HOW CAN I BE 100% SURE THAT I WILL GO TO HEAVEN WHEN I DIE?

Lamar · Aug 12, 2026

amazingrace said:
where does this say saved by grace?

eph 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

thks

It does not.
Just like he shoehorns "alone" into every verse he uses to defend his faith alone regeneration theology.

He is like many of the cheap grace salvationists here. Insisting that the Bible teaches faith alone but never able to produce the scripture.

mailmandan · Aug 12, 2026

Lamar said:
In regard to Acts 10:35, obeying the works of righteousness (Matthew 3:15) is the avenue to which one is saved through faith.

Only Jesus Christ has fulfilled all righteous. (Matthew 3:15) As for us, it is not by work so righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us. (Titus 3:5)

Obeying works of righteousness "follows" having been saved through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-10) You are trying to smuggle works into salvation through faith, not works.

Lamar said:
We are not saved simply by works of faith which we have done (James 2:24) but works of God (Acts 2:38-41) in connection to this other acts of obedience.

A distinction without a difference.

Lamar said:
God accepts those who fear and obey Him, period.

Because that is 'descriptive' of those who are born God. Period.

Lamar said:
Their fear and obedience is not the reason for their salvation but the pathway to it.

Oxymoron.

Lamar said:
Following this pathway is nothing to boast about but simply the result of a desire for eternal life.

Another oxymoron.

Lamar said:
You are in error because of your insistence that all acts of obedience are acts of merit unless you believe you have already obtained salvation.

You are in error because you have your own personal definition of non meritorious works when we are not saved by works in general. (Romans 3:24-28; 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9) Believers have already obtained salvation from the PENALTY of sin (justification - Romans 5:1).

frederickdoc · Aug 12, 2026

frederickdoc said:
Got to go deep hear my surface of much more meaning than generic word that make One look good but inside are these ,3 glorified words and a punch line
here
When Jesus preached, these three action words were the core building blocks of his message: you must trust (Aman), so that you can bear fruit (Parah) by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ruach).

Bible_Locket · Aug 12, 2026

seymourclear said:
I try to live as righteous a life as possible since being baptised and try to live a sinless life. But I still have problems with things like swearing and smoking mainly. I wish God would speak to me directly so I know where I'm at spiritually because if theres no hope in making it to heaven then I may as well just live recklessly right?

You go to Heaven because God said so.

Ecclesiastes 9:5
For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.

Ecclesiastes 12
7.And the dust returns
to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

John 5
Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Psalm 115
16The heavens are the Lord's heavens,
but the earth he has given to the children of man.
17
The dead do not praise the Lord,
nor do any who go down into silence.
18
But we will bless the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the Lord!

frederickdoc · Aug 13, 2026

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JesusLives · Aug 13, 2026

seymourclear said:
I try to live as righteous a life as possible since being baptised and try to live a sinless life. But I still have problems with things like swearing and smoking mainly. I wish God would speak to me directly so I know where I'm at spiritually because if theres no hope in making it to heaven then I may as well just live recklessly right?

I think we try so hard to come up with ways to quit on God and give up. But God sent Jesus to die for our sins and he no longer looks at out sinful life when we give our hearts to him. God sees Jesus perfect record and not our sinful one so stop trying to give up and praise God for the way out of this sinful world.

Oh, and STOP Smoking he said to pass on the message to you. It's bad for your health and he wants you to live an abundant, happy, healthy life.

JesusLives · Aug 13, 2026

seymourclear said:
It's not that I'm worried that smoking will affect my health because at the moment I don't feel it does. It's just a habit that I've had for over 30 years now and the in the bible in Luke 9:23 it says that we are to deny ourselves, like withstand everything that we know to be sinful and earthly desires.

There are no examples of people smoking in the Bible so I'm assuming that smoking stems from pagan traditions. And certainly none of the Israelites or disciples ever smoked. And Paul says in Ephesians 4:29: "do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths."

