So I must be going to hell because I'm Lutheran?

Question

Apparently even in you do believe in Christ, you're still in trouble if you aren't part of the Only One True Church.

Is this really the thoughts by some?

And why, specifically.

Based on what is written in the Scriptures, belief in Christ is first and foremost.

Answer 1

I am Protestant and I have been told that all of my life by Catholics that I know. What Pope Benedict said in his speech is nothing new. The Catholics have always thought that their "Church Organization" is the way to Heaven. I guess that they don't agree with Jesus. He said "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Close to 200 times in the New Testament salvation is said to be by faith alone - with no conditions in sight. Consider the following:
John 3:15 tells us that "everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."
John 5:24 says, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."
In John 11:25 Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies."
John 23:46 says, "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness."
John 20:31 says, "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

Answer 2

I am not a Christian, I am a Germanic Heathen. But I used to be a Christian, I read the Scripture though I never went to Church. So I will follow some of the Christian Mythology right now. What is being 'saved?' When I was a Christian I was told unless I got baptized in a Church, I wasn't truly saved. But then again, are you telling me by having some guy dribble water on my head makes me 'saved' in the eyes of the Holy Father? According to Christian Mythology, REAL Baptism is accepting Christ into your heart, and being cleansed by the Fire of Christ. Consult Ephesians 2:8-9, "For ye are saved through the grace of faith, and not of works, lest any man should boast." Basically, according to your Mythology, as long as you truly accept Christ into your heart, you are saved and will see Heavens Gates.

Answer 3

just being a "lutheran" will not get you into Heaven..no more than being a Baptist, or a Methodist, or part of any other "denomination" claiming to be "Christian"

All who come to God in The Way He prescribes will receive His free gift of Salvation. Those become part of The Body of The Church of which Jesus The Christ is The Head. Those are the ones of The True Christian Faith. Only those of The Chruch will enter Heaven.

No man or priest, or pastor,or pope, or doctrin or dogman of man invented "religion" can decree any one to be a True Christian.. only God may confer the title of Christian upon His People.

Answer 4

A lot of people believe a lot of things. I am not a religious person, although I was. I think that as long as you love god and believe and do what you feel is right, then you will go to heaven. (assuming there is one) God never wrote in the bible "everyone that doesn't go to this church burns in hell". No one can say that, and you don't believe that.

Answer 5

There is no Hell, when we die we go into an eternal sleep ecclesiastes 9: 5 For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they anymore have wages, because the remembrance of them has been forgotten. 6 Also, their love and their hate and their jealousy have already perished, and they have no portion anymore to time indefinite in anything that has to be done under the sun.
The price we pay for our sins is death (Romans) have you ever hear of double jeopardy, God is a god of Justice and God of love,.
If us inperfect human cannot tried a person a crime he has already paid for, you think that God, which is perfect will. hope this helps.

Answer 6

Too bad denominations point fingers.......the only way to God is thru Jesus. If one believes that Jesus died a horrible death for their sins and was resurrected for their forgiveness , he is saved. The Lutheran church, Missouri Synod teaches this.....and so do many other denominations. Don't let what people think and say bother you, but guard your heart. Blessings! Sola Scriptura

Answer 7

People can find God in any religion. BUT, in order to be 'saved', you must do what the gospels say need to be done. You should be baptized with water and live life according to God's will. You must also TRULY believe that Christ died on the cross for our sins. God bless!

Answer 8

i don't think the pope said "if ur not catholic, ur going to hell". however, he did say any denomination that does not recognize the Apostlic (sp?) lineage is somewhat "in trouble", or "wounded" and we need to learn more or change or whateva.

i am christian. i dont agree w/ his decree. but i don't think he condemned us, he just said we sort of defected from catholicism or what have u. i need to read more on it, and yes it's a bit provacative why and what his agenda is to proclaim this now..but as long as we focus on what is Positive, Healthy, Good, Right and Good for society, i think it doesn't matter in the end about this decree... anyways, good luck

Answer 9

Sola Scriptura

Answer 10

I don't believe that for a minute. Why would God ordain so many different churches (and allow them to flourish) if He didn't want us to approach Him different ways? My answer: because there are many ways that He finds acceptable. Denominations came about IMO because people come in many different sizes, colors, and orientation. I think it was Daniel Webster who said it: "As long as (people) are allowed to think and reason for themselves, they will reach different conclusions." (or something like that). God put us here and gave us the ability to think and reason, so will we always have a difference of opinions of how to approach Him. Viva la difference!