In Acts both Peter And Paul warn in their witnessing of future judgment on those who dont accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The key here is that the word “judgement” is a general term. It begs the question, “what is the judgement” and “what is the negative consequences”. That is not discussed.
I have a feeling that if a person has never heard the message of Christ, but they know in their heart of hearts, what they “deserve”, when someone mentions the forgiveness of Christ vs “judgement”, they would be afraid. I would be, without the judgement even being detailed. I know what I think I deserve - without the blood of Christ.
So all they are really saying is that yes, it matters what they do, which should terrify all men - until they hear and accept the gospel. Even if that judgement is living in an earthly hell without the protection of our Creator.
i.e. the mere use of the word “judgement” allows the listener to make it mean whatever negative they want it to mean, just as the genius use of the phrase “hope and change” by Obama allowed the listener to make it mean whatever positive they wanted it to mean.
If that judgment doesn't mean damnation then why should it terrify all men? And since you admit final judgment is an essential element of the Gospel, how would you respond when you get the inevitable question: "What does this judgment consist of?" Scripture makes clear what the judgment consists of - eternal damnation.
Wrong. God made the meaning of judgment manifest, versus hope and change, using death, and such examples as the Flood, and Sodom, and plagues of Egypt and the Babylonian captivity (which accounts traveled), in illustrating temporal judgment. And further revealed the spiritual reality of judgment in the NT. Peter did not need to use the word Hell in order convey the same by warning unbelievers, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool." (Acts 2:34-35)
Pagans were/are given and innate moral sense (Rm. 2) which includes a sense of supernatural consequences for sin.