Can you clarify a conversation I had with a friend? She said that Jews will get a pass from God and go to heaven. I said that everyone can repent and accept Jesus as their Savior, but if they don’t, they won’t get to heaven. Is there anywhere in the Bible that says the Jews will get into Heaven if they don’t accept Christ as the Son of God?

- AFTB

Posted on Jan 26, 2023

Let’s begin by reading Romans 3:20-24, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

In Paul’s writings here in Romans, he makes it so clear that salvation comes by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In stating that, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight” Paul was making a statement that was always true. The keeping of the Law never saved anyone…neither could it save anyone. That was not its purpose.

Salvation has always come by way of faith. Genesis 15:6 says of Abraham, “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” We then read in Romans 4:3, “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” What then was the purpose of the Law given to the Jews? (The Law was given to the Jews; the Gentiles were never under God’s Law.) Galatians 3:24-25 tells us, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” The point of the Law was to show people they are sinners and needed to be saved through faith in God. Did Abraham believe that Jesus died for his sins? NO, he did not know of the Lord Jesus and therefore could not believe in Him. However, he did believe the Lord and that He would fulfill the promises made to Him. He had faith and He was saved.

It is important to know that the Law was given only for the Jews. We read in Exodus 19:5-6, “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”

It is vital to know that NO ONE ‘gets a pass’ from God and will go to Heaven just because they are Jewish. The Lord Jesus, speaking to Jewish people said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME.” Could that be any clearer? Let’s look at a few more verses where the Lord Jesus is speaking directly to Jewish people.

John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
John 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.”

We are told very emphatically in Ezekiel 18:20, “THE SOUL THAT SINNETH, IT SHALL DIE. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”

We are living in what is commonly known as the Church Age. Today, the Lord sees no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles (Greeks). We read in Romans 10:12, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” We have such a precious promise for all in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” The “power of God unto salvation” is the Gospel of Christ. The Jews had it first, and it was expanded to include the Gentiles. We all can be saved if we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. All who refuse the Lord Jesus will be judged for not believing…Jew or Gentile. (CC) (542.2)