Download About the Heathen

What about
the Heathen?
by
Dr. Robert Morey
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
1
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Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Table of Contents
 Introduction
 Opening Principles
 Central Propositions
 Answering the Hard Questions
 What Must I Do to Be Saved?
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Introduction
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Introduction
 The Problem Observed
– The unbeliever attempts to escape the Gospel
call to repentance and faith by hurling what he
thinks is an unanswerable objection to
Christianity:
“But, what about the heathen? Are you telling
me that all those innocent people are going to
hell? Even when they did not have a chance?”
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Introduction
 The Problem Presented
– To many non-believers, the question of the
heathen serves as:
• A challenge to Christianity
• An escape hatch for their conscience
– If the heathen can make their way to heaven
without believing in Jesus, the unbeliever
assumes that he also can make it to heaven.
– Many Christians also assume this to be true.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Introduction
 The Problem Explained
– Universalism is prevalent in our major
denominations and their seminaries.
– The universalists argue that God is too loving to
damn those for whom Christ died and who
never had a chance for salvation.
– Can the heathen be saved by the work of Christ
without hearing of or believing in the person of
Jesus Christ.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Introduction
 The Problem Explored
– Can the heathen be saved by the work of Christ
without hearing of or believing in the person of
Jesus Christ?
– Is faith in Jesus Christ always a part of the
salvation process?
– Can one “skip over” faith in Christ and still
experience regeneration?
– Can one have justification without repentance?
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Introduction
 The Proper Questions to Ask
– Can a sinner be saved from hell even though he
does not believe in the true God or in Jesus
Christ?
– Upon what grounds can a sinner claim
admittance to heaven other than repentance
toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Introduction
 The Worldly Answer
– If a sinner is sincere in his religion, God would
be unjust to condemn him.
– If a sinner never heard the Gospel, God would
be unjust to condemn him for not hearing.
– Those who have never heard the Gospel cannot
be condemned for rejecting a message they
have not heard.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Introduction
 Four Categories of Unbelief
– Ignorance
• Too remote so there is no opportunity to hear.
– Neglect
• Gospel is present, but some neglect it.
– Nominal Acquaintance
• Gospel is prevalent, but there is no saving belief.
– Nominal Acceptance
• Gospel is professed, but the profession is false.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Introduction
 The World’s Answer
– Ignorance is an excuse.
 The Bible’s Answer
– How shall we escape if we neglect so great a
salvation? —Hebrews 2:3
 The Definition of “Heathen”
– Any and every unbeliever, whether in New
York or New Guinea.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Introduction
 Unbeliever: “But what about the heathen?”
 Believer: “Well, what about you? You will
not be saved unless you believe in Christ.”
 Unbeliever: “I don’t mean me. I am
referring to the heathen.”
 Believer: “Why should they concern you?
The issue is that you are the one heathen
who has heard. What are you going to do?
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Introduction
 Do the Scriptures view ignorance due to
neglect or due to the absence of the Gospel
as constituting sufficient ground for
salvation?
 Does the lack of faith constitute unbelief as
well as the rejection of faith?
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Opening Principles
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Opening Principles
 Scripture has the answer.
– To the law and to the testimony: if they speak
not according to these, it is because they have
no light. (Isa. 8:20)
– All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for
training in righteousness. (2 Tim. 3:16)
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Opening Principles
 Avoid typical errors.
– Rationalism
• I think that…
• It is only logical that…
• The only intelligent answer is…
– Experience
• Have you heard the story about…?
– Mysticism
• I feel that…
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Opening Principles
 Defend God at all costs.
– Whatever God does is just and right.
– “Shall not the Judge of the earth do right?”
(Genesis 18:25)
– God is sovereign in His wrath as well as in His
grace.
– “God is true, even if everyone else is a liar.”
