How do I know im saved???

[bbbbbbb]

I suppose anyone can misrepresent another religion, but should you?

Probably not, but in order to make a point, it is sometimes helpful to use such types of illustrations. It is rather like trying to describe goodness in the form of light, as John did in his gospel. Evil is compared, by John, to darkness, which is its opposite. Does that mean that the person who uses darkness to contrast with light is wrong to do so?

 

[d taylor]

Of course Acts 8 doesn't say Simon lost his "born again" life. That's John 3 vocabulary. I already answer that in Post #76. However, I did answer the question using Peter's vocabulary----something about the "heart."

Acts does not say that (like The rest of The Bible) because a person can not lose their born again life. Posting verses about the heart has nothing to do about born again life and losing it.

 

[Ain't Zwinglian]

Acts does not say that (like The rest of The Bible) because a person can not lose their born again life. Posting verses about the heart has nothing to do about born again life and losing it.

Please re-read post #76. What does having a heart not right with God mean?

 

[d taylor]

Please re-read post #76. What does having a heart not right with God mean?

A born again child of God whose heart is not right with God is out of fellowship with God.

An example is the prodigal son or an actual example of a born again child of God from The Bible is King Saul seeing the Lord has departed from you and has become your enemy?

But yet it is still seen after Saul's death (and his sons) he will be with Samuel
And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.

 

[Valletta]

Probably not, but in order to make a point, it is sometimes helpful to use such types of illustrations. It is rather like trying to describe goodness in the form of light, as John did in his gospel. Evil is compared, by John, to darkness, which is its opposite. Does that mean that the person who uses darkness to contrast with light is wrong to do so?

It's rather a demeaning description of Catholics.

 

[Aussie Pete]

.

You are saved on the basis of believing and receiving Jesus as saviour. This includes acknowledging that you are a sinner with no hope of saving yourself. You need to know that Jesus died to pay the price of all your sin and rose again that you might have eternal life. God is offering you a free gift. How do you obtain a gift? You simply accept it.

 

[bbbbbbb]

It's rather a demeaning description of Catholics.

It is, indeed. It is also a rather demeaning description of Protestants. Sadly, both are true descriptions.

 

[d taylor]

You are saved on the basis of believing and receiving Jesus as saviour. This includes acknowledging that you are a sinner with no hope of saving yourself. You need to know that Jesus died to pay the price of all your sin and rose again that you might have eternal life. God is offering you a free gift. How do you obtain a gift? You simply accept it.

Never seen in The Bible where it states a person must acknowledge they are a sinner, to be able to believe in Jesus. God already know the person is a sinner, so what is the need to acknowledge that to God.

 

[Valletta]

It is, indeed. It is also a rather demeaning description of Protestants. Sadly, both are true descriptions.

The truth is that Catholics have intense faith in God. It is the Catholic way to establish a close and personal relationship with Jesus.

 

[bbbbbbb]

The truth is that Catholics have intense faith in God. It is the Catholic way to establish a close and personal relationship with Jesus.

And, so say Protestants. In this aspect, they are identical in their assertions.

 

[Valletta]

And, so say Protestants. In this aspect, they are identical in their assertions.

Those are good examples for you to try and follow.

 

[bbbbbbb]

Those are good examples for you to try and follow.

That is true for every professing Christian. Christians ought to be examples and lights for non-Christians rather than demeaning and degrading each other.

 

[Valletta]

That is true for every professing Christian. Christians ought to be examples and lights for non-Christians rather than demeaning and degrading each other.

You've got it!

 

[SavedByGrace3]

All the work has been done. You really have little to do. You got ears and you heard the gospel. The saving words came into you. If those words were made real to you by the Holy Spirit, then you are saved. How do you know that the Holy Spirit made those words real to you? The fact that you are here shows it. If He had not, you would not care. Stand on His word, not your efforts. You are caught in a net. He has captured you. He has you in His hand. The fact that you are asking these questions shows that you have been made aware. If you were not in His flock, you would not know or care. You would just go along your merry way oblivious to what was going on. But you do know what is going on as evidenced by your being here and questioning. This means He has chosen you. Know and acknowledge that fact. Stop worrying about it. God was in Christ redeeming the world unto Himself. He did the work. He reconciled you. Be reconciled simply by acknowledging it. You would not know if you were not enlightened. But you have been enlightened. You are one of us. You are one of His. He is working on you, just as He is working on us all. That will continue for the rest of your life.
Those who have been chosen, made aware, enlightened, and saved stay. By that I mean those who are not do not stay. The fact that you are staying is evidence that you belong here. People who do not belong here do not stay.

