

@Alan Gross I have to ask, where do you come up with these half baked ideas? So man has no ability but he is responsible for what he can not do. That can only be the logic of someone that is getting their ideas from outside the bible.

 

[Dave G]

Here is a thought. I died 1900 years ago not ever hearing the Gospel and one day I am resurrected and told to, confess that Jesus Christ is Lord?

Do I get to ask who is Jesus and Lord of what? Think maybe I may be given a little more info upon being resurrected?

" For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.
20 For 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: "

 

[taisto]

@Alan Gross I have to ask, where do you come up with these half baked ideas? So man has no ability but he is responsible for what he can not do. That can only be the logic of someone that is getting their ideas from outside the bible.

The Apostle Paul addresses your ancient complaint.

So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen. Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?” No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?”
(Romans 9:18-20)

 

[percho]

Disagree Alan... Lost sinner don't hear his word they hear his voice... Brother Glen

John 5: 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

I don't believe in Gospel Regeneration but Holy Spirit alone Regeneration!

I half way like this - Lost sinner don't hear his word they hear his voice...

I would have said, the one God chooses hears his word and the others hear a voice, Think on the road to Damascus.

 

[percho]

" For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.
20 For 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: "

Therefore then somewhere hidden in V's 19,20 is the gospel whereby I could be saved and of which I heard a little before 1900 years ago. I'll buy that.

 

[Silverhair]

The Apostle Paul addresses your ancient complaint.

So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen. Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?” No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?”
(Romans 9:18-20)

Sorry there @taisto but Rom 9:18-20 does not address what @Alan Gross said. Remember he said
"and spiritual inability
does not destroy responsibility."

You seem to think that is a logical comment so I will make the same comment to you.

I have to ask, where do you come up with these half baked ideas? So man has no ability but he is responsible for what he can not do. That can only be the logic of someone that is getting their ideas from outside the bible.

In addition to the myriad commentators that disagree with the Calvinist rendering of this verse, there is also another good reason that this out-of-context, go-to idea for Calvinists does not work.
In the Bible where it speaks of hardening hearts it is in the context of the person who is already existing. If that person is already automatically “too dead” to be able to respond why does the heart need to be heartened?

 

[Silverhair]

" For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.
20 For 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: "

Man has the opportunity and ability to know God and to trust in Him for their salvation. Those that do call out to God will be saved by His grace those that reject Him will be condemned.

 

[Silverhair]

I half way like this - Lost sinner don't hear his word they hear his voice...

I would have said, the one God chooses hears his word and the others hear a voice, Think on the road to Damascus.

So you are saying the God is confused or disingenuous or perhaps the Holy Spirit got it wrong.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
1Ti 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

So what those verses should say is God desires only some men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Who knew that the Holy Spirit was so bad at this inspiration business. Shocking really.

 

[Alan Gross]

Lost sinner don't hear his word they hear his voice...

When God uses His voice to talk to lost sinners, what are the words that He uses?

God chooses hears his word and the others hear a voice

Again, when a lost sinners "hear a voice", what might be being said to them?

"Hi, you're the Elect"?

The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

And there we have "the voice of the Son of God"and as His usual course of action, God says some particular words.

In this case, it is talking about people who are physically dead and in the grave.

Their opportunity to hear the Gospel was over when they physically died.

They "live" physically again, as either lost or saved, as they were when they were alive.

Think on the road to Damascus

"The Lord Jesus, speaking from heaven when He commissioned Paul on the Damascus road, spoke of saved people as “them which are sanctified by faith that is in me,” which, of course, carries the other two blessings mentioned, “forgiveness of sins” and “inheritance,” which are also by faith.

"And the great apostle wrote: “Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28), which means that “God imputeth righteousness without works” (Romans 4:6-8).

"This same inspired witness wrote: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9)."

Paul was saved and justified by faith in The Lord Jesus. Paul knew and heard from those that he persecuted, as well as from others about what was said that had presently happened, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

We know this because that is the way people are saved.

