Those That Never Hear the Gospel of Christ

Those That Never Hear the Gospel of Christ
Pastor Mark Fontecchio

        Throughout the history of mankind there have been many people who have died without hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we conclude that it is fair if someone rejects the gospel that they stand condemned. However, we must ask about those that don't hear the message of salvation. Ultimately, is it fair that they stand condemned before God? Is it possible for them to be saved apart from hearing the gospel? These are paramount questions that not only need to be asked, but they need to be answered as well.

        The proper place to begin answering these questions is in the book of Romans, where the Apostle Paul addressed these issues thousands of years ago. To start, it is important for us to look at what Paul stated in Chapter 1. In verses 16-17, Paul declares that through the gospel men and women find salvation. Then, in verse 18, Paul states, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." Here Paul is telling us that the wrath of God is revealed against the sins of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. This leads us to ask what truth are these men suppressing? Paul answers our question in the next two verses.

        In verse 19 Paul states, "because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them." Here, Paul is addressing the general revelation of God that has been made known to man by the knowledge that God has put within us. He has made it evident within us that He exists. According to Paul, as he wrote in Romans 2:14-15, we have the moral law of God written in our hearts. He also states in verse 15 that our, "conscience also bearing witness."
Paul simply means in these two passages that God has revealed Himself to mankind by making the knowledge of His existence known, by placing His moral law in our hearts. All of mankind has a general sense of right and wrong. Further, this conscience that God has given us should be a warning system of choosing between right and wrong. The knowledge of right and wrong is one of the ways in which God has revealed Himself to mankind. If people from all societies and cultures have this knowledge, we should be able to conclude that someone greater than mankind is involved.

        Another facet that God has used to reveal Himself to all of mankind is found in Romans 1:20. It is there Paul states, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." This second aspect of general revelation involves creation. Within the creation of God, our world in which He has made for us, we should be able to see two attributes of God. According to verse 20 we should be able to see His eternal power and Godhead, or divine nature. So by looking at nature all of mankind should be able to see the power and deity of God. The Psalmist shows this as he wrote in Psalm 19 verse 1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork."

        By putting these two aspects of general revelation together, we see two ways that God has revealed Himself to all of mankind. He has revealed His moral law to us in our hearts, and His deity and power in creation. Is this enough to bring a person to salvation? At the end of verse 20, Paul does tell us what it is enough to accomplish. After informing us of the general revelation of God, Paul then says that because of this information all of man has about God, "they are without excuse." In other words, the truth that Paul was saying men were suppressing was the general knowledge of God. By rejecting this knowledge, man is without excuse and incurs the wrath of God. Therefore, we can safely conclude, that by rejecting the knowledge that God has given every individual, it is enough to bring the condemnation of God.

        Since God has enough reason to judge mankind by the knowledge He has given us, does this mean that not all people will hear the message of salvation of God? If not all people hear of the gospel message, how does God determine who should hear of Christ's death and resurrection? For answers to these questions, let us turn to Paul's writings in Romans Chapter 10.

        In verse 13 of Chapter 10 Paul declares that, "For 'whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'" In this passage, and many others, we see that special revelation or knowledge of Christ as our Savior is necessary for salvation. Paul then begins to address the issue of proclaiming the gospel. He clearly argues, "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 unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!' But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed our report?' So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." In this lengthy passage, Paul sets forth some important truths.

        First, Paul argues that how can a person call on the name of Christ if they have not believed in Him? How can they believe in Him if they haven't ever heard of the message of eternal life through Christ? Paul was anticipating the discussion of whether all people would hear the gospel or not. So he then asks how will they hear about Jesus unless a preacher tells them? In addition, how will the preacher tell them unless he is sent? In an answer to these rhetorical questions, Paul twice quotes from Isaiah. The first quote reveals the importance of messengers being sent out from the churches with the gospel message. The second quote reveals that not all that hear the message will respond positively. In conclusion, Paul then states in verse 17, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Paul's conclusion is that someone can only come to saving faith by hearing the message of eternal life. The general revelation of God is enough to condemn but not enough to save. Salvation involves hearing the gospel and responding in faith.

