Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 9/2/2010

Question
I would like to know where the Assembly of God thinks the Jews that died in the Holocaust are today? There is no way they didn't know about Christ. The people sending them to the gas chambers were so called Christians. I have asked my other Assembly of God acquaintances about this and the answer I get is if they didn't accept Christ as their Savior they didn't go to heaven. Not one of them can come out and say what they really think, the Jews went to hell. What are your thoughts on this matter? Am I to believe after all the suffering they went through that a loving God would send them to hell? Please, I really need to know the answer to this question. Thanks

Answer
Cynthia,

I am sorry for the late reply. Summer is a busy tim e for me. I hope you understand. Now to your question...

I am not aware of any "official" statement from the AG conserning the Jews who died in the holocaust. However, the Holy Bible (as well as the AG) teaches that any person who has not received Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Saviour is lost, and will not go to heaven. This not only includes those who have heard the Gospel and reject it, but also those who have never heard. All people are accountable to God whether or not they have “heard about Him.” The Bible tells us that God has clearly revealed Himself in nature (Romans 1:20) and in the hearts of people (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The problem is that the human race is sinful; we all reject this knowledge of God and rebel against Him (Romans 1:21-23). If it were not for God's grace, we would be given over to the sinful desires of our hearts, allowing us to discover how useless and miserable life is apart from Him. He does this for those who continually reject Him (Romans 1:24-32).

Cynthia, it was an absolute horrible thing that happend to those Jews who died in the holocaust. But the same is true of all who are tortured and killed. But suffering in and of itself does not merit ones salvation. Jesus said that He was the one and only way to the Father...

John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way , the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

It's important to understand that a Christian is not a religious person or merely a member of a church; a Christian is one who has been forgiven of his or her sin and has an ongoing personal relationship with God. Not only this, a Christian is someone that Jesus Christ lives in, one that has been born again (John 3.3) and lives in the assurance that Jesus paid the price for them to be right with God and go to heaven.

Cynthia, please let me now if I can be of any further help.

Elder Greg Madden