not sure if I'm saved

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Read Psalm 139.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

read it out loud.

 

[holyrokker]

Personally I dont think we should tell someone over the internet that they are saved because we could very well be wrong, unlike God we cannot see into that persons heart and its also possible that we could end up giving someone who isnt saved a false assurance.

I agree.

From my experience, if someone isn't sure he/she isn't saved, the person most likely isn't. Rather than givng false comfort, we need to pray and explain the Gospel message in a way that builds faith.

 

[Sarby85]

Hi Coconut,

I just joined the forum a few minutes ago and stumbled upon your post. I don't usually join these kinds of things because people mostly just want to debate but I had a leading to do so, so we'll see what the Lord wants out of it. Anyways. This reply is going to be long and brief. There is so much to cover and I don't want to overwhelm you.

I grew up in the south in the Bible Belt. I used to be a baptist but I am now a non-denominational Christian. I too, was told to recite some canned prayer to accept the Lord into my life in order to be saved. What I was never told was to get in the word and dig it out for myself. I'm not saying all Baptists are this way, I'm just giving you my experience with it. The church I belong to now reads everything directly from the KJV Bible. It is the truest form of the original word and not watered down. I have scriptures to back up everything that I say.

In order to be saved you must first believe that the Lord is your savior (you've got step one down) repent of any and all sins and be baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) You can't do one of these without the other. Just make sure you're getting baptized with holy hands and that it's full submersion. Jesus wasn't sprinkled with water, he was dunked in the river by holy hands!

Once you have the Holy Ghost in you, you can then start to discern more and more of the word. The word truly is living. You can read one scripture one day and the next time you read it, it can take on a whole new meaning. It does take time, I have been in the ministry that I am in now for seven years and I do have a lot of knowledge but I also have a lot to learn. It's all in the Lord's timing and he knows what pace you need to go at. As long as you are sincere and put your time in with the Lord He will honor you for it.

But getting baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost doesn't ensure that you make it to Glory. That's right I said Glory, not Heaven. That's an entirely different subject that I hope to cover later.

You have to take on everything that comes along with being a saint now. Did you know that there are still saints today? That the Lord views us as Kings and Priests? (Rev 1:6) Jesus made us so when he died for us on the cross. And I can say these things about having knowledge and being a saint without being puffed up. I have learned these 7 years to have a perfect balance between confidence from the Lord and how to keep my flesh in subjection.

Having the Holy Ghost means you are able to speak in tongues. I learned from the Baptist church that all of the gifts of the Holy Ghost were done away with the old saints. Not true. If you read 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, it's a brief overview of what you get to have after being filled with the Holy Ghost. The church I belong to practices all of these gifts, but they are done only by the leading of the Lord and in order. Not chaotic and all at once with people falling all over themselves.(1Corinth 14:27-28) 1 Corinthians 2:12-14, 1 Corinthians 14.

And here's the real kicker that people just can't grasp and refuse to believe. Once you're filled with the Holy Ghost you're no longer a sinner and are perfect before the Lord. *gasp!*
You can choose on your own to willfully sin, sure. But if you have the Holy Ghost you're gonna feel the Lord correcting you and saying hey that's not a good idea. It's up to you how much you want to overcome your flesh. It takes time with some people and the longer you stick with the Lord the easier it becomes. Willful and un-willful sin is again another huge topic. I really am trying to keep this as brief as possible.

This is a touchy subject and there's so very much to cover. People have such a hard time with this one because they don't want to be held accountable. Does it say "For all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God" in the Bible? Absolutely! But read the very next sentence and you will see that once Christ died for our sins we are then made righteous AND he put an end to being under the law, we are now under grace.
Still don't believe me? Romans 5:6-21, Romans 6, Romans 8:1-10, Hebrews 6:1-2, Matt 5:48. Now I know you're thinking, Hey! That says Heaven...well that was before Christ died on the cross and went to sit on the right hand of the Father in Glory. But like I said that's a whole other huge topic.Why would Christ tell us to be perfect if it couldn't be done? The ONLY way it can be done is by having the Holy Ghost. Whew!

