1 question.

[Imscared34]

What happens after death to people that aren't exposed to gods word or are incapable of comprehending the basic principles and beliefs of christianity? Would a starving child in Africa be sent to hell? Does the bible talk about people in those kind of scenarios? Sorry the title is inappropriate, a couple more questions popped into my head at the time of writing and I didnt think to change the title.

 

[tall73]

An answer to the question is hinted at in a few places in the Scriptures. In John 15 Jesus speaks of the religious leaders who had rejected Him stating that their guilt was increased by their knowledge:

Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
Joh 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
Joh 15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
Joh 15:23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
Joh 15:24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

This suggests that men are accountable to God for what they are aware of. You also have Paul's discourse in Athens:

Act 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

There are at least two things that are universal, even without the Scriptures, which Paul mentions in Romans. It should be noted that his main point was to show that people had rejected God, but nonetheless it speaks of the knowledge of God that all have. The first is the creation:

Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 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:

The second is the conscience:

Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Rom 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;
Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Rom 2:14 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:
Rom 2:15 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)
Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

There are also texts such as Acts 10 that suggest that those who are seeking God may receive at times supernatural revelations. THis is not to say it always happens, but that it does happen at times.

The upshot to me of the biblical evidence is that while everyone is not familiar with the name of Christ He has still bought the salvation of all who are willing. While all do not understand all the details it is a near universal human realization that we fall short of moral behavior. Therefore those who turn to God in love, seeking for forgiveness, can be saved.

God is not willing that any should perish, so I assume that He extends that possibility to all:

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.


As to those who do not have mental capacity, I am not immediately recalling a text that directly addresses the point. I simply trust in the grace of God and His desire that all men be saved.

 

[aiki]

Scripture tells us that no man can completely excuse himself from God's judgment on the basis of ignorance. Romans 1:20 says: "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." At the same time, the Bible does indicate that we are not all judged with equal severity: Luke 12:47&48 say: "And that servant, who knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes,
But he who knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required..."

Does this answer your question?

Peace to you.

 

[lovehigherthanthelaw]

Hello,

God is a Just and Good God not wanting any of His creation to perish. He will have given the option to all people to except His gracious and loving sacrifice through His son Jesus Christ-

Matthew 24:14
The Good News about God's Kingdom will be preached throughout all the world for a witness to all people; and then the end will come.

Anyone who does not receive the gracious gift that Jesus Christ bestowed upon all man kind 2000 years ago will not be allowed to enter into Heaven, but will enter another place called HELL (a fiery place where the fires never cease and where the worm dieth not) reserved only for those who never want to come into the light but rather stay engulfed in darkness.

God is LOVE my friend and wants all to come to repentance.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

God bless you and thank you for your question






There is LOVE & forgiveness at the feet of JESUS.





​

 

[Rafael]

I trust God's judgment will be perfect and merciful - much more merciful that that of mankind's judgments.

 

[prophecystudent]

As far as children are concerned, they are not held accountable until they reach the age of consent. ie. they are mature enough to know and understand the issue when they make the choice.

As far as the other examples in your question, the scripture citations already given pretty well cover it.

Fred

 

[MikeMcK]

What happens after death to people that aren't exposed to gods word or are incapable of comprehending the basic principles and beliefs of christianity? Would a starving child in Africa be sent to hell? Does the bible talk about people in those kind of scenarios? Sorry the title is inappropriate, a couple more questions popped into my head at the time of writing and I didnt think to change the title.

First of all, the Bible doesn't say outright that little children don't go to Hell, but it does imply it very strongly.

Second, the Bible tells us in Paul's letter to the Romans that God has given to every man two witnesses: the external witness of creation so that we may know that there is a Creator, and the internal witness of the conscience so that we may know that we have broken the Creator's laws.

Those who've never heard the Gospel will be judged on how they respond to these two witnesses.

 

[tall73]

First of all, the Bible doesn't say outright that little children don't go to Hell, but it does imply it very strongly.
.

True. Here is a text I would suggest hints at it.

Num 14:22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
Num 14:23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:
Num 14:24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.
Num 14:25 (Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.) To morrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.
Num 14:26 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
Num 14:27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.
Num 14:28 Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:
Num 14:29 Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,
Num 14:30 Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
Num 14:31 But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.

In the judgment against the Israelites who refused to follow God's command to enter Canaan God does not include the little ones who would not have had the ability to choose, or to change the choice of the adults.

 

[rocklife]

for children and babies, I would also submit King David's statement in 2 Samuel 12:22-23, his own baby died, David mentions "I will go to him, but he will not return to me" strongly suggesting the baby is in heaven (this was the baby from David's adultery). Acts 2:30 tells us David was also a prophet, so I believe David is sharing prophecy of babies here. I also believe in age of accountability, which only God knows. Hopefully for those who have never heard, when they die and see God face to face, they repent and embrace Him when confronted, but only God really knows. I also believe if we are hearing God's truth, today is the day to turn to Him, don't keep putting it off. He has patience, but only so much.

 

[talitha]

I went to Russia as a missionary shortly after the iron curtain dropped, and I moved in next-door to a girl named Oksanna. Oksanna had a grandmother who was a Christian - a Greek Orthodox - but this grandmother did not teach her about the Lord or His ways at all; she only took her to the church to light candles. The Communists had allowed the faithful where I lived to continue to light candles, but not to conduct worship services or teach the Word of God publically. Both of Oksanna's parents were atheists, and Oksanna herself was a Pioneer - very much indoctrinated by the atheistic government. HOWEVER..... she had an instinctive knowledge that the God of her grandma loved her, loved everyone, even though she knew nothing about Him, even though she was taught differently by her parents and by the Pioneer leaders, and even though her peers all bought the whole communist/atheist package. She knew in her heart that when she met me and my friends that we were sent from this God who loved her, even though everyone around her, even her grandmother, wanted her to steer clear of us, at first. The more we told Oksanna, the more she accepted, because she had believed God even before she knew any information about Him.....

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

I believe that this scripture contains the secret...... Coming to God, knowing Him, living for ever in His favor - this is the privelege of those who believe whatever truth they have heard or whatever truth has been revealed to them in their hearts......

blessings
tal

 

[Key]

What happens after death to people that aren't exposed to gods word or are incapable of comprehending the basic principles and beliefs of christianity? Would a starving child in Africa be sent to hell? Does the bible talk about people in those kind of scenarios? Sorry the title is inappropriate, a couple more questions popped into my head at the time of writing and I didnt think to change the title.

Hello and welcome to CF.

God is a just and loving God.

If they reject God, then that is one thing, if they accept a God, but not Christ (Because they have not heard the message), then that is another.

If you have not heard of Christ, then you can not reject him.

If you have, then you either Accept of Reject.

God knows our heart and soul, and everyone will be judged, fair and justly.

God Bless

Key.