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is a belief in Hell necessary?

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Joykins

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If one believes that all who have faith in Jesus Christ are saved, it necessary to believe that all non-believers are going to hell?

Is it necessary to believe in hell at all? If not, what are we "saved" from?

Does faith in Jesus Christ really mean having the most theologically correct opinion upon every matter at all? If not, what does it mean?

If it is possible for non-believers to be saved, how are they saved?

Thanks,

Joy
 

Raydar

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Joykins said:
If one believes that all who have faith in Jesus Christ are saved, it necessary to believe that all non-believers are going to hell?

Is it necessary to believe in hell at all? If not, what are we "saved" from?

Does faith in Jesus Christ really mean having the most theologically correct opinion upon every matter at all? If not, what does it mean?

If it is possible for non-believers to be saved, how are they saved?

Thanks,

Joy
The Sheep and the Goats

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
 
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Raydar

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Joykins said:
If one believes that all who have faith in Jesus Christ are saved, it necessary to believe that all non-believers are going to hell?

Is it necessary to believe in hell at all? If not, what are we "saved" from?

Does faith in Jesus Christ really mean having the most theologically correct opinion upon every matter at all? If not, what does it mean?

If it is possible for non-believers to be saved, how are they saved?

Thanks,

Joy

Matt 25

41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
 
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OrthodoxyUSA

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Joykins said:
Please tell me about it. This is not a loaded question, I promise.

Mind if I point you to some light reading first? I'll be back in the AM.

The Orthodox teaching is that Heaven and Hell are the same "place" , standing in front of God.

The Judgment is individual perception, determined by one's relationship to God.

This perception will determine whether or not one experiences it as paradise (Heaven) or agony (Hell) eternally.

Forgive me....
 
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Raydar

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God_of_Mercy said:
I do not believe in eternal hell. I don't think it is necessary belief. I think we are "saved" from the bondage and slavery of sin.
Then are you not disregarding Jesus Christ's teachings I have just quoted for you in Matt 25 ?
 
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Raydar

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God_of_Mercy said:
No I don't disregard Jesus' teachings. I would rather not get into the debate and derail this thread though.

How is this derailling the OP? It was asked if it is necessary to believe in hell? You say no and I say yes. I have shown you scripture not my opinion to use as proof.
 
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R

RP1000

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If it is possible for non-believers to be saved, how are they saved?
Jesus prayed on the last night "If there is another way lets do it .. but not my will be done but the fathers"

so there is no other way! The Bible is clear .... only through Jesus
===============================================
Is it necessary to believe in hell at all? If not, what are we "saved" from?
hhmmm interesting question.
here is my 2c worth......................................
1st point; Hell is there whether you believe it or not!
2nd point; Hell is really separation from God

therefore; "what are we saved from?" .... separation from God

but I suppose you can be saved (thru believeing in Jesus) without thinking much about hell
 
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DeaconDean

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Here you go, as said from our Lord Jesus Christ;

[font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:19-31 KJV)[/font]
This is not a parable, for Jesus never used names in parables. It is not a hyperbole, an exageration. Jesus preached hell, and you'd better believe in hell. I suggest you read "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards and Repobation Asserted by John Bunyun. Another very good one is "A Few Sighs From Hell Concerning the Rich Man and Lazarus" By John Bunyun. Also try "Eternal Punishment" By Arthur Pink.
 
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linssue55

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Joykins said:
If one believes that all who have faith in Jesus Christ are saved, it necessary to believe that all non-believers are going to hell?

Is it necessary to believe in hell at all? If not, what are we "saved" from?

Does faith in Jesus Christ really mean having the most theologically correct opinion upon every matter at all? If not, what does it mean?

If it is possible for non-believers to be saved, how are they saved?

Thanks,

Joy

I understand what you are saying, and yes I believe it is necessary because it is a part of God's doctrines in the bible. We need to accept all of God's plan and mandates. He wouldn't have put it there if He didn't want us to know.
 
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God_of_Mercy

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DeaconDean said:
Here you go, as said from our Lord Jesus Christ;

[font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. [/font][font=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:19-31 KJV)[/font]
This is not a parable, for Jesus never used names in parables. It is not a hyperbole, an exageration. Jesus preached hell, and you'd better believe in hell. I suggest you read "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards and Repobation Asserted by John Bunyun. Another very good one is "A Few Sighs From Hell Concerning the Rich Man and Lazarus" By John Bunyun. Also try "Eternal Punishment" By Arthur Pink.

There is a good case to why this story has to be a parable:

http://www.tentmaker.org/articles/Lazarus-byHuie.htm

And yes I have read "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" , simply repulsive.
 
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revrobor

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Whether or not one believes in a literal Hell has nothing to do with one's salvation. And no, non-believers (those who choose not to follow God) cannot be saved.

We are not required to believe everything the church (or even Jesus) teaches in order to be granted eternal life. We are saved by the shed blood of our Lord when we choose to follow God. To suggest otherwise is ludicrous. However, believing the teachings of Jesus will help us mature in the faith.
 
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Joykins

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I have heard that the words used for hell in the Bible is also translated as "the grave" (sheol).

When our church says the apostle's creed we say "He descended into the grave."

However, there are also references to burning. I believe this is the word "Gehenna" which was a literal place where bodies were burned.

These concepts exist within various Christian traditions:

Although the only mechanism of "salvation" is through Jesus Christ:

1. Hell is separation from God.
2. Hell is the presence of God, and those who do not seek him perceive this as torment. Those who do seek him experience it as heaven. (the Eastern Orthodox position as I understand it)
3. Hell is a literal place of eternal torment (see Alighieri, Dante; see Edwards, Jonathan ;))
4. Hell is a state of mind or here on earth
5. Hell is an eternal existence of spiritual torment.
6. There is no hell, and eventually everyone will be saved because God's love is so great (Universalism).

There are also nuances, like purgatory--that for some a period of purification will be required before entry into Heaven/the Presence of God; or the belief that salvation is also possible after death.

Any other beliefs? Please correct me if I have not expressed any of the above concepts correctly.
 
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SH89

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Joykins said:
If one believes that all who have faith in Jesus Christ are saved, it necessary to believe that all non-believers are going to hell?

What does mark 16:16 say?

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Can't make it more clearer.
 
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