I know that was a lot to cover and I barely scratched the service on any of it. I truly hope this helps you in finding the Lord. It is a personal walk and no one can do it for you. I am blessed to be surrounded by the elders and other saints at my church for support. It's all by scripture, everything our church stands for is right out of the word and you can't argue with that. Well, you can try and I'm sure there will be lots of people trying to dispute my post. That's okay, the true gospel is not for everyone, that's scripture too. Anyways. Feel free to contact me if you should have any questions.

 

[kllyfy]

Hi, I just joined myself the other day, and I can confirm without a doubt everything you said according to scripture was on point. I've discerned through your post, that you are most definitely a true believer in the body of christ, and it was by divine appointment that you posted this on this day. So, you want be getting a critique from me, nothing but blessings, I agree without a doubt 100% with everything you stated in your post..God bless you, keep spreading the gospel of christ, because your post touched my life, and I've been a believer for a while myself, but as you stated that doesn't mean we know everything, we are all still learning, and will never fully learn enough, but just go with the flow of christ, continue to put on christ each day, and grow from the word spiritually, so that the light we have inwardly can shine outwardly...Once again be encouraged, and may God continue to bless you...One of the only post I've read on this forum that has truly, truly, without a doubt touched me in my own faith in a very personal way!

Hi Coconut,

I just joined the forum a few minutes ago and stumbled upon your post. I don't usually join these kinds of things because people mostly just want to debate but I had a leading to do so, so we'll see what the Lord wants out of it. Anyways. This reply is going to be long and brief. There is so much to cover and I don't want to overwhelm you.

I grew up in the south in the Bible Belt. I used to be a baptist but I am now a non-denominational Christian. I too, was told to recite some canned prayer to accept the Lord into my life in order to be saved. What I was never told was to get in the word and dig it out for myself. I'm not saying all Baptists are this way, I'm just giving you my experience with it. The church I belong to now reads everything directly from the KJV Bible. It is the truest form of the original word and not watered down. I have scriptures to back up everything that I say.

In order to be saved you must first believe that the Lord is your savior (you've got step one down) repent of any and all sins and be baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) You can't do one of these without the other. Just make sure you're getting baptized with holy hands and that it's full submersion. Jesus wasn't sprinkled with water, he was dunked in the river by holy hands!

Once you have the Holy Ghost in you, you can then start to discern more and more of the word. The word truly is living. You can read one scripture one day and the next time you read it, it can take on a whole new meaning. It does take time, I have been in the ministry that I am in now for seven years and I do have a lot of knowledge but I also have a lot to learn. It's all in the Lord's timing and he knows what pace you need to go at. As long as you are sincere and put your time in with the Lord He will honor you for it.

But getting baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost doesn't ensure that you make it to Glory. That's right I said Glory, not Heaven. That's an entirely different subject that I hope to cover later.

You have to take on everything that comes along with being a saint now. Did you know that there are still saints today? That the Lord views us as Kings and Priests? (Rev 1:6) Jesus made us so when he died for us on the cross. And I can say these things about having knowledge and being a saint without being puffed up. I have learned these 7 years to have a perfect balance between confidence from the Lord and how to keep my flesh in subjection.

Having the Holy Ghost means you are able to speak in tongues. I learned from the Baptist church that all of the gifts of the Holy Ghost were done away with the old saints. Not true. If you read 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, it's a brief overview of what you get to have after being filled with the Holy Ghost. The church I belong to practices all of these gifts, but they are done only by the leading of the Lord and in order. Not chaotic and all at once with people falling all over themselves.(1Corinth 14:27-28) 1 Corinthians 2:12-14, 1 Corinthians 14.