(Romans 3:4)
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Romans 9:13-24
As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
What can we say, then? God is not unrighteous, is he? Of
course not! For he says to Moses, “I will be merciful to the
person I want to be merciful to, and I will be kind to the person
I want to be kind to.” Therefore, God’s choice does not depend
on a person’s will or effort, but on God himself, who shows
mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “I have raised you up
for this very purpose, to demonstrate my power in you and that
my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore, God
has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of
whomever he chooses.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Romans 9:13-24
You may ask me, “Then why does God still find fault with
anybody? For who can resist his will?” On the contrary, who
are you—mere man that you are—to talk back to God? Can an
object that was molded say to the one who molded it, “Why did
you make me like this?” A potter has the right to do what he
wants to with his clay, doesn’t he? He can make something for
a special occasion or something for ordinary use from the same
lump.
Now if God wants to demonstrate his wrath and reveal his
power, can’t he be extremely patient with the objects of his
wrath that are made for destruction? Can’t he also reveal his
glorious riches to the objects of his mercy that he has prepared
ahead of time for glory—including us, whom he also called, not
only from the Jews but from the Gentiles as well?
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Opening Principles
 Never compromise Biblical truth.
– The Gospel itself is offensive to unbelievers.
Should we abandon it because the unregenerate
think it foolish?
For the message about the cross is nonsense to those
who are being destroyed, but it is God’s power to us
who are being saved. For it is written, “I will destroy
the wisdom of the wise, and the intelligence of the
intelligent I will reject.” (1 Cor. 1:18-19)
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Opening Principles
 Never compromise Biblical truth.
– Jesus provides us with the proper attitude.
Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you
realize that the Pharisees were offended when they
heard this statement?” He replied, “Every plant that my
heavenly Father did not plant will be pulled up by the
roots. Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the
blind. If one blind person leads another blind person,
both will fall into a ditch.” (Matt. 15:12-14)
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Opening Principles
 Take one step at a time.
– There are many issues involved in the heathen
question which must be answered before the
final answer is given.
 Believe God’s Word.
– He that is willing to do the will of God shall
know whether or not the doctrine is from God.
(John 7:17)
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Central Propositions
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Central Proposition #1
 All men are lost sinners and are in need of
salvation.
– Romans 3:23
… since all have sinned and continue to fall short of
God’s glory.
– Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is
eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Central Proposition #2
 General revelation is not sufficient to save.
– General revelation is that mute non-verbal
witness of the creation that points men to the
existence and power of God. (Romans 1:18-28
and Romans 2:14-15)
– General revelation is sufficient to condemn, not
to save.
– Men reject and suppress the light of creation.
– No sinner has ever lived up to the light of
general revelation. (Romans 3:10-18)
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Central Proposition #3
 The fact of judgment is determined on the
basis of the nature of the person in question.
– Because all men are by nature sinners, all men
are under the wrath of God.
– Original sin is the imputation of Adam’s sin to
all mankind, which is followed by the
condemnation of God.
– We sin because we are sinners. We are not lost
if and when we reject Christ. We are already
lost.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Central Proposition #4
 The degree of punishment is based on the
life of the person in question.
– Because God is just, there will be degrees of
punishment in hell.
– All sinners in hell will be perfectly miserable,
but not equally miserable.
– Ignorance of the Law is no excuse. (Lev. 5:17)
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Central Proposition #4
 The degree of punishment is based on the
life of the person in question.
– Sins done in ignorance will not receive as much
punishment as sins done in violation of known
law.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Luke 12:47-48
“That servant who knew what his master
wanted but didn't prepare himself or do what
was wanted will receive a severe beating. But
the servant who did things that deserved a
beating without knowing it will receive a light
beating. Much will be required from everyone
to whom much has been given. But even more
will be demanded from the one to whom
much has been entrusted.”
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Central Proposition #4
 The degree of punishment is based on the
life of the person in question.
– Sins done in ignorance will not receive as much
punishment as sins done in violation of known
law.
