What are the min requirements to be "saved"

[IrishJohan]

I think personally there are 2 questions to ask. Who is God? What do you do to be saved? I believe in the triune God, and to be saved to confess your a sinner and beleive Jesus died for your sins. Nothing else. Thats bare minimum...
What I want to know is your faith and your bare minimums.

I don't like the title of this thread. It almost sounds like one is looking to do just the "bare minimum" required to skate into Heaven. That seems antithetical to the Gospel to me.

At any rate, Jesus was asked the question on how one may be saved and this is His answer:

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live."
Luke 10: 25-28

Pax Christi,
John

 

[DrBubbaLove]

most excellent answer John the Irish.

 

[IrishJohan]

most excellent answer John the Irish.

Gracias, Doc Bubba!

Pax Christi,
John

 

[Carlos Vigil]

I think personally there are 2 questions to ask. Who is God? What do you do to be saved? I believe in the triune God, and to be saved to confess your a sinner and beleive Jesus died for your sins. Nothing else. Thats bare minimum...
What I want to know is your faith and your bare minimums.

(1)...Give your life away.
(2)...Pay your dues.

 

[Kripost]

I don't think it is good to ask for minimum requirements, which then becomes some sort of checklist. This would lead to both presumption and despair.

See Luke 18:18-30.

 

[AngelusSax]

Well if you must know, here's my "minimum" requirements:

John 3:16

...Whosoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

 

[DirtDozer]

Thanks for all the replies. I don't want bare minimums, to do bare mininum. But what does it really take to get to heaven. I stated my 2 points at the start of this thread.
Here on these boards are thousands of arguments for this or that. Well, the essentails to for salvation is what should really be most feverently argued about. Then there are secondary issues, the things we argue abut mostly here. These secondary issues we divide over, label, look down upon....
I know we are brothers and sisters and we'll all meet someday, but because there are secondary issues and we don't agree, some of us are wrong, but we shouldn't seperate ourselves as if we have all the right answers.
I remember when I was in youth one year and our church invited another for skating one week, they told us that instead of skating we should be learning about God. The way that make the youth feel I'll always remember. We couldn't believe that Christians would talk to other christians that way.
I want to agree on Christian Essentials and choose to listen and choose to agree and disagree on nonessentials and not to look down upon.
The point of this thread was to define the essentials within Christian Theology.

 

[Carlos Vigil]

Thanks for all the replies. I don't want bare minimums, to do bare mininum. But what does it really take to get to heaven. I stated my 2 points at the start of this thread.
Here on these boards are thousands of arguments for this or that. Well, the essentails to for salvation is what should really be most feverently argued about. Then there are secondary issues, the things we argue abut mostly here. These secondary issues we divide over, label, look down upon....
I know we are brothers and sisters and we'll all meet someday, but because there are secondary issues and we don't agree, some of us are wrong, but we shouldn't seperate ourselves as if we have all the right answers.
I remember when I was in youth one year and our church invited another for skating one week, they told us that instead of skating we should be learning about God. The way that make the youth feel I'll always remember. We couldn't believe that Christians would talk to other christians that way.
I want to agree on Christian Essentials and choose to listen and choose to agree and disagree on nonessentials and not to look down upon.
The point of this thread was to define the essentials within Christian Theology.

The one thing that makes me uncomfortable about your (2) points is when you added ..."and nothing else"
The honest truth is..."Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you."...Mat.28:20
Jesus calls us to become disciples, not "minimalists"
... to lose our live for his sake and for the Gospel's sake
With our WHOLE heart , soul, mind, and strength.
whoever tries to enter by another way is a thief and an impostor. John 10:1
or a mini- malvado

 

[DirtDozer]

Yes I agree that once you devote your life to God you grow. With birth comes growth. But growth to me isn't a requirment to to saved. For example Deathbed conversions. But Growth is a reaction to devotion to God, and an absolute evidence of salvation.

 

[loves god]

I don't like the title of this thread. It almost sounds like one is looking to do just the "bare minimum" required to skate into Heaven. That seems antithetical to the Gospel to me.

At any rate, Jesus was asked the question on how one may be saved and this is His answer:

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live."
Luke 10: 25-28

Pax Christi,
John

I agree exactly

 

[Carlos Vigil]

Yes I agree that once you devote your life to God you grow. With birth comes growth. But growth to me isn't a requirment to to saved. For example Deathbed conversions. But Growth is a reaction to devotion to God, and an absolute evidence of salvation.

Any living thing, if it is not growing, it is because it is dead.
For insance, look at a live tree every year, and measure it...
and look at a dead tree every year ...and measure it.

"If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them , and cast them into the fire and they are burned." John 15:6

 

[DirtDozer]

Ya that's what I said.

 

[IowaLutheran]

I prefer to think in terms of trust in God, not a checklist of beliefs or actions.

Abraham trusted in God and followed God to a new land.

Moses lead the people of Israel into the wilderness, trusting that God would provide manna for the people.

Peter, Andrew, James & John simply responded to the call of Jesus by dropping their fishing nets and followed him, which is also a display of trust.

In a nutshell, trust that God is in charge, not yourself.

 

[brotherjim]

Q: What are the minimum requirements to be "saved"?

A: Call on the Name of Jesus for the Grace of it (if done by the Spirit, it is enough). Then, if you continue to physically live, continue to call (i.e., being committed to it at all costs in the Law of your mind [Rom. 7:21-25] to the end). Period. God can and will take it from there.

brotherjim

 

[Cherub8]

There is nothing we can do to earn salvation. Not even the faith belongs to us; all of it is a gift from God.

