NOT EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES WILL BE SAVED

I don't recall Reading anywhere where the Jews in John 8 or Simon the sorcerer gave a profession of faith. If you have such a passage, please post it here for us to read.

Here's a question for you? Has anyone ever become saved by keeping any of God's commandments? I would like a reply

Thank you for that reply Charlie, you actually touched on the next part of my opening post which has to do with the heart.

The KEY to believing, in the way that God has required it, is with the heart, as you mentioned. But, the next question we have to ask is, with which heart?

Answering this question is what will allow us to correctly solidify our doctrine of "believing".

The Bible teaches that an unsaved human being has a heart of stone. This is the case with everyone who was ever conceived of a man and woman. This heart, the Bible describes as being deceitful and desperately wicked.

Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV) 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

This is not the heart by which someone believed in the manner which God required. Something had to happen before an individual could believe. God first had to do all the work of regeneration within that individual and bring them from their spiritual death to spiritual life.

Only after God had performed this work of regeneration, could that individual obey God's commandment to believe in the way that God required it. God explains the regeneration process here. Please notice that God is the one performing all the work.

Ezekiel 36:25-27 (KJV) 25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

The majority of people believe that one has to be sincere as they choose to believe in Christ and then that will produce true regeneration. But that is not found in the scriptures.

There was only ever one requirement for a person to become saved. They had to hear the gospel, that's it.

Romans 10:17 (KJV) 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The "hearing" being spoken of here is not physical hearing but spiritual hearing. Faith comes by having your spiritual ears opened by God. And the spiritual opening of the ears (salvation) came by the Word of God.

This is why the gospel had to be preached in all the world, so that God could apply his spoken word to each and everyone he chose to save and give them ears to hear, meaning give them salvation.

Now we can understand why Christ often said, he that hath ears to hear let him hear". Well, physically, everyone had ears to hear (unless they were deaf), but that's not what Christ was referring to. Christ was speaking to those who had already become saved, as they were given ears to hear the spiritual truths of Christ. As opposed to some Pharisees who thought they were children of God, but they did not have salvation. In other words, they did not have ears to hear.

John 8:47 (KJV) 47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Getting back to the heart. Once God performed the action of regeneration, he gave that individual a new heart, a perfect heart. This is the heart which Romans 10 is speaking of.

Romans 10:9-10 (KJV) 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

So, the reason many who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are not truly saved, is because they trust in a work they have performed by choosing to believe in Jesus Christ, thinking that that automatically saved them. But they are trusting in a work of righteousness by obeying God's commandment to believe.

Titus 3:5 (KJV) 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. (Acts 8:13) The rest of the story shows us that there was no genuine repentance and faith on the part of Simon the Sorcerer. So false professions are common, but you are trying to muddy the waters.
The only commandments by which men are saved are repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31;17:30;20:21)

What do you think Simon had believed if not the gospel? Curious to know your thoughts on this.

Many Christians believe that faith in Jesus simply means believing in Him as Lord and Savior. But true Christian faith in Jesus is much deeper than that. Jesus told us that faith in Him includes believing and following His teachings and obeying His commandments.

Jesus once asked His apostles, “How can you say that you love Me, if you don’t keep My commandments.

Jesus told His disciples, “I give you a new commandment; love one another as I have loved you. This is how all will know that you are My disciples.”

In the Gospel of John (14:15), Jesus is clear when He says, “ He who loves me keeps my words and whoever does not love me does not keep My words. Faith includes following what Jesus taught. Can you get to heaven without love of Jesus?

Jesus makes it clear, many times, that faith includes believing and following His teachings, “He told us (Matt 7:24-27) “Everyone who hears My words and does not do them is like a foolish man who built his house upon sand.”

Jesus taught that the most important commandment is to love God with all our heart and our neighbor as our self. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, He says, Do this and you shall have eternal life.

That’s worth repeating, Jesus said, “ Love God with all our heart and our neighbor as our self, Do this, and you shall have eternal life.


Jesus says that when we show love for our brothers and sisters, we are showing love for Jesus Himself. Jesus directly identifies Himself with the poor, the needy, and the oppressed, all God’s children. By loving and helping others, we are serving Christ.

In the Judgment of Nations, those that failed to show love for their neighbor would be damned for all eternity. What a terrible surprise it will be, for many people, to learn that, in not showing love for their neighbors, they had rejected Jesus and His salvation.