Basically I don't want to fall short of the glory of God and not receive grace. I pray everyday for my sins to be forgiven but does that then make it okay to carry on doing it and expect to be forgiven although 1john 1:9 does say: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us from all unrighteousness."
But in Hebrews 10:26 it also says: "if we deliberately keep on sinning after we've received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgement and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God."

In the last 2 years I've overcome drug addiction, alcoholism, sexual immorality and many other things with God's help and guidance. So I know that I can overcome anything if I really try hard. Me swearing is what I was brought up hearing and then repeating because growing up no-one ever told me it was wrong until God did through the Bible.

And for example if I drop something or hit my self on something the natural words that come out of my mouth are usually swear words. So it's just another bad habit that I'm constantly aware of and asking God's forgiveness for.

I just don't wanna die today and God say to me that because I carried on doing these things even though I knew them to be wrong, or didn't feel like I could control myself enough then he'd say that I didn't have enough faith in him and then tell me: "I never knew you" like in Matthew 7:23

What it is, is that I want to live up to God's expectations but am always questioning whether I'm good enough for his grace and mercy.

Smoking is really bad in my world and I will tell you why.

Smoking has killed almost everyone I love.

I found my mother dead from a massive heart attack when I was 8 years old. The doctor had told her if she didn't change her lifestyle and quit smoking and drinking she would not live to raise me. She didn't stop and it killed her at the age of 42.

My dad died from lung cancer from smoking from the time he was 12. I was now an orphan at 12 because it was how old I was when he died at the age of 56.

My brother died of a massive heart attack at the age of 39 due to smoking and drinking like mom.

My uncle Bob's lung burst and he had to take breathing treatments on a special machine for quite some time before his death, but what a horrible way to die.

I never really smoked myself but my parents were chain smokers inside the house for years when I was a kid so for a good 8 years I breathed second hand smoke and since my early 60's I have had breathing problems myself. Thanks mom and dad.

So I personally hate smoking and worry about Tourist as he is also a smoker and I love him and I am sick of watching the people I love die from it.

DavidLamb · Aug 13, 2026

amazingrace said:
where does this say saved by grace?

eph 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

thks

That verse doesn't, but the passage as a whole does, twice (and we have to remember that chapters and verses were added to the Bible hundreds of years after its completion):

NKJV Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
Eph 2:5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
Eph 2:6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Eph 2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Eph 2:9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

DavidLamb · Aug 13, 2026

amazingrace said:
Hebrews 10:36
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
(eternal salvation)

If we take that verse in its context, we see that it is not telling us that unsaved sinners are saved by having patience and doing God's will, but through faith/belief:

Heb 10:35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
Heb 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
Heb 10:37 "FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME AND WILL NOT TARRY.
Heb 10:38 NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; BUT IF ANYONE DRAWS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM."
Heb 10:39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

amazingrace said:
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Jude is addresses to people who are already Christians:

Jud 1:1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
So he is not telling his readers how to become Christians.

amazingrace said:
Romans 2:6-7

6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

thks

Romans also is addressed to people who are already Christians:

Rom 1:5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
Rom 1:6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
Rom 1:7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

DavidLamb · Aug 13, 2026

Lamar said:
It does not.
Just like he shoehorns "alone" into every verse he uses to defend his faith alone regeneration theology.

He is like many of the cheap grace salvationists here. Insisting that the Bible teaches faith alone but never able to produce the scripture.

I wasn't shoehorning anything. I quoted Ephesians 2:10 to show that good works are a result, not a cause, of being saved. The passage as a whole, and particularly verses 5 and 8, do say that we are saved by grace, and verses 9 says that we are not saved by works. I don't think of grace as cheap; it cost my Saviour His life!

Beckworth · Aug 13, 2026

mailmandan said:
View attachment 293883

DavidLamb said:
So if it is wrong to say faith in Christ alone, where else should our faith be placed? The Bible tells us:

NKJV Act 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

I would say that we are saved by grace through faith, as Ephesians 2 says. It also specifies that we are not saved by works. Good works are prepared by God for Christians to walk in.

