According to the Bible...

Where are the souls of the firstborn Egyptian children slain by God's angelic hitman in Exodus? What's the ruling on something like that?

 

if they did not know the difference between good and evil then they get a pass, if they knew and were pagan then they don't get in.

 

how is that so?
I mean whats to say the won't forsake good for evil after they get in?

 

Lucifer forsoke good for evil and was tossed.

Peter says that Jesus preached to souls not in Heaven during the three days he was "dead". Some interpret this to mean he was in Hell, others do not. I think at that point everyone was given a chance to accept Jesus because they did not have that chance before he came. Those that denied Jesus went to Hell, those that accepted him went to Heaven.

As far as children and those who have not had the opportunity to know Christ. I feel like children are innocent and thus saved and that God appears to each culture in a way that they will understand and they bear the same responsibilty of accepting him or not.

 

Old Testament/Old Law.........everything changed when Jesus came.

 

You inspired me to look this up, and I don't know how I missed/forgot it. The phrase I saw in several translations of that particular passage (1 Peter 3:18-20) was "spirits in prison". To me, and I could be wrong, that would almost indicate a separate place -- neither heaven nor hell -- where the souls of people who have died before Christ's ministry remain. Perhaps that is the foundation behind the largely Catholic premise of 'purgatory'? I dunno. Makes sense, though.

I also agree that this passage asserts that everyone (before the Flood, at least) has been given a chance to accept or reject Jesus. I wonder if He preached to only those 'spirits' who perished in the Flood, or if it includes all who lived before Jesus was born into this world. And does 'spirit' include both human souls and errant half/half breeds of Amelikites? Kinda reaching out into the fantastic there, but I've never really taken a hard look at that passage before. It seems like a fascinating study.

 

We have been discussing this on another board in relation to Jesus telling one of the thiefs on the cross "Today you will be with me in paradise" when He actually didn't ascend into heaven for a few more days. Below is a word study one of the guys did on the greek meaning of paradise heaven and hell.

 

Interesting...

If it's accurate, then that does fill in a few blanks, doesn't it?

 

So then, if the Bible is to believed on that point, Hitler is not in Hell, because he hasn't been judged yet?

Sounds like a story idea to me...

 

There is no telling if Hitler is in Hell anyway. No one knows what went through his mind before he died. I know it gives comfort to the survivors to think that, but even the vilest murderers can experience the grace of Christ if they truly repent and desire it.