This Gospel reading is so important. It allows me to know what Jesus is going to be looking for when He judges me. Do I show my love for Jesus through love of neighbor? This has always been the acid test of Christianity.

When Jesus walked the earth, He set the example. He spent much of His time ministering to those in need. He cured the sick, made the lame walk, the blind see, and He preached the good news of salvation to the poor. Jesus showed His love by being a servant to people.

He did the service and asks His disciples to do the same. As Jesus’ disciples, He asks us to serve our brothers and sisters. Jesus presented us with a simple example for Christian living.


I am surely doomed when Jesus judges me. But that’s just not true. Despite all my failures to show love to others, I still have great hope in Jesus’ salvation for myself.;

I think that depends on what your definition is of "believe". I don't think scripture supports the idea that belief without action will save anyone. When this is taken to its extreme and not just as a policy of the Lord we are told that 1 Cor. 6:10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God.

Christ came to fulfill what was told to us in all the OT, Christ came to die for our sins. But when scripture tells us of the mission of Christ it does not say this, it says his mission was to tell us to repent, for the kingdom of God is near. That is what John the Baptist said it was and what is told to us in Matthew. Most of the gospels is about how to live in the world but have the kingdom of God your real home, the home you will have eternally.

Christ scolded about keeping the letter of the law and about men making rules they said was law and Paul goes on and on about law that many interpret as against law keepers, But a complete study of Paul shows he is speaking of the commands given to Jews before Christ came to make the fleshly commands spiritual. Romans 2:13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. This is only one example.

Over the years the book of James has been threatened, Luther wanted it taken out of scripture. James agreed with Christ that we are to act for the Lord when we accept His forgiveness.

James 1:22
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselve.

If we believe in Christ, that Christ if God who can cancel out our sins with forgiveness, can we truly believe in Christ and have so little faith in what Christ tells us about repentance and living our lifes here that we act against it and act on the world's rules instead?

So many people gather up all scripture that could be interpreted as saying we don't have to follow Christ to be saved, Christ will save without our repentance of sin are not reading or hearing what Christ and even Paul tells them about it.

To me, "belief" is beyond mere mental ascent.

Consider what James said in his epistle about believing: "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! (cf. James 2)".

Also, as has been noted above, Jesus asked why some people call Him "Lord" yet do not do what He says.

So assuming that belief is more than mere agreement with who and what Jesus is, then I would say indeed that all who believe WILL be saved.

To be clear, I am NOT saying that works save a person. Rather, I'm saying that belief in Christ goes deep into the heart.

[QUOTE="Pilgrimshope, post: 4736997, member: 300996"]I’d say everyone who believes shall be saved

but I’d say what we believe is what matters of it’s the actual gospel of the kingdom belief is what brings all the repentance and obedience later from faith

belief is definately salvstion but believing false doctrines isn’t. We have to believe Jesus and his word his gospel brings everything else but many false ideas exist and many are led astray from truth by believing things other than the gospel we have to believe the things jesus taught and persevere in them

it’s not a matter of whether belief saves us it’s about what and who we believe believing Jesus brings true worship repentance , obedience and righteousness in deed and truth all because we accept and believe the truth

I understand I think what your saying a lot of people say I believe but they reject his teachings meant for belief and repentance and life


If someone believes in doctrine not supported...i.e.....baptism not required.....they are not born again and God will....spew them out of His mouth (quote).

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. (Acts 8:13) The rest of the story shows us that there was no genuine repentance and faith on the part of Simon the Sorcerer. So false professions are common, but you are trying to muddy the waters.
The only commandments by which men are saved are repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31;17:30;20:21)

The only commandments by which men are saved are repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31;17:30;20:21)

Some people are fooling themselves. Example, "Okay, I've said the 'Sinner's Prayer' and now am Saved! I was saved at 10am on June 15th. Now I can go and do anything I want. Nothing can take this salvation from me!" First of all, know that while the intention to say a sinner’s prayer is good, the prayer itself is not what saves you. It’s an oft-repeated prayer, but unfortunately in some circles, it’s held up as a sort of badge of honor, a guarantee of eternal life. It’s not a guarantee.

Once I say the Sinner's Prayer, I can go my own way, oblivious to the teachings of Jesus and His Gospel. This is a dangerous/dangerous teaching. Souls will be lost because of this teaching.

