Do you have to be a Christian to go to heaven?
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The question which we must ask ourselves is, "Does Jesus know me?" Jesus was talking to the Jews one day, and said that they were searching the scriptures, because the believed that in them they had eternal life. But, they were unwilling to come to Him that they might have life. He told them that He did not receive glory from men, but that He knew them, that they did not have the love of God in themselves. Also, that as He came in His Father's name, they would not receive Him, but if another came in his own name, him they would receive. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And I will declare to them, 'I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'"
Salvation is by grace, and that of faith. Faith in Jesus that He has washed us clean, has risen from the dead so that we might have new life in Him, and faith that God wants us to draw near to Him. Grace is coming to know the living God personally. Grace is drawing near to the Father. It goes so far as to say that Jesus lives to always intercede for those who are drawing near to the Father through Him. It is His purpose as our high priest, to work for our benefit in our objective of becoming the people of the living God, in gaining the working knowledge of just how we are His children, and coming to know our Father even as He knows us. If this is what you have as your goal, given to you by the Spirit, then you are being saved.
In His peace,
Salvation is by grace, and that of faith. Faith in Jesus that He has washed us clean, has risen from the dead so that we might have new life in Him, and faith that God wants us to draw near to Him. Grace is coming to know the living God personally. Grace is drawing near to the Father. It goes so far as to say that Jesus lives to always intercede for those who are drawing near to the Father through Him. It is His purpose as our high priest, to work for our benefit in our objective of becoming the people of the living God, in gaining the working knowledge of just how we are His children, and coming to know our Father even as He knows us. If this is what you have as your goal, given to you by the Spirit, then you are being saved.
In His peace,
D
yes, and also accepts Jesus as there lord and savior. no one can see the kingdom of heaven but through Jesus christ. 
But because God is fair, and good, He maintained another way: For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
"Romans 2: 14 - 15"
That's...actually a good way of putting it.
Danny I think probably posted the best reference. God will judge people according to their hearts and nothing else. Whether they call themselves exacly a Christian, live it and are well antiquated with the bible, or someoneis a country that's never even heard of Christ, but still has an inclination of what " God" is and the good that He represents will be saved. I think especially in the west, it's hard to fathom thinking that people can feel guilt and want forgivness, yet never heard of Christ or Christianity, but i think it happens and God takes that into consideration.
That might be taking a stretch, but from what I've read of the bible in Romans ch 2 " people will be judged by what they know, not what they don't know"...seems like that idea fits to me,
Danny I think probably posted the best reference. God will judge people according to their hearts and nothing else. Whether they call themselves exacly a Christian, live it and are well antiquated with the bible, or someoneis a country that's never even heard of Christ, but still has an inclination of what " God" is and the good that He represents will be saved. I think especially in the west, it's hard to fathom thinking that people can feel guilt and want forgivness, yet never heard of Christ or Christianity, but i think it happens and God takes that into consideration.
That might be taking a stretch, but from what I've read of the bible in Romans ch 2 " people will be judged by what they know, not what they don't know"...seems like that idea fits to me,
S
Paul best describes the criteria for salvation in Romans 10, which explains that by believing within the heart, and confessing with the mouth (or in some form of physical acknowledgment), you will be saved.
It becomes a matter of the heart. Faith in the Son of God and the finished work at Calvary, is required, but only God can distinguish between those who have a genuine belief, from those who simply have a form of Godliness.
Religious pluralism is one religion which is gaining ground in our time. This is the religion which believes that there are many paths to heaven. President Obama practices this religion, unless his views have changed since his 2004 interview with Catherine Falsani, a reporter for the Chicago Sun Times.
There is also at least one denomination within our own faith, who seems to complete the requirements for salvation, but, whose doctrine, in my opinion, contains dangerous errors, such as participatiing in the practice of the extreme veneration of Mary, where she is allowed to serve as a 2nd Mediator, with some even considering her the Queen of Heaven.
There are also those who have completed the requirements for salvation, but are lukewarm in their faith, which according to Revelation 3:16, will cause Jesus to reject them. I believe this lukewarmness to mean, those who have been practicing both Christianity and wickedness, as a lifestyle, and those who are ashamed to boldly acknowledge their faith in Jesus, before others.
At the end of life, God knows those who are His, and so, those who do not have the Son, will not have eternal life in Heaven, and for those who have lived their lives trying to enter Heaven by some way, other than through the gate, God will determine what they've accomplished by doing so.
John 10:7
Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.
It becomes a matter of the heart. Faith in the Son of God and the finished work at Calvary, is required, but only God can distinguish between those who have a genuine belief, from those who simply have a form of Godliness.
Religious pluralism is one religion which is gaining ground in our time. This is the religion which believes that there are many paths to heaven. President Obama practices this religion, unless his views have changed since his 2004 interview with Catherine Falsani, a reporter for the Chicago Sun Times.
There is also at least one denomination within our own faith, who seems to complete the requirements for salvation, but, whose doctrine, in my opinion, contains dangerous errors, such as participatiing in the practice of the extreme veneration of Mary, where she is allowed to serve as a 2nd Mediator, with some even considering her the Queen of Heaven.
There are also those who have completed the requirements for salvation, but are lukewarm in their faith, which according to Revelation 3:16, will cause Jesus to reject them. I believe this lukewarmness to mean, those who have been practicing both Christianity and wickedness, as a lifestyle, and those who are ashamed to boldly acknowledge their faith in Jesus, before others.
