all you have to do to go to heaven (basically) is accept and believe in Jesus Christ, it doesn't matter your actual religion? so there is no "right" church, just as long as you accept Christ as your Savior? And you are not judged on your works in life?
2006-07-23 15:25:43 · 45 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Doesn't it seem just a little TOO simple?
2006-07-23 15:48:12 · update #1
Christian here - and no, you have to do more than believe in Jesus. There are the ten commandments, for starters and the Bible does say "Faith without works is nothing."
2006-07-23 15:29:55 · answer #1 · answered by Tiffany5 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are partially correct. There is no "right" religion, although there are some that think they are the only one that will get you to heaven. You are correct about the requirements to go to heaven is to believe in Jesus Christ and live your life for Him. Try to live your life to the best of your ability, the way He did while He was here on Earth. You are however, judged by your works. Works don't get you to heaven, but the better you do here on Earth, the better your rewards are in heaven. Now how THAT (the different rewards for different people) works, I'm not too clear on. I just know that's what the Bible says and I believe it.
2006-07-23 15:34:06 · answer #2 · answered by Lisa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, when someone chooses to do this, they know that this is something they need to do. It is as if the person is drawn to this....we speak of this as "being called". Sometimes people will be in church, by themselves, whatever the case....they know that God is letting them know that He is calling to them to make a decision about this issue. Now, here is another part to this decision. When you pray, and accept Jesus as your Savior, this means that you are entitled to many things as a child of God. This is not just fire insurance. You are given the Holy Spirit - not just at one time, but all the time. The Holy Spirit, at this time, has the job of guiding you and helping you understand things you wouldn't be able to otherwise. That is why the unbeliever just doesn't understand some things we do and say. This Holy Spirit works as you allow it to work. When Jesus left, He said that He would send It- just read about it and talk to some people who know about this. There is a judgement for Christians. Have you ever heard, for whom much is given- much is expected......We have a large responsibility, and will be judged accordingly. There are many parables explaining this clearly. To think that a person could do anything to earn the ability to enter God's presence is silly. If a person could just sort of try to do the right thing based on what they feel like at the time, Jesus would not have had to be the final sacrifice- remember in the Old Testament when the Jews had to sacrifice different things for different sins.......Jesus could be the sacrifice because He was not just a man- You see what I am saying....It is a faith thing- because there is nothing- absolutely nothing we can do to save ourselves! It isn't about blind faith, it is about not being blind at all.
2006-07-23 15:52:33 · answer #3 · answered by kskwwjd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus said 'no man can enter into heaven but by me'. He also said that where ever people are gathered in His name, there He may between in the midst of them. You do NOT have to go to church. The church of God is a body of people, of believers, who gather to talk about God. You have to believe in Christ with everything you have. He saved your life and just wants recognition for that. Is that really too much to ask? You are judged on your works. Belief without life change is the same as not believing at all. If you truly love someone, are you or are you not going to strive to be a better person for them? But whether or not God lets you into His kingdom is entirely up to Him and Him alone.
2006-07-23 15:33:18 · answer #4 · answered by Theresa B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's only in this generation. This whole idea of accepting Christ into your heart is pretty new. It really isn't in the Bible. It is based on a Bible verse, Rev 3:20 that says, "If anyone will hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him..." The problem with this verse is that it is not spoken to non Christians, but the Christians. It is not a verse on salvation. When I was a child we came to God as repentant sinners, and confessed Christ as Lord and He accepted us into His kingdom. It is no wonder that the Bible teaches that there are more deceived people in the church who are lost than there are saved people in the church. Salvation as it is taught in the Bible is not preached much at all today.
2006-07-23 15:33:01 · answer #5 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it was so easy then Satan would be very happy. Not all churches follow the teachings of Christ. We must follow the teachings of Christ (The Gospels) to enter the kingdom of God. The life he (Christ) lived was pleasing to God. Our lives must be pleasing to God in order for us to enter the kingdom of God. Any religion that do not accept Jesus Christ as Lord is not the True religion.
2006-07-23 15:49:51 · answer #6 · answered by God Fire 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the church is the body of Christ-- all true Christians. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. He paid the price, there's nothing more we can do for salvation. Salvation opens the doors for communion with God. Once you're "saved" God will have His eye on you so to speak. Your prayers will get through to Him. Yes, we will be accountable, but not with separation.
2006-07-23 15:39:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There will be a Judgement afterwards. This will be a time of Crowns it is not fully understood at this time. As far as your works saving you that is pretty much a correct theology. You cannot be saved by works only by TRULY accepting and believing in Jesus Christ. Wanna Come?
2006-07-23 15:28:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a Little bit more involved then just accepting Christ. One must accept Christ, confess their sins, ask for forgiveness, repent, and turn from sin. We are given the free gift of salvation and are under grace, but one must also follow the Commandments. Faith without works is dead.
2006-07-23 15:31:36 · answer #9 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not quite that simple. Basically, if you follow Christ you ARE a Christian. Only God can judge our works in life. After we get to Heaven, we'll have to explain ourselves, but if we've followed Christ, we haven't done as much sinning as most. Everyone is human and makes mistakes. God understands that. He forgives us if we're really sorry.
2006-07-23 15:30:42 · answer #10 · answered by Wiser1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course there is a right church.
There is absolute truth in the world.
Consider the extraordinary precision in how nature operates. There is perfection and balance in how the systems of the earth interact.
Does it possibly make sense that He would create such order in nature as in our solar system, or in the incredibly complicated interactions of the systems in the human body, but leave something as essential and precious as the salvation of men's souls in a 'do as you like, make it up as you go along, nothing much is required, there is no concrete truth' mode?
It defies logic.
And scripture.
Consider those who spend their lives serving others, like Paul. He gave his all. Is someone who simply murmurs a 'sinners prayer' and puts forth no effort going to get the same reward as he is?
Of course not.
We are here to be tried and proven.
We will ultimately be judged for our thoughts and actions.
If we give our best efforts to the greatest of our ability, His grace will take up the slack and make up the rest.
That is justice. And mercy.
We are saved by grace, AFTER all that we can do.
Faith without works is dead.
2006-07-23 15:46:34 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