How do I know I am saved?

[John the Ex-Baptist]

The Achille's heel of paedobaptists is the fact that infants do not possess faith in Jesus Christ

How can you be so sure?

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Is 55:11)

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” (Ac 2:38–39)

but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 19:14)

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (Jn 3:5–8)

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Ro 10:17)

It seems to me even from a few verses, that Jesus desires infants to come to Him, and His promise is made to us and our children. It is the Holy Spirit who brings new life where He pleases, through the proclamation of God's Word, through which He produces faith in those God calls to Himself. Please show me from Scripture where this does not apply to infants.

 

[bbbbbbb]

How can you be so sure?

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Is 55:11)

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” (Ac 2:38–39)

but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 19:14)

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (Jn 3:5–8)

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Ro 10:17)

It seems to me even from a few verses, that Jesus desires infants to come to Him, and His promise is made to us and our children. It is the Holy Spirit who brings new life where He pleases, through the proclamation of God's Word, through which He produces faith in those God calls to Himself. Please show me from Scripture where this does not apply to infants.

Scripture clearly states that God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Does that mean that all men will be saved because God desires it? If so, do all babies possess saving faith, or only babies who have been put through the rite of baptism because their parents wanted it?

 

[John the Ex-Baptist]

Here is what the text says. You can decide for yourself if it really means what it says.

12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.

I'm sorry but I'm not really sure what you're getting at here? Are you suggesting that it is our deeds that are judged, and then based on that judgement, our names are written in the Book of Life or not? I'm presuming not because you already mentione it is by faith through grace we are saved. So if I'm understanding you correctly, what criteria does God use in order to decide whose names are to be found in the Book of Life?

 

[bbbbbbb]

I'm sorry but I'm not really sure what you're getting at here? Are you suggesting that it is our deeds that are judged, and then based on that judgement, our names are written in the Book of Life or not? I'm presuming not because you already mentione it is by faith through grace we are saved. So if I'm understanding you correctly, what criteria does God use in order to decide whose names are to be found in the Book of Life?

Deeds. That is precisely what the text states. There is nothing in it at all concerning forgiveness of sins, baptism, penance, confession, communion, etc., etc.

 

[John the Ex-Baptist]

Scripture clearly states that God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Does that mean that all men will be saved because God desires it? If so, do all babies possess saving faith, or only babies who have been put through the rite of baptism because their parents wanted it?

I am not suggesting every baby has saving faith, nor that every baby that is baptized will ultimately be saved. But I have simpy pointed out from the Bible that when asked Peter said “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." The promise of salvation being to both adult and infant.

In a similar way, God gave the convenant sign of circumcision to Abraham, which in the New Testament is directly linked with baptism, and also linking it to the cross.

In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Col 2:11–15)

I suggest to you that those whose names are written in the Book of Life you spoke of, are those whose sins have been washed away by the Blood of the Lamb.

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Re 7:13–17)

 

[John the Ex-Baptist]

Deeds. That is precisely what the text states. There is nothing in it at all concerning forgiveness of sins, baptism, penance, confession, communion, etc., etc.

Oh right I see. Our names will be written in the Book of Life if we perform the right deeds. Hmmmm. Maybe I'll leave it there I think.

 

[bbbbbbb]

I am not suggesting every baby has saving faith, nor that every baby that is baptized will ultimately be saved. But I have simpy pointed out from the Bible that when asked Peter said “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." The promise of salvation being to both adult and infant.

In a similar way, God gave the convenant sign of circumcision to Abraham, which in the New Testament is directly linked with baptism, and also linking it to the cross.

In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Col 2:11–15)

I suggest to you that those whose names are written in the Book of Life you spoke of, are those whose sins have been washed away by the Blood of the Lamb.

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Re 7:13–17)

So, how many babies have repented prior to their baptism? Should unrepentant babies be baptized? How do you know if they have repented or not?

 

[bbbbbbb]

Oh right I see. Our names will be written in the Book of Life if we perform the right deeds. Hmmmm. Maybe I'll leave it there I think.

You can take that up with God. I didn't write Revelation.

 

[Major1]

Okay then, answer me this: Whose names will be written in the Lamb's book of life apart from those who have their sins forgiven?

Every single person who gets to heaven my dear brother will get there by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.

The thief on the cross was told by the Master that...…."Today, you will be with me in Paradise".

Was he taken down and baptized in water and then put back on the cross to die?

Did Jesus lie?

 

[Major1]

Here is what the text says. You can decide for yourself if it really means what it says.

12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.

In Rev. 20:12-15 we see that ALL who are seen are the LOST dead of all the ages.

They are ALL the un-saved and they will be judged from the set of 2 books. The BOOKS contain the record of all the unsaved and each person will be judged in accordance with their WORKS.

The BOOK of life contains the name of every single person who has received eternal life in heaven through Faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ.

ALL the lost, unsaved are guility and will remain guilty because works can not sane any one. However, they will get a fair trial.

 

[Major1]

So, how many babies have repented prior to their baptism? Should unrepentant babies be baptized? How do you know if they have repented or not?

Personally, I am one who believes that all infants and mentally retarted
are covered by the blood.

I am aware of the position of some who say that we must make a clear choice and also that because God works through election so then He knows which infant would have chosen Christ and which would not.

However, the Bible reveals that we are born marked by original sin, and thus we cannot claim that infants are born in a state of innocence. Any biblical answer to the question of infant salvation must start from the understanding that infants are born with a sin nature.

The shifting of the focus to election actually avoids answering the question. We must do better, and look more closely at the issues at stake.

Having buried several babies over the years I can assure you that I have never and will never look at a parent and tell them that I do not know if their baby is with God.

MY heart will simply not allow me to say or believe that.

It is my opinion that the accomplished work of Christ has removed the stain of original sin from those who die in infancy. Knowing neither good nor evil, these young children are incapable of committing sins in the body – are not yet moral agents – and die secure in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John Newton, the great minister who wrote the hymn Amazing Grace was certain of this truth. He wrote to close friends who had lost a young child:...…
“I hope you are both well reconciled to the death of your child. I cannot be sorry for the death of infants. How many storms do they escape! Nor can I doubt, in my private judgment, that they are included in the election of grace.”

The great Princeton theologians Charles Hodge and B. B. Warfield held the same position.
The Salvation of the ‘Little Ones’: Do Infants who Die Go to Heaven?

 

[bbbbbbb]

In Rev. 20:12-15 we see that ALL who are seen are the LOST dead of all the ages.

They are ALL the un-saved and they will be judged from the set of 2 books. The BOOKS contain the record of all the unsaved and each person will be judged in accordance with their WORKS.

The BOOK of life contains the name of every single person who has received eternal life in heaven through Faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ.

ALL the lost, unsaved are guility and will remain guilty because works can not sane any one. However, they will get a fair trial.

Yes, you made my point. God will render perfect justice at the last Day. All who are not in Christ will be judged according to their works. Even the best of their works will be unable to save their souls or have their name written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

 

[bbbbbbb]

Personally, I am one who believes that all infants and mentally retarted
are covered by the blood.

I am aware of the position of some who say that we must make a clear choice and also that because God works through election so then He knows which infant would have chosen Christ and which would not.

However, the Bible reveals that we are born marked by original sin, and thus we cannot claim that infants are born in a state of innocence. Any biblical answer to the question of infant salvation must start from the understanding that infants are born with a sin nature.

The shifting of the focus to election actually avoids answering the question. We must do better, and look more closely at the issues at stake.

Having buried several babies over the years I can assure you that I have never and will never look at a parent and tell them that I do not know if their baby is with God.

MY heart will simply not allow me to say or believe that.

It is my opinion that the accomplished work of Christ has removed the stain of original sin from those who die in infancy. Knowing neither good nor evil, these young children are incapable of committing sins in the body – are not yet moral agents – and die secure in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John Newton, the great minister who wrote the hymn Amazing Grace was certain of this truth. He wrote to close friends who had lost a young child:...…
“I hope you are both well reconciled to the death of your child. I cannot be sorry for the death of infants. How many storms do they escape! Nor can I doubt, in my private judgment, that they are included in the election of grace.”

The great Princeton theologians Charles Hodge and B. B. Warfield held the same position.
The Salvation of the ‘Little Ones’: Do Infants who Die Go to Heaven?

The best anyone can say concerning people who die in infancy or prior to birth is that God alone knows their eternal destiny. He has not revealed that to us. We can assuredly hope and speculate but, when it comes down to it there is no direct revelation on the matter.

One thing you and I both agree on is that no human act of righteousness, such as the rite of baptism, done to a baby will change its eternal destiny. It is by God's grace alone that anyone is saved.

 

[Mark Quayle]

How do do I know I am saved from sin.

 

[Mark Quayle]

I like to think in terms of God's point of view (as if we were capable of that, ha ha). But had a reason for salvation --in fact his Glory through that is his reason for Creation. We are made for his purposes, to his glory.

God's work, his plans, his will, his word, cannot be undone. Nobody can thwart or set his plans aside. Who he set out to save from sin will indeed be saved. If you have doubts that you are one of them, good. Pursue him all the more. Hang onto him for dear life. But never can you find anything but human distaste for the things of God that will tell you that the Judge Of All The Earth will do wrong, or that he is unable to accomplish what he set out to do. Your rebellion cannot undo God's grace. The evidences that tell you that you are not his, are there to push you on to repentance and submission, and to grasp hold of him.

Trust in his power to save, not in your power to accept or decide.

 

[Stringfellow_Hawke]

How do do I know I am saved from sin.

There are a lot of good responses on here.

I’ll give my two cents.

I struggled with this when I re-dedicated at age 23 (32 now) and I struggled with it up until age 27. What finally helped me settle the issue was this passage:

“For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:8-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

After reading this over and over, and with some helpful guides (Godly friends) I understood that Jesus wasn’t playing games. He meant what He said. When you ask Him to forgive you and save you, He does just that. Your feelings are irrelevant. Another good passage:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

His exact words “shall not” come to condemnation and “has” eternal life. He said it, He meant it. It either is just that or it isn’t. I trust Him and His Word. My feelings don’t change that.

I hope that helps.

 

[bbbbbbb]

There are a lot of good responses on here.

I’ll give my two cents.

I struggled with this when I re-dedicated at age 23 (32 now) and I struggled with it up until age 27. What finally helped me settle the issue was this passage:

“For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:8-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

After reading this over and over, and with some helpful guides (Godly friends) I understood that Jesus wasn’t playing games. He meant what He said. When you ask Him to forgive you and save you, He does just that. Your feelings are irrelevant. Another good passage:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

His exact words “shall not” come to condemnation and “has” eternal life. He said it, He meant it. It either is just that or it isn’t. I trust Him and His Word. My feelings don’t change that.

I hope that helps.

Thanks for the two excellent passages. John 5:24 is one of my favorite verses in knowing that my salvation is secure.

 

[Tomb523]

Through the inner witness of the Holy Spirit in conjunction with the outward manifestation of the fruits of the Spirit.

Alistair Begg says something like this: You are not saved because you have done good works, but you know you are saved because you want to do good works.

 

[bcbsr]

How do do I know I am saved from sin.

A number of places in scripture speaks about that. But I think 1John was devoted to that subject. Here's some conclusions of 1John.

INDICATIONS OF SALVATION
SUMMARY
Confesses Sin 1:9
Keeps His Commands 2:3
Loves his brother 2:10; 3:14; 4:12
Loves 3:18,19; 4:7
Does the will of God 2:17
Acknowledges the Son 2:23; 4:15; 5:1,10,13
Practices Righteousness 2:29; 3:7
Does not practice sin 3:3,6,9; 5:18
Accepts the Apostles teachings 4:6
Has the Holy Spirit 4:13
Overcomes the world 5:4

For a detailed study of 1John see
http://bcbsr.com/books/1jn.html