Pentium 4
1 gig RAM
8x CD-Rom Drive
G-Force 4

otherwise salvation may suffer from reduced frame rates.

 

[AngelusSax]

A: Call on the Name of Jesus for the Grace of it (if done by the Spirit, it is enough). Then, if you continue to physically live, continue to call (i.e., being committed to it at all costs in the Law of your mind [Rom. 7:21-25] to the end). Period. God can and will take it from there.

But of course, this seems to say we, in part, save ourselves. I disagree. Salvation is completely God's work. We can only call on His name by His Grace.

God gives us Grace before we deserve it, as we never, EVER deserve it. It is only after the Grace is given that we can either reject it, or not reject it.

(If you were not trying to imply or state that we can, in part, save ourselves, then disregard this post, as my reading would obviously be off-kilter with your intent and writing).

 

[TruthSetsYouFree]

I'm copying most of this message from a post I made a while back on Mormonism and what the Bible says concerning salvation...

Believing upon Jesus (the right Jesus) is a necessity to being saved: John 3:18, "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

We must be born again: John 3:3, "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Warning against 'another Jesus': 2 Corinthians 11:4, "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."

The true Jesus would be born of a virgin: Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Also see Matthew 1:23) Mormonism believes that the Father (which in their belief is Adam who became a god) came down physically and mated with his 'spirit daughter' Mary and that's where Jesus' body came from (incest!). They also believe that Satan and Jesus are brothers! That is a mockery to the true Jesus!

Warning about Satan's ministers appearing to be righteous: 2 Corinthians 11:14, 15, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

Beware of 'angles' giving revelations contrary to God's Word: Another thing I'd like to point out is that the Mormon's "revelation" came from an angel (a fallen angel by the name of Moroni), and in Galatians 1:8 it directly warns us against an angle giving us a revelation that doesn't line up with God's Word, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."

In the end days, there will be many who fall into deceiving religions: 1 Timothy 4:1, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." If you look up seducing in the Greek for that verse, it means deceiving. Deceiving means to appear to be true, yet it's false, or to give a false impression. This verse is talking about religions that appear to be right, but don't lead a person down the path to heaven. Mormonism is the kind of religion they are talking about here, because it 'seems right' and yet it is so far off the track. I think it's pretty clear that Satanism won't lead a person to heaven, but yet it doesn't look like a godly religion either. It's pretty clear that they aren't trying to 'appear' godly. Satan works in different ways in different religions. The goal of Satanism isn't to try to deceive Christians to convert, but to directly bring Satan glory (demon worship, marrying Satan, etc.). Whereas the goal of Mormonism is to appeal to lukewarm Christians and people who are looking for a "nice" religion.

Jesus (the right Jesus) is the ONLY way to heaven: John 10:1, 9, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber... I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Just acknowledging Jesus isn't enough: Shortly after John 3:16, it tells us in verse 21, "But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." Also, James 2:19-26 says, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." Some people claim that they are Christian, so that they feel they are going to heaven, but if they don't turn from their wicked lifestyle, then they aren't living up to their professed faith.

On the other hand, we cannot earn our salvation: Eph 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." But notice that in verse 10 it says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." I believe it's telling us that we can't be 'saved' by our works, but we are suppose to live a Godly life as a Christian. We aren't to claim we are Christians, and then go out and continue to live in the world.

We must obey God's commandments: Matthew 7:21-23, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

What are God's commandments? Matthew 22:37-40, "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." There are a lot of laws in the OT against things such as incest, adultery, worshipping idols, etc., but they all fall into these two categories. If a person loved God, they wouldn't be worshipping idols, misusing their bodies or minds for purposes that don't glorify God, and if a person loved his neighbor, he or she wouldn't steal, murder, or mistreat others. Jesus says that we prove our love for Him when we keep His commandments (John 14:15, 23, 24).

If we don't love the brethren, we abide in spiritual death: 1 John 3:14, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." Mark 11:26 tells us that if we don't have mercy and forgive one another, it blocks us off from God forgiving us.

The unrighteous will not enter the kingdom of God: 1 Corinthians 6:9, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." Of course, a person can come from that kind of a lifestyle, and be redeemed (that's why Jesus came to earth!), but that doesn't mean they can continue in their sins.

Becoming more Christ-like is a growing process: Have you noticed how nobody becomes perfect in all their ways the moment they accept Christ? I believe there is a growing process we go through called sanctification. 1 Thessalonians 5:23, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:22, "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow (pursue) righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

 

[brotherjim]

. . . (If you were not trying to imply or state that we can, in part, save ourselves, then disregard this post, as my reading would obviously be off-kilter with your intent and writing).

I, of course, was not. Such is an absurdity. And how can your post be disregarded now that it's errors are posted? Rhetorical.)

"The flesh profits nothing."

"For apart from Me [Jesus] you can do nothing."

"For by Grace are you saved. . . ."

". . . that no man can boast"

brotherjim

 

[brotherjim]

Q: What are the minimum requirements to be "saved"?

A: Call on the Name of Jesus for the Grace of it (if done by the Spirit, it is enough). Then, if you continue to physically live, continue to call (i.e., being committed to it at all costs in the Law of your mind [Rom. 7:21-25] to the end). Period. God can and will take it from there.

brotherjim

 

[brotherjim]

"Jesus, save me."

A week from now (or whenever we next blow it--e.g., fail to walk in Love perfectly as commanded): "Jesus, save me."

A month from now (or whenever we again blow it): "Jesus, save me."

A year from now--.



Edit+: Or the alternate, "Heavenly Father, in the Name of Jesus, save me."