Faith in Christ is fine and necessary. The problem is NOT about “putting our faith in Christ”; the problem is adding the word “alone” which the Bible does not say and never teaches.

Colossians 2:12 says we also put our faith in “THE WORKING OF GOD” when we are baptized. “CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD” which is stated in Acts 22:16 was what Saul did when he was baptized. He was putting his faith in the work of God and “calling” or appealing to God to wash away his sins as the Holy Spirit directed him to do. Baptism is a work of God and it is a work of faith, just read what Jesus says in Mark 16:16 and what Phillip told the eunuch just before his baptism in Acts 8 . He said “If you believe, you may ( be baptized). He said this because faith and baptism had already been specified and commanded by The Son of God in Mark 16:16. So the eunuch was saved by “faith” and “baptism”. Just like Jesus said to do. When he did this he was “calling on the name of the Lord” to save him as He had promised to do, AND he was putting his faith “in the working of God.” Just as the Spirit said to do in Colossians 2. This is right out of the scriptures. I dont have to “ADD” words which are not there to support my doctrine.

Don’t accuse people of not putting their faith in Christ just because they believe ALL of what the Bible says and not just the verses used to support “faith only”doctrine.

SCRIPTURE DOES NOT CANCEL OUT OTHER SCRIPTURES. ALL of the scriptures in the book of John about “faith” nor any other verses in the Bible that.teach us to believe—not one of those “CANCELS” OR “DOES AWAY WITH”, or “MAKES VOID” scriptures like Acts 2:38 that says baptism forgives sins; Acts 10:48 Peter COMMANDED Cornelius and his house to be baptized and already told us in chapter 2 that it was so they could have forgiveness of sins; or Mark 16:16 where Jesus says that faith AND baptism save us; or 1 Peter 3:21 that says BAPTISM NOW SAVES US. You can read and quote John all day long, you can recite John 3:16 forever and it still will not wipe out or make what the Bible says about baptism of none effect or not true. Truth endures. And at the end of the day, it is still there. Jesus says His word endures forever and will be what JUDGES us when we face Him at the resurrection. John 12:48. We will still be judged by I Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38 and what Jesus says in Mark 16:16 when we see Him face to face. Those verses are not going away.

When you add the word “ALONE” to any Bible verse when it is not in that verse, you 1) CHANGE THE MEANING that the Holy Spirit gave the verse when He breathed it. And 2) you immediately contradict other Bible scriptures. That word “alone” pits scripture AGAINST scripture. You cannot be saved by “faith alone” and be saved by baptism, too; which is what 1 Peter 3:21 says. Now you have scriptures CONTRADICTING other scriptures. Not to mention you are contradicting scripture (James 2:24) by just advocation a “faith alone doctrine.

Yes, I am aware of all the feeble efforts to “EXPLAIN AWAY” such scriptures as 1 Peter 3:21, going into GREAT dissertations on grammar and such like; if I believed that, I might question the goodness and the wisdom of God that would give us a verse that REQUIRED such knowledge of the English language and depth of understanding, that without that we would totally misunderstand that verse and would think that it was saying just what it says —that baptism SAVES US—when instead God really does not mean that but means just the OPPOSITE of what He says in that verse —that baptism DOES NOT SAVE US! What kind of God does that??? God is not trying to TRICK us; He is not trying to deceive us; He is not purposely trying to make it HARD for us to read and understand. It means just what it says. But it is no surprise that Satan is using every means at his disposal to “find a loophole” or go to great lengths to “explain it away.” The same is true with Mark 16:16. Satan even has put out the idea that that verse does not even belong in the cannon, thus trying to cast DOUBT on what Jesus said and put a stumbling block in the way of those who might believe Him. Wouldn’t you EXPECCT Satan to try to destroy the words of Jesus? There’s no surprise there. Also true with Acts 2:38. Much effort goes into making that very plain verse, to change it so that people can be persuaded that it does not mean what it says. So man tells you it does not mean baptism is FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, which is exactly what the Holy Spirit wrote, but it actually means your sins have already been forgiven before you are baptized. Again, if that were true ( and it is not), I would wonder why a loving God didn’t just say it that way, instead of making people believe a lie. Why is He making it so hard for us to understand. Why doesn’t He just write it the way He means it? The answer is HE HAS!! It’s Satan who is making it hard to understand, deceiving people and making them think that God does not mean what He says.