[QUOTE="Pilgrimshope, post: 4736997, member: 300996"]I’d say everyone who believes shall be saved

but I’d say what we believe is what matters of it’s the actual gospel of the kingdom belief is what brings all the repentance and obedience later from faith

belief is definately salvstion but believing false doctrines isn’t. We have to believe Jesus and his word his gospel brings everything else but many false ideas exist and many are led astray from truth by believing things other than the gospel we have to believe the things jesus taught and persevere in them

it’s not a matter of whether belief saves us it’s about what and who we believe believing Jesus brings true worship repentance , obedience and righteousness in deed and truth all because we accept and believe the truth

I understand I think what your saying a lot of people say I believe but they reject his teachings meant for belief and repentance and life

We gotta accept and believe this

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:46-49‬ ‭KJV‬‬


Jesus teachings saves us if we believe he will draw us near but if we hear and reject there’s nothing to believe and bring us to repentance

we need to follow the spirit

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:63‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the term “believe “ has been misdirected by false doctrines believing right saves believing wrong leads astray and condemns

This has happened and is constantly happening

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
‭‭‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭-2

it’s not that belief isn’t enough it’s what we believe that matters do I believe I need to repent and follow Jesus teachings ? That can save me if I do .

or Do I believe Jesus words don’t apply and I’m already saved and repentance isn’t for me and I can freely sin and inherit eternalLife because he died and rose ? That can destroy me if I believe it

we’re going to live by our true belief whether right or wrong so changing our belief conforming to Christ and his word is the answer

Simon didn't believe in Jesus, he was only looking to gain in power and wealth from a false beliefe..

Simon was a magician who was sort of a big shot in Samaria, popularly known as the “Great Power” (Acts 8:9-11). But then an actual big shot, St. Phillip, came through town and presented the Gospel, which put Simon’s tricks to shame. And then, significantly, Acts 8:13 tells us “Simon himself believed and was baptized.” Note that: Simon believes and is baptized. In Mark 16:16, Jesus says that “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” So in Acts 8:13 Simon got saved. He didn’t just “seem to believe” or “appear to be saved,” we’re told he actually “believed and was baptized” by an author inspired by the Holy Spirit.
But then some even bigger shots came to Samaria, Peter and John. And they went around imparting the Holy Spirit upon people. And then Simon fell back to his old ways (Acts 8:18-24):

If someone believes in doctrine not supported...i.e.....baptism not required.....they are not born again and God will....spew them out of His mouth (quote).

huh ? Yeah the gospel teaches baptism not sure what your saying

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

like anything if we start out saying “ nah we don’t need to get baptized that’s irrelevant “ then a lot of doctrine isn’t going to make sense

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:3-4, 6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

if I’ve already said baptism isn’t important and doesn’t matter that isn’t going tommake sense or this

“Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:20-22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

so yeah I believe that we need to believe the gospel and get baptized for remission of sins in his name. But that’s my point of we believe the gospel Jesus preached we’re going to know we need to go get baptized for remission of sins

if I don’t believe right I’m not going to do the right things though . False doctrine is bad stuff ot starts out with an idea like “ we don’t need to get baptized “ and then when we learn further important revelation about baptism it does t make sense because we’ve already been led astray thinking baptism is nothing

Anyone who puts thoer fsirj on the things Jesus Christ taught and things they find in the gospel like baptism for remission Of sins home who just lets Jesus teach them is going to be equipped to do the right things in Gods sight obeying the gospel is his Will for us

Simon believed AND was baptized... that would be very strong evidence he was indeed eternally saved. To be baptized the one baptizing would usually be convinced of the person being saved.

Just because they struggle with a sin or sins after salvation.. doesn't mean they aren't saved.. they are a spiritual babe.

Thank you for your reply. What we believe (doctrine) has no bearing on our regeneration from being wicked to becoming righteous. What we believe is evidence of whether or not we have truly been born again, or if we are like Simon the sorcerer who believed and was baptized, but to no avail. Jesus said, my sheep hear my voice and the follow me. This means that upon regeneration (our new heart), that God's sheep have a desire for the truth and when they hear the truth being spoken, by anyone, that they will be led in that direction because they recognize the voice of the Truth.


John 10:27–28 (KJV 1900)
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Rejection of God's true doctrines is rejection of God himself, and no person who has truly been born again will do that. Only those who trust in a work they have done to save them (like believe, repent, water baptism, ect) will reject God's truths.