And here's the real kicker that people just can't grasp and refuse to believe. Once you're filled with the Holy Ghost you're no longer a sinner and are perfect before the Lord. *gasp!*
You can choose on your own to willfully sin, sure. But if you have the Holy Ghost you're gonna feel the Lord correcting you and saying hey that's not a good idea. It's up to you how much you want to overcome your flesh. It takes time with some people and the longer you stick with the Lord the easier it becomes. Willful and un-willful sin is again another huge topic. I really am trying to keep this as brief as possible.

This is a touchy subject and there's so very much to cover. People have such a hard time with this one because they don't want to be held accountable. Does it say "For all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God" in the Bible? Absolutely! But read the very next sentence and you will see that once Christ died for our sins we are then made righteous AND he put an end to being under the law, we are now under grace.
Still don't believe me? Romans 5:6-21, Romans 6, Romans 8:1-10, Hebrews 6:1-2, Matt 5:48. Now I know you're thinking, Hey! That says Heaven...well that was before Christ died on the cross and went to sit on the right hand of the Father in Glory. But like I said that's a whole other huge topic.Why would Christ tell us to be perfect if it couldn't be done? The ONLY way it can be done is by having the Holy Ghost. Whew!

I know that was a lot to cover and I barely scratched the service on any of it. I truly hope this helps you in finding the Lord. It is a personal walk and no one can do it for you. I am blessed to be surrounded by the elders and other saints at my church for support. It's all by scripture, everything our church stands for is right out of the word and you can't argue with that. Well, you can try and I'm sure there will be lots of people trying to dispute my post. That's okay, the true gospel is not for everyone, that's scripture too. Anyways. Feel free to contact me if you should have any questions.

 

[Barefooter]

I just read these posts and I have to mention 2 things. 1 You don't have to be baptised to be saved. Baptism is just a public proclamation that you identify with Christ. If you are saved and don't want to be baptised then that's a problem. But you cannot tell someone he, she, has to be baptised to be saved. What about the thief on the cross? 2 To tell someone if they have recieved the Holy Spirit and then speak in tongues, they,re saved. Not true. The main reason the early christians spoke in tongues was so they could understand each other. To speak in tongues now edifies no one. There's no reason for it.

 

[RobertZ]

I just read these posts and I have to mention 2 things. 1 You don't have to be baptised to be saved. Baptism is just a public proclamation that you identify with Christ. If you are saved and don't want to be baptised then that's a problem. But you cannot tell someone he, she, has to be baptised to be saved. What about the thief on the cross? 2 To tell someone if they have recieved the Holy Spirit and then speak in tongues, they,re saved. Not true. The main reason the early christians spoke in tongues was so they could understand each other. To speak in tongues now edifies no one. There's no reason for it.

Amen to that!

 

[RobertZ]

I just read these posts and I have to mention 2 things. 1 You don't have to be baptised to be saved. Baptism is just a public proclamation that you identify with Christ. If you are saved and don't want to be baptised then that's a problem. But you cannot tell someone he, she, has to be baptised to be saved. What about the thief on the cross? 2 To tell someone if they have recieved the Holy Spirit and then speak in tongues, they,re saved. Not true. The main reason the early christians spoke in tongues was so they could understand each other. To speak in tongues now edifies no one. There's no reason for it.

Amen to that!

 

[Sarby85]

I just want to preface this post by saying that I in no way want to argue scriptures or religion with anyone on any forum. So, I'm gonna let the scriptures do the talking.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (17)And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
(18)They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Acts 2:38-39 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. (39) For the promise is unto you, and to your children and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

1 Corinthians 12 (Read all but here are some highlights)

1:3-11
(3)Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
(4)Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
(5)And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
(6)And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

(7)But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
(8)For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
(9) To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
(10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
(11) But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1 Corinthians 14 (Read all but here are some highlights)

1 Cor 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
(2) For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

1Cor 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
(5) I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

1 Cor 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
(14) For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
(15) What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

1 Cor 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

1 Cor 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
(27) If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. (28) But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.


To clarify just because you do get baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost and speak in tongues (which is proof of having received the Holy Ghost) does not mean you are saved. They are necessities and are the foundation of your walk with the Lord but there is a lot more that goes along with serving the Lord in order to finish the race.

 

[spiritual warrior]

So I usually post in the Baptist thread, but I thought I'd post here for once. I have a problem and I want to get some other people's opinions/insight. Ok, so I'm not sure if I'm saved. I believe that Jesus Christ is the savior and without Him we will die in our sins ultimately meaning we will be judged and spend eternity in Hell. The thing is though is that I grew up in church believing in Jesus, so for a while I never even knew I was lost. Then, one day I talked to someone and they told me I couldnt just believe but I had to accept Jesus, so I repeated a little prayer. I never had assurance so later on I said another prayer...then another and another on my own time whenever I felt the doubts coming. My problem is I dont feel sinful or guilty at all. I know I'm a sinner but sometimes it's hard to define the line between feeling sinful knowing I'm sinful. That being said if I don't really know that I'm sinful than I can't accept Christ because that's like trying to get a doctor when you think you're healthy. Another thing is I've said prayers so much sometimes I feel like I have faith in my faith instead of Christ and I don't know how to make the transition from putting faith in my faith to putting faith in Christ and resting in Him. Please help me. I've talked to several people on here and in real life and I don't know what to do...

Coconut, how are you doing? I have been a minister for many years now and wanted to answer you here instead of on the thread, because sometimes people like to argue.

God deals with mankind, as it has to do with redemption (bringing us back to Himself), in covenants. The whole purpose for Jesus coming was to teach us about the Kingdom of God. He taught us that in order to enter the kingdom of God we had to go through some steps, they are...

1. Exercise faith in Christ (which by your post, you do already).

2. Get water baptized...John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

See, we enter into participating in the new covenant that Jesus came to make with us by baptism...baptism is the pledge of your heart to try and follow God as much as is in you can (in other words, we try to obey God as much as we can, we all fall, but as long as we are trying, that is what God wants from us...just as you will one day want out of your children). Baptism is how we enter into the Kingdom of God.

3. the nest step is also in the last verse...John 3:5
Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

This is God's part, not yours. When we are baptized, pledging obedience to God, He "regenerates" us by His Spirit...His Spirit comes into us and we are "born again" (born again from above). God gives us a new nature and gives us the "battery" to fuel us to fight against sinful urges. We energize that battery by spending time with God in His presence in prayer and worship.

4. We remain in the covenant, and in the kingdom, by abiding "in Christ" which means that we remain in Christ (Jesus is God in the flesh) by walking in love towards people, fulfilling God's command to us...

1 John 3:23-24
And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

1 John 5:3
For this is how we love God, we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

You are not going to "feel" saved all the time. We all fail God from time to time, but if you continue to desire to walk with God, even when you fail, you will always be near Him and He will always be near you...

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 2:10
Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.


What does it mean to love on people? It means that whenever you see an opportunity to help someone, and it is in your power to do so, that you help them...

Galatians 5:14
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Loving on people isn't hard to do, but sometimes it takes guts. I hope that this helps you. Remember, just like those little glow in the dark toys have to be put near a light before they will glow, so you have to spend time in God's presence, near to Him, before you will have the power to glow in the world.

 

[Basil the Great]

Trust God and live each day for Him, one day at a time.

 

[Naomanos]

Funny thing is, I know I'm saved, yet I don't speak in tongues.

Speaking in tongues is not the only proof that you have received the Holy Spirit. My wife and I both do not speak in tongues, yet we are both filled with the Holy Spirit. We have both been baptized and are born again Christians.