So yes, put your faith in Jesus, but that also means put your faith in what Jesus says. And what He has said is “He that believes AND is baptized shall be saved.” If you don’t believe what Jesus says, then you don’t believe in Jesus and you are not putting your faith in Him at all.

Beckworth · Aug 13, 2026

So in your post, #238, when you said “we are not saved by works”, are you meaning we are not saved by ANY WORKS AT ALL? Or do you mean just certain kinds of works like faith and baptism? Because my post, #249, is addressing your statement about how we are NOT SAVED BY WORKS. This was a discussion about Eph.2 verse 9 that says we are not saved by works of which we can boast. Your response to that is to introduce verse 10 which brings in a different subject and talks about “. good works.” That is not what is being discussed here. What is your answer for verse 9? What do you believe are the “works” in verse 9 of which you say we are not saved by? That is the subject of my post. Are you in agreement that verse 9 is specifically talking about “boastful works” and NOT every kind of work in general? Or are you contending that we are not saved by ANY WORKS AT ALL— including the WORKS OF GOD that are specified in John 6:29 and Colossians 2:12? Please stick to the subject.

mailmandan · Aug 14, 2026

Beckworth said:
Faith in Christ is fine and necessary. The problem is NOT about “putting our faith in Christ”; the problem is adding the word “alone” which the Bible does not say and never teaches.

The problem is not about "putting our faith in Christ alone for salvation." (John 3:15,16,18; 10:9; 14:6) He alone is the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation. (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9) The problem is with putting our faith in something else (water baptism + other works) IN ADDITION to putting our faith in Christ.

Beckworth said:
Colossians 2:12 says we also put our faith in “THE WORKING OF GOD” when we are baptized.

That is your eisegesis. Read Colossians 2:12 again ..through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. Christians are "buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead." That is the working of God. Man accomplishes the work of water baptism.

Beckworth said:
“CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD” which is stated in Acts 22:16 was what Saul did when he was baptized. He was putting his faith in the work of God and “calling” or appealing to God to wash away his sins as the Holy Spirit directed him to do.

More eisegesis. Paul's sins were washed away as he called on the name of the Lord and not literally by water baptism. The water is symbolic; the appeal to Christ’s name is the saving act. Romans 10:13 - For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The remission of sins has three applications: 1. Literally, by the blood of Christ - Matthew 26:28 2. Experientially, by faith in Christ - Acts 26:18 3. Figuratively, by water baptism - Acts 22:16

Excellent article on Acts 22:16 - https://kentbrandenburg.blogspot.com/2015/03/acts-2216-baptism-essential-for.html

Beckworth said:
Baptism is a work of God and it is a work of faith, just read what Jesus says in Mark 16:16 and what Phillip told the eunuch just before his baptism in Acts 8. He said “If you believe, you may (be baptized). He said this because faith and baptism had already been specified and commanded by The Son of God in Mark 16:16.

God accomplishes the work of Spirit baptism and man accomplishes the work of water baptism. (Matthew 3:11) Baptism is a work that is produced from faith and is accomplished after one has been saved through faith. (Acts 10:43-48) In Mark 16:16, Jesus said - He who believes and is baptized will be saved (general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) but he who does not believe will be condemned. The omission of baptized with "does not believe" shows that Jesus does not make baptism absolutely necessary salvation. Condemnation rests on unbelief, not on a lack of baptism. So, salvation rests on belief. *NOWHERE did Jesus say, "whoever is not baptized will be condemned." The eunuch believed and was saved before he was water baptized.

