"Baptising yourself is a visa to reach heaven, otherwise hell awaits you"is the statement a misrepresentation?

Question

attended a functions, there's an 80 old man who told me this statement, "serrendering yourself to Jesus and when you die, you will go straight to "up there", if you don't that's only one place left, "down there!" I find the statement rather logic defying, and blind- faithed. If mother Teresa was not a christian, she would have gone to hell, and if Hitler was a christian, he would have gone to heaven, does it sound right?

Answer 1

Baptism is not a visa to heaven. Belief is the factor. Baptism is a deed that has to be done by a believer.

Answer 2

Zooks.
You should have gone to the Star Trek convention ... at least the fantasies would have made some kind of logical sense.
See, when geezers get that age, they are terrified of the Big Sleep. They have gotten so used to living that the idea of the Eternal Dirt Nap just has them quivering in their arthritic bones. That is why so many olds turn to religion ... they want to be assured by some comforting shaman that if they say the magic words and eat the magic cookie, they will live forever in a real nice place surrounded by lots of people just like them who totter around, fart and wheeze and gum their ambrosia. Whee.
Grow a brain. Mother Teresa was a very kindly woman who now is doing exactly the same thing as old Shickelgruber; decomposing into wormfood.
Cheers.

Answer 3

If it were only that simple!!! You are right, the 80 year old man is 100% wrong!
As for Baptizing, it's wonderful to be Baptized; but even after we're Baptized, we must still work out our own Salvation; we can't just say "I'm baptized, I'm saved!" Also, Baptism is for the person who realizes that they have accepted Christ, and has accepted that they must try to live as Christ instructed. But, even tho some wonderful people, ( like Mother Teresa, may not have been Baptized, God judges her works,) and offers them a chance for Spiritual Salvation, in the future. I'm sure that those individuals will someday accept Christ, or already have.
God judges the heart; that's why someone like Mother Teresa, who has done many good works, is going to be with God.
On the other hand, someone like Hitler, or others who have disobeyed God's laws and hurt others, even tho they called themselves a Christian, are going to be judged accordingly.
As for Hitler, or anyone else going to Hell, ( according to the Bible, the word "hell" means the grave ) so in that sense, everyone will go to the grave. There will be a judgement day, when Christ comes back, and all those who did their best, with what they knew, will be with Christ. All the others, will be given a chance, perhaps their first chance, to learn how to live, how to treat and love others, etc. If, after learning it, they still choose to follow their own ways, they will NOT be with God. They will be put to death, burned up, consumed by fire, ( not tortured for all eternity, as "Dantes Inferno" falsely pictures it ) It will be as if they never existed...
We have that choice; so it's a good one, to learn and accept God's way in this present life.
I hope this helps to clear up your question. If not, you can email me.

Answer 4

No, it doesn't sound right.

First.....according to scripture, baptism is not mandatory in order to get into heaven. This belief is a misinterpretation. When Paul was asked by the jailer "what must I do to be saved", Paul answered "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved". That's it. No mention of baptism directly related to SALVATION. (Acts 16:31-34) Later in the passage it mentions that the jailer and his family were baptized but this action is not directly related to SALVATION. When Paul was asked plainly, "what must I do to be saved"....Paul simply said, believe in Jesus. (paraphrased) that's it. no mention of baptism.

Second....it wouldn't matter whether Mother Teresa or Hitler "called" themselves christians, because christianity is a matter of the heart. God judges the intentions of the heart, not our words. This goes back to what I typed before....about christianity being a matter of the heart. It's not enough to just SAY we believe in Jesus....you have to TRUELY believe it in your HEART. And only you and God know whether you mean it or not.

I don't know why people get so pissy about religion on YA. It's a free choice. You either believe it or you don't.

Answer 5

Your logic is flawed due to ignorance of the subject,but you are right the statement is a misrepresentation. water baptizism is neccessary but not the only requirement to attain union with God. water baptism could have been done in a prior life.one also needs baptism with spirit and with fire from a "realized" being,Jesus is not the only "way" there are many,many more living saints plus untold numbers of past saints,such as the deciples of jesus.also you must do a lot of work in transformation of yourself.

Answer 6

Heaven because of the fact Hell isn't properly worth my time. i'm tryen to get to heaven why could I went to pass look @ hell. Its no factor. i could like to work out heaven beacuse i might desire to work out a number of my family contributors that previous away.

Answer 7

That is the fallacy of all religious dogma, which Jesus in his life time fought against. The act of mere membership to a Church is an empty formality which in no way could lead you to salvation, unless the teachings of the religious leader is followed and imbibed; The church is taking the gullible persons too far in their act of indoctrination and proselytising,all in the name of God.

Answer 8

Cut the man a bit of slack, he's 80.

Fact is, it's a nice simplistic thought, surrendering yourself, but there's more to it than that and it's up to God who gets in where.

Answer 9

God may save non-Christians if he wants to, but if he does, they will be saved by the grace he obtained for us on the cross, the same grace which saves Christians.

Answer 10

under this logic God would send all people to hell that never had a chance to even learn of him.