Is accepting Christ enough to be saved?

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TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
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Australia
If salvation is a gift given to all that God desires to save, we will all be saved.
God wants to save all and if the gift is unconditional (nothing we can or can't do), we will all be saved.
But the bible is clear that not all are saved.
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

If we go through the bible conditions begin to come out.
1. Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Is baptism important?

Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me....10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Are the things above important?

Believing in Jesus is important but it isn't enough. If believing the gospel was enough to be saved the demons would be saved too.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Works don't save us.
Trusting, loving and abiding in Jesus does. He saves us.
The works and obediance is the result of Jesus abiding in us.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
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If salvation is a gift given to all that God desires to save, we will all be saved.
God wants to save all and if the gift is unconditional (nothing we can or can't do), we will all be saved.
But the bible is clear that not all are saved.
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

If we go through the bible conditions begin to come out.
1. Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Is baptism important?

Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me....10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Are the things above important?

Believing in Jesus is important but it isn't enough. If believing the gospel was enough to be saved the demons would be saved too.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Works don't save us.
Trusting, loving and abiding in Jesus does. He saves us.
The works and obediance is the result of Jesus abiding in us.
I think we have to know what believe mean

is believe enough

yes

believe His teaching enough

what is His teaching

His teaching is to love

believe His teaching mean to love

what is love

thus is the manifestation of love

matt 25

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdomprepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’


if you do believe this teaching you save
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
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I am not agree catholic is christian
catholic not base on the Bible alone
there are a lot of interpretation among Protestant but all of them declare bible as the omly text book, not catholic

catholic declare of worship Muslim god in her ccc

841 The Church's relationship with the Muslims. "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

no wonder on her history she did killing, torturing and persecuting as Muslim did
because they worship the same god
Are you saying that Catholics are not Christian?
 
Dec 30, 2020
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The title and subject of this thread is "accepting" Christ and if that is enough for salvation. So its not about the works of the Holy Spirit with in you.
Believing in Christ erases your sins, but you are still prone to sin and not fit to enter heaven. Your sinful nature has to be changed. It is the Holy Spirit who does this by filling the person with divine love so that the motive for every thought an action is love. Since we are incapable of obeying the letter of the law, we will now be able to obey the Spirit of the Law given by Christ which to love God first and everyone else second. The Father chooses who is to receive the repentance that leads to Salvation ( Baptism in the name of the Father), the Son erases our sins ( Baptism in the name of the Son), and the Holy Spirit perfects ( Baptism in the name of the Holy Spirit). You need all three to happen for Salvation.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
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Believing in Christ erases your sins, but you are still prone to sin and not fit to enter heaven. Your sinful nature has to be changed. It is the Holy Spirit who does this by filling the person with divine love so that the motive for every thought an action is love. Since we are incapable of obeying the letter of the law, we will now be able to obey the Spirit of the Law given by Christ which to love God first and everyone else second. The Father chooses who is to receive the repentance that leads to Salvation ( Baptism in the name of the Father), the Son erases our sins ( Baptism in the name of the Son), and the Holy Spirit perfects ( Baptism in the name of the Holy Spirit). You need all three to happen for Salvation.
quote

every motive and action must be love”

end quote

i agree

in my country the action of giving may bribing
most business people bribe government people to ask permit or government job,
give on the motive other than love
 
Nov 23, 2021
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Decrying all that you suppose is wrong with Catholics is not a good approach to what you think is trying to win them over. One of my Protestant friends told me (being as you are myself then) is to consider they are in the same camp, saved if they are. Then you will have more of a chance of helping them. Antagonism is not a good evangelical approach. You do have to get close enough to know if they are saved or not. You do have to love them if they are not saved (as you need even to love other non-believers and your enemies). You have been taught according to our Protestant stance all these things about the CC are true but the facts of what the Catholic church (what they state as official doctrine) is different from what you believe they are in many cases. The bedrock beliefs (the fundamentals of the faith) are the same as ours. Its impossible to find out of the 33000+ Protestant denomination a Protestant denomination that has it 100 percent right (all see through a glass darkly). My friend used to say "No one has a corner on the truth market".

