Concerning those “humans who could not save themselves,” that is all of us. Concerning those who have never heard the gospel, they are lost not because they have never heard, but because they have sinned against the light that God revealed to them:

“For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law… They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus” (Romans 2:12, 15-16).

For them, Paul pleads,

“But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14-15).

Let us hold fast to what God has revealed. Piper’s book _Let the Nations Be Glad, The Supremacy of God in Missions_ is very helpful on this subject.

I can’t comprehend an eternity of anything, let alone of suffering, but as that is what is clearly taught and presented by Jesus himself, then that is what I must espouse.

Stott, Hughes, you and many others cannot get your heads around it, but that does not change the fact that the argument is with Gods word and not some arbitrary imposition by a group years ago which ended up persisting as a ‘tradition’.

Stan Ermshar

As I read through the book of Acts I am amazed at the intimacy that those believers shared even selling possessions so that others could have enough to live (Acts 2:42-47). They met together regurlarly. I believe that small groups and care groups are steps in the right direction for churches. I think that as technology continues to transform community, we will see people seeking out true community. The Church should be the place that they find it. Didn’t Jesus say that we would be known by our love for each other? Sacrificing time and possessions to meet others needs is essential but so is gathering together in order to know Jesus and the Bible more. Praying together has been neglected by the Church. When was prayer relegated to individual time? Didn’t Jesus ask his disciples to pray with him in the Garden? Didn’t the Church in Acts pray for Peter’s release from prison?

As I keep on writing, you can tell that I am really passionate about this. I really believe that we need to look to Scripture for our example and direction of our churches. So many books and seminars are out there on how to reach the lost, grow the church, etc…but it’s ironic to find all of that in the Bible. Our culture is so saturated with business and marketing that we jump from trend to trend instead of being firmly founded in our understanding of the Bible.

It’s very good and very necessary to have a local church. For me it’s a constant reminder that information can strengthen one’s faith, but it does not lead to righteousness without some people to whom you can apply that information.