Question about Salvation?

Question

I am on a roll today.

Evangelicals believe that if I truely accept Jesus sacrifical death and resurection I am born again. (I have done this)
Nothing can seperate me from Christ and as I follow him he changes me to be more like he wants me to be. Some believe that you can loose this others that it is set in eternity and past and future sins are absorbed by christ on the cross.

Catholics believe that Jesus died for our sins and this grace is received through Baptisim, Receiving the Holy Spirit, Confirmation etc. It is a complete work, we confess our sins and are forgiven (as jesus said who you forgive I do etc) Then when I die any sins that are on my spirit are finaly removed by Jesus death on the cross - this is called purgetory and after this happens I enter heaven.

Both are very similar, both involve following Christ. Both are faith alone.

The evangelical way does seem a lot easier and safer but not as biblical when you break it down. How can I know what way is right.

Answer 1

How can I know what way is right.

- You'll have to make the final call yourself, but the main difference in the two theologies lies in whether Man can avoid Hell through a sufficiently holy life (Catholic) or whether we can merit Heaven at all (Protestant).

Answer 2

You wrote: "Some beleive that you can loose this others that it is set in eternity and past and future sins are absorbed by Christ on the cross" When we become born again the Word says we have to repent for the sins we commit. We constantly, daily have to take up our cross and follow Jesus. It's not in some place called purgetory it's here, now.
Some people in my family are Catholic and they believe this way, that there is purgetory so you can live however you want to here and then when u get there it will be fine and they'll go to heaven. The only way we get to go into Heaven is if our names are written in the Lambs Book of Life (Revelation). You don't get another chance after u die; you either live for Him while ur alive, here or get to spend eternity in Hell.
God is pretty clear about that in the Bible.

Then you wrote "this grace is received through Baptism" The Word says there isn't anything we can "do" to receive grace it's a free gift from God. Baptism is just an outward showing that we are going to live our lives 100% for Jesus.

Also where you wrote "as jesus said who you forgive I do" That is not scriptural. The Bible says we must forgive so we can be forgiven. If we want God to forgive our sins, then we must forgive every person who has ever wronged us. If we don't forgive than God can't here our prayers; b/c He can't look on sin. He is holy and He has to obey His own Word.

Purgetory is not scriptural either. When we repent here, daily that is when our sin is removed and "cast into the sea of forgetfulness". Jesus already died on the cross for the remission of these sins. That's why christians have empty crosses. He already died for all sins. (We have to choose to except it) But he didn't stay dead; He rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God in heaven.

The way to know which is right is to get into the Word and find out for yourself. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit; He is our teacher. He'll reveal it to you. Ask God for wisdom. The bible says if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask and He will give it to them liberally. God Bless you.

Answer 3

When we ask God to forgive us....we are forgiven...right then at that moment. That is on us to be accountable to be right with God, our responsibility...after we are dead were are dead, can change nothing. Maybe this will help, I do not see purgetory or anything like it written in the Bible. Maybe this will help:
Hebrews 10:16
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Answer 4

Consider the more logical and consider history..... The bible is the holy book of one group of starving stone age shepherds, no different that any other bunch, living a horrid life in the Middle East (Not much has changed, has it?) This holy book was influenced by the tribes around the tribe of Israel--- Hittite, Hyksos, Nubian, Abyssinian, Egyptian, Nubian, Kaddish, and others, all exchanging goods, wives, goats, ideas, etc... (as one example, the Adam and Even story comes directly from Babylon, the 12 denials of Egypt predate Moses and the 10 commandments by 1200 years... and are the same practically word for word....... this list is endless. And further, this holy book applied only to the tribe of Israel... It was perfectly okay to kill an enemy, sleep with an enemy's wife, covet his goats, etc. In fact, it even was encouraged... and as well, go so far as to enslave your enemy.

It appears Jesus never intended to participate in the formation of a new religion... all the guy wanted to do was make it possible for all manner of Hebrews to have access to the temples, not just the holy guys. The Gospels had many more books than those now included in the present day New Testament..., and it has changed over the course of 1000 years thru "improvements" by scribes, who "edited" it. It was not until the middle 1400's that printing was developed, and it was translated into vernacular languages... lots was left out... gospels according to Judas, Philip, Thomas, and others, who painted Jesus in different lights. All appear to have a common source, many written some 100 years after he died. We can't even get straight what happened to Kennedy and that was only 40 years ago.

You may find the history of the bible really interesting... get some books on comparative religion, fun stuff. Read things other than from your pastor, or sanctioned by your church... be all you can be,.... read. And "question everything".

Answer 5

Once a person is saved by hearing the Gospel, believing it, confessing it, repenting of sin, and being baptised for the remission of sin, they generally stay saved.

If this saved individual eventually turns away from salvation and goes back to worldly ways, and dies in this condition, I cannot say that they will be heaven bound.

While sin is forgiven when we repent, we cannot go merrily along sinning. The full concept of repent means to turn away from sin, and stop doing it. We will slip occasionally, because we are human and imperfect. That is where grace comes in. Grace erases or "blots out" our sin, according to scripture. God remembers it no more, so we look, to God, like we are free from sin, and fully acceptable.

I do not find any scriptures that offer purgatory as an option. If it is not in scripture, I do not profess any faith in it.

Answer 6

Our sin seperates us from God. Our contact with the blood of Jesus through baptism brings us remission of sin and therefore allows us to be together with God. Even though sin still seperates us from God even after baptism, as long as we have a relationship with Jesus, His blood covers the sin we commit. God does not turn away from us but we can turn away from Him. If we continue living in sin, a barrier does form between us and God. He does not FORCE us to remain in Him if we choose a sinful life instead. If we follow Him, He WILL help us become more like Him. By the grace of God, we are saved. Because of our salvation, we obey His Word.

Answer 7

I see no evidence in Scripture for a basis in believing there is a purgatory. "It is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment." Furthermore, according to the doctrine of purgatory, one need not to have been a believer in his own life; his loved ones can pray for his forgiveness and he can receive it. I find absolutely NO BASIS whatever in scripture to justify this position. The Bible makes it clear that each man is responsible for his own choices and decisions, and no one else can provide excuse for us. We choose to believe and are saved or refuse to do so and suffer God's wrath.

Answer 8

First, peace to you and I hope you are well.

I am convinced, that no matter what religious paradigm we create, it will be wrong in the end. God can not be held by any paradigm.

My hope and faith is based on God as just.

Answer 9

So funny that the response to "Jesus said ...." was "thats not biblical"

Evangelicals are such idiots.

Answer 10

The Bible does not teach purgatory....there is no place you can go to purge your sins, once you are dead....it does clearly say,,"It is given men, once, to die, and after that the judgment"...it also says, "The dead know nothing"....