@ 2023-02-11: JESUS CHRIST, THE CHRUCH, AND SALVATION

This is a set of "Sabbath thoughts" for you...

Q: Did Jesus try to "save" people while on earth? Is that the Church's mission now? (Cf. HWA-MOTA, in the chapter on the Church, which claims the answer is NO.) 

A: YES! Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 8:11-15; John 3:16-21, 36; 5:33-35, 40; Acts 2:36-41; 17:30-31; 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. These are only some of the verses that could be cited which affirm YES. 

COMMENT: Certainly, both Jesus Christ and the Church He founded knew that MOST people would not believe the Gospel in "this present evil age"! Rather, they all looked forward to a time when all humanity would have a genuine opportunity to be saved (e.g., Romans 11:25-32). But, the Gospel message (including the prophetic warning of what would precede the Kingdom of God) had to be proclaimed to people in this age anyway, whether they heard it or refused to hear it (cf. Ezekiel 2:5, concerning "the house of Israel"). The aim was the ultimate salvation of all who heard, as much as possible - some now, some in the Day of Judgment. "For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does" (1 Peter 4:6, ESV).

Of course, we see many today who refuse to hear even the witness of God's creation - and they have a judgment upon them even now (cf. Romans 1:18-32; John 3:16-21 again). ###