– The more you know, the more responsibility
you have to live up to that light.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Matthew 11:20-24
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in
which most of his miracles had taken place,
because they didn't repent. “How terrible it
will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible it will
be for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that
happened in you had taken place in Tyre and
Sidon, they would have repented long ago in
sackcloth and ashes. Indeed I tell you, it will
be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the
day of judgment than for you!
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Matthew 11:20-24
“And you, Capernaum! You won’t be lifted
up to heaven, will you? You’ll go down to
Hades! For if the miracles that happened in
you had taken place in Sodom, it would have
remained to this day. Indeed I tell you, it will
be more bearable for the land of Sodom on the
day of judgment than for you!”
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Central Proposition #4
 The degree of punishment is based on the
life of the person in question.
– Sins done in ignorance will not receive as much
punishment as sins done in violation of known
law.
– The more you know, the more responsibility
you have to live up to that light.
– The writer of the Hebrews speaks of some
unbelievers receiving more punishment than
others.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Hebrews 10:29
How much more severe a punishment do
you think that person deserves who tramples
on God’s Son, treats as common the blood of
the covenant by which it was sanctified, and
insults the Spirit of grace?
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Central Proposition #4
 The degree of punishment is based on the
life of the person in question.
– The sin of the Pharisees was made greater by
their contact with Christ.
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John 15:22
If I had not come and spoken to them, they
would not have any sin. But now they have no
excuse for their sin.
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Central Proposition #4
 The degree of punishment is based on the
life of the person in question.
– The sin of the Pharisees was made greater by
their contact with Christ.
– While the fact of judgment is determined by
what we are, i.e., our nature, the degree of
punishment is determined on the basis of the
amount of true knowledge we have received
and the quality of life that we lived.
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An Illustration
 Sophie the Scrubwoman
– Kind , diligent, never received Christ
 Hitler the Dictator
– Murderous, ruthless, never received Christ
 Both were unregenerate sinners.
 Both condemned to hell.
– Hitler’s punishment was greater than Sophie.
– God rewarded each according to their works.
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Central Proposition #5
 The only way to escape the wrath of God is
to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
– Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of the
earth; for I am God, and there is none else. (Isa.
45:22)
– The one who believes in the Son has eternal
life, but the one who disobeys the Son will not
see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on
him. (John 3:36)
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Central Proposition #5
 The only way to escape the wrath of God is
to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
– “I am the gate. If anyone enters through me, he
will be saved. He will come in and go out and
find pasture.” (John 10:9)
– Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and
the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me.” (John 14:6)
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Central Proposition #5
 The only way to escape the wrath of God is
to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
– There is no salvation by anyone else, for there
is no other name under heaven given among
people by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
– After all, no one can lay any other foundation
than the one that is already laid, and that is
Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 3:11)
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Central Proposition #5
 The only way to escape the wrath of God is
to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
– By his grace they are justified freely through
the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom
God offered as a place where atonement by
Christ’s blood could occur through faith. He did
this to demonstrate his righteousness, because
he had waited patiently to deal with sins
committed in the past.
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Central Proposition #5
 The only way to escape the wrath of God is
to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
– He wanted to demonstrate at the present time
that he himself is righteous and that he justifies
the person who has the faithfulness of Jesus…
since there is only one God who will justify the
circumcised on the basis of faith and the
uncircumcised by that same faith. (Romans
3:25-26, 30)
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Central Proposition #5
 The only way to escape the wrath of God is
to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
– There is one God. There is also one mediator
between God and human beings—a human,
Christ Jesus. (1 Tim. 2:5)
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Central Proposition #6
 All non-Christian religions are condemned
in Scripture.
– They are idolatrous.
• Pagan religions are not man’s search for God, but
they are actually man’s rejection of God (Rom.
1:28-25)
– They give worship to Satan and his demons.
– They fail to find God through the wisdom of
the world.
– All religions are not “different roads” to God.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Central Proposition #7
 The absence of special revelation does not
in any way relieve the heathen from
perishing.
