One Must Hear the Gospel

            ““So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17) Over the next five weeks I want to address each of the steps of the Gospel Plan of Salvation. I will contend that the Bible teaches not a single man will be saved outside of obedience to the Gospel. Additionally, I will address some questions regarding such.

God’s Revealed Word Reveals Salvation

 The first thing one must do is hear the word. We often reference Romans 10:17 as I did above. The origin of faith has no other source than hearing or reading the Word of God. How did Cain and Abel know what to offer? How did Noah know how to construct the boat? How did Abram know where to go? How did Naaman know how to be cleansed? The Word of God is the only answer. Today the Bible is the only place where we come in contact with the God-breathed, inspired Word (cf. 2 Tim 3:16). Our God is a gracious God who has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness (cf. 2 Pet 1:3). When we hear the Gospel, we hear the truth that has the power to make man free (cf. John 8:32).

What about the Others?

            What if they don't hear? This is a common question that is posed by members of the church and those outside of the brotherhood. The question most commonly comes out of a concern for lost people in far-to-reach areas, the unknown peoples outside of the known world. This, at face value, seems very difficult for most people. It is even a sign of a noble heart. The wish is that all people will have a chance to be saved and if there is some lost tribe in the rainforest, we wonder how that could be possible. Might I point you to Romans 1:18-20,

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness; because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse”

I want you to key in on those last words—without excuse. Men are capable of seeing that there is more than just what is before them. Men are capable of searching for the source.

Moreover, the church is sent to bring that good news. Jesus commanded, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). God accounted for the lost in all the world. “And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:2). God fully accounted for the lost by sending his Son to die for their sin and he also sent His church to bring the Message that all need to hear. We ought to be concerned by the lost in the rain forests, but it is equally important for those in our community to Hear the Gospel of Christ.

What About the Religious

            Perhaps what is even more upsetting is that there are many individuals who place a high value on the Word of God. They spend time studying His Word each day but they hold to the traditions of men over what the pure seed that our Lord has sown and continues to sow in the hearts of men. There are so many graduates of seminaries who have extolled the virtues of godly living which will receive the unfortunate response from our Lord at the judgment, “depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:23). The Lord is painfully clear on this reality. We cannot be of the same body if we are divided on matters of doctrine and practice. We must all speak the same thing (cf. 1 Cor 1:10-17).

            Search the Bible and ask: how many religions are approved of God? How many churches did the Lord build? How many churches are faithful to God? How many saviors are there? How many arks did Noah build? The answer is simple to all those questions, one.  This is a central truth of God’s Word. The Spirit declares, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all” (Eph 4:4-6). Certainly, we must not add any requirements to what God has written. It is equally important to not take any away as well (cf. Deut 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19). The understanding that there is one way to be saved is of the utmost importance.

The Others do not Take Away Your Responsibility

            I want to remind you that lost tribes have nothing to do with your responsibility to obey the Gospel. We all are called to hear. Faith is a result of hearing the Word of God. From Genesis to Revelation, God declares His love and desire to live in fellowship with the man He created in His image.

God’s righteous character should not be called into question because a majority of the world refuses to hear. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man begs father Abraham to send Lazarus back to warn his brethren, the reply of Abraham reflects the importance of hearing, “But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them” Luke 16:29. He who has ears, let him hear!

Grace and Peace,

R.D. Beavers