Christians, what happens to those who never had the opportunity to know of Christ?

Question

I know what my faith believes on this, and it has always been a subject of interest to me to see what other Christians believe.

If we must be baptized to enter into a covenant with Christ (John 3:3-5) what about all the many people who never had that chance?

What are your thoughts? I look forward to your answers! Have a nice evening

Answer 1

The answer is found in Romans 1: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
1:19
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
1:20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
1:21
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
1:22
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
1:23
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.


So, people can see God through His creation- and if they do not believe they don't have any excuse for not believing.

Answer 2

Well, doesn't GOD LOVE them as well? JESUS can BAPTIZE with THE HOLY SPIRIT and with fire. It is Catholic Doctrine that the ignorant can be saved. We have been told to spread the Gospel to all the nations that every soul would be ready in the day of THE LORD knowing THE TRUTH and what it is they must do, to repent and call upon the name that is above all names THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. As did the good theif upon the cross. For all who try to get to HEAVEN by a way other than the WAY JESUS CHRIST is a theif and a robber.

Further, keep the commandments, those with LOVE in their hearts are of GOD, we know this from Sacred Scripture. And that GOD will send to each a prophet telling them to repent, being ignorant and repenting, calling upon the name of the LORD as all shall do, they will be saved. Repentance then is the key. For we have it that every tongue shall confess JESUS IS THE LORD, every knee shall bend before the LORD OF HEAVEN AND OF EARTH. That being so, they must repent, and in repentance will have mercy. Even as they have been merciful.

LOVE your neighbor as yourself.
Amen.

:edit: oh and furthermore it is written that JESUS shall judge the LIVING and the dead. Those who are among the LIVING shall be raised up on the last day and judged, and after this the dead shall be raised up and judged. Every soul entire living and dead then shall be judged, either goat or sheep. First the LIVING then the dead. And many who are last shall be first. And the first shall be last in the KINGDOM which is to come. The poor filled with good things, and the rich sent away empty. Read Matthew Chapter 25 for more on how judgment day will go.

Answer 3

Almighty God will make sure that those with a receptive heart will be contacted. but not everyone.
The indication is found at;
(Matthew 10:23) When they persecute YOU in one city, flee to another; for truly I say to YOU, YOU will by no means complete the circuit of the cities of Israel until the Son of man arrives.

this was in those early days when the preaching of the Kingdom [ Matt. 6; 9,10] was just starting. It is now MOSTLY around the world. Mainly by J.W's in their door to door work.
Buit because of governments, not every person in the world will get to hear. even now, there are people in western countries that claim that J.W's have never visited. It just confirms the scripture.
the circuit will not be completed before Armageddon. Rev. 16;16

Answer 4

First, it is a mistake to think that you HAVE to be baptized to enter into a covenant with Christ. Nowhere did Christ say you HAVE to be baptized...He only said you have to believe, John 1:12, 5:24, 6:47. Baptism, for a fundamentalist Christian, is an outward sign of an inward committment. It is a SIGN of a covenant...not a condition of one.
Second, there is no such thing as someone who "never had a chance" because God tells us in Romans 1:19-20, that his invisible qualities can be seen in creation and that He has put in us the ability to know Him in creation...

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
God can do anything He wants and He judges hearts. HE KNOWS who would or would not have accepted Christ even before they were born...
We have to TRUST Him that He is a Good and Gracious God, because He has never shown us to be otherwise.

Answer 5

well...... I think if the people never got a chance to be baptized or even hear about the church they will be taught about it after they die, and if they accept it then, and repent and everything, I think that they will be alright. But if they did get a chance to learn about the true church and didn't accept it, then something different and not nearly as pleasant will happen.

Answer 6

Christ is the authentic Self or 'annointed one' within. Jesus just presented a particular way to remember and return to being this Son of God which we are all called to do. Why? Because reality mirrors mind. We literally live by faith. The death/elimination of the learned defensive ego is his approach to the rebirth/resurrection of the Self. Baptism is a symbol of the purification process that has to be undertaken within - psychologically. Dunking in water will get you nowhere no matter what you believe. It takes work. Jesus' death and resurrection was just an exaggerated example to get our attention - as well as being metaphorical. The ego obsessively fears death, but he demonstrated that if even physical death can be overcome what is there left to fear in this life.

We are here to experience "eternal aliveness." Heaven is our home on this earth.

Answer 7

We don't have to be baptized to be saved for example the thief next to Christ on the cross cried out for mercy and believed in him and he never was baptized yet Jesus said "Today you will be with me in heaven." so you see. And for the ones who never got the chance to know about God, theres hope for them I mean the bible says that Christ is mercful and full of grace so if there is some one who hasnt heard about Christ I think God will be what he is and be fair to them.

Answer 8

Depends-- the word you used is Opportunity..
Who are we to say someone had no opportunity- could have been something as simple as an invitation to church-- That is an opportunity- or maybe even a simple email that contained a Bible verse to read-- & it was deleted.... another opportunity.. There could be opportunity- if one rejected the chance to act on it- it is their own choice-- however.. we are to treat others w/ the same love Jesus shows us- And He will be the judge for he knows the heart. We are to keep our eyes on Jesus & walk his walk- sharing the gospel when given the "opportunity"

Answer 9

God will judge them justly. We should probably be more concerned with what will happen to all the people who DID have a chance to understand and accept Christ but didn't. Nobody on this forum can say he didn't have a chance to hear about God.....

Answer 10

Well, seeing as you and I are of the same faith, I won't say what we believe other than the fact that we believe that their souls get the opportunity to learn of Him and His plan for us after they die.

I just asked the lady I'm working with tonight (Southern Baptist) and she states that her personal opinion is that our loving God would not condemn them because of not having the opportunity to learn of Him in this life.