if someone was a good person but did not believe in Jesus, do you believe he would go to hell? what about the people before Jesus was even born? did they go to hell or were passed to heaven based on their lives? please no disrespect. thank you!
2007-02-01 12:28:20 · 19 answers · asked by E.T.01 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Before Jesus died on the cross, people who worshipped the one true God, as the bible says about Abraham, "it was accounted to (him) as righteousness", were saved. After the death of Jesus on the cross, the only way to heaven is through Him, as Jesus said in John 14:6. Christians believe this because the bible says this, and Christians believe the bible to be the word of God. Ephesians tells us, for it is by grace we are saved, through faith (in Christ), not by works that any man should boast.
2007-02-01 13:09:30 · answer #1 · answered by Esther 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Accepting Jesus is not the way of heaven...that is the start, though. The keys to heaven are: repenting of your sins, getting baptized in Jesus name, receive the Holy Ghost and live a life in sanctity (Acts 2:38). One must be born again to be able to enter the Kingdom of God (see John 3) and by doing the above you are born again. God is the judge and He has the final say, but according to His word (and the word is not a lie) a person will not go to heaven for their good deeds but for His grace. As for those people before Jesus, they were living under the law...only God knows.
2007-02-01 12:38:01 · answer #2 · answered by Miss k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus is the ONLY way into Heaven.
As for those who died before Jesus, When Jesus was dead for three days HE went into Hell took the keys of death, Hell, and the grave, and when HE left Hell HE took those who had been found faithful, who were in what was called Abraham's Bosom, and HE took them into Heaven to live for eternity.
Being good will never get you into Heaven, you must know Jesus, as your personal Lord and Savior.
Pastor Bill
2007-02-01 12:41:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I believe that a person is saved by God's Grace (through Baptism), through Faith and Works.
A person must continue with Faith and Good Works or they will lose their salvation.
A person who has "invincible ignorance" (aka knows nothing about God) but yet does their best to live a moral life will be judged mercifully by God with that in mind. I believe that God will have mercy on those people.
However, a person who actively turns their back on God and knows all about Christianity will be judged much more harshly.
People before Jesus was born are judged on how much they loved God and mankind, and also by how they behaved. They waited in 'paradise' for Jesus to die on the cross and then He lead them to Heaven.
2007-02-01 12:37:46 · answer #4 · answered by Dysthymia 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
People who lived before Christ will be judged based on their following God according to the law that was in effect during their life. The faithful followers of God of all generations will be saved. The Blood of Christ covers the sins of those faithful who lived before Christ and it now covers the sin of the faithful who live during the Christian age.
We are not saved based on our own goodness, because "all have sinned" (Romans 3:23) and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) We must submit to the authority of God. Jesus now saves those who obey Him. (Hebrews 5:9)
It is only through Christ that people are saved. Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 6:24)
A cross was an instrument of death. If you take up your cross, it means you are on your way to your own execution. This verse figurative says, if we are to follow Jesus, we must put our old life to death. We must be born again to follow Him.
Jesus also said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:16) Jesus said he is "the way", not "a way". To go to the Father can only be done by following Him.
2007-02-01 12:55:00 · answer #5 · answered by JoeBama 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, accepting Christ as your personal savior is the ONLY way to Heaven. If you're a good person, but you don't have Jesus in your heart, you're not going to Heaven. Before Jesus was born, it took even more faith to believe in God. Those who believed and sacrificed to God went to Heaven (I believe, someone can correct me if I'm wrong on that point). But overall, in today's world, they only way to Heaven is to take the narrow path.
2007-02-01 12:35:22 · answer #6 · answered by athleticsfan12 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Jesus IS the only way to Heaven....but even HE never said that it is through BELIEF in Him. The merits of Jesus death on the cross are applicable to those who have followed his ways -- even the atheists, Buddhists, Muslims, etc. have sought to do the good by God's law has been implanted in their hearts. One need not be consciously aware of it.
As for those who were before the time of Jesus -- Jesus himself went to hell after his death to preach to them.
"6For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit". ( 1Pet. 4:6)
2007-02-01 12:50:03 · answer #7 · answered by The Carmelite 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes Jesus is the only way. if someone is good but doesnt believe in him, he's screwed. and I dont know what to tell you about the people before Jesus was born. I have thought about that too. Who knows. Believe in Jesus and you can ask him one day!
2007-02-01 12:36:00 · answer #8 · answered by danielle 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
YES! John 14:6 I am the truth the way and the life, no one comes to the father except through ME"
I believe that non-christians can find a way... God judges our hearts
2007-02-01 12:34:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Good question about the millions of human beings who died before Jesus was born! What happened to them I wonder.
2007-02-01 12:33:55 · answer #10 · answered by tychobrahe 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