Beckworth said:
So, the eunuch was saved by “faith” and “baptism”. Just like Jesus said to do.

No, the eunuch was saved by faith prior to receiving water baptism. Acts 8:36 - Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” John 20:31 - but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. *What happened to baptism? *Hermeneutics.

Beckworth said:
When he did this he was “calling on the name of the Lord” to save him as He had promised to do, AND he was putting his faith “in the working of God.” Just as the Spirit said to do in Colossians 2. This is right out of the scriptures. I dont have to “ADD” words which are not there to support my doctrine.

When we call on the name of the Lord, we put our faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. Namely, we put our faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation and not in water baptism. We place our faith in the Savior God and not the water god.

Beckworth said:
Don’t accuse people of not putting their faith in Christ just because they believe ALL of what the Bible says and not just the verses used to support “faith only” doctrine.

People who put their faith in Christ + works do not believe what the Bible says. (Romans 4:5-6; 11:6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9 etc..). Also, people who attack salvation through faith in Jesus Christ "alone" for salvation confuse that with "faith only" per James 2:24 which is an empty profession of faith/dead faith (James 2:14-20) that remains "alone" barren of works, which is not genuine faith but a bare profession of faith. These are two separate "alone's" in connection with two different things.

Beckworth said:
SCRIPTURE DOES NOT CANCEL OUT OTHER SCRIPTURES. ALL of the scriptures in the book of John about “faith” nor any other verses in the Bible that. teach us to believe—not one of those “CANCELS” OR “DOES AWAY WITH”, or “MAKES VOID” scriptures like Acts 2:38 that says baptism forgives sins;

It's not about cancelling out other scriptures. It's about properly harmonizing scripture with scripture before reaching our conclusion on doctrine. Acts 2:38 must be read alongside verses like (Luke 24:47; Acts 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 13:38-39; 15:7-9; 16:31; 26:18) and consider the fact that forgiveness is explicitly tied to repentance/belief/faith and not water baptism

Beckworth said:
Acts 10:48 Peter COMMANDED Cornelius and his house to be baptized and already told us in chapter 2 that it was so they could have forgiveness of sins; or Mark 16:16 where Jesus says that faith AND baptism save us; or 1 Peter 3:21 that says BAPTISM NOW SAVES US. You can read and quote John all day long, you can recite John 3:16 forever and it still will not wipe out or make what the Bible says about baptism of none effect or not true.

Cornelius and his house believed, received the gift of the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues (spiritual gift that is ONLY for the body of Christ - 1 Corinthians 12) and were saved BEFORE water baptism. (Acts 10:43-47)

CONTINUED..

mailmandan · Aug 14, 2026

Beckworth said:
Truth endures. And at the end of the day, it is still there. Jesus says His word endures forever and will be what JUDGES us when we face Him at the resurrection. John 12:48. We will still be judged by I Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38 and what Jesus says in Mark 16:16 when we see Him face to face. Those verses are not going away.

Your eisegesis that is tied to your pet verses is not the truth. We certainly will be judged by what Jesus says. John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. These verses are not going away. (John 1:12; 3:15,16,18,36; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26; Acts 10:43; 13:38-39; 15:7-9; 16:31; 26:18; Romans 1:16; 3:24-28; 4:5-6; 5:1-2; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Galatians 2:16; 3:6-14, 26; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9; 2 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 10:39; 1 John 5:13 etc..).

Beckworth said:
When you add the word “ALONE” to any Bible verse when it is not in that verse, you 1) CHANGE THE MEANING that the Holy Spirit gave the verse when He breathed it. And 2) you immediately contradict other Bible scriptures. That word “alone” pits scripture AGAINST scripture.

The Bible makes it clear in many passages of scripture that man is saved through belief/faith - "apart from additions or modifications." (John 1:12; 3:15,16,18,36; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26; Acts 10:43; 13:38-39; 15:7-9; 16:31; 26:18; Romans 1:16; 3:24-28; 4:5-6; 5:1-2; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Galatians 2:16; 3:6-14, 26; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9; 2 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 10:39; 1 John 5:13 etc..).