At the end of life, God knows those who are His, and so, those who do not have the Son, will not have eternal life in Heaven, and for those who have lived their lives trying to enter Heaven by some way, other than through the gate, God will determine what they've accomplished by doing so.
John 10:7
Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.
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M
The Bible teaches that the ONLY way to have eternal life (for all mankind) is through the Lord Messiah Yeshua, the Son of G-d. The only way to be saved and truly born again of G-d’s Spirit is through the great atoning work of the Messiah Yeshua.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of G-d abideth on him.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of G-d is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
I John 5:11-12 ...G-d hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of G-d hath not life.
The Bible says that nobody is good enough to get into heaven. Each one of us has broken G-d's commandments--not one person is accepted. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of G-d. (Romans 3:23) Let G-d be true, but every man a liar...( Romans 3:4)
The Bible teaches that even your righteous acts are like filthy rags to G-d. It does not matter how many good deeds that you do, you still cannot go to heaven based on your deeds. The Bible teaches that your good deeds do not commend you to G-d in any way. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6).
There is salvation through no one but Jesus. Acts 4:12 says “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.". Nevertheless, this does not mean that everyone must know about Jesus before Jesus can save them. Scripture teaches that Yeshua died as much for those who died before his sacrifice, as he died for those who were born after his sacrifice (Hebrews 9:25-28). Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and so on, will be in heaven even though they never sought forgiveness through Yeshua. As indicated in Hebrews 11, (especially verse 7; Romans 4:1-24; Galatians 3:6-9) they were saved through faith, not by their animal sacrifices or good living. They trusted that G-d would somehow forgive them, without knowing the details as to how salvation was possible. At least in these instances, Yeshua’s salvation clearly extends to those who had never heard of him. Abel, Enoch and Noah were outside G-d’s covenant mediated by Moses, and even outside the Abrahamic covenant. Since the fall to Abraham, from Job to now, whenever and wherever anyone has lived, God has given people the opportunity to call out to God to save them: Titus 2:11 says “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. All of mankind without excuse even those whom have never heard the name of Yeshua. Romans 1:18-20 says, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of G-d abideth on him.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of G-d is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
I John 5:11-12 ...G-d hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of G-d hath not life.
The Bible says that nobody is good enough to get into heaven. Each one of us has broken G-d's commandments--not one person is accepted. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of G-d. (Romans 3:23) Let G-d be true, but every man a liar...( Romans 3:4)
The Bible teaches that even your righteous acts are like filthy rags to G-d. It does not matter how many good deeds that you do, you still cannot go to heaven based on your deeds. The Bible teaches that your good deeds do not commend you to G-d in any way. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6).
There is salvation through no one but Jesus. Acts 4:12 says “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.". Nevertheless, this does not mean that everyone must know about Jesus before Jesus can save them. Scripture teaches that Yeshua died as much for those who died before his sacrifice, as he died for those who were born after his sacrifice (Hebrews 9:25-28). Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and so on, will be in heaven even though they never sought forgiveness through Yeshua. As indicated in Hebrews 11, (especially verse 7; Romans 4:1-24; Galatians 3:6-9) they were saved through faith, not by their animal sacrifices or good living. They trusted that G-d would somehow forgive them, without knowing the details as to how salvation was possible. At least in these instances, Yeshua’s salvation clearly extends to those who had never heard of him. Abel, Enoch and Noah were outside G-d’s covenant mediated by Moses, and even outside the Abrahamic covenant. Since the fall to Abraham, from Job to now, whenever and wherever anyone has lived, God has given people the opportunity to call out to God to save them: Titus 2:11 says “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. All of mankind without excuse even those whom have never heard the name of Yeshua. Romans 1:18-20 says, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
L
No. Whoever wants to go to heaven doesn't have to be Christian. You have to ask yourself this question: What if a man was in some remote area and have never heard of Jesus and died? But that man was good, helpful, meek... etc. What's his fault that he never heard of Him? Then I would say God is not fair.
But because God is fair, and good, He maintained another way: For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another "Romans 2: 14 - 15"
But because God is fair, and good, He maintained another way: For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
"Romans 2: 14 - 15"
God does not live by double-standards. He does not have one set of standards for some people and another set of standards for others. He is not going to say to those who have heard of Him "you have to accept my son into your heart" and then turn around and say to those who have not heard of Him "you do not have to accept my son into your heart."
D
He's bound by logic. And I know the verse in Romans 2 had solved the problem for ones who have never heard of Jesus. And I said, who have never heard of God BUT was a good man who followed the law because of man's nature to distinguish between the good and the evil, God will be fair to judge him as a good man because the man realizes that killing, stealing, lying... are bad things.
Maybe that man would have accepted Jesus if he had known him.
Maybe that man would have accepted Jesus if he had known him.
L
No. Whoever wants to go to heaven doesn't have to be Christian. You have to ask yourself this question: What if a man was in some remote area and have never heard of Jesus and died? But that man was good, helpful, meek... etc. What's his fault that he never heard of Him? Then I would say God is not fair.
But because God is fair, and good, He maintained another way: For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another "Romans 2: 14 - 15"
But because God is fair, and good, He maintained another way: For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
"Romans 2: 14 - 15"
Matthew 28: 19-20
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
L
Not at all, through Jesus we have salvation, we'll be forgiven of all our sins. I mean, if someone is already a Christian, for them not follow God/Jesus after they're "saved", it would be better if that person had never known of God/Jesus than to go against some things God/Jesus wants/expects of us. I think its somewhere in scripture that also says something like this.
Matthew 12:23-24
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Matthew 21:31
Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Matthew 12:23-24
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Matthew 21:31
Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
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