If there are other ways to be saved, then why send out preachers, missionaries and evangelists? Just let God sort it all out. Either Christ is the only way of salvation or He is not. (John 14:6; Acts 4:11-13; John 5:24). The idea that those who have never heard the gospel can be saved by the light they have is refuted in Romans 1:18-32. The whole creation testifies that there is a God to whom we must give an account. Since God can justly damn the whole human race we do not need to justify God before men (Genesis 6:5-7). Rather men need to be justified before God and the only way to be justified is through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 10 makes it clear that we cannot establish our own righteousness and that saving faith can only come through Jesus Christ.
You heard it from me first. Those who do not hear the gospel are lost unless we send a preacher and they hear and believe (Romans 10:13-15). For those who have heard and reject the message of Christ the condemnation is equally just (John 3:16-18) since believing comes from hearing the gospel message preached (Romans 10:8-11).
And lastly, the 39 Articles of Religion uphold the same doctrine:
Article XVIII
Of obtaining eternal salvation only by the name of Christ
They also are to be had accursed that presume to say that every man shall be saved by the law or sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that law and the light of nature. For Holy Scripture doth set out to us only the name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved. (Compare Romans 1:18-21; Acts 4:11-13). Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.
Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.
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