Can we be saved after death? It's a question people have wondered about for ages.
Key Points:
- Can we be saved after death? Short answer: no.
- In Jesus’s parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) there is no indication that the “great chasm” separating Hades from Heaven is crossable.
- Ideas like Purgatory or second chances after death aren’t found in the Bible. Purgatory is an idea that developed later in Roman Catholic history and the word “purgatory” is not in the Bible at all.
- The only exception is infants, though not all agree on this point. Some would turn to Romans 1:18-21 to suggest that infants are not capable of understanding God, his revelation, or sin and righteousness.
- For everyone else, we must “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” to be saved (Acts 16:31).
Quote This:
Luke 16:25-26 (NIV) But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Why do you think this is such a common question for so many people?
- Do you think God is wrong or mean to send people to hell? Explain.
- Read Acts 16:30-31. Why were the Apostles so insistent that Jesus is the only way to God?
- How does this information change the way you view unbelievers in your life? Explain.
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
