Can People of All Religions Be Saved?

hattiebod · Apr 9, 2013

Oh dear... are you insinuating that people who believe in the Bible are somehow deluded? simple? not educated? do not read anything other than a Bible?....that would be rather sweeping don't you think? I could list names of very learned Christians who have not only studied and written on the Bible, but held jobs that changed society, they work in law, in medicine, influence social change both at home and abroad. You are right, some do reject Christ, but actually when it comes to those in Academia and life! the transfer goes both ways! I remember reading Lee Strobels book, 'The Case for Christ', he was a lawyer who set out to prove Christ was (as you say) a delusion....half way through, he accepted Christ was who He said He was. You could read it? God Bless you and ....Keep getting cross, keep asking!! <><

crossnote · Apr 10, 2013

Can people of all religions be saved?

God can save them but if they hold to a religion that denies the fact that Jesus died for them and embrace that lie and die in that state then they are eternally lost, otherwise Christ died in vain.

Drett · Apr 10, 2013

BlessedLovedByGod said:

If you put your faith in God and ask God then God will show you.

FromTheBible · Apr 10, 2013

Hello BlessedLoveByGod
Jesus laid down the rule for distinguishing true worship from false when he said: “Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:15, 16; Malachi 3:18) Let us review some of the “fruits,” or identifying marks, of true religion so that we in all honesty can determine who today has divine backing.

Identifying Marks of Those Having God’s Backing

[SUP]7[/SUP] They base their teachings on the Bible. Jesus said: “What I teach is not mine, but belongs to him that sent me. If anyone desires to do His will, he will know concerning the teaching whether it is from God or I speak of my own originality.” And also: “He that is from God listens to the sayings of God.” (John 7:16, 17; 8:47) Logically, to enjoy God’s backing, one must teach only what God reveals in his Word and reject teachings based on human wisdom or tradition.—Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:3-9; Colossians 2:8.

[SUP]8[/SUP] They use and publicize God’s name, Jehovah. Isaiah foretold: “In that day you will certainly say: ‘Give thanks to Jehovah, you people! Call upon his name. Make known among the peoples his dealings. Make mention that his name is put on high. Make melody to Jehovah, for he has done surpassingly. This is made known in all the earth.’” (Isaiah 12:4, 5) Jesus taught his followers to pray: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.” (Matthew 6:9) Therefore, whether Jew or non-Jew, Christians were to serve as “a people for [God’s] name.” (Acts 15:14) God is obviously pleased to back those who are proud to be “a people for his name.”

They base their conduct and their decisions on Bible principles. “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding,” the writer of Proverbs advises us, “in all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5, 6) God backs those who look to him for direction rather than to the contradictory theories of humans who ignore godly wisdom. To the extent that a person is willing to pattern his life after God’s Word, he will avoid having to learn by trial and error.—Psalm 119:33; 1 Corinthians 1:19-21.

They are organized in the manner of the first-century Christian congregation. Jesus set out the principle: “Do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for your Leader is one, the Christ. But the greatest one among you must be your minister.” (Matthew 23:8-11) A congregation of brothers precludes having a proud clergy class that honors itself with high-sounding titles and elevates itself above a laity. (Job 32:21, 22) Those shepherding the flock of God are told to do so “not under compulsion, but willingly; neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; neither as lording it over those who are God’s inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2, 3) Genuine Christian shepherds refrain from trying to make themselves masters over the faith of others. As fellow workers in God’s service, they simply strive to set a fine example.—2 Corinthians 1:24.

They are submissive to human governments and yet remain neutral. He who fails to be “in subjection to the superior authorities” cannot expect to have God’s backing. Why? Because “the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. Therefore he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God.” (Romans 13:1, 2) However, Jesus recognized the possibility of a conflict of interests when he said: “Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.” (Mark 12:17) Those desiring to have God’s backing must “keep on . . . seeking first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness,” while at the same time obeying the laws of the land that are compatible with their higher responsibilities to God. (Matthew 6:33; Acts 5:29) Jesus stressed neutrality when he said of his disciples: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” He later added: “My kingdom is no part of this world.”—John 17:16; 18:36.

Cobus · Apr 10, 2013

BlessedlovedbyGod, I know one thing and I have peace about this knowledge.... Not one person will end up in hell that God wants in His Kingdom, and not one person will end up in His Kingdom that wants to be in hell. God will not send a single person to the wrong destiny.

