A lot of things abou religion confuse me. Why do so many sections of Christian churches say that if you're not a member of that particular church, You go to hell. doesn't that make it impossible to know which is the right one? one person had me almost crying because he said only his church was right, and other churches were wrong because his was created by Jesus' desciples, and not by man.
Also, why do people have to be baptized to go to Heaven? What about infants or people that die before they can?
Another thing, Since many people believe you have to be married to have sex without sinning, does that mean it has to be done by a priest or religious leader? Does that mean that if you get married by a judge it doesn't count?
2006-08-14 19:22:13 · 8 answers · asked by toku_kuns 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
+ Different Christian Churches +
Most Christian Churches including Catholicism acknowledge that any Christian can to heaven. A very few so-called Christian Churches are not very Christian-like.
+ Baptism +
Jesus said that we had to be baptized to enter the kingdom of God, “Jesus answered,
"Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” (John 3:5)
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)
+ Infants and others +
The Catholic Church believes that Baptism is necessary for salvation for those who have heard the Gospel and have had the opportunity of asking for Baptism.
Therefore
- Those who die for the sake of the faith with being baptized are baptized by their death for Christ. This is called Baptism of blood.
- Those who die while preparing for Baptism are assured salvation. This is Baptism of desire.
- Those who die never hearing of Christ but have sought the truth and do the will of God, as they understand it can be saved. This is also Baptism of desire.
- Children who have died without Baptism are entrusted to the mercy of God.
+ Marriage +
I know that marriages celebrated by priests are recognized by the Church but I am not sure about marriages in front of judges.
+ With love in Christ.
2006-08-16 17:51:42 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, yes and no to all of these things!
You are to watch out for False Prophets and all MEN (including me) fit that catagory.
Many religions Baptize within a month of birth, it is only the Baptists and a few others sects that only baptize adults. I once asked one why they are bigoted in that view. A baby baptisim is like an insurance policy!
Marriage doesn't have to be formal, but it does require a witness, which can be your spouse, but the RULES must be followed.
It is FOREVER unless you die or the spouse commits adultery. Otherwise there is no setting aside.
The formalities of religion give yo some rights. Accepting Jesus, for example, gives you annexation with the JEws as a "chosen person" based on some views.
Jesus specifically said you get an audience with the Father, or God, but only threw him, if you want it or need it.
Jesus gives you life eternal, but there is no warranty it will be in heaven, it could be in the lake of fire!
God has the final say on you with the book of life and if you have the mark of the beast or follow a false prophet you might not get to heaven.
It is HARD to say if Billy Graham, the Pope, Jerry Fawell or others are false prophets.
Read the bible and find your own way.
Study Jesus, study God, avoid a lot of the other stuff which is Man playing prophet.
Don't do things for rewards. Do things because you fell, based on your knowledge of God and Jesus, it is the right thing to do.
Pray for the best.
Then see what happens.
2006-08-15 03:08:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will attempt to answer this questions in segments. I agree with you about the "if you dont belong to my church your going to hell" being wrong... My Bible says you must have Jesus Christ as your savior.... not belong to a specific denomination.
#2. People do not have to be baptised to go to heaven, baptism is a symbolic outward experience of what Christ does inside... for example.... no one baptised the theif on the cross.
#3 as for pre-marital sex and or a Judge performing a "wedding"...MARRIAGE is a sacrament of the church and can not be performed outside the church. If a justice of the peace or judge or capt of a ship for example perform a ceremony... that is a Civil Union.... not a marriage.... however the State does not recognize the difference. In the governments eyes both are perfectly legal... however from a Christian perspective... its not truly a marriage if it is performed by anyone other than an ordained member of the Clergy.
2006-08-15 02:32:03 · answer #3 · answered by PreacherTim63(SFECU) 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So very many questions, all excellent questions, and none should be left unanswered. I fear that I may not give a good enough answer to all of these questions within this one post, but should you wish to continue asking, my email is jayramiro@yahoo.com.
Now to begin.
Churches are divided because they are a composed of sinful people. Fortunately , God provides us with the power to combat this sinful nature, but it is a lifelong fight. As such, we will make mistakes. One of the most dreadfully serious ones is the mistake that it takes a specific church membership to be saved. The Bible clearly states that if you "confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father, than you shall be saved." It is just that simple. No rituals, no memberships, simply a heartfelt acceptance of the work of Christ.
So if you wish to know what the right one is, it is ANY church that believes that this belief in Jesus is the ONLY way to be saved. Beyond that, it is merely finding a church that you agree with on the most points.
On the second point, it nearly breaks my heart to read your second paragraph. I do not know where you have been taught this material, but let me make one thing clear to you. The only thing that is asked of you to be saved is an honest confession and acceptance of Christ's work. Now, once you have been saved, it should be your desire to live a life according to his principles, and to publicly declare what he has done for you. It is this public declaration that is the essence of baptism, the symbolism that you were dead, but Christ made you alive, a new being.
Your question on fornication interests me? You recognize the Christian's view on premarital sex, yet you seem confused by the application of it. That very question has been a matter of division between churches, with some saying that only an ordained minister may perform a "true" wedding, with others saying that so long as you are "symbolicly" wed, intercourse is fine. I believe that so long as it is your intent to be married to your spouse, and you are willing to do any legal method to have a recognized, long-lasting union with this person, than any means will do. It is the heart of a man that the Lord judges, not the action. Jesus said hating our brother is as bad as murdering him.
It is my hope that you are not of the belief that Christianity is a set of imprisoning rules and regulations that must be understood than followed if you are to be saved. Christianity is recognizing that "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. We are weak, but he is strong".
May God bless you
2006-08-15 02:42:42 · answer #4 · answered by Gatsby Follower 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christian denominationalism is a shame to be honesty, but is the product of human diversity of thought (a trademark of Western society), and in a way, this is how we "get along."
Many Christians you have encountered may make that claim, but I assure you, investigate Christianity for yourself to see the truth. It's not what "church building" you go to, or what denomination or sect you belong to. It's all about having a genuinely saving faith in Christ Jesus, and being part of His body, the spiritual church.
In my understanding of the Bible, it does not say one must be baptized in order to go to Heaven. You may call up Mark 16:16, but I tell you, this baptism is a reference to a change inside. Baptism means "to emerge." We are to emerge from our old self into a new self in Christ. The physical act is a demonstration to others of our inward change. Being dunked in water does not guarantee eternal life by any means. I urge you to also look at Acts 2:38. People that do not go to Heaven are not the people that were never baptized, they are those who never repented—they were never inwardly baptized in Christ.
The destiny of infants who die is one that we ought to entrust to God. We can take comfort in knowing He is just and merciful and righteousness, but like when each of us dies, we are judged individually. Likewise, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to infant death. The same is applicable to those too young to fully comprehend the crucial decision of following Christ or not.
Yes, pre-marital sex is immoral. It's not so much which authority marries you, but more the fact that sex should be kept in the confines of marriage. This is for a good reason too; with sex comes great responsibility, the responsibility of procreating. The emotional closeness it creates between two humans also should be kept sacred by reserving it for marriage.
I believe that marriage is a structure created by God and therefore a pastor/priest/etc. should carry it out. No government of man created the insitution of marriage, and therefore the government can only recognize and protect it.
I hope this helps.
2006-08-15 02:41:46 · answer #5 · answered by Brad 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, get married by a priest (etc) and dont worry too much about baptism, Jesus didnt say anything about that. good people who havent been baptized go to heaven and bad people who have been baptized go to hell. also, dont worry too much about your sect, being in the "wrong" one does not make you go to hell. just believe in God, do good deeds, live a "conscious" life
2006-08-15 02:29:17 · answer #6 · answered by rumpel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all a scam.
People want to be good, and have people be good to them, it is part of human nature.
There is no god telling us to do it, and people who are good becasue they fear something (like hell) lust for something (like heaven) are not being good out of their hearts, but for selfish reasons, which is bad.
2006-08-15 02:32:16 · answer #7 · answered by Mac Momma 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Why don't you look for other religions, like Islam?
2006-08-15 02:29:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