2006-07-20 11:31:45 · 18 answers · asked by supcch063 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
the same is true for Jews in the book of Ester.
I have used these two augments many times to Christians to show that one dose not need to have faith in Jesus to be "saved" that all one needs is to repent to G-d for his sins.
The next question should be if it was good enough for the people back then why do we need Jesus nowadays to the point if you just do the above without Jesus you will burn in hell
2006-07-20 12:14:35 · answer #1 · answered by Gamla Joe 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Jesus had not come into the picture then, and Jonah did not want to even go there because they were such a violent and sinful people. But He finally obeyed Go and the people did not even know they were doing wrong in God's sight, they were so ashamed that they repented immediately, even tho Jonah thought they should have all been killed and not given a second chance. For those who lived before Jesus time, God knew who was following Him and who had faith. It is hard to understand with our finite minds the works of an infinite God and why He picked the time He did for Christ to enter the scene, but He did not forsake those who faithfully followed Him in the times BC
2006-07-20 11:40:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you believe what some Fundamentalist Christians teach, then it's because the Ninevites were living under the Old Covenant between God and man -- where adherence to the law and suitable sacrifices as laid out in Leviticus would be enough for forgiveness.
Fundamentalists teach that man now lives under the New Covenant between God and man, where belief in Jesus Christ is the way to forgiveness.
Personally, that all sounds like they're trying to find a way to accept the inherent contradiction between the books of the Old and New Testaments.
2006-07-20 11:37:36 · answer #3 · answered by freelancescribe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since Nineveh flourished long before Jesus was around, don't you think it would be a bit mean of God to blame them for not believing in Him?
Isn't it more likely they were forgiven on the basis they were doing the best with the knowledge they had at the time?
2006-07-20 11:35:37 · answer #4 · answered by UKJess 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, jesus hadnt come yet, and even if he had, they would have still been saved.
Any person who pushes aside normal assumed knowledge of the bible immediately notices that jesus said" the only way to heaven is through me" like hes saying that he alone decides, not that believing saves you. Satan definately believes in jesus, but you dont see him in heaven.
The bible also says that "To he who much is given, much is required" which when used in context, means that somebody who is constantly hearing the word is expected to be more religious, and that someone who has never heard about jesus will not be judged on the fact that they couldnt possibly have believed if they didnt hear about him.
Many people forget that god has infinite intelligence, he isnt going to make some stupid stubborn rule that will get you damned to hell for a stupid reason.
Another thing is that if we break the commandments, we arent doomed to hell. Any intelligent person can see that people are obviously going to break them once in a while, and that they are meant as advice, in order to keep us from getting in trouble with other people. lets face it, if you sleep with someones wife, or kill their friend, you arent going to be around for long.
2006-07-20 11:50:04 · answer #5 · answered by Doggzilla 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually this isn't hard to understand at all.
The people of Ninevah needed to repent. That's the message that Jonah was sent to give them. Turn from your wickedness or some really bad things will happen to you. I'm paraphrasing...Jonah was, no doubt, more eloquent than I. Jonah's people had long had problems with the people of Ninevah, so he didn't want to relay the message...But I digress. Anyway, the mission Jonah was sent on was to tell them to repent...OR ELSE...Which they did. So he sat around and sulked, because they weren't destroyed. How many prophets in history have gotten upset over success? Sorry I'm rambling. Thats always been my understanding of it anyway
2006-07-20 11:50:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The story of Nineveh occurred in the Old Testament, well before the time of Jesus Christ.
2006-07-20 11:34:07 · answer #7 · answered by Zombie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No i do not imagine it is undesirable. faith is purely the guidelines that believers stay by technique of. you could be a believer and under no circumstances persist with any particular denomination. see you later as you're making God the ruler of your existence and also you've faith in Him, there is no pick to be categorized as a Jew, a Baptist, a Pentecostal, or in spite of. Base your you existence on faith and position self belief in God and position self belief in Him. it truly is what's maximum significant.
2016-12-02 00:37:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Old Testament vs. New Testament.
2006-07-20 11:35:59 · answer #9 · answered by shelster10 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus hadn't come to earth yet. They repented by turning back from their bad ways.
2006-07-20 11:35:31 · answer #10 · answered by johnusmaximus1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