20 Jul '15 20:52>1 edit
It appears to be the contention of some Christians that there are only two groups of people in the world - those who enjoy eternal bliss in Gods Kingdom and those who suffer in eternal torment in the lake of fire. This doctrine seems to be the result of applying the most unmerciful interpretation of this passage by Christ here:
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.
However, Paul said this:
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 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? 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! (Romans 10:13-15 KJV)
Paul is asking - How is it possible to believe in someone that they have not heard of? The answer to his rhetorical question is that it is not possible, thereby saying also that God would not be so cruel as to sentence to eternal torment those people who have not even heard of Christ
Of this group of those who have not heard of Christ [ie not taught about Christ] there seems to be two types.
1. Those who will die and not be raised for reward or punishment
2. Those who will be raised for either reward or punishment.
For there is no respect of persons with God. 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; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 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: 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 another๐ In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. (Romans 2:11-16 KJV)
Here the wording is clear. Those who have no law -[ either no law of Moses or Law of Christ], and they sin being without law, they will perish ie not raised from the dead.
But there may be some whose conscience is their guide, the law being written in their hearts and that leads them to righteousness. These will be raised judged by God and rewarded accordingly.
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.
However, Paul said this:
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 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? 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! (Romans 10:13-15 KJV)
Paul is asking - How is it possible to believe in someone that they have not heard of? The answer to his rhetorical question is that it is not possible, thereby saying also that God would not be so cruel as to sentence to eternal torment those people who have not even heard of Christ
Of this group of those who have not heard of Christ [ie not taught about Christ] there seems to be two types.
1. Those who will die and not be raised for reward or punishment
2. Those who will be raised for either reward or punishment.
For there is no respect of persons with God. 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; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 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: 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 another๐ In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. (Romans 2:11-16 KJV)
Here the wording is clear. Those who have no law -[ either no law of Moses or Law of Christ], and they sin being without law, they will perish ie not raised from the dead.
But there may be some whose conscience is their guide, the law being written in their hearts and that leads them to righteousness. These will be raised judged by God and rewarded accordingly.