journeymanisnothing
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- Mar 12, 2022
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Paul said,John 3:18 Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him].
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Rom.10:14
It took awhile for the gospel to spread, but Paul doesn't mean. "Anyone who never heard of Jesus is damned." Paul taught,
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves............Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall no this uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
Rom.2:14,26
Paul is saying the "righteousness of the law" a gentile never even heard of before. He's talking about the gentiles conscience. What the gentile people on earth know about God from, without having read the Bible.
Now, what does Paul mean by keeping "the righteousness of the law? Simply that we're all sinners in need of Gods' mercy and God forgives the repentant.
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Mic.6:8Question 1: What must a person today who never heard of Christ do to be saved? Provide scripture verses
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Mt.7:12
The method I suggest was demonstrated by God himself in human flesh. I find it stunning that our Creator came for a visit and was stripped and beaten for no lawful reason. When you see on the news today how an innocent person was abused by authorities, people protest and rightfully so. But Jesus didn't call the law as a witness. When you read about how Jesus abolished (really set the law aside...for now), think about that.Question 2: Is the method you suggest in question 1 more effective than salvation in Christ? If so, should we use that method instead of telling others of Christ
My answer is, if thy guy heard about "the Jesus" mainstream Christianity teaches today, I hope he'd run like hell.Question 3: Assume a person who is saved via your answer to question 1. He hears of Christ and doesn't believe in Him. Is this person still saved? If he is not saved, should missionaries first inquire to see if the person who has never heard of Christ is saved by the method you pose in question 1 and then, if the answer is YES, avoid telling him about Christ for fear of destroying his salvation?
If someone who knows God later heard the gospel of Christ, he'd be drawn to Christ. That's what Jn.6:45 means.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Rom.1:17