Is "receiving" Jesus a false manner of salvation?

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LeeLoving

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Sep 24, 2012
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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.
 
LeeLoving said:
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.
Click to expand...
I would say, don't be concerned for your friend when they say they received Christ.

Remember John 1?
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

And Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Receiving Jesus means accepting Jesus and his teachings through faith.
 
LeeLoving said:
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.
Click to expand...
So we’re back to salvation 🙄 I wonder how much time Paul stayed on salvation before venturing on to other things God would show him? Yes, salvation is paramount importance. But why do we keep going over and over it? Yes, we’ve been saved and now we need to begin moving onward toward God. It’s the same with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Yes it’s paramount. But it’s time to move onward toward our relationship with Jesus.
 
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Some mistake mere mental assent to His life as faith.
Most who call themselves Christian aren't really, Jesus said most would have an outward form of Godliness denying the power in this time, knowing this, what do we see that lines up with this?
blessings
 
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LeeLoving said:
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.
Click to expand...
It depends on what you understand by "receive". It's not a common usage now, but at one time it was used to allow a visitor to meet with you. So A servant might talk to you in a waiting room and say, "Lord Blah Blah will receive you now."

I do not believe that God uses words lightly. It is not possible to be a child of God and not saved. Also, what does it mean to believe on Him? Do not the demons believe and tremble?

Do not be confused by the false "invite Jesus into your heart" concept. Lord Jesus will not come into a filthy, unregenerate heart. When we receive Jesus, we need to know that we are sinners and that Jesus is righteous and holy. Now yes, we must believe that Jesus is saviour. However, that is meaningless for many. I believed it all, in God, that Jesus died and rose again etc. I could recite the apostles creed and the Lord's prayer from memory. 3 years enforced church attendance will do that to you. I also detested church and I was terrified of God. Saved? No, I was on the broad road to destruction.

If you are concerned about the reality of someone's salvation, start off by assuming that they are saved. Invite them to give you their testimony. Ask them where Jesus is now. If they joyfully say, "In my heart" then you can be sure that they are saved. If they confess Jesus as Lord and believe that Christ rose from the dead, there is your answer.

Many Christians are born again but do not have a good foundation. It's at least in part because of a lack of sound teaching. New believers need a firm foundation based on God's word and the finished work of Christ at Calvary.
 
shittim said:
Some mistake mere mental assent to His life as faith.
Most who call themselves Christian aren't really, Jesus said most would have an outward form of Godliness denying the power in this time, knowing this, what do we see that lines up with this?
blessings
Click to expand...

Well she is active in church (very active), but yes she seems to pin her salvation on that she received Jesus. I don't know what she means when she says this as I haven't asked, but if it's just some visceral feeling that you've accepted Jesus into your life I don't know how that could save anyone as you have to believe in his work and that God raised him from the dead. This is what I've always equated as saving faith at least because this is what Paul told the Corinthians, that they were saved through believing his gospel. And in Romans 10 it is talking about those who believe (4 "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." 10 "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." 11 "For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.") so I think it might be taken for granted that this person believes Jesus died for their sins. There is also Paul and Silas telling the jailer what he must do to be saved "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ". From what I know of scripture there isn't anything saying "receiving" him would save you, but I've noticed the notion as somewhat common that people will say they received the Lord Jesus Christ... my instinct tells me they are not believing Biblically or they would just say they believed in him. I know others differ with me on what it takes to be saved so maybe people have insight into the phenomenon that I haven't considered.
 
Gideon300 said:
It depends on what you understand by "receive". It's not a common usage now, but at one time it was used to allow a visitor to meet with you. So A servant might talk to you in a waiting room and say, "Lord Blah Blah will receive you now."

I do not believe that God uses words lightly. It is not possible to be a child of God and not saved. Also, what does it mean to believe on Him? Do not the demons believe and tremble?

