Getting Into Heaven

[FaithT]

I’m currently a Catholic who has been toying with the ideaof returning to a NonDenom church nearby. What I want to know is this…..Catholics believe in Purgatory, ND don’t. Protestants say Catholics can’t get to Heaven without works, Catholics say the opposite. What does one need to get to Heaven as a Protestant and as a Catholic?

 

[d taylor]

I’m currently a Catholic who has been toying with the ideaof returning to a NonDenom church nearby. What I want to know is this…..Catholics believe in Purgatory, ND don’t. Protestants say Catholics can’t get to Heaven without works, Catholics say the opposite. What does one need to get to Heaven as a Protestant and as a Catholic?

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Getting to heaven is really a poor way of putting what God is offering humanity and it is the same no matter what kind of label you attach to yourself.

God is offering the free gift Eternal Life (The Life of God) and the only way a person can receive The Life of God (Eternal Life) is to believe in Jesus. Believing that Jesus is who He says He is, Which is The promised Messiah / Son of God, the resurrection and the life.

When a person believes this about Jesus they become a permanent born again child of God. The person, at the very moment of belief in Jesus, crosses over from death to life never to cross back over from life to death.


So people can play the denomination/church game or they can believe in Jesus for God's free gift of Eternal Life. Sadly many are playing the the denomination/church game and not believing in Jesus for God's free gift of Eternal Life.

 

[BNR32FAN]

I’m currently a Catholic who has been toying with the ideaof returning to a NonDenom church nearby. What I want to know is this…..Catholics believe in Purgatory, ND don’t. Protestants say Catholics can’t get to Heaven without works, Catholics say the opposite. What does one need to get to Heaven as a Protestant and as a Catholic?

There aren’t different requirements to get into heaven for different denominations there’s just a difference in interpretation of the scriptures between different denominations. It’s not as if Catholics have to do one thing and Protestants have to do another in order to get into heaven, all denominations have the same requirements, they just disagree on what those requirements are. If you follow Christ’s golden rule “Love God with all your heart soul and mind, and love others, then the rest will take care of itself.

 

[BNR32FAN]

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Getting to heaven is really a poor way of putting what God is offering humanity and it is the same no matter what kind of label you attach to yourself.

God is offering the free gift Eternal Life (The Life of God) and the only way a person can receive The Life of God (Eternal Life) is to believe in Jesus. Believing that Jesus is who He says He is, Which is The promised Messiah / Son of God, the resurrection and the life.

When a person believes this about Jesus they become a permanent born again child of God. The person, at the very moment of belief in Jesus, crosses over from death to life never to cross back over from life to death.


So people can play the denomination/church game or they can believe in Jesus for God's free gift of Eternal Life. Sadly many are playing the the denomination/church game and not believing in Jesus for God's free gift of Eternal Life.

Do we need to love God and others to be saved? Because satan and his demons believe in Christ and know exactly who He is.

 

[CoreyD]

I’m currently a Catholic who has been toying with the ideaof returning to a NonDenom church nearby. What I want to know is this…..Catholics believe in Purgatory, ND don’t. Protestants say Catholics can’t get to Heaven without works, Catholics say the opposite. What does one need to get to Heaven as a Protestant and as a Catholic?

Hi FaithT
Whatever reason you have for wanting to go to a church, near you, it is vital that you see worshipping God in spirit and truth as the most important thing.
The Bible says, John 4:23, 24 23 But a time is coming, and even now has arrived, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

This means Faith, that regardless of where you go, if the truth is not being taught, your worship is in vain.
Jesus said, Mark 7:6-8
6 But He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 7 And in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”

Your question reveals that you have reservations, and are concerned about what is truth. Am I right? Please forgive me if I misunderstood, or came to a wrong conclusion.
Since though, Jesus' words are true, and those above are serious, might it not be better if you ask God for help in knowing the truth?
Why not pray sincerely to God, asking for help to know the truth of his word.
God never disappoints, and he is eager to answer prayers like these, coming from a sincere heart.