I judge only the ones INSIDE Christianity. God gave us the command to put the spirits to the test... I need not to test a spirit that is not claiming Christianity, with them I just seperate myself from, as I do with false Christians AFTER I reproofed them with God's Word. Just as the Bible teaches... God judge the ones OUTSIDE, we have to judge the ones INSIDE.: 1 Cor 5:12 and 13.

The Bible truly has all the answers...

7seven7 · Apr 10, 2013

sinless said:

Just out of curiosity, what do you think happens to someone who has never been told about Christ?

7seven7 · Apr 10, 2013

VisAVisYou said:

Then God doesn't care about the goodness and decency of an atheist, a buddhist, etc. And if that is the message you are telling me, then there is no point to being a good person. There is no point of fighting on behalf of the oppressed, as America did, in WWII. The only purpose of fighting the Japanese, and beating back the Nazi's should have been so that we could bring more people to christ...is that what your saying? Should America be sending food and aid to heathens in Haiti? Should America be helping out muslims in disaster relief fallowing a natural disaster, unless it is to bring them to Christ? Is a person's only value to you, there potential to become a convert? They have no humanity beyond that?

You have an old testament my_adonai, and you are to be as obsessed with its obsessions, as you are with the new testament's. And the Old Testament's preoccupation is fighting evil, championing the good, and making a more ethical existence, during this lifetime.

And unless you think Christians alone can make this lifetime a little better, a little less genocidal, with a little less starvation, a little less torture, etc, it is an unethical message to peddle, that a good God would demand goodness, unless one doesn't believe in his son. Then one's goodness is pointless. One might as well not care about not gossiping behind other people's back, destroying someone's dignity in public, sleeping with a coworker's wife, extorting an elderly couple that one was hired to help, raping a pre-pubcescent child, killing another human being because of their skin color, etc, etc, etc.

Amen!!!!!!

7seven7 · Apr 10, 2013

TheStraightener said:

This!

I've been told many times that as an atheist in no better in gods eyes that a rapist or a murder. Unless of course that murderer or rapist asks for gods forgiveness then he goes to heaven and I apparently go to hell.

Christians say that morality comes from god. This is obviously nonsense because it really doesn't matter what good or bad deeds you do, as long as you believe and seek his forgiveness you'll be fine. There is no morality in that, there's no responsibility.

Look at Jesus, he died for people's sins... Took their sins away... But he couldn't take away their responsibility. Did they care? Any remorse for
Their sins? Nope. Doesn't matter cos their forgiven in gods eyes.

Yet a non Christian can harm
No one and still go to hell. This is an appalling and downright evil belief system.

One lady in here told me that she accepts the fact that she would be up in heaven with the murderer of her own child while her non believing family burn in hell... Cos god forgave The murderer.

How people can take comfort in this wicked, evil and disgusting belief system is beyond me.

God gave us morals remember. Yeah right.

You're not describing the beliefs of all Christians. And I agree with you completely.

loveme1 · Apr 10, 2013

Psalm 10

Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?2The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.3For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.4The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.5His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.6He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.8He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.9He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.10He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.11He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.12Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.13Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.14Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.15Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.16The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.17LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:18To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

Love you forever.

loveme1 · Apr 10, 2013

Galatians 6

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5For every man shall bear his own burden.6Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Cobus · Apr 10, 2013

7seven7 said:

I think God will judge them AS HE SEES FIT, and we should only stick to INSIDE OUR RELIGION. 1 Cor 5:12 and 13. And I know Loveme will agree as she also believe the Word of God and HIS instructions to us! We should not judge OUTSIDERS or other faiths... let us judge in here...

loveme1 · Apr 10, 2013

Cobus said:

I hold my peace, my zealousness must be for His Glory only.

homwardbound · Apr 10, 2013

BlessedLovedByGod said:

The only true Ecclesia ( means called out ones) God does not reside in buildings (Churches), God resides in the ones that believe
Hebrews 8:1[ The New Priestly Service ] Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,
Hebrews 8:2
a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

Religion means what am I doing to get someone to respond to me. that was the originally meaning of religion and has been changed to mean many differant things
But Religion is something we as people do we act out to get something in return. We are lookiong for rewards and if we get rewards we get convinced we are doing it right, and if we do not get rewards we are convinced we are doing it wrong. And if we think we are doing it right and get no rewards we are pissed because we have and are convinced we are doing it right.
And RELIGION has been born along with many differant ones and it is all about being rewarded for our good behavior(s)

