Topic(s): Bible Study, Salvation

Todd Clippard

There is no passage in the Bible teaching that all men will have the opportunity to hear the gospel, respond to it in faithful obedience, and be saved. One verse to consider is Luke 12:47-48, which reads, "And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes." KJV

This is why the Great Commission is of such vital importance. We need to preach the gospel to every person on the earth so that all will have the opportunity to be saved. A person who never hears the gospel will never have faith. Hebrews 11:6 says without faith, it is impossible to please God.

One who never hears the gospel cannot believe in Jesus. Yet Jesus said, "Unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins" (John 8:24).

One who never hears the message of the gospel cannot believe it, be baptized, and be saved. Mark 16:15-16 says, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth (the gospel - TC) and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

The Bible does teach all men in the first century heard the gospel preached (Rom 10:18; Colossians 1:6, 23). In some sense, I guess one could say all men have had at least some opportunity to hear the gospel -- for if everyone who had heard the gospel had believed and obeyed it, and continued in faith, then all succeeding generations would have been taught.