Please do not feel you have to get into a church.
Some people say it is better to go to some church, rather than none at all, but this is not what God says.
God says it is better to come to a knowledge of truth, so that your worship is acceptable to him. 1 Timothy 2:3, 4
Consider once more, Jesus' words.
John 17:3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.

John 8:31, 32 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

You see, it is the truth found in God's word, which Jesus taught, his disciples carry on, that sets us free.
The churches cannot do this.
Most people end up confused, in the churches, and like you, they ask, "Well, which is which? What is true?"
That is an important question.
This question and more, is answered in the Bible, and Jesus followers can help you get those answers.

I hope you consider my advice, and pray to God for his help.
He will grant you the request of your heart. You just need to trust his guidance.

All the best to you, and yours.

 

[d taylor]

Do we need to love God and others to be saved? Because satan and his demons believe in Christ and know exactly who He is.

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No, the only condition God has given humanity to receive His free gift of Eternal Life. Is to believe in Jesus: Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.

 

[BNR32FAN]

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No, the only condition God has given humanity to receive His free gift of Eternal Life. Is to believe in Jesus: Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.

No that’s not the only condition, it is one of the many conditions. I’d quote John 15 but I’ve already discussed that passage with you numerous times.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

I’m currently a Catholic who has been toying with the ideaof returning to a NonDenom church nearby. What I want to know is this…..Catholics believe in Purgatory, ND don’t. Protestants say Catholics can’t get to Heaven without works, Catholics say the opposite. What does one need to get to Heaven as a Protestant and as a Catholic?

Love Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He'll take care of the rest.
Be blessed.

 

[FaithT]

Never mind…..my beliefs line up more with Catholicism than the nearby ND church. I’m staying put.

 

[Clare73]

I’m currently a Catholic who has been toying with the ideaof returning to a NonDenom church nearby. What I want to know is this…..Catholics believe in Purgatory, ND don’t. Protestants say Catholics can’t get to Heaven without works, Catholics say the opposite. What does one need to get to Heaven as a Protestant and as a Catholic?

The essence of getting to heaven instead of to hell for one's sin is faith in and trust on the person and work of Jesus Christ for the remission of one's sin and right standing with God; i.e., forgiven.

That saving faith (and growing love of God) will result in
a) a life of obedience in the Holy Spirit to NT teaching (which necessary obedience does not save, only faith saves, but which obedience is the natural result of saving faith, therefore, no obedience means faith is not genuine),
b) growth in knowledge of God's word in the Scriptures and
c) love for one's neighbor (committed to his well-being--doing for him what he cannot do for himself--as one is committed to one's own well being).

That's pretty much it in a nutshell.

 

[OnePlanPeopleDestiny]

I’m currently a Catholic who has been toying with the ideaof returning to a NonDenom church nearby. What I want to know is this…..Catholics believe in Purgatory, ND don’t. Protestants say Catholics can’t get to Heaven without works, Catholics say the opposite. What does one need to get to Heaven as a Protestant and as a Catholic?

Jesus said plainly: repent and believe and obey. Paul is instructive, as he was taught by Jesus: Ephesians 2:"8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

Works won't save us, but the saved do work for the glory of God.

Peace and blessings.

 

[concretecamper]

I’m currently a Catholic who has been toying with the ideaof returning to a NonDenom church nearby. What I want to know is this…..Catholics believe in Purgatory, ND don’t. Protestants say Catholics can’t get to Heaven without works, Catholics say the opposite. What does one need to get to Heaven as a Protestant and as a Catholic?

Scripture is pretty clear. It is by His grace that we are saved. I am posting hear because you asked what Catholics believe, not because I want to debate in this forum. To make things more clear on the Catholic position, which you asked for, I offer the following Trent teachings:

"If anyone says that man can be justified before God by his own works, whether done by his own natural powers or through the teaching of the law,[110] without divine grace through Jesus Christ, let him be anathema."

"If anyone says that divine grace through Christ Jesus is given for this only, that man may be able more easily to live justly and to merit eternal life, as if by free will without grace he is able to do both, though with hardship and difficulty, let him be anathema."

"If anyone says that without the predisposing inspiration of the Holy Ghost[111] and without His help, man can believe, hope, love or be repentant as he ought,[112] so that the grace of justification may be bestowed upon him, let him be anathema."

"If anyone says that man’s free will moved and aroused by God, by assenting to God’s call and action, in no way cooperates toward disposing and preparing itself to obtain the grace of justification, that it cannot refuse its assent if it wishes, but that, as something inanimate, it does nothing whatever and is merely passive, let him be anathema"

 

[Clare73]

Scripture is pretty clear. It is by His grace that we are saved. I am posting hear because you asked what Catholics believe, not because I want to debate in this forum. To make things more clear on the Catholic position, which you asked for, I offer the following Trent teachings:

"If anyone says that man can be justified before God by his own works, whether done by his own natural powers or through the teaching of the law,[110] without divine grace through Jesus Christ, let him be anathema."

That is contrary to NT teaching in Ro 8:28: "a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law (man's own works)."

"If anyone says that divine grace through Christ Jesus is given for this only, that man may be able more easily to live justly and to merit eternal life, as if by free will without grace he is able to do both, though with hardship and difficulty, let him be anathema."

"If anyone says that without the predisposing inspiration of the Holy Ghost[111] and without His help, man can believe, hope, love or be repentant as he ought,[112] so that the grace of justification may be bestowed upon him, let him be anathema."

"If anyone says that man’s free will moved and aroused by God, by assenting to God’s call and action, in no way cooperates toward disposing and preparing itself to obtain the grace of justification, that it cannot refuse its assent if it wishes, but that, as something inanimate, it does nothing whatever and is merely passive, let him be anathema"

 

[concretecamper]

That is contrary to NT teaching in Ro 8:28: "a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law (man's own works)."

Then faith is dead.

 

[Clare73]

Then faith is dead.

Poor Paul. . .I guess he got it wrong in Ro 8:28. . .who knew?

Or. . .

Maybe, just maybe, it is only the faith, and not the works which always accompany true faith, which justifies.

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

Poor Paul. . .I guess he got it wrong in Ro 8:28. . .who knew?

Or. . .

Maybe, just maybe, it is only the faith, and not the works which always accompany true faith, that justifies.

Dod you ever read James that say faith without works is dead?

Faith Without Works Is Dead​

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does itprofit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without [a]your works, and I will show you my faith by [b]my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is [c]dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made [d]perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was [e]accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

 

[Clare73]

Dod you ever read James that say faith without works is dead?

Indeed!

But the necessary works of true faith do not count toward salvation, which is of God alone, for he receives all the glory, sharing it with no one.

 

[Bro.T]

I’m currently a Catholic who has been toying with the ideaof returning to a NonDenom church nearby. What I want to know is this…..Catholics believe in Purgatory, ND don’t. Protestants say Catholics can’t get to Heaven without works, Catholics say the opposite. What does one need to get to Heaven as a Protestant and as a Catholic?

There is neither Catholic or Protestant in the Bible, those are different denominational doctrine created by man. But the word of God have it's own requirements for salvation. When Paul talks about being saved and getting in the kingdom of God, he’s speaking of the creation being save from hell fire. The Death that Adam cause the creation was the second death, not the first, there would not have been a white throne judgement if we didn't have grace.

Meaning that all the Prophets and righteous people back then, would have been in the second death. Jesus brought grace when he came in the flesh, but example of grace was in the days of Noah. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (Genesis 6:8), And Noah and his family was saved. Now Paul said in (Rom. 3:23-25) (v.23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (v.24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (v.25) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

So the bible tells you to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2 :36-38). And by doing so you come up under his precious blood and then you are saved from your sins that are past, not present or future sins but for sins that are past. We were all locked under death by Adam’s sin, even the second death. But when Jesus became (he was God in the beginning) man and died for the sins of the world, he gave us access back to the tree of life (himself) which Adam had caused us to lose. That’s what grace is, our free gift our access back to the tree of life but that’s another lesson for another time.

So by coming under the blood of Jesus you are saved from your past sins. And if you are saved now, it is on a day to day basis. Because for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 23:3), and if you continue to live you will sin again. It is the willful sinning that you need to put in check. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Hebrew 10: 26, 27). This is true love, and if obeyed how much better would our world be? This is why Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind; and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:35-40). These two commandments are the foundation of the entire law. Many reject the law, but it is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good (Romans 7:12) even today.

Do not let anyone convince you that it's wrong to keep God's commandments. Don't let anyone deprive you of the opportunity to receive eternal life. We were deprived of this opportunity once, but the death of Jesus has given us another chance. All have sinned (broken the law...Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law (I John 3:4) and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

 

[FaithT]

It doesn’t matter I’m staying in the RCC.

 

[Clare73]

I’m currently a Catholic who has been toying with the ideaof returning to a NonDenom church nearby. What I want to know is this…..Catholics believe in Purgatory, ND don’t. Protestants say Catholics can’t get to Heaven without works, Catholics say the opposite. What does one need to get to Heaven as a Protestant and as a Catholic?

There is neither Catholic or Protestant in the Bible, those are different denominational doctrine created by man. But the word of God have it's own requirements for salvation. When Paul talks about being saved and getting in the kingdom of God, he’s speaking of the creation being save from hell fire. The Death that Adam cause the creation was the second death, not the first, there would not have been a white throne judgement if we didn't have grace.
Meaning that all the Prophets and righteous people back then, would have been in the second death. Jesus brought grace when he came in the flesh, but example of grace was in the days of Noah. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (Genesis 6:8), And Noah and his family was saved.

Now Paul said in (Rom. 3:23-25) (v.23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (v.24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (v.25) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

There you have it, FaithT. . .to get to heaven you must simply
1) repent -- turn from unbelief to
2) belief in the (blood, Ro 3:25) atoning work and person of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sin by his propitiation (removal of God's judgment on your sin, Ro 5 :9) on the cross which makes complete satisfaction, pays the debt completely for your sin,
3) followed then by a life of obedience to God in the Holy Spirit, which is sanctification ; i.e., actual righteousness (Ro 6:16, 19),
4) beginning that life with baptism.

So the bible tells you to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2 :36-38). And by doing so you come up under his precious blood and then you are saved from your sins that are past, not present or future sins but for sins that are past. We were all locked under death by Adam’s sin, even the second death. But when Jesus became (he was God in the beginning) man and died for the sins of the world, he gave us access back to the tree of life (himself) which Adam had caused us to lose. That’s what grace is, our free gift our access back to the tree of life but that’s another lesson for another time.

So by coming under the blood of Jesus you are saved from your past sins. And if you are saved now, it is on a day to day basis. Because for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 23:3), and if you continue to live you will sin again. It is the willful sinning that you need to put in check. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Hebrew 10: 26, 27). This is true love, and if obeyed how much better would our world be? This is why Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind; and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:35-40). These two commandments are the foundation of the entire law. Many reject the law, but it is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good (Romans 7:12) even today.

Do not let anyone convince you that it's wrong to keep God's commandments. Don't let anyone deprive you of the opportunity to receive eternal life. We were deprived of this opportunity once, but the death of Jesus has given us another chance. All have sinned (broken the law...Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law (I John 3:4) and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

I’m currently a Catholic who has been toying with the ideaof returning to a NonDenom church nearby. What I want to know is this…..Catholics believe in Purgatory, ND don’t. Protestants say Catholics can’t get to Heaven without works, Catholics say the opposite. What does one need to get to Heaven as a Protestant and as a Catholic?