Universal Salvation and Belief

cloudyday2 said:

There are some verses in the NT that mention belief in the process of salvation. (e.g. Acts 16:30-33). On the other hand, if belief is required for salvation, then several problems are created:
(1) Is belief a choice or a response to evidence?
(2) Is belief a human work or a gift of grace from God?
(3) How much belief is required for salvation? Are you really saved?

Maybe we can eliminate these problems by assuming universal salvation. The "good news" to be preached is universal salvation. The role of belief is to give people the necessary hope to begin living more righteous lives. This is why people believe and are then baptized.

So can you find some quotes from the Bible or other early Christian writings to show this idea is wrong?

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God only requires faith/belief the size of a mustard seed. So only a small amount of faith or willingness is necessary and God's Spirit will grow your faith. But yes belief has to be there. You can't just say it you have to believe it.

First of all, the Bible is clear that unredeemed men will dwell forever in hell. Jesus’ own words confirm that the time spent in heaven for the redeemed will last as long as that of the unredeemed in hell. Matthew 25:46 says, “Then they [the unsaved] will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” According to this verse, the punishment of the unsaved is just as eternal as the life of the righteous. Some believe that those in hell will eventually cease to exist, but the Lord Himself confirms that it will last forever. Matthew 25:41 and Mark 9:44 describe hell as “eternal fire” and “unquenchable fire.”

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The bible also says that the citiy of Sodom was an example of eternal fire; however that city isn't burning today.

nightflight said:

The bible also says that the citiy of Sodom was an example of eternal fire; however that city isn't burning today.

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"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men."

"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

Some are still waiting.