Bible Q&A
Does the Church of Christ think they will be the only people in heaven? Will there be a Baptist or Methodist there?
Thanks for the question.
The Lord gave a simple charge to the apostles to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized will be saved. He that does not believe will be condemned. Those that will inherit heaven are those who have believed and have been baptized. If anyone in the world at any time in history has a problem with believing what the Lord said, then it is not because it wasn't simple and clear.
Peter obeyed the Lord concerning what to preach about 10 days later on the day of Pentecost. He told the Jews that were cut to the heart about murdering their Messiah that they should repent, and be baptized for the remission of their sins and they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. That day about 3000 people believed and were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.
The person who doesn't believe the words of Jesus will not be baptized for the remission of their sins. The person who doesn't teach or preach the words of Jesus will not be baptized for the remission of sins. The person who joins a church that teaches something different than the words of Jesus will not be baptized for the remission of sins.
If a person has not believed the words of Jesus, i.e. believed them and done them, then Jesus says that he will be condemned. This person has excluded himself by disbelief.
Most members of the churches of Christ would be more than happy to see ALL religious people in heaven. That would mean that they believed the words of Jesus and did them.
Jno.12:48-49
He who rejects me, and does not receive my words, has that which judges him – the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken from myself; but the Father who sent me gave me a command, what I should say and how I should say it.What is it that is keeping you from believing and doing what the scriptures say? Don't be afraid to obey the word of God. Don't let any man prevent you or tell you that you don't have to. If the Baptists or the Methodists throw you out for believing and doing what the scriptures say, then that is the day you will be free, and be able to worship and serve God in spirit and in truth. Don't be afraid to disappoint them by pleasing God. The most common of all the sins of humanity is this one - trusting in men rather than trusting in God.
There isn't any man on the face of the earth that knows anything about Jesus Christ that he didn't learn out of the Bible.
Larry White
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