This is what happens to those who are saved, and those who are just pretenders:

1 John 2:19 ISV.
They left us, but they were not part of us, for if they had been part of us,
they would have stayed with us. Their leaving made it clear that none of
them was really part of us.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Never seen in The Bible where it states a person must acknowledge they are a sinner, to be able to believe in Jesus. God already know the person is a sinner, so what is the need to acknowledge that to God.

God will not violate the will of man. He gave man free will in Eden and He has never rescinded that. I don't recall a time when I've witnessed to someone who thought they were a sinner. Most people think that they are fundamentally good. If that is so, why would they seek salvation? The work of the Holy Spirit includes convicting the world of sin (John 16:8). I know a woman who drank alcohol and did drugs while she was pregnant. She blames God for the child being severely disabled. She saw herself as a good person. The truth is the opposite.

"This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:15. To be saved we must qualify as sinners. That won't happen if we imagine that we are good.

 

[d taylor]

God will not violate the will of man. He gave man free will in Eden and He has never rescinded that. I don't recall a time when I've witnessed to someone who thought they were a sinner. Most people think that they are fundamentally good. If that is so, why would they seek salvation? The work of the Holy Spirit includes convicting the world of sin (John 16:8). I know a woman who drank alcohol and did drugs while she was pregnant. She blames God for the child being severely disabled. She saw herself as a good person. The truth is the opposite.

"This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:15. To be saved we must qualify as sinners. That won't happen if we imagine that we are good.

-
​

Jesus is not seen telling Nicodemus to acknowledge he is a sinner or the woman at the well.

 

[Aussie Pete]

-
​

Jesus is not seen telling Nicodemus to acknowledge he is a sinner or the woman at the well.

Arguing from silence is not safe. Nicodemus was a Jew through and through. No one needed to tell him about sin. There are other encounters where Jesus told people to quit sinning. If sin is not the issue, why does the Holy Spirit need to convict of sin? Jesus was preaching as an old testament prophet to people under the law. On the day of Pentecost, Peter told the listeners that they had to repent. Of what, if not sin?

 

[d taylor]

Arguing from silence is not safe. Nicodemus was a Jew through and through. No one needed to tell him about sin. There are other encounters where Jesus told people to quit sinning. If sin is not the issue, why does the Holy Spirit need to convict of sin? Jesus was preaching as an old testament prophet to people under the law. On the day of Pentecost, Peter told the listeners that they had to repent. Of what, if not sin?

If sin is still an issue, what good was it for Jesus to take away the sin of the world at the cross, for both believers and unbelievers. Jesus did say it was finished.

 

[Hazelelponi]

.

How are you feeling about sin?

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Arguing from silence is not safe. Nicodemus was a Jew through and through. No one needed to tell him about sin. There are other encounters where Jesus told people to quit sinning. If sin is not the issue, why does the Holy Spirit need to convict of sin? Jesus was preaching as an old testament prophet to people under the law. On the day of Pentecost, Peter told the listeners that they had to repent. Of what, if not sin?

I think it is widely taught that the Jewish people were being told to repent from sins and sinning. Yet reading Peter's words in the context of the passage, it appears he is telling them to repent (change their minds) about Jesus whom they had rejected.

He first informed them that they had killed the messiah:

Acts 2:23 KJV
23. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,
ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

In light of what he said, they replied "what must we do to be saved?"

Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto
Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

In my ear, they are pricked in their heart about their rejection and killing of the Messiah. That is what they meant when they said "what shall we do?"
So when Peter said to repent (change your mind), he was talking about repenting (change their minds) about their rejection and killing of Jesus.

Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Repent of your rejection of Jesus as your messiah, and (instead) be baptized in His name (as the Messiah) for the remission of sins.
But yes, we need to turn from our sins, but in this particular passage, Peter is talking about repenting from the rejection and killing of Jesus.