        This undoubtedly at first may seem like a contradiction. Paul states that general knowledge of God is enough to condemn if we respond negatively to it, but it is not enough to save a person if they respond positively. For salvation, knowledge of the work of Christ is necessary. This still leaves the question of how does God decide who hears the gospel? It also leaves us to wonder is it fair if someone would respond positively to general revelation but not hear the gospel?

        To answer these questions, we must turn once again to the Scriptures. In Acts Chapter 17 we see that Paul's missionary endeavors took him to the city of Athens. While there he came across an altar, verse 23 states, with an inscription addressed to, "the unknown god." When asked to defend his teaching, he declared that he was proclaiming to them who this God was. Verses 24-27 tells us that Paul proclaimed to them, "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us."

        Within Paul's teachings to the people of Athens we see some imperative instruction concerning our subject. First, we see the sovereignty of God in that He created the world and everything in it. He cannot be contained in a temple made by man. He is completely independent of man, and does not need anything from him. God has given life and all things to mankind. In verse 26 we see that God controls the times and boundaries of all nations. All these facts point to the sovereignty of God. If God is sovereign, and controls the destinies of nations, one could safely argue that He is capable of insuring that one who responds positively to general revelation will hear the gospel. This also seems to be implied in Paul's words in Romans Chapter 10.

        The second facet of teaching that Paul focuses on in this passage is found in verse 27. It is here that Paul tells us that mankind should, "seek the Lord." He also informs us that God, "is not far from each one of us." If mankind should seek after God, and God is not far from each one of us, it would seem safe to conclude that any individual could respond positively to general revelation and have the gospel brought into their life.

        Another consideration concerning the issue of salvation is the numerous promises we find in the Bible that God's desire is that none should perish. One such promise is found in Romans 1:16 where Paul states, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." It is clear that Paul taught that any person could hear the gospel, place their faith in Christ, and be saved.

        The Apostle John also records Jesus teaching this as well in John 3:16-17 where Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." Once again, the clear teaching that anyone who places his or her faith in Christ for salvation will be saved. In addition, we also see God's desire for the world to be reconciled and saved through the sacrifice of His Son.

        One other important passage to mention on this topic is 1 Timothy 2:3-4. It is here that Paul states, "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Once again we see the unambiguous teaching that God does desire every person to come to saving faith in Christ Jesus. We must realize of course that Scripture, in passages such as Romans Chapter 10, also teaches that not everyone will be saved. It is not because God does not desire them to receive salvation, but it is because they reject the truth of God as we saw in Romans Chapter 1.

        We have seen so far that God reveals Himself to all of mankind in general revelation, He desires that none should perish and that the gospel being proclaimed is necessary for salvation. We must also bring together to these facts that Scripture also declares that God is a just God. In Job 37:23 we read, "He is excellent in power, in judgment and abundant justice." Being that God is just, we must conclude that if a person does respond positively to general revelation, He will bring that person into contact with the gospel. This fits with the teaching of Revelation 7:9 where we learn that some people from all nations will be saved.

        Many hard questions have been brought up on this subject. Let me be clear in what we know with certainty that Scripture teaches on this subject. First, we know from Paul's teaching in Romans 1:18-21 that the general knowledge of God is enough to condemn a person if they reject that limited amount of information. We also know that even though it is enough to condemn a person, general revelation is not enough to bring a person to salvation in Christ Jesus. For that, a person must be brought into contact with the gospel. Knowing that God desires that none should perish, coupled with the fact that God is just, we can safely conclude that God will bring the gospel into contact with a person who has not rejected the general knowledge of God in their life. This seems to be the implied teaching of passages of Scripture such as Romans 10:14-17.

        Before we leave this topic, I think it is important to remind ourselves of one last truth gleaned from God's Word on the subject. Since general revelation is not enough to bring a person to salvation, the importance of missions is plainly seen. We must not forget the great commission given in Matthew 28:19-20 which says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." God's plan for bringing the salvation message to man is through His believers. The responsibility of the task is awesome, but it is the main reason that the Church exists. He has equipped us with His Son, His Word, His Spirit, and His Church for this mission. Let us be faithful to the task He has given us!

(All scripture is taken from the New King James Version)