Do you need to be a Christian to go to Heaven?
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leecappella
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Andyk1987 said:
Read Luke 10:25-37 and tell me what Jesus' answer was to the similar question the lawyer asked. Also, tell me what religious faith the good Samaritan was.
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leecappella
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It is enough for the present. This is the courtesy of Deep Heaven that when you mean well, He always takes you to have meant better than you know. It will not be for always. He is very jealous. He will have you for no one but Himself in the end. But for tonight, it is enough.
I absolutely love this quote. To me, it is saying that no matter one's religious affiliation, they are of God when they live as Christ lived (love thy neighbor and love God). That a follower of Christ is not merely just a person who is a christian, but one who also is not a christian, but who does live a righteous life as Christ did and in the way Christ had come and showed us how to live one to another and towards God. God looks at the heart and not the externalities, which is why it does not matter what foods you eat. Food has nothing to do with your soul. Nor does it determine if you are good or bad of heart. Gender has nothing to do with your soul. Who you love does not determine if you hare good or bad of heart. This is what I get from the C.S. Lewis quote. The world is full of people who have been raised in other religious faith contexts and they live their lives righteously associated with their faith as they see God to be. Just as a christian has their faith context, which is often taught to them while be raised in their particular regions of the world. God is God. If Jesus is God, then when one sees God, they are seeing Jesus. If one sees Jesus, they are seeing God as well. One and the same.
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Jesus died 2 thousand years ago. Most of the teachings are clear forgeries or written at least 60 years after the teachers death. Plus much would have only been taught privately. THen, 2000 years ago was the age of Pisces and the cosmos was somewhat different and obviously, different teachings are for different times and purposes. No one went from human being to to paradise without a true teacher when they have developed enough. But the teacher is gone for 2000 years an cannot teach a lead on earth
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Andyk1987 said:
If your definition of Christian is "a follower of Christ," the answer is yes. There are many verses where Jesus Himself says that He is the way. (John 3:15-16, 5:24-25,39; 6:27,40; 14:6)
Romans 3:25(NLT)
25) For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us.
Romans 19:9-11(NLT)
9) For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10) For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11) As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed."
Andyk1987 said:
If they have heard of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as posted above, and rejected Him, they will not go to Heaven, based on their rejection of the One who gives Eternal Life.
Andyk1987 said:
Same answer as above.
Andyk1987 said:
What will happen to those that have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
I do not have a definitive answer for you. Revelation 5:9 talks about believers from every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation and Revelation 14:6 speaks of the everlasting gospel being preached to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.
In Romans 2:11-16 it speaks about those who have never heard the Law of God and how they will be judged according to the law that is written in their hearts. The Law written in their hearts is the knowledge of right and wrong. Perhaps God's judgment of those without a proper knowledge of Him is included there where it says that they will be judged according to their own consciences that "bear witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them."
The Bible says that God is a just God. We know that whatever He does is right. When it comes to those who have never heard the Gospel, He will do what is right, whatever that is. But as for those who have heard the gospel, He will judge them according to how they respond.
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apenman said:
To love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Yes, if anyone could achieve these, I agree with you, they would go to Heaven. But lets not give anyone any false hope, the only person that was ever able to achieve this and the only person that will ever achieve it, is Christ Himself.
Galatians 2:16(NLT)
16) And yet we Jewish Christians know that we become right with God, not by doing what the law commands, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be accepted by God because of our faith in Christ--and not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be saved by obeying the law.
Why will no one ever be saved by obeying the law? Because in order to do that, one must live a sinless life. Any little sin breaks the law of love. The Word tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and if anyone says that they are without sin, they are a liar and the truth is not in them.
Galatians 5:4(NLT)
4) For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace.
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TinFoilUnderpants said:
According to the Bible, the person that believed in Jesus would go to Heaven and, if the non-believer had heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and rejected it, s/he would not go to Heaven. Jesus Himself said, in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." The Father is in Heaven so, in effect, Jesus is saying no one can come to Heaven except through me.
If the non-believer had never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Romans 2:11-16 speaks about those who have never heard the Law of God and how they will be judged according to the law that is written in their hearts. The Law written in their hearts is the knowledge of right and wrong. Perhaps God's judgment of those without a proper knowledge of Him is included there where it says that they will be judged according to their own consciences that "bear witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them."