– The fact that they die physically reveals that
God views them as sinners and that they face a
Christless eternity in the second death.
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Romans 2:11-12, 16
God does not show partiality. For all who
have sinned apart from the law will also
perish apart from the law, and all who have
sinned under the law will be judged by the
law… on that day when God, through Jesus
Christ, will judge people’s secrets according
to my gospel.
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Scripture References
– Since all have sinned and continue to fall short
of God’s glory. (Romans 3:23)
– Therefore, just as sin entered the world through
one man, and death through sin, so death spread
to everyone, because all have sinned. (Romans
5:12)
– For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of
God is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus
our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Central Proposition #8
 All unbelievers will be cast into the lake of
fire when Jesus returns in glory and power.
Then he will say to those on his left, “Get away
from me, you who are accursed, into the eternal
fire that has been prepared for the devil and his
angels!” … These people will go away into
eternal punishment, but the righteous will go
into eternal life. (Matthew 25:41, 46)
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2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
...and to give us who are afflicted relief when the
Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty
angels in blazing fire. He will take revenge on those
who do not know God and on those who refuse to
obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Such people will
suffer the punishment of eternal destruction by being
separated from the Lord’s presence and from his
glorious power when he comes to be glorified by his
saints and to be regarded with wonder on that day by
all who have believed—including you, because you
believed our testimony
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Central Proposition #9
 Unbelievers must hear or read of the Lord
Jesus Christ through a human instrumentality
in order to be saved.
 The Gospel does not come to the unsaved
from or through:
– Angels
– Visions
– Dreams
 It comes through God’s people.
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Scripture References
Therefore as you go, disciple all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to obey all that I have commanded you.
(Matt. 28:19)
Then he said to them, “As you go into all the
world, proclaim the gospel to the whole
creation.” (Mark 16:15)
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Scripture References
For “everyone who calls on the name of the
Lord will be saved.” How, then, can people
call on someone they have not believed? And
how can they believe in someone they have not
heard about? And how can they hear without
someone preaching? And how can they preach
unless they are sent? As it is written,
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring
good news!”
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Scripture References
But not everyone has obeyed the gospel. For
Isaiah asks,
“Lord, who has believed our message?”
Consequently, faith comes from listening, and
listening comes through the word of Christ.
(Romans 10:13-17)
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Central Proposition #10
 God will always send the Gospel by a human
instrumentality to those who have been
ordained to eternal life.
– God sent an angel to tell Cornelius to send for
Peter. The angel did not preach, Peter did.
• Cornelius was a God-fearing man, but he was not
saved. (Acts 1:1-2)
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Scripture References
Then he told us how he had seen the angel
standing in his home and saying, ‘Send
messengers to Joppa and summon Simon,
who is called Peter. He will speak words to
you by which you and your entire home will
be saved.’ (Acts 11: 13-14).
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Central Proposition #10
 God will always send the Gospel by a human
instrumentality to those who have been
ordained to eternal life.
– God sent an angel to tell Cornelius to send for
Peter. The angel did not preach, Peter did.
• Cornelius was a God-fearing man, but he was not
saved. (Acts 1:1-2)
– God told Paul to preach at Corinth because God
had many people in the city.
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Scripture References
Now Crispus, the leader of the synagogue,
believed in the Lord, along with his whole
family. Many Corinthians who heard Paul also
believed and were baptized.
One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision,
“Stop being afraid to speak out! Do not be
silent! For I am with you, and no one will lay
a hand on you or harm you, because I have
many people in this city.”
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Central Proposition #11
 If salvation is possible through ignorance or
neglect of the Gospel, then Jesus Christ died
in vain—i.e., for nothing.
– I do not set aside the grace of God, for if
righteousness comes through the law, then Christ
died for nothing. (Galatians 2:21)
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Central Proposition #12
 A survey of the Bible reveals that ignorance,
neglect, and nominal acquaintance or
acceptance were never sufficient to save.




The Flood
The Tower of Babel
Sodom & Gomorrah
History of God’s People




Jonah & Nineveh
Jesus Christ
The Apostles
Missions
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The Flood of Noah
 Man sinned.
– Genesis 6:1-5; Genesis 6:11-13
 God’s judgment came.
– Genesis 6:6-7, 13, 17)
 Only the believer (Noah) and his family
were delivered from God’s wrath.
– Genesis 6:8-10, 1-16, 18-22
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The Flood of Noah
 Were there ignorant, sincere or neglectful
people in Noah’s day?
 If we asked Noah about their fate regardless
if they were ignorant, sincere or neglectful,
what would he say?
 Is the flood a preview of the second coming?
 Since all the heathen perished at the flood,
what does this say about Christ’s return?
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The Tower of Babel
 Man sinned.
– Genesis 11
 God’s judgment came.
– Genesis 11
 God’s Judgment took two forms:
– Human language was diversified.
– The human race was scattered.
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The Tower of Babel
 Were there ignorant, sincere or neglectful
people working on the tower?
 Isn’t ignorance part of God’s judgment?
 Isn’t it true that the major reason why some
people are ignorant of the Gospel is because
ignorance corresponds to God’s judgment?
 If so, how can ignorance be the basis of the
heathen’s salvation?
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Sodom and Gomorrah
 Man sinned.
– Genesis 18:20-21; 19:1-9
 God’s judgment came.
– Genesis 19:10-11
 Only the believer (Lot) and his family were
delivered from God’s wrath.
– Genesis 11:23-29
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Sodom and Gomorrah
 Were there ignorant, sincere or neglectful
people in Lot’s day? What happened to
them?
 What did God do with all the unbelievers in
Sodom and Gomorrah?
 If we asked Abraham and Lot about the fate
of unbelieving sinners, what would they say?
 Is this not a picture of the Day of Judgment?
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The History of God’s People
 A survey of God’s dealings with His people
reveals that ignorance, neglect or lack of
acceptance were never sufficient to save.
 Egypt
 Israel and Idolatry
 The Canaanites
 Deliverance of Rahab
 The Gentiles
 The Conversion of
Ruth
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The People of Egypt
 Were there ignorant, sincere, or neglectful
people in Egypt?
 Were they saved from the judgment plagues
of God?
 Were only the first born of those who
believed God’s Word safe from the angel of
death, or did the angel pass over any houses
where the people were ignorant, sincere, or
neglectful?
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The People of Israel
 Was idolatry allowed in Israel?
 If not, what was the penalty for idolatry?
 Was there any difference if the idolater was
ignorant, sincere or neglectful?
 If “ignorant, sincere or neglectful” idol
worship could save sinners from judgment,
would this not make true worship
meaningless because it was not necessary?
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The People of Canaan
 Were there ignorant, sincere or neglectful
people among the Canaanites?
 To what fate did God assign them?
 What happened to them?
 How would Joshua answer our question?
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The People of Rahab’s City
 Were there ignorant, sincere or neglectful




people in Rahab’s city?
Was not Rahab a Canaanite?
Why was she delivered while the rest were
destroyed? (Joshua 2:8-13)
Were the only people delivered from
destruction those who believed in Jehovah?
How would Rahab answer our question?
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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The Nations
 Were there ignorant, sincere or neglectful
people among the Gentiles?
 How did Israel view the idolatrous nations
around them? (Psalm 9:17)
 What happens to those who do not bow to
Jehovah? (Psalm 2:11-12)
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The Conversion of Ruth
 Were there ignorant, sincere or neglectful




people among the people of Moab?
How and why did Ruth join the people of
God?
Does she not serve to show how Gentiles
were save in Old Testament times?
How could they be saved?
How would Ruth answer our question?
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Jonah and Nineveh
 Were there ignorant, sincere or neglectful
people among the people of Nineveh?
 What fate had God assigned them?
 Why did the judgment turn away?
 How would Jonah answer our question of the
heathen?
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Jesus Christ
 Did He ever claim to be the only way of
salvation? (John 14:6)
 What did He call false religious leaders?
(John 10:8)
 Did He state that only faith in Him will
deliver one from the judgment of God?
(John 3:16, 36)
 How would He answer if we ask him?
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The Apostles
 Did they teach that only faith in Christ
saves? (Acts 4:12, 10:43, 16:31; Rom. 5:1,
10:9-13)
 Did they ever teach that there is no salvation
outside of the Gospel? (Rom. 10:14-17)
 Is Christ the only mediator between God and
man? (1 Tim. 2:5)
 How would they answer our question?
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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World Missions
 Are we commanded to preach the Gospel to
all men? (Mark 16:15-16)
 Why? Do they need it?
 If the ignorant and sincere can be saved as
long as they don’t hear the Gospel, do
missions damn more people than they save?
 If man were not lost already, would missions
make any sense?
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Answering the
Hard Questions
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Observation #1
 How dare anyone accuse God of being
unjust in whatever He does!
– The Apostle Paul rebukes such a rebellious
attitude in Romans 9:11-24.
– If the righteous judge of all the earth has
revealed in His Word that all the heathen will be
cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15), who is the
man that can condemn God?
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
81
Observation #2
 Sincerity in living up to some of the light one
has will only make one a candidate for
further light, as it did for Cornelius. (Acts 10)
– But Cornelius had to be saved through the
Gospel given by a human messenger. (Acts
11:14)
– Not even the angel could tell Cornelius the
Gospel.
– Sincerity is NOT enough.
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82
Observation #3
 As sinners, the only thing we deserve is
God’s eternal wrath in hell.
– The Bible does not teach that God owes us
anything.
– The Bible does not teach that we even deserve a
“chance” to be saved.
– Salvation is by GRACE.
– This means that God does not owe anyone
anything. (Romans 4:1-5)
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
83
Observation #4
 Isn’t the real question of the heathen about
you?
– Where will you spend eternity?
– Flee to Jesus Christ and repent, for the wrath of
God is coming upon the earth.
– Who shall stand in the Day of Judgment without
Jesus Christ as his advocate?
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
84
Observation #5
 And what can be said to you, Christian?
– Does the plight of the heathen move you at all?
– Shouldn’t their spiritual condition motivate you
to be more zealous for missions?
– The heathen are all around you.
• Do you weep for them?
• Do you witness to them?
– May God stir up His people to become a mighty
missionary force in the world today!
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
85
What Must I Do
to Be Saved?
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86
You Have Broken God’s Law
 The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)
 Worship only God.
 Don’t make an idol.
 Don’t take God’s
name in vain.
 Honor the Sabbath.
 Honor your father and
mother.
 Do not murder.
 Do not commit
adultery.
 Do not steal.
 Do not lie.
 Do not covet.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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You Have Broken God’s Law
 The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)
 Worship only God.
 Don’t make an idol.
 Don’t take God’s
name in vain.
 Honor the Sabbath.
 Honor your father and
mother.
 Do not murder.
 Do not commit
adultery.
 Do not steal.
 Do not lie.
 Do not covet.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
88
You Have Broken God’s Law
 The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)
 Worship only God.
 Don’t make an idol.
 Don’t take God’s
name in vain.
 Honor the Sabbath.
 Honor your father and
mother.
 Do not murder.
 Do not commit
adultery.
 Do not steal.
 Do not lie.
 Do not covet.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
89
You Have Broken God’s Law
 The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)
 Worship only God.
 Don’t make an idol.
 Don’t take God’s
name in vain.
 Honor the Sabbath.
 Honor your father and
mother.
 Do not murder.
 Do not commit
adultery.
 Do not steal.
 Do not lie.
