4:10-12 (A) What does the salvation that is in Jesus include?

The salvation that Jesus purchased with His blood is all-inclusive, gathering to itself all the redemptive acts and processes of God, both present and future (CP De 28:1-14; Josh 1:8; Psa 1:1-3; 91; Pr 4:20-22; Isa 53:4-5; Mt 8:16-17; 18:18-20; Mk 16:17-18; Lu 10:19; Jn 14:12-14; Ac 3:6-8; 9:32-34; Php 4:19; 1Th 5:9; He 1:14; Jas 5:14-16; 1Pe 2:22-24).

Salvation is not just limited to the forgiveness of sins and deliverance from future punishment as many in the church believe.

It also includes bodily healing and health, prosperity, deliverance from physical danger, victory over circumstances in life that beset us, victory over the powers of darkness, preservation of physical life, deliverance from sin, etc., as every one of those scriptures clearly attest (CP Jn 10:10; Ro 5:17; Ga 3:13-14, 26-29). The abundant life Jesus promises believers in Jn 10:10 applies to this life, not the next, as many believe.

God wants us to reign as kings with Christ in this life, now, because there will not be any sickness or disease, or adversities in life, or works of the devil for Christians to contend with in the next life (CP Isa 25:7-8; Rev 7:16-17; 21:4).

(B) If Jesus is the only way of salvation what happens to all those who have never heard about Him?

Scriptures clearly teach that those who have never heard of Jesus will be judged according to the light they have received. They will be judged on the basis of their deeds, not knowledge; according to the standards they know, not the standards they do not know (CP Ro 2:1-16). In V14-15 here we see that even though the Gentiles had never received the Old Testament law, the knowledge of the principles of the law was written in their hearts.

We learn from this that within every human heart there is a rudimentary but undeniable moral sense. This proves that God has not left anyone without light sufficient to justify or condemn them in the judgement.

Everyone will be judged on their obedience to what they know (CP Ac 17:30-31). Jesus will treat everyone impartially and will punish sin wherever it is found, regardless of whether the sinner has ever heard of Him or not. There will be no excuse for anyone because deep in their hearts, everyone knows right from wrong (CP Ro 1:19-21; 2:5).

The question of what happens to all those who have never heard of Jesus is one of the most thought provoking issues in Christendom, and there are many differing views on the subject.

However, one thing is certain - there are no second chances for anyone to find out about Jesus or to hear the gospel after they die, contrary to what some believe. Scriptures are clear on this point (CP He 9:27-28; Rev 22:11-12).

Knowing this should impress upon Christians the urgency for sharing the good news of Christ with as many as we possibly can while there is still time (CP Jn 9:4). See also comments on Mt 18:3, 19:13-15 and Ro 1:19-21.

4:11 See comments on Mt 21:42-45.

Acts: