John 3:16

[sk8brdkd]

I was having a discussion w/ my dad yesterday about believing and being saved. My mom and I told him that in order to be saved that one needs to ask Christ into their hearts.

My dad defends his Catholic background a lot and he told me he believes that ALL Catholics are saved bc they teach about Jesus and most believe in him.

My dad pointed out John 3:16 and several other verses that just say whoever believeth in me is saved. John 3:16 ""For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." -

My dad believes that even the Catholics and other people who have never asked Christ into their hearts to have a personal relationship w/ him, they are still saved and will be in heaven one day, because they believe in God/Jesus and that's what the verses say as well.

What do you think??

I was basically at a loss as to what more to say to him bc I was always taught that in order to be saved to get to heaven, you need to believe and ask christ into your heart and follow him, then you'll go to heaven and that is the only way to heaven. I was taught that even if one believed in God, and went to church, read their bibles, etc., yet never personally asked him into their hearts, they aren't saved and will not enter heaven. Which is true?!?

Can someone explain this to me please?

 

[Johnnz]

The "ask Jesus into your heart" concept is not that well grounded biblically. It was a response to some seeing mere church attendance as inadequate (rightly so) and seeking a way to get people to make an active commitment to follow God.

Outside of that evangelical doctrine many have the belief that is less 'crisis' based but they do have a very real relationship with Jesus. A relationship with Jesus does not depend on a 'formula' as much as it depends on a real desire to know and follow God through Jesus.

John
NZ

 

[hedrick]

"ask Christ into your heart" is a distinctive evangelical term, and not even all evangelicals. The Biblical requirement is faith, just as your father says. He may have a Catholic background, but justification by faith is a fine Protestant doctrine. Not just belief, but faith. Faith is a large Biblical concept, but one thing it includes is trusting God to save you, also I would say acknowledging Christ as Lord, by which I mean that we are his servants. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that you specifically have to pray "Christ, come into my heart", although having faith does create a bond with Christ that should center your life on him. And that's what the metaphor of having Christ in your heart means.

It's all well and good to guide people into good spiritual practices, but Christ reaches different people in very different ways. Someone may grow up in a Christian home, always seeing himself as a Christian. As they grow, we want them to take responsibility for their faith. But they may well view asking Christ to come into their art as odd, because Christ has been there all along. Another may convert as an adult, or grow up as a Christian but have a sudden appreciation for their relationship with Christ at a particular point. It's a mistake to take one person's experience and make it mandatory for everyone. But in some form every Christian needs to have faith in Christ.

I suspect the teaching you're talking about was trying to make sure that people understand what faith is, and don't confuse it was just kind of believing that God exists. Going to Church doesn't save you, and it can be a routine act that you do for social reasons.

But in general people who go to Church and are committed to doing what Jesus taught probably have faith in some form. There's a kind of danger of spiritual pride, of thinking that you're a special kind of Christian, and those people who just sit quietly in the pews without rolling in the aisle or doing anything exciting are just pretend Christians. You need to get to know them. Most people who go to Church these days do it for a reason. If they read the Bible they do so because they think they are Christ's people, and they want to know about him. These people sitting quietly are probably praying, trying to put Jesus' words into action, and raising their kids to be the best kind of people they can. That's what Jesus looked for in his followers. I would not question someone's Christianity without a good reason.

 

[Gabe7]

I think Evangelicals tend to dance with God while Catholics walk with him.

 

[sk8brdkd]

I think Evangelicals tend to dance with God while Catholics walk with him.

what r u talking about?!?

 

[wayfaring man]

The "ask Jesus into your heart" concept is not that well grounded biblically. It was a response to some seeing mere church attendance as inadequate (rightly so) and seeking a way to get people to make an active commitment to follow God.

John
NZ

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. <-----> Ephesians 3:14-19

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. <-----> Revelation 3:20 (Words of Jesus)

I sleep, but my heart wakes: it is the voice of my beloved that knocks, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. <-----> Song of Solomon 5:2

Likely, the "door", referred to above is indeed the "door" to our heart, especially when one considers Paul's prayer in Ephesians where he seeks for "Christ to dwell in [our]/[their] hearts by faith".

One may also conclude that true/effectual belief is "heart felt", where belief which is merely based upon an opinion of the mind, is insufficient for Salvation.

And Philip said, If thou believes with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. <-----> Acts 8:37

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. <-----> Romans 10:9+10

Also where John 3:16 is concerned, we need understand the nature of the "believing" being referred to -

Definition of BELIEVE
intransitive verb
1a : to have a firm religious faith b : to accept something as true, genuine, or real <ideals we believe in> <believes in ghosts>
2: to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something <believe in exercise>
3: to hold an opinion : think <I believe so>

A verse which stands out as being highly descriptive of "saving faith" is found in 1st Peter -

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. <-----> 1st Peter 4:19

[For] he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. <-----> Matthew 24:13

( Dancing with The Lord, as opposed to merely walking with Him, signifies a "heartier relationship".)

May The Lord Be Pleased to Bless & Keep !

wm

 

[Tim Myers]

I think we must look at our relationship with Christ in the same way we look at our relationship with a husband or wife.....

What would one need to do or how would one need to act or treat their mate to be considered a good husband or wife??....

 

[Isolation]

Earlier in the chapter it states 'You must be born of water and the Spirit or you will not enter the kingdom of God' it later states in verse 16 what you stated. So to go to heaven you have to find out the meaning behind water and the Spirit, and that will unlock heaven for you

 

[wayfaring man]

A few more verses which pertain to Jesus/His Spirit being "in our hearts" -

Who has also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. <-----> 2nd Corinthians 1:22

And because ye are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. <-----> Galatians 4:6

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: <-----> 1st Peter 3:15

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: <-----> 2nd Peter 1:19 ("day star" is descriptive of Jesus, as He which gives us light.)

wm

 

[Tim Myers]

Yet, what does the word "heart" mean in these passages and when Christian believers use it in an expression??.....

 

[wayfaring man]

Yet, what does the word "heart" mean in these passages and when Christian believers use it in an expression??.....

Sounds like a good reason to do some serious studying.

Whenever a key word, evidently holds great significance, and is yet unclear, the choice is ours - do we make the effort to search out the meaning, or merely take in what others claim to be true.

Here's a link to free downloadable Bible Study Software - e-Sword - the Sword of the LORD with an electronic edge

wm

 

[Johnnz]

Hi Wayfaring man,

I am familiar with those verses. It's the kind of mantra that I think is a bit limited.

For the ancients aspects of our humanity were often associated with some organ. The 'bowels of mercy' in the KJV is an example. Throughout scripture 'heart' can mean the human personality, emotions, will, or intellect i.e what animates and motivates us. When the NT refers to "Christ dwelling in our hearts" or "believing in your heart" that simply means being inspired and motivated by Jesus. To 'accept Jesus into your heart' really means allow Him to become your life and focus in all that you do.

The NT uses a variety if images to describe our relationship with the Godhead - body, temple, family, building - each contributing to our understanding.

John
NZ

 

[Gabe7]

I think Evangelicals tend to dance with God while Catholics walk with him.

The divergent nature of Christians' relationships with God.

 

[Flishvick07]

I was having a discussion w/ my dad yesterday about believing and being saved. My mom and I told him that in order to be saved that one needs to ask Christ into their hearts.

My dad defends his Catholic background a lot and he told me he believes that ALL Catholics are saved bc they teach about Jesus and most believe in him.

My dad pointed out John 3:16 and several other verses that just say whoever believeth in me is saved. John 3:16 ""For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." -

My dad believes that even the Catholics and other people who have never asked Christ into their hearts to have a personal relationship w/ him, they are still saved and will be in heaven one day, because they believe in God/Jesus and that's what the verses say as well.

What do you think??

I was basically at a loss as to what more to say to him bc I was always taught that in order to be saved to get to heaven, you need to believe and ask christ into your heart and follow him, then you'll go to heaven and that is the only way to heaven. I was taught that even if one believed in God, and went to church, read their bibles, etc., yet never personally asked him into their hearts, they aren't saved and will not enter heaven. Which is true?!?

Can someone explain this to me please?

I believe you are both correct. See, each person is unique in their own way, and therefore will have a different walk with Christ. Salvation is free to all that believe in Jesus Christ, but if you dont walk with Him and repent and try to be more like Him every day then you will simply go to heaven. Unfortunately though, your life on this ground will be much more carnal and therefore more difficult and painful. If you just believe He will always be with you even when you dont ask Him to be.

For some of us, that is simply not enough, for we are all different. So if we follow Him and try to be like Him and edify and strengthen the Body of Christ, we will recieve the Holy Spirit and enter into the Kingdom of God here on Earth. The Holy Spirit is the comforter, and will make your life much more bearable and even joyful. But you have to carry your cross and give birth to a new person of the spirit (which is very painful, but once you or the one you are helping is reborn, everything changes! its incredible!)

So you are both right, however if you seek to be reborn and awakened you must suffer "child birth". But I swear, nothing will EVER be the same once you get that far, and you will have a peice of heaven here on Earth