The Bible says that God is a just God. We know that whatever He does is right. When it comes to those who have never heard the Gospel, He will do what is right, whatever that is.
TinFoilUnderpants said:
The person never believed in Jesus, they were doing all this because they thought their good works would get them into Heaven. That would alter things quite a bit. They would wind up going to the place they feared, hell.
Romans 3:22-25, 27, 30(NLT)
22) We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.
23) For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24) Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. 25) For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us.
27) Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on our good deeds. It is based on our faith.
30) There is only one God, and there is only one way of being accepted by him. He makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.
Romans 19:9-11(NLT)
9) For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10) For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11) As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed."
No amount of good works alone can save anyone, only Jesus can!
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The law your refering to above is the law of Moses not the law of Christ, these laws are as different as night and day.AvgJoe said:
James 2:12-13, "Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" (NIV)
The "law that gives freedom" is the law of Christ, and in judgment under that law, which is the judgment of Christ seen in the sheep and the goats, "mercy triumphs over judgment".
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apenman said:
apenman,
These verses from James that you posted were written to Christians, people who have already accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Verse 1 says, "My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ," and verse 5 says, "Listen, my dear brothers." The verses you are basing your doctrine on, as well as, the entire book of James is written to professing believers of Christ, not to unbelievers.
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The application of what James is stating is not at all restricted to what we classify as a Christian or a believer. It is like saying that the sacrifice of Christ is not applicable to any person until they get saved or until they believe, which is nonsense. The fact is, if we believe that the sacrifice of Christ is only applicable to people when they believe, or get saved, then we simply do not understand the sacrifice of Christ. It is just that simple.AvgJoe said:
James 2:12-13, "Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" (NIV)
The "law that gives freedom" is applicable to all people because all people will be judged by that law, it is on that basis that the sheep are separated from the goats. James may be speaking to "believers", but the context of the statement "because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful", is not specifically directed at Christians.
Likewise in the KJ:
James 2:12-13, "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment." (KJV)
It states "for he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy" is again not written in context to be directed only at Christians.
Here is the scripture regarding the sacrifice of Christ being applicable to all people.
Take a look at this verse and how it is worded:
1 John 2:2, "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (NIV)
Now, let's ask the question, what is John stating here?? He says our sins, meaning Christians, and then goes on to say, not only ours but the whole world. If John was saying that the sacrifice of Christ was only paying the price for Christian sin, he would have stopped at the word our. Instead, he goes beyond the context of our, meaning Christian sin, and adds the context of all sin, being the whole world.
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okay, im back after months of learning. heres wut i have to say to those of you who think that some are speaking for, God: The bible is speaking for god, just read it and ur entitled to "speaking for God", of course, through the Bible. Even if we don't directly quote scriptures, dont be all "hey now, you can't speak for God, read the bible and you'll see that!!" 'cus, you're just playing defense and not very well at that. for those who say: EVERYONE or NO ONE IS GOING TO HEAVEN: puleease! Christians:if you love God, you know he doesn't lie. and reincarnation is so far away from God, i have a hard time believing you are a Little Christ(Christian). if you believe no one's going to heaven, to put it plainly, you're most likely going to Hell! that is, unless, you have accepted Christ as your savior, but again, that's not too likely.
FuTuRe MoM,
Missionette
FuTuRe MoM,
Missionette
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i would say billy has more credibility than whoever is telling you what to believe.Chrysalis Kat said:Well that settles it for me. It's a done deal folks.
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apenman said:
James 2:12-13 does not support the doctrine that you have derived from them. They have been taken out of context of a topic where James is warning Christians against prejudice.
James 2:1-13(NLT) - A Warning against Prejudice
1) My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim that you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people more than others?
2) For instance, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in shabby clothes. 3) If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"--well, 4) doesn't this discrimination show that you are guided by wrong motives?
5) Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6) And yet, you insult the poor man! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7) Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?
8) Yes indeed, it is good when you truly obey our Lord's royal command found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 9) But if you pay special attention to the rich, you are committing a sin, for you are guilty of breaking that law.
10) And the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as the person who has broken all of God's laws. 11) For the same God who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." So if you murder someone, you have broken the entire law, even if you do not commit adultery.
12) So whenever you speak, or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law of love, the law that set you free. 13) For there will be no mercy for you if you have not been merciful to others. But if you have been merciful, then God's mercy toward you will win out over his judgment against you.
What does it mean?
