Many Roads to Heaven?

By Donald P. Ames

Larry Ray Haffley

Many times objections are raised to the fact Christ said, “The way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.” (Matt. 7:13). These claim that such an attitude toward our fellow-man and the Bible is “narrow-minded,” and that actually all sincere people will be going to heaven. In spite of the statement of Christ in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes unto the Father but through me,” we are repeatedly told that there are many ways and it does not matter which we select-they are all going to the same place.

Still, the Bible does affirm that there is but “one faith” (Eph. 4: 6). Even the N.T. disciples were branded because of their conviction in the singular nature of the way of salvation. Note the following passages taken from the book of Acts: Paul went to Damascus to arrest and brings to trial all he found belonging to “the Way” (9:2). “The Way” was evil spoken, of by the multitude (19:9) and a disturbance was caused over “the Way” at Ephesus (19:23). Paul acknowledged he served God according to “THE Way” (24:14) and even Felix had knowledge of “the Way” (24:22).

Such a study hardly implies the Bible teaches many ways to salvation. Christ said, “The way is narrow that leads to life and few are those who find it” (Matt. 7:14). Would you rather trust the teaching of men in something as important as the salvation of your soul?

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 49, p. 13
October 19, 1972