What Happens to Those Who’ve Never Heard of Christ?

Welcome to Day 13 of our 60-Day Challenge! But before we tackle today’s question, let’s take a moment to reflect on the question from Day 12: Why would Christ be resurrected with His actual body if He were only just a manifestation of the Father?

This question invites us to dig into scripture and consider the purpose of Christ’s resurrection, His relationship with the Father, and what it all means for us. Let’s break it down!

Christ’s Resurrection Was Real and Physical

Matthew 28:1-10 gives us the foundational account:
“He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

This moment is central to the Christian faith. It wasn’t a metaphor or a symbolic resurrection—it was physical and tangible. Jesus was crucified, buried, and then rose with His glorified body. His disciples touched Him, walked with Him, and even saw Him eat (Luke 24:39-43).

If Christ were merely a “manifestation” of the Father, why the need for a physical resurrection? A manifestation doesn’t require a body—it’s temporary and intangible. Christ’s resurrection proves He was more than just a reflection or representation of God. He was (and is) a divine being with His own glorified body.

The Distinction Between the Father and the Son

Acts 7:54-59 provides even more clarity. As Stephen is being stoned, he looks up into heaven and sees “the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.” This vision is extraordinary because it shows us two distinct beings:

• The Father in His glory.

• The Son, resurrected and exalted, standing beside Him.

If Christ were merely a manifestation, this scene would make no sense. Instead, it affirms that Christ and the Father are separate, tangible, and glorified beings, working together in unity.

This distinction matters because it aligns with other teachings that humanity is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). If Christ retained His body after resurrection, it stands to reason that the Father, too, possesses a perfected, glorified form.

What Does This Mean for Us?

Christ’s resurrection wasn’t just about proving His divinity—it was about showing us the eternal value of our own bodies and souls. Here’s why this is so significant:

1. The Resurrection Affirms Our Worth
   By being resurrected with His body, Christ showed us that our physical forms are sacred and eternal. We’re not temporary beings. Our bodies will be perfected and glorified, just as His was.

2. The Resurrection Connects Us to the Father
   If Christ has a glorified body, and He is the express image of the Father (Hebrews 1:3), it tells us that God values the physical as much as the spiritual. The Father’s eternal nature includes a perfected, tangible form.

3. Christ’s Resurrection Is Our Hope
   Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” Christ’s resurrection is the guarantee that we, too, will rise. It’s not just about life after death—it’s about life with glorified bodies, families, and relationships that last forever.

Why the Resurrection Can’t Be Overlooked

To dismiss the physical resurrection is to miss the heart of the gospel. Christ’s body wasn’t an afterthought or a tool—His resurrection with that body fulfilled God’s plan of salvation.

• It demonstrated His victory over death.

• It signaled the eternal importance of both body and spirit.

• It paved the way for us to follow Him, not just spiritually but physically, into eternity.

Christ is not a shadow or symbol of the Father. He is a living, resurrected Savior who continues to act on our behalf as an intermediary, advocate, and redeemer.

What to Reflect On for Today's Challenge:

Now, here’s question 13: You must accept Christ to be saved. But what if you’ve never even heard His name during your lifetime? Would a just God condemn someone simply because of when and where they lived?

Transcription:

  Hi, my name is Joe Cirillo with Gospel at First, and thanks for your decision to follow me on this exciting journey to find Christ restored church in our day. But before I give you question 13, did you get the answer to question number 12? Why would Christ be resurrected with his actual body if he was only just a manifestation of the Father?

Well, Matthew 28, verses 1 to 10 says, And the angel answered and said unto the woman, Fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He's not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. In Acts chapter 7, verses 54 to 59, also talks about the stoning of Stephen, which reads, But he, being filled with the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.

So it doesn't stand to reason that if Christ was resurrected, that his Father has a body of flesh also. So question number 13. You must accept Christ in order to be saved. But what if you've never heard of the name of Christ while in your lifetime? Would a just God condemn someone merely because of the space of time in which they lived on the earth?

Now, you can find the answers in 1 Timothy 2, verses 3 6, John 3, verses 13 15, and 1 Peter 3, verses 18 20. And as usual, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Now, I hope you've enjoyed this episode of Gospel First Lesson and have found it inspiring. For more insights on God's plan of happiness for you, please visit our website at www.gospelfirst. net. Now, I'd love to hear from you, so please leave your questions or comments in the comments section of this video. Also, you can help me spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ by hitting the like, subscribe, and share button.

Together, we can make a difference. So, until next time, God bless.