a question of christianity?

Question

Jesus was born near the time of 0 A.D. and there where many many people before jesus. so my question is that seeing as there was no way to know what christianity was, are they all in hell now for not beliveing in it?

I have seen many people answer this question with "the laws of moses" and i have towondereven more now after all moses was mortal...... so what of those people before moses, King david,etc?

Answer 1

the people before Jesus lived under the law of Moses and not under the grace of God.

Answer 2

Of course not. Some believe that the tree days Christ was gone from the witnesses of his death, that he went to "hell" to take care of that. Personally, I don't think God needed Jesus to forgive us. He's God for crying out loud. He can do whatever He likes without anyone helping!
There are no editions of the Bible that are flawless. Look into the history. Books were thrown out. Pieces of it were put together from different parts of the book like a puzzle. Books were hidden when Christians were persecuted and killed. (Read the Gnostic Codices). Before the Bible was let loose to common people, many people edited it for content. Also it was written two centuries after Christ was crucified.
I went to a Catholic College. Of course I had to take some religion classes. Probably the only thing I remember is that the Old Testament passed away when the prophesies were fulfilled by the birth of Jesus.
I've decided I don't want anything to do with the old testament god. I don't think he is the same one that Jesus talked about. The old testament god cannot be the same God of the New Testament.

Blessed Be

Answer 3

Christianity was coined after Jesus walked this earth. Before then people were to live by the laws handed down to Moses. Unfortunately they could never live up to the laws, and that is why Jesus came. It's by grace that we are saved and not by works.

You know that Jesus was buried and was in the earth for three days, it's during this time that He descended to hades (hell) and offered to those souls who would listen a chance to accept Him and be saved.

As far as the comment from "Chefed#1" about how Christians run to their Bible's before answering a question. All I can say is yes, we do, we believe in the word of God and we use it to answer questions, especially concerning Him.

We at least take the time to search our answers against the word of truth rather than spew out our hatred which comes from ignorance. You might want to blow the dust off your grandma's Bible sometime and get enlightened. At least you could say you've read it and offer an argument rather than spewing out hateful remarks. In the meantime, I'll be praying for you!

Answer 4

Ok i'm not going to complain about the idiot answers people are giving. I guess they have a right to their hobbies no matter how stupid. Sorry I complained didn't I.
Lots of good correct answers here too.
Remember the covenants. What does that mean? Let's make a deal. Only in this deal God makes the rules and you obey or pay the price. Incidently the wages of sin are death.
The people that lived under these convenants and kept the commands of God will get their reward as promised. Adam had one, Noah had one ,then Abraham had his ,Moses which carried through to Christ. All these are judged according to their obediance to the covenant
Jesus brought a new covenant and a new sacrifice, himself. All that hear the word or have the opportunity and reject it as the jews did will be judged accordingly.
There is one more coming in the milliniual reign of Christ.
At the end of all this those who were never offered the opportunity of following the one true God will be judged according to their own records as humans. So yes it's true not everyone in the heavenly kingdom will be Christian There are going to be a lot of good Jews there too.
I'm only thankful that when I stand before the judge and he asks me the all important question," What have you done with my son?" My lawyer named Jesus will step up and say it"s ok Dad he's one of mine.
Cause Lord knows Christians aren't perfect we are just forgiven. God Bless!

Answer 5

I see some have quoted Moses as the 'get out' to your question. Which is quite absurd, because you then might ask 'and what about the people before Moses'.
According to the Christian Church we are all born sinners, yes, even little innocent babies...........its called 'orginal sin' and Jesus came along to show us how to seek forgiveness and atone.
So your question does in fact pose a very profound theological problem, to which I have never seen a convincing answer.
You could take it even further, by asking how could ancient people sin against God if they were unaware of His existence..... would God punish them for not having knowledge of His Holy Laws? Surely He would have to be a very unfair God to do that.
And so in modern times, will God penalise those of us who are not convinced, simply because we question the contradictory claptrap about His unsuccessful earthly intervention?

Answer 6

The nation of Israel in the Old Testament were under the laws of Moses.
Although they had the teaching of a promised coming Messiah..They were promised by God in a Messiah, there belief in God's promise was a "future fulfillment." and a hope for the people of Israel.

The New Testament Church trusts in the promised Messiah. Jesus Christ who gave his life for sinful humanity. That fact is a "past" fulfillment..It already happened.
Due to his death on the cross, which happened 2007 years ago or there abouts.
The point is they had a promise and although they lived under the mosaic laws faith in a future coming Messiah was hoped for.
The point is faith was at work in the Old Testament and it was just as real for them then as it is for us now.
AND NO...
Abraham,Issac, and Jacob
Joesph
The twelve sons of Joseph
King David
Solomon
Moses
and many many Old Testament People are NOT...in hell..
remember Moses and Ellijah appeared with Jesus and spoke to him??

Answer 7

No, if you read the letters of St Paul he makes it clear that pagans knew something of God in their consciences and their philosophy. Philosophy lead some ancient writers to conclude that God created the universe, that God was all good, and that God ran the world.
What the Jews knew by the Law, everyone else knew by conscience. They didn't know the exact revelation but they knew enough.
God gives sufficient grace for all to be saved. Before Christ's ascension into heaven, any benefits were given in relation to Christ, as now they are so also.
Good people descended to "Abraham's Bosom." Bad people went to hell. When Jesus descended to hell, it wasn't the hell of the damned, but of Abraham's bosom. He freed these souls to enter heaven.

Answer 8

Well, they obviously couldn't make a profession of faith back then in Jesus when no one knew of Him yet. Back then, they had to give sacrifices unto God, such as their best sheep or cow...etc. God worked miracles and audibly spoke to some people, including Moses with the burning bush or w/e and the commandments. He let them know a savior would be coming one day. If they did not believe in God, they damned themselves to hell.

Answer 9

NO. THEY ARE IN HEAVEN(THEIR SOULS)
"For this reason the gospel was preached ALSO TO THE DEAD, so that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit"
1Peter4:6
When Jesus died on the cross, he descended into "Paradise" Remember He told the thief next to Him "Today you will be with Me in Paradise." ? Well, paradise which was also called "Abraham's Bosom", held the souls of those righteous before the time of Jesus. When Jesus went down there, He told them of God's plan of salvation, and about Himself, thus, they knew about Him, and then He took their souls up to heaven with Him. And now paradise is there no more, but in heaven.

Oh, and there was no 0 A.D.

Answer 10

I don't believe so. I believe that any godly person who lived before Christ was born went to heaven.

Some Christians believe that all the people who died before Christ was crucified were simply in their graves, and hadn't gone to heaven OR to hell. Then, while Jesus was dead (for three days) he went into the grave to release everyone who was godly.

I don't know though. That seems sort of like a pagan concept, and it's not scriptural, at least, not as far as I know.

But I believe that we'll see people like David, Solomon, Ruth, Esther, Moses, Joshua, and Joseph in heaven.