“The question we have been trying to answer in this section is whether some people are quickened by the Holy Spirit and saved by grace through faith in a merciful Creator even though they never hear of Jesus in this life. Are there devout people in religions other than Christianity who humbly rely on the grace of a God whom they know only through nature or non-Christian religious experience? The answer of the New Testament is a clear and earnest No. Rather, the message throughout is that with the coming of Christ a major change has occurred in redemptive history. Saving faith was once focussed on the mercy of God known in his redemptive acts among the people of Israel, and in the system of animal sacrifices and in the prophecies of coming redemption…But now the focus of faith has narrowed down to one Man, Jesus Christ, the fulfilment and guarantee of all redemption and all sacrifices and all prophecies. It is to his honour now that henceforth all saving faith shall be directed to him.” John Piper
“What is special and different here is not the content of the Gospel message, but the manner in which the message is revealed. Of course, in acknowledging God’s freedom to reveal himself savingly to a human soul, we do not legitimise all alleged “experiences of God.” The reader should note that the view presented is not that of a person casting himself on the mercy of God as a result of his own searchings. The possibility we hold open is that of a supernatural and contentful revelation of Christ to the soul, which elicits the free response of faith and commitment. In such a case the person is saved through a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.” Bruce Demarest
