Those you mention are not babies or mentally handicapped are they?

They are lost. God will judge them that is a fact NOT a dodge.

I'll bite. They're probably going to hell.

That's why Acts 2:38 believers are supposed to have a BURDEN for the lost. The 'lost' includes the wild heathen and those who have begun a sincere search for truth but have been turned astray by false doctrine.

Of course, people who have been told/convinced that they are saved contradictory to Acts 2:38 are harder to reach. Nobody likes to be shown they've been sold a bill of goods.

I've heard teaching that addressed some of the 'what ifs' that people have that is pertinent. The unreached indigenous peoples of Papua New Guinea were not even known to exist until this century. How could a merciful God judge them, and other heathen tribes like them, who never even had a chance to hear the gospel? The answer is that all men have God's word written in their hearts. We call it a conscience. Such peoples will be judged according to how they responded to their conscience.

I disagree. In a sense it is a dodge simply because we hold onto the "judge not lest ye..........

But in order to defend the doctrine there is no way around saying this one or that one is hellbound.


said in.......a straightline

You are not correct babies and mentally handicapped folks have no free will to excercise that is the difference.

Great Point.. they are bound by their situation...

God is just he judges mankind according to their decisions if there can be no decision I do not believe in the nature of God He would eternally punish those who had NO choice.

I'm sorry for the confusion...I did not intend to insinuate anything about babies or the mentally challenged. Sorry.

Then we misunderstood each other. I do not believe anyone is saved in this dispensation without obey Acts 2:38.

Pastor Epley, what I am trying to say is that according to our doctrine (ourside of children and mentally challenged) if you have not obeyed Acts 2:38 and spoke in tongues you are going to Hell. There is no way around it.

But all the while instead of saying that we skirt around the core and fluff it up to say "OH I'm not the Judge, God is fair blah blah blah"

Which is true. But do we believe that there might be a chance that someone(outside of kids and mentally challenged)that has not followed Acts 2:38 will make it to Heaven? In our doctrine there is no room for that.

You have to choices: 1. Hope like crazy you go to the right church

2. Go to Hell

LOL!

At first I thought you were telling bro epley to "Go to hell"!!

Yes there is a chance - absolutely. No matter what stripe Christian you are - you are reading AND INTERPRETING scripture as you see it. The humility of Christians will stop them from damning each and every one who disagrees with him. Aorrogance is not compatible with Christianity.