Is there anything more important that the Bible could communicate? Why is it ambiguous and contradictory on this subject?
2007-05-31 06:50:10 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Because it was written by several different people. They all had their own ideas on how to be saved so.....
2007-05-31 06:54:13 · answer #1 · answered by Matt - 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋
How is it unclear?Puzzling question.
I guess everybody has heard this verse at one time or another.Still rings true.Even in 2007.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The above verses sound pretty clear to me.All of us are without excuse whether we want to admit or not.
You can also read in Romans.Peter the apostle is quick and to the point.It's sixteen chapters long.In Romans you will find what Christians call the Roman road.
2007-05-31 07:05:39 · answer #2 · answered by Derek B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not unclear. As Paul told the Philippian jailer, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!"
The problem comes when people try to explain what it means to believe. Is it intellectual assent? No, it's more than that -even the "demons believe" and they aren't saved.
Is it emotional feeling alone? No, because they trend to fade away.
Belief (or a better word, trust) has both these elements but it is also volitional -it's a decision of the will. I have decided to place my trust in Jesus because it is the best choice for my life. I may intellectually believe that He died and rose again for me, but until I commit/transfer my trust on to Him, I remain unsaved.
The other difficulty is that many people comingle the different stages of salvation -justification (when I am made right with God at the moment of placing my trust), sanctification (the process of becoming like Christ once I have been justified) and glorification (the completion of being like Him when we stand before Him in heaven, then perfect and without sin).
Justification is without works, works assist in our sanctification and the evidence of it.
2007-05-31 07:09:23 · answer #3 · answered by biblechick45 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Bible is VERY clear about how to be saved and that is by following the example of Jesus. Jesus didn't bridge the gap because if you profess faith to Him you automatically get a 1-way ticket to Heaven, He asked us to be like Him, to love our fellow humans unconditionally, and He told us that this and loving God are the 2 most important things we can do. Jesus doesn't judge us on our mistakes and He doesn't keep a tally of our 'good deeds.' We are judged on the condition of our hearts, we must love selflessly and unconditionally. This is how we receive favour in the eyes of God - according to pretty much any religion, not just Christianity.
I know others before me have said all you have to do is say "Jesus is our Lord and Savior," but I think that interpretation is too literal. I think sinning despite knowing your wrongs is the same as vocally rejecting Jesus - you don't get in magically with a few words. You also have to act on those words, keep them in your heart and follow the teachings of Jesus (mind you, the teachings of Jesus, which are sometimes different than the teachings of various Christian churches...)
"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27)
2007-05-31 06:55:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i dont see it contradicting at all. most beliefs do that. however i feel if you read the Bible and not just take one verse but them all then there is not contradictions. really. i can explain it more too. all you need to do is pray and ask God to show you the truth. and read the WHOLE Bible. i think contradiction comes to play because people read a verse and just use that one verse.
also there is a verse that says unless you are born of water and of Spirit you can not get into the kingdom of heaven.
as well as one that talks about noah and how him and his family were saved by water so are we saved by water when we are baptized.
i am not saying all we need is to be baptized either. just something we do need. as well as asking Jesus to take our sins away. as well as repenting from our sins.
Acts 2:38 Repent and be baptized everyone of of you in the name of Jesus Chris for the remission of sins
Luk 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
2007-05-31 06:54:05 · answer #5 · answered by dannamanna99 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What are you confused about?
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Acts 2:21 says ALL who call on Jesus will be saved.
Hebrews 11:16 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
2007-05-31 06:58:39 · answer #6 · answered by Romans 8:28 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is very clear.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. - Jesus to Nicodemus in John 3:16
In this one quote is the encapsulation of the entire Bible, as well as the answer to mankind's most important question, "What must I do to be saved?"
http://www.schneblin.com/studies/pdfs/john_3-16.pdf
If all we had was the book of John, it would be enough.
If all we had was chapter 3 of the book of John, it would be enough.
If all we had was verse 3:16 of the book of John, it would be more than enough.
2007-05-31 06:53:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
If it's confusing, just keep studying it. It will become clearer.
Mark 16:16 -- Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Acts 2:38 -- Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
2007-05-31 07:03:56 · answer #8 · answered by kaz716 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
THE BIBLE IS NOT.... UNCLEAR.... It is YOUR Perception!
The BIBLE.... is there for those that REALLY WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH AND GOD!
For those that DON'T WANT GOD.... and HIS TRUTH THE BIBLE... it is Veiled!
(Matthew 13:12-13) For whoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance. = = = But whoever does not have, = = = from him shall be taken away = = = even that which he has.
(Mat 13:13) Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not; nor do they understand.
Perhaps you could read my 360 and the article on HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE!
Thanks, RR
2007-05-31 07:03:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I dont know what you have been reading but the Bible is crystal clear on this subject.If you believe that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Saviour you will be saved. If you believe that Jesus died on the cross and has washed all your sins away you will be saved.
'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved'
Acts 16:31
2007-05-31 06:56:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
As you've been told before. It is abundantly clear.
2007-05-31 06:58:34 · answer #11 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