Is the Gospel exclusive?

Do other religions lead to God?

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Apologetics, Local Outreach, Personal Involvement, Pre-field Missionary Training, Theology

Christianity is the only religion in the world that claims that man is utterly incapable of doing anything to commend himself to God, and earn any merit in God’s site. Christianity is also the only religion in the world that points to a person—Jesus Christ—as being the only mediator between God and man. Every other religion in the world urges people to live as holy and beneficent a life as they can manage, and trust that being a mostly good person will be sufficient for their salvation.

Clearly both positions cannot be true. Man cannot be simultaneously able and completely unable to do enough good works for a relationship with God. Jesus’ claims of being the only way to God are either true or false. In that sense, Christianity is exclusive.

Short answer: Yes, the gospel is exclusive.

All people are sinners and already condemned.

  • Romans 3:23 – all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
  • John 3:18 – whoever does not believe in Christ is condemned already . . .
  • John 14:6 – the solemn words of Jesus Himself. He is the way, the truth, and the life. The way the Greek article “the” is used, it means that He is the only way to be saved from sin; the only truth, the only life. No one can come to God the Father except through faith in Christ.
  • Mark 9:48 – hell is real and eternal and painful. (see also Matthew 5:21-30; 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, Matthew 25; Revelation 14:10; Revelation 20:10-15)
  • Acts 4:12 – there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.
  • John 3:18 – the name of Jesus means His person and character; all that He is.
  • Romans 10:13-15 – everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
    • But how can they call upon Him in whom they have not believed?
    • And how can they believe in him in whom they have heard?
    • And how can they hear about Him unless someone goes and preaches?
    • And how can they go and preach unless they are sent?
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