Now we don't need to "add" the word "alone" next to "belief/faith" in each of those passages of scripture in order to figure out that the words, "belief/faith" stand alone in connection with receiving eternal life/salvation. Hence, FAITH ALONE. Do these many passages of scripture say belief/faith "plus something else?" Plus, works? NO. *So, then it's faith (rightly understood) in Jesus Christ alone.

The word "alone" does not change the meaning from what the Holy Spirit breathed and does not pit scripture against scripture. Adding "works" to salvation through faith, not works, is what changes the meaning from what the Holy Spirit breathed and pits scripture against scripture. It also culminates in a works based false gospel.

CONTINUED..

mailmandan · Aug 14, 2026

Beckworth said:
You cannot be saved by “faith alone” and be saved by baptism, too; which is what 1 Peter 3:21 says. Now you have scriptures CONTRADICTING other scriptures. Not to mention you are contradicting scripture (James 2:24) by just advocation a “faith alone doctrine.

We certainly cannot be saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone and by baptism, too. I'm glad you recognize that. In 1 Peter 3:21, Peter tells us that baptism now saves you, yet when Peter uses this phrase, he continues in the same sentence to explain exactly what he means by it. He said that baptism now saves you-not the removal of dirt from the flesh (that is, not as an outward, physical act which washes dirt from the body--that is not what saves you), "but an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (that is, as an inward, spiritual transaction between God and the individual, a transaction that is symbolized by the outward ceremony of water baptism).

So, by Peter saying, "not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience - through the resurrection of Jesus Christ," Peter guards against saving power to the physical ceremony in H20. Baptism is a symbol of salvation in that it pictures Christ's death, burial and resurrection and our identification with Him in these experiences. In reality, believers are literally saved by what baptism symbolizes--Christ's death, burial and resurrection. B

You error by turning a symbol into a savior.

I AM NOT CONTRADICTING JAMES 2:24. Faith that trusts in Jesus Christ "alone" for salvation (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9) is not to be confused with an empty profession of faith/dead faith that remains "alone" barren of works. (James 2:14-24)

*How about a little context:

*In James 2:14, we read of one who says/claims he has faith but has no works (to evidence his claim). That is not genuine faith, but a bare profession of faith. So when James asks, "Can that faith save him?" he is saying nothing against genuine faith, but only against an empty profession of faith/dead faith. *So James does not teach that we are saved "by" works. His concern is to show the reality of the faith professed by the individual (James 2:18) and demonstrate that the faith claimed (James 2:14) by the individual is genuine. Simple!

*James is not using the term "justified" in James 2:24 to mean "accounted as righteous" but is shown to be righteous. James is discussing the evidence of faith (says-claims to have faith but has no works/I will show you my faith by my works - James 2:14-18) and not the initial act of being accounted as righteous with God. (Romans 4:2-3)

James 2:24 - You see that a person is justified (shown to be righteous) by works and not by (a bare profession of) faith (that remains) alone (barren of works). It is through faith "in Jesus Christ alone" (and not based on the merits of our works) that we are justified on account of Christ (Romans 4:5-6; 5:1; 5:9); yet the faith that justifies does not remain alone (unfruitful, barren) if it is genuine. (James 2:14-24) *Perfect Harmony*

CONTINUED..

mailmandan · Aug 14, 2026

Beckworth said:
Yes, I am aware of all the feeble efforts to “EXPLAIN AWAY” such scriptures as 1 Peter 3:21, going into GREAT dissertations on grammar and such like; if I believed that, I might question the goodness and the wisdom of God that would give us a verse that REQUIRED such knowledge of the English language and depth of understanding, that without that we would totally misunderstand that verse and would think that it was saying just what it says —that baptism SAVES US—when instead God really does not mean that but means just the OPPOSITE of what He says in that verse —that baptism DOES NOT SAVE US!