Do not be confused by the false "invite Jesus into your heart" concept. Lord Jesus will not come into a filthy, unregenerate heart. When we receive Jesus, we need to know that we are sinners and that Jesus is righteous and holy. Now yes, we must believe that Jesus is saviour. However, that is meaningless for many. I believed it all, in God, that Jesus died and rose again etc. I could recite the apostles creed and the Lord's prayer from memory. 3 years enforced church attendance will do that to you. I also detested church and I was terrified of God. Saved? No, I was on the broad road to destruction.

If you are concerned about the reality of someone's salvation, start off by assuming that they are saved. Invite them to give you their testimony. Ask them where Jesus is now. If they joyfully say, "In my heart" then you can be sure that they are saved. If they confess Jesus as Lord and believe that Christ rose from the dead, there is your answer.

Many Christians are born again but do not have a good foundation. It's at least in part because of a lack of sound teaching. New believers need a firm foundation based on God's word and the finished work of Christ at Calvary.
Click to expand...

I AGREE. The churches around here that I have gone to I have never once heard the gospel preached, though some of the churches are reputable, and the one where she goes to hands out booklets on false pastors like Kenneth Copeland. I have little trust in the local "church" here. It is horrible really from what I have surmised.
 
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

faith = pistis = trust

Trust can be as simple as assuming that a chair you are going to sit in will hold you. However, it is difficult to quantify or measure. People can use various words to try to describe this trust such as "receive", Take Jesus into your heart, or even follow Jesus. It may be possible that the use of euphemisms might cause one to be mistaken. For example, a person who believes that Jesus existed and did miracles might not have actual trust.

The word pistis in the Greek was often used with peithō to convey the idea of trusting in that of which one has been persuaded..
 
Doll said:
I would say, don't be concerned for your friend when they say they received Christ.

Remember John 1?
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

And Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Receiving Jesus means accepting Jesus and his teachings through faith.
Click to expand...

John 1 is talking about specific people in the past, like the Apostles, who literally received Jesus, they still had to believe in him though as is evidenced by it saying "to those who believed in his name". I don't think we are meant to literally "receive" him now from what this says. So it is concerning for me when someone says they received Jesus. It shows a lack of understanding about what the Bible says. If they understood the importance of the language they would say they believed in him, because this is what Jesus says will save someone in John 3. It honestly makes me think that someone might not have believed in him (that he died for our sins, was buried, and that God raised him from the dead). They seem to be pinning their hopes on that they received him. I have never had the opportunity to ask what someone means when they say this or to ask further if they believe in the basics about what Jesus accomplished (and that he was raised from the dead). If someone does truly believe then of course there is no cause for concern, but the language always gets me.
 
Gideon300 said:
It depends on what you understand by "receive". It's not a common usage now, but at one time it was used to allow a visitor to meet with you. So A servant might talk to you in a waiting room and say, "Lord Blah Blah will receive you now."

I do not believe that God uses words lightly. It is not possible to be a child of God and not saved. Also, what does it mean to believe on Him? Do not the demons believe and tremble?

Do not be confused by the false "invite Jesus into your heart" concept. Lord Jesus will not come into a filthy, unregenerate heart. When we receive Jesus, we need to know that we are sinners and that Jesus is righteous and holy. Now yes, we must believe that Jesus is saviour. However, that is meaningless for many. I believed it all, in God, that Jesus died and rose again etc. I could recite the apostles creed and the Lord's prayer from memory. 3 years enforced church attendance will do that to you. I also detested church and I was terrified of God. Saved? No, I was on the broad road to destruction.

If you are concerned about the reality of someone's salvation, start off by assuming that they are saved. Invite them to give you their testimony. Ask them where Jesus is now. If they joyfully say, "In my heart" then you can be sure that they are saved. If they confess Jesus as Lord and believe that Christ rose from the dead, there is your answer.

Many Christians are born again but do not have a good foundation. It's at least in part because of a lack of sound teaching. New believers need a firm foundation based on God's word and the finished work of Christ at Calvary.
Click to expand...

These words are tricky, but from their usage in the New Testament I assume it means to believe that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised from the dead - to believe on him.

ResidentAlien said:
Have you asked her what she means?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if I have.
 
LeeLoving said:
Well she is active in church (very active), but yes she seems to pin her salvation on that she received Jesus. I don't know what she means when she says this as I haven't asked, but if it's just some visceral feeling that you've accepted Jesus into your life I don't know how that could save anyone as you have to believe in his work and that God raised him from the dead. This is what I've always equated as saving faith at least because this is what Paul told the Corinthians, that they were saved through believing his gospel. And in Romans 10 it is talking about those who believe (4 "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." 10 "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." 11 "For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.") so I think it might be taken for granted that this person believes Jesus died for their sins. There is also Paul and Silas telling the jailer what he must do to be saved "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ". From what I know of scripture there isn't anything saying "receiving" him would save you, but I've noticed the notion as somewhat common that people will say they received the Lord Jesus Christ... my instinct tells me they are not believing Biblically or they would just say they believed in him. I know others differ with me on what it takes to be saved so maybe people have insight into the phenomenon that I haven't considered.
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I think, then, that it is necessary to check that by receiving Jesus, she means that she believes on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
 
DavidLamb said:
I think, then, that it is necessary to check that by receiving Jesus, she means that she believes on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
Click to expand...

My suspicion is that it doesn't mean this at all. She was into new-age charismatic Christianity when she "received' him so I think she literally means that she received the Lord Jesus. How someone does this when he is not physically present with you is a mystery to me. I think you are just delving into feelings at that point in thinking that you received him, because he is not physically present with you to have been received.

Thinking like this is just a misunderstanding of what it says in John 1 in my opinion. John 1:12 is talking about people that literally received Jesus, like as in he was present with them physically and they laboured with him in life and welcomed him into their circumstances, such as the Apostles for instance. They literally received him as a person in their life. He is not present with us to be received - it's just nonsense in my opinion.
 
LeeLoving said:
My suspicion is that it doesn't mean this at all. She was into new-age charismatic Christianity when she "received' him so I think she literally means that she received the Lord Jesus. How someone does this when he is not physically present with you is a mystery to me. I think you are just delving into feelings at that point in thinking that you received him, because he is not physically present with you to have been received.

Thinking like this is just a misunderstanding of what it says in John 1 in my opinion. John 1:12 is talking about people that literally received Jesus, like as in he was present with them physically and they laboured with him in life and welcomed him into their circumstances, such as the Apostles for instance. They literally received him as a person in their life. He is not present with us to be received - it's just nonsense in my opinion.
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I agree. I wonder how a person can "receive" Jesus without believing on Him. Even with receiving presents/gifts from ther people, we cannot receive a present without believing that the present exists. (Yes, I know that believing in Jesus to be saved involves more than simply believing that He exists, but I think the point stands.)
 
Christ indwells the believer, the believer then manifests Holy Spirit anointing as they become conformed to the image of the Son to the point Christy is seen through our every thought, word and deed.
Ask Him if she is one of His.
blessings
 
Well normally when a person says they received him they mean it as their Lord and savior and so it seems to me to be a legit and only way to be saved because receiving him is also avvepting him as your Lord and so when one says they have received him it means that they have accepted this

He does manifest physically as well so it might be possible to receive him this way too but this is not a common case he has manifested for me a couple of times but I had already received him at this point and it is not impossible that he might monifest physically to turn someone to salvation either but not a very common scenario
 
LeeLoving said:
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.
Click to expand...
Receiving him is what we do at conversion.

The devil believes on him and will never be saved.
 
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Judas received everything the other 11 received in fellowship, gifting, impartation, etc. , yet it seems he leaned on his own understanding in trying to get Jesus to expose Himself?
best wishes
 
Think about it . she’s acknolwedging and accepting the message of Jesus Christ

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭13:20‬ ‭

“He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10:40‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I think it matters what “ receving “ means in the context id say it’s reflective of this

“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

One group receives the gospel in faith and the other one rejects it and dismisses it.
 
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