To Christians---------If the only way to Heaven is through Christ, what about those who never heard of Christ?

Question

The New Testiment states that the only path to Heaven is through Christ. What about those who never heard of Christ?

Answer 1

supposedly you go to hell but im not so sure we dont live there already. this world seems so full of lost souls and evil. i think you will be fine as long as you live your life without hurting you or other people and animals. and any other living creature for that matter.

Answer 2

The New Testament and after is the Covenant between Christ and Man! Before Christ came to Earth, there were other prophets Elijah, Abraham, Moses, etc. The Word was still given to men. Jesus became the Living Word! The Way and The Light.

Answer 3

God is just and merciful and the Bible teaches that God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked; also that God is not willing for anyone to perish but that all might repent.

Although it is true that the Jesus himself said he and he alone is the only way to the Father, I am the way, and the truth and the life. no one comes to the Father except throuhg me" (John 14:6) the Apostle Paul states in Romans 2: that God will judge us according to the light that we have. He says, "For there is going to come a day of judgment when God, the just judge of all the world, will judge all people according to what they have done...God will punish the Gentiles when they sin,even though they never had God's written law. And he will punish the Jews when they sin, for they do have the law, (Romans 2: 5 - 7).

Another way to look at this is to ask: What happened to those people in the Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament) that lived right before God and never heard of Jesus Christ? Are they in heaven? The answer is "yes" because the redemptive work of Jesus Christ was applied to them.

So, for those who have never heard the gospel and lived according to God's laws on their conscience (Romans 2: 14 -16) God will apply the work of Christ to them.

Still that does not mean that we do not preach the gospel. We don't get off the hook, because the command of Jesus is to go into all the world and preach the gospel and he will be with us until the end of the age (Matthew 28: 18 - 20; known as "The Great Commission).

The gospel is still the primary way that God has ordained for people to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, repent of their sins and seek his forgiveness and live the new life that God in Christ offers to all humanity.

We come to God on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ but salvation still is of God. Just as you have criteria for those who enter into your house; God also has criteria for those who enter his house.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Its hard to believed that there is someone in this World ans in 2007?, that doesn't know the Work of Jesus?, in despite of which I should say to you, even if you are willing to ignore it, as long as you don't commit your self with Satan, and/or knowingly ignored the ten commandments. This earthly existence will not end, although God can put the life of this world in a standing by condition, a/o idle. Life will continue going on, the difference is in the amount of evil you will be able to experience, in this world after Satan take over what will become hell, which to my knowledge will be develop in this earth for Satan to continue his changes. although Satan can't touch those than don't want any part of his. Hypothetically speaking of course. Because I'm a firm believer that tribulation has already to begin to take over the world, and we are all part of the same changes, some to make the changes, some to opposed to then and some to just take it.<<"To a hypothetical question, a seemly hypothetical answer">>

Answer 5

I think those who don't know Christ will learn of Him though the tribulation. From that point I imagine the way to Heaven will be made easier for those who didn't know Christ than for those who knew but denied Him and hence choose repentance. Save me again today Dear Lord. I am nothing if not for You.

Answer 6

Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the Christ. In order for that to happen, every one of God's children must learn of Christ whether in this life or in the Spirit world after this life. That is right, we will live beyond the grave and if we have not had the opportunity to learn of Christ and His gospel while in mortality, then we will be taught in the Spirit world. Remember that in the Book of Peter, it states that Christ went to the dead that they might live in the Spirit and be judged according to the flesh. In other words, we can only be judged by what we did with what we knew. Those that knew not Christ have to learn of Him and be given a chance to accept Him. Then they can be given a proper judgment and reward according to their acceptance of Christ. Fortunately for us, Christ sees what we would have done had we been able to do it. In other words, if we would have accepted Him, had we known Him, then Christ gives us credit for that desire and good attitude. Thus, all of God's children have equal justice because He knows our individual hearts and desires. If we would have accepted Him if we had the chance to do so, then it is accounted unto us for righteousness.
There is a correlary to that doctrine that says that he that learns more in this life shall have so much the advantage in the life to come. We can move forward in His Kingdom without having to wait for instruction in the spirit world as our brothers and sisters that were not so blessed in mortality.

Answer 7

After the TRUE Christ returns and we are all in our true bodies again,(soul), then the milllieum begins. (A day with the LORD is as 1000 years to man) The LORD's Day, the milleum is a time of teaching. The Bible tells us that ALL will know The LORD. This is not a "second chance" , but a time for those who didn't hear Gods truths to know them. God is a fair and just Father and He wishes none of His souls(children) to perish. After the millieum, then comes the final Judgement and the second death to those souls who still choose to follow satan.

Answer 8

the Great Commission is to make disciples of all nations... God's understanding is so different than ours that He knows how it will all work out and we don't have to worry about it. Many great Godly men died before Jesus was even born... and I am sure that there are many of them in Heaven at this time... so I will leave it to God and He will know the heart of each person when that time arrives

Answer 9

I'm not Christian, but I read the Bible a lot. Supposedly those "unfortunate" souls remain in Limbo (or Purgatory) forever. But according to Jehovah Witnesses, after some huge multi-ressurection thing on earth after Armagedon, everyone will be given the opportunity to accept Christ, then either live forever or be sent to oblivion.

Answer 10

never said you have to hear of him. the path is through him. not through the sound of him. even if you don't know who Christ is, someone else can guide you through Christ by their actions. I don't have to stand on a soapbox and preach at a street corner to share Christ with people. My actions and attitude can lead people to see Christ in me. James 2:26- without deeds, faith is dead.

Answer 11

Then unfortunately they will be spending eternity in Hell. That is why Jesus commanded Believers to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," Matthew 28:19.