Those Who Never Heard
The Scripture has several passages, which say that we must call to Jesus,
or go to Jesus of Nazareth, in order to be reconciled to God.
The references to some of these verses are Rom 10:9, Rom 10:13, Acts: 4:12, John 14:6.
With the strong position of these verses, some people ask the question,
"What about those people who lived in places, such as outer Mongolia,
or the Andes Mountains, where the name 'Jesus' would not be heard,
for several centuries?
Were they all condemned to hell?"
This question can lead to a hotly debated, albeit hopefully respectful discussion.
Ultimately, this judgement belongs to God.
Since he owns us, he can do with us,
as he pleases. and there is not much we can do about that.
Nevertheless, this article will attempt to address this question.
It needs to first be acknowledged that many Christians will also point to verses such as Ephesians 1:4,
"According as he has chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world ..."
They will say that with verses such as this, God has ordained those who never heard the name of Jesus
will go to hell.
In contrast,
We shall start with Acts 10:34-35. Peter, a Jew, is visiting some Romans. Jews did
not look on Romans with much affection. Yet God was changing Peter's mind.
Peter says, "Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.
But in every nation, he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him."
The Scripture is emphatic, that we cannot earn God's favor. All of us have sinned, and we come short of the glory of God. see Rom 3:23.
Titus 3:5 tells us, "Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us."
So how can we work righteousness, when works of righteousness won't get us into heaven?
John 6:28 gives us a question that people asked Jesus, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God."
Jesus answered and said unto them, "This is the work of God, that we believe on him, whom he has sent." (John 6:29).
God simply wants us to believe what He says, namely
1. That he had Jesus die, to pay the penalty for our sins.
2. Then that Jesus came back to life, physically, historically
3. And that if we will call to him, and accept as true, what says, he will saves us from our sins,
and the coming wrath of God, and will wash away the nature in us, that makes us sin.
But this answer does not help the poor lost soul, who lived in outer Mongolia, or the Andes,
before the name of Jesus got there.
Let me now try to answer that question with some hypothetical guy, or gal.
Suppose there was someone who was taught since childhood to worship some statue.
And that is what he did for years.
Then one day, he realized, as the Bible repeatedly mentions,
"Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
They have mouths, but they speak not:
Eyes have they, but they see not,
They have ears, but they hear not:
Noses have they, but they smell not,
They have hands, but they handle not:
Feet have they, but they walk not,
Neither speak they through their throat."
Psalm 115:4-7.
Even though he realizes these statues are false, he doesn't want to make waves,
so he goes along with the ritual, even though his heart is not in it.
Our character realizes that there is a God in heaven.
He realizes as Romans 1:19-20 tells us
[Even though he never saw a Bible]
"... that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has showed it unto them.
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."
He knows down deep in his soul, that there is a god, the God in heaven. He just knows it.
Our character also realizes that he is a sinner.
Even though he lied only infrequently, (such as when to save a life from enemy soldiers)
Even though he remained faithful to his wife,
Even though he avoided stealing.
He realized that he has, nonetheless, offended God.
And he realizes that there is nothing he can do to appease God.
He then goes off to be by himself, and tries to pray.
In his prayers, all he can do, is cry, and look to heaven, saying,
"God be merciful to me. Forgive me."
Jesus gave us a parable where two men went to pray.
One was a tax collector. He considered himself
unworthy to come to God. His prayer was, 'God be merciful to me, a sinner."
Jesus tells that that man went home justified, i.e. worthy to enter into heaven. (Luke 18:14).
2nd Corinthians 8:12 tells us,
"For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according
to that a man has, and not according to that he has not."
Our 'hero' in Outer Mongolia, or the Andes,
Does not 'have' the word of God,
Nor 'has heard' the name of Jesus.
All that he has, is
a) He knows he is a sinner.
b) He knows that he will be judged by a Holy God.
and all he can say to God is,
'Be merciful to me, a sinner.'
Therefore, I would not be surprised to see such pleas for forgiveness, be accepted by God.
and that a few of these individuals will be in heaven.
Likewise, those who 'have heard' that Jesus is the only one way to heaven,
will have to go to God, through Jesus, in order to be accepted by Him.
It is good to discuss these points, to try to better understand the will of God.
Nevertheless, once again, the decision is ultimately God's.