Must THE Whole World Hear? – Discussion starters
- Welcome Gentiles and everybody else. What is Paul’s plea to fellow believers as he considers the Gentiles and their relationship to Jesus Christ? Do you accept the statement that millions have died without hearing the story of redemption or knowing anything about the plan of salvation? How can these people obtain the same eternal reward as do those who have walked closely with God?
- No other name. How many times have you heard an earnest church member say
something like this: “I’m so glad I found the truth so that I can be saved”? Or “It’s wonderful belonging to the true church.” It’s true there is only one door to salvation. What is that door? How does God decide who should enter that door? Can you or I make such decisions? If not, why not? If so, under what conditions? - How much must one know? Does it shock, annoy or puzzle you to think of people being transported to heaven without ever even hearing the name of Jesus? How could that be fair when there will be those who study and memorize Scripture and know all the teachings of God and yet are counted among those who are lost? What is the difference? What difference do our actions—our works—make in determining our salvation?
- Universalism and Pluralism. If you believe that God loves all people, why can’t you believe he will save everyone and take them home with Him? If you did, would you be a universalist? What about pluralism? Have you visited other churches and found there a sweet acceptance of what anyone believes? How does that make you feel? It is wrong to believe that salvation comes only through Christ? Or only through the Seventh-day Adventist church? What is the difference?
- From Sinners to Winners. What was the only purpose for God to send His Son into the world? Does God have enough love and enough power to save everyone? What keeps so many people away from accepting God’s salvation? What role does our church have in representing God’s grace to others so they will want to be close to God?
- The Mission Call. Have you been blessed by this 12-week study of the apostle Paul? If Pastor Paul were here this week, what would be his challenge to us? How important is mission to the core of us as Christians? The author of the lesson points out shortcomings of missions and missionaries—from Israel to the church today. Even with mistakes and shortfalls of various kinds, should we wholeheartedly support missions? Missions to other shores? To other neighborhoods? To other families? What are the conditions for success in the Lord as we go and do as we are called?
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Thank you Mrs. Griffith for your question. I was reading John the first chapter the gospel of John where he said in verse 9 that Jesus was the true light which lighted every man that cometh into the world. Even the people who have never heard of Him I believe can be saved for nothing is impossible with God. I believe He will reveal His HOLYSPIRT to those who seek him.
John, actually contrary to your last sentence John 1:9 doesn't appear to declare any prerequisites or action on the part of man. The verse, by itself, appears to be a declaration of unilateral action on the part of God. Did you perhaps arrive at your belief from something you read elsewhere in Scripture?
Lynrol, perhaps the answer is common sense?
The light of Christ shines into the heart of every created being, as John tells us. The response to this light will be a seeking after the Creator God or a rejection of that light. And the promise is that those who seek Him with their whole hearts will surely find him.
Inge, it is my firm belief that the present state of all human minds is as Scripture reveals it to be...insubordinate to its Creator (Rm 8:7)...deceives its host (Jer 17:9)...does so across all people groups (Rm 3:9)...is the source of relational alienation (Col 1:21)...which flaw is stamped in our very makeup (Rm 7:23) and has been that way for quite a while (Gen 8:21). I'm not sure how you define "common sense" but with respect to the truth of God, no such thing exists. During His incarnation, the "common sense" regarding Christ was variable to the point of unreliability (Mt 16: 13-14). It is this condition to which the human family is enslaved and in need of salvation. Peter's answer to Christ's question, which drew His approval, was sourced not in Peter, but in God (Mt 16:17).
John 1 contains some profound revelations from God regarding the character of the preexistent Christ and the nature of His work while on earth. God loves the world so much that He wouldn't allow our deceptive, enslaved minds to take us to final destruction. Christ becomes the access point to new life, a new way of thinking and being (Jn 1:4; Jn 6:63; Act 15:8-9). I wanted John to reconsider the beauty of the text he'd quoted, to perhaps see that God initiates our salvation with a gift that keeps on giving, for no other reason other than His love (1 Cor 2:10-12).
I agree, as long as we accept what is offered.
Mr. Beckford I know what I read you can explain it any way you want. Jesus said He was the light of the world and I believe that. I have nothing to add to it or take away from that.