Dear Tracey,

Your Question(s): "I am having a discussion with my parents and would like some cross references. I know there is no other way to get to heaven except through Jesus Christ. What about other religions? My dad believe that other religions that worship "Idols" such as Buddha will go b/c that is "their higher power" and it may be their Jesus. I know that is wrong. Where do I find this in the bible to show him?"

My Answer(s): Thank you for your question(s). While the Bible do say in Acts 4:12... "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Below is the context in which these words were spoken; that is Peter and John had healed a man in the name of Jesus:

• Acts 4:5-12... "5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the "stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.""

As you see, these verses tell us that by no other name except Jesus the Christ can we receive salvation. Therefore, we need to learn what do these words mean. For there are some among the professing Christian community, who believe that in this lifetime (present age) all must hear and believe in the name of Jesus to be saved (this word "saved" need further defining but more on this later). But as you can see from the above verses they do not say, "you must hear Jesus name to be saved". It says, we must be "saved" or "receive salvation" through Christ Jesus and by no other name among men. These verses do not say if you do not hear Jesus name in this present age you will not receive salvation and be saved. For many are called, but few are chosen. And again, it is said, "for many are invited, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). So, let us see what other Scriptures say about receiving salvation and being saved. What are the requirements for salvation in this present age and the age to come? Who is being called to be part of God's Church in this present age?

First, you ask, what about other religions? Well, the Bible clearly tells us that "true religion" from God is this: James 1:27 (NIV), "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world". This is the only religion God accepts and wants you to have in this evil and adulterous world. Besides this, God also ask us to remember His poor (Gal. 2:10). For "if anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him" (1 John 3:16-18)? All other religions in this world are man-made, and not from God including those with Christians names. Do not be dismayed at this, but remember to search the Scriptures, rightly dividing the word of God. The many denominations or doctrines of Christianity are not from God, but from man who teaches for doctrine the commandments of men (Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23; 1 Corinthians 2:1-9; Revelation 2:13).

Now, Jesus gives us these words concerning those who do not follow one group of professing Christians in:

• Mark 9:38-40… 38 Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us." 39 But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 For he who is not against us is on our side.

Again, the Scripture speaks concerning those who profess Christianity without living a life of pure religion as spoken of in James 1:27, Jesus says in Matthew 15:8-9… "8 These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men". I ask are these professing Christians going to be saved? I mean they heard Jesus name, professed outwardly that He was their Savior; yet Jesus says they honor Him only with their lips. I say this because all things concerning salvation are not cut and dry. Because there are some who will hear the word of the gospel, but will not continue in the faith to be saved. As the Spirit says, "you have preserved and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet, I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place" (Revelation 2:3-5). Jesus speaks of Christians here not non-Christians.

In Matthew 12, Jesus warns us of those who speak against (blasphemy) the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, not in this present age or "the age to come" (Matthew 12:31-32). So, you see the Scriptures speaking of being able to be "forgiven" in this present age and in the "age to come". What do this mean? Are some people forgiven in this age and some in the age to come? Well, that is exactly what Christ says here. Today in this present age, God is the calling His Church. Not everyone on this planet is "being saved" in this present age, only God's Church, those who answer the called and receive His Spirit. For many are called but few are chosen. And it is said judgment have begun on the household of God, the Church of the Living God, those who answer this called today and receive Jesus’ Spirit (1 Peter 4:17-18). And we who answer the call in this present age shall take part in the first resurrection, and reign with Christ in the age to come (Rev. 20:4-6).

• Matthew 12:31-32… "31 And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."

Your father says people of man-made "other" religions will stand before Christ. Yet, you say you know this is wrong. You then ask, where do I find this in the Bible to show him? The Bible gives us only one religion that is from God the Father in heaven, that is James 1:27, given above, and we as professing Christians would do well to follow this.

Below is what the Scripture says about standing before Christ:

Jesus tells us in Matthew 12 that for "every idle word" of men; they shall give an account to Him:

• Matthew 12:35-37… 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Again, in John 5 Jesus tells us that judgment has been given to Him, and "all who are in their graves will hear His voice". All of these in their graves shall come out to be judged, those who did "good will rise to live", and those who did "evil will rise to be condemned":

• John 5:22, 25-30… "22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son… 25 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. 28 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me".

Then in Romans 2, the Holy Spirit tells us that Christ is "Lord of both the dead and the living", and "we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ":

Then again in 2 Corinthians 5:9-11, we are told "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ":

As you can see, these Scriptures tell us that Christ will judge everyone. These verses do not say only professing Christians will stand before Christ, but "every knee", "every tongue", "all stand before", "every idle word" of men, and "all in their graves" that have live in this present age shall stand before Christ. In Matthew 12:37, Jesus tells us we will be justified by our words and condemned by our words. So, I say to you as a professing Christian continue to fight the good fight, pressing forward and not looking back. For if indeed you have the Spirit of Christ, then you must continue in the faith that you may receive your crown. To those who are given much, much is required. Do not be so quick to condemn others, but seek ways to bring them into the light. It is not the job of professing Christians to condemn their fellow man, but to be a light, the salt of the world. This does not mean we can worship God in anyway, for it is said, "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:22-24). For no one can come to Christ Jesus unless, God first calls them (John 6:44).

May God continue to bless you with understanding His Holy word, may God bless your household. May you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus the Christ. Amen. Praise God.

In Christ love,

Ron Davis, ministering