What about those who never knew Jesus?

AppleGold

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Okay, so the bible says, "Jesus will know all and all will come to know Jesus." So what happens to those born in a Buddhist country? Let me take that one step further. A group of people are born in a Buddhist country, never learned about Jesus Christ in school, and noone ever taught them about Jesus, so they never had the opportunity to switch religions until they die. They are isolated tribes in Africa and other parts of the world that live how people live back in the stone age. Odds are, noone will ever be able to reach them and teach them about Jesus, and even if they could, they would have to speak their language to teach them. So these people are unfarily condemned to Hell?
 

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I don't think so. If the law is written on their hearts, as Scripture says it is, then everyone contains within their being enough information to live as God wills them to. I think they will be judged according to whether they did the good of which they did know, not the things which they hadn't known of.
 
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StephenDiscipleofYHWH

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Okay, so the bible says, "Jesus will know all and all will come to know Jesus." So what happens to those born in a Buddhist country? Let me take that one step further. A group of people are born in a Buddhist country, never learned about Jesus Christ in school, and noone ever taught them about Jesus, so they never had the opportunity to switch religions until they die. They are isolated tribes in Africa and other parts of the world that live how people live back in the stone age. Odds are, noone will ever be able to reach them and teach them about Jesus, and even if they could, they would have to speak their language to teach them. So these people are unfarily condemned to Hell?
We are all judged by the knowledge we have received and the works we are able to perform.
Judged by the Knowledge we have received and the works we are able to perform
Some people only have a small piece of the truth. For example there are some people who have only received the book of Matthew, that is all the light and truth that they have ever known. If they obey everything from the book of Matthew(the Truth they have received) they will be saved. Because they have followed from the Heart the form of Doctrine/truth delivered unto them(Romans 6:17-18; John 15:22-24; Luke 12:47-48).
But we know there is so much more than Matthew to be received and so much more truth and knowledge to bring us closer to God and the Full truth of his word. So lets say the same people received the book of Acts and they believed it was true then they are still saved but are now stronger in the Faith for having more truth but if they deny acts and accept Matthew they are damned for denying truth that was brought to them. So every man is judged by what he has received so those who have died without knowing the true name or having only received the book of Matthew(for example) are saved because they believed wholeheartedly the truth that was given to them and did not have access to the Whole Truth/Correct Name. But they did not have the whole truth and were therefore weaker in the Faith because of it, making it easier to be deceived.

We are judged by the works we are able to perform. An example of What I mean would be if we looked at James 2 or Matt 25:35-40, each of the things mentioned in these are able to be done by the people being mentioned. Did you see a man hungry and feed him? Then you are justified by your works(not saved, but proven true to God by your works).

Each thing we do that is Good is laid up in store for us in heaven(Matt 6:19-20) and we we will judged and given according to our works in the Last day(Revelation 20:9-13).

If we see our brother hungry and do not help him, instead of being justified(proven true under God's Law) we show ourselves to be an unrighteous servant(James 2:16) because we lack charity(1 Cor 13:2). But the Lord will still forgive us if we repent(1 John 1:9-10).

All men are judged by the Law of Christ in the last day at Christ's coming. But if a person has never heard any of the Law of Christ or has never even heard of the Lord himself then they are a law unto themselves.

We are told that not those who hear the law are just before God but the doers of the Law shall be justified. For if those who have never heard the Law of Christ do by nature the things contained within it then these people do show the work of the Law written in their hearts. Then their conscience will also bear witness of Law written within them, and their thoughts the mean while will accuse or excuse one another.
Romans 2:
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14 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:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

I hope this helps.
 
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Okay, so the bible says, "Jesus will know all and all will come to know Jesus." So what happens to those born in a Buddhist country? Let me take that one step further. A group of people are born in a Buddhist country, never learned about Jesus Christ in school, and noone ever taught them about Jesus, so they never had the opportunity to switch religions until they die. They are isolated tribes in Africa and other parts of the world that live how people live back in the stone age. Odds are, noone will ever be able to reach them and teach them about Jesus, and even if they could, they would have to speak their language to teach them. So these people are unfarily condemned to Hell?
They are lost. They are not of the elect.
 
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Anthony2019

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My understanding is: God loves everyone on this planet and it is His will that none shall perish. He will provide every opportunity for people to come to know Him and receive his forgiveness.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" - John 3:16

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9
 
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Willing-heart

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God is going to judge those who have heard the gospel and rejected it on the basis of that rejection. God is going to judge those who might never have heard the name of Jesus on the basis of God’s natural revelation, both in creation and on the imprinted law of God by virtue of been created in God’s own image.
 
