How is someone saved who has never heard God's word or even of God or Christianity? I'm a devout Christian, I wholeheartedly respect and accept everyone's beliefs, but stand strongly by my own. So, fellow Christians, how can someone be forgiven and redeemed by God if they've never heard of Him...? All appropriate opinions welcome. I look forward to your thoughts.
2006-12-29 13:20:35 · 19 answers · asked by Kiara 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God tells us in the Bible to preach the word but, obviously, there are many who have died without hearing of him and his purpose for man and the earth. That is why he has provided the resurrection of those unrighteous ones who never had the opportunity to learn in this life. After Satan is gone to the abyss and all the wicked who choose wickedness are destroyed, those who survive Armegeddon will teach the resurrected ones and they will have to choose. God is not going to let anyone slip by untouched--
2006-12-29 15:19:00 · answer #1 · answered by Sparkle1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, that is a very good question.
By the time God comes back to get His children (Christians), everyone in the whole entire world, no matter the age, will have heard of Christ. Those who have heard of Him and accept Him on His terms, will, of course, be saved. Those who have heard of Him, and do not accept Him on His terms, will, of course, not be saved, but be condemned for all eternity, to hell.
I don't see how you can accept everyone's beliefs, which are all different from what God has outlined. If you believe in God, and you believe what God has said, then you should be out there teaching what God has said, and debunking what others believe, while still standing strong in what God has said.
When I talk to others about Christ, I listen to what they believe, then I tell them what God has said about what they believe. We all have to be on the same page religiously; there is only one God and one faith, Ephesians 4:4, not several gods and several faiths.
I had a man tell me once that all roads lead to God, but that is not true. I didn't know enough then on how to explain to him that he was wrong, but if I had the opportunity to tell him now, I would.
The way to be saved God's way is this: You must HEAR the Word of God, Romans 10:17; BELIEVE what you've heard, Romans 10:9-10, Hebrews 11:6; REPENT of your sins, Luke 13:3; CONFESS Jesus to be the Son of God, Matthew 10:32; and BE BAPTIZED for the remission of sins, Acts 2:38, 8:37-38. After all of this, you must be FAITHFUL unto death, Acts 2:42, Revelation 2:10. Only by following these steps can you be saved.
2006-12-29 22:40:59 · answer #2 · answered by kellygirlaj 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says that the 10 commandments are written in everyone's hearts. God knows that there are people who live and die without knowing anything about him. That's why we have a conscience that tells us right from wrong. Even a child knows when they have done wrong. God will not judge anyone unfairly. Children automatically go to Heaven and maybe those who do not know him and have done more good than bad in their lives. I trust that the Lord will do all he can to save everyone whether they know him or not without forcing it on us.
2006-12-29 23:49:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is not like us with many limitations including and maybe especially knowledge. We know so little in our brief time here on earth and we think we can somehow understand the infinite almighty God. As to salvation we know He is in control. He said He has chosen His own people from the beginning of the world and He who governs all things makes sure they are saved and as Jesus said He will lose none of those who have been given Him to save.
2006-12-29 21:32:39 · answer #4 · answered by beek 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The atonement was for everyone. Remember that Jesus taught that those who knew him knew the Father and those who knew the Father also knew the Son. It is through this atonement that all can come to God and it is through Jesus all includes those before Christ was born and those who have not known him. It gets very complicated but know this that those who know his truths know him and all will be afforded this opportunity. Only God can judge but his judgements are righteous.
2006-12-29 21:29:11 · answer #5 · answered by djmantx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I find it hard to believe that there is someone out there who has never heard of God or Jesus. I was just talking to a friend last night and realized that God has ALWAYS made himself known to us, even before he sent Jesus to Earth.
2006-12-29 21:32:27 · answer #6 · answered by Timshel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It says in the bible that before God returns everyone will have had a chance to hear his word, so it is not to late for that person
2006-12-29 21:29:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Preachy preachy...
If you whole-heartedly respect and accept other's beliefs... why do you have a need to 'save' them? To impose a change on them based on you ideals of 'righteousness'... you offend and disresepct them before you even step through the door.
The spiritual walk is a personal walk, not imposed on others. Do as will for yourself, and unto others as you would them to you.
easy right?
2006-12-29 21:26:37 · answer #8 · answered by Invisible_Flags 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus' parting words in Matthew were to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."
We need to be about God's work.
2006-12-29 22:15:36 · answer #9 · answered by lost and found 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The threat "believe or be tortured!" was dreamed up to convince people who've heard of it, not people who haven't. It's an idle threat, and doesn't influence those it doesn't reach in the least.
2006-12-29 22:25:47 · answer #10 · answered by eldad9 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