James is saying: My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ (and as believers therefore in a salvation by the mercy of God), do not be unmerciful to others. If you practice favoritism instead of merciful love, you are denying the very principle of our faith--which is belief in God's mercy through Christ. If you deny your faith by such actions, then your faith is not genuine. And if you have no genuine faith, then you can expect only judgment without mercy from God.
James does not, in any way, express or imply that this letter is introducing a new way to gain salvation and entry into Heaven, outside of accepting Jesus' sacrifice.
Following are a couple of commentaries to better understand the parable of the sheep and goats:
http://www.searchgodsword.org/com/bcc/view.cgi?book=mt&chapter=025
http://bible.gospelcom.net/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=1&source=1&seq=i.47.25.3
What will the final judgement be like?
When I was in school, I tried not to think about tests until I absolutely had to. After all, thinking about tests would have spoiled many an evening of watching television or talking with friends. Likewise, I have the feeling that most of us would rather not think about the final exam when we will stand before God. That would cramp our style, wouldn't it? It would make us take life more seriously and be more conscious of wasted time.
No, God's judgment isn't usually talked about at coffee breaks. We would rather discuss sports, the weather, or the new car models.
But just because the topic makes us uncomfortable, and just because we would rather not think about it until we are forced to, does not mean it is wise to ignore it or to delay facing the facts. We will all be judged--believer and nonbeliever alike--but we will not all be judged alike. Although the two judgments are different, both are serious occasions. And the time to get ready for them is now.
Why Is Judgment Necessary?
If God is a God of perfect justice, then He must judge us after this life. The inequities and injustices of earth must be resolved. God will not let those people who have ignored His laws since they were children get away with it. And Christians, who have been entrusted with gifts to use for God's glory, will give full account of their use and be rewarded accordingly.
Who Will Be the Judge?
God Himself will be our Judge (Hebrews 12:23). He will judge us through His Son. Jesus told us, "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son" (John 5:22; cp. Acts 17:31).
Who Will Be Judged?
No one will be excused from God's "final exam." It will take place in two parts: (1) the judgment of believers, and (2) the judgment of unbelievers.
1. Believers: The Judgment Seat of Christ.
Believers will be judged at "the judgment seat of Christ" (Romans 14:10). Paul referred to this judgment when he wrote:
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).
This is not a judgment to determine whether a person is going to heaven or hell. That issue was settled by the person's acceptance or rejection of Christ during his earthly life (Romans 5:1-2). Christ Himself assured us that we cannot lose our salvation:
He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life (John 5:24).
At the judgment seat of Christ, believers will either suffer loss or be rewarded, depending on their faithfulness. Although we are saved by faith, our works will be tested (1 Corinthians 3:13-15; 4:5; 9:16-27). Christ told three parables to illustrate our accountability to God for the use of all that He has given to us (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 16:1-13; 19:11-27). Some believers will enter heaven by the skin of their teeth. They may get there through a "deathbed conversion" (like the thief on the cross in Luke 23:39-43). And many will be there who never matured beyond spiritual infancy.
The New Testament mentions that rewards and crowns will be given to those believers who earn them. For example:
1) The incorruptible or imperishable crown for those who build their lives with works that please God (1 Corinthians 3:12-14; 9:25-27).
2) The crown of righteousness for all who long for His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).
3) The crown of life for the person who perseveres in trials (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10; 3:11).
4) The crown of glory for good shepherds of the church (1 Peter 5:4).
5) The crown of rejoicing for those who lead others to Christ (Philippians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:19).
2. Unbelievers: The Great White Throne.
All unbelievers will be judged at the Great White Throne. This will occur after the 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth (Revelation 20:7-15). At that time, the unsaved dead of all the ages will stand before God's throne. It will not be a time of rejoicing. Every person who stands before the Lord at the Great White Throne will be declared guilty.
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them (Revelation 20:11).
The unsaved will be judged on the basis of their relationship to Jesus Christ, and also on the basis of their deeds (Romans 2:5-11). Since these people have rejected the light they had about Christ, they will be excluded from heaven. Their names are not included in the book of life (Luke 10:20; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27). On the basis of what they have done on earth, they will suffer varying degrees of judgment in hell (Luke 12:47-48; Revelation 20:12-13).
This discussion about judgment should be upsetting. Hebrews 10:31 tells us that "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." We cannot afford to take that warning lightly.
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