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Hammster

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Okay, so the bible says, "Jesus will know all and all will come to know Jesus." So what happens to those born in a Buddhist country? Let me take that one step further. A group of people are born in a Buddhist country, never learned about Jesus Christ in school, and noone ever taught them about Jesus, so they never had the opportunity to switch religions until they die. They are isolated tribes in Africa and other parts of the world that live how people live back in the stone age. Odds are, noone will ever be able to reach them and teach them about Jesus, and even if they could, they would have to speak their language to teach them. So these people are unfarily condemned to Hell?
People are condemned to hell because of sin, not because they don’t know about Jesus.
 
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com7fy8

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So these people are unfarily condemned to Hell?
Hi, Apple Gold :) Welcome to Christian Forums :)

God is not unfair, in any case. But things will not be fair > we will reap much more than those little seeds we have been sowing. So, for a Christian, there will be so much more and better than the seeds; and for ones not children of God, there will be much worse, because of their seeds which bring worse and worse.

And this has a lot to do with how our character becomes. God will judge us about all which is in our hearts, in our nature, our character.

Jesus says quite strongly how we need to forgive. So, I can see that ones who did not know Christ might be judged by if and how they forgave or did not have mercy on others. Their character will be evaluated.
 
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yeshuaslavejeff

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Okay, so the bible says, "Jesus will know all and all will come to know Jesus." So what happens to those born in a Buddhist country? Let me take that one step further. A group of people are born in a Buddhist country, never learned about Jesus Christ in school, and noone ever taught them about Jesus, so they never had the opportunity to switch religions until they die. They are isolated tribes in Africa and other parts of the world that live how people live back in the stone age. Odds are, noone will ever be able to reach them and teach them about Jesus, and even if they could, they would have to speak their language to teach them. So these people are unfarily condemned to Hell?
Most people on earth never get to know Jesus.

As written, those within the Ekklesia, the Ekklesia judge.

Those outside the Ekklesia, Yahuweh (Creator, Sovereign, Giver of Life, Judge) Judges. (Perfectly, with no unrighteousness, and no injustice - only in perfect justice)
 
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Carl Emerson

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So God reveals Himself to ALL through His visible imprint on creation.

Some respond to this in faith and are saved...

Romans 2:

14Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them. 16This will come to pass on that day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.

Some are not saved...

Romans 1:

18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

21For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

24Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.
 
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"Jesus will know all and all will come to know Jesus."

The Bible does *not* say this. There are some quotes about "all" -- Jesus "does not desire that any should be lost".

My understanding of salvation is that God reaches out, or else there would be no possibility for our salvation. "With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible". He acts, we accept -- but God gets all the credit for our salvation, we cannot claim any.

When God reaches out and procuces salvation, change of behavior is inevitable. But I believe our success or failure in behaving well has no effect on our salvation.
 
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grasping the after wind

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People are condemned to hell because of sin, not because they don’t know about Jesus.

True. However since it is standard Christian belief that all people are guilty and deserving of condemnation because all people sin. And since it is standard Christian belief that the only way to escape condemnation is through Jesus, you still need to explain to the OP whether it is impossible for someone, that did not have any information that there even was a Jesus, to escape condemnation or whether they ,despite being ignorant of Jesus, yet might be still saved.
 
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Hammster

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So these people are unfarily condemned to Hell?
No, they aren’t unfairly condemned to hell. They are condemned to hell because they sinned against God.
 
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Albion

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They are isolated tribes in Africa and other parts of the world that live how people live back in the stone age. Odds are, noone will ever be able to reach them and teach them about Jesus, and even if they could, they would have to speak their language to teach them. So these people are unfarily condemned to Hell?
We do not know for a certainty what God has in store for them. What we can say is that the Bible teaches that salvation requires one to believe on the Lord.
 
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SeventhFisherofMen

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Okay, so the bible says, "Jesus will know all and all will come to know Jesus." So what happens to those born in a Buddhist country? Let me take that one step further. A group of people are born in a Buddhist country, never learned about Jesus Christ in school, and noone ever taught them about Jesus, so they never had the opportunity to switch religions until they die. They are isolated tribes in Africa and other parts of the world that live how people live back in the stone age. Odds are, noone will ever be able to reach them and teach them about Jesus, and even if they could, they would have to speak their language to teach them. So these people are unfarily condemned to Hell?
God will judge them based on the right and wrong that they knew about.

Though regardless of that this is a tough one.

I’d say Jesus judges the heart and knows the reason behind every action, He may even be merciful who knows it is not my place to say for sure where someone will go:
Romans 10:6-7
But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
 
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Albion

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God will judge them based on the right and wrong that they knew about.

Maybe, but we do not know that to be so.

See, this is what I was referring to in the previous post. We know what the Bible teaches us about this. We do not know about any exceptions, because God in his word did not see fit to instruct us on that matter. What's more, there is no reason why he should have.
 