Not everyone has Jesus appear and talk to them personally.

"Acts 9:6
And he trembling and astonished

At the light and voice, and appearance of Christ, and especially at the words last spoken; he was now pricked to the heart, and filled with a sense of sin, and loaded with guilt, and had dreadful apprehensions of his state and condition, on account of his past wickedness, and the present course of sin he was in:" Gill.

"There seems to be a considerable emphasis on the word "me"; "me", who have been they surety from everlasting; "me", who hath loved thee and given myself for thee; "me", who have shed my blood, laid down my life, and died for thee; "me", who am now at my Father's right hand, interceding for thee, that grace might be bestowed upon thee, the set time being now come." Gill.

 

[percho]

So you are saying the God is confused or disingenuous or perhaps the Holy Spirit got it wrong.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
1Ti 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

So what those verses should say is God desires only some men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Who knew that the Holy Spirit was so bad at this inspiration business. Shocking really.

I did not say that at all.

 

[percho]

When God uses His voice to talk to lost sinners, what are the words that He uses?



Again, when a lost sinners "hear a voice", what might be being said to them?

"Hi, you're the Elect"?

The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

And there we have "the voice of the Son of God"and as His usual course of action, God says some particular words.

In this case, it is talking about people who are physically dead and in the grave.

Their opportunity to hear the Gospel was over when they physically died.

They "live" physically again, as either lost or saved, as they were when they were alive.





"The Lord Jesus, speaking from heaven when He commissioned Paul on the Damascus road, spoke of saved people as “them which are sanctified by faith that is in me,” which, of course, carries the other two blessings mentioned, “forgiveness of sins” and “inheritance,” which are also by faith.

"And the great apostle wrote: “Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28), which means that “God imputeth righteousness without works” (Romans 4:6-8).

"This same inspired witness wrote: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9)."

Paul was saved and justified by faith in The Lord Jesus. Paul knew and heard from those that he persecuted, as well as from others about what was said that had presently happened, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

We know this because that is the way people are saved.

Not everyone has Jesus appear and talk to them personally.

"Acts 9:6
And he trembling and astonished

At the light and voice, and appearance of Christ, and especially at the words last spoken; he was now pricked to the heart, and filled with a sense of sin, and loaded with guilt, and had dreadful apprehensions of his state and condition, on account of his past wickedness, and the present course of sin he was in:" Gill.

"There seems to be a considerable emphasis on the word "me"; "me", who have been they surety from everlasting; "me", who hath loved thee and given myself for thee; "me", who have shed my blood, laid down my life, and died for thee; "me", who am now at my Father's right hand, interceding for thee, that grace might be bestowed upon thee, the set time being now come." Gill.

Was God [Jesus] calling everyone in the group with Saul that day or was He just calling Saul? Were they, in all probability, headed to Damascus that day for the same purpose, sinful acts?

Who at that time was being called, for purpose? Do we know if any of those with Saul were ever called or not? God [Jesus] was choosing Saul, Saul was not choosing God [Jesus]. IMHO

 

[Silverhair]

I did not say that at all.

But that is what your words imply.

 

[Silverhair]

Was God [Jesus] calling everyone in the group with Saul that day or was He just calling Saul? Were they, in all probability, headed to Damascus that day for the same purpose, sinful acts?

Who at that time was being called, for purpose? Do we know if any of those with Saul were ever called or not? God [Jesus] was choosing Saul, Saul was not choosing God [Jesus]. IMHO

Yes Paul was chosen by God for service, the proclamation of the gospel message.

 

[taisto]

Sorry there @taisto but Rom 9:18-20 does not address what @Alan Gross said. Remember he said
"and spiritual inability
does not destroy responsibility."

You seem to think that is a logical comment so I will make the same comment to you.

I have to ask, where do you come up with these half baked ideas? So man has no ability but he is responsible for what he can not do. That can only be the logic of someone that is getting their ideas from outside the bible.