You mention the Pope: I would rather have an authority structure that has some control over the Pastors and Bishops in the church. From personal experience I have found out what a tyrant Protestant Head Pastor is like (not pretty!). We rag on the CC that the priests and bishops sin sexually, but that is true in both the CC and Protestant churches. There is more hope that the CC can change because of its hierarchy (if that changes the whole can be fixed). I suspect with all the publicity of the failings of the CC, that will be changed. With Protestant isolated tyrant ministry heads there is much less hope.
I mention the Pope because the protestant reformers considered him to be Anti-Christ. Don' t miss understand me I am anti anything that hinders a personal relationship with Jesus. Pope Francis , himself says that a personal relationship with Jesus is not possible . It wouid take a minute to look up that article but I defer to you to do your own research . You are called out of the Catholic Church not into it. "
"Come out of her my people, that ye be not partaker of her plagues" Having many loved ones who are Catholic does not inspire me go along to get along with their practices. I am not try to " win them over " "I have given them over" I believe if they are Christs they will have a personal relationship with Jesus by faith. " YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN" . Christ needs to live inside Catholics, the imputed righteousness of God allows this reconciliation. Seeking an authority structure is not the way of life, Jesus is . You want to talk about antagonism I think you are thinking in reverse amigo. The protestants did not persecute and martyr Catholics it was visa a versa. There will be no relationship with God apart from being a branch abiding in the Vine. That is from the Word of God John Chapter 15 . After Believe on me comes Abide in Me. Not join this or that. If you shutter at the condition of much of the protestant church you are not alone. The Bible predicted and describes these days of deception. The Bible will be your way Home edebroches, it can reconcile you to God so that you can agree with Him and walk with HIm . I'd be happy to discuss the Word of God with you. "Thy Word is forever settled in heaven". The only point of agreement we will have concerning a church is The Lords description of it. Looking forward to hearing from you.
 

Dirtman

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2022
1,151
441
83
Believing in Christ erases your sins, but you are still prone to sin and not fit to enter heaven. Your sinful nature has to be changed. It is the Holy Spirit who does this by filling the person with divine love so that the motive for every thought an action is love. Since we are incapable of obeying the letter of the law, we will now be able to obey the Spirit of the Law given by Christ which to love God first and everyone else second. The Father chooses who is to receive the repentance that leads to Salvation ( Baptism in the name of the Father), the Son erases our sins ( Baptism in the name of the Son), and the Holy Spirit perfects ( Baptism in the name of the Holy Spirit). You need all three to happen for Salvation.
You will have to show that in scripture.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
If salvation is a gift given to all that God desires to save, we will all be saved.
God wants to save all and if the gift is unconditional (nothing we can or can't do), we will all be saved.
But the bible is clear that not all are saved.
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

If we go through the bible conditions begin to come out.
1. Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Is baptism important?

Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me....10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Are the things above important?

Believing in Jesus is important but it isn't enough. If believing the gospel was enough to be saved the demons would be saved too.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Works don't save us.
Trusting, loving and abiding in Jesus does. He saves us.
The works and obediance is the result of Jesus abiding in us.

When I first began to read your post, I had hopes that you were teaching the truth, but does it not say that we are not saved (delivered) by our works?

Salvation=deliverance, saved=delivered, save=deliver, according to the Greek translation.

The scriptures, however, teach that a, born again, child of God can be delivered as they sojourn here in this world, by following God's commandments. We are delivered one time from this world by our inheritance of heaven, and we are delivered many times as we sojourn here in this world.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
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Believing in Christ erases your sins,

None of us are fit for heaven by our actions, even believing. God made us fit for heaven, by dying for our sins. When Jesus died for the sins of those that his Father gave him, some of them was not even born into this world by natural birth, which includes us, however, after we are born again, believing can deliver (save) us as we sojourn here in this world.
 
Nov 23, 2021
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Is believing in Christ enough to be saved ? Not if God is selective about who can believe, and who can't . According to one theology . It's a choice God made, not you, like it or not if you are chosen you are His . He will do a snatch and grab at his return and get you home. No repentance or faith is necessary. You are dead and reprobate, God has to do it all for you. He will of course , since you are His he will over- rule your freewill and force you to Himself . Of course you do not have to believe in Whosover, Every, the Whole World, etc. It's some and not all . If you are not one of the Christ died for some, you are S.O.L. Faith in Christ to these skewers of the Word is works NOT ( what the Bible decribes as the "obedience of faith". )He is not really the Savior of the World collector of the elect. I couldn't help myself , but I find the doctrine of Calvinism insidious , another gospel and another Jesus. Let's see who gets flushed out into the light by this comment. Until then God will continue to command you to repent and believe but of course you can't . He has to do it all is GRACE GRACE AND GRACE. Barf. Bring it .
 
Nov 23, 2021
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Is He the savior of the world or the collector of the elect ?
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
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Do have a passionate love for God? Do you wake up at night (or day when you are awake) and say I love you Father? Does He embrace you and love you at unexpected times? Does your heart long for Him when you don't feel His presence. Do you worship Him every minute you have? Do you pray for every person you meet to give them something that He gives you to give to them (I am working on this)? Do you have his heart, about How he feels about people that are hurting, that you mourn when evil happens (I need His help for sure here).