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Okay, so the bible says, "Jesus will know all and all will come to know Jesus." So what happens to those born in a Buddhist country? Let me take that one step further. A group of people are born in a Buddhist country, never learned about Jesus Christ in school, and noone ever taught them about Jesus, so they never had the opportunity to switch religions until they die. They are isolated tribes in Africa and other parts of the world that live how people live back in the stone age. Odds are, noone will ever be able to reach them and teach them about Jesus, and even if they could, they would have to speak their language to teach them. So these people are unfarily condemned to Hell?

Hi AppleGold,

We know from the Bible that it is God’s desire that nobody should perish but that all would come to the knowledge of the truth, repent and be saved (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-4). Therefore, God has graciously provided each person He created with everything they would need in order to know Him and ultimately come to salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, irregardless of where they were born. He has provided two basic forms of revelation to every human (“creation” and “conscience”) that are together sufficient to testify of His existence; He has provided each one with a measure of faith to make it possible for them to believe; He personally draws each one to Jesus because salvation would not be attainable for them otherwise, and He has sent the Holy Spirit into the world to affirm and confirm all He has revealed to them. Here is how each of these five elements works to accomplish the purposes for which God gave them:


Revelation Through Creation: The Scriptures declare that God's invisible attributes, His eternal power and His divine nature are clearly visible to all, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse (Romans 1:18-21). The very existence of the universe in all its majesty and splendor, coupled with the unique intricacies of all living and created things, is absolute evidence of the existence of Almighty God.



Revelation Through Conscience: The Bible states that God has given each person an internal law of right and wrong that has been written on their heart, their conscience serving to either affirm them of good conduct or accuse them of sin (Romans 2:12-16). The very presence of a conscience testifies within them of the existence of a holy and perfect God, as well as their own personal sinfulness in comparison.



A Measure of Faith: The Bible states that salvation is by grace through faith, both of which are gifts from God Himself (Ephesians 2:8-9), with Jesus being the author as well as perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2). Without the faith to believe God, nobody would have the ability to receive salvation. In fact, it is impossible to please God without faith, because whoever comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him (John 8:24b; Hebrews 11:6). Furthermore, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Therefore, it is God Himself who provides the very faith necessary to believe Him, as He reveals Himself to the lost.


God Draws People to Jesus: The Bible states that God personally draws each person to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ because, if left to their own devices or desires, nobody would ever seek God or come to saving faith in Jesus of their own accord (John 6:44). Therefore, God Himself personally “woos” everyone to Christ so that they have the ability and opportunity to be saved.


The Sending of the Holy Spirit: After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension back to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit into the world to convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment (John 16:8). Therefore, the work of the Holy Spirit is to affirm God’s existence and righteousness, confirm man’s sinfulness and depravity apart from Him, and convince the world of the judgment to come.


With each of these five elements being provided by God Himself, it is clear that all people everywhere have been fully equipped with the potential to discern God’s existence as well as their own sinfulness in His presence, and the ability to seek after Him to know Him, should they yield their hearts to the drawing of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the only thing keeping anyone from actually pursuing God to know Him is their own rebellion and unbelief (John 3:16-21). Paul describes this as knowing about God through what He has made, and yet refusing to glorify Him as God; but rather suppressing the truth in unrighteousness and becoming futile in their own thoughts, to the point where their foolish hearts are darkened and they change the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man or beast. Therefore, God gives them over fully to their sinful state, and the result is eternal death and separation from God (Romans 1:18-2:11). To the contrary, however, if a person genuinely responds to God with their whole heart as He reveals Himself and draws them to repentance, He will absolutely provide an opportunity for them to hear the gospel message and be saved.



With all that said, it is important to always keep in mind the fact that God is all-knowing, perfect, holy, just and righteous, and that all things are open and laid bare before Him at all times. This means that He always acts with absolute knowledge, complete justice and total righteousness in all things, including the administration of His judgment upon sin and mankind. Therefore, if a person who lived and died in the most isolated place on earth ends up in hell, separated from God for all eternity, it is because they were judged rightly and justly by a loving, holy and all-knowing God, on the basis of their unbelief, unrepentant sin and unregenerate heart.

Hope that helps clarify things for you. :)
 
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Francis Drake

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They are lost. They are not of the elect.
So being part of the elect obviously depends on the country of birth then.
Given that the gospel for the last 250 years has largely been spread by white Anglo Saxon Protestants, we can rest assured that heaven will be populated by WASPS and the rest of the world can go to hell, literally.
 
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RDKirk

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Maybe, but we do not know that to be so.

See, this is what I was referring to in the previous post. We know what the Bible teaches us about this. We do not know about any exceptions, because God in his word did not see fit to instruct us on that matter. What's more, there is no reason why he should have.

None of us should personally know anyone who has not heard the gospel.
 
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