John 14:6
By Rev. Peter Kemeny
What about those who have never heard? The Bible is unyielding in its claim that Christ’s work on the cross is God’s only provision for the salvation of sinners. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Peter preached, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Paul wrote, “there is one mediator between God and men” (I Timothy 2:5).
If there were other ways for sinners to be made right with a holy God, then surely the Father would have allowed Jesus, who prayed, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Mt. 26:39), to circumvent the cross.
But, what about those who have never heard the gospel? Three things may be said in reply.
First, remember that God does not send people to hell for never hearing about Christ. He sends them to hell for their sin, and is just to do so.
Second, if those ignorant of the gospel can be saved, then evangelism has the unintended consequence of sending millions of people to hell, for it has given men a knowledge of the gospel for which they are now culpable.
Third, the desperate need for unbelievers to hear the gospel is why we are to tell others of Jesus. The apostle Paul wrote, “But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14).
What about those who have never heard? We are to tell them. Pray that the Lord will give you an opportunity today for a gospel conversation.
By Rev. Peter Kemeny
What about those who have never heard? The Bible is unyielding in its claim that Christ’s work on the cross is God’s only provision for the salvation of sinners. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Peter preached, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Paul wrote, “there is one mediator between God and men” (I Timothy 2:5).
If there were other ways for sinners to be made right with a holy God, then surely the Father would have allowed Jesus, who prayed, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Mt. 26:39), to circumvent the cross.
But, what about those who have never heard the gospel? Three things may be said in reply.
First, remember that God does not send people to hell for never hearing about Christ. He sends them to hell for their sin, and is just to do so.
Second, if those ignorant of the gospel can be saved, then evangelism has the unintended consequence of sending millions of people to hell, for it has given men a knowledge of the gospel for which they are now culpable.
Third, the desperate need for unbelievers to hear the gospel is why we are to tell others of Jesus. The apostle Paul wrote, “But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14).
What about those who have never heard? We are to tell them. Pray that the Lord will give you an opportunity today for a gospel conversation.
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