Your problem is obvious. You simply read the beginning of the verse then ignore the rest that clarifies what Peter meant. You don't seem to care about what Peter truly meant. All you seem to care about is isolating snap shots of pet verses that tell you what you want to hear in order to accommodate your biased church doctrine.

Beckworth said:
What kind of God does that??? God is not trying to TRICK us; He is not trying to deceive us; He is not purposely trying to make it HARD for us to read and understand. It means just what it says.

God is not out to trick us or deceive us, yet not everything in scripture is so easily understood. 2 Peter 3:16 - He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. It takes spiritual discernment from the Holy Spirit and not merely human intelligence to understand scripture. (1 Corinthians 2:11-14)

Beckworth said:
But it is no surprise that Satan is using every means at his disposal to “find a loophole” or go to great lengths to “explain it away.” The same is true with Mark 16:16. Satan even has put out the idea that that verse does not even belong in the cannon, thus trying to cast DOUBT on what Jesus said and put a stumbling block in the way of those who might believe Him. Wouldn’t you EXPECCT Satan to try to destroy the words of Jesus? There’s no surprise there. Also true with Acts 2:38. Much effort goes into making that very plain verse, to change it so that people can be persuaded that it does not mean what it says. So man tells you it does not mean baptism is FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, which is exactly what the Holy Spirit wrote, but it actually means your sins have already been forgiven before you are baptized. Again, if that were true (and it is not), I would wonder why a loving God didn’t just say it that way, instead of making people believe a lie. Why is He making it so hard for us to understand. Why doesn’t He just write it the way He means it? The answer is HE HAS!! It’s Satan who is making it hard to understand, deceiving people and making them think that God does not mean what He says.

Satan knows that salvation is ONLY found through FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST ALONE and he works overtime to convince folks to trust in works for salvation instead of in JESUS CHRIST ALONE. He knows that either we are trusting 100% in Jesus Christ alone for salvation or else we are 100% lost. The gospel is the "good news" of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who BELIEVES.. (Romans 1:16) To "believe" the gospel is to trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation.

2 Corinthians 4:3 - But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Beckworth said:
So yes, put your faith in Jesus, but that also means put your faith in what Jesus says. And what He has said is “He that believes AND is baptized shall be saved.” If you don’t believe what Jesus says, then you don’t believe in Jesus and you are not putting your faith in Him at all.

Mark 16:16 - He who believes and is baptized will be saved (general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) but he who does not believe will be condemned.

If he who believes shall be saved (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26) then he who believes and is baptized shall be saved as well, yet who did Jesus say would be condemned? he who does not believe.

If water baptism was absolutely required for salvation, then we would expect Jesus to mention it in the following verses. (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26) Yet what is the ONE requirement that Jesus mentions NINE different times in each of these complete statements *BELIEVES. *What happened to baptism *Hermeneutics.

John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

So, putting faith in Jesus for salvation according to you means putting faith in water baptism for salvation?

That's not faith in Jesus but faith in water baptism. You have put your faith in what Jesus said out of context and also in what Jesus did not say - "he who is not baptized will not be saved" - but you call that putting your faith in what Jesus said. You simply cherry pick from scripture what you want to hear and ignore the rest.

Lamar · Aug 14, 2026

mailmandan said:
We certainly will be judged by what Jesus says. John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

We certainly will be judged by what Jesus says. Mark 16:16 - He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who (only believes? - NO) but he who does not believe will be condemned, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed.

Belief and Baptism = Salvation

Unbelief = Condemnation

Take your pick.

These verses are not going away.

mailmandan · Aug 14, 2026

Lamar said:
We certainly will be judged by what Jesus says. Mark 16:16 - He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who (only believes? - NO) but he who does not believe will be condemned, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed.

Belief and Baptism = Salvation

Unbelief = Condemnation

Take your pick.

These verses are not going away.