Doctrine and scripture is:

1. Love God above all things
2. Love others like yourself

Do you know you love God?
Does God's spirit live in you to love others?

You can know the scriptures and doctrine but not BE what it says.

(God help me because I am far less than anything you want me to BE!)
I can tell you one thing I don't do: I don't worship a wafer.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
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All Catholics?

If so why?
What is your definition of catholic
Is one that believe her teaching

example

841 The Church's relationship with the Muslims. "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

in her teaching above she declare worship Muslim god
 
Dec 30, 2020
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You will have to show that in scripture.
Acts 2: 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In this verse Peter states the three elements of salvation: Repentance, belief in Jesus for the remission of sins, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Luke 13: 3 I tell you, Nay. But, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Acts 11: 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Repentance is necessary for salvation and it is granted by the Father.
Eph 3: 14-15 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.
All that belong to the Father's family that are in heaven and on earth are baptized in the Father's name by the Father. That is the one baptism mentioned in Eph 4: 5
Eph 1: 3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, According as He ( the Father) hath chosen us in Him ( the Son) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him ( the Father) in love.
It is the Father who has chosen us as belonging to the spiritual body of Christ and therefore, we are in Christ. We are without blame because our sins have been erased by Jesus Christ and our sinful nature has been changed by being filled with divine love by the Holy Spirit so that we will be obeying the Spirit of the Law which is to love God first and everyone else second (see 1 Cor 13: 1-13)

Acts 8: 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Notice that they were baptized (not water) through preaching about Jesus Christ and when they believed.
1 Cor 1: 21 For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
People get saved when Jesus is preached to them as Lord and Savior and they believe. It is at the moment of believing that baptism in the name of the Son occurs.
Acts 19: 2-5 He (Paul) said unto them, have you received the Holy Spirit since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there is any Holy Spirit. And he said unto them, Unto what, then, were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the (water) baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on Him who should come after him, that is on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized (not water) in the name of the Lord Jesus.
When did they get baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus? Not when they got water baptized, but when Jesus was preached to them and they believed.
Acts 9: 17-18 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even ( that is) Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales; and he received sight, and arose, and was baptized.
Jesus had appeared to Saul in a vision and told him that Ananias was going to visit him and restore his sight upon putting his hand on him. Jesus also appeared to Ananias in a vision and was sent to restore Saul's sight and for Saul to get filled with the Holy Spirit.
Immediately, his sight was restored and he was baptized in the name of the Holy Spirit (filled with the Holy Spirit).

Acts 9: 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel;
A chosen vessel means a chosen host for the Holy Spirit of the Father in order to get His will accomplished through the host.
Saul is chosen by the Father to be used by the Son to spread the Gospel. He is baptized in the name of the Father. After Ananias explained that their visions were connected, and his sight was restored, I am sure that Saul became a believer in Christ and therefore was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and therefore was baptized in the name of the Holy Spirit.

1Cor 12: 13 For by one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, ...
It is the Holy Spirit that baptizes believers to become part of the body of Christ. Being part of the body of Christ makes us adopted children of the Father as well as partakers of all that Christ is and has done.
Eph 3: 17,19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, ... And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled withall the fullness of God.
Christ is filled with the Holy Spirit of the Father. When He dwells in our hearts by believing in Him, both the Spirit of the Father and Son reside in us to make us part of the Father's family and part of the body of Christ. Their Spirit and ours become One new creature filled with the same love that they share.
These are just a few scriptures. There are plenty more.
 
Dec 30, 2020
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None of us are fit for heaven by our actions, even believing. God made us fit for heaven, by dying for our sins. When Jesus died for the sins of those that his Father gave him, some of them was not even born into this world by natural birth, which includes us, however, after we are born again, believing can deliver (save) us as we sojourn here in this world.
I don't think that God would allow sinful people who have their sins erased into heaven. They are still sinful and imperfect. They are perfected when the Holy Spirit fills their heart with divine love so that all thoughts and actions are motivated by this love so that the Spirit of the Law can be fulfilled.
 
Dec 30, 2020
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None of us are fit for heaven by our actions, even believing. God made us fit for heaven, by dying for our sins. When Jesus died for the sins of those that his Father gave him, some of them was not even born into this world by natural birth, which includes us, however, after we are born again, believing can deliver (save) us as we sojourn here in this world.
The unregenerate believer thinks that he is free to sin because Christ died to erase his sins of the past, present, and future without making a change in his heart. Unfortunately, there are many people that are going to be doomed because of this belief. Christ is going to tell them that He never knew them.