Welcome!
Welcome to Bible Answers
DOCTRINE QUESTION 32
QUESTION 32:
ANSWER:
Are the many people who are being massacred in Rwanda lost eternally because they don't know Jesus?
This is an old question in another form. The old one is; "Are the heathens lost?" The answer is very scripturally "yes.
There is only one way to heaven, and that is in Jesus, the only perfect man. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh to the Father but by me." John 14:6. You can rationalize and reason, but you are not going to change the words of Jesus. He alone has made the way; He is the only way to salvation. "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we MUST BE SAVED." Acts 4:12.
It is generally argued that it is not fair, because they never had a chance. This is not true. God has not left Himself without witness. (Read Acts 14:17). God has given them the light of creation. This testifies to His eternal Being and power, so they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20). They also have the light of conscience. (Read Romans 2:14-15). When they want more light, God sends missionaries to them to teach them the gospel. An Ethiopian man who was going home one day wanted more understanding of God and His Christ; so God had Philip leave his present work and run out into the desert to talk to that man. He found out from Philip the way of salvation. (Acts 8:27). This is the very reason that the business of the true Church is to; "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15.
God is not a debtor to the heathen. If they want more light He will send somebody with the gospel to them. The truth is, they, like many in our land, do not want to know about God; they say religion yes, but Christ, no. What about you? Are you saved?
All comments and questions to: Harold Smith
Return to Doctrine Questions Main Page
Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen