Do Non-Christians Have the Possibility of Going to Heaven?

[Basil the Great]

This same poll is being posted in other Congregational Forums. Your vote is deeply appreciated.

 

[(° ͡ ͜ ͡ʖ ͡ °) (ᵔᴥᵔʋ)]

I first want to clarify that i am not a universalist. However, this is a rather difficult question for anyone to answer. I have to believe that jesus is the only way. However, you dont necessarily have to be a Christian. I can explain further but for now i will just simply say that however people like Able, Enoch, Noah ect...became saved, still applies today.

 

[Ken Behrens]

I need a third answer. Jesus is the best evangelist of all, and He talks to people every day. Many of them choose to repent of their old life and follow Him, and never hear the word Christian.

 

[nChrist]

John 14:6 (KJV)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

[CGL1023]

I first want to clarify that i am not a universalist. However, this is a rather difficult question for anyone to answer. I have to believe that jesus is the only way. However, you dont necessarily have to be a Christian. I can explain further but for now i will just simply say that however people like Able, Enoch, Noah ect...became saved, still applies today.

I believe it is because these OT saints and others exercised faith. The OT did not emphasize the need for faith like the NT. We see in Gen 15:6 that Abram was made righteous by faith. Faith is so important to God that without it one cannot please God.

Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. KJV

Gen. 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness. KJV

 

[humblescribe]

The old testament saints were saved by looking forward to the coming messiah. We are saved by resting on the risen messiah. Jesus existed long before the cross as the word. The old testament saints believed in him. After the flood, the worship of God was the only religion. It wasn't until at least a generation after Noah that idolatry started springing up. We are all sinners. That sin is worthy of hell. The only thing that atones for that sin is Jesus Christ's death on the cross. So, all are judged righteously.

 

[Greg J.]

It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. ... Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. (Romans 9:16, 18, 1984 NIV)

 

[Heaven my celestial home]

John 14:6 (KJV)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Where Jesus said that He was to only way to Heaven is essential. For there is only one way to God and that is through the work of the cross. Peter said, "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved" acts 4:12. To get to Heaven we must be saved and the only way to be saved is through the name of the Lord Jesus.

 

[Righttruth]

John 14:6 (KJV)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Yes, there may be people who keep the words of Jesus and walk in His way, and they may not claim to be Christians. There may be many hypocrites in Christendom who will not be recognized by Jesus.

 

[Sketcher]

We must assume they are lost, since Scripture does not tell us of a chance after death explicitly. There -may- be room for an equal chance to believe as we have on Earth, but we don't know that, and should not count on that, nor give the impression that others can count on that.

 

[thesunisout]

The answer is that God is sovereign and reveals Himself to everyone, but most reject Him and end up in hell. That is what the bible teaches, that all men are without excuse:

Romans 8:20

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:

Matthew 7:13-14

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

 

[Brother Ron]

Jhn 3:18

“He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 

[wayfaring man]

A lot depends on how one defines 'Christian'.

If one says - belonging to Christ...well pretty much everything belongs to Him...
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The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. <---> Psalm 24:1
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If we say Christ-like - then that would appear to make more sense.
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Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. <---> John 5:28+29
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But if some say it means to believe on Christ...that would only fit, if such believing was 'unto salvation'.
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Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. <---> Hebrews 10:38+39
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And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. <---> Matthew 24:11-13
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May The Lord Be Pleased !

wm