Christians, what do think?

Question

What do you think happens to the ancient people who never had the chance to hear about Christ, and who were never "born again"? What happens to them after they die? Do they go to hell?

Great answers so far, and some of you addressed it but just to clarify I'm talking about people in the Antarctic 3,000 yrs ago with NO knowledge of God except their imagination.

Answer 1

In the bible it says Jesus went to hell for 3 days preaching to the lost souls so they had a chance to get to heaven too

Answer 2

it depends on what you mean by ancient. if you mean before christ came, then it all depends on their lifestyle. Christianity before christ was about pleasing God, and if you didnt, you sacrificed something. Thats why after Christ died for everyone he became the final sacrifice, and all we have to do is believe that he did.

Now, if you mean after Christ, then thats different. Its also a debated subject. After researching it and talking to some scholars, i came to the conclusion that yes, even if they hadnt gotten the chance to hear about Christ and were never born again, they would go to hell. BUT, it would be on some Christians head, somebody who refused to go tell them. Christians are all supposed to have a calling, whether it be just to their immediate family, their community, their country or someplace totally on the other side of the world.

Hope this doesnt sound over the top, this is all well researched.

Answer 3

Dear Christian brothers and sisters,

Let us look to the bible for our answers. Romans 2:12-15 makes it quite clear that those who had no chance to hear the truth of God, will be judged according to their conscience. The word "conscience" is made of two greek words con and science; con means "with" and science means "knowledge". We gained knowledge of good and evil at the beginning of Genesis, and we're judged accordingly.

God is Just!!! Remember Job 4:17 "Shall mortal man be more just than God?" If we judge at least semi-fairly, won't God (who is Perfect) judge us perfectly?

Godly people from the Old Testament had the Holy Spirit too! In Psalm 51:11 David (an Old Testament King) says "take not thy Holy Spirit from me". All are saved by grace! Even those prior to Christ. They were saved by faith that one day Christ WOULD come, and they had faith in Him. We are saved by faith that He DID come, still based on faith in Him. That's why we don't sacrifice innocent lambs anymore for our sins, the ultimate Lamb of God has already come!

Regardless of whether the dead are saved or lost, all are at rest until Christ returns. The dead who are saved shall rise to life in the resurrection to life. The wicked are risen to judgement in the resurrection of damnation. I'll give you some scriptures to look at as a source below.

Notice Peter says even King David, a godly man, was still sleeping (resting in peace) when Peter addressed the crowd in Acts 2:29,34-35.

Answer 4

Everyone has a fair chance to get to heaven.

God judges a person on the basis of the light that his mind had in life.

So if someone never heard of Christ, they would be judged by their conscience.

In doing what is right (against selfishness) they have chosen Christ without an explicit knowledge of Him.

Christ is needed for salvation, but not necessarily an explicit knowledge of Him, if that is not that person's fault.








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Answer 5

No if they followed God they would not go to hell. Some of the old Testament prophets knew Jesus even though he hadn't come to earth yet. For example Job spoke and said ' I shall see my reedeemer standing on the latter days of the earth'. King David also prophesied Jesus. I think when Jesus died he died for past present and future sin of Gods people. Just as in the story of Lazarus (the rich man who went to hell and the poor man who went to Abrahams bosom) - there was obviously a good place that Gods people went to.

Answer 6

Yes, If they never trusted Jesus ad Lord they went to Hell in Death,
We are all born with a knowledge and self conscious, that there is a Higher Being (God) we are aware of our bad doings and sins.

God has made opportunities out there for even the Ancient People to search and find the truth about Him. From Missionaries, to seeing The lovely, awesome handwork of this Earth by Gods Hands. We are with out excuse to say we've never heard or seen their was a God.

I believe if one really wants to find out for himself where they will go when they die, God will send someone their way.
God is not out to burn people in Hell, He has given the chance, to be saved and ask for forgiveness of our sins and Receive Him as Savior of their lives. And He promised to save all those that do so and ask. To take them to Heaven when they die.

We are without excuse, even the Ancient People of old.

Answer 7

I think that they are just dead in their graves, and will stay that way until Jesus returns. After the resurrection they will have a chance to learn about him(maybe the 1,000 year reign) Then after Satan is let loose for a short time again, those people will either stay and follow Christ or go and be with the Devil.

Answer 8

Ancient people always knew of God. Adam and Eve, you know? They had to be the first ancients, and God actually talked to them. Everyone coming after them knew of God. Faith has existed since the dawn of man. The term "born again" came after the rising of Jesus as he was born again unto us all.

Answer 9

The are saved like anyone else. The primitive people in the jungle are also saved. No religion saves you. Saving your soul is a personal matter and will depend on your behavior. If someone doesn't try to modify his conduct for the better surely he cannot be saved unless there is a repentance.

Answer 10

Before the cross, people who followed God looked forward to His promised Messiah. After Christ, people look back at the promised Messiah. The cross stands in the midst of time and man is and was saved by putting his faith in the cross. "Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness".