How do I become saved?

Beanieboy

Senior Veteran
Jan 20, 2006
6,296
1,213
60
✟50,122.00
Faith
Christian
Most Christian will say that you ask God to forgive your sins you repent of, and ask Jesus into your heart. That simple.

Or not. From what I've read here or have listened to what a street preacher says, even as a Christian, there seems to be a lot of fine print:
You repent of your sins. If you still sin, you are not saved, you haven't really repented. Hell. Next?
You ask forgiveness of sins you have done that week at church, or daily, but you didn't willingly sin. So, maybe you sinned against you will, or did it unknowingly. Maybe the devil made you do it. And that lie you told? Well, you are forgiven, so you're good, right?
You keep the commandments, no matter how arbitrary, like men and women not wearing the same garments (like pants.) Hell. Yes, visited a church where this was stressed that the had to correct The Last Supper, so that now, even Jesus look like he went to Great Clips.
Oops! You weren't baptized baby? Sorry. Hell. Sucks to be you. Next?
You are born again. If not..hell...next?
You prove your salvation in your works, or even a co-salvation. If not, goat. Hell.
You are saved through grace.
You are saved through faith, something you do.
A list of sins that disqualify you. Yeah, gossip and slander are in it, but the focus is on one.
You've blasphemed the HS. Sure, you might not even understand what that means, but, alas. Hell. Thanks for playing.

If you haven't met these qualification, to Hell you go.

God loves you, but will send you to Hell if you don't love him in return with the same "good riddance" attitude of the person making the claim. An eternal torture for not believing in his existence and obeying for a life of at max 100 years, or as short as a day.

Oh, and btw, you might lose your salvation. So nobody's safe. As one person stated, "God drowned the whole world except one family, so..you better watch out.

i appreciate a good discussion or debate, but when I really read through this, it is not "simple," so that you enter into Heaven becoming as a child. It sounds so complicated, with so many exceptions, how can Christians preach to others how one is saved and enter into a relationship with God, if no one even agrees on how that happens, so much so, to the point of damning the other to hell?
 

Albion

Facilitator
Dec 8, 2004
111,138
33,258
✟583,842.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
i appreciate a good discussion or debate, but when I really read through this, it is not "simple," so that you enter into Heaven becoming as a child. It sounds so complicated, with so many exceptions, how can Christians preach to others how one is saved and enter into a relationship with God, if no one even agrees on how that happens, so much so, to the point of damning the other to hell?
Well, it's not as though there are no answers or that there are a thousand different ones.

Essentially, there is the Catholic-type answer and then there is the Protestant-type answer. Yes, there are some questions about the details in either case, but if this is truly a perplexing concept to you, first decide which "side" is yours and then with a little study you will probably see the logic in its explanation.

In the end, however, we all know that the final decision about our salvation lies with God, the ultimate judge, and you are only asking about the basic process as taught by the different churches.
 
Upvote 0

redleghunter

Thank You Jesus!
Supporter
Mar 18, 2014
38,116
34,054
Texas
✟176,076.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I believe born again is an act of God in us. God begins a work in us and we must be confident (Trust) He will complete this work.

Philippians 1: NASB

3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In every prayer for all of you, I always pray with joy, 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
 
Upvote 0

Basil the Great

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Mar 9, 2009
4,766
4,085
✟721,243.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Politics
US-Green
Jesus was once asked this very question. Now, one would think that Christians would look to see the response that their Lord gave. Yet, I tell you here and now, probably 98% of the Christian posters on Christian Forums do not agree with what Jesus said regarding what one must do to be saved.
 
Upvote 0

Basil the Great

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Mar 9, 2009
4,766
4,085
✟721,243.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Politics
US-Green
Well, it's not as though there are no answers or that there are a thousand different ones.

Essentially, there is the Catholic-type answer and then there is the Protestant-type answer. Yes, there are some questions about the details in either case, but if this is truly a perplexing concept to you, first decide which "side" is yours and then with a little study you will probably see the logic in its explanation.

In the end, however, we all know that the final decision about our salvation lies with God, the ultimate judge, and you are only asking about the basic process as taught by the different churches.
As usual, Albion makes much sense. Yes, in the final analysis, only God knows who will be saved.
 
Upvote 0

redleghunter

Thank You Jesus!
Supporter
Mar 18, 2014
38,116
34,054
Texas
✟176,076.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Jesus was once asked this very question. Now, one would think that Christians would look to see the response that their Lord gave. Yet, I tell you here and now, probably 98% of the Christian posters on Christian Forums do not agree with what Jesus said regarding what one must do to be saved.
Yes the scribe who asked Jesus this question. Love God with all our heart, mind, strength and basically all we have. And love our neighbor as ourselves.

Yet the scribe asked Jesus “who is my neighbor.”


Jesus also said we are to be perfect, not best effort, as our Heavenly Father is Perfect.

Who is the only One Who walked this earth in the flesh who was Perfect? Jesus of course and that is where the answer is...In Christ, through Christ, with Christ. Which is the major theme of the Acts and the epistles.

Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts of the Apostles 4:12)
 
Upvote 0

Kenny'sID

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 28, 2016
18,185
7,001
69
USA
✟585,304.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
You repent of your sins. If you still sin, you are not saved, you haven't really repented. Hell. Next?

I only got as far as the first deception.

FWIW, it's not if we still sin, it's if we live in sin, or did you know that already and chose to word it as you did just the same?
 
Upvote 0

d taylor

Well-Known Member
Oct 16, 2018
10,550
4,684
59
Mississippi
✟247,996.00
Country
United States
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Single
Most Christian will say that you ask God to forgive your sins you repent of, and ask Jesus into your heart. That simple.

Or not. From what I've read here or have listened to what a street preacher says, even as a Christian, there seems to be a lot of fine print:
You repent of your sins. If you still sin, you are not saved, you haven't really repented. Hell. Next?
You ask forgiveness of sins you have done that week at church, or daily, but you didn't willingly sin. So, maybe you sinned against you will, or did it unknowingly. Maybe the devil made you do it. And that lie you told? Well, you are forgiven, so you're good, right?
You keep the commandments, no matter how arbitrary, like men and women not wearing the same garments (like pants.) Hell. Yes, visited a church where this was stressed that the had to correct The Last Supper, so that now, even Jesus look like he went to Great Clips.
Oops! You weren't baptized baby? Sorry. Hell. Sucks to be you. Next?
You are born again. If not..hell...next?
You prove your salvation in your works, or even a co-salvation. If not, goat. Hell.
You are saved through grace.
You are saved through faith, something you do.
A list of sins that disqualify you. Yeah, gossip and slander are in it, but the focus is on one.
You've blasphemed the HS. Sure, you might not even understand what that means, but, alas. Hell. Thanks for playing.

If you haven't met these qualification, to Hell you go.

God loves you, but will send you to Hell if you don't love him in return with the same "good riddance" attitude of the person making the claim. An eternal torture for not believing in his existence and obeying for a life of at max 100 years, or as short as a day.

Oh, and btw, you might lose your salvation. So nobody's safe. As one person stated, "God drowned the whole world except one family, so..you better watch out.

i appreciate a good discussion or debate, but when I really read through this, it is not "simple," so that you enter into Heaven becoming as a child. It sounds so complicated, with so many exceptions, how can Christians preach to others how one is saved and enter into a relationship with God, if no one even agrees on how that happens, so much so, to the point of damning the other to hell?

Believe Jesus is the promised Messiah from Old Testament prophecies and trust in The Messiah for His free gift of His Eternal Life. If a person does this, look to the Messiah for Eternal Life they have it never to lose it and have become born again and child of God.

They have left behind the dead spiritual state they received from Adam. To the Everlasting life given by Jesus The promised Messiah.
 
Upvote 0

Ilikecats

Active Member
Dec 27, 2019
185
70
27
Alberta
✟49,744.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Most Christian will say that you ask God to forgive your sins you repent of, and ask Jesus into your heart. That simple.

Or not. From what I've read here or have listened to what a street preacher says, even as a Christian, there seems to be a lot of fine print:
You repent of your sins. If you still sin, you are not saved, you haven't really repented. Hell. Next?
You ask forgiveness of sins you have done that week at church, or daily, but you didn't willingly sin. So, maybe you sinned against you will, or did it unknowingly. Maybe the devil made you do it. And that lie you told? Well, you are forgiven, so you're good, right?
You keep the commandments, no matter how arbitrary, like men and women not wearing the same garments (like pants.) Hell. Yes, visited a church where this was stressed that the had to correct The Last Supper, so that now, even Jesus look like he went to Great Clips.
Oops! You weren't baptized baby? Sorry. Hell. Sucks to be you. Next?
You are born again. If not..hell...next?
You prove your salvation in your works, or even a co-salvation. If not, goat. Hell.
You are saved through grace.
You are saved through faith, something you do.
A list of sins that disqualify you. Yeah, gossip and slander are in it, but the focus is on one.
You've blasphemed the HS. Sure, you might not even understand what that means, but, alas. Hell. Thanks for playing.

If you haven't met these qualification, to Hell you go.

God loves you, but will send you to Hell if you don't love him in return with the same "good riddance" attitude of the person making the claim. An eternal torture for not believing in his existence and obeying for a life of at max 100 years, or as short as a day.

Oh, and btw, you might lose your salvation. So nobody's safe. As one person stated, "God drowned the whole world except one family, so..you better watch out.

i appreciate a good discussion or debate, but when I really read through this, it is not "simple," so that you enter into Heaven becoming as a child. It sounds so complicated, with so many exceptions, how can Christians preach to others how one is saved and enter into a relationship with God, if no one even agrees on how that happens, so much so, to the point of damning the other to hell?
You can’t become saved by your own doing. God extends his hand in grace to you and you receive the gift of faith. It’s that faith that saves.
 
Upvote 0

Kenny'sID

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Feb 28, 2016
18,185
7,001
69
USA
✟585,304.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
You can’t become saved by your own doing. God extends his hand in grace to you and you receive the gift of faith. It’s that faith that saves.

Then you're saying, after we accept, it is not a must we do good. and not do evil?
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Beanieboy

Senior Veteran
Jan 20, 2006
6,296
1,213
60
✟50,122.00
Faith
Christian
Well, it's not as though there are no answers or that there are a thousand different ones.

Essentially, there is the Catholic-type answer and then there is the Protestant-type answer. Yes, there are some questions about the details in either case, but if this is truly a perplexing concept to you, first decide which "side" is yours and then with a little study you will probably see the logic in its explanation.

In the end, however, we all know that the final decision about our salvation lies with God, the ultimate judge, and you are only asking about the basic process as taught by the different churches.

My OP is not how one gets saved, but rather, many Christians can't even agree to the point that they sometimes argue the other isn't a Real Christian (tm), or isn't actually saved.

I was raised Lutheran, but would you mind talking about the Protestant vs Catholic response?
 
Upvote 0

Beanieboy

Senior Veteran
Jan 20, 2006
6,296
1,213
60
✟50,122.00
Faith
Christian
You can’t become saved by your own doing. God extends his hand in grace to you and you receive the gift of faith. It’s that faith that saves.
My first two years of college were at a Lutheran College where I learned some beliefs I didn't agree with.

It is believed that only the HS can open your heart to receive Christ, but if you close it, it is on you. A student asked, "How can I close the door of my heart if it is not opened?" There was no explanation.

Another was an implied predestination, that you are already chosen, or not, but if not, the blame is on you.
 
Upvote 0

IntriKate

Active Member
Nov 23, 2019
388
445
.
✟105,464.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
He died on the cross to simplify it for us. We accept him into our lives and walk each day with him as best we can. He already did the hard bit and he did it because he loves us. I don’t believe anyone who says that his blood and our heart being focused on him isn’t enough. And before anyone twists what I said I don’t mean it is a free pass to sin, only that it cannot take his gift of grace if our heart is in the right place and we try.
 
Upvote 0

Beanieboy

Senior Veteran
Jan 20, 2006
6,296
1,213
60
✟50,122.00
Faith
Christian
I believe born again is an act of God in us. God begins a work in us and we must be confident (Trust) He will complete this work.

Philippians 1: NASB

3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In every prayer for all of you, I always pray with joy, 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

This is another phrase I think people disagree on the definition.

It's strange for me to hear people say the are born-again Christians, implying other Christians are not.

Spirit-filled Christians usually are what people baptised in the HS use, usually implying the speak in tongues and/or have some gift of the spirit
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Ilikecats

Active Member
Dec 27, 2019
185
70
27
Alberta
✟49,744.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
My first two years of college were at a Lutheran College where I learned some beliefs I didn't agree with.

It is believed that only the HS can open your heart to receive Christ, but if you close it, it is on you. A student asked, "How can I close the door of my heart if it is not opened?" There was no explanation.

Another was an implied predestination, that you are already chosen, or not, but if not, the blame is on you.

I don’t understand the question of how do I close the door if it’s not opened. Is it referring to the assumption someone can resist grace?
And the second statement of predestination is heavily debated. But I don’t think understanding either of them is essential for salvation.
 
