Question: “What about people who have never heard the name of Jesus? Will they go to Hell without warning?”
Officially: “I do not know.”
Jesus did not specifically address that scenario. Fairly confident however, the Apostles would have raised this question upon realizing the magnitude of the Great Commission. Somehow God did not fully include a direct answer. Here’s what we do know: (12 powerful thoughts from Scripture and life)
1) Justice. Jesus revealed God’s pattern of dealing with humanity as Just. You will not get ripped off. The most Just Judge will provide divine Justice. “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Genesis 18:25.
2) Unaware. No one is going to Hell because they are totally unaware of the identity of Christ. Rather, willful rejection, pushing away God, active unbelief in the face of an opportunity to exercise belief, separating one’s self from salvation is the only self-condemning action punishable by complete separation in Hell.
3) Faith. Many people will be in Heaven who never heard all the names of Jesus. But they (Abraham, Moses, Ruth, +++) put their faith in God and His coming Messiah. Believing God would provide a substitute payment to cover our debt of salvation. Looking toward the Lamb of God; that is properly placed faith that solidifies salvation. I cannot save myself. I need a Savior, the coming Messiah.
4) Hungry. God delivers truth to the hungry. Those who act on the truth they have qualify for more truth. Responding to light opens more Light. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13.
5) Abundant awareness. God has revealed plenty enough of His nature and is actively inviting us to seek after Him. Those genuinely responding in their current level of knowledge will be given more knowledge. God wants to be known. “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for He hath done marvellous things: His right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory. The LORD hath made known His salvation: His righteousness hath He openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered His mercy and His truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” Psalm 98. We each carry an inborn conscience; we have basic commandments written into our heart which inform us of right and wrong. We also experience strong evidence of God imprinting His likeness and personality throughout creation, pointing to a purposeful Creator and Sustainer. Plus unique circumstances compel us to ponder the nature of God and His plan for us. The community of people around us reflect the consequences of pursuing God, while others are pursuing selfish goals.
Speaking of AWARENESS: The gospel is intended for all people.
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32.
“but now [God] commandeth all men every where to repent:” Acts 17:30.
“For thou shalt be his witness unto all men” Acts 22:15.
6) God’s heart desire is that everyone knows the gospel plan. “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” First Timothy 2:4.
“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto Me." John 6:45
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Titus 2:11
7) Accountability. Infants are safe. Children unaware of their condition are unable to make an informed decision, and are therefore not responsible for accepting or rejecting an offer they cannot comprehend. David’s infant went to Heaven directly.
8. Testimonies of transformed lives. Irrefutable proof God can completely make a new creation from former addicts or mean people. :)
9) Spirit. Life is more than bodies. Each person carries and exudes a spirit. We each know someone who has that Spirit of Christ shining forth from their words and actions in such a way that we cannot deny God is using their life for His glory and the maximum good of others. Smiley face right there! Second Corinthians 3:2, “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men”
10) Interwebs. The world is connected. The transfer of knowledge into the digital devices in the palms of people is more cohesive and quick than at any time since the towel of Babel. Info is overflowing. If we want to know pretty much anything, we have access. Even restricted nations find ways to get online.
11) Personal. I am now responsible. I have knowledge of the gospel and am therefore personally responsible for how I respond. Whether I reject or embrace is 100% on me. Whether others hear or do not hear is also my concern, however I cannot escape my response.
12) Delivery. God promise in several passages to provide knowledge of salvation. The delivery is a team effort: we and God working in tandem. God delivers the gospel, and empowered believers deliver the gospel also. “For we are labourers together with God” I Corinthians 3:9. “that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” Philippians 1:27.
God delivers ENOUGH of the first point of the gospel personally. Like a first-bite teaser to see if we want more. Want to know more, click below. We got the commercial.
“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” John 1:9.
“… to bear witness of the Light, that all men through Him might believe.” John 1:7.
Paul and all the Apostles totally believed reaching EVERYONE was the command AND fulfilling the command was POSSIBLE. Didn’t skip any doors.
“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” Colossians 1:28
Romans 1: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ … For therein [in the gospel] is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them [Manifest means openly known abroad, apparent, abundantly obvious, plainly recognized, literally shining]; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
God guides and protects his delivery team. “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear [the gospel]: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” Second Timothy 4:17.
“But I say, Have they not heard [the gospel, in context]? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought Me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after Me.” Romans 10:18,20.
“for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” I Corinthians 15:34.
Believers are each personally responsible for ensuring the knowledge of the gospel of God reaches everyone in their vicinity and beyond. Meanwhile, God also is engaged in delivering the light of the gospel to all. Not just to those who will receive it gladly, but to all. Period.
What About All Those Who Never Heard the Gospel?