Is it to believe in Jesus? If what we must do to get into heaven is believe in Jesus and accept him as he "suffered for our sins", what about before he came? How did people get to heaven than? I suppose when Jesus came god said "Ok people, the rules have changed, now you must believe and accept Jesus to get to heaven" forget what i told you to do before? How did they get to heaven before Jesus? It's rediculous, really and please don't result to personal insults because you disagree cause that's just SAD.
2007-04-10 13:17:15 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Few mispellings **
2007-04-10 13:18:35 · update #1
God created us so that we may come to know Him, love Him, serve Him, and be happy with Him in the next life. - Catholic teaching.
Peace and every blessing!
2007-04-10 15:11:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before Jesus came as the ultimate sacrifice, people had to perform sacrifices on their own. There were several different types of sacrifices, such as burnt offerings, grain offerings, etc. The people were given very strict rules about what to give and how to give it. They were expected to give their best. (They had to kill the animal or burn the grain, etc.) I'm not a theology major and I don't know as much as I should, but I do know that I'm very thankful that Jesus came and served as the ultimate sacrifice that would cover the rest of the sins of the world, as long as the people accepted it. He made it so much easier for us to serve God. Jesus served as the Lamb... the ultimate, perfect sacrifice. Now all we have to do is confess we have sinned, believe Jesus died on the cross for us, and accept Him as our Savior! how amazing is that :)
2007-04-10 20:30:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main purpose for man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Faith in the LORD has always been the means for salvation and reconciliation with God, ever since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden.
The basis of salvation was, is, and ever will be GRACE.
The means is faith.
Faith in the LORD and His promises, even as Abraham believed and it was counted to him for righteousness...and this before Jesus Christ.
It is faith in God, who promised a Messiah. Those who believed in Him before the Messiah (Jesus Christ) actually came...still had faith in the coming Messiah.
In the same way, we now have faith in the Messiah who came...and will yet come again.
The "rules" have never changed.
Our Lord does not change.
But He, throughout time, has brought more revelation to man...through the Bible, which is now complete.
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The problem now...is that there is a reality of sin...and all men DO sin...and when YOU die...you will be punished for your sin...rightly and justly so.
If you do repent and believe in and receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior...you will be forgiven of your sins...and be counted (or credited) completely righteous...so that when you die, there will be no punishment for you.
...what is TRULY sad...is that this is a FREE gift of salvation offered by God...and yet, people scoff at Him...and in the end, wind up in hell because of their sin.
...but at least you won't be able to say, "Why didn't ANYBODY warn me????"
Because, this day (mark it in history for all to see):
I have warned you.
Selah.
2007-04-10 20:35:45 · answer #3 · answered by yachadhoo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i hate to say it, but you almost answered your own question in questioning how christians perceive going to heaven.
"Ok people, the rules have changed, now you must believe and accept Jesus to get to heaven" forget what i told you to do before? How did they get to heaven before Jesus?
and no one ever really thinks about that.
no one has no clue aboout anything more than their own name, really.
most of the rest of what people talk about speculation or philosophy.
most of anything people in religions believe in is based on something some "holy" man said a thousand years ago and now people base their lives on speculation and theories and defend those beliefs to the point of killing and/or dying.
so, a skeptic will look at devout people and shake his head.
and whatever doesn't stay dogma gets thrown out completely for the purpose of controlling the masses and keeping them coming back to their religious leaders for answers instead of forming their own opinions.
2007-04-10 20:27:05 · answer #4 · answered by Shadowplay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I actually feel happy to (try to) answer your question.
God had given His people the commandments in the Old testament to guide them,since they sinned so much. But many people still didn't follow them. There was much sin every where.
Since He loves us so much He sent His son for us. Jesus gave us two commandment,which summed up the previous ten-love God with all your heart,body, soul...and love your neighbor as yourself. Of course if you have love for someone,you won't sin against them,you'll treat them as best as you can.
Anyway the meaning of life...well the point of life to me is to live like Jesus. He was so good,He was free from sin,yet He gave His life for us. My goal in life is to live like Him- the more I read my Bible,the more I see that is a FAR way off, but its also the more I feel like trying to be good. I want everyone to love each other-imagine how wonderful life wound be! You can read one of the gospels to see how good Jesus is. I hope one day we will ALL be able to live in harmony.
2007-04-10 20:51:14 · answer #5 · answered by kim p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to give life?
2007-04-10 20:19:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