When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat (beema ) in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. (John 19:13—NIV)

He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground (beema ). But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child. (Acts 7:5—NIV)

This last verse emphasizes the meaning of beema as a place to set one's foot, reflecting a primary meaning of the noun.

On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne (beema ) and delivered a public address to the people. (Acts 12:21—NIV)

While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court (beema ). (Acts 18:12—NIV)

So he had them ejected from the court (beema ). (Acts 18:16—NIV)

Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court (beema ). But Gallio showed no concern whatever. (Acts 18:17—NIV)

After spending eight or ten days with them, he went down to Caesarea, and the next day he convened the court (beema ) and ordered that Paul be brought before him. (Acts 25:6—NIV)

Paul answered: "I am now standing before Caesar's court (beema ), where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well." (Acts 25:10—NIV)

When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court (beema ) the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. (Acts 25:17—NIV)

You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat (beema ). (Romans 14:10—NIV)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat (beema ) of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (II Corinthians 5:10—NIV)

Our discussion in this essay revolves around II Corinthians 5:10.

First of all, it is obvious Paul is including Christians ("we must all"). It is my personal opinion that all people who have lived on the earth will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, including the sheep and goats of the nations and those who are raised before the white throne in the last judgment. Since God has given all judgment to Jesus Christ, I can see no solid biblical basis for thinking that the Judgment Seat (beema ) of Jesus Christ is only for Christians.

Jesus Christ shall judge all people, including Christians.

For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead. (Acts 17:31—NIV)

I believe Christian scholars have viewed the Judgment Seat of Christ as being separate from the other biblical judgments because of their belief that somehow Christians will not really be judged, or if they are the judgment will be moderated in such a manner that it is not to be feared. This concept of the way Christ deals with Christians in judgment probably has done more to destroy the spiritual life of the churches of today than any other doctrine.

To be continued.