 Do not covet.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
90
You Have Broken God’s Law
 The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)
 Worship only God.
 Don’t make an idol.
 Don’t take God’s
name in vain.
 Honor the Sabbath.
 Honor your father and
mother.
 Do not murder.
 Do not commit
adultery.
 Do not steal.
 Do not lie.
 Do not covet.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
91
You Have Broken God’s Law
 The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)
 Worship only God.
 Don’t make an idol.
 Don’t take God’s
name in vain.
 Honor the Sabbath.
 Honor your father and
mother.
 Do not murder.
 Do not commit
adultery.
 Do not steal.
 Do not lie.
 Do not covet.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
92
You Have Broken God’s Law
 The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)
 Worship only God.
 Don’t make an idol.
 Don’t take God’s
name in vain.
 Honor the Sabbath.
 Honor your father and
mother.
 Do not murder.
 Do not commit
adultery.
 Do not steal.
 Do not lie.
 Do not covet.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
93
You Have Broken God’s Law
 The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)
 Worship only God.
 Don’t make an idol.
 Don’t take God’s
name in vain.
 Honor the Sabbath.
 Honor your father and
mother.
 Do not murder.
 Do not commit
adultery.
 Do not steal.
 Do not lie.
 Do not covet.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
94
You Were Born a Sinner
 All people are born sinners. We are all
unrighteous people.
– Romans 3:10-12
• As it is written, “Not even one person is righteous.
No one understands. No one searches for God. All
have turned away. Together they have become
worthless.”
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Your Best Efforts Fail
 All people sin. Our best efforts will never
measure up.
– Romans 3:23
• … since all have sinned and continue to fall short of
God’s glory.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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The Price of Sin is Death
 The price of sin is death.
– Romans 5:12
• Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one
man, and death through sin, so death spread to
everyone, because all have sinned.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
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Jesus Paid Your Debt
 Jesus paid your debt by dying in your place.
– Romans 6:23
• For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of
God is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our
Lord.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
98
Christ Died for You
 Christ died in your place, paying your price,
and suffering so that you would not have to
suffer eternally.
– Romans 5:8
• But God demonstrates his love for us by the fact that
Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc.
99
His Invitation Is to You… Now
 His invitation is open to anyone… even you.
– Romans 10:13
• For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will
be saved.”
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc. 100
Confess, Declare, Believe
 You must confess your sin, declare His
Lordship, and believe in your heart that God
raised Christ from the dead.
– Romans 10:9-10
• … if you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord,
and believe in your heart that God raised him from
the dead, you will be saved. For a person believes
with his heart and is justified, and a person declares
with his mouth and is saved.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc. 101
Your Prayer for Salvation
 “Lord, Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I
need you. I know that you paid the price for
my sins by dying on the cross. I ask that you
forgive my sins; and I receive you as my
Savior and Lord. I thank you for forgiving
my sins and giving me eternal life. Take
control of the throne of my life. Make me
the kind of person you want me to be.
Amen.”
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc. 102
Some Truths to Remember
 Remember these simple truths from God’s
Word:
– 1 John 1:9
• If we make it our habit to confess our sins, he is
faithful and righteous to forgive us those sins and
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
– Romans 8:16
• The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we
are God’s children.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc. 103
Some Truths to Remember
– Ephesians 2:8
• For by such grace you have been saved through
faith. This does not come from you; it is the gift of
God and not the result of works, lest anyone boast.
– Romans 8:18
• For I consider that the sufferings of this present time
are not worth comparing to the glory that will be
revealed to us.
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc. 104
Some Truths to Remember
– 1 John 5:13
• I have written these things to you who believe in the
name of the Son of God so that you may know that
you have eternal life.
– 2 Corinthians 5:17-18a
• Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation. Old things have disappeared, and—look!—
all things have become new! All of this comes from
God, who has reconciled us to himself through
Christ…
Copyright © 2002 Dr. Robert Morey. Distributed by Davidson Press, Inc. 105
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