Mark 16:16 - He who believes and is baptized will be saved (general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Again, if he who believes shall be saved (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26) then he who believes and is baptized shall be saved as well, yet who did Jesus say would be condemned? he who does not believe. Try reading it all.

If water baptism was absolutely required for salvation, then we would expect Jesus to mention it in the following verses. (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26) Yet what is the ONE requirement that Jesus mentions NINE different times in each of these complete statements *BELIEVES. *What happened to baptism? *Hermeneutics.

John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Take your pick. Either you can choose to believe in Jesus for salvation or else you can continue to believe in your baptism for salvation but you can't have it both ways! These verses above that I cited are not going away and neither is the second half of your pet verse, Mark 16:16.

Lamar · Aug 14, 2026

mailmandan said:
Your problem is obvious. You simply read the beginning of the verse then ignore the rest that clarifies what Peter meant. You don't seem to care about what Peter truly meant. All you seem to care about is isolating snap shots of pet verses that tell you what you want to hear in order to accommodate your biased church doctrine.

God is not out to trick us or deceive us, yet not everything in scripture is so easily understood. 2 Peter 3:16 - He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. It takes spiritual discernment from the Holy Spirit and not merely human intelligence to understand scripture. (1 Corinthians 2:11-14)

Satan knows that salvation is ONLY found through FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST ALONE and he works overtime to convince folks to trust in works for salvation instead of in JESUS CHRIST ALONE. He knows that either we are trusting 100% in Jesus Christ alone for salvation or else we are 100% lost. The gospel is the "good news" of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who BELIEVES.. (Romans 1:16) To "believe" the gospel is to trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation.

2 Corinthians 4:3 - But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Mark 16:16 - He who believes and is baptized will be saved (general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) but he who does not believe will be condemned.

If he who believes shall be saved (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26) then he who believes and is baptized shall be saved as well, yet who did Jesus say would be condemned? he who does not believe.

If water baptism was absolutely required for salvation, then we would expect Jesus to mention it in the following verses. (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26) Yet what is the ONE requirement that Jesus mentions NINE different times in each of these complete statements *BELIEVES. *What happened to baptism *Hermeneutics.

John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

So, putting faith in Jesus for salvation according to you means putting faith in water baptism for salvation? That's not faith in Jesus but faith in water baptism. You have put your faith in what Jesus said out of context and also in what Jesus did not say - "he who is not baptized will not be saved" - but you call that putting your faith in what Jesus said. You simply cherry pick from scripture what you want to hear and ignore the rest.

Beckworth is quite correct about you.

Your whole defense of faith alone regeneration theology is forcing "alone" into generalities and explaining away the obvious meaning of clear passages.

You are only fooling those who are looking for cheap grace and not the truth.

Lamar · Aug 14, 2026

mailmandan said:
If water baptism was absolutely required for salvation, then we would expect Jesus to mention it in the following verses. (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26) Yet what is the ONE requirement that Jesus mentions NINE different times in each of these complete statements *BELIEVES. *What happened to baptism? *Hermeneutics.

If belief alone was the only thing required for salvation, then we would expect Jesus to mention it in the following verses, (3:15,1618; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26) and verses such as Acts 2:38. Acts 22:16, 1st Peter 3:21 etc. should not exist.
*BELIEVES. *What happened to alone?* Hermeneutics Rule# 5

The rule of LOGIC: Interpretation is merely logical reasoning. When interpreting Scripture, the use of reason is everywhere to be assumed. Does the interpretation make sense? The Bible was given to us in the form of human language and therefore appeals to human reason – it invites investigation. It is to be interpreted as we would any other volume: applying the laws of language and grammatical analysis. Apologetics Index*

It is both unreasonable and illogical to assume a text is absolute unless it is purposely written with definitive verbiage such as "alone".

You may think you are a student of hermeneutics but your defense says otherwise.

HOW CAN I BE 100% SURE THAT I WILL GO TO HEAVEN WHEN I DIE?

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