Upvote 0

HTacianas

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2018
8,458
8,967
Florida
✟321,765.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
Most Christian will say that you ask God to forgive your sins you repent of, and ask Jesus into your heart. That simple.

Or not. From what I've read here or have listened to what a street preacher says, even as a Christian, there seems to be a lot of fine print:
You repent of your sins. If you still sin, you are not saved, you haven't really repented. Hell. Next?
You ask forgiveness of sins you have done that week at church, or daily, but you didn't willingly sin. So, maybe you sinned against you will, or did it unknowingly. Maybe the devil made you do it. And that lie you told? Well, you are forgiven, so you're good, right?
You keep the commandments, no matter how arbitrary, like men and women not wearing the same garments (like pants.) Hell. Yes, visited a church where this was stressed that the had to correct The Last Supper, so that now, even Jesus look like he went to Great Clips.
Oops! You weren't baptized baby? Sorry. Hell. Sucks to be you. Next?
You are born again. If not..hell...next?
You prove your salvation in your works, or even a co-salvation. If not, goat. Hell.
You are saved through grace.
You are saved through faith, something you do.
A list of sins that disqualify you. Yeah, gossip and slander are in it, but the focus is on one.
You've blasphemed the HS. Sure, you might not even understand what that means, but, alas. Hell. Thanks for playing.

If you haven't met these qualification, to Hell you go.

God loves you, but will send you to Hell if you don't love him in return with the same "good riddance" attitude of the person making the claim. An eternal torture for not believing in his existence and obeying for a life of at max 100 years, or as short as a day.

Oh, and btw, you might lose your salvation. So nobody's safe. As one person stated, "God drowned the whole world except one family, so..you better watch out.

i appreciate a good discussion or debate, but when I really read through this, it is not "simple," so that you enter into Heaven becoming as a child. It sounds so complicated, with so many exceptions, how can Christians preach to others how one is saved and enter into a relationship with God, if no one even agrees on how that happens, so much so, to the point of damning the other to hell?

Actually, most Christians will tell you that you first believe, then repent, are baptized, chrismated, and participate in the sacramental life of the Church.

That has been the teaching of Christianity since the beginning.
 
Upvote 0

Beanieboy

Senior Veteran
Jan 20, 2006
6,296
1,213
60
✟50,122.00
Faith
Christian
I don’t understand the question of how do I close the door if it’s not opened..
If you have decided to open your heart and invite Christ in, it was only through the power of the Holy Spirit.

But if you close your heart to God, it is your fault.

I believe the idea is that if you are saved it is only bc God saved you. If not, it's on you.

Which basically means, if the HS doesn't open your heart, you can't close a shut door, and implies that the HS decides whose door is opened, and whose is not. I wasn't aware this was part of Lutheranism
 
Upvote 0

Beanieboy

Senior Veteran
Jan 20, 2006
6,296
1,213
60
✟50,122.00
Faith
Christian
Actually, most Christians will tell you that you first believe, then repent, are baptized, chrismated, and participate in the sacramental life of the Church.

That has been the teaching of Christianity since the beginning.
Actually, most Christians will tell you that you first believe, then repent, are baptized, chrismated, and participate in the sacramental life of the Church.

That has been the teaching of Christianity since the beginning.
That makes the most logical sense. With Christ in your heart, your life changes.

But there are street preachers out there that preach that you first repent of your sin. If we could stop sinning alone, why would you need God?
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

HTacianas

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2018
8,458
8,967
Florida
✟321,765.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
That makes the most logical sense. With Christ in your heart, your life changes.

But there are street preachers out there that preach that you first repent of your sin. If we could stop sinning alone, why would you need God?

To repent of sin means to change your mind about it and stop doing it. In simple terms.

God is needed, if for no other reason, to point out to us what sin is. Without knowing what sin is we would not know what it is we are repenting of. Not so much nowadays, but in the time of the apostles idolatry was common. That has been eliminated by Christianity in the Western world.

The others, adultery, murder, theft are common with some people. There are career criminals in the world that see crime as a way of life. And there are both men and women in the world who carry on extramarital affairs and think nothing of it as long as they don't get caught.

All of those things we are commanded to repent of. Afterwards, through the washing of baptism anything we've done in the past is forgotten and we are expected to change our behavior. Chrismation brings the Holy Spirit Who seals us and acts to help us along the way.

But therr are some who give up along the way and decide they want to go back to their old way of life, leave and never return. For them it is really all for nothing.
 
Upvote 0