Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 60

Can they who have never heard the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ, nor believe in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature?

They who, having never heard the gospel,a know not Jesus Christ,b and believe not in him, cannot be saved,c be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature,d or the laws of that religion which they profess;e neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ alone,f who is the Savior only of his body the church.g

Can they who have never heard the gospel, and so know not Jesus Christ, nor believe in him, be saved by their living according to the light of nature?

They who, having never heard the gospel,a know not Jesus Christ,b and believe not in him, cannot be saved,c be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature,d or the laws of that religion which they profess;e neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ alone,f who is the Savior only of his body the church.g

  1. a. Romans 10:14

    Romans 10:14

    10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

    10:14 How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9; Ephesians 2:12; John 1:10–12

    2 Thessalonians 1:8–9

    1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

    1:8 in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 1:9 They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,

    Ephesians 2:12

    2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

    2:12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

    John 1:10–12

    1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

    1:10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 1:11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 1:12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God-

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. John 8:24; Mark 16:16

    John 8:24

    8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

    8:24 That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."

    Mark 16:16

    16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

    16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  4. d. 1 Corinthians 1:20–24

    1 Corinthians 1:20–24

    1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

    1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 1:22 Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  5. e. John 4:22; Romans 9:31–32; Philippians 3:4–9

    John 4:22

    4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

    4:22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.

    Romans 9:31–32

    9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

    9:31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 9:32 Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,

    Philippians 3:4–9

    3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

    3:4 though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 3:5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 3:6 as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. 3:7 But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. 3:8 More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  6. f. Acts 4:12

    Acts 4:12

    4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

    4:12 Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  7. g. Ephesians 5:23

    Ephesians 5:23

    5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

    5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible