I know someone who always tells me that she received Jesus and I don't know what to think about that. Out of interest I want to know if this is a false way to be saved. It seems to be the fundamental security she has in her salvation. What I can't understand is if she genuinely believes that Jesus died for our sins (that our sins were laid on him and that he died for them, taking the penalty for them so we don't have to), was buried, and that God raised him from the dead, which is what I would equate with saving faith. She seems to pin her entire salvation on that she received Jesus as her Lord and Saviour. I don't even know what that means other than that she might believe that he's a real person and that she "received" him.
I know in John 1 it says what it says about those that received him, but I think it's writing specifically about those people and not meant to be taken as a literal instruction for us to "receive" him.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Clearly, because it says but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. They still had to believe in him, and this is what you have to do in my opinion, as is made clear in John 3. So it makes me very suspicious when someone says that they "received" Jesus when what I think you have to do is to believe in him. I don't think it's any guarantee of salvation unless it is accompanied by faith in Jesus, and if that is the case why not just say you believe in him? And to be clear, John 1:12 is not even talking about salvation, it is just talking about people becoming sons of God, which might accompany salvation.
I think what you need to do is to believe on Jesus, not to "receive" him, in order to be saved. Or in other words, to believe that he died for our sins, was buried, and was risen from the dead by God. I don't know if "receiving" him does anything.
What is sad is most people just follow the preacher, I was one of them.
The man-made sinners prayer started about 500 years ago and for sure is not bible.
There is no scripture where you receive HIM.
If we want to receive HIM we have to also receive HIS words.
This is what most people on this sight don't like, the book of Acts the building of the church.
JESUS said in John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
The first message preached and the fist ones to be reborn in NT times.
Acts 2:37-41
King James Version
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Three thousand souls were added.
What is sad is people today follow the man-made sinners prayer.
Alot believe Paul preached a different message.
Alot believe we are saved by grace of faith alone.
Being baptized is for show.
The list goes on, all not bible.
Satan's plan, keep them out of the water, if they get in the water keep JESUS name out of it.
