RE: Indoctrination & Mental Gymnastics
January 13, 2015 at 11:54 am
(This post was last modified: January 13, 2015 at 11:55 am by Lek.)
(January 13, 2015 at 1:59 am)Full Circle Wrote:(January 12, 2015 at 1:22 pm)Lek Wrote: You still haven't shown how Jesus' saving act doesn't apply to those who have never heard of him. I wrote of a person who has not heard of Jesus, but understands that he is a sinner and is reliant on God for salvation. He strives to do God's will and asks for forgiveness. Does he not believe in Jesus? He is saved through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice.
The Bible is replete with verses and passages such as:
Mark 16:16 ESV
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Romans 10:9-10 ESV
Because, 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. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
and of course
John 3:16 ESV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
So the answer to your question, as per these verses, is no, unless you believe in Jesus (and how can you believe in Jesus if you’ve not heard of Him) you won’t be saved. His sacrifice opens the door, but unless accompanied by baptism and belief in Him there is no salvation.
The thief on the cross wasn't baptized and didn't even know about baptism, but I'm sure that he would have been baptized, given the opportunity. The same would apply to the person in my example. I agree we interpret the bible differently concerning the salvation of those who haven't heard the word.