 

[revrobor]

Hey coconut:

Do not confuse believing in Jesus with believing about Jesus. "Believe" in reference to Jesus means to follow or cling to NOT believe something about Him. There are those who will try to convince you that you must believe certain things about our Lord (born of a virgin, Son of God, God incarnate, etc, etc.) to be saved. That is not true, What you learn and believe about Jesus will help you grow spiritually but will not save you. All you need to do to be saved is "repent" (turn from you old ways) and follow God (John 3:16). When you've done that you are saved by the sacrifice Jesus made. You do not have to say any specific prayer or sign a card or make a public profession in some church. Once you have made that commitment you need to communicate (we call it prayer but it's simply talking to Him) with God asking for His guidance and He will lead you to those who can be used to help you grow. You are saved because when you do this the Bible says you are saved. It's not about how you feel or what you know about Jesus. Satan will attack you and cause doubts (especially early on) but rest assured you are saved. And don't let anyone tell you that "speaking in tongues" is a sign of salvation. I have seen it faked and it can be caused by the enemy.

 

[Charles Spurgeon]

I just want to preface this post by saying that I in no way want to argue scriptures or religion with anyone on any forum. So, I'm gonna let the scriptures do the talking.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (17)And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
(18)They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Acts 2:38-39 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. (39) For the promise is unto you, and to your children and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

1 Corinthians 12 (Read all but here are some highlights)

1:3-11
(3)Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
(4)Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
(5)And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
(6)And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

(7)But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
(8)For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
(9) To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
(10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
(11) But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1 Corinthians 14 (Read all but here are some highlights)

1 Cor 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
(2) For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

1Cor 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
(5) I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

1 Cor 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
(14) For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
(15) What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

1 Cor 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

1 Cor 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
(27) If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. (28) But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.


To clarify just because you do get baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost and speak in tongues (which is proof of having received the Holy Ghost) does not mean you are saved. They are necessities and are the foundation of your walk with the Lord but there is a lot more that goes along with serving the Lord in order to finish the race.

*Sigh* Please take your devilish doctrines away from here.

I don't deny what the Word says in those passages about the Baptism... but it's being misinterpreted if you actually believe those passages are saying that you have to be baptized to be saved.

Besides, the end part of Mark isn't necessarily the correct ending to Mark. The original ending was actually lost in history, and the ending that it has is kind of weird and goofy.

Edit:

Also, John 3:5 is not talking about Baptism... look to Ezekiel 38 or 39.

As for Acts 2:38... keep in mind the the Greek word for "Baptism" and its variants don't always mean baptism in the sense of being baptized into water... the word can, and (this can be seen in Romans 6) be used in the sense of being immersed into Christ, by faith. This is the likely correct interpretation of Acts 2:38.

Again, the end of Mark 16 is corrupted, and probably isn't the correct end.

 

[baseball1846]

If you love God you are saved.

So I usually post in the Baptist thread, but I thought I'd post here for once. I have a problem and I want to get some other people's opinions/insight. Ok, so I'm not sure if I'm saved. I believe that Jesus Christ is the savior and without Him we will die in our sins ultimately meaning we will be judged and spend eternity in Hell. The thing is though is that I grew up in church believing in Jesus, so for a while I never even knew I was lost. Then, one day I talked to someone and they told me I couldnt just believe but I had to accept Jesus, so I repeated a little prayer. I never had assurance so later on I said another prayer...then another and another on my own time whenever I felt the doubts coming. My problem is I dont feel sinful or guilty at all. I know I'm a sinner but sometimes it's hard to define the line between feeling sinful knowing I'm sinful. That being said if I don't really know that I'm sinful than I can't accept Christ because that's like trying to get a doctor when you think you're healthy. Another thing is I've said prayers so much sometimes I feel like I have faith in my faith instead of Christ and I don't know how to make the transition from putting faith in my faith to putting faith in Christ and resting in Him. Please help me. I've talked to several people on here and in real life and I don't know what to do...

