ambassadors for the risen Christ ministries

by Shawn Brasseaux

Are there multiple ways to heaven? Is Jesus Christ really the only way to heaven? What about those people who have never heard of Jesus Christ? These are valid questions, but they are usually not asked in faith. People who ask these questions are oftentimes hoping to spark an argument and waste your time. Nevertheless, for the sake of those who sincerely seek answers to such questions, we will allow God’s Holy Spirit to enlighten us using the Holy Scriptures to answer the question, “Do all roads lead to heaven?”

JESUS CHRIST: THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES

Reverend Moon, Lao-tzu, Muhammad, Joseph Smith, Confucius, Pope John Paul II, Gandhi, and Buddha. These are some of history’s most well-known religious leaders. What makes the Lord Jesus Christ superior to all of them? What sets Jesus Christ apart from all these religious leaders? Who He was.

While Jesus of Nazareth is a Prophet of God (Deuteronomy 18:15), he is more than a Prophet. Jesus Christ is literally the Creator God in a visible, physical form. The Bible says in John 1:1 KJV: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Verse 14 says, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.” According to the Bible, God’s Word, Jesus Christ is 100 percent God and 100 percent man.

In the Old Testament, the Jews called Jesus Christ “JEHOVAH.” Jesus Christ claimed to be the great “I AM” that spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 3:12-14; John 8:57,58). In Revelation 1:11 and 1:17, Jesus Christ claimed to be JEHOVAH, “the first and the last” (Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 48:12). Jesus Christ is the Creator God of Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:15-18, Hebrews 1:2, and Revelation 4:11. Jesus Christ is the promised Redeemer and King of Israel (Isaiah 9:6,7; Luke 1:31-33). Jesus Christ is “the visible image of the invisible God” (John 14:8-10; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 2:8-10).

No religious leader was born of a virgin—only God the Son incarnate, Jesus Christ, was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:25). No religious leader lived a sinless life—only the Lord Jesus Christ lived a sinless, perfect life (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 1:19). Which religious leader died to save mankind for his sins? NONE! Only Jesus Christ died to save mankind from his sins! Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5). Only Jesus Christ literally arose from the dead with great power and glory (Romans 1:4; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:4). One day, God the Father will judge the world by one man, and this one man is Jesus Christ.

Paul told the Athenian philosophers in Acts 17:30,31 KJV: “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

JESUS CHRIST: THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN

This evil world system would have us to believe that everyone, regardless of religion, will eventually make it to heaven (a heresy called universalism). How can everyone be going to heaven, since some religions believe only their members will go to heaven? Every world religion differs from every other religion. Some believe in many gods, some believe in one god. Some believe in different levels paradise/heaven. Some believe in reincarnation while others believe in resurrection. These are complete opposite views—we cannot all be right. There are absolutes in life, and the way to heaven is one of those absolutes!

The Bible empathically tells us that we can ONLY approach God through Jesus Christ and that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to heaven, not A way to God and heaven.

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

Acts 4:10-12 KJV:
“10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

1 Timothy 2:5,6 KJV:
“5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

The above passages from the Bible clearly indicate that all roads do not lead to heaven. There is an exclusive path to God, and this is not associated with how often we give tithes, how many churches we join, whether or not we were water baptized, and how many good works we have done. If you are not approaching God through the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished crosswork on Calvary exclusively, you will never reach God. Period.

ARE CHRISTIANS “NARROW-MINDED?”

People often whine that the God of the Bible is “too narrow-minded”—maybe they are “too broad-minded?” It is said that God “needs to be more accepting of people who are not Christian, and those who may not agree with the Bible.” God does not need to be anything. We are not God, so we had better stop trying to make God do something He has no obligation to do. Mankind has no right to tell God what He can and cannot do, and what He should do, and how He should do it. How dare people judge Almighty God, and how dare they say that God must accept what they have to offer to Him! If God is the Supreme Authority, and He is, then it is His prerogative alone to determine how the plan of salvation works. God’s Word makes it absolutely clear that all roads do NOT lead to heaven.

The Lord Jesus Christ came first to the nation Israel, to show them the way to God the Father’s standard of righteousness. Acts 4:12 tells us, “Neither is there salvation in any other [beside Jesus Christ]: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Jesus Christ is the Saviour, the one and only way to heaven and eternal life. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Jesus Christ has “the words of eternal life” (John 6:68 KJV).

“There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, so He can take God by the hand and He can take man by the hand, and join them together! The only way to be reconciled with God is through the finished cross work of Jesus Christ. No religion saves. No religious leader saves. Period. All roads do not lead to heaven.

Furthermore, every religious leader will bow before Jesus Christ! The name of Jesus Christ is the name that is above every name. Consider Philippians 2:5-11 KJV:

“5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:\
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

God has mandated that if we do not come to Him through Jesus Christ alone (without our “good” works), there is not forgiveness of sins. Can we receive salvation through faith plus works? No. Let me also add that these good works should not to be confused with Christian good works. If we attempt to add works to faith in order to be saved, then we cancel the finished crosswork of Jesus Christ on Calvary, and without Calvary, there is no salvation (Galatians 2:21; Galatians 5:1-5). Christians are instructed to do good works, but the Bible is clear that we cannot attach good works to faith as a means of salvation (Romans 4:1-5; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5). All roads do not lead to heaven. One cannot go to heaven by simply acknowledging God’s existence, by doing good, getting water baptized, confessing sins, paying a tithe, going to church, or praying daily. In order to go to heaven, our sin must be dealt with, and sin can only be dealt with at the cross of Calvary. Forgiveness of sins can only be found in Jesus Christ (Acts 5:31; Acts 13:38; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14). This is another reason why Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven.

If all roads led to heaven, this would negate would Jesus Christ said in Matthew 7:13,14 KJV: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction [hell], and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life [heaven], and few there be that find it.” All roads do not lead to heaven. There is one narrow path to heaven, and there will be few who will ever find it. Why? Most people refuse to trust in Christ Jesus; consequently, they remain dead in their trespasses and sins. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). You do not have to go to hell! Trust Christ Jesus alone, and God will save your forever!

“If you just do good, read the Bible, go to church every Sunday, believe in God, and you have good intentions and do everything with a sincere heart, God must accept you into heaven! God is forgiving, and would never send a good person to hell.” What a complete lie! Down through the ages past, there have literally been billions of people who have gone out into a lost eternity believing and basing their salvation on such foolishness. Lies and deception are rampant, as Satan is the “god of this world,” blinding people will false doctrine and leading them to have false assurance (2 Corinthians 4:3,4).

THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV)

“1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved”
Acts 16:31 KJV