As long as one is Christian is it necessary to belong to a certain religion? Isn't salvation extended to everyone as long as they accept Jesus and the sacrifice he made at the cross? Will God punish us for interpeting the Bible a different way because we really believe it is the right way? Thank you, God bless you!
2007-03-05 06:32:47 · 14 answers · asked by Marie 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There is NO verse in the Bible that says one must be of a certain religion to go to heaven. As long as you are a believer in Christ and follow him, that is what matters. Anyone that tells you that you must be of a particular denomination does not get this from the Bible, but from the teachings of their particular church As for God punishing you for incorrect interpretation, as long as your church does not incorrectly interpret how to be saved, you should be all right. Be a believer first, then a presbyterian, baptist, catholic etc. secondly. The lack of scriptural proof shows that it is unnecessary to belong to a certain faith to be saved, the only requirement is faith in Christ alone.
2007-03-05 06:46:42 · answer #1 · answered by Licia 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The entire Book of Romans in the New Testament says it all pretty clearly. Jesus also did say "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Nobody gets to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) The letter of 1 John also says that anything in opposition to Christ is not Christ and should not be worshipped. Any religious idea that is not titled under that of Christian is not accepting of the teaching that Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour of the world, so therefore there is no salvation except through the religious beliefs of Christianity and the Christian Scriptures found in the Bible. The religious beliefs of Christianity are rooted in the belief that Jesus is the Lord and Saviour of the world, which is the belief necessary for a person to have eternal life and salvation, which is a belief that is not shared by any other religion in the world, so there is no salvation through any other religion.
2007-03-05 06:44:28 · answer #2 · answered by Me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
John 14:6b quotes Jesus as saying "I am the way, the truth, and the life. NO ONE comes to the Father except through Me."
A denomination will not save a person -- only belief in Jesus Christ as Lord, Master and Savior will. However, there are some pseudo-Christian cults which do not lead to salvation, such as those that preach Jesus wasn't God. Only God can save us by washing away our sins.
2007-03-05 06:38:15 · answer #3 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think you are mistaking "religion" for "denomination". If you are of the called, the elect, and have been brought back to life through the infusing of the Holy Spirit, convicted by your sins, given the gift of faith and believe that Jesus is Lord, died for your sins, and rose again, you are saved.
The Bible is not to be interpreted like a foreign language, it is to be read for what it says. I get really uncomfortable when people talk about "interpreting" the Bible, usually it means they have found things they don't like and what to make it say something it doesn't. A good rule of thumb is: if you and the Bible disagree, one of you is wrong, and it isn't the Bible.
2007-03-05 06:42:09 · answer #4 · answered by BrotherMichael 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutely right as long as they follow the teachings iof Christ and etc. I do not think God will punish you for trying (YOUR )best not your churches best to be close to Him. He's God he sees everything you do and understand why ou make those choices. He created you.
Many people feel trapped inside the christian organization because they are taught that this is how things are but they read the bible and it does not make sense, then they are labeled as not being true christians.) I use the word Christian loosely because I do not mean that everyone who is a christian or christian teacher act as I stated above. (
2007-03-05 06:39:02 · answer #5 · answered by godsnoriel 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You must belong to the Church of Jesus Christ, the true church. All men will be saved or resurrected whether they are good or bad, go to church or not. However, not all men will receive exaltation. This can only be received by the righteous who were valiant in keeping the commandments of God, who endured in faith to the end and received all proper ordinances by priesthood holding authority given directly by and from Jesus Christ.
Pray to know the truth and God will give it unto you.
Remember Jesus Christ himself was baptized by one holding authority, to be an example to us and to fulfill all righteousness. Thus, we too through our desires can repent of our sins and be baptized for a remission of our sins and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
2007-03-05 06:46:05 · answer #6 · answered by Angel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe in interpretation when it comes to the Bible. It says what it says, take it in it's entirety and you will be fine. I don't believe in denominations in religion either, why be divided?
God knows your heart and if you are sincere in getting to know Him, He will reveal Himself to you. You do not need to be a certain religion to have a relationship with the one true God through Christ.
2007-03-05 06:46:35 · answer #7 · answered by BrutalBaby 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that is a very good question. I was raised one way and will probably never change. But married a man that belives tottally differnt. I dont think we will know all the answers till we meet our maker. But i think we have to live to be best of our ability the way we truly belive. Until someone can convince me that my belief is different i probably wont change.
2007-03-05 06:39:23 · answer #8 · answered by bbbrowneyes9 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many people confuse religion with Organized Institutions of Religion.
2007-03-05 06:47:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus spoke about 'true' worshipers at John 4:23-24. If there are true worshipers then there must also be false. Therefore it is worthwhile to examine your way of worship to be certain that you are meeting the requirements of true worship.
2007-03-05 06:42:17 · answer #10 · answered by babydoll 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