 

[boldlion]

So I usually post in the Baptist thread, but I thought I'd post here for once. I have a problem and I want to get some other people's opinions/insight. Ok, so I'm not sure if I'm saved. I believe that Jesus Christ is the savior and without Him we will die in our sins ultimately meaning we will be judged and spend eternity in Hell. The thing is though is that I grew up in church believing in Jesus, so for a while I never even knew I was lost. Then, one day I talked to someone and they told me I couldnt just believe but I had to accept Jesus, so I repeated a little prayer. I never had assurance so later on I said another prayer...then another and another on my own time whenever I felt the doubts coming. My problem is I dont feel sinful or guilty at all. I know I'm a sinner but sometimes it's hard to define the line between feeling sinful knowing I'm sinful. That being said if I don't really know that I'm sinful than I can't accept Christ because that's like trying to get a doctor when you think you're healthy. Another thing is I've said prayers so much sometimes I feel like I have faith in my faith instead of Christ and I don't know how to make the transition from putting faith in my faith to putting faith in Christ and resting in Him. Please help me. I've talked to several people on here and in real life and I don't know what to do...

Follow Acts 2:38 !
1. Repent
2. Be baptised in water
3. Receive the Holy Spirit and you will speak in tongues !

You can't go wrong.

 

[Christownsme]

So I usually post in the Baptist thread, but I thought I'd post here for once. I have a problem and I want to get some other people's opinions/insight. Ok, so I'm not sure if I'm saved. I believe that Jesus Christ is the savior and without Him we will die in our sins ultimately meaning we will be judged and spend eternity in Hell. The thing is though is that I grew up in church believing in Jesus, so for a while I never even knew I was lost. Then, one day I talked to someone and they told me I couldnt just believe but I had to accept Jesus, so I repeated a little prayer. I never had assurance so later on I said another prayer...then another and another on my own time whenever I felt the doubts coming. My problem is I dont feel sinful or guilty at all. I know I'm a sinner but sometimes it's hard to define the line between feeling sinful knowing I'm sinful. That being said if I don't really know that I'm sinful than I can't accept Christ because that's like trying to get a doctor when you think you're healthy. Another thing is I've said prayers so much sometimes I feel like I have faith in my faith instead of Christ and I don't know how to make the transition from putting faith in my faith to putting faith in Christ and resting in Him. Please help me. I've talked to several people on here and in real life and I don't know what to do...

Replace the word "accept" for "rely or have faith in". Do you put all your eggs in one basket for salvation, that is the finished work of Jesus Christ? Do you realize it's in the past, that he died for your sin? That all you have to do is now and believe that, and know that he justifies the one who knows and believes that? Knowing that, put your faith in Him to be who He says He is to you. He's already done the work, you believe that fact - I don't think the Bible ever says "accept Jesus", but it does say "put your faith (reliance, hope) in Him."

 

[Naomanos]

Follow Acts 2:38 !
1. Repent
2. Be baptised in water
3. Receive the Holy Spirit and you will speak in tongues !

You can't go wrong.

Sorry, but I disagree with number 4. Not everyone who receives the Holy Spirit will speak in tongues.

My wife and I both have the Holy Spirit, yet neither of us speak in tongues. I know many other Spirit filled Christians who also do not speak in tongues.

 

[Christownsme]

Sorry, but I disagree with number 4. Not everyone who receives the Holy Spirit will speak in tongues.

My wife and I both have the Holy Spirit, yet neither of us speak in tongues. I know many other Spirit filled Christians who also do not speak in tongues.

I agree, I don't either. That is a gift some of the body of Christ recieves, some have other gifts. My gift is in music. Not everybody plays music, but that's the way God fashioned the body of Christ..

Read 1 Cor 12:30

All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. (speaking of love)

 

[holyrokker]

Replace the word "accept" for "rely or have faith in". .... I don't think the Bible ever says "accept Jesus", but it does say "put your faith (reliance, hope) in Him."

AMEN!