Can general revelation be enough for a person to be saved?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The revelation of God's existence and power through nature—including the created universe such as the sun, moon, stars, water, trees, animal and human life—is called “general revelation.” The created world testifies to a Creator (Psalm 19:1-3; Romans 1:20). Paul told the men of Athens that God put people in specific times and places that allowed them to reach out to Him but that “he is actually not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:26-27). In other words, God doesn’t look for loopholes to keep people away from Him. He has created a world that testifies to His glory. Since Christ, Christians are told to spread the gospel so that all may know and place their faith in Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20). God will ensure that all who seek Him, find Him (Matthew 7:7).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• According to Psalm 19:1-3, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard." Every person has access to this general revelation from God, leaving people with no excuse (cf. Romans 1:20).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• As Romans 1:20 states, "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."
• God gives everyone the opportunity to reach out for Him, regardless of where or when they live. As Paul said to the men of Athens, “And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:26-27).
• Cornelius was called a “devout man who feared God” (Acts 10:2), but he was not saved. Because he believed in God and sought to know Him, the Lord sent Peter to him to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When Cornelius heard the Gospel, he accepted it and became saved (Acts 10:1-33).
• The New Testament emphasizes the urgency of taking the Gospel of Jesus to all the nations or people groups of the world. Matthew 28:19-20 commands, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." The apostles and early Christians took this command literally, taking the message to the farthest reaches of their known world. Still today, Christians are called to urgently share the Gospel with the unreached, realizing that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

If you’ve ever watched ants at work, you may wonder, “How do they know?” How do they know how to build, what to carry, where to go? Or maybe you’ve marveled at how birds migrate to the same nesting grounds year after year, crossing oceans to do it. Or maybe you’ve been astonished at how a caterpillar goes from crawling on leaves to dissolving in a cocoon to flying with colored wings.

Such complex designs obviously have a Designer. God’s handiwork testifies about Him so those who continue to deny His existence are “without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

But what about Jesus? How about those who were born before Christ? They were saved the same way we are—through faith in God. They may not have heard the name “Jesus,” but Christ’s death was as effective for them as it is for us.

God reveals Himself in His creation. Those who respond to Him, seek Him out and find Him.

UNDERSTAND

• Creation reveals God to everyone.
• General revelation alone cannot save; faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection is required.
• God guides those who seek Him toward salvation.

REFLECT

• How have you seen God’s power and creativity revealed in the world around you, and how does that impact your faith?
• How are you seeking God beyond what creation shows, and how are you growing to know Him personally?
• How does realizing that general revelation points to God challenge the way you share your faith?

ENGAGE

• How can we explain the connection between general revelation and saving faith?
• How do we balance appreciating God’s handiwork in creation with emphasizing the necessity of knowing Christ for salvation?
• How can we use general revelation as a bridge to point people to Christ?