Question #241

What is the spiritual state of Jews who died between the death of Christ and the day of Pentecost?

Given that the law of Moses was nullified when Christ died on the cross, and that there is no scriptural reference to the gospel being preached prior to the day of Pentecost (assuming these two statements are correct):

For illustrative purposes, let’s say there was a Jewish child in a covenant relationship with God prior to the death of Jesus, who, before the day of Pentecost becomes of the age of accountability, sins, and immediately dies never having been exposed to the gospel. Assuming my concepts above are correct, what would be the spiritual state of this now young adult?

The Answer:

This is an interesting question; however, it is not one that is relevant to any person now living. There is a related question that applies to the Gentiles since the gospel was not proclaimed to them until Acts 10.

First, the Jews. The work of John the Baptizer was a transitional period as he prepared the way of the Lord. His work was, among other things, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1:17. This he accomplished through his preaching and baptizing converts for the remission of sins. During this period the Law of Moses was the applicable rule of religion and government for the Jews. As a rule of government it continued until the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. When did the New Covenant become effective for the Jews. The Book of Hebrews perhaps gives some insight. “16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.” A testament or will becomes effective after the death of the testator. Even with the wills of men that is true, but to become effective a will must be probated. Under the New Testament of Christ, it was not proclaimed, or one might say probated, until the day of Pentecost. At that point the Jews were subject to its commands and, upon obedience, would receive its promises. That this is correct is supported by the fact that Jesus promised a new Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who would come with power with the coming of the Kingdom. Mark 9:1. That power came on the day of Pentecost in fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. Until that time there was no kingdom into which the young Jew whom you postulate could have be translated. After that day, it was possible. Colossians 1:13.

The religious rules for the Gentiles until Acts 10 continued to be the patriarchal law under which they had always been. The gospel spread as the Lord had commanded, first to Jerusalem, then Judea, then Samaria, and then to the uttermost parts of the earth. Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8.

Since the gospel has now gone to all, all are subject to it. Thus, it is not possible for the conditions that prevailed for the first Jewish converts and the first Gentile converts can never be repeated. The question relates only to academic curiosity. It has no application to any person in this day.