Now let us take a look at this from God's perspective God is the creator right? We are the creation right?
Now God is not about religion, because if God responded to me by what I was doing right then that would make me God of God. God then being the creator is thus the initiator and we the creation should only be the responders in place of being initiators as most of us are born this way and learn this way to be creators of this and that, When we need to just be responders giving God all the credit for all we do period

homwardbound · Apr 10, 2013

loveme1 said:

Loveme1 our trust in him is for his glory only, and the just shall live by Faith in Christ the finished work of the cross death, burial and most importantly the Resurrection where we recieve new life in him by belief in him

homwardbound · Apr 10, 2013

TheStraightener said:

straightener it is not about asking for God's forgiveness to recieve salvation for he (Christ took on the sin of the whole wrold)
John 1:29[ The Lamb of God ] The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Now when this took place this only constituted forgiveness to us the whole world an amazing act of Mercy from God through the Son who is the propitiation for the believers sin taken out of the way in the sight of God the Father
But in no way does this death constitute life because if we are saved by this death being forgiven then the whole world would be saved already.
You see first the death had to take place to remove the punishment of sin out of the way and Christ through this one comes to belief will be presented to Father as forgiven a chastee Virgin through Christ but still in need of life and Father shows me, you and you this need and we go onto the resurrection of Christ and are raised back to life after we agree that we are dead and in need of life then scripture fits all of it in the need of being born again by the Spirit of God and through the resurrection we are made alive to God the Father serving God in
John 4:23But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
John 4:24God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Truth is he died for all, but not allare putting thier faith in the life the resuurrection and asking for this the full Gospel it does not stop at the death it goes onto the new life here and now by belief

homwardbound · Apr 10, 2013

Ariel82 said:

we all are born in this life here on earth dead, and are in need of being forgiven and Christ went to the cross and forgave the whole world removing the punishment for sin out of the way for Father to step in not seeing sin anylonger because Father now sees through his Son as we are perfect as his Son is. Yet forgivenss does not bring life never has never will just look at all those years of sacrifice and thier consciences never purged from sin sacrificing year after year always being reminded of thier sins. And this is still going on today without shedding of Blood and without sacrifice. People are not accepting they are forgiven and that is at the cross and the beginning for New Life from Jesus the Life-giving Spirit and this life is not found in the death(being forgiven) it is found in the resurrection here and now available for every believer it just takes asking after finalizing we are foirgiven 100% by God the Father through the Son Jesus Christ. We rest from our works now as he has rested from his and they did not because of unbelief. Belief includes the whole cross action 100% all of it death, burial and resurrection available here and now for all believers, just need to be 100% a believer in what the entire cross entails and then we can rest
in God

BlessedLovedByGod · Apr 10, 2013

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary2:1-7 The disciples of Christ must be praying people; all, without distinction of nation, sect, rank, or party. Our duty as Christians, is summed up in two words; godliness, that is, the right worshipping of God; and honesty, that is, good conduct toward all men. These must go together: we are not truly honest, if we are not godly, and do not render to God his due; and we are not truly godly, if not honest. What is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, we should abound in. There is one Mediator, and that Mediator gave himself a ransom for all. And this appointment has been made for the benefit of the Jews and the Gentiles of every nation; that all who are willing may come in this way, to the mercy-seat of a pardoning God, to seek reconciliation with him. Sin had made a quarrel between us and God; Jesus Christ is the Mediator who makes peace. He is a ransom that was to be known in due time. In the Old Testament times, his sufferings, and the glory that should follow, were spoken of as things to be revealed in the last times. Those who are saved must come to the knowledge of the truth, for that is God's appointed way to save sinners: if we do not know the truth, we cannot be ruled by it.

BlessedLovedByGod · Apr 10, 2013

[h=3]Ephesians 2:8-9[/h]New International Version (NIV)

[SUP]8 [/SUP]For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [SUP]9 [/SUP]not by works, so that no one can boast.

Professor · Apr 10, 2013

Romans 2:15 seems to give us an answer:
"They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them..."

7seven7 said:

crossnote · Apr 10, 2013

I think the question is 'apart from faith in Jesus' can ANYONE be saved even by living the best they know?

Can People of All Religions Be Saved?

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