In addition to the myriad commentators that disagree with the Calvinist rendering of this verse, there is also another good reason that this out-of-context, go-to idea for Calvinists does not work.
In the Bible where it speaks of hardening hearts it is in the context of the person who is already existing. If that person is already automatically “too dead” to be able to respond why does the heart need to be heartened?

What does Romans 9:18-20 say?

So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen. Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?” No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?”

Paul directly addressed your complaint nearly 2000 years ago. It would be wonderful if you acknowledged this.

The problem here seems to be you, who is trying to figure out a logic to God so you can put Him in a box, since that verse is found within the Bible and you are trying to toss it aside.

As to why God hardened Pharaoh's heart, you'll have to ask God. The heart is desperately wicked from the get go. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

Why did Esau not receive God's blessings, even though He begged with tears?
(Hebrews 12:16-17)

Silverhair, often we just have to trust what God tells us, even when our minds cannot understand why.

 

[Silverhair]

What does Romans 9:18-20 say?

So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen. Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?” No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?”

Paul directly addressed your complaint nearly 2000 years ago. It would be wonderful if you acknowledged this.

The problem here seems to be you, who is trying to figure out a logic to God so you can put Him in a box, since that verse is found within the Bible and you are trying to toss it aside.

As to why God hardened Pharaoh's heart, you'll have to ask God. The heart is desperately wicked from the get go. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

Why did Esau not receive God's blessings, even though He begged with tears?
(Hebrews 12:16-17)

Silverhair, often we just have to trust what God tells us, even when our minds cannot understand why.

@taisto it would be great if you actually trusted what the bible says. The comment by @Alan Gross calls into question the character of God and you should realize that.

The fact you accept it causes me to wonder if you are just trying to support your theological view.

God only harden Pharaoh's heart after he had already hardened it himself.

You refer to Jer 17:9-10 but you need to look at context if you want to understand what the bible is telling us.

These two verses address the sinner’s heart, which is deceitful and desperately wicked, but not his will, his ability to think and make choices. For that we need to include more verses.

When trying to understand scripture we must avoid the temptation to read into the text what we want to find. We must look at the context of verses as in this case.
God makes a contrast with regard to man:
"Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals.." Jer_17:5
"Blessed are those who trust in the LORD.." Jer_17:7
Here {Jer_17:5} we see that man is making a choice "..whose hearts turn away from the LORD."

If the blessing and the curse are thus so plainly marked, how is it that man chooses the curse and not the blessing? Life has shown that man's heart is deceitful and generally is looking for his own best interest.
Man has the ability to turn away from but this also means he has the ability to turn toward God.

God is gracious and will honor the choices that man makes.

You asked why Esau did not receive God's blessing but you need to look at whom Esau was asking those blessings from? Hint it was not God. Read Genesis 27:34-40 to get the full picture.

But here is a quick answer:
Gen 27:34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, "Bless me—me also, O my father!"
And Isaac gave the reason that Esau was bitter:
Gen 27:35 But he said, "Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing."
And Esau with tears bagged for any blessing from Isaac:
Gen 27:38 And Esau said to his father, "Have you only one blessing, my father? Bless me—me also, O my father!" And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.

 

[Alcott]

without the backing of the Holy Spirit, you are just spinning your wheels.

What an answer that is!

Yes or No: Does preaching the gospel to someone who has never heard it before put them in danger of eternal damnation, a danger in which they were not before?

 

[taisto]

What an answer that is!

Yes or No: Does preaching the gospel to someone who has never heard it before put them in danger of eternal damnation, a danger in which they were not before?

How do you conclude that a person was not damned to hell if they didn't hear the gospel?
If your comment were true, then why did Jesus tell his disciples to go into all the world? Why not just hide the light under the bushel and then no one would go to hell?

Everyone is damned hell by virtue of being bound in Sin. How shall the hear without a preacher so that they can confess Jesus as Lord?