If accepting Jesus is a path to salvation, what about people who lived before Jesus's time?

Answer 1

I asked a born again co -worker a similar question about people who don't believe due to cultural differences. She said they will burn in hell without hesitation. So according to some Christians, ignorance along with death is no excuse for salvation.

Answer 2

There has never been a time before Jesus. Jesus is the creator of every thing man has ever known and can ever know.... The Way for man kind to return to God was provide when Adam and Eve were cast out of The Garden... Jesus Christ is, and always has been, The Way..... it will require a dedicated Bible Study with one or more of The Faith for you to have any hope of understanding this.. true understanding will only come to those open to the leading of The Holy Spirit in their study...

Answer 3

The bible answered this very clearly.

Since the time of creation, the entire creation LOOKED FORWARD to the coming of Christ.

Abraham's faith was counted unto him as righteousness and so was Moses. These people had the faith that God will save them. One believed to the extent of sacrificing his own son, the other to the extent of choose a piece of desolate land over Lot's choice of opportunities. Jesus said, the ancient people would have rejoiced to see him.

So, everyone, whether now or in the future or in the past ALL CENTRED on Christ. The faith determines the salvation, and FAITH HAS WORKS.

Answer 4

Those who had faith that the Messiah would come were put in a plain next to hell, separated by a chasm, where the righteous were on one side and the wicked on the other. After his death, Jesus went to the righteous side, and upon his resurrection those people were brought up to heaven, and now that plain is empty because everyone who dies goes to heaven, and not any kind of purgatory.

Answer 5

This could all be wrong but,

Typically in Christian theology what is believed is that all those that lived prior to Jesus being on the earth were sent to a medium place... although I'm not quite sure what it's called.

When Jesus died he took the keys to the gates of hell, and Abraham's Bosom and took those who accepted him with him to heaven.

you may want to research more though.

Answer 6

Well, considering the dimensions of heaven listed in Revelations, there's only so much space... Maybe they are in a different building? You have to warehouse those spirits somewhere, right? Maybe they have better accomodations? I mean, if everybody after Jesus is supposed to just fit into that space... WOW is that going to be cramped... And I'm claustrophobic too... So does that mean that no matter where I go after I die it will be like hell?

Answer 7

It is called the New Covanent. Jesus went into hell during the 3 days his body was dead and brought with him people that loved God to Heaven. Old Testament days were much harder and God sent Jesus to save us. He did not give up his people that loved him yet fell short. Jesus saved them too.

Answer 8

The Apostles Creed, a prayer commonly spoken in the Catholic Church, attempts to explain this...It goes..."He was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures.....so on and so forth. Basically, according to the church, during the time between his death and his Resurrection Jesus descended into hell to free those souls which were condemned to hell. Many modifications of this prayer have taken place.

Answer 9

Dude man I am not sure myself but asked my pastor the same question. His answer was that they believed in the coming of the Christ and the salvation that He would bring.. good question dude

Answer 10

It is very possible they will still have a chance....Ive known ministers who think there is another day of salvation for them!