Salvation Without Jesus?

There is a teaching out there among Christians, that God will make an exception in salvation, for those who do not know of Jesus, and have never had that chance to hear the gospel.

I believe this teaching to be unbiblical, and I hope I can show why I believe this to be the case, from Gods very word.

Most people who have been Christians for longer than a few weeks (even less, in some cases) know that the requirement of blood, as a covering for sin, goes back to the Old Testament. The very first example of this, was in the garden, when God killed an animal for the coverings for Adam and Eve. Blood had to be shed, as a result of their sin.

We read in Leviticus 17:11 - For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

The shedding of blood for sin, was and is, never a suggestion, or a good idea, or the best way, but it is required, commanded, the only way.

The OT is filled with the shadow of things to come (Jesus) with countless sacrifice, after sacrifice, for sin.

We find in Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

A beautifully worded explanation of what Jesus did, to once and for all time, offer up that sacrifice for us. We also know that these (many) following verses are true:

· Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

· Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

· Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

· 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

· 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

· 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

· 2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

· 2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

· Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

· Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

· John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

· Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

· Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

· Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

· Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

· Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

· John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

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

· Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

So we know by Biblical example, sacrifice of blood is required by God, and that the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, was required for salvation, for us. If someone were to ask us, we would tell them there is no other way, except through Jesus.

And yet, the story appears to change, when it comes to those who have never heard the gospel, and die in their sin. Some have suggested that the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth of the gospel to these people, without anyone (human) to show them a Bible, or teach them anything about why we need to be saved. Can the Holy Spirit do a thing, without any aid of man? Of course He can but does He, when it comes to salvation?

God has a plan, for spreading the gospel and illuminating the hearts of man. That plan includes human beings, to physically share the truth of the Bible, of salvation, to those who do not know it, or know Him. The great commission is to take the gospel of Jesus to all the ends of the earth. Scripture itself words it better than I ever could:

Romans 10:14 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? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

The teaching out there, is that because God is so merciful, that surely He will not condemn those who have not had a chance to hear the gospel, and receive Jesus.

Yet the Bible says we are all condemned already:

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Those who believe this teaching, will readily admit that if you share the gospel with someone, and they reject it, when they die they will be condemned, because they rejected Christ. If this is to be followed out to its logical conclusion, preaching the gospel to those who have never so much as heard of Jesus, is running the risk of sealing their very condemnation, because then... they have the option of hearing AND rejecting whereas before they heard, they were assured of mercy (according to this teaching).

If this teaching is true, why do we send out missionaries? Arent these people better off, never having heard, if they can be saved with out any knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Some have said that while the Bible says one thing, about not receiving Christ, God can and may, do something different, when these very people die, and stand before Him.

But, what does the Bible tell us?

· Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

· Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

· John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

· Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

· James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

· Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

If we are to believe, and have faith in God, and declare His word to be true, when it comes to salvation, how can we then turn around and say His words about condemnation, are not, or might not be true?

Can God deviate from His own written word?

Lets look at a section in Acts:

Chapter 4: 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

This would surely indicate that salvation is VERY exclusive, as Jesus very words say also again in : John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

To conclude, some final thoughts.

If the blood of Christ is not needed for those who have not heard, and might still be saved, why is it required for us, who have heard?

Cant we just do whatever we want, never share the gospel, and just hope that God will say to us "enter in to my rest" because we never heard?

Why do some believe that Gods written word says one thing, but that God can deviate from it, change, and do something else?

Doesnt this make the God we serve, unfaithful to His very own word?

If we believe He CAN do this, which other Biblical teaching about God, might He change next?

I believe humanity is already condemned. I believe when Adam and Eve fell, in the garden, it set a precedent for every single human being born after, no matter if they ever heard of God, heard of Jesus, have seen a Bible, or know anything at all about spiritual things. The Bible is so clear on this, espeically here:

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God it doesnt say all who have heard of Him, it says ALL.

I believe there is NO salvation under any other method or means, except by the blood of Christ. I believe, people who do hold to this teaching (salvation without Jesus), are some of the most compassionate people out there and they do it because the idea that some might be condemned, without ever having a chance to receive Him, is inconceivable to them.

However, that also, is covered here:

Romans 9:

18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

This passage strikes down cold, the presupposition that God is obligated to give every human being a 'chance' at salvation.

I also believe, it is a huge mistake to place a "belief" over what the Bible actually says. Im certainly no Bible scholar, but as for salvation without Jesus, the Bible is clear, that it is impossible to be reconciled to God, any other way.

God